This is a belated post given that news of Everlane’s sale to Shein came out in May. (What can I say? I’ve been busy.) But as I sat down to write my quarterly update on my low buy year, I started thinking about how news of the sale came out during this time period — and how a sizeable portion of my wardrobe is Everlane.

I began Welcome Objects to reckon with my own problematic shopping habits. Not only had I been shopping at fast fashion retailers, but I was buying way too much stuff. (How much stuff? I made a chart about that over here.) I wanted to make more ethical and sustainable choices as a consumer and blogging was a way to keep myself accountable.

With its tagline of “radical transparency,” Everlane seemed like a better choice. I appreciated that they published info about the factories they worked with as well as itemized costs that went into producing their garments (something they no longer do).

I’ve reviewed a lot of Everlane (as you can see from this index), especially in the early years of this blog, so much so that “Everlane” is still the biggest word in my tag cloud in the side bar. My very first style review back in March 2017 was of the Everlane Twill Zip Tote and Pocket Tote.

When the direct-to-consumer brand opened what they called a Fit Lab in San Francisco with a smattering of products I went to see the goods in person. And when they finally opened a store on Valencia Street in 2018, I eagerly visited and wrote about it.

So, Everlane is very much tied to my beginnings as a blogger. Here was a brand that I had supported because of their purported interest in more responsible production. I wrote about their jeans that take less water to produce and their recycled wool and cashmere. That’s why it felt like a slap in the face when they not only sold out, but to Shein, a fast fashion behemoth with opposite values.

Of course, Everlane was not perfect. Critics accused them of greenwashing and of being no different than other companies when it came to the welfare of factory workers. And then there are the 2020 allegations of union-busting and racism which soured me and many others on the brand.

But I cautiously returned when they claimed to make changes. And the thing was: it seemed like they tried? Whatever their shortcomings, Everlane was a pioneer that moved the needle when it came to awareness of how clothes get made. Good on You rated them “good.” Everlane still seemed like a better option compared to the brands I used to shop. I wanted them to succeed.

I didn’t know it at the time, but in 2020 multinational private equity firm L Catterton acquired a majority stake in Everlane, reportedly paying $85 million in Everlane’s Series F funding round. The $100 million deal with Shein was made to absolve Everlane’s $90 million in debt, according to Puck, which broke the news.

Everlane is just the latest ethical/sustainable brand to face financial trouble or basically come to an end. Mara Hoffman, winner of a CFDA sustainability award, ceased after 24 years. Vetta, a personal favorite of mine that made convertible clothes, shut down in 2023. Last year, Amour Vert abruptly closed and Able filed for bankruptcy. Recently, Whimsy and Row announced they’re closing.

These closures seem to suggest that market realities are not compatible with responsible and ethical production. Like the saying goes: there’s no ethical consumption under capitalism. It seems exceedingly rough for conscious small brands to achieve a scale that makes them profitable. But if you try to grow like Everlane, you end up being sold to a questionable corporate giant or private equity. (See also: Kashi, Burt’s Bees, Siete Foods, etc, etc.) In a better case scenario, the acquisition of a smaller, more sustainable brand would lead to positive changes in the bigger company, as evidently happened with Burt’s Bees and Clorox, but I’m not optimistic about Shein.

And what about consumers? Shoppers may say they’re interested in sustainability and ethical labor practices, but when push comes to shove, many people are unwilling to pay more or deal with inconveniences for something that’s more responsibly made. I may be willing to do it, but it seems like I’m in the minority. I mean, someone is out there buying Shein, a whole lot of someones. All of this is bumming me out.

Ten Favorite Items From Everlane (RIP the old Everlane)

In honor of my once go-to brand of elevated basics here’s a list of some of favorite Everlane products (with links to my review if I wrote one). When it comes time to replace my favs, I’ll be looking for them secondhand.

Ryan Tank – This rayon tank was one of my earliest Everlane purchases. Though it’s just a simple scoop neck tank, the cut is somehow flattering in the way it skims the body.

Organic Cotton Box-Cut Tee – Everlane started with T-shirts. And this boxy, cropped one is petite friendly. (Review)

Form Crossover Sandals – I did not end up keeping most of the Everlane shoes I bought, mostly for comfort reasons. But these slide sandals are the one exception. I got these in mustard yellow and still wear them every summer. (Review)

Twill Zip Tote – For a long time, this was my everyday bag. It was lightweight while big enough to schelp around all the stuff I needed for work and throughout the day. I used this bag for years until it developed holes. (Review)

The Form Bag – I don’t carry this as much as I should because my life has gotten so much more casual, especially since the pandemic. But I still love the way it looks and how it’s constructed. (Review part 1 and part 2. Yes, I wrote not one, but two reviews.)

Way High Jean – I pretty much live in these jeans. Everlane has updated them with the Way High Jean 2.0 since I first reviewed them.

Original Cheeky Jean – The perfect mom jeans. Though I notice these are on clearance now, and there’s no Cheeky Jean 2.0, so perhaps they’re phasing these out?  (Review)

ReCashmere Stroopwafel Crew – A winter staple for me. I like the design details in this sweater: waffle texture, wide crewneck, roomy arms. In fact, I liked it so much that I bought it in two colors. (Review)

Re:Down Puffy Puff – My trusty winter coat. It’s lightweight, warm, comes with a hood, and checks all the boxes for me. (Review)

Pleated Crepe Midi Skirt – My last Everlane purchase before the news broke. Though I’ve only owned this since November, it’s already become one of my favorite skirts to wear. I think it’s cuter in person than in the product photos. (Featured in this styling post.)

Question for you: Do you have a favorite item from Everlane?

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This post contains affiliate links but was not produced in partnership with any brand.