The Ultimate Everlane Clothes Review: Is This Ethical Brand Worth It?

Are you curious about the popular minimalist fashion brand Everlane? Known for their "radical transparency," sustainable practices, and modern basics, Everlane has developed a cult following in recent years. But are their clothes really worth the hype and higher than average prices?

In this comprehensive Everlane clothes review, we‘ll take an in-depth look at the brand‘s best-selling items, ethical factories, customer reviews, and more to help you decide if Everlane deserves a place in your wardrobe. Let‘s dive in!

What is Everlane?

Founded in 2010 by Michael Preysman, Everlane is a direct-to-consumer fashion brand that believes customers have a right to know how much their clothes cost to make and where they‘re produced. The company shares photos, videos, and information about each of its factories on its website.

Everlane‘s mission is to provide customers with well-made, long-lasting clothes at transparent prices, while promoting sustainable practices and fair wages for factory workers. The brand never has sales, but rather prices items based on the true cost of production.

Everlane primarily sells modern wardrobe basics for women and men, like tees, sweaters, pants, blazers, shoes, and accessories. Their aesthetic is minimalist and purposefully trend-agnostic.

Everlane Clothing Review

Now let‘s take a closer look at some of Everlane‘s most popular items for women and men. We‘ll examine the materials, fit, quality, price, and customer reviews for each one.

Women‘s Clothes

The Day Glove Flats Review

One of Everlane‘s signature shoes, The Day Glove ballerina flats are designed to mold to your feet for a super comfortable fit. Made of soft Italian leather that requires no break-in period, these versatile flats can easily take you from work to weekend.

The Day Gloves come in 16 colors and cost $118. Everlane customers rave about how comfortable and well-made these flats are, with many saying they can walk for miles in them without getting blisters. The main complaint is that they run narrow, so Everlane suggests sizing up if you have wide feet.

The Perform Legging Review

Everlane took two years to develop these premium $58 leggings, made of Italian tech fabric that is lightweight, breathable, and sweat-wicking. With a high waist and internal pocket, these leggings are designed to stay put through any workout.

Reviews of the Perform Legging are mixed. Some customers love the buttery soft fabric and say these are the best leggings they‘ve ever worn. However, many reviewers note that the leggings are very thin, revealing, and start to pill after a few washes. If you like a more substantial legging, these may not be for you.

The Cashmere Crew Review

For an affordable, luxurious cashmere sweater, look no further than Everlane‘s $100 Cashmere Crew. Made of certified Grade-A Mongolian cashmere, this classic sweater is warm, soft, and comes in 12 chic colors.

This sweater has over 4,000 reviews and a 4.5-star rating on Everlane. Customers say the quality is impressive for the price and love how cozy yet lightweight the sweater is. Several reviewers have bought the sweater in multiple colors and say they wear them constantly in colder weather.

Just note that the Cashmere Crew has a slightly relaxed, boxy fit, so size down if you prefer a more fitted look.

Men‘s Clothes

The Uniform Oxford Shirt Review

A wardrobe staple, Everlane‘s Uniform Oxford is a classic button-down shirt made of lightweight, breathable cotton. It comes in both slim and regular fits and seven versatile colors.

Priced at $58, the Uniform Oxford is backed by Everlane‘s 365-day guarantee, so you can return it for a full refund if it doesn‘t hold up for a year. Everlane men praise the quality and fit of this shirt, saying it works equally well tucked in with a tie or worn more casually.

The Performance Chino Review

Everlane‘s Performance Chinos are a customer favorite, thanks to their comfortable four-way stretch fabric, sweat-wicking properties, and classic tailored look. They come in slim or athletic fits and cost $72.

Men say these pants are super comfortable for all-day wear and look great at the office or on weekends. They have a 4.53 rating from over 1,300 reviews. Like many of Everlane‘s pants, they do run a bit long, so shorter men may need to get them hemmed.

The ReNew Air Hoodie Review

Everlane‘s ReNew Collection features clothing made entirely from recycled plastic bottles, like this cozy, lightweight $60 hoodie. Made of breathable recycled polyester and cotton, it has a relaxed fit and comes in six colors.

While some men say this hoodie is perfect for throwing on after a workout or on a crisp day, others complain that it wrinkles very easily and doesn‘t have the softest texture. It has a 4.1 rating from about 100 reviews.

Is Everlane Ethical and Sustainable?

A major reason for Everlane‘s popularity is the company‘s commitment to ethical manufacturing and sustainability. On their website, you can view detailed information about each factory they partner with, including photos and videos of the facilities and interviews with workers.

Everlane ensures that all of their factories provide fair wages, reasonable hours, and safe working conditions for employees. They also partner with factories that prioritize sustainability, like using renewable energy and responsible waste disposal.

However, some have accused Everlane of greenwashing, or using sustainability as a marketing tactic without full transparency. The company received some backlash for laying off workers at their San Francisco headquarters during the COVID-19 pandemic after those employees attempted to unionize.

Everlane also hasn‘t shared specific information about what portion of their factories pay workers a true living wage as opposed to a minimum wage. Compared to some more transparent ethical brands, Everlane falls a bit short.

That said, Everlane is still taking important steps towards a more sustainable fashion industry and treats garment workers far more ethically than most mainstream brands. If you want to support ethical fashion, Everlane is a good choice, even if they aren‘t perfect.

Alternatives to Everlane

If you like Everlane‘s modern, minimalist basics but want to explore other options, here are a few similar brands to check out:

• Kotn – Ethically made basics using Egyptian cotton
• Pact – Super soft organic cotton clothing at affordable prices
• Organic Basics – Sustainable undergarments and basics
• Quince – Affordable luxury fabrics like cashmere and silk
• Frank & Oak – Stylish, sustainable clothing with inclusive sizing
• Vetta – A capsule wardrobe made up of versatile pieces

How to Shop at Everlane

If you‘re ready to give Everlane a try, here are a few tips for shopping on their website:

• Take advantage of the 90-day return policy and free shipping on your first order to try out a few different sizes and styles. Returns are free and easy.

• Sign up for emails to get 10% off your first order and be notified about new product launches and restocks.

• Check the Choose What You Pay section for discounted items. Everlane lets you choose between three prices based on what you can afford.

• Read reviews and look at customer photos for specific items to get a sense of quality, fit, and how the color looks in real life. Everlane shoppers are very honest!

• If you‘re unsure about sizing, you can chat with a Fit Expert on the Everlane website or email them for personalized advice. They are very helpful!

The Final Verdict: Is Everlane Worth It?

After thoroughly testing many of Everlane‘s clothes and researching the brand‘s practices and customer reviews, my verdict is that Everlane is worth the money for certain items.

The pieces that consistently get the best reviews for quality, fit and longevity include:

• The authentic stretch high-rise skinny jeans
• The Day Glove flats
• The Cashmere Crew sweater
• The men‘s Uniform Oxford shirt
• The Day Square tote bag

These seem to be Everlane‘s tried and true classics that customers buy again and again. I think they are worth investing in as foundation pieces for your wardrobe.

Some of Everlane‘s newer items, like the Perform Leggings and ReCashmere knits, are more hit or miss in terms of quality. Based on customer feedback, I would be a bit more hesitant to splurge on them.

Where Everlane really shines is their transparency about pricing, factories, and sustainability. Unlike most fashion brands, you know exactly where your clothes are coming from and how much they really cost to produce. That level of trust, combined with Everlane‘s slow fashion ethos, makes me feel good about supporting the company.

I also appreciate how easy it is to shop on their site, with free shipping and returns, clear pictures and videos of each item, and a discount on your first order.

Overall, I believe Everlane is one of the best options out there for ethical, well-made basics. While no company is perfect, their clothes are a great value and the brand is moving the fashion industry in a more transparent, sustainable direction. If you‘re looking to build a conscious, long-lasting wardrobe, Everlane is definitely worth checking out.