Kit & Ace Mulberry pant
James Perse casual tee
Everlane chunky knit cardigan (gift from Everlane) | size large
Rag & Bone aston booties | from last year
Janessa Leone Sylver hat (purchased with credit at ARO) | 15% off at ARO with code GRECHEN15
After I wrote my “year later review” of last year’s Everlane chunky knit cardigan, they graciously sent me one of the new styles to try, as they claim the new fabrication does not pill as badly. Even though I’ve worn the cardigan half a dozen times, and for LONG periods of time (it’s SO cozy and I wear it at home also…), it’s still too early to tell what it will look like at the end of the season. I wore last year’s cardigan day after day for a couple of months, after which it looked a mess, honestly.
So far, so good, but here’s the thing: the black picks up EVERYTHING. Lint, dog hair, MY hair, etc., etc. sticks to this sweater like it’s flypaper. I use a lint roller or my lily brush to remove it, but I think it tends to make it look grungier faster if you don’t keep up with cleaning it off. A good solution to that? Get the new marled black one LOL – anything random that sticks to it will just look like part of the fabric!
I haven’t noticed a lot of pilling, but as with any wool or cashmere it has started to look “fuzzy” after several wears. You can see a close-up below, although please don’t think it actually looks that faded – it’s just the bad lighting I had to deal with yesterday.
And interestingly enough, I wouldn’t have ordered a large, but that’s what they sent me, and I actually think the larger size looks BETTER than a medium would; it drapes and swings nicely, and the slightly dropped hem in the back lends itself better to a sweater that falls away from the body completely. If you’re looking for a cardigan that “fits”, this is not the right one.
Ultimately, I can tell this year’s version of the chunky knit cardigan is an improvement on last year’s – I like the feel of the fabric better (it’s not as heavy) and the style (it’s not as grandpa-y). I can recommend it now, but still, it’s based on only a couple of weeks’ worth of wear, not a season. But perhaps not in black? I love the new marled knit, and the gray color, and neither of those will show all the detritus you inevitably pick up during the day as much as the black.
Does anyone else one of Everlane’s Chunky knit sweaters? What do you think?
Take a look at Elaine’s review as well…
i love this sweater and this whole outfit on you. i also really like the new look of the photos on your blog – amazing what a professional photographer can do! you look great and i love the new hat with all your outfits. I’m really also appreciating all the everlane reviews since I’ve been contemplating some of their sweatwrsbut not sure what to get. knits have to be super sturdy to work for me as I’m at home half the time with my very young kids and alas this lifestyle makes a lot of otherwise lovely clothing just impractical. I’ve especially been eyeing the new chunky knit marles crewnecl sweaters and wondering if any way you could review those for sturdiness and comfort as well as style? i can’t decide whether i just want a black cashmere turtleneck or one of the marled pieces (love the marled stuff!!!) Also, do you know what their latest sweatshirts or like or do any of your readers? sweatshirts always work for me (sturdy, washable!) but I’ve had mixed experiences with everlanes, so any reviews appreciated (the long sleeve ones). I have a relatively average frame but not tall like the models and the previous sweatshirts were just too long waisted in a bad way. Thanks for these great and helpful reviews!
sorry for typos above hopefully all that made sense! ugh, phones!
It’s so hard to weigh in on Everlane, because all I keep thinking about is that RAD hat of yours! Brings instant edge to your whole minimalistic look. Two huge, HUGE, thums up Grechen.
Thanks for the Everlane reviews! I was hesitant to try this sweater because of the reviews of last year’s style. I decided to go for it anyway, and I went a size up (L) in the grey. I wanted a big, cozy sweater and I got it. I love it! So far, so good with pilling. Nothing sticking to it, as you’ve mentioned with yours. It’s not the most flattering style on me, but it’s so cozy and works with so many outfits that it is a winner in my opinion!
Hi Jenne, I personally love the sweatshirts. Awhile ago, I got the dark grey marled crew sweatshirt and wear it constantly. It’s a little cropped and boxy, which is not the most flattering silhouette on me, but I usually wear it with leggings and a long tanktop around the house or to and from yoga. It’s so comfy and a little edgy-looking. This past summer, I got the light grey marled, and I feel like it is a little softer…the dark grey always feels a little stiff, which is not bad, but I noticed the difference. Then I left the light grey in a hotel room :/ The french terry sweatshirts are much softer and looser, and I do like them for comfort but they look a little sloppier…honestly I generally sleep in mine.
The sweater really looks cozy ~ perfect for cool Calif evenings.
Monica.
so glad you love it! no, it’s not exactly flattering in a traditional sense, but i try not to pay too much attention to that nowadays 😉
lol – thank you!! i love the hat, and i’m so glad i finally took the plunge. now, i just have to keep from wearing it every day…
thanks so much jenne!!
1. i have tried an everlane sweatshirt since the original french terry ones, which i did like a lot (so cozy and soft), but they pilled really badly and weren’t the best cut on me. i did try a short sleeve one also, and it wasn’t great either – i cut it off so it was cropped, but still never could find a reason to wear a short sleeve sweatshirt. the scuba ones look interesting, but i’m afraid they won’t be cropped on me. might try one anyway and do a quick review 🙂
2. as far as i can tell with the new chunky knit, it’s quite sturdy. my cashmere is the oldest and most worn, and it DOES pill over time, but seems to get softer and better with wear/washing. i HIGHLY recommend the cashmere turtleneck and cashmere cardigan; i like those styles the best. i do have a v-neck, but don’t love the shape on me.
I agree with Genevieve! Look at you OWNING that hat. Now I really want one!
Wow thanks for the shoutout Grechen! And love your review of the updated chunky knit cardigan 😀
I know it has been a while since your original post, but I have to report on my experience with the Everlane chunky wool cardigan coat. I stumbled across your blog when I was trying to decide whether to buy this, eventually deciding on the white coat length version. I bought this specifically for a work training that would require me to sit in a freezing hotel conference room for four weeks, and I would be living out of a suitcase so my sweater layer would have to go with everything. This cardigan is beautiful, the white color is not too yellow, and the stitch pattern along the sides to the pockets is hard to see in photos but is really simple/lovely. This is a substantial layer, not a lightweight summer evening type layer but worked perfectly for my needs. The reason I feel compelled to comment is to tell you that after literally wearing this all day every day for four weeks, there is absolutely no pilling, not even in the armpits. After four weeks I did manage to get a few spots on the front so today I turned it inside out and machine washed in on the washable wool setting. The spots came out, and there is still absolutely no pilling AT ALL. So I guess when Everlane said they improved construction, they meant it.
thanks for your input kelly! that is wonderful to hear 🙂 i definitely noticed less pilling on my “newer” wool cardigan – there was still some, but not enough to worry about . not like the first one!!
Thank you for this review, Kelly!
This is just what I needed to hear. Ordering now 🙂