When I revisited my Wardrobe Audit a couple weeks ago and did another closet purge last week, I decided to get rid of almost all my Everlane. I had a lot of Everlane (27 pieces). I have 13 pieces left (with some on the way out) and have decided not to buy anymore.
I’m over Everlane.
There are many reasons, but mostly, it comes down to fit and quality. Also, it’s become a bit more cult-ish than I’m comfortable with. And millenial, let’s be honest. Yes, I’m that old woman LOL. Everlane just doesn’t “fit” me anymore, in more ways that one.
When Everlane launched several years ago, they manufactured most of their t-shirts (the first thing they offered) in Los Angeles, the same factory the brand that makes my favorite t-shirt manufactures THEIR t-shirts, I was told, and I was excited to try them. Everlane’s t-shirt was $15 and the other brand’s $50. But they were not the same.
I bought and tried the t-shirts as cheaper alternatives to my favorite James Perse tees, but they’re just not very good, not even for the low price. They’re too long and big on me (and yes, I have tried all the styles), and the seams at the neckline always twist and fold and lose their shape with just a few wears and washes, which makes me CRAZY. I kept them around to wear at home, etc., but at this point, I’ve decided to let those go too. I just don’t care to have frustrating items of clothing around anymore.
The cashmere was always a favorite, but I’ve only kept a couple of my cashmere sweaters – the older ones, mostly; I prefered their original cashmere to their new “$100 cashmere.” And honestly, cashmere should cost more than $100 – much more. It’s theorized that the reason China & Mongolia are running out of grazing and farming land, and that Mongolia is turning into a desert, is because of cashmere goats’ overgrazing. I’m buying alpaca for sweaters now, the general consensus is that it’s much more sustainable than cashmere and doesn’t have the mulesing problem that wool does.
Pants, shoes, bags are mostly all gone. I thought the Petra bag held up really well for a couple of years, but tired of it, and the shoes were always too narrow for me to wear much. Pants never, ever fit me well.
Everlane’s styles are basic, and somewhat appealing, but the execution was never there. In my opinion, they should have perfected some of their signature styles and focused on producing less and increasing the quality instead of launching so many new things all the time.
In spite of always trying, the fit for most items was always “off,” and ultimately the styles are more boring than I am comfortable with. Even weighing the “value” of the item, I have come to the conclusion that I’m not willing to pay for mediocre styles and generally poor quality. You could say, what do you expect for a $15 t-shirt?? Nothing much, I guess, but why should I buy a $15 t-shirt that I don’t like, and don’t want to wear? For me, it is better to buy a t-shirt for $75 (yes, $75) that I can put on and know it will fit me perfectly, never, ever lose its shape, and that I can wear for years.*
And for me, Everlane was starting to present as a fast-fashion problem.
I started noticing that I was treating Everlane a lot like I treated H&M and Zara way back when I still shopped there: I would look forward to new arrivals, always found something to get excited about buying, and usually bought it primarily BECAUSE IT WAS SO CHEAP, relatively.
The brand is appealing on many levels; they are “transparent” with regard to manufacturing (really, though?? that is another point of contention I’ve spoken about before), they have a generally minimal aesthetic which is having a moment now, and they are much more affordable than the other “high-end” luxury brands they aimed to compete with at first (“luxury” tees and Equipment silk blouses).
But they’re stuck. Other than their new jeans, I think they’ve haven’t necessarily advanced their “cause” of transparency as much as I would have hoped. (I was really hoping they’d take it further and try to be more sustainable as well) I want to know more about how much the workers in their factories are paid. Yes, we appreciate knowing their pricing structure, and their efforts to improve life for their factory workers, but still, it seems like not quite enough.
And the jeans. Ugh. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think they completely missed the mark with their denim collection. The styles were “meh” and the fit was all over the place. I appreciate what they did in terms of water-saving manufacturing, which is a huge issue in denim production, but it doesn’t do much good if the jeans are mediocre.
Then again, there is a cult of Everlane (of which I belonged for a very long time**) whose members are more than willing to keep trying the brand until something sticks. In fact, I think that is what Everlane is counting on. And that is what’s most frustrating of all.
It’s been a long time coming, but Everlane, I quit you.
Are you still buying Everlane? Do you own a lot of Everlane? What are your thoughts on the brand now after so many years?
*I understand that is a lot for a t-shirt under most circumstances, but as I’ve said many times before, I know what I like and what fits me at this point in my life. I don’t want to compromise anymore, and thankfully I don’t have to.
**I believed in Everlane, and even when I stopped believing I WANTED to believe, so I stayed a part of the cult for a bit too long. And yes, I made a lot of money via referrals, and I received a lot of free items from the brand to try and review over the years, but those of you who have read me consistently or who have been with me the last decade know (I hope) that the reason I take items to review (and DO NOT DO SPONSORED POSTS or take money for reviews) is so I can remain radically honest (see what I did there?) in my reviews and opinions of items and brands that I try. Inevitably, things change, and my excellent review of Everlane’s first tee changed over time, and with wear, and I tried to always reflect that in my discussions about the brand.
I couldn’t agree more, Grechen!! Especially, with this: “In my opinion, they should have perfected some of their signature styles and focused on producing less and increasing the quality instead of launching so many new things all the time.” They are all over the place. The models are anorexic and looking generally malaised. The quality is not there. I also use their tees as sleep shirts. So done with Everlane.
I’ve actually never ordered anything from them because of their anorexic-looking models. I’m pretty thin, but I think their models set a terrible example and I also happen to think their clothes look awful on them. I have no idea how they’d look on a real person that they actually fit, which has kept me from trying anything. In fact, looking for real people wearing their clothes is how I discovered this blog.
I also was much more interested in trying them when they had stuff made in LA, as I try to only buy clothes that are eco-friendly, made in the US, or super ethical like Sudara. They’re now really none of those things.
agree agree agree! the only everlane i currently have is second hand, maybe because i find their older styles more appealing? my t-shirts almost immediately went into my pajama drawer – they get pretty raggedy very quickly. i do like my cropped cashmere, but it is not great quality, imo. i recently read this on cashmere as well, and it rang true regarding why cashmere should not cost only $100: http://putthison.com/search/Five+Suggestions+for+Buying+Better+Sweaters. their wide leg pants were an almost hit for me, but they were too short (albeit longer than they were intended by design – i just wish they could be full length).
i do still shop at everlane for my husband. i find they have great basics for men (maybe because for my husband, the alternative tends to be gap/banana republic which i just cannot stomach?).
Thank you for writing this! I bought a few t-shirts and a backpack early on (during the LA manufacturing phase) but got frustrated when they ramped up production and churned out new styles constantly, so I’ve avoided them for a long time. They definitely skew more “fast fashion” than “ethical fashion” at this point, in my opinion, and it puzzles me why so many “ethical bloggers” get every latest everlane style. I do understand the need for affordable staples, but I think it’s a slippery slope into all the trend-based “luxury” pieces that the brand seems to push all the time, and because they’ve created this cultish branding, it seems all too easy to justify constant consumption. sigh.
I read an interview with one of the company’s founders and they said something about how they don’t know anything about fashion or design but will decide on an item to make and then figure it out. That’s why I won’t wear them – the fit issues you mention are the exact problem. They’re not pulling from decades of figuring out the best neck/shoulder/seam measurements, they’re trying to figure out what people will want next and quickly try to execute. I applaud their transparency but they won’t last long if their clothes continue to be ill-fitting and designed for a single body type.
ugh. yes. fit is everything, honestly. the older i get and more particular, the more i notice that. fit, and quality of course, but fit is paramount.
“trying to figure out what people will want next and quickly try to execute” = fast fashion. like i said. 🙁
Grechen, I love your integrity! Agree on all your points. In the past year I bought only 2 items and I used to buy a lot more. Something doesn’t sit well with me with their whole merchandising, transparency, etc. Quality is not there in many cases. Customer service, which used to be great, has gone down too. Shipping is slow as molasses. Recently went to their pop-up shop at Nordstroms and their stuff looked to me like something that GAP would produce. The cuts of clothing aren’t good. And yes, people are trying hard to like them and give them a chance over and over again. And you know, Everlane feels very self righteous to me and at times quite full of themselves.
One more thing: now that celebrities wear their stuff – their target market has totally changed.
celebrities?? which? i remember they mentioned angelina jolie wearing their loafers way back, but hadn’t seen anything since…
Many celebrities have been photographed with the Petra market tote. It kind of makes me wonder if they received it for free. It’s a nice tote but there are many nice minimalist totes at the luxury level I have difficulty believing all these celebrities are logging onto Everlane and ordering the Petra. I have owned a Petra but also own totes by luxury brands.
Meghan Markle, most recently.
oh, interesting!
I hear you and I am really impressed that you wrote this piece (considering they have been a partner of yours in the past, correct?).
The following Everlane pieces have stood the test of time in my wardrobe and truly are some of my most dependable items: navy and olive loafers, olive swing trench (I kind of want to change out the buttons to give it a more elevated look), classic Terry sweatshirts in grey and navy, cotton tee dresses … my husband has also had good luck with a pair of their chinos and drawstring shorts. I am 26, so I guess that is closer to their main demographic. The affordability makes their clothes accessible to me. I have saved up for pieces from Elizabeth Suzann, Jamie + the Jones and Hackwith Design House … but it is very difficult to pinch pennies for something so basic as a t-shirt dress to wear during the summer that I’m going to sweat through and have to wash constantly.
I do agree with you about them needing to re-focus on their original mission and developing/sharpening their aesthetic, which can sometimes grow boring and repetitive … while also lacking “soul”. They seem to throw around the word “transparency” all the time, but I agree with you, Grechen, that they haven’t really demonstrated a huge effort on developing their transparency efforts in innovative ways.
oh yes, everlane had been a great partner to me, and i really appreciated how willing they were to work with bloggers, take very detailed feedback, and i’ll be honest, i have made a lot of commission from referrals to everlane over the last four years. i also used to be one of those fan girls i talked about – i was totally on the everlane bandwagon until recently.
this last year has just been filled with all sorts of fails IMO, and the company just started to leave a bad taste…i was having a harder and harder time justifying purchases and reviews, and didn’t really feel right continuing to consider everlane an “ethical” clothing company.
i do think quite a few of their pieces and styles have stood up rather well, even their silk blouses, i still get coming through slowre and still in very good condition. also shoes seem to hold up nicely – fit issues aside.
with regard to saving up and spending money on clothes you’ll sweat through and have to wash constantly, i understand, but have you tried linen? the more i wear linen, the more i am convinced it’s a miracle textile. i don’t really sweat a lot, but if it’s hot, i want to wear linen, and i’ve found that it just wears and washes so much better than anything else. actually the more you wash it the softer it becomes. i look forward to getting a linen georgia midi dress from elizabeth suzann this summer and wearing it pretty much constantly 🙂 i’m also not averse to spraying my clothes with a little fabric spray, airing them out, and wearing again multiple times without washing. but like i said, i tend to not sweat a whole lot unless i’m spending a lot of time outside.
Grechen, does this mean you won’t be partnering with Everlane anymore? Have you reached out to tell them so? I’m super curious what their response to this would be!
if they reach out to me to review something, i will decline, but i’m not going to make a big deal about it honestly.
and i’ll continue to wear the pieces i have and link to them, if i still like the item – i just won’t be buying anything new.
i did have an opportunity to give very detailed feedback about the brand to a marketing/communications consultancy they worked with earlier this year and expressed all of these thoughts to them then. and i’m sure someone from everlane will see this post 😉
**honestly i’m sort of conflicted, still, because i want to think that they’ll improve and take into account the feedback/considerations we all talk about. even the sizing issues…
i want to remain semi-open, if that makes sense.
I actually haven’t tried much linen at all … so maybe that is something I should plan to purchase before spring/summer! Good idea! … I don’t sweat a ton either, but I live in a super hot, humid climate so it is inevitable after a certain point lol
Is your favorite linen from Elizabeth Suzann or elsewhere? I have the ES raw silk Georgia dress in black … so maybe a linen Georgia dress would be useful in my wardrobe! I’ve been eyeing their linen Florence pants as well.
Thanks for the honest, insightful, and challenging discussion on your blog!
Linen is amazing and I agree with Grechen- the more I wear it the more I want to wear it. Elizabeth Suzann has the best quality linen, in my opinion, but not perfect linen is a fantastic family owned shop with a huge variety and they will customize pieces. Their tops have replaced my ‘basic tees’ and are a more affordable option.
Thank you, K!
ES is wonderful, and her linen is the nicest fabric I own. However, I’d recommend Not Perfect Linen (on Etsy) for a much lower price point, a lovely family owned and operated company, great quality linen, well made, simple designs. I love everything I have purchased from them and as with all linen, it just looks better and better the more you wear it.
I purchased two Everlane cashmere pebble-textured sweaters when they first came out. I still have one and it is very soft and comfortable. The other one literally unraveled when I wore it the first time and I was utterly humiliated! Next I tried the boxy, cropped silk shirts. They were ok, but the colors…the black was a faded charcoal and the off white was an ugly yellowish color. The shoes were excruciating (and I have narrow feet). I gave them one last chance this year and purchased the horribly fitting wide leg cropped pants (they went straight back) and a cashmere sweater which is the scratchiest schiess I have ever worn. Over them.
I agree with so much of your sentiment here. I’d roughly estimate about half of my closet to be Everlane at this point, and I doubt that I’d be able to totally write them off. They’re still one of the first places I look for shoes, coats, and sweaters, but I have the luxury of being able to try on at their SF Lab and feet that can comfortable wear fairly narrow shoes.
But I do wish they’d stop releasing so much new stuff and improve the stuff they have. I was so excited for their denim, but of my 4 pairs of jeans, they’re my 4th favorite. They’re comfy and look ok, but just aren’t particularly interesting.
Have never bought/worn Everlane. I’m not their demographic. Fantastic article today (a fashionista editor I follow on twitter tweeted it out) Great talk about how these “disruptors” aren’t doing squat for plus size when they’re the best positioned to do so…. (not all brands mentioned are ethical, but some have definitely been discussed here)
https://www.racked.com/2017/12/20/16797310/fashion-innovation-plus-size-lacking
excellent article, and good points. something to discuss again soon…i mean, it’s well known by now, but even these brands say that “size diversity” is important to them, it’s not. brands like reformation, and everlane cater specifically to SMALL women. reformation especially – they definitely have a type, and TBH, i think that’s okay, i think brands should specialize, and i don’t necessarily believe that every brand has to cater to every size, but why not just say that?
also i think most brands don’t want to see their clothes on larger women. shameful, but i think it’s true.
it’s a fraught issue all around, obviously, because it doesn’t make any sense that more designers and companies aren’t coming forward designing for larger sizes. why aren’t there more universal standards (the company)? why? image. that’s why.
so true (and sad) what she says at the end here :
Yes to this, Hoyaheel! And it really pisses me off that a size 14 is considered “plus size” to them, and therefore, not worth their time. I think that soured me on Everlane from the beginning.
The fact that I am a size 12 and I am the LARGEST size they make clothing for just…enrages me. I’ve pretty much stopped buy from companies that don’t make clothing for folks larger than me, even if I can fit into them- on principle. Just…makes my blood boil!
I have mixed feelings about Everlane. I don’t feel I’m their body type demographic (I think they are made for a slim hipped body with a straight shoulder). However, I really appreciate that they give actual measurements for their specific items rather than using a general size chart. This is very helpful for me to know what items will work and in what size. I wish all online retailers did this. It is also good they now have reviews, helpful for sizing and fit. They have changed their shipping policies now so it is extra pertinent I can make a better guess on sizing as it takes forever to reach me in Hawaii. I also appreciate they have enough room in the chest on many pieces. Their shoes are lovely but never fit me right, typically too big in the heel area. Pants never fit me right either, I don’t even bother. I don’t buy the Ts anymore (I prefer Perse too but rarely wear Ts as well). The swing trench fits me well but it’s kind of a weird piece, I can never think of an appropriate time or climate to wear it where I’d prefer a crop length to a longer length. I love the rain parka, it’s big in the shoulders for me but looks fine that way. I also had their older version, the nylon one and that served me well. I used to have the Petra market but sold it. Liked it, used it but eventually got an LV Neverfull and a Givenchy Antigua tote. I always pull those and my Longchamp more so got rid of the Petra. I do have the north south magazine tote and like it although it is huger than I had imagined it would be on me. I have an older cashmere sweater too that is lovely.
What I don’t like is their marketing about mark up, no middle man and transparency. Direct to customer with no middle man is not a revolutionary concept. Every brand that sells through their own channel does that from Gap to Prada. I also feel their pricing is appropriate for their items. I have $1,300 totes and there is a notable difference to the Petra ($1,300 is what Everlane claims to be a traditional retail price). I feel the $350 to $400 range is appropriate, not cheap, for the Petra. They claim traditional retailers mark their items up 5 to 6 times. Standard retail markup from wholesale is typically 2 to 3 times. Of course they are talking about manufacturing but I strongly feel they are overstating their markup impact if compared to luxury brands who also manufacture their own goods (I used to work for Prada in the financial area). I have no problem with whatever markup they require but I don’t like how it is a big part of their marketing campaign. I have generally been pleased with the quality of the items I have for he price I’ve paid but I don’t like it shoved down my throat about how they are so giving to us, the customers. The choose what you pay is also eye rolling for me. I don’t mind Lululemon’s “we made too much” for essentially sale items but this whole concept of a retail clothing transaction being benevolent is cringe inducing for me. I also feel transparency about where items are made is a given now for this type of brand so it’s good that they discuss that but they can do more in terms of the info provided.
I agree that they should focus on a smaller assortment with better fit and really well made basics. I also think if they also offered petite sizing that is an underserved niche. It is difficult to find minimalist pieces that are made well with nice fabrics as a petite. All petite things tend to be very busy or with too much “flair” or cheap/flashy fabrics. I am returning one of their dresses this week (the navy dropwaist that’s on sale) that was just too long in the body for me. Other than that I loved it.
I’ve only bought Everlane t-shirts (including linen), but never again. I sleep in some of the t shirts, but they changed the fit (the sleeves on the U-neck are awful, and all of their tees are kind of short/ill-fitting on small but busty me), the quality is not there, and I don’t even look at their website anymore. They discontinued a couple of things I did like, a linen tee and a tank top I have a few of. I’m over 50, so not their demographic or body type. My favorite long sleeve tees are from Wilt, but I wish they would produce an occasional non-neutral. I will forever be in search of the perfect short sleeve tee that isn’t too low cut and isn’t a crew neck and isn’t tissue-thin, but I am really picky about necklines.
I would seriously recommend uniqlo’s crew neck t shirt and LL Bean’s Pima cotton scoop neck elbow sleeve t shirts. They are both opaque, very well cut and the seams are straight, unlike the everlane ones that twist. Despite the scoopneck moniker, the LL Bean shirt is a great, non-gaping shirt. Both affordable too!
You;re so right about the fit and styling of the jeans. I was excited to try them earlier this year and — total fail. Never found a pair of their shoes to fit right either. I think there’s place for some of the staple items, but I’m definitely not in the cult. I’ve liked the cashmere sweaters and admit the price is nice. What’s your favorite designer for a nice non-boring but neutral alpaca sweater?
oh good question about alpaca sweaters, i should do a post 😉
right now i have a zady alpaca sweater that’s quite old, and honestly, i have never really been in love with, so i’m probably going to sell
one by lauren manoogian and another by han starnes. i love both the new alpaca sweaters, although i could have sized down in the han starnes one, and the lauren manoogian one is a big challenging for me to wear. will definitely do a post later with more details!!
oooh, I’m interested in the sweaters you might sell! Keep us posted 🙂
Have you looked at Cuyana for alpaca?
I am 31, so yes, more within Everlane’s target demographic. I’m part of a 1.5-income household; I work part-time and have a small kid. I needed to rebuild my entire wardrobe, especially work-appropriate stuff, pretty quickly after having a baby and moving cross-country twice. Everlane has been indispensable for me. My new purchases over the past three years consist largely of Uniqlo, Boden, Everlane, Patagonia and Icebreaker/Ibex. It’s not all sustainable and equitable, I know, but I have other priorities when it comes to spending (we just doubled the number of rooftop solar panels on our house and are planning to switch to an electric car in the near future, etc).
I’ve given up on fashion retailers like J Crew/BR/Gap/Loft, because the quality is awful and Nothing. Ever. Fits. When I was in college and just after, my wardrobe was probably half BR and J Crew, and I had no complaints; now I have nothing from either of them, except a couple pieces of J Crew outerwear from the early ’00’s that I’ve taken good care of. I have several pieces I really like from Taylor Stitch, Bridge+Burn, etc — US-made, smaller scale, but they don’t offer a wide enough range of pieces to really build a wardrobe from scratch, and their offerings skew pretty casual.
I don’t have the body type or the personality to do loose, arty looks like Elizabeth Suzann/Eileen Fisher all the time, which seem to be pretty pervasive in the slow fashion world. I also, frankly, don’t have the budget. I’m at the very smallest end of Everlane’s size range (I take a 00 in the Wide Leg Crops and an XXS or XS in their silk shirts and sweaters) — and find that their pieces fit me well, and that anything they make that is both boxy and structured (their Wide Legs, all the Square Cardigans and Shirts, etc) works great.
That said, I’ve returned a lot of stuff. I don’t like their return policy, which leaves you choosing between swallowing shipping fees or getting stuck with a bunch of store credit to spend. But I’m also pretty uncomfortable with small manufacturers who *only* accept returns for store credit. I’ve ordered a couple custom-made or semi-custom items that didn’t work out, from really reputable small-scale designers, and losing that cash really burned. I can consign, but it’s still a lot of money down the drain — and I’m talking about things that still cost half of what ES, or Jamie and the Jones, or whoever, are charging. I’ve just never spent that much, and I guess I have a hard time calling these sorts of companies “fair” or “sustainable” when they’re really only accessible to a tiny fraction of the population.
Anyway, I completely understand your frustrations. I’ve always felt that Everlane’s “transparency” claims are just spin. I agree that their t-shirts are crap, but I think a legitimate argument can be made that a sustainable, long-lasting wardrobe should not be built upon a foundation of cotton jersey. So I don’t really buy/wear t-shirts anymore. For hiking and running, I wear merino or recycled-poly tees, but cotton ones don’t have much of a place in my wardrobe except for sleeping in (and I prefer merino or silk camis for that, tbh). Agree also that their models are ridiculous, and have wondered if this has to do in part with having a fair number of young men at the head of the company — there seems to be a pervasive Sexy Android look going on in most of their materials which frankly just makes me laugh. Anyway, now I’ve written my own essay in response to yours, lol. I always think long and hard before I buy from Everlane, but so often they really do end up being the best option for me right now.
“I think a legitimate argument can be made that a sustainable, long-lasting wardrobe should not be built upon a foundation of cotton jersey.” This made me laugh. It’s so true!
I do wear traditional cotton jersey t-shirts in the dead heat of summer and I have come to accept they need to be replaced annually. Especially white tees. I tried every style of Everlane tee. I really wanted them to work! None of them fit after the first wash/dry. (I’m NOT going to hand wash or line dry a t-shirt.) I still have 5 or 6 from the brand in my gym/pajama pile.
Since resigning myself to replacing tees every spring, I usually buy 5-6 from Nordstrom’s Caslon brand thatI use in heavy rotation. One or two white, one beige, one black, one gray, one navy. They’re inexpensive (almost always on sale for $18-$20) and they wash/dry very well. I transition them to the gym pile at the end of summer and they usually last another year or two of heavy, sweaty use before finally falling apart. I don’t feel conflicted about replacing them annually because they really get a ton of use, both as part of my street wardrobe and also later on as workout gear. On the other hand, I do expect sweaters and jeans and pretty much every other garment type to last for years and years and years.
My only Everlane success story is the Petra market tote, which I use as a carry on/purse when traveling. I think it’s a little disingenuous that Everlane compares it to “traditional retail of $1300” on their website (why are they kidding with that?). But, it is a stylish lightweight and, most importantly, VERY STURDY tote that has survived three years of heavy travel looking like new. So it’s absolutely worth the Everlane price.
haha! i love that you wrote an “essay” 😉 and i love that everlane is working for you right now, i think they really do work for a lot of people, i’m just not one of them. and especially since i noticed after doing my wardrobe audit again that i had gotten carried away with everlane, and was not being as thoughtful about what i was buying/keeping and why. big red flag for me.
agree on slow fashion designers and some issues, it is a huge deliberation to order from elizabeth suzann given the long lead time, and sizing frustrations, but i have found that when you do get the right piece, it is GOLD and heaven to wear. by now all my ES pieces except my cecilia pants are total workhorses and impress me every time i wear them. getting there though, is hard. and a big investment, that’s true.
also you’re really making me think with your statement about cotton jersey!! i mean. if you look at my wardrobe, a lot of it historically has been cotton jersey (james perse), so much so that my husband makes a joke about it whenever he can. And you’re right, it’s not very sustainable, or long lasting, except my JP dresses & skirts. and black tees. white tees, no. But i LOVE MY WHITE TEES. i will be exploring more linen tops/tees this spring and summer though. thank you for this food for thought! and obvious statement 😉
The cotton jersey comment is interesting because I actually prefer cotton to other natural fibers, including linen, and I very rarely wear something with artificial fibers. Living in Texas, being almost 40, and having an overactive thyroid, I get hot a lot, and cotton is the only fabric that truly breathes for me. I do hang my tees to dry (they dry really fast in a Texas summer), and I think that has helped them stay nice longer. I also work at home and don’t have a dressy wardrobe, so cotton is perfect for my lifestyle. In my case, I have built a sustainable wardrobe with mostly cotton.
i think i prefer linen, if i had to choose, but there’s nothing like a good fitting t-shirt. and you can’t really get that with linen. it’s a completely different look…
i always hang to dry my t-shirts as well, but everlane’s always just lost their shape faster than my JP tees. and looked more dingy. but then again, white tees don’t stay nice forever.
this is an interesting side conversation 🙂
Re: t-shirts — I pretty much gave them up while I was living in Southern Nevada. I realized my short sleeve tees didn’t give me any sun protection, and started shopping for lightweight long sleeve button-front shirts at Goodwill etc. I pretty much live in lightweight linen, chambray, and oxford shirts in the summer now (I’m back in an east coast humid climate, but I still prefer the look and feel of a lightweight woven when it’s hot). And they last forever and wash so well. I hang to dry on hangers and never iron my woven shirts. I wear them in winter, too, with a baselayer. It helps, I guess, that I’m built a little bit like a boy — shoulders are the widest part of my body, so I buy shirts to fit my shoulders and the rest usually hangs down without any gapping.
This is interesting! So I checked, and my Everlane tees are 100% supima cotton, which is grown in the U.S., and the shirts are still made in L.A. I have some that are several years old and two that I bought earlier this year. I don’t wear white tees often, Grechen, so maybe that’s the issue. My favorites are navy blue and black, and they have held up really well for several years, with wearing, washing, and drying multiple times a week, especially in the summer. I did try their linen tees when they came out, but I found them itchy and fairly see-through, and I didn’t want to wear a cami in the summer.
Kate,
I’m very similar to you in age and stage of life (and size, too, it sounds like). I agree that there isn’t a lot that’s sustainable AND accessible. I understand and agree with the line of thinking that says that we need to be willing to be content with less that’s better quality. But at transitional times, such as when you have a small child, it doesn’t make sense to buy a two hundred dollar knit shirt from Elizabeth Suzann.
I also worry that sustainable clothing is, in some ways, just another marker of status when it is not affordable to a huge segment of the population. A few months ago, I read an article highlighting several more-ethical clothing companies. There were some comments following the article , and one of them mentioned that the prices seemed pretty high. The author replied to the comment, essentially saying that if the commenter would just stop buying multiple $10 t-shirts per month, something the commenter never claimed to do, the prices would be affordable. I found that really offensive. I don’t buy fast fashion multiple times per month (or at all, really), but I still find a lot of sustainable brands seem pretty expensive.
That isn’t a judgement on other people’s decisions, just a reflection on where I find myself right now. Ultimately, what seems most sustainable to me at this point is buying used clothing, but that isn’t always feasible, and I still feel the allure of shiny new things being sold by fast and slow fashion alike.
Thank you for saying that, Jessica. I might be older, but that doesn’t mean that I’ve accumulated wealth! I also find it off-putting when people think it should be easy to “save up” and purchase just one thing per season. I love fashion! And I’ve found great quality pieces at all kinds of lower end stores, including one of my favorite striped tees from Old Navy that was purchased 4 or 5 years ago. I bring it on every trip I go on!
Yes — I do feel that there’s at least as much virtue signalling, if you will, among the slow fashion brands and the people who follow/promote them as there is from Everlane and its fans. I want to look current and interesting, and feel comfortable and like myself, but there’s always so much tribalism to navigate in the fashion/style world.
I too end up shopping secondhand whenever possible — though I live in a rural area with really limited brick-n-mortar options, including a fairly limited secondhand selection. There just isn’t the population density to support much retail, so I end up buying a lot through eBay and Etsy (both vintage and handmade). I feel better about that than going to Old Navy or TJ Maxx (my local options), and the price-point is more in line with my budget goals. I would like to save up for a couple ES pieces, but I have an acute sense of the privilege of being able to do so.
Kate, can we be friends?? Your comments are so well written. I especially love “there’s at least as much virtue signalling, if you will, among the slow fashion brands and the people who follow/promote them” and “I have an acute sense of the privilege of being able to do so.” Your point about shopping secondhand as it’s both sustainable and within budget for your lifestyle is inspiring me to shift towards that. I have also felt the price point on sustainable brands to be problematic, though I end up splurging on a few pieces per year anyway.
Interesting. I purchased a couple things recently that have become my uniform. The grey waffle cashmere sweater is so warm & cozy. It’s a thick sweater and it has a really nice loose fit. Also, I have been trying to buy some pants for winter for the past several months from Elizabeth Suzann. I first ordered the canvas Tildas in two colors, and they didn’t work. Then I waited for the signature relaunch, and tried the canvas Clydes. Those didn’t work. I’m pretty sure I ordered the wrong size for the Clydes, but I also don’t love the canvas for pants. A bit desperate for pants, I turned to Everyone’s black modern boyfriend jeans in a size up. I love them so much. I wore them for a week straight and then bought another pair. They are loose but don’t fall down at all. Just a great basic black pant for work. The waffle cashmere sweater, the black jeans, and my Allbirds sneakers – this has been my uniform for the past month.
Everlane does seem rather fast fashion, don’t they? I prefer the slow fashion brands, but I’m glad these options were available to me so I didn’t have to go to the mall for some winter pants. And, I’ll have to admit that it was nice to not have to wait over a month for an order to arrive.
I just decided this morning (before reading this) that I would get rid of my last Everlane t-shirt. I don’t have a replacement yet but I never choose to wear it so out it goes. I’ve read with interest your concerns with their transparency. But the real issue for me is I’ve returned the last five or six items I’ve bought, mostly due to fit and/or quality issue (once they just sent the wrong item and I decided not to bother getting the correct one).
Funnily enough, it’s Everlane that brought be to your blog (while searching for garment reviews), and for that, I’m grateful. It’s through your blog and others you’ve recommended that I’ve begun to be a more conscious consumer. So thank you for *your* transparency—I appreciate learning about the evolution of your values.
As for Everlane and me: Most recently, I was pleased with the quality of the waffle-knit cashmere square crew, and their classic, long-sleeved silk shirts, original anorak, and GoWeave slouchy pant have all become workhorses in my wardrobe. Like Tania above, I applaud that they post their garments’ actual measurements (a feature I lobbied for). I remain open to new items but stopped ordering the T-shirts and other items that have been strikeouts for me. Basically, I’m trying to be judicious about what else I order, sticking to items that really fill a gap in my wardrobe or that I feel are no-brainers in terms of fitting my day-to-day needs (the piped silk pocket shirt is in transit as I type!).
I really am grateful for my partnership with everlane over the years, and that i’ve had the opportunity i have had to honestly review pieces from them, either that they send me, or that i buy myself. i know a lot of readers started coming here for my everlane reviews, and i really appreciate that!! i’m glad that i was able to do it…i don’t regret it for a second. perhaps i should have been more judicious about what i was ordering 😉
and like i mentioned to kiersten above, i’m semi-open about working with them in the future, we’ll see.
I purchased Everlane at the beginning but quickly peaced out because the quality just isn’t there. I also find their marketing offensive because they really aren’t transparent—there is more info avaiable for fast fashion and their manufacturing scores. What really gets my goat, is that as you mentioned, there is no such thing as 100 dollar cashmere. They have essentially just increased a demand that can’t be met without a deleterious cost to the environment. It sort of creates this consumerism vacuum whereby people think cashmere should function like cotton and be an everyday item. Why can’t some textiles be “special” and be appreciated for what they without the need to cause harm in the name of profits and play upon people’s insatiable want to have more?
At any rate, I appreciate your honesty. I have quit so many so-called ethical fashion blogs because at this point it seems it is all about free stuff and not about the real value of an item (i.e. how well does it hold up beyond your initial photo shoot!)
debi, it was your comment on my $100 cashmere post that really made me think about the cashmere issue… and i absolutely agree with you that some textiles should be special. in fact, that is also what was a major impetus for my everlane cashmere purge – i realized that i had so many pieces because they were so relatively cheap…but certainly didn’t need that many. that is the fast fashion trap i got caught up in before, and want to stay away from going forward.
so thank you for that !!
I am happy to say I only bought one single tee shirt from them. There was something about the fit that just didn’t work for me. I tried hard to make it work. It soon became clear it wasn’t worth my time. I gave in.
This is very interesting, Grechen. Everlane was my entry into minimal fashion as I became interested in the ethics and sustainability of clothing. I really loved their original V-neck tees and still wear them. I wash them on gentle and hang dry, so they have lasted well. A few months ago, I ordered two more and was impressed by the thicker quality (more like the men’s tees). Their V-necks have really become my uniform, especially during the warmer months in Texas. I also have a few of their U-neck tees that I sleep in. I find most linen itchy and really prefer cotton, but I think I’m very hot-natured, too.
I haven’t tried their pants or jeans because I’m curvier through my hips and thighs, a size 14 or 32, and I’m nervous nothing will fit. I do agree that their aesthetic favors very thin women. There’s no way I could ever pull off those wide leg crop pants or pleats. Why would I want to?
Also, my husband has great luck with Everlane and asked for a few items from them for Christmas and his birthday coming up.
I think that they are a good starting place for people just getting into ethical fashion, plus they are as affordable as a shirt from Target. But yes, their styling is geared towards people in their 20s, I think.
i do agree with you – that they’re a good starting point – and the pricing is key. i just think maybe they could have just stuck with that – like make great t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc., at really good price points and do it really really well.
i’m really glad that everlane works for so many people 🙂 it just doesn’t for me!
I really appreciate this post. I’m definitely in Everlane’s target demographic (31, urban professional), and I wear a ton of Everlane… currently in their jeans, cashmere & t-shirt. But they’ve really been bugging me recently for a few reasons:
1 – The quality of their cashmere has decreased dramatically over the past few years. This year’s $100 cashmere is so much thinner than last year’s! Not to mention two and three years ago. This year’s sweaters are so flimsy and not warm enough, whereas I still wear my cashmere from three years ago all the time. Keeping a fixed price-point while decreasing your quality doesn’t seem like a longterm winning strategy, not to mention the sustainability issues….
2 – Their reviews are the opposite of transparent — because you are only invited to leave a review if you purchase an item and keep it for a certain amount of time. If you return it or exchange it, you aren’t invited to write a review. So it’s totally biased.
3 – The fit. It’s just so inconsistent. I actually am deeply in love with my black boyfriend jeans from them, but so many of their sweaters fit me bizarrely. Their whole “square” line looks absurd on me, and somehow so many of my clothes from Everlane manage to subliminally send me the message that my body isn’t straight and slim enough for them.
I also used to find their customer service to be wonderful and responsive and recently, they just haven’t been as helpful, though that’s less of a dealbreaker for me. I guess I just used to consider them exceptional, but they haven’t been recently.
Because I can’t afford a lot of the more sustainable brands (ES, Eileen Fisher…), I really hope that Everlane pulls it together and refocuses on producing high-quality pieces. We’ll see…
As always, thanks for your honesty & thoughtfulness, Grechen.
agree about the cashmere quality, which is why two of the cashmere pieces i decided to keep are older…
i didn’t know that about the reviews! that is interesting…
i am always hopeful for change 🙂
Yeah, the review thing is so strange to me. I emailed them about it in August and they replied with: “As of right now, we send an email to customers within 21 days of purchase, but we do exclude customers who have returned or canceled their order. This does not mean we exclude all negative feedback. We absolutely allow, and post, negative reviews and feedback if it is product specific and helpful to other customers shopping experience. I have passed along the feedback to our team in charge of handling reviews, and it’s something we are working on for future updates.”
But that was August, and this is December, so…
LOL at their response! Now I know why there are so many positive reviews on their site. Honestly, they just appear more and more arrogant. Also, I’m yet to see a person who looks good in a square top!
Ina, I think Spongebob Squarepants is a big fan…;-)
I totally agree with you. I have 4 cashmere sweaters from the man’s department and these are basically the only items from Everlane I still enjoy. I got rid of a few t-shirts for the exactly same reason you mentioned. Nothing else appealed to me enough to make a purchase – if the product looks bad on a model I am not going to try it for sure. I have seen their shoes in European stores for fraction of the price they ask here (it wasn’t the sale price!) – a big pet peeve.
Would you mind letting me know which stores? haha I really like their shoes but they are out of my current budget
I haven’t experienced quality issues with my t-shirts, new and old, at all. That’s why I still buy them, because they are soft but don’t look worn, and they fit me well. I do feel rather shocked by how quickly they’re rolling out new merchandise, though, and worry about the model not living up to its original standards. And pants and shoes don’t work for me, either, but I have trouble finding pants anywhere. Overall, I still think they’re my best bet for basics, but I don’t really like the thought of being dressed head to toe in Everlane.
I don’t have a ton of Everlane. My husband went through a buying/returning spree over the summer and I think he has one T-shirt, a short sleeve linen button up that he had tailored and fits great, and a cotton crew neck sweater. I actually did order and keep the black high rise skinny ankle jeans- I have always had a narrow waist and wide hips, but I also now have a “mom stomach” and c-section scar as of September, and the denim is sturdy enough to hold me in, and it’s nice knowing that if I end up back closer to my pre-pregnancy size I only spent $68. I also have their modern loafers, and even though I have a wide toe box I was able to size up and they are so comfortable! I don’t actually ever wear sneakers so they are my every day shoe. We also bought the new small backpack in mustard and use that as a diaper bag. It’s nice and sturdy and I like that the branding was removable.
I don’t know how much I will continue to order from them. I tried the cropped pants, and I did like them but I would have needed to size up and get the waist taken in, and I think I’d rather wait until this summer to see if I go down a size or two.
I do really want to try their day heels, but not much “sparks joy” for me. I tried the square sweater but I just have to accept that drop shoulders are not a good look for me- my shoulders are too narrow and I’m too busty (34H in a nursing bra currently).
You hit the nail on the head with their problematic focus on constant new items! I can’t stand a lot of their new items – I like their classic or classic with a twist pieces. I have a number of their tees and tanks that I love (certain styles that is), a couple of casual dresses that I wear a ton, and their sleek sweaters. My boyfriend loves their tees because they’re soft and basic but usually a little interesting.
It works out because a lot of those classics are in the choose-what-you-pay sale – I just got a great cardigan and sleeveless turtleneck and I’m wondering why they’re not popular. I don’t even bother with some of their items because I’m definitely not the body type they’re focused on (wider hips/larger butt), but I am in their demographic at age 25.
I wish they would be more sustainable, like with their sweater production. It was a step in the right direction when they launched a few years ago, but they should be making more improvements by now.
Totally agree that they need to focus more on the classic pieces, and just have some seasonal variation. I like the boyfriend jeans of their launch because they fit me like a sort of vintage straight leg, but it would be nice to see some different model shapes. I do appreciate that they list actual measurements for their products, but that still doesn’t mean they’re inclusive.
I’m so glad you’re saying what a lot of us are thinking!
I quit Everlane when I realized they were NOT as transparent as they should be. I caved and bought some jeans, wore them for a couple of days (hello stiff fabric and hacky fit) and THEN they sent me an email (denim return policy) that if I wanted to send them back I would have had to leave all the tags on. Lovely, I gave them some heck via email and suggested they include this message with the jeans (‘duh) and I told them they lost me as a customer. They responded back thanking me for my suggestion and completely ignored my comments about not buying anymore… So GOODBYE Everlane!
I was really into Everlane for a while and I’ve backed off a bit now. I agree that their fit and styling often leaves a lot to be desired. However, I ordered their day flat, thinking I’d give them one last chance, after sending back several pairs of their other shoes that were too narrow, and they fit me perfectly. They’re my favorite flat right now. Pants though, ugh. Serious issues there. I much prefer Cos’ slim trousers line for fit and quality.
One more thing… Again, speaking of transparency, why is it that their reviews are closed? Seems to me anyone who has made a purchase should be able to review it on their site but alas, not possible… Calls into question all those positive reviews about their horrid denim.
“They should have perfected some of their signature styles and focused on producing less and increasing the quality instead of launching so many new things all the time.”
Yes totally agree with this.! Their product cycle just keeps shrinking and shrinking – seems like they’re selling the next hot thing every month or so – not at the level of Forever21, but headed that direction. Encouraging constant consumption is great for revenue, I’m sure, but not so great for a company that prides itself on its “ethical” biz model.
I follow them on Instagram and have also been put off by their “Transparency Tuesday” posts. It is in theory an AMA but the questions asked/answered are 90% product questions (“what color will this be in?” “Are you going to sell swimsuits?” etc.). Seems like a missed opportunity to address all the good points mentioned in this thread: factory wages, model choice, plus sizing, and more.
Well, obviously you struck a nerve with this post! I agree wholeheartedly. I’ve always had fit and sizing issues with Everlane, so I never really bought very much. I have one cashmere sweater (old style) that I like and a cotton sweater that is pretty good, but I knew from your reviews that the shoes, jeans and blouses would never fit me. It was pretty frustrating, but in retrospect, was probably a good thing.
I think you have the big issue pegged when you suggest that Everlane should’ve focused more on perfecting their signature styles. They really could’ve had a good thing going. But, as you said, the Cult of Everlane is still strong.
You taught me a long time ago that a high quality tank top would hold up better than a cheapo Old Navy one, and you know what? I still have and wear that Vince tank top regularly. 🙂
Grechen, we’ve chatted Everlane over the years! It’s so hit or miss for me. I’m 39, had three babies in two years, narrow shoulders with boobs, arms, thighs. Even from reviews, sizing remains a gamble.
I have about 6 tees: 5 uneck and 1 vee. I love them because I can nurse in them and they’ve looked good since purchase in 2013-14. Even the white!
I have bought two cashmere items: a gray cardi from the second round that pilled and became dingy and developed holes and was sloppy. I got rid of it. A second v neck from the same era in a mulberry color that I love, but over the winter was devoured by moths. It’s going and can’t be replaced.
I love my gray silk shirt. The poplin button-up shrank and fits weirdly.
I hate the shoe sizing. I’ve had the modern loafers in three sizes (8.5, 10, 9.5) and they’re comfortable, but I’m self conscious about whether they make my feet look bigger (I’m 5’3 135). The modern point is softer, but I could almost take a 10? The heel seam rubs. I have cross-ankle sandals in 8.5. I like the aesthetics, but the fit isn’t supportive or particularly flattering. I ordered oxblood day heels. Best yet, but almost need a 9.5. I’m 8.5-9 (usually 9) everywhere else.
I find the boatneck tees tricky to get in and out of. The cotton poplin dress was a cute cut but didn’t drape well. The wide pants were comical on a curvy petite. The jeans were so backordered I bought Levi’s 501s instead. The trench was way too big for a petite. I wish I’d tried the swing trench.
I’ll keep buying because of the price point, but it’s not my favorite place. I can’t afford much ES/EF now, but have bought three well-made EF items through Trunk Club I love. Huge quality difference.
I hate the artificial scarcity. I couldn’t afford a first-gen raspberry cashmere cardigan and it’s never been available since. Colors are hit or miss. I have very little interest in square crops. It’s not generally kind to almost-40 nursing mom bods…
… but I love it when it works.
Definitely struggling with that love / hate relationship with Everlane. I’ll try to say something not already said, which is that Everlane seems to be the only retailer that posts very detailed measurements for every size on every garment and that gives me some reassurance that the garment will fit. But in the end, even with the size chart, half the things don’t fit right =T. Also, agree jeans are horrible and so “basic” (in the bad sense). And the shoes are too damn narrow. I own a lot of everlane and the only thing that I really like still is my winter puffer and old cashmere/wool sweater. Some stuff are downright disappointments. The rest is just OK, but a lot of times just OK is fine. They need to slow down, do more research on their garments, and focus on making higher quality clothes.
I still really like Everlane. I’m a short size 8-10 with big boobs and a belly, so a lot of their shapes don’t work on me, but I still find a piece or two every season that I think looks good on my body. I’ve had really good luck with their sweaters and sweatshirts, and even a pair of shorts. However, I had been thinking that their quality has really gone down in the last couple of years. The first time I bought their t-shirts, I really loved them. They used to be made from a thicker, weightier jersey, that didn’t show bra lines and hung a little loose. Those t-shirts made me start wearing t-shirts again. Last year I needed new t-shirts, so I bought a few more and noticed they were a little thinner, clingier. Last week I ordered a few more t-shirts. The newest ones are even thinner and clingier than the last ones. It’s still a nice soft cotton, but it looks much cheaper than the older ones did. It seems like they are starting to cut corners.
However, I have a really good Everlane story that I want to share. My experience with their customer service has been excellent. I still get that family feeling from them when I need special support. In October 2016, my three year old Everlane square zip wallet was stolen out of my purse (it happened to be the weekend before I started a new job, which was terrible timing!). I really loved that wallet, so I went to see if they still had it on the website so I could get a replacement. At the time they no longer had it listed for sale, so I emailed customer support to ask if they were going to sell it again, or if I should look for a wallet elsewhere. They responded that they were going to stock it again, but in totally new colors. However, they had a small stash of the old colors sitting in a warehouse somewhere, and they sent me one in the same color as my original for free, along with a lovely note about how sorry they were that the original got stolen. That wallet was a fantastic product, and it came with great customer service. I anticipate having it for at least 10 years. The thing is, I’ve seen the wallets they have now in person and they aren’t the same as the one I have. They’re a little narrower, I don’t think US dollars would slide in quite as easily as they do in mine which is not great for an American company with mostly US-based customers. Mine has a nice big change pocket, the new ones have smaller ones that couldn’t possibly hold enough quarters to do two loads at the laundromat. Mine has cool slanted credit card pockets, the new ones just have straight across pockets and less of them. Mine zips up completely shut around the outside, so if I forget to snap shut the change pocket I don’t end up with a puddle of coins in my purse, the new ones have a gap on the ends of the zipper. Basically the new ones don’t seem to be made with the same care and consideration as the old ones, and I don’t think I would enjoy owning them as much as I enjoy the one I have. My Everlane wallet really is one of my favorite things that I own, it’s well-made and has unique details. The new ones feel like a slightly hipper version of something you would get at J. Crew. So I totally agree with you, and like you I’m also reluctant to write them off since I’ve had such positive experiences with them in the past. I’m definitely gonna start looking for some James Perse t-shirts on sale though…
I am just not willing to work this hard for clothes, especially cheap clothes that ship slow, fit weird, have poor customer service, a crappy return policy, and aren’t good quality. I’m probably in the minority here but I would rather take a few tries to get the sizing on an investment piece right if it’s quality that will fit me comfortably and last. Everlane failed to impress me after my first order. Honestly I think a lot of the popularity is the idea that people are shopping ethically and the clothes are inexpensive, but I agree with someone else who said that their transparency marketing feels like spin.
I just wanted to add a somewhat opposing opinion. I am 52 and LOVE Everlane pants. I wear Everlane pants to work and I find them affordable and I love the slouchy fit. Wool pants can be so expensive and I have been grateful that they offer an option that works for me. There are many brands that I can’t wear because of fit. I do not think that is company flaw- I think that is just fashion.
Do love your blog and LOVE that you are willing to offer an honest opinion. Thanks for your integrity!
I’ve been losing interest in them as well. I have some older t-shirts and a sweatshirt that have held up nicely, and a couple of thin merino wool sweaters that still have a lot of life in them too. My very favorite thing though is the wool-cashmere cardigan that was called a “boyfriend” previously – I have a navy one that’s about two years old that gets worn frequently in the winter, and this year I also got it in black. But most of the new styles have been losing me, and their constant new, new, new feels frantic. I’ve been skeptical about $100 cashmere, and it was interesting to read other commenters’ thoughts on that.
I will, however, second what several people mentioned about their detailed sizing information – I wish more shops would do that! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been interested in a dress, and the description reads “hits at the knee” – how do they know where my knees are? I want to know how long it is in inches (or cm), so I can determine if it falls in the range I like. Okay, rant over. 🙂
I totally know what you mean about having become disillusioned with Everlane and increasingly realizing that I’m highly skeptical about their transparency claims. Credit where credit is due, I have some well-loved old items (including a Petra tote) that have held up well and seemed very fairly priced (albeit likely not ethically manufactured), but other things are just perplexingly bad and low quality. Their shoes, for instance, seem to me to often be poorly designed (I bought the Modern Point because pretty, but ack it refuses to break in and doesn’t feel that right when I’m walking). Someone was saying she found them not ergonomic, which sounds right.
Oh and someone from Everlane customer service was very rude to me in email. It was just kind of bizarre because it was a situation where the most reasonable response on their end was a brief apology that the item was in fact backordered so there wasn’t anything they could do to ship it faster, sorry again, rather than er escalating it into an argument with me,.
Would love some suggestions on where to get some decent solid basic alpaca sweaters.
I pretty much agree on your post and all of the comments here. I’ve released a lot of cheaply-made, ill-fitting garments out of my wardrobe and have been really slowly building it back up with items from Everlane and other retailers. It has taken SO much effort and probably more returns than keeps, and your point about keeping trying until something sticks really hit the nail on the head for me (to be honest, I hadn’t even noticed, but that’s what I’ve been doing). I think I’ve been so focused on the low-ish cost that I have been buying and trying to make it work. Most of the items I’ve taken to the tailor this year are from Everlane, and all of the alterations had to do with taking things in at the waist because they are just too boxy. (Some of these items were second-hand, so I still feel that I “came out ahead,” but still). I had already noticed that I’ve felt less enamored by them, but I needed your words to help me figure out why! I’ll probably still try a few things in the future, but mostly using referral or return credit. For now, I’m still enjoying a pair of jeans (altered; I ordered a second pair in the next size down – not sure about it yet), a wool mockneck, cashmere crop mockneck (LOVE this one actually), a silk tank (altered), silk dress (altered), the modern loafers and modern points, and my long PJ shirt.
After reading these comment I’m so glad I never tried Everlane! (I always found their clothes kind of boring and was turned off by the models as well. ) So glad you are keeping up your blog despite your jaw issue. Best wishes for continued healing to you!
I used to be really into Everlane, but my interest has waned. I’m so tired of cropped square/drop shoulder shirts – that seems to be the ONLY style of shirt they release these days. And to me, that’s lazy – because it’s the simplest, cheapest shape to make. I don’t even like how it looks on their models.
I still get a cotton tee from them every now and then, because I like how those fit me and how they feel. But I’ve stopped watching for the new items…I’ve stopped caring about their “sale” stuff…I’ve just stopped caring. Also their brand language/image now just seems pretentious.
Re: transparency, I’ve always been confused about where they derive the “traditional retail price” from. Is it aggregate? What retailers do they base this on? I’ve sent several emails to them with this question, and they are never answered. They are super quick to answer any other email I send them – but not that one. So that’s always bothered me.
“And for me, Everlane was starting to present as a fast-fashion problem.”
This.
I’ve felt for a while that Everlane’s insane turn out of new styles over the past year was them directly competing with fast-fashion name brands (banana republic and j crew types of places mainly) and it didn’t leave me feeling all that great about the company. More often than not I associate Everlane with fast fashion now because of their releases every other week. I no longer care nor bother with looking a their “coming soon” section because I feel the styles aren’t nearly as innovative as they used to be.
I have the same issues with sizing as everyone else – it feel like a crap shoot or roulette wheel roll as to whether or not something will fit right. The tees I bought a couple years ago have wonky collars now and I only wear them as night shirts. One sweater got a hole in it and the other lost it’s shape really fast. I washed another sweater by hand as the directions said (cold hand wash or dry clean) and laid it flat to dry and it’s lost shape now as well. The E2 pants I bought completely unraveled at the bottom hem after two wears – while mostly sitting at an office desk. I still have a couple shirts I wear from them, but in general I don’t feel like I’m getting my money’s worth.
I am in complete agreement with this! I started supplementing my wardrobe with everlane years ago (while still shopping fast fashion unfortunately). It feels like over the past year to 18 months they’ve really gone downhill. They’re churning out new styles every week, sometimes multiple releases in a week, sizing is inconsistent and the quality is hit or miss! I have two of the cashmere crop mock necks, one from 2-3 years ago and the other from last winter, the older one is so much thicker. I tried ordering a crew neck cashmere from their $100 cashmere line last winter and again, so much thinner than my 4 year old v-neck one. Given I live in Canada and between the exchange rate and duties and taxes, the $100 cashmere ends up costing me $180-$200, is rather order from a place like Cuyana where the cashmere is more substantial. All the “boxy” looks everlane has been marketing this year as well are getting way to trendy, bring back the classic styles and cuts.
I relate to this so much. I want to love EL but I just can’t sometimes. I actually still have some of their tees because they have held up for me and I like the thin texture of them. But for the most part I just don’t shop there. I tried the jeans recently and they where okay. I really love the fabric but they have back gap which wasn’t shocking to me as most jeans tend to do anyway. When I feel up to it, I will get that tailored like I do with everything else I own. I probably won’t be buying anything else from them for a long time as I can easily go to a thrift store and find something that fits be better there.
Thank you for this! I bought a few Everlane items when they first came out, but I returned them all, because I didn’t feel like the fits and quality were there. I totally get the appeal–the clothes are affordable and make people feel like they’re getting quality, all while being “transparent”, but here’s how I see it: when you have cheaper prices, you need to cut corners in order to do so. Everlane makes it seem like the only thing that’s different between them and “quality” brands is their direct-to-consumer model, but the truth is, they cut corners in design and fit, too. There’s a reason why the clothes are so simple. And considering design and fit are the top things I look for when I buy something, Everlane has never cut it for me.
Wow also was about to post this on reddit and searched to see if it was already posted and found this :
https://www.reddit.com/r/femalefashionadvice/comments/52l7e2/everlane_hiring_an_unpaid_everlane_ambassador/
I am very opposed to unpaid internships in my own industry so it would make little sense for me to support a company that has them. Really also makes me question how much they really value labor.
I appreciate your honesty on Everlane. But, I’m still in the cult 🙂 I discovered them about a year and a half ago (relatively late to the game) and some of my favorite items are from them. I agree with you on fit…it’s the most important aspect of a clothing piece to me, and Everlane fits me. I’m not a millenial or stick thin, but a lot of their pieces fit me great. My favorite items are their shoes. I have a very narrow heel and foot, so for me they work great. I lived in the form sandal last summer and the day heel has been treating me right this winter. I love the wide leg crop but agree that the jeans were a disappointment.
Looking forward to discovering new brands from you 🙂
I’ve never liked Everlane stuff. Everything is so blah. I like basic, but find their colors and cuts just kind of depressing. I went this fall to their showroom (they have one in New York where you can try on everything and make some purchases in store) and left feeling underwhelmed. There’s nothing necessarily “wrong” with their stuff, but I want some kind of spark or specialness in my clothing.
I agree with you about how they should spend more time refining what they have rather than churning out new styles. I’ve had way more misses than hits with Everlane. Most of it doesn’t fit me, but I thought that was because I’m petite with wide feet. But maybe it’s just because it’s all ill fitting! The Everlane items that I get the most wear out of are the Twill Zip Tote, the Pocket Tote, and the Cotton V Tee. I also have the high-rise skinny jeans, which I thought were great at first, but after wearing them a while, they wrinkle quite a bit. Thanks for your honesty!
I really appreciate the intellectual honesty of this post. I recently purchased a $165 tote from Everlane that was advertised as 100% Italian leather. It actually appears to be reconstituted leather backing material (with a lot of plastic filler mixed in, by the smell of it) with a thin hide, like a goatskin, on top. But the thin hide exterior is so poorly attached to the backing that the bag was all wrinkly when I pulled it out of the box. I couldn’t figure out why everyone was reviewing the bag so positively until I read this post.
I have a long list of grievances against Everlane, but to be brief; I agree that fit and quality are pretty awful (esp last 2ish yrs) and I have really struggled to understand all the Everlane love out there and the overwhelmingly positive product reviews !?! Fit is boxy for the most part (cheaper to produce) and not flattering even on their young and slender models. This is a great post and I hope more people will have the veil lifted!
(Also: STOP giving me a popup every time I try to leave your page Everlane! NO ONE ELSE does this! Rude and so annoying.)
Little late to the game here, but I have one Everlane dress — the v-neck cashmere sweater dress, that is effortlessly, perfectly, fabulously, flatteringly, gorgeously, one of the best looking items in my closet — it makes me feel like a million bucks. I just went and looked at their recent offerings and was sad to see that instead of that dress’s “I look amazing but am not trying to show off for anyone” vibe, there’s a lot of more fashion-forward stuff. What a shame. I’m sad to hear that the quality has gone downhill, as I probably would have bought more (they still have a few classic items) otherwise.