Colorful Standard Review: Organic, Sustainable & Ethical?

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Stephanie Cole
By 
With her Master of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering (MSREE) from Oregon Tech, Steph is supremely well qualified to write on all aspects of sustainable living. She has already achieved a zero carbon footprint and her goal is to help as many other people as possible do the same. Her other hobbies include music, yoga, swimming and horror movies.
Stephanie Cole
Updated: March 19, 2024

As someone who has worn organic and sustainable clothes for many years, I love it when a new eco-friendly brand comes along to disrupt the fashion industry.

Colorful Standard is one such brand, that claims to offer high-quality casual clothing at affordable prices. But is that true?

Spoiler alert: Yes - as regular readers may remember, I already included them on my list of the best organic clothing brands, so you know they are the real deal.

In this 2024 Colorful Standard review, I'll go into more detail about the clothes I tested, and set out the pros and cons of the company. So you'll know exactly what to expect if you choose to order from them yourself...

Colorful Standard clothes in bright colors

Colorful Standard - Key Facts:

Product Range: T-shirts, crew necks, hoodies, sweatpants, shirts, shorts, socks - all in a wide choice of color options.
Eco-Credentials: Oeko-Tex 100 Certified, Global Recycled Standard, FSC Certified
Price Range: $ - $$
Based: Copenhagen, Denmark
Shipping: Worldwide
Returns: Within 90 Days

Review Criteria

For the purposes of this review, I tested the Classic Organic Tee and the Organic Zip Hoodie.

I will evaluate each one for its material, quality, comfort, and fit, while sharing everything you need to know about Colorful Standard brand sustainability, shipping, and returns.

They Say: Because it isn’t socially acceptable to walk around topless - yet. Made from 100% Organic cotton, this fitted tee will be your go-to, 100% of the time. Breezy and lightweight, you’ll forget you’re even wearing it.

We Say: This high-quality classic unisex tee is made from 100% organic cotton and is also PETA Approved Vegan.

There are (at the time of writing) an incredible 58 color options so there's guaranteed to be one you love. I went for deep black, as I wanted something that would go with a range of other outfits.

Like all Colorful Standard products, the classic organic cotton tee is garment dyed and pre-washed, so it won't shrink. I can confirm that after several washes, the fabric is still the same shape, size, and color as when I unboxed it.

I found that this garment fits true to size, with just the right amount of room for comfort. The organic cotton feels wonderfully soft against the skin. At the same time, the item feels very well-made and durable. Moving forward I can see this lasting for many years to come.

They Say: Basic? More like essential! Our organic unisex zip is a relaxed fit meant for all occasions - whether on the go or just chilling at home.

We Say: The Classic Organic Zip Hood is another essential clothing item that lives in most of our closets. This one is exceptionally well made, and feels thick, warm, and durable.

Again, an amazing array of color options are available. This time I opted for the Desert Khaki. I think it looks amazing, and in terms of the final dye, the color does look exactly the same as the picture on Colorful Standards website.

In my opinion, the fit is relatively true to size, possibly slightly on the slim side. If you need a bit more breathing room you may wish to order one size up.

Like the t-shirts, Colorful Standard hoodies are pre-washed, garment-dyed, and anti-pilling. I always wash on cold as a rule, and the fabric remains good as new after several weeks of hard wear.

Yes - safe to say I love this hoodie, and since I wear it so often, I'm intending to buy another (and probably a sweater too) to try out some of the other color options.

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Product Quality and Materials

I've touched on the quality of the Colorful Standard material above, but it's worth emphasizing just how good this clothing is for the price point.

The entire range is made from either 100% organic cotton, 100% recycled merino wool, and some smaller components such as labels are made from recycled polyester. That means the garments contain no harmful chemicals, and the materials have been sourced in a way that is kind to the environment.

If you're not used to organic clothing, and particularly if you've previously bought from fast fashion brands, then you're going to notice the difference in material straight away.

Both of the items I tested are extremely well made. The fabric feels soft to wear and is thick and robust while still being breathable.

One of the unique aspects of this brand is the wide choice of colors available. It really is amazing, and whether you prefer a vivid, outgoing look or a more reserved style, you will find an option you love here.

  • CS unboxing 1
  • CS unboxing 2
  • CS tshirt unboxed
  • CS hoodie unboxed

Comfort and Fit

The fact that the material is so soft and durable means that the clothing is exceptionally comfortable to wear, and you can really put it through its paces without worrying about it getting damaged.

Both items I tested were true to size, but as I mentioned above, the sleeves on the hoodie were a slim fit and you would need to order one size up if you have thicker arms.

Because all Colorful Standard clothing is pre-washed (using the garment-dyed technique described below) it means there will be no unexpected shrinkage when you first wash your new clothes.

So the size you get is the size you keep!

Brand Sustainability & Ethics

I would describe Colorful Standard as an eco-friendly and ethical brand, but what does that actually mean? Well, in this case, there are a number of initiatives designed to reduce environmental impact and waste, while also offering a higher standard of working conditions.

  • 100% Organic and Recycled Materials - All of the cotton clothes are PETA certified Vegan. Recycled merino wool obviously can't be Vegan (by its nature) but it is Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified (which is why I also listed them under recycled fashion brands) and environmentally friendly dyed.
  • Environmentally Friendly Dye - The dyes used are all Oeko-Tex Certified so you can be 100% confident that they are free from harmful chemicals or anything else that could harm you or the environment.
  • Zero Waste Fabrics - Laser cutting techniques are used to cut fabric waste down to an absolute minimum, and any scraps that are left behind are upcycled into furniture filling.
  • Garment Dyeing - Instead of dyeing an entire roll of fabric before it is cut, the dyeing takes place after the clothes have been cut and stitched, saving both dye and water.
  • Recycled Packaging - Orders are shipped in sturdy FSC-Certified packing boxes which are reusable and recyclable. Individual items are wrapped in recycled plastic.
  • Ethical Labor - The Portuguese manufacturing center follows strict EU laws, meaning workers receive fair treatment, including conditions, wages, and working hours.

Shipping and Returns

Colorful Standard ships worldwide, and uses local distribution centers in many countries which reduces the carbon footprint on your order.

They offer free shipping for orders over a certain value, which varies by country. In the US, you get free shipping on all orders over $70, with a standard delivery time of 2-3 days.

My own order arrived within 2 working days via DHL.

There is a 90-day return policy when you order online.

Packaging

All orders are shipped in recycled packing. The outer packaging was made from recycled, reusable and recyclable cardboard. There was a slight bend on the outer box courtesy of DHL, but the contents were unaffected.

The one slight complaint I have is that each individual garment was then wrapped in plastic.

Yes, it was recycled plastic, so more environmentally friendly than most of the fashion industry! However, it does still leave the buyer with plastic to dispose of, and I would have liked to see another solution that doesn't involve plastic at all.

Still, overall this is something that's easily changed and hopefully, they'll do so as they take further steps to go zero waste in the future. I send my plastic waste for recycling, so it would not stop me from ordering from Colorful Standard again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Colorful Standard true to size?

Yes, I would consider the colorful standard tees and hoodies to be true to size.

The tee is a perfect regular fit. The hoodie - in particular the arms - I would describe as slim fit, so if you need extra space you should consider ordering one size up.

All garments are pre-washed so they will not shrink after washing.

Who owns Colorful Standard?

Colorful Standard is owned by its founder, Tue Deleuran.

Where is Colorful Standard From?

The Colorful Standard company headquarters are in Copenhagen, Denmark.

They have flagship stores in various locations around the world, including London, Paris, Berlin, Zurich, and Copenhagen.

Where is Colorful Standard made?

All of Colorful Standards clothes are made in Barcelos, Portugal. Customers are able to visit the manufacturing center and observe the labor conditions and production process for themselves.

Is Colorful Standard Ethical?

Yes, I would consider Colorful Standard to be an ethical and sustainable choice. They follow ethical labor practices, treat their employees well, and have a commitment to zero waste.

The Final Word

Colorful Standard offers thoughtfully created eco-conscious fashion but without the higher price tag often associated with eco brands. There is also the added bonus of an unrivaled choice of colors to suit any style.

Like many of the top eco-friendly clothing brands, the company is transparent in the way it produces its clothing and the way it treats its workers. They even invite you to visit and see for yourself.

I have very high standards when it comes to the quality and sustainability of my wardrobe, and this is a brand I intend to order from again. I'm happy to be able to recommend them to you too.

Stephanie Cole
Stephanie Cole
With her Master of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering (MSREE) from Oregon Tech, Steph is supremely well qualified to write on all aspects of sustainable living. She has already achieved a zero carbon footprint and her goal is to help as many other people as possible do the same. Her other hobbies include music, yoga, swimming and horror movies.

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