Our editors curate highly rated brands that are first assessed by our rigorous ratings system. Buying through our links may earn us a commission—supporting the work we do. Learn more.
Kate Hudson’s brand Fabletics has grown in popularity since the explosion of athleisure in recent years, but how ethical is Fabletics? Here’s why the brand gets our lowest score of “We Avoid” overall for its lack of efforts. This article is based on the Fabletics rating published in June 2022.
Fabletics has to put in the work
Athleisure is booming, and people are more aware of their health and their comfort than ever in recent years. Countless fashion brands have clued in on the trend, creating sportswear that wears just as well in the gym as on the couch—and actor Kate Hudson jumped on the trend, co-founding the brand Fabletics in 2013.
With a focus on inclusivity and a tagline of “At Fabletics, we believe everyone deserves to look and feel their best,” we hope the brand is taking steps to care for not just its VIP members but the people in the supply chain and the planet. So, how ethical is Fabletics?
Environmental impact
With a heading of “New styles every month!” or taglines for the current massive sale front and centre on the website and hundreds of styles already in production, it’s clear Fabletics hasn’t heard the news about slowing fashion down. In a classic fast fashion move, Fabletics all-too-frequently pumps out new styles in unsustainable fabrics at low prices.
While the brand uses some lower-impact materials, the effort ends there. There is no evidence that it reduces textile waste, has taken any meaningful action to reduce or eliminate hazardous chemicals, or is working to reduce carbon emissions. If your inclusivity doesn’t include the planet’s longevity, you’re doing something wrong. Fabletics is “Not Good Enough” for the environment.
Labour conditions
Another area of minimal effort, Fabletics is “Very Poor” when it comes to labour conditions. As a bare minimum, the brand has a Code of Conduct that covers all of the ILO Four Fundamental Freedoms principles. Beyond that? No evidence of worker empowerment initiatives, no info on where its final stage of production occurs, and no proof it is paying a living wage at any stage.
The impact of fast fashion on garment workers is a confronting yet important topic, and for a brand that wants everyone to “feel their best”, the lack of transparency is especially disheartening. Do better for all people, Fabletics—not just your VIP members.
Animal welfare
Fabletics avoids all animal materials in its range of clothing typically free from animal-derived fabrics aside from some designs including wool, for which it doesn’t state its sources. The brand gets a “Good” score for animal welfare.
Overall rating: We Avoid
So, how ethical is Fabletics? Overall, Fabletics is one “We Avoid”. With bare minimum efforts for people and the planet, this brand has a long way to go before it can be considered ethical or sustainable. We’ll get our athleisure fix elsewhere, thank you very much.
Note that Good On You ratings consider 100s of issues, and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information, see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.
We know that size inclusivity is one of the most significant barriers for people trying to shop more ethically, and there is no shame in shopping for brands that are making a start if they best suit your needs. Fortunately, there are tons of size-inclusive ethical brands like Fabletics out there to help you slow your consumption down and invest in quality pieces that will stand the test of time. Here are a few of our faves.
Good swaps
“Good” and “Great” alternatives to Fabletics
