Introduction
In a crowded fashion landscape where “sustainable” and “ethical” are often buzzwords, ABLE stands out with a clearer purpose: to offer stylish women’s clothing, accessories, and leather goods based on the premise of women’s economic empowerment. This review explores ABLE’s history, values, product range, strengths, and areas of focus.
About ABLE
ABLE was founded in 2010 in the USA (based in Nashville, Tennessee) by Barrett Ward and Rachel Ward. The company began as a non-profit initiative to provide jobs for women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Over time, it evolved into a for-profit company while maintaining its social mission. The brand now works with manufacturing partners in Ethiopia, Mexico, Peru, and Brazil and focuses on apparel, footwear, leather goods, and accessories.
ABLE's Mission & Philosophy 🌿
ABLE’s core philosophy focuses on women’s economic empowerment, ethical production, and sustainable materials. Key pillars include:
Jobs not Charity: The brand prioritizes employment and fair wages for women over handouts.
Transparent Supply Chain: ABLE publishes wages, audits its partners, and prioritizes safe working environments.
Sustainable Materials and Durability: The use of organic cotton, recycled metals, responsibly sourced leather, and the trend toward long-lasting garments instead of fast-fashion disposable items.
Style with Purpose: The idea that you don’t have to sacrifice aesthetics or trends to support ethical fashion.
In short, ABLE combines style, function, and social commitment into one package.
ABLE offers a wide selection of women’s clothing: basics like T-shirts and jeans; elegant pieces like dresses, jackets, and outerwear; and accessories.
Pros:
The garments are designed for quality: cleaner fabrics, solid craftsmanship, and a style that leans more toward elevated basics than ultra-trendy pieces.
The commitment to ethical production means you’re supporting a cause that goes beyond simply buying fashion.
Cons:
Prices tend to be higher than typical mass-market brands—a sign of ethical manufacturing and quality materials.
While the styling is versatile, you may find fewer statement pieces in your trend-oriented wardrobe than with fast-fashion brands.
In addition to clothing, ABLE also offers bags, desert boots, leather goods, jewelry, and other accessories, most of which are sourced or manufactured from women-owned partner factories.
Pros:
The leather goods and bags are often praised by reviewers for their thoughtful design, good leather quality, and craftsmanship.
Accessories allow for shopping at a variety of price points (not just for large clothing items).
Cons:
Leather goods are more expensive; for budget-conscious shoppers, some pieces may feel high-quality.
The use of leather means the brand isn’t strictly vegan, which may be important to some ethical shoppers.
Highlights
Authentic social mission: ABLE has a consistent and well-documented commitment to women’s economic empowerment.
Supply chain transparency: ABLE discloses wage levels and partner factories, offering more transparency than many other brands.
Combination of ethics and aesthetics: Those who shop at ABLE receive stylish, wearable pieces with meaning.
Focus on long-lasting design: The brand encourages long-term wear rather than seasonal disposal.
Women-owned/for-women: This brand puts women at the center, both in terms of its workforce and target audience.
Who is it for? 👥
ABLE US is ideal for:
Consumers who value social responsibility and ethical production when purchasing fashion.
Shoppers looking for high-quality, long-lasting basics (jeans, T-shirts, leather bags) instead of impulsive seasonal items.
Women who value transparent brands and are willing to invest a little more for purpose-driven design.
Shoppers who prefer versatile, minimalist to trendy design to ultra-fast fashion.
It may not be ideal for:
Consumers seeking the lowest price and ultra-affordable fashion (you’ll pay a little more here).
Shoppers chasing the latest trends or ultra-affordable seasonal clothing.
Anyone seeking completely vegan or animal-free materials (some products contain leather or wool).
Our Opinion / Why We Love It ❤️
We love ABLE because it achieves a rare combination: It doesn’t feel like “ethical fashion” in the sense of sacrificing style, but rather like a credible lifestyle brand with a clear purpose. The design feels modern, the materials are high-quality, and the fact that every purchase supports a broader mission gives the brand heart.
For anyone seeking fashion that looks good, is well-crafted, and does good, ABLE is an excellent choice. The trade-offs (price, less hypertrend) are fair given the value. If you’re building a capsule wardrobe or value long-lasting pieces, ABLE is the perfect choice.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Strong ethical/social mission with measurable results.
Good material quality and longer durability than many fast-fashion brands.
Transparent manufacturing and wage disclosures.
Stylish enough to last, not just for one season.
Wide product range (clothing, bags, accessories) with diverse accessibility options.
Cons
Higher price than traditional fast fashion; budget adjustment may be necessary.
Some products contain animal materials (leather) and may therefore not be suitable for purely vegan consumers.
Not always the trendiest designs – those looking for ultra-fashion may find the range more classic.
Due to smaller production runs, some items may be out of stock or the color/size variety may be limited compared to mass-market brands.
Customer Reviews
ABLE reviews typically highlight the following points:
Positive Feedback:
Users appreciate the feel and durability of the clothing and leather goods; many mention that they wear their purchases for a long time.
Customers also appreciate the brand’s mission and say that the “purpose” behind the clothing makes them feel better about spending.
Many praise the good customer service, attractive packaging, and the overall compelling brand experience.
Critical Feedback:
Some customers find certain garments thinner or less structured than expected given the higher price.
Some shoppers noticed slower restocking of sizes or colors on popular items.
Some budget-conscious shoppers wished for more frequent sales or lower prices on basics.
FAQs
Q: Is ABLE truly ethical?
Yes. ABLE is committed to empowering women through employment, pays living wages, audits partner factories, and publishes wage data. While no brand is perfect, ABLE has strong credibility in this area.
Q: How is the fit?
The fit varies by item. Many reviews recommend regular sizing for basics (T-shirts, jeans), but some higher-end pieces may require sizing. As always, check size charts before purchasing.
Q: Is leather included in the sale?
Yes. ABLE uses leather goods (bags, boots, etc.). The leather is responsibly sourced (often as a byproduct), but the brand is not strictly vegan.
Q: Are the pieces worth the price?
For many shoppers, yes—especially those who value durability, materials, and sustainability. Those who wear the pieces often and keep them for a long time generally get good value for their money.
Q: Does ABLE ship internationally, and can I buy from abroad?
Yes, ABLE ships to many countries; however, shipping, customs, and returns may vary for purchases outside the US.
Conclusion
ABLE US is one of the most respected fashion brands of its kind: it combines social commitment, high-quality materials, and practical style. If you’re looking for clothes that support ethical production and women’s empowerment while also looking good, ABLE ticks almost all the boxes.
In short: ABLE US = fashion that matters. Stylish, meaningful, and long-lasting.
