Rag & Bone
Rated: Good
Price: $$$
Location: USA
Quick verdict
Rag & Bone is best for style-conscious consumers who value premium denim quality and New York design but are not prioritizing sustainability as a purchase criterion. The brand produces well-crafted, durable clothes with some US/Italy manufacturing, but sustainability credentials are uniformly poor. Scored just 8/100 by Remake, and 1.6/5 on Trustpilot. This is a fashion-first brand with minimal substantiated sustainability efforts despite occasional green marketing.
Key info
- Headquarters
- New York City, NY
- Founded
- 2002
- Product categories
- Denim, Womenswear, Menswear
- Price range
- $$$
- Key certifications
- None verified (no B Corp, Fair Trade, GOTS, Climate Neutral, or OEKO-TEX)
Rag & Bone sustainability rating
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We Avoid) to 5 (Excellent). How we rate
Rating breakdown
Uses some organic cotton and recycled denim, but does not disclose percentage of sustainable materials across collection. Conventional synthetics remain prevalent; no aggregate materials breakdown published.
Manufacturing primarily in the US and Italy suggests stronger labor laws, but the brand publishes no supplier list, no audit results, no living wage data, and holds no third-party labor certifications.
No carbon footprint, no science-based targets, no water data, no chemical management transparency. The Blue Jeans Go Green denim recycling partnership is the sole tangible initiative.
No sustainability report, no supplier list, no environmental data. Since acquisition by Guess?/WHP Global in 2024, brand-specific information has become even harder to find.
Products are genuinely well-crafted with premium materials. Denim consistently praised for exceptional fit and longevity. However, at $188–525+, consumers may expect more robust sustainability commitments at this price point.
What they do well
- Quality craftsmanship and durability: Denim consistently praised for exceptional fit, premium fabrics, and longevity (years of wear), inherently supporting a "buy less, buy better" mentality.
- Some US and Italy-based manufacturing: Meaningful production in countries with stronger labor and environmental regulations, including partnerships with established American factories.
- Innovative denim techniques: The Infuse collection (Fall 2025) uses enzyme-based washes, natural dyes, and laser technology with ZDHC-compliant chemical suppliers.
- Blue Jeans Go Green recycling: Since 2007, customers donate old denim at stores to be recycled into insulation for Habitat for Humanity, receiving 20% off full-price denim.
Room for improvement
- Transparency is critically lacking: No published sustainability report, supplier list, factory audit data, environmental metrics, or materials breakdown. Insufficient disclosure is a major issue. Without verifiable data, sustainability claims remain marketing without substance.
- No meaningful certifications or targets: Not B Corp, not Climate Neutral, no Fair Trade, no GOTS, no 1% for the Planet, no science-based emissions targets. This places Rag & Bone significantly behind genuine sustainability leaders like Nudie Jeans, Boyish, or Reformation at similar price points.
- No circular economy infrastructure: Beyond denim recycling, there are no repair services, take-back programs, resale platforms, or garment-to-garment recycling initiatives.
About Rag & Bone
Rag & bone was co-founded in 2002 in New York City by British designers Marcus Wainwright and David Neville, blending British tailoring heritage with downtown NYC street style. The brand earned a cult following for premium denim and celebrity fans including Charlize Theron and Jennifer Garner. In April 2024, Guess? Inc. and WHP Global completed a $57.1 million acquisition, with Rag & Bone continuing as an independent brand under the Guess portfolio. The brand operates approximately 34 US stores and 2 UK stores.
On sustainability, Rag & Bone's efforts are minimal and poorly documented. Its only notable program is the Blue Jeans Go Green initiative (since 2007). Some products use organic cotton and recycled denim, and the 2025 Infuse collection incorporated enzyme-based washes and ZDHC-compliant chemicals. However, the brand doesn't disclose what percentage uses sustainable materials, publishes no environmental data, and holds no third-party certifications. Remake scored the brand 8/100.
Manufacturing occurs primarily in the US and Italy, but also in China for knits and some accessories. Compared to genuinely sustainable premium denim brands like Nudie Jeans (a sustainability leader) or Outland Denim (B Corp 160.2), Rag & Bone falls far short on transparency, circularity, and verified commitments. Free US shipping with 30-day returns (sale items final sale). The brand's sustainability reads as a passive consequence of quality production rather than an active strategy.
Product highlights
Miramar Jogger Pants
Cotton terry joggers with digital print resembling distressed denim
~$188
Viral sensation; creative comfort-meets-style in 100% cotton terry
Fit 2 Slim Jeans (Men's)
Signature men's slim-fit in premium denim (14.5oz), various washes
~$220–250
Perennial "best jeans" list inclusion; exceptional fit and durability
Harrow Ankle Boot
Italian leather/suede with stacked block heel
~$525
Cult favorite that defined the brand's footwear ambitions
Infuse Denim Collection
Multi-step overdyed men's denim with enzyme washes, natural dyes, laser tech
~$225–275
Brand's most sustainability-conscious denim offering; ZDHC-compliant chemicals
