Grey State Apparel Review: Sustainable Style That Doesn‘t Sacrifice Comfort or Quality
Are you tired of fast fashion that falls apart after a few washes and leaves a guilty feeling in the pit of your stomach? As someone who loves staying on-trend but hates the idea of contributing to unethical labor practices or environmental waste, I‘m always on the hunt for clothing brands that prioritize sustainability without sacrificing style. That‘s why I was thrilled to discover Grey State Apparel, a women‘s clothing brand that offers eco-friendly, ethical fashion for the modern woman.
In this comprehensive Grey State Apparel review, I‘ll share my honest thoughts on the brand‘s quality, fit, style, and sustainability. As an avid fashion lover who has personally tried dozens of Grey State‘s pieces over the years, I‘ll give you an insider‘s perspective on what makes this brand so special. Whether you‘re a die-hard Grey State fan or new to the world of sustainable fashion, I hope this review helps you make an informed decision about whether this brand is right for your wardrobe and values. Let‘s dive in!
Who Is Grey State Apparel?
Founded in 2015 by fashion industry veterans Katie Warner and Suzanne Riordan, Grey State Apparel was born out of a desire to create a clothing brand that empowers women to feel confident and stylish while also making a positive impact on the world. With years of experience working for major fashion labels, Katie and Suzanne saw firsthand the waste and unethical practices that plague much of the industry. They knew there had to be a better way.
Grey State Apparel‘s mission is simple: to provide women with high-quality, sustainable clothing that looks great, feels amazing, and doesn‘t harm people or the planet. By using eco-friendly materials, partnering with ethical manufacturers, and giving back to charitable causes, Grey State proves that fashion can be a force for good.
Over the past 8 years, Grey State Apparel has grown from a small startup to a thriving business with a loyal following. They‘ve been featured in major publications like Vogue, InStyle, and Refinery29, and have even collaborated with top sustainable influencers on capsule collections. But through all their success, Katie and Suzanne have never wavered from their original mission of creating clothes that women can feel great about wearing.
Sustainable & Ethical Practices
One of the things I admire most about Grey State Apparel is their genuine commitment to sustainability and ethical manufacturing. While many brands tout eco-friendly initiatives as a marketing gimmick, Grey State truly walks the walk. Here are some of the key ways they prioritize people and the planet:
Eco-Friendly Materials
Grey State uses a variety of sustainable fabrics in their clothing, such as:
- Organic cotton (makes up 70% of their cotton use)
- Tencel lyocell (biodegradable and made from wood pulp in a closed-loop process)
- Recycled polyester (made from recycled plastic bottles)
- Lenzing modal (requires 10-20x less water than conventional cotton)
By choosing these materials, Grey State reduces their environmental footprint and contributes to a more sustainable fashion industry. For example, did you know that Tencel requires 95% less water to produce than conventional cotton? Small swaps like these can make a huge difference.
Ethical Manufacturing
Grey State partners with factories around the world that share their values for safe labor conditions and fair wages. All of their manufacturing facilities are regularly audited for social and environmental responsibility, and many are certified by independent third parties like WRAP and GOTS.
What I love is that Grey State goes above and beyond to support and empower the women who make their clothes. Over 80% of their supply chain workers are women, and the company provides special programs to help them thrive. This includes initiatives like HERproject, which provides health education and services to female factory workers. When you buy Grey State, you‘re not just investing in a great piece of clothing – you‘re supporting the livelihoods and wellbeing of women around the world.
Giving Back
In addition to their ethical manufacturing practices, Grey State Apparel also gives back to charitable causes that support women and girls. They‘ve partnered with organizations like Camfed and Girls Inc. to fund education and empowerment programs in underserved communities. Any time I wear my favorite Grey State pieces, it feels good knowing that my purchase is making a small but meaningful difference in the lives of other women.
Product Range & Quality
Now that you have a sense of Grey State‘s ethos, let‘s get into the good stuff: the clothes themselves! Grey State offers a wide range of wardrobe essentials for the modern woman, including:
- Tops: tees, blouses, sweatshirts, sweaters
- Bottoms: jeans, slacks, leggings, skirts
- Dresses: wrap dresses, shirt dresses, maxi dresses
- Outerwear: jackets, blazers, coats
- Activewear: sports bras, leggings, tanks
- Loungewear: joggers, knits, shorts
- Accessories: jewelry, bags, hats
No matter your personal style, Grey State has versatile pieces that can easily mix and match to create outfits for any occasion. Their vibe is very "polished casual" – think elevated basics that make you look effortlessly chic whether you‘re running errands or attending a work event.
What really sets Grey State apart, in my opinion, is the quality of their pieces. I‘ve been collecting their clothes for years, and I continue to be impressed by how well they hold up wash after wash. The fabrics are substantial and feel luxurious against the skin. Seams are finished properly to prevent fraying, buttons are securely attached, and zippers glide smoothly. These are clothes made with care and built to last, not like the flimsy fast fashion that pills or falls apart after a couple wears.
Over the long run, investing in a Grey State piece that you‘ll reach for again and again is so much better for your wallet and the environment than cycling through cheap clothes that end up in a landfill. I‘d much rather have a smaller wardrobe of quality pieces I love than a closet crammed with clothes that make me feel blah.
Fit & Sizing
As a curvy woman, I‘ve been thrilled with how well Grey State‘s pieces fit my body. Many sustainable brands skimp on inclusive sizing, but Grey State offers most styles in XS-3X. I typically wear a size 16/18 in other brands, and the 2X at Grey State fits me perfectly.
I really appreciate that Grey State provides the numeric measurements for each size, so you can compare them to clothes you already own. They also offer free shipping and returns, so it‘s totally risk-free to try out a few sizes until you find your perfect fit. And if you‘re ever unsure, their customer service team is super knowledgeable and happy to provide a personalized size recommendation.
One thing to note is that Grey State‘s pieces are designed to have a relaxed, slightly oversized fit, so if you prefer a more body-con look, you may want to size down. That said, everything I‘ve tried has been super flattering, even on my curvier frame. The drapey fabrics skim over lumps and bumps, and design details like ruching or strategic seams create really lovely silhouettes.
I‘ll share some of my personal favorite Grey State pieces and how they fit, to give you a better sense:
| Item | Size | Fit & Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Stella Tencel Dress | 2X | Loose, flowy fit. Nips in at waist & flares over hips/thighs. Heavier Tencel fabric smooths over curves beautifully. |
| Mila Modal Tank | 2X | Relaxed fit, very draped. Modal is soft and lightweight, perfect for tucking into skirts or wearing loose. |
| Olivia Skinny Jean | 32 | Mid-rise, fitted through hip & thigh with tapered leg. Organic cotton blend is structured but stretchy. Size up for a looser, more casual fit. |
No matter what size you wear, I‘m confident you‘ll be able to find plenty of Grey State pieces that make you look and feel your best!
Price & Value
There‘s no denying that Grey State‘s pieces are an investment compared to fast fashion prices. Most of their tops and dresses are in the $70-$150 range, with outerwear and special occasion wear reaching up to $250+. However, I firmly believe that their clothes are worth the price tag for a few key reasons:
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The quality is outstanding. These truly are clothes you can wear for years, not just a season. On a cost-per-wear basis, Grey State is a much better value than something you‘ll only reach for once or twice before tossing.
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The sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing inherently cost more. Organic cotton, fair wages, safe working conditions – these things matter, and I‘m willing to pay a bit more to support brands that prioritize them.
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Grey State‘s styles are so versatile and timeless, you really can build a whole wardrobe with just a few well-chosen pieces. I‘d rather spend $150 on a dress I can style for work, dates, travel, and beyond than buy 5 cheaper dresses I don‘t love as much.
All that said, Grey State does run occasional promos, so it‘s worth signing up for their email newsletter to stay in the loop. They also offer a robust loyalty program where you can earn points to redeem for discounts. And if you‘re really on a budget, I recommend stalking their sale section. Past-season colors and prints often end up there are very reasonable prices.
The Verdict
By now, it should be clear that I‘m a huge fan of Grey State Apparel. No other clothing brand combines sustainable practices, quality construction, inclusive sizing, and chic style in quite the same way. While their prices are higher than fast fashion brands, I believe the cost is more than justified by the caliber of the clothes and the ethical way they‘re made.
Most importantly, Grey State‘s pieces make me feel amazing every time I wear them. I love knowing that my clothes were made by women who are treated fairly, using materials that minimize harm to the planet. I feel stylish and put-together, but also totally comfortable. In my book, that‘s the definition of the perfect wardrobe!
Of course, Grey State Apparel isn‘t perfect. Their size range could be even more inclusive, and I‘d love to see them offer more selection within their plus sizes. With their commitment to sustainability, I was surprised to see their clothing arrives wrapped in plastic poly bags, so that‘s one area where they could reduce waste. And not everyone will love their slightly oversized aesthetic – if you prefer super tailored looks, Grey State might not be the brand for you.
But for me, and I suspect for many women who care about style, sustainability, and feeling good in their clothes, Grey State Apparel is a wonderful option. Their thoughtfully designed pieces are the foundation of my wardrobe, and I can‘t wait to see what they come out with next season. If you‘re on the fence, I highly recommend trying a few of their core styles – I have a feeling you‘ll become just as hooked as I am!
