MATE
Rated: Good
Price: $$
Location: USA
Quick verdict
Best for conscious consumers seeking everyday organic basics and activewear that prioritize non-toxic, PFAS-free materials against the skin. MATE stands out with triple certifications (B Corp, GOTS, Climate Label) and hyperlocal LA manufacturing, cutting, sewing, dyeing, and shipping all happen within 15 miles of headquarters. Caveats: premium pricing ($48 tees, $128+ sweats) and a return policy that only offers store credit or exchange, not cash refunds, which has frustrated some customers.
Key info
- Headquarters
- Los Angeles, California, USA
- Founded
- ~2014 (pivoted to organic in 2018)
- Product categories
- Basics, Loungewear, Womenswear
- Price range
- $$
- Key certifications
- B Corp (84.4), GOTS, Climate Label (since 2021)
MATE sustainability rating
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We Avoid) to 5 (Excellent). How we rate
Rating breakdown
Exclusively organic cotton (GOTS certified), TENCEL™ Lyocell, organic linen, and organic stretch (92% organic cotton/8% spandex). Eliminated polyester, nylon, and polyamide since 2018. All dyes are non-toxic, low-impact, and GOTS-approved.
Final production in LA within 15 miles of HQ. Indian supplier is GOTS certified with ~98% renewable energy. However, Remake flagged the lack of disclosed wage data across the supply chain.
Climate Label certified, measuring Scope 1–3 emissions (2022 total: 1,261 tCO₂e). 100% plastic-free packaging. reMATE program recycles cutting scraps and accepts consumer garments. Carbon neutrality still relies partly on offsets.
Publishes impact reports, supplier names/locations, Scope 1–3 data, and fabric origin journeys. B Corp score is public. Does not fully disclose facility-level water data or wage specifics.
Premium pricing ($48 tees, $98 leggings, $158 sweatshirts) is justified by certifications and LA manufacturing but inaccessible to many. Comparable organic brand Pact is significantly cheaper. Quality is widely praised for durability.
What they do well
- Triple-certified (B Corp 84.4, GOTS, Climate Label) with rigorous third-party verification across social and environmental impact: rare in the industry
- Non-toxic, PFAS-free activewear is a genuine differentiator; the MOVE line uses 92% organic cotton/8% spandex, when most activewear is polyester-heavy
- Hyperlocal LA supply chain: cutting, sewing, dyeing, packaging, and shipping all within 15 miles of HQ, dramatically reducing transport emissions
- 100% plastic-free across products, labels, and packaging: compostable mailers, recycled paper hangtags, organic cotton labels, soy ink, pearwood buttons
- reMATE circularity program: collects used garments (any brand) and cutting scraps for mechanical fiber recycling; customers receive $20 store credit
Room for improvement
- Wage transparency is lacking. Despite LA-based manufacturing, MATE does not publicly disclose specific wage data for garment workers across its supply chain. Remake specifically flagged this as a key improvement area.
- Carbon strategy relies on offsets. While they measure and disclose Scope 1–3 emissions, a portion of their carbon neutrality comes from purchasing offsets (e.g., a wind project in China) rather than direct reduction. 2030 targets are promising but not yet independently verified as science-based (SBTi).
About MATE
MATE the Label was founded around 2014 in Los Angeles by Kayti Carr and launched online around 2015. Originally a women's basics brand, it pivoted in 2018 to its current "Dress Clean®" identity, eliminating all synthetic materials and committing exclusively to organic, non-toxic fabrics. The brand's flagship materials include GOTS-certified organic cotton (grown in Maharashtra, India), TENCEL™ Lyocell (Lenzing, Austria), organic linen, and an organic stretch blend. Manufacturing is hyperlocal: organic cotton is knitted and dyed in the US, then garment-dyed in LA with low-impact dyes.
MATE achieved B Corp certification in April 2023 with a score of 84.4 (minimum 80; median ordinary business scores 50.9). It has been Climate Neutral Certified (now Climate Label) since 2021, measuring Scope 1–3 emissions annually. The brand reports a 2022 carbon footprint of 1,261 tCO₂e and targets a 50% Scope 1–2 reduction by 2030.
Products range from ~$18 (individual undies) to ~$218 (linen dresses), with most items in the $48–$158 range. Compared to Pact (~$20–$65) MATE is significantly pricier, but comparable to other certified organic brands like Kotn or Organic Basics. Free US shipping on orders $200+; 30-day returns for store credit/exchange only. Sizes run XS–3X on many styles, Featured in Vogue, Goop, Forbes, and Fast Company.
Product highlights
Organic Fleece Quarter Zip Sweatshirt
Heavyweight organic cotton fleece pullover
~$158
Bestseller with 500+ reviews; reviewers rave about lasting softness comparable to vintage sportswear
Organic Stretch Full Length Legging
92% organic cotton/8% spandex legging, GOTS certified
~$98
PFAS-free activewear alternative, one of few non-synthetic leggings on the market
Organic Cotton Classic Tee
100% organic cotton jersey, knitted and garment-dyed in LA
~$48
Soft, breathable, doesn't pill after years of wear per reviewer consensus
Organic Stretch Sports Bra
Double-layered organic cotton, minimal spandex
~$58
No pads, supportive for low-to-medium impact; 600+ reviews; popular in the non-toxic activewear space
