The Upside
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 2 November 2026 · 6 sources
Australian women's activewear label.
There's no proof The Upside pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage.
Know something we've missed? Send evidence. Represent The Upside? Send a right of reply.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 3 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It doesn't show that workers are paid a living wage, and isn't certified as working towards one. On Track needs at least one of these.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 3 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsJudged on where its products are made: worker rights are poorly protected in China, Bangladesh and Vietnam.
- Met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Met: High-risk raw materials (cotton and silk) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeOnly in a few products: cotton and silk
Red flags 1
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
From product labels; The Upside doesn't say where its products are made. The rest is shown as where clothes and shoes are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| BangladeshUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| VietnamUsual for the industry | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| IndiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| CambodiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| TürkiyeUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Very high |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| PakistanUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | High |
Evidence
What we found
- Uses cotton and silk in only a few products, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good. It doesn't show where they come from. The "Open supply chain" star needs all of them traced, certified or upcycled.
- Independent social audits of all its main factories
Research notes The Upside does not name its factories or production countries and has no modern slavery statement or living wage commitment; retail listings show some activewear made in China. Its 'Mindful Movement' page says all suppliers are audited under SMETA, BSCI and similar schemes and must sign an ILO-based ethical sourcing policy, but publishes no audit results. Most of the range is synthetic, with some organic cotton, silk and merino; recycled polyester is GRS certified.
Sources and actions
Sources 6
Show all 6 sources
- The Upside - Good On You · search the archive · Labour rated 'very poor' (1/5) for not publishing enough on labour policies; last updated December 2022
- The Upside secures apparel deal with local fitness franchise (Ragtrader, 2024) · search the archive · Australian brand founded by Jodhi Meares; three NSW stores, online, 50+ wholesale accounts incl. The Iconic and David Jones
- The Upside - Form Seamless Midi Legging (Nykaa Fashion) · search the archive · Product labelled Made in China; 52% polyester, 40% recycled polyamide, 8% elastane
- Revolve: listing including THE UPSIDE Rhythm range · search the archive · THE UPSIDE Rhythm 25in Midi Pant and Rhythm Caleb Tank Top labelled Made in China
Published by The Upside or its owner
- The Upside - Journey to Mindful Movement · search the archive · All suppliers audited by SMETA, BSCI and SGT; ILO-based ethical sourcing policy signed by tier 1 suppliers; GRS recycled polyester; no factories named
- The Upside - Discover Sustainable Fabrics · search the archive · Organic cotton used in knitwear, jersey and loopback styles; silk, linen, merino promoted; no certifications, origins or factory information given
Company details
- Headquarters
- Australia
- Last researched
- 2 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is The Upside ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/the-upside, last researched 2 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded activewear
No activewear brand selling new goods is Good yet. These are the strongest so far.
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent The Upside.