Is Torrid Fast Fashion? An Expert Breakdown!

Torrid is an American women's fashion brand specializing in plus-size clothing which was formerly owned by Hot Topic. Even though Sycamore Partners, the owners of Hot Topic, continue to own it, the business split out in 2015 to form Torrid, LLC.

Customers of Hot Topic are said to have requested larger sizes on multiple comment cards, which served as the inspiration for the creation of Torrid. 

The first Torrid store opened in Brea, California's Brea Mall in 2001. With six stores launched in its first year and another 15 in 2002, Torrid soon became successful.

In 2005, Torrid widened its range of items to incorporate looks that were exclusive to its parent brand, Hot Topic. Intimate clothing, hosiery, novelty t-shirts, pants, Capri pants, shorts, skirts, dresses, outerwear, and accessories are among the products that Torrid sells. 2008 saw 151 million USD in revenue for the company

Torrid announced plans to redesign the company significantly in 2012, with new collections, branding components, and marketing campaigns that would be more in line with current trends.

The company's first international location opened in Toronto in August 2015. The business was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in July 2021 with the ticker CURV.

By the end of 2021, Torrid had over 600 stores in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, in addition to 24 stores abroad in Canada.

Sustainability Rating: 5/10

Category: Clothing, shoes, accessories

For: Women

Products: Tops, sweaters, dresses, jeans, bottoms, jackets and coats, activewear, swimwear, underwear, shoes, jewelry, accessories

Style: Trendy, punk, casual

Quality: High

Price: $

Sizes: 12-32 (UK), 38-58 (EUR), 9-29 (JPN)

Fabrics: Cotton, viscose, polyester, nylon, spandex, acrylic, rubber, faux leather, wool, denim, knit, faux fur, velvet, satin, chiffon, rayon, sequin

100% Organic: No

100% Vegan: No

Ethical & Fair: Yes

Recycling: Yes

Manufacturing countries: China, Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia, United States

Certifications: WRAP, SAC

Interpretation Of The Sustainability Score

If a brand is rated 5/10, it means that it is somewhat on the right track to make fashion sustainable. They are more transparent and responsible than most apparel brands and take massive action to reduce their impacts.

What Are The Sustainability Practices Of Torrid?

Torrid states in its ESG report that they are taking actions to reduce their impact. They also work with suppliers who understand their responsibility towards the environment and try to reduce their carbon footprint.

Torrid utilized new and innovative ways to acquire recyclable, recycled, and alternative materials in the year 2021. These included:

• Recycled rubber for shoe soles
• Recycled polyester fiber
• Organic, OEKO-TEX® and Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) cotton fibers

Torrid works with suppliers to prioritize the safe use of chemicals and, where appropriate, the transition to safer and more ecologically conscious chemicals.

Torrid also mentions a 2021 survey of its top apparel suppliers which found that:

• 100% of suppliers have procedures for chemical management and storage
• 73% of suppliers use alternatives to stones for “stone washing” fabric, including 42% that use lasers for wash treatment
• 69% of suppliers have switched to chemicals with less impact on the environment and human health
• 67% of suppliers use alternatives to traditional bleach
• 62% of suppliers use eco-friendly or alternative dyes with less environmental impact
• 25% of suppliers have been certified to Bluesign, a third-party standard that demonstrates manufacturers properly manage chemicals and replace harmful substances with safer alternatives

However, Torrid does not link the actual report where this 2021 survey can be found. All of this is mentioned only in their ESG report.

Are There Any Ethical Practices Of Torrid?

Torrid is an American brand and some of its products are manufactured in the USA. However, most of its products are manufactured and sourced from Asian countries that are China, Vietnam, Philippines, and Cambodia.

In Torrid’s ESG report, they state that they are dedicated to upholding international labor and human rights standards and making sure that their products are produced in secure, ethical facilities.

Torrid demands all its manufacturers and product suppliers agree to abide by high criteria for the production of the goods for the brand in addition to compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. 

These high standards are reflected in Torrid's Vendor Code of Conduct ("Code of Conduct"), and they uphold widely acknowledged guidelines intended to safeguard the rights of the people who produce the goods they sell.

Torrid’s garment suppliers, according to a survey conducted in 2021, were approved or certified to the standards and frameworks of WRAP, Higg Index, Sustainable Apparel Coalition, and Ethical Trading Initiative.

Does Torrid Ensure They Are Not Using Child Labor?

Torrid claims that they do not tolerate child labor and require a minimum age of 15 for employment; but, when permitted by legislation, a minimum age of 14 may be used.

Does Torrid Give Back To The Community?

Torrid has a charity program named “The Torrid Foundation” which was founded to raise money through donations and use that money to collaborate with charities committed to assisting women and transforming lives.

All collections and contributions help the breast cancer support programs of the National Breast Cancer Foundation in the US and Rethink Breast Cancer in Canada.

In October, Torrid collaborated with the National Breast Cancer Foundation to produce a limited-edition line of clothing that donated a portion of the sales to the NBCF. Their emphasis was on pre-screening services and programs for the early diagnosis of breast cancer.

As Torrid’s partner of the year, they worked with the YWCA USA to raise $1 million for their initiatives promoting gender equality, wellness, and empowerment for women.

For charitable initiatives supporting women's empowerment, wellness, and equality, Torrid has raised close to $9 million.

Additionally, Torrid and GLAAD have been partners for three years. In order to support GLAAD's programs that change culture, Torrid is donating 20% of net revenues from the sale of the Torrid Pride Collection and 100% of all round-ups to the LGBTQ community.

To assist GLAAD's LGBTQ media advocacy work, Torrid raised more than $1,000,000 in the first two years of the partnership.

In addition to supporting GLAAD during LGBTQ Pride Month, Torrid sponsored the Los Angeles edition of the GLAAD Media Awards in 2021 and is still collaborating with the GLAAD Media Institute to teach business allies in the workplace.

Are There Any Animal Welfare Policies at Torrid?

There is no proof that Torrid has any Animal Welfare Policies. Though It does not have products containing pure leather, fur, down, angora, or skin from exotic animals.

However, the brand uses wool in its products and there is no description of how it is obtained.

Sources:

https://www.torrid.com/size-guide.html

https://s28.q4cdn.com/785376639/files/doc_downloads/governance_docs/2021-torrid-sustainability-report.pdf

https://www.torrid.com/torrid/customer-service/social-responsibility/td-customerservice-socialresponsibility-torrid.html

https://s28.q4cdn.com/785376639/files/doc_downloads/governance_docs/2021/Torrid-Code-of-Ethics-(Final).DOC.pdf

https://www.calfund.org/torridfoundation/

https://www.torrid.com/product/torrid-foundation-donation/10958804.html

https://glaad.org/torrids-limited-edition-collection-celebrates-pride-partnership-glaad-third-year-row/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/torrid/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torrid_(clothing_retailer)

https://cleverism.com/company/torrid-llc/