Eileen Fisher
Quick verdict: Ever bought a sweater that looked tired by its third wash? Eileen Fisher sells the opposite: plain, well-made clothes at a price that hurts a little, from a company owned by its founder and its own staff. It’s a B Corp, and its Renew program takes your old pieces back and resells them. The Fair Trade claim covers only a fifth of the range, though. Our rating: 4.2 out of 5.
Who they are
Eileen Fisher launched her namesake label in New York in 1984, according to Retail Dive, and stepped back from the CEO job in 2021. Lisa Williams now runs it; her signature as CEO is on the company’s 2024 benefit report.
Who owns it is the interesting part. Fisher kept about 60% and her employees held the other 40% through an employee stock ownership plan, per a 2020 CNN piece reposted by Rutgers. The benefit report confirms the plan still exists but doesn’t print a current split. No private equity, no parent company, no sale. That’s about as boring an ownership answer as you’ll find, and boring is what we want.
What they get right
The B Corp is real, and the score went up. We read it at the issuer: B Lab lists Eileen Fisher, Inc. as certified since December 2015, with a 2024 score of 109.4. Its earlier scores were 81.6, 96.2 and 89.1. A brand that keeps improving at recertification is doing the work, not just keeping the badge.
It takes its own clothes back. EILEEN FISHER Renew collects worn pieces and resells them. When we looked it had about 750 listings, most under $100. That’s the part we like most. A $250 sweater you wear for ten years and then sell on is a different purchase from a $250 sweater you throw out.
Owned by the people who work there. Employee ownership is hard to sell off quietly. On a site that keeps asking who owns a label, this is one of the cleanest answers in the directory.
Where they fall short
Fair Trade covers 20% of the range, and it’s the factories that hold it. The benefit report says 20% of products are made in Fair Trade Certified factories. That’s the factory’s certificate, not the brand’s, and our guide to sustainable fashion explains why that distinction matters. We didn’t find the factories named.
It’s expensive. There’s no way around it. A merino crew runs $248 to $288 at full price, and a lot of shoppers will only ever buy here on sale.
The range is women’s only. Men have nothing to buy here.
No climate certification. It isn’t on the Climate Label, so its emissions claims come from its own reporting rather than an outside standard.
What they sell and what it costs
Regular prices from the brand’s store, checked October 2026:
- Organic cotton jersey tees, $68 to $88
- Washable stretch crepe ankle pants, $198, with wide-leg cuts at $218
- Superfine merino sweaters in regenerative wool, $248 to $288
- Jersey dresses, $188 to $198
Much of the range was marked down 28% to 40% when we checked, and Renew has secondhand pieces from about $15. That’s the cheapest way in.
Who it’s actually for
Anyone who wants a small wardrobe of quiet basics and plans to wear them for years. It’s a strong pick if employee ownership and a take-back loop matter to you. And if the prices sting, start with Renew.
It’s not for you if you want trend pieces, men’s clothing, or a brand where every item is certified.
Deals and discounts
No codes right now. Seasonal markdowns are frequent, and Renew is a permanent discount.
Related reading
- What Is Sustainable Fashion?
- The Best Sustainable Denim and Jeans Brands
- The Best Sustainable Underwear and Basics Brands
- How to Spot Greenwashing
Frequently asked questions
Is Eileen Fisher a B Corp?
Yes. B Lab lists Eileen Fisher, Inc. as certified since December 2015, and it recertified in 2024 with a score of 109.4. We checked it at B Lab directly.
Who owns Eileen Fisher?
Its founder and its employees. As of 2020, Eileen Fisher held about 60% and staff about 40% through an employee stock ownership plan. There’s no parent company or private equity owner.
Is Eileen Fisher Fair Trade?
Partly. The company says 20% of its products are made in Fair Trade Certified factories. The certificate belongs to those factories, not to the brand.
What is Eileen Fisher Renew?
The brand’s take-back and resale program. It collects worn Eileen Fisher clothing and resells it, mostly for under $100 a piece.
Why is Eileen Fisher so expensive?
The fabrics are mostly organic, regenerative or high-grade natural fibers, and the pieces are cut to last for years. Full-price sweaters run about $250 to $290, which is why its sales and Renew are popular.