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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:
BlairWaldorfLovesShopping · 31/08/2021 11:40

I'm sure companies are aware these ratings exist. I don't buy the idea that they are doing good things but just not publicising it. It's becoming more and more important to consumers, as demonstrated by this thread and the Joules one. Their PR departments know that. If I worked for one, I'd be onto Good On You providing proof of everything we were doing... if we were doing it. Especially if things had changed in the last 3 years or whatever.

mynameiscalypso · 31/08/2021 11:53

@BlairWaldorfLovesShopping

I'm sure companies are aware these ratings exist. I don't buy the idea that they are doing good things but just not publicising it. It's becoming more and more important to consumers, as demonstrated by this thread and the Joules one. Their PR departments know that. If I worked for one, I'd be onto Good On You providing proof of everything we were doing... if we were doing it. Especially if things had changed in the last 3 years or whatever.
No, I'm not sure I buy it either particularly but was wondering if we'd suddenly see an onslaught of PR from Boden / Toast / Hush etc given I imagine they must stalk MN pretty closely to get real-time customer feedback.
Cactu · 31/08/2021 12:03

Outdoor clothing from Patagonia etc will last forever. It’s also extremely practical at keeping you warm, dry or cool and isn’t particularly fashion dependent so doesn’t go out of style.

It’s easier for these brands to be ethical because the consumer is happy to pay a premium. Patagonia and Finisterre are expensive but their customer is investing in a lifestyle. Most people who spend a lot of time surfing, mountaineering or biking spend huge amounts of money on their hobby.

TuftyRusty · 31/08/2021 12:38

@BlairWaldorfLovesShopping

I'm sure companies are aware these ratings exist. I don't buy the idea that they are doing good things but just not publicising it. It's becoming more and more important to consumers, as demonstrated by this thread and the Joules one. Their PR departments know that. If I worked for one, I'd be onto Good On You providing proof of everything we were doing... if we were doing it. Especially if things had changed in the last 3 years or whatever.
Was that directed at me @BlairWaldorfLovesShopping? I agree with you - I said in my post that Although, you’d think most companies doing good things would be shouting about them and making sure people knew they were doing good. As you say, I’m sure they’d want to prove what they’re doing if they are indeed doing good because it matters to consumers.
BlairWaldorfLovesShopping · 31/08/2021 12:42

Not directed at anyone @TuftyRusty but yes I was agreeing with you! :)

LaurieFairyCake · 31/08/2021 13:03

Brora isn't on there Confused

colouringindoors · 31/08/2021 13:05

"Good" ones i recognise
Finisterre
Stella McCartney
Pure Apparel
Baukjen
Patagonia
Adidas
Marks and Spencer

H&m, GAP and Seasalt on "It's a Start"

New Look, Dorothy Perkins, White Stuff on "Not good enough"

Joules on worst ranking "We avoid"

colouringindoors · 31/08/2021 13:08

Hush also not good enough...

mynameiscalypso · 31/08/2021 13:20

I couldn't see Mango on there. My assumption is that they wouldn't be great based on similar-type brands like Zara but has anyone seen anything about them?

IrishMamaMia · 31/08/2021 13:21

Just clicked on this thread and discovered Baukjen. Going to try and stay as ethical as possible by not purchasing anything but wow it is pretty!

TuftyRusty · 31/08/2021 13:25

@BlairWaldorfLovesShopping

Not directed at anyone *@TuftyRusty* but yes I was agreeing with you! :)
I’ve got a bit lost on the thread as I wasn’t keeping up! It will definitely be interesting to see if companies start trying to put out more on their website to try and improve their ratings. I really hope consumer choices and pressure could be part of what drives change.
TuftyRusty · 31/08/2021 13:26

@mynameiscalypso

I couldn't see Mango on there. My assumption is that they wouldn't be great based on similar-type brands like Zara but has anyone seen anything about them?
Oh, Mango is on there @mynameiscalypso - it’s been rated as Not Good Enough.
mynameiscalypso · 31/08/2021 13:41

Thanks @TuftyRusty, not sure why I couldn't find it. Disappointing but unsurprising.

HopeClearwater · 31/08/2021 19:34

@NavigatingAdolescence Including women’s underwear designed for men

Responding to the market that’s always been there. I don’t care as long as they don’t allow the men to try the stuff on in the women’s changing rooms.

NavigatingAdolescence · 31/08/2021 19:50

[quote HopeClearwater]**@NavigatingAdolescence* Including women’s underwear designed for men*

Responding to the market that’s always been there. I don’t care as long as they don’t allow the men to try the stuff on in the women’s changing rooms.[/quote]
Oh. But they do.

And then they brag about wanking in it and putting it back for a hapless woman to find.

M&S know and don’t care.

NavigatingAdolescence · 31/08/2021 19:53

Surely women’s underwear should fit women, first and foremost. Presumably designing it for men means it doesn’t fit women that well.

But who gives a shit about women these days?

AnnieSnap · 31/08/2021 22:48

@NavigatingAdolescence

Surely women’s underwear should fit women, first and foremost. Presumably designing it for men means it doesn’t fit women that well.

But who gives a shit about women these days?

Apparently, women don’t exist. Only trans-women and cis-women - I will never accept that, so apparently I’m bigoted. I’ll stop now!
LizzieMacQueen · 31/08/2021 23:09

I'm not really defending Boden but I've yet to find better made kids pyjamas.

Blinky21 · 31/08/2021 23:31

I wouldn't expect Boden to be ethical based on its old Etonian owner.

Megameg56 · 01/09/2021 06:07

Mountain Equipmemt and Klättermusen are good,if you are interested in sports clothing

Snowdrop30 · 01/09/2021 06:30

Jigsaw and Hobbs not good enough either. Baukjen, if you are reading this, I would happily buy more from you if you had a 'petite' option ( am an average 5 ft 5 and the sleeves and trouser legs of everything I try are too long).

Snowdrop30 · 01/09/2021 06:33

I already buy from Pure and will check out M and S once rates go back down in my area.

Iwab82 · 01/09/2021 06:36

Not that surprised but this Iis definitely going to make me think more. Makes me angry that expensive brands could actually afford to pay a living wage if they wanted due to the high prices charged.

onlyconnect · 01/09/2021 07:57

Thank you for this OP. I have been thinking about how to get information like this for a while.
But, my goodness it's a problem for me. All the places I buy from come out badly: Whistles, Mint Velvet, Jigsaw, Uturque.
H and M and Cos a bit better.
I'm going to have to have a big rethink!

shinynewapple21 · 01/09/2021 10:57

What has surprised me is that Nomads Clothing which has been around for years as fair trade / organic pioneer only gets an 'it's a start'. I've bought stuff from there when I may have preferred an alternative from another retailer specifically because I thought it was ethically good .

People Tree has the highest rating .