Carhartt WIP believes in the ethical treatment of animals as part of its social and environmental responsibility. While materials that originate from animals represent less than 1.4% of the total materials we use to make our products, it is still essential for us to ensure that no animals are caused undue harm or distress as part of this process. This fundamental principle guides our stance on all animal products, which is elaborated on below.
Leather: Carhartt WIP only uses leather from livestock or farming animals bred for meat production. All of the leather we use is either cow, pig, sheep, goat, or buffalo. You will find leather used in Carhartt WIP products such as belts and wallets, as well as occasional finishing details on items such as pants and jackets.
Down and Feather: Down and feather typically accounts for less than five products per year, as we typically try to find alternative forms of insulation. However, when we are seeking to make a product which offers significant warmth in the winter months, we ensure that the down and feather we use comes from Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified farms. This certification means that these are by-products of the meat industry, rather than being specifically bred for apparel production, and that the animals are treated in a humane manner.
Wool: In line with its stance on the treatment of animals, Carhartt WIP does not accept any wool which comes from sheep that have been mulesed – a painful practice that removes strips of wool-bearing skin from the animals bottoms. However, this is still an area where we are aiming to improve. We design our collections up to two years in advance and have begun working with our suppliers to ensure we meet our ultimate goal, which is that all of our wool comes from Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) certified farms, recycled sources, or is replaced with a sustainable, non-animal alternative.
Real Fur: Carhartt WIP does not use real fur in its products.
Mohair and Angora: Carhartt WIP does not use mohair or angora in its products.
