Lucy & Yak
Rated: Good
Price: $
Location: UK
Quick verdict
Best for shoppers seeking colourful, affordable, ethically made basics and dungarees, particularly those who value inclusive sizing (UK 4–30+) and bold prints. The brand stands out for its exceptional factory transparency, featuring garment workers by name and face in marketing materials, and for powering its main Indian factory with solar energy. The notable caveat is a disputed living wage claim: insufficient evidence of living wage guarantees despite the brand's own assertions, and some reviewers flag inconsistent sizing and thinner-than-expected fabrics relative to price.
Key info
- Headquarters
- Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK
- Founded
- 2017
- Product categories
- Womenswear, Menswear
- Price range
- $
- Key certifications
- GOTS, GRS, OCS, OEKO-TEX, FLA member, Sedex member
Lucy & Yak sustainability rating
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We Avoid) to 5 (Excellent). How we rate
Rating breakdown
Over 95% of the range uses organic, recycled, or deadstock materials, GOTS-certified organic cotton, Lenzing ECOVERO viscose, recycled polyester, hemp, and flax linen. All verified through third-party certifications (GOTS, GRS, OCS, OEKO-TEX).
Manufactures primarily in India (Rajasthan) and Turkey, with a small UK-made line. Joined the Fair Labor Association in July 2023 and all suppliers are Sedex members. However
Main Indian factory runs on solar power. Packaging is entirely biodegradable or recycled. Launched the Re:Yak buyback/circularity programme in 2023, Partners with Greenly for carbon measurement and Ecologi for offsetting. Falls short on publishing actual emissions data, reduction targets, or water-use metrics.
Publishes annual impact reports (2024 edition described as "most comprehensive yet"), discloses factory names and locations, and features workers in marketing. Does not share third-party audit reports or a complete supplier code of conduct publicly.
Dungarees at £55–75 (~$70–95) are competitively priced against similar sustainable brands like Big Bud Press (~$100+ for overalls). Frequent discounts (20% off for new sign-ups), Klarna/Clearpay options, and an outlet section improve accessibility. Some reviewers note thin fabric relative to price.
What they do well
- Worker visibility is industry-leading: garment makers' names, faces, and stories appear throughout marketing, creating genuine consumer-maker connection rare in fashion
- Solar-powered primary factory in Rajasthan demonstrates concrete environmental commitment beyond materials alone
- Re:Yak circularity programme lets customers return worn items for a £20 voucher; returned pieces are resold or recycled
- Inclusive sizing from UK 4–30+ with petite, regular, and tall lengths across most styles
- Rapid growth without losing mission focus: recognised in The Sunday Times 100 fastest-growing UK companies (2023), now operating 14+ physical stores
Room for improvement
- Living wage verification gap is the most pressing issue, and independent third-party wage auditing evidence is absent.
- No published emissions data or reduction targets despite partnering with Greenly; for a brand with strong environmental credentials, quantified climate metrics are notably absent.
About Lucy & Yak
Lucy & Yak began in 2017 when Lucy Greenwood and Chris Renwick, who met while travelling and named their campervan "Yak," started making handmade dungarees from deadstock fabric with a tailor named Ismail in Rajasthan, India. Their first 30 pairs sold out instantly on Depop, and the brand launched from Lucy's parents' basement in Barnsley. By 2022, annual revenue hit £22.7 million.
The brand's material mix is anchored by GOTS-certified organic cotton, supplemented by GRS-certified recycled polyester (from plastic bottles), Lenzing ECOVERO viscose, flax linen, hemp, bamboo, and deadstock fabrics. Manufacturing takes place primarily in a solar-powered, GOTS-certified factory in Rajasthan, with secondary production in Turkey and a small "Made in UK" line sewn in Barnsley. All suppliers hold Sedex membership and follow the ETI Base Code, and the brand joined the Fair Labor Association in 2023.
Lucy & Yak does not hold B Corp certification, despite some third-party sources claiming otherwise, the brand does not appear in the B Corp directory. They ship worldwide via Royal Mail, Deutsche Post, or DHL, offer free UK delivery over £69, and have a 30-day returns policy. Dungarees at £55–75 undercut most comparable ethical brands. Charitable partnerships include the Fior Di Loto Foundation supporting girls' education in Pushkar, India.
Product highlights
Original Dungaree
Straight-leg dungaree with adjustable tie straps, oversized pockets, 100% GOTS organic cotton
~£55–65 (~$74)
The product that built the brand, comes in 20+ colourways and limited-edition prints, available in petite/regular/tall
Juni Jumpsuit
Full-length long-sleeve boilersuit in GOTS organic cotton twill
~£60–75 (~$85–90)
Popular one-piece alternative to dungarees with strong community following and bold print options
Harper Fleece Jacket
Oversized sherpa-style fleece in bold prints, 100% recycled polyester from plastic bottles
~£78 (~$100)
Showcases the brand's recycled material capabilities and signature maximalist print aesthetic
Drew Straight-Leg Trousers
Mid-rise everyday trouser in organic cotton, available in twill, corduroy, and denim
~£45–55 (~$65–75)
Demonstrates range beyond dungarees; corduroy versions are particularly popular
