Hi everyone!
Thought I would share my thoughts on the black cashmere crewneck by Everlane that arrived in the mail last week.
I had been considering this sweater for quite awhile and when they restocked a couple of weeks ago, I decided to go ahead and order.
The sweater arrives in a lovely cotton sac, which is a nice touch!
The finishing is very nice and is a traditional sweater hem at the bottom as opposed to J Crew's cashmere sweaters, which tend to roll up...
The sweater felt soft, but the yarn was not so lofty as the lovely Brora sweaters I have. Some of this may be because the colour is black - I know you knit experts can explain that!
The picture above shows my pink Brora cardigan next to the Everlane sweater - you can see the softness of the Brora.
Out of the bag, laying on my bed.
And you can see that the company is very specific as to where in China the sweater is made.
So before I put it on my body, I found it to be well constructed and good quality and probably of equal in softness to a J Crew cashmere sweater, albeit much less soft than a Brora sweater.
The problem was when I put in on my body.
Issue 1: It itched.
I usually don't have trouble with cashmere, but this was really a problem for me. Since I did not want to HAVE to wear a long sleeve tshirt under the sweater, this eliminated the sweater out of the gate.
Issue 2: the fit
I went with a Large as for the measurements on the site, but in fact, I think I could have worn a medium with no difficulty.
It felt baggy and longish and unflattering. While I don't have a picture of it, when I tried it with matchstick jeans the effect was the same. When I showed it to Barry he said something to the effect of "well in comparison to other things you have in your closet I wouldn't say this was as nice..." which is Barry-speak for "you look awful". So while I can recommend the sweater, particularly at the price point, I cannot recommend the sweater for me. Back it went today!
My Downton Abbey look:
I recently came across a lovely burgundy sweater at a local shop that I just loved. It is a chunky knit, which I rarely do, but I just though it was dreamy, with its dolman sleeves and nifty waistband.
A close-up of the sweater detail and of the two little vintage pins I inherited from my mother - the drama masks of comedy and tragedy. She treasured them and now so do I.
The whole look kind of reminded me of something Lady Edith would wear in Downton Abbey:
I must say, between Mad Men and Downton Abbey, there has been a tremendous resurgence in feminine fashion (notwithstanding the sweatshirt trends of this fall) and I quite welcome it!
How about you (and I already know the answer for Dani!) - channeling any Crawley sister this autumn or holiday season?
Have a great day and stay safe out there!
Thought I would share my thoughts on the black cashmere crewneck by Everlane that arrived in the mail last week.
The finishing is very nice and is a traditional sweater hem at the bottom as opposed to J Crew's cashmere sweaters, which tend to roll up...
 |
| nice wide band, well constructed |
 |
| versus the JC hem, which I don't personally mind, but others might... |
The picture above shows my pink Brora cardigan next to the Everlane sweater - you can see the softness of the Brora.
Out of the bag, laying on my bed.
And you can see that the company is very specific as to where in China the sweater is made.
So before I put it on my body, I found it to be well constructed and good quality and probably of equal in softness to a J Crew cashmere sweater, albeit much less soft than a Brora sweater.
The problem was when I put in on my body.
Issue 1: It itched.
I usually don't have trouble with cashmere, but this was really a problem for me. Since I did not want to HAVE to wear a long sleeve tshirt under the sweater, this eliminated the sweater out of the gate.
Issue 2: the fit
I went with a Large as for the measurements on the site, but in fact, I think I could have worn a medium with no difficulty.
It felt baggy and longish and unflattering. While I don't have a picture of it, when I tried it with matchstick jeans the effect was the same. When I showed it to Barry he said something to the effect of "well in comparison to other things you have in your closet I wouldn't say this was as nice..." which is Barry-speak for "you look awful". So while I can recommend the sweater, particularly at the price point, I cannot recommend the sweater for me. Back it went today!
My Downton Abbey look:
I recently came across a lovely burgundy sweater at a local shop that I just loved. It is a chunky knit, which I rarely do, but I just though it was dreamy, with its dolman sleeves and nifty waistband.
Some sleeve action:
I must say, between Mad Men and Downton Abbey, there has been a tremendous resurgence in feminine fashion (notwithstanding the sweatshirt trends of this fall) and I quite welcome it!
How about you (and I already know the answer for Dani!) - channeling any Crawley sister this autumn or holiday season?
Have a great day and stay safe out there!
I do hate an itchy sweater too. Especially if it's cashmere. The burgundy sweater looks so nice on you. Great proportion. How lovely to have your Mom's pins. Barry is so sweet the way he gives his opinions. My hubs is terrified to say a word to me.
ReplyDeleteYes - my mother gave me her legs, but there were no butts in my family, only bellies, breasts and thin legs....
DeleteBarry should be more scared!
yeah, we have the same mirror image WMM, a butt would be nice wouldn't it? My back slides straight down to my legs. No twerking for us!
DeleteThat's disappointing about the Everlane cashmere sweater. No good wearing cashmere if you *have to* wear something under it, isn't it the luxurious softness one is supposed to enjoy against one's skin? I've had a post in draft since last December (!) about what makes good cashmere, it's time I get that finished off to post, you think?
ReplyDeleteI'm getting closer and closer to knowing what suits me, and though I like feminine fashion, no more dresses and skirts for me, I just don't wear them enough. You are definitely channeling Lady Edith. Lovely.
Would love to read your cashmere post!
Deleteruth - I'll be sure to finish the cashmere post within two weeks ... promise!
DeleteTR - please do finish it - we need it!!!!
DeleteIt is funny - I am there with button-ups. I so love them on others, I so hate them on myself. I have decided to get rid of all of them except the one white blouse, since I may yet need one. Oh and blazers - not sure I will ever wear a blazer again or at least very often.
Also looking forward to your post TR. Lisa at Amid Privilege has a very good interview with the so-called Queen of Cashmere - lots of good info there, especially about what to look for when buying.
Deletehttp://amidprivilege.com/2009/12/how-to-find-choose-buy-and-understand-cashmere-sweaters-goats-are-involved-2/
What a shame it's itchy and not a good fit. The other Downton style is lovely!
ReplyDeletethanks Ruth - it is a bit of shame, but I am glad I tried it!
Deleteit took me a lot of ordering and sending back to settle on an Everlane blouse size. Thank you for sparing me similar efforts with their cashmere.
ReplyDeleteHI Fred! I was worried that the L would be too small based on the measurement! It was weird. I am getting tired of the mail order thing; I wear everything from a S to a L depending upon the cut across the chest and it is so frustrating to have to send things back.
DeleteVery good to know, thank you! Cross that one off a list of things I'm interested in. Do love the batwing sweater though -- it's adorable on you.
ReplyDeleteThanks M!!!
DeleteI love a textured sweater but the girls can only wear if it's a thinner knit. Bat wings, no not my triceps, on sweaters are also a problem. If the material is too thick I have four boobs when I put my arms at my sides. Looks like you purchased the one ideal sweater out there. You look marvelous in the burgundy. Everlane sweater...not so much.
ReplyDeleteha! I hear you on the textured knits! When the woman at the shop, whom I know very well, said "try it" I said - hmmm, but did to humour her, but was shocked when it looked great. There you go! One never knows what will work! Well mostly, I don't know! Others seems to know!
DeleteI am loving your Downton sweater of course! Yeah I can't wait for the holidays to approach so I can wear velvet and daydream about walking the grounds at Downton Abbey.
ReplyDeleteOf course in reality I'm more of a Mrs. Patmore these days with frizzy hair and dishevelled apron.
Too bad about the everlane, the shape was very unisex I thought!
I think too unisex for this body!!!
DeleteI don't think you could ever be Mrs. Patmore! Maybe Anna, but never Mrs. Patmore!
Good call, itchy and non-slimming (for a black cashmere sweater) is a no-go. I also noticed that lighter colors in cashmere (grey and oatmeal) are softer and less prone to pilling. One more feather to add to Barry's cap, a diplomatic Tim Gunn! I am in love with your Downton Abbey look, hope it starts a trend. A bit sick of the sweatshirt and baseball cap look this fall.
ReplyDeleteHi Marie - I have avoided the sweatshirt thing, because to be honest, I don't think it would be flattering on me, especially at my age!
DeleteSuch a shame about the Everlane, but thanks for the review. You look lovely in the other...it's such a good colour for you, too! I am not channeling Downtown at all these days - it is more Passage to India gone mod. But, in some beautiful silks and wispy cottons. I shouldn't complain about the beautiful Indian weather, but I am truly missing my autumn wardrobe! However, the evenings are starting to cool enough for a pashmina and I have found some lovely tweeds at my husband's tailor, which shall soon be made into skirts for me. Does that count for Downtown?
ReplyDeleteOh handmade tweed skirts sound divine and definitely Downton! I love Passage to India! Now I have to rewatch that again, just thinking of it! I am glad you are having a lovely autumn, even if it isn't crunchy hunter boot-type weather!
DeleteI ordered the grey Everlane V-neck (which I've learned is generally more flattering to my body shape than a crew neck) at about the same time you ordered your black one, and mine arrived last week as well. Like you, I found their sizing a little misleading .... I ordered a medium based on the measurements given, but should have ordered a small since it's a slouchy fit to begin with. I decided to keep mine, because I will wear a t-shirt underneath, and because I liked its lighter weight compared to my Eric Bompard sweaters - it feels more casual. I'll be interested to see how it looks a year from now, though! It's more of a 'B' in quality (but also in price).
ReplyDeleteHi Lily - I think your B is a good analysis and interesting that you also had sizing issues. I am not familiar with Eric Bompard - where do you source those?
DeleteOn-line from their site in the January sales (v. expensive otherwise) or they occasionally pop up on ebay. Their sizing is the opposite of Everlane ... the v-necks run small in the elegant Inez French way : )) I usually order a large, although there's a looser cut cardigan that I have my eye on for my next purchase.
DeleteSWITCH ITCH WMM, Bompard is a largely " irresistible cashmere" French brand you can get in a lot of Europe. Have never seen it over here. But you could check their website. Sorry the sweater didn't work out, but smart to return. IMO Everlane sizes generously overall. I am not really an XS by their measurements, but that's what I wear and it is not tight.
ReplyDeleteDoes wearing black frocks count as channeling Lady Mary? Not sure if I should share this, but the Chicago Tribune has written about how high street demand for lower priced cashmere has driven China to establish cashmere farms where too many goats are grazing on far too little land. The result is the desertification of huge areas of farmland resulting in giant dust storms that are likely to impact on global air quality.
In extreme cases goats don’t have enough to eat and sometimes start eating the fleece off their companions. Under-nourished goats obviously produce less wool, which means the herders are introducing more and more goats.
I love cashmere (my skin reacts to anything else wooly and I live in Canada, enough said.) But like anything else there are businesses out there cutting corners (not saying Everlane.) And we need to be conscious consumers. Properly cared for, good quality cashmere should be soft and last a lifetime.
That is horrible! I am so conscious of these kinds of things, but had not heard of this. This, IMO, the result of this rampant consumerism that makes us all want cheap fashion. sigh. I would rather have cheaper manmade fibres and save for the real and ethically treated real thing. But it gets harder and harder to know that, doesn't it?
DeleteOh, you are much cuter than Lady E!
ReplyDeleteI know the cashmere cardigan I got from Everlane actually was unisex; I could have done with a small. I must have been a sheep in another life as wool rarely feels scratchy to me.
The second sweater is a great color for you!
A sheep in another life! I think I might have been a goat!
DeleteIt's funny - I never wear that burgundy - it is not something I gravitate towards, but have decided I am really a pinks to red and a blue person!
That Everlane sweater appears to be cut for a man?? I think the Lady Edith sweater looks great on you though!
ReplyDeletethanks Cate - as Lane says, it is definitely unisex!
DeleteMorning Wendy, thanks for this review. I'm sorry the sweater didn't work out, but your other one is really pretty. It reminds me of a similar sweater I had - good grief! - 30 years ago! It was in a lovely grey-blue and I could wear it bloused at the waist or pulled down with a belt. I wore it to death!
ReplyDeleteI have decided to wait until we go to Scotland next year so I can check out Brora sizing. That way I'll be able to order online at sale time (the only time I'll be able to afford it). I'm a bit more interested in the Everlane silk shirts but haven't as yet ordered. I wonder if any of your other readers have tried them?
Fred has and had some issues - see above. She has a review on her blog. The sizing is hard for Brora - I wear a UK 12 or 14, which is fine for sweaters, but I ordered a 12 in the blouse and it was way too tight across the chest and I gave it to a friend!
DeleteThanks for the heads-up Wendy. I found Fred's posts - looks like sizing is an issue for the blouses too, although quality-wise they seem to be a good buy.
DeleteI did think the quality was quite nice! Just not flattering for me or my figure and not so amazing that I wanted to exchange it!
DeleteHi, Patricia, the Everlane blouses are decent, and the colors work for me. Have been fretting since I read that the company was started by a few JC alums - like how long will the seams hold ?
DeleteHi Patricia,
DeleteI like the quality of the Everlane silk blouses and they have worn well for me. The sleeves are a bit long, but I am on petite side, so probably just me. And I do think their sizing is generous. WFF, LOL, I met one of those alums at a pop-up event they did in Toronto last winter. She at least left because the brand was getting too same-y/ trendy. My four tees from Everlane show no sign of holes so that is a good start.
Fred and GF - thanks so much for your comments!
DeleteI do love your sweater... This pattern and color, very autumnal. And with the pencil skirt, it is lovely. I don't watch at all Downtown Abbey so I can't speak about their look. I have found mine (country casual) and work on my wardrobe so it reflects it... It is sad that the Everlane cashmere is itchy...
ReplyDeleteI am just coming back from a couple of days break during which I visited Oxford and found the Brora store!
OH - am off to check your blog - hope there are pictures!
DeleteWell, you will read that I forgot to charge my phone, so no pictures from me... But I will share my purchase!
DeleteLucky you Steph, hope you had a nice holiday? Look forward to the Brora buy...
DeleteThanks for the review Wendy! It makes a huge difference as I find I need to try EVERYTHING on these days ... You saved that sweater a round trip. The other sweater looks great on you!
ReplyDeleteJill
thanks Jill - and glad I saved you!
DeleteThey need to adjust their measurement information on Everlane or allow reviews, if they haven't added the feature. Itchy cashmere? Sounds wrong! Excellent review :)
ReplyDeleteHIgh praise from you, oh great reviewer one!!!! I actually have a kiki review later in the week!
DeleteYou are right - I just was a bit surprised by the sizing for sure! The itching might just be me!
Hmmm nice to know if I order a sweater from them that it runs large. And itchy.. oi. Now I feel like I'm itching for no good reason! :P
ReplyDeleteLOL - I am like that - if someone mentions Lice I am a goner...
DeleteCashmere should be soft and spongy plush! Thank you for saving me from ordering. I am debating over what to order from them still, can't seem to decide, but do want to try them out.
ReplyDeleteI love a good batwing sweater, but like BB, I often find a girls-friendly one since I have "girls" aplenty. You look lovely, very DA! Love it!
I forgot to mention that I have a White and Warren cashmere that is as soft as Brora!
DeleteAnthro Blogger, I would recommend the belts, tees, the poplin and the darker silk shirt colours, if you like button ups and don't mind a slightly slouchy fit. Pass on the men's polos (at least the dye lot my DH got), the sweaters as says WMM and the sandals. I do appreciate and use, use, use their Weekender bag too. Overall my sense is they are a place for basics and work better for those who like muted hues and casual fits.
DeleteThe pins are a real treasure Wendy, perfect on your new sweater. The ladylike vintage look suits you.
ReplyDeleteAlthough few can compare to Brora cashmere I quite like the rolled hem on the J.Crew cashmere LS tees. I think it gives a nicer fit compared to a ribbed hem since it typically lies straight on the body. I'm not sold on the Everlane label. What I've seen has been good, but not exceptional.
xoxo - I think you are right. I told Laura above that I like WHite and Warren - do you have any of their sweaters?
DeleteI don't have any White and Warren sweaters. They look interesting and I would be interested to read a detailed review.
DeleteI have an incredibly soft and plush cashmere wrap from Garnet Hill that is on par with Brora quality. The J.Crew LS tees are pretty but I need another LS tee underneath. They have such beautiful colors it is difficult to resist purchasing 1 or 2, even if an under-layer is required.
Hi Wendy!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear that our sweater did not work out for you.
Our sweaters are made from Grade A, 2-ply cashmere. We worked hard to create a sweater that was soft and warm without being bulky. I apologize that yours was itchy! This is not normal— I would be happy to get you set up with an exchange for another one.
As for fit, I can understand how ordering the correct size online can be tricky. You can always email us at fit@everlane.com if you have questions about any one of our styles. I personally think the Medium would be perfect on you :)
If you or your readers ever have any questions, feel free to reach out: Kiersten@everlane.com. I am part of Everlane’s Customer Experience team and am always here to help!
Happy Holidays & Best Regards,
Kiersten
Thanks Kiersten! This would not stop me from ordering from Everlane again and I was definitely impressed with the quality and the timeliness and I like the story behind the company! Many thanks for reaching out!
DeleteThanks for providing information regarding cashmere cardigan sweaters. The sweater is so soft and comfortable, but more on that in the review portion (below). It is great information regarding By cashmere cardigan sweaters.
ReplyDelete