Battle of the Brands: American Giant v. Everlane

Today, I’ve got a new voice to share another perspective on ethical style, and we’re showing a whole lot of love for high-quality, ethically-made t-shirts. 

Hi! This is Leah from StyleWise battling it out with Jen over our favorite ethical tee brands. See why I love Everlane and then hop over to my blog to read about Jen’s favorite, American Giant. You can even tell us who was more convincing. A little friendly competition never hurt anyone.

I’ve always had somewhat eccentric taste in clothes. In college, I had little choice but to practice pattern mixing every day because everything I owned was striped or polka dotted or splattered in graphics. After I graduated and entered the busy world of retail, it became burdensome to think up new ways to mix patterns every morning, and I started relaying on basic tees to compliment the things I already owned. When I switched to ethical fashion, at first it was difficult to find the perfect cotton tee, but then Everlane came on the scene and it was instant love.

5 Reasons I Love Everlane Tees

1. Price Point

As much as I advocate spending a little more on quality, ethically-produced items (I’m not afraid to drop more than $40 for a good t-shirt), Everlane’s selection of t-shirts are priced very reasonably at $15-25 a pop. That means I can easily stock up on basics that pair well with everything else in my closet, from skirts to worn in denim.

2. Domestic Production

Everlane produces their range of products in a few facilities around the globe, but the bulk of their t-shirts are produced in a well-maintained Los Angeles factory that’s specialized in t-shirts for years and years. It’s good to know Everlane staff can frequently check in to make sure employees have what they need, and I can tell that quality control is a high priority. Every t-shirt I have is free of uneven hems and twisted side seams, something I see all too often on fast fashion items.

3. Color Selection

Everlane keeps a basic color range in stock at all times (white, navy, black, gray), but they bring out cool new colors every few seasons. The tones they pick are often muted, but never dull, from whispy light blue to soft salmon.

4. Contemporary (But Still Work-Appropriate) Cut

I work in retail, so there’s lots of bending down and grabbing things, hunting through boxes, and generally being “unlady like” involved in a typical work day. I love that Everlane tees are cut slim through the body without being super tight, and that the necklines feel on trend without dipping too low. They truly are everyday pieces for me.

5. Durability + Softness

Everlane tees manage to be incredibly soft and comfortable without wearing out. I’ve had most of my collection (about 5 tees) for 1-3 years and even the oldest one looks like I purchased it in the last few weeks, not the last few years. I find that as long as I don’t run them through aggressive washing machine cycles, they hold up well through weekly washes and wears.

One Thing I Wish Everlane Did Differently:

Everlane’s whole brand ethos is centered around radical transparency, which is awesome. However, I wish they would start sourcing their raw materials and textiles from more ethical and organic sources. Cotton is a water and labor intensive crop whether it’s grown traditionally (with pesticides) or organically, but using organic cotton – or exploring more sustainable textiles like bamboo – is better for the field worker and the end consumer.

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Jen here: While I really like Everlane, my absolute favorite, like Leah mentioned, is American Giant. Head over to her blog to hear my side of the friendly debate.

Also, Leah shares regularly on her ethical life and style blog about all sorts of sustainable, eco-friendly and fair trade products. She has tons of reviews and has featured so many brands, so her site is a great place to explore and find new brands you might love. I suggest you start by checking out a few of the following posts to get your feet wet. I think you’ll like what you find!

More Great Resources from Leah

6 Myths About Buying Ethical Clothing
Ethical Shoe Brands Worth the Investment
Top 10 Ethical + Affordable Clothing & Accessories Brands for Fall
Everlane Review: Linen and Cotton Tees