Design 
Quality of Materials 
Value for Money 
Packaging 
Customer Service Alright, confession time.
After going full-time on the blog, I came across some changes I didn’t expect.
No, I’m not suddenly a fan of olives (that’s definitely not happening anytime soon).
I don’t have to dress like a working stiff anymore. And while I liked the added confidence I got from wearing a suit and tie everyday, it just doesn’t make sense when I’m working from home.
So I did my research on men’s wardrobe essentials and found Everlane.
I tried out some of their most popular items for this review and my verdict is in.
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What is Everlane?
Everlane is a San Francisco based clothing brand for men and women.
And much like a minimalist traveler, they’re all about wardrobe essentials.
Their aesthetic is clean and simple. You’re not going to find intricate patterns or flashy colors across Everlane’s men’s range.
No, real basics should be solid. And at Everlane, solid they are.
They eschew fast fashion and offer the essentials at a fair price point.
The brand also has a unique mission which is focused on using ethical factories, sourcing high quality materials, and being “Radically Transparent” about what it costs to put it all together.
And no, they’re not talking about you at your 21st Birthday party.
They mean being literally transparent about their costs breakdown, as you can see here:
I don’t know about you, but I haven’t seen too many brands nakedly reveal their true cost of goods for all to see on their website. And by looking at the Traditional Markups in their breakdown, it’s no big surprise.
Check out their about page to see for yourself, and to read their mission firsthand:
At Everlane, we want the right choice to be as easy as putting on a great T-shirt. That’s why we partner with the best, ethical factories around the world. Source only the finest materials. And share those stories with you—down to the true cost of every product we make. It’s a new way of doing things. We call it Radical Transparency.
Everlane Review
Here’s the rundown on my essentials haul from Everlane:
- Skinny Fit Jean in Dark Indigo
- The Uniform French Terry Crew
- The Premium Weight Long-Sleeve Crew in Navy Heather
- The Performance Slim Chino in Khaki
- The Filled Canvas Jacket in Ochre
Update 03/20: William had a chance to try the Everlane Tread Trainer Sneakers in Mustard and Charcoal. He’s added to my review below.
Wondering why I got what I did? Well, since you asked so nicely:
My thinking was to choose a range of fabric types so I could reach a more informed opinion on Everlane’s overall quality for you guys.
Keep reading for my thoughts on each individual piece.
Everlane Jeans Review: The Skinny Fit Jean
I’m a big fan of the Skinny Fit Jean.
Made from 98% cotton and 2% elastane, they’re premium 11 oz Japanese denim. And you can definitely feel the quality of the material.
They’re lightweight and flexible—owing to their slight 2-way stretch. Oh, and they don’t have that denim smell that you sometimes get with jeans at this price point.
The fit is also good. Skinny but not help-me-these-are-now-painted-on skinny. The color is dark indigo.
It's hard to find denim that's this quality for the price. Skinny jeans are best for guys with skinny legs---I mean, it's in the same. But check out Everlane's slim fits, too while you're at it. Everlane denim is a bargain.
The Uniform French Terry Crew
The French Terry Crew Sweater is Everlane’s take on the crewneck sweatshirt. Made from 100% French Terry cotton, it feels soft and super cozy.
Overall, I like it—it keeps me warm and the off-grey/blue color (mysteriously named ‘harbor mist’) works really well as a layering piece.
The fit is perfect across my chest and shoulders and it does a good job giving me a slim profile when I go hard on cake after my birthday and the holidays.
Note—the French Terry Crew is a standard fit but you may find it to run a little on the shorter side.
Everlane's French Terry Crew is soft, comfortable, and the shoulders are broad and flattering. It's slim everywhere you want to show off your structure and it's got some extra room in the right places, too. It's a classic.
Next up is the Premium Weight Long-Sleeve Crew in navy heather—a slim fit long-sleeve tee.
It’s made from 6.2 oz 100% cotton. The fabric has a dry yet durable feel to it. I like the look of the seams, they’re quite unique for a long-sleeve basic.
Other than that, it’s comfortable and fits me well.
I was really impressed with the weight of this shirt. I’m a fan of anything flattering, and I feel like this shirt ticks those boxes.
This fall/winter staple has a modern fit and a luxury feel. It's made with some of the best quality cotton fabric we've tried in a shirt at this price point.
The Filled Canvas Jacket
9/20 Update: Everlane no longer carries this model. But they do have an excellent bomber jacket that’s made with similar materials and packs just as much value as the Canvas jacket.
Built with a triple-stitched 9.3 oz 100% cotton canvas exterior it’s got a real give to it. It fits well and I love the ochre color. It’s different. I’ve racked up my fair share of compliments wearing it already.
With its 60g PrimaLoft insulation, it’s heavy enough to keep you warm on a winter day but it’s light enough that you can shed a layer underneath and still wear it when it’s only cool out.
It has a two-way zipper and an interior snap pocket. I like that the exterior pockets are minimal and don’t take away from the jacket’s overall simple aesthetic.
Everlane's Uniform collection is guaranteed to last 365 days. Their bomber jacket offers classic style that's durable, sustainable, and fairly priced.
The Performance Slim Chino
Similar to the skinny jean, these chinos are made from 98% cotton and 2% elastane for a slight 2-way stretch. They feature a slightly longer rise, two front slant pockets, and two back single welt pockets.
Overall, they’re nice and comfortable. They’re also quite light (which some guys may rate as negative) but it does mean they’re very breathable. They’re great for casual wear.
I’ve been wearing them for over a year now, and they still look great. The value here was so strong, we added them to our 7 Best Chinos roundup:
Crafted from 93% cotton and 7% elastane for added stretch an comfort and coming in a wide range of colors, this staple chino from Everlane's Uniform line offers solid bang for your buck.
Everlane Shoes Review
Tread Trainer
Back in April 2019, Everlane launched their first sneaker line: Tread. I recently had a chance to try their Trainer in mustard and charcoal.
The new Trainer is built like a retro sneaker with plenty of what I call “chunk-factor.”
Now, I know what you’re thinking. That sounds awful. But just take a look for yourself.
Everlane is pleasing my ‘90s kid heart with these chunky sneakers. They’re meant to be reminiscent of those good ol’ days, playing tether-ball on the black top, drinking Capri Suns and eating Lunchables (I didn’t realize it until just now, but apparently I grew up eating straight poison).
But what separates these Everlane Trainers from the sneakers of your youth is the quality of materials—which in turn gives these a more refined look.
The upper and tongue are made with full-grain leather from a gold-certified tannery in Saigon, Vietnam. And of course, in true Everlane fashion, there’s a sustainability aspect, too.
The sole is made from recycled rubber that’s over 94% virgin-plastic free. What that means is this: rather than creating new plastic to make their shoes, the brand has dedicated themselves to using as much recycled plastic as possible and repurposing it into a sustainable pair of sneakers.
But they didn’t stop there.
Everlane is committed to offsetting their carbon production by 100%. So for every cubic centimeter of carbon that’s made in the manufacture and shipping of these sneakers, Everlane donates money to a cause that removes the same amount of carbon from the atmosphere.
Tread are a lot more than a cool looking pair of sneakers. They’re a guidepost showing how brands of the future will conduct business. They’re a statement that says fashion doesn’t have to be wasteful.
Over the few years I’ve been following Everlane, I’ve been impressed with their commitment to sustainability. So much so that we named them one of our favorite fashion brands that give back. Check out our YouTube video below:
But they’re also a cool looking pair of sneakers.
Tread Court Sneaker
After my great experience with the Trainer, I decided to pick up Everlane’s more classic looking Court Sneaker.
I opted for the all-white with gum sole colorway. It’s an ideal year-round style that served me well through spring and summer. And I don’t care what anyone says: you can wear white after Labor Day. The gum sole adds that earthy flair you need when pairing these up in a fall wardrobe.
I like the Trainer, but I love the Court Sneaker.
It has a lower profile and looks less “trendy.” It’s more of a classic look that I don’t see going out of style any time soon.
I picked up a 10.5, which is a my true fit and it’s the perfect size. They’re made with the same high standard as the Tread Trainer, with the same dedication to ethical factory production and material quality.
Made with 93% recycled plastic and rubber and excellent quality leather from one of the worlds most sustainable tanneries in Vietnam, this sleek sneaker doesn't just look good. It is good.
Everlane Quality
Between this review and our Everlane Uniform review, we’ve had a chance to try over 20 items from the brand.
I’ve had some of these clothes for over a year now, and I’m really impressed with the quality. The only failure I’ve seen is that a button fell off one of my denim jackets. And that’s because I got it caught in a fence.
Otherwise, the other items still look fantastic. They don’t have that same beautiful sheen you get with new clothes, but they still fit well and the shirts haven’t blown out like lower quality pieces would have.
I can speak from experience on the quality of their cotton basics, denim, and their sneakers. I haven’t tried out their cashmere sweaters yet, but with fall in full swing, I’m waiting patiently on a sale.
But from what other reviewers say, Everlane’s cashmere is excellent quality for the price.
Other Everlane Reviews
You can find detailed reviews of any Everlane product directly on their website. Just find the specific item you’re looking for and you’ll have a wealth of information from previous customers already there waiting for you.
For instance, before I picked up their French Terry Hoodie, I checked the reviews to see if it fit small or true to size. And you know what? Over 200 reviewers helped me out.
Their site is loaded down with plenty of feedback from previous customers so you can get a solid idea of what to expect and whether you should size up or down.
Of course, if you don’t want to read through thousands of reviews, I don’t blame you. I broke down the general sentiments here:
- The fits are on the smaller side. Especially with the length of their shirts. If you’re in between sizes, move up one. Expect slim fits. I’m a fan of the way they trim their clothes, but if I gain five pounds, I’m usually sized out. But then they’re my favorite clothes, so I usually lose the five pounds again so I can wear my Everlane.
- Everlane has a true commitment to quality, sustainability, and giving back. They’ve faced some pressure in the past because consumers hold them to such a high standard. I think that’s awesome, and we should hold all brands to rigorous ethical standards. Everlane is one of the best, especially considering the scale they’re on.
My Overall Thoughts on Everlane
What I Like
Everlane make essentials the way they should be made. Simple, tasteful designs and solid, neutral colors.
I’m a slim guy and I found the fit to be pretty much spot on across everything I tried.
They use high-quality materials and it shows as soon as you get your hands on the clothing. Everything feels great against your skin, and each piece warms or cools appropriately as you’d expect.
Everlane’s pricing is quite reasonable despite the quality.
Their mission is one that is very easy to get behind. While I understand budget restraints, I believe that all brands should at least strive to only source quality materials and only use ethical factories. I’m also a big fan of transparency in life generally, and so I find myself trusting the brand more because of their willingness to share their cost breakdowns, and lift the curtain on the factories they use.
What I Don’t Like
Returns for international customers are at their own cost.
No phone support available.
The Verdict
Personally, I’m a big fan of essentials for daily casual wear.
And this means I’ve seen and worn a lot of brands in this market.
What I like about Everlane is that not only do they have a fantastic mission, they also do that thing that all clothing brands should do:
They make clothing that you actually want to wear.
I’m not going to call any particular brands out here, but that’s not always the case. Too often I see brands spouting an awesome mission, but when you actually look closely at their clothing, it’s all subpar designs and poor quality materials. And I just can’t bring myself to pull the trigger on a purchase.
Yes, Everlane may be experiencing some growing pains which have an impact on their ability to provide the best level of customer service that they’d like to (i.e. not offering phone support for example).
But overall, I can only speak to what I’ve experienced. And that is a selection of clothing that fits well, looks great, and has seamlessly entered my weekly rotation.
With their high-quality essentials apparel and an ethical approach to clothing production, it's no surprise that Everlane is fast becoming the go-to retailer of choice for guys who like to keep it simple.
FAQs
Is Everlane a good brand?
Everlane is an excellent brand for people looking to buy high quality essentials with no visible branding. They make simple clothes that fit well and have a fair price considering the quality.
Why is Everlane so popular?
Everlane became so popular because they were on the forefront of the movement toward more ethical, sustainable, minimalist clothing. They’ve become a go-to brand for anyone looking to build a capsule wardrobe: a small collection of clothes that match well with one another.
Does Everlane run big or small?
In our experience, Everlane runs a little small. Their shirts are a touch short compared to other brands and their fits are generally slimmer. If you’re in between sizes, we recommend sizing up.
Do Everlane jeans stretch out?
Like all denim, Everlane jeans will stretch out as you wear them. If you choose not to wash them after wearing, they will snap back to their original shape somewhat, but to get their original slim fit, you’ll need to run them through the wash.
