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Original poster

Boden scores lower than Primark in fashion sustainability ratings.

76 replies

PearlyRising · 30/08/2021 12:09

Wow.

Categories of certification include Child labour, modern slavery, worker safety, energy use, water usage, animal welfare, chemical waste, energy consumption, carbon emissions, living wage...

Just listened to this in Lauren Bravo's How to break up with fashion and her source was

Goodonyou.eco directory featuring 200 brands

I'm not their biggest fan but I've bought more from Boden than I have from Primark in the last few years. Makes me wonder why.

OP posts:
Claudia84 · 30/08/2021 17:16

It’s still listed as ‘not good enough’ on the rankings so I wouldn’t rush to start shopping there!

MiddleParking · 30/08/2021 17:21

I’m surprised that you’re surprised. Extortionate prices really aren’t a reflection of good ethics!

whataboutbob · 30/08/2021 17:56

Just about every brand I like scores not good enough 🙁. Agnes b, Paige, petit bateau. I am shocked about Agnes b because she is vocal about ethics and not using factories with exploitative practices when she gets stuff manufactured abroad, and in France she employs ex prisoners to get them back into work.

whataboutbob · 30/08/2021 17:57

No longer buying from frumptastic Boden so that’s one less thing to worry about 😀.

gogohm · 30/08/2021 18:01

Has always been the case that designer brands are made in the same factories and same poverty wages

Fairyliz · 30/08/2021 18:10

@gogohm

Has always been the case that designer brands are made in the same factories and same poverty wages
I have a family member who works in fashion who says the same. You do realise that there’s not some mythical factory in say Switzerland where the locals are paid a good wage to create goods. The only way to be sustainable is to buy fewer clothes and literally wear them until they fall apart. How many of us are prepared to do that?
TuftyRusty · 30/08/2021 18:18

@Fairyliz but there are companies that produce clothes in the UK, EU and so on, and pay fair wages and ensure good conditions. Just not that many of them unfortunately. I agree that a high price doesn’t guarantee anything.

Original poster
PearlyRising · 30/08/2021 18:23

@MiddleParking

I’m surprised that you’re surprised. Extortionate prices really aren’t a reflection of good ethics!
Yeh I guess I know they're all bad, but I am surprised that Boden is worse rhan Primark!
OP posts:
wheresmymojo · 30/08/2021 18:55

Worse than ASOS too!

wheresmymojo · 30/08/2021 18:55

M&S have one of the best high street retailer scores...

wheresmymojo · 30/08/2021 19:04

Other surprises...

Whistles, Mint Velvet, Hush, Jigsaw and Monsoon all come lower than ASOS!

wheresmymojo · 30/08/2021 19:07

As do Toast, John Lewis and Joseph.

Quite interesting as a lot of people who freely spend in these shops look down on ASOS from an ethical perspective.

Not that ASOS are great...far from it, but better than most of the other places Mumsnetters tend to shop.

Definitely worth downloading the app.

Anoisagusaris · 30/08/2021 19:08

Yes I’m always amused when people say avoid cheap fashion and buy XX high street brand instead of primark or supermarket clothes . Many brands are dearer to the consumer but are just as bad for the factory workers, environment etc.

wheresmymojo · 30/08/2021 19:11

Jaeger are worse than Shein Shock

WeirdArchitecture · 30/08/2021 19:21

The best ive found are hiking or outdoor brands such as Patagonia - not terribly fashion forward but there you go. It's depressing.

Nuffaluff · 30/08/2021 19:22

Really impressed with M and S. They aren’t expensive either and do some good stuff these days.

WeirdArchitecture · 30/08/2021 19:25

really shocked that M&S are doing better than fat face, Toast, John Lewis..

Finisterre also very good.

WeirdArchitecture · 30/08/2021 19:32

OMG Joules is one of the lowest scoring ive seen since searching. Scores 1/5 throughout.

ParishSpinster · 30/08/2021 19:39

I read something on Instagram that hit home - fast fashion isn't necessarily badly made. The workers are paid badly but they are skilled. The fact fashion is cheap allows us to treat it as disposable and not take care of it. I have Primark tops that are around 10yrs old, they went from office staples to casual to jammies and I mend them. The quality of the work is good, it's the quality of life for the workers that is poor.

We need to wisely use the clothes that exist, and when we buy new clothes we need to treat them well.

As to the workers and pay, it's for the companies to be pressurised into better work environments and pay and more sustainable and ethical practices.

May not be relevant. But it popped into my head. Fast fashion isn't always unskilled.

Original poster
PearlyRising · 30/08/2021 22:42

Im trying to buy less and have been far better the last 18 months... but i wont be able to stop buying clothes altogether, so ill look on the m&s site next time i need something.

OP posts:
TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 30/08/2021 22:46

Please could someone who has downloaded the app tell me if it mentions Seasalt?

TuftyRusty · 30/08/2021 22:59

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel you don’t need the app. Just search the brand/s you’re interested in on the directory.

directory.goodonyou.eco/?_gl=11gsyfeu_gaNTU3Mjk0MTc4LjE2MzAzNjA3MTk._ga_TTB1J3Q9MN*MTYzMDM2MDcxOC4xLjEuMTYzMDM2MDczMS40Nw..&_ga=2.226999389.1314677727.1630360719-557294178.1630360719

pucelleauxblanchesmains · 30/08/2021 23:06

"Quite interesting as a lot of people who freely spend in these shops look down on ASOS from an ethical perspective." Yes but to some extent it's about not over consuming and buying one thing that will last longer (Toast do a free mending service now even if you got the item secondhand) than multiple outfits you don't wear. I mostly buy second hand now but find with the same level of care, Boden, Toast etc have lasted longer than clothes from H&M which tend to stretch out or bobble so easily.

SallyCinnamon3009 · 30/08/2021 23:07

@PearlyRising

Im trying to buy less and have been far better the last 18 months... but i wont be able to stop buying clothes altogether, so ill look on the m&s site next time i need something.
I'm the same. I've started using eBay a lot. For example I do love shein and it's not just cos it's cheap I really like the style of the clothes. I buy a lot shein stuff second hand off eBay. It's not flown over from China that way, it's even cheaper as its second hand and I've had some really nice bits.
AnnieSnap · 30/08/2021 23:31

@pucelleauxblanchesmains

"Quite interesting as a lot of people who freely spend in these shops look down on ASOS from an ethical perspective." Yes but to some extent it's about not over consuming and buying one thing that will last longer (Toast do a free mending service now even if you got the item secondhand) than multiple outfits you don't wear. I mostly buy second hand now but find with the same level of care, Boden, Toast etc have lasted longer than clothes from H&M which tend to stretch out or bobble so easily.
Boden also do a free repair service and have recently introduced a recycling service for their clothes with a store credit in exchange (£4 per adult item, I think it £2 fir children’s wear). Not that I’m defending their other practices.