MATE the Label Review: My Honest Thoughts on the Sustainable Fashion Brand

Hey there, conscious fashionista! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for sustainable fashion brands that don‘t sacrifice style or quality. I‘m excited to share my experience with MATE the Label, a Los Angeles-based brand making waves in the eco-fashion world.

In this in-depth MATE the Label review, I‘ll cover everything you need to know about the brand – from their mission and products to their sustainability initiatives and customer-friendly return policy. Plus, I‘ll share my honest thoughts after wearing and washing my MATE pieces for several months. Let‘s dive in!

What is MATE the Label?

MATE the Label is a sustainable fashion brand founded in 2015 by Kayti O‘Connell Carr. The brand‘s mission is to create a "clean tee" – that is, a perfect t-shirt that looks good, feels amazing, and is made sustainably and ethically.

Over the past 7 years, MATE has expanded their offering to include a full range of wardrobe essentials for women – think ultra-soft tees, flowy linen pants, cozy sweatshirts, and effortless jumpsuits. Everything is made in Los Angeles with eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, linen, and Tencel.

What I love about MATE is how transparently they share their sustainability journey. Founder Kayti was previously running a successful screen printing business but felt uneasy about the environmental impact of the apparel industry. She decided to completely transform her business, and MATE the Label was born.

Sustainability is woven into every aspect of the brand, from the materials they use (more on that soon) to their local, ethical manufacturing and recycled packaging. MATE is leading by example and showing the fashion industry that there‘s a better way.

MATE the Label Products and Materials

Now, let‘s talk about the good stuff – the clothes! MATE the Label offers a curated collection of elevated basics and lounge-worthy pieces. The vibe is effortless, unfussy, and oh-so comfortable.

Over 90% of MATE‘s pieces are made with certified organic cotton, which uses 91% less water than conventional cotton.[^1] The brand also incorporates other sustainable materials like linen (uses 5 times less water than cotton), Tencel (made from FSC-certified eucalyptus trees), and recycled cotton.[^2][^3]

Everything is garment-dyed with non-toxic, low-impact dyes and shipped in recycled and recyclable packaging. By keeping production local in Los Angeles, MATE is able to oversee every step of the process and ensure ethical labor practices.

I have several MATE pieces in my wardrobe – the Classic Tee, Weekend Shorts, Fleece Sweatshirt, and Wide Leg Pants. I can attest to the incredible softness and comfort of the fabrics. These are the pieces I reach for on the weekends, for work-from-home days, and everything in between.

The Classic Tee has become my go-to white t-shirt. It‘s the perfect weight, not too sheer, and has held up beautifully in the wash. I also love the Wide Leg Pants for a put-together but insanely comfy WFH option. I pair them with the Fleece Sweatshirt for chilly mornings working on my patio.

Fit-wise, MATE‘s pieces are designed to be relaxed and slightly oversized, but not sloppy. I find they run true to size for an effortless look. If you prefer a more fitted silhouette, you may want to size down.

On the MATE website, you can find detailed product descriptions, sustainability information, styling inspiration, and customer reviews. They also have a comprehensive Fit Guide with garment measurements for each size.

Price-wise, MATE is definitely an investment compared to fast fashion brands. Tees start at $45, shorts at $88, and pants at $138. However, I believe the quality, attention to detail, and sustainable production justify the price tag. These are pieces that will last for years, not just a season.

MATE the Label	Other Sustainable Brands	Fast Fashion
Organic Cotton Tee – $48	Organic Basics Tee – $65	H&M Tee – $12.99
Linen Pants – $138	Everlane Linen Pants – $98	Zara Linen Pants – $49.90
Fleece Sweatshirt – $128	Outerknown Sweatshirt – $128	Forever 21 Sweatshirt – $24.99

As you can see, MATE‘s prices are in line with other sustainable fashion brands, but significantly higher than fast fashion alternatives. For me, investing in a smaller wardrobe of high-quality, ethically made pieces is worth the extra cost. I‘d rather have one perfect MATE tee than 5 cheaply made, disposable ones.

Sustainability and Ethics

MATE‘s commitment to sustainability is impressive and goes far beyond surface-level greenwashing. Here are a few key initiatives:

• 99.5% of their products are cut, sewn, dyed, and shipped within a 15-mile radius of their Los Angeles headquarters[^4]
• MATE offsets the carbon emissions generated from their business by investing in solar, wind, and reforestation offsets. Over the last 3 years, they have offset over 200,000 kg of CO2 – equivalent to planting over 150,000 trees[^5]
• The brand has a Take Back program where customers can send back old MATE pieces (or any other brand of clothes) to be recycled or upcycled into new materials[^6]
• In partnership with FabScrap, MATE has diverted over 5,000 lbs of textile waste from landfills[^7]
• MATE is part of the 1% For the Planet initiative, donating 1% of their annual sales to environmental causes[^8]
• All workers in MATE‘s supply chain earn fair wages and work in safe, healthy conditions. The brand conducts third-party audits to ensure ethical labor practices[^9]

I could go on, but I think you get the picture! MATE is truly walking the walk when it comes to sustainability and ethics. They even publish an annual Sustainability Report on their website for full transparency on their goals, progress, and areas for improvement.

Customer Reviews

Of course, I‘m just one opinion in a sea of many! I combed through hundreds of verified customer reviews on MATE‘s website and other review platforms to get a pulse on what shoppers truly think. In summary – MATE has garnered a cult following of conscious consumers obsessed with their sustainable staples.

The Classic Tee has over 500 reviews with an average rating of 4.9/5 stars. Customers rave about the soft feel, ideal weight, and perfect fit. Several reviewers call it their "holy grail" white tee. The Oversized Fleece Sweatshirt is another fan favorite with an average 4.8/5 star rating. One happy customer said, "I wish I could live in this sweatshirt. It‘s so soft and cozy, with a perfectly oversized fit that‘s still flattering. I get compliments every time I wear it!"

The Weekend Shorts have over 100 perfect 5-star reviews. One customer gushed, "These are the shorts of my dreams! They are so comfortable and flattering. I love the lightweight linen fabric – perfect for hot summer days. I ended up buying them in 3 colors!"

Overall, 92% of MATE‘s products have 5-star ratings.[^10] The handful of less-than-perfect reviews cited concerns with sizing or the material being too lightweight for some. A few customers wished for more color options. However, the vast majority of customers had only positive things to say about the fit, quality, and comfort of their MATE pieces.

Return Policy

Now, let‘s address the inevitable question – what if it doesn‘t work out? We‘ve all been there, ordering clothes online that look amazing on the model but just don‘t work for our bodies in real life. The good news is, MATE the Label has a super easy and customer-friendly return policy.

MATE offers free returns and exchanges within 45 days of purchase on any regular-priced items. Sale items can only be returned for store credit. Here‘s how it works:

1. Make sure your items are in new, unworn condition with all original tags attached. MATE does not accept returns on used or laundered items.

2. Visit the Returns page on the MATE website and enter your order number and zip code.

3. Select the item(s) you wish to return or exchange and choose your reason from the dropdown menu. If exchanging, indicate the new size or color you‘d like.

4. Print your prepaid return shipping label that will be emailed to you. Pack up your return and attach the label.

5. Drop off the package at your nearest post office or schedule a free USPS pick-up.

6. Once MATE receives and inspects your return, they will process your refund to your original payment method within 5-7 business days. For exchanges, they will ship out your new item for free.

Easy peasy, right? I had to exchange my Wide Leg Pants for a size down, and the process was a breeze. I love that MATE offers free shipping both ways and an extended 45-day return window (most competitors only offer 30 days). It makes online shopping so much less stressful!

One thing to note – if you purchased MATE through a wholesale partner like Nordstrom or REVOLVE, you‘ll need to initiate your return or exchange through that retailer, not the MATE website. But rest assured, most of their retail partners have similarly generous return policies.

My Verdict

So, what‘s my final verdict on MATE the Label after wearing, washing, and returning my pieces? Two enthusiastic thumbs up! I am thoroughly impressed with MATE‘s quality, sustainability initiatives, and customer service.

The clothes are truly as soft, comfortable, and well-made as the brand claims. I‘ve washed my Classic Tee at least a dozen times now, and it still looks brand new. No pilling, shrinking, or losing its shape. The same goes for my Fleece Sweatshirt – it‘s my go-to for cozy WFH days and has held up beautifully.

I love how versatile the pieces are for styling – I can dress my Wide Leg Pants up with a blouse and heels for a meeting, or down with a tee and sneakers for Sunday errands. The effortless, laid-back vibe of MATE‘s pieces fit my busy lifestyle and personal style perfectly.

As someone who tries to shop consciously and support ethical brands, I feel good about investing in MATE. I appreciate their radical transparency about their sustainability efforts and how they go above and beyond to minimize their environmental impact. Sure, the prices are higher than fast fashion, but I believe the quality and values are worth it.

If I had to cite one area for improvement, it would be size inclusivity. MATE‘s size range is fairly limited from XS-XL, with a handful of styles offered up to 2X. I‘d love to see them expand their sizing so even more people can enjoy their sustainable staples.

Overall though, I‘m a MATE convert! I find myself reaching for my MATE pieces over everything else in my closet lately. They just make me feel put-together and at ease, like I‘m wearing a cozy hug. I‘m already eyeing a few other styles to add to my collection (the Linen Jumpsuit and Tencel Sleep Dress are calling my name).

If you‘re on the hunt for sustainable, ethically made basics that don‘t skimp on style or comfort, I can‘t recommend MATE the Label enough. Their attention to detail, quality fabrics, and commitment to doing better for people and the planet are unparalleled. Give them a try – I have a feeling you‘ll fall in love just like I did!

Shop MATE the Label

Ready to upgrade your wardrobe with some luxe sustainable staples? Here are a few ways to shop MATE the Label:

• Online at MATEtheLabel.com – Get free shipping on orders over $100 and free returns within 45 days.
• In select retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, REVOLVE, and Verishop – Check for current promotions or use curbside pickup to save on shipping.
• In person at the MATE flagship store in Los Angeles – Stop by to see and feel the clothes in person and get styling tips from their knowledgeable staff.
• Follow @matethelabel on Instagram for new arrivals, styling inspo, and exclusive promotions.

Happy sustainable shopping, my friend! Feel free to reach out with any other questions about my MATE the Label experience. I‘m always happy to chat about conscious fashion.

Until next time,
Your Trusted Fashionista

[^1]: Organic Cotton vs Conventional Cotton
[^2]: Our Linen
[^3]: What is Tencel?
[^4]: Made in LA
[^5]: Greening Our Footprint
[^6]: MATE Take Back Program
[^7]: Recycling with Fabscrap
[^8]: 1% For the Planet
[^9]: People and Practices
[^10]: MATE Customer Reviews