Founded in 2019, Commonware started with a simple question: why is it so hard to find well‑made basics that don’t cost a fortune or compromise on sustainability? We set out to build the answer: seasonless staples made from better materials, produced in audited factories, and priced transparently—so you can buy fewer, better pieces that work every day.
Our story
Commonware was born out of frustration. After years in fashion, our founders, Maya Chen and James Okafor, saw the same gap: everyday clothing was either cheaply made and destined for the landfill, or prohibitively expensive. From a small Portland studio, they launched six organic‑cotton essentials designed to last. The response was immediate, and today our team designs a full range of women’s and men’s basics that stay true to our principles: use the best materials we can, work with factories that treat their people well, keep prices honest, and never make more than we need to.
Built for everyday reliability and longevity
Quality over quantity guides everything we make. To ensure durability, comfort, and consistency:
Thoughtful materials: We prioritize long‑lasting, low‑impact fibers such as GOTS‑certified organic cotton, European flax linen, Responsible Wool Standard merino, and Tencel lyocell. These fibers balance durability with comfort—breathable in heat, insulating when it’s cool, and soft against skin.
Proven construction: Our partners specialize in categories that demand hard‑wearing builds—from tightly knit organic cotton jerseys for our tees and sweats to robust woven fabrics for chinos and outerwear. We focus on finishes that stand up to frequent wear and washing.
Real‑world testing: Every piece goes through rigorous wear and wash testing for fit retention, pilling resistance, and colorfastness. We test products ourselves before they reach you.
Timeless design: Clean lines and seasonless silhouettes mean your pieces remain relevant year after year, reducing replacement cycles and supporting a smaller, more intentional wardrobe.
Precise prototyping: Small‑batch development and prototyping in Valencia, Spain help us dial in fit and function before full production—so the piece you get performs as intended from day one.
What makes our clothes comfortable and functional
Comfort starts with materials and carries through to construction and fit:
Natural breathability: Organic cotton and linen allow airflow for everyday comfort, while Tencel lyocell adds softness and drape.
Wear‑anywhere simplicity: Neutral, timeless silhouettes pair easily across your closet and transition from work to weekend without fuss.
Consistency you can count on: Category‑specialist factories and tight quality controls help ensure reliable fits and finishes across seasons.
How we make it: ethical and transparent
We publish how and where our clothes are made because accountability matters.
Audited factory partners: Our cut‑and‑sew partners in Portugal, Turkey, India, and Spain are audited annually for worker safety, fair pay, hours, and environmental compliance. Recent audits reported strong results in safety and environmental standards, with corrective actions implemented where needed. We benchmark wages against living‑wage methodologies and are working with partners to close remaining gaps by 2027.
Certified materials and processes: We source 100% of our cotton as GOTS‑certified organic from farms in India and Turkey. Our dye houses meet OEKO‑TEX Standard 100 and bluesign criteria, with on‑site wastewater treatment; some facilities run on renewable energy, and zero‑liquid‑discharge systems are in use where applicable. We are testing lower‑water and waterless dyeing approaches to further reduce impact.
B Corp certified: Commonware is a Certified B Corporation with a score of 94.3. Certification evaluates our governance, workers, community, environment, and customers, and legally commits us to consider all stakeholders in major decisions. It’s a framework for continuous improvement, not a finish line.
Radical transparency: We share how product costs break down, including typical ranges for raw materials, factory labor, overhead, logistics, and our margin. Understanding the true cost helps you buy with confidence.
Explore the details in our sustainability resources:
- Learn more about our sourcing standards in Our Commitment to Sustainable Sourcing, our factory audits and wage benchmarks in Our Factories: A Transparency Report, and our accountability framework in Why We Chose B Corp Certification. You can also find an overview of goals and progress on our Sustainability page.
Lower impact by design
Materials that matter: Organic cotton, European flax linen, recycled polyester (GRS‑certified), and Tencel lyocell help reduce water use, chemical inputs, and emissions compared to conventional alternatives.
Responsible dyeing: Certified dye houses treat and recycle wastewater, enforce strict chemical controls, and track energy use.
Packaging without the waste: We ship plastic‑free, using recycled or compostable materials throughout.
Measured reductions: Since 2021, we’ve reduced per‑unit carbon emissions significantly and are targeting deeper cuts by expanding renewable energy at partner facilities, nearshoring when possible, and phasing out air freight. Our 2030 goal is net zero across the value chain, prioritizing real reductions over offsets.
Honest pricing
We publish representative FOB cost ranges so you can see where your money goes:
- Raw materials: 35–45%
- Factory labor: 20–25%
- Factory overhead: 10–15%
- Shipping and logistics: 5–8%
- Commonware margin: 15–25%
Many fast‑fashion brands allocate less than 5% of retail price to factory labor. We choose a different path.
Our commitment to you
We’re a small team with big standards. From fiber selection to final stitching, every decision is intentional—and every product is tested by us before it reaches you. If something doesn’t meet your expectations, we’ll make it right. We stand behind what we make because trust is the most important part of your wardrobe.
Our team
We’re a team of 35 across Portland, Brooklyn, and Los Angeles—designers, makers, thinkers, and doers who believe everyday clothing can be made better.
Maya Chen, Co‑Founder & CEO
James Okafor, Co‑Founder & Creative Director
Priya Sharma, Head of Sustainability
Daniel Park, Head of Product
Learn more about our progress and practices on our Sustainability page, or get in touch with questions—our team is happy to help.