# Episode 262: How to "background check" a brand (featuring Quince) Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/clotheshorse-with-amanda-lee-mccarty-154275/episode-262-how-to-background-check-a-brand-featuring-quince Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/clotheshorse-with-amanda-lee-mccarty-154275/episode-262-how-to-background-check-a-brand-featuring-quince.md Podcast: [Clotheshorse with Amanda Lee McCarty](https://stenobird.com/podcast/clotheshorse-with-amanda-lee-mccarty-154275) Published: 2026-07-20T22:02:50+00:00 Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/ef399812 Audio file: https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/pdst.fm/e/media.transistor.fm/ef399812/49b4838b.mp3 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/clotheshorse-with-amanda-lee-mccarty-154275/episodes/episode-262-how-to-background-check-a-brand-featuring-quince Duration seconds: 5940 ## Resource In a world of greenwashing, wall-to-wall podcast ads, and affiliate marketing "listicles," it's really hard to know if a brand is actually as sustainable and ethical as it claims. Well, Amanda has been looking into this kind of stuff for years, so in this episode they will show you exactly what they do when they want to figure out the true story of a brand. And specifically, we will unpack Quince as an example! In this episode: Is Quince as sustainable and ethical as their marketing seems to claim? What are some obvious red flags that a brand is not sustainable and ethical? Why are sustainable fashion organizations, writers, and activists no longer receiving as much funding as they once did? Why does Amanda feel "weird" about the Commons app? Why is a job review site (Glassdoor) a surprisingly useful addition to your slow fashion toolbox? And why can't we shop our way to a better world? Also: Six years of Clotheshorse...and introducing, CONWAY! Helpful links and reading: @sustainablefashionfriend @alookbehindtheseams Good On You Eco-Stylist Cobbled Goods "Not everyone is loving Quince's dupes," Chantal Fernandez, The Cut. "Williams-Sonoma sues Quince over sales of 'dupe' products," Jonathan Stempel, Reuters. "Beyond Compare? Quince Battles Class Action Over Its ‘Traditional Retail’ Pricing Model," ArentFoxSchiff "I got a cease and desist from Quince," Ecocult. Amanda's first post about the Esprit sweatshirt (you can also find this on IG) "About that viral Esprit sweatshirt...the revolution will not be for sale at Costco." (you an also find this on IG) The new Clotheshorse PO Box: 69 Main Street, Box 16 New Providence, PA 17560 Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/ Until the end of July, use promo code THEPRICEISRIGHT to get 50% off all… ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/clotheshorse-with-amanda-lee-mccarty-154275/episodes/episode-262-how-to-background-check-a-brand-featuring-quince/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/clotheshorse-with-amanda-lee-mccarty-154275/episode-262-how-to-background-check-a-brand-featuring-quince.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.