I have gotten several questions about the quality/thickness/fit of the Everlane t-shirts I wear, so I thought I’d sum up all my answers to share with everyone in a compiled review. For reference I am 5’7 and in most cases a size 6. Shirt sizes are noted below. List reads L-R from the top.
The Cotton U-neck (medium) – This is by far my most favorite t-shirt I’ve ever owned. It helped start my climb out of my basic and boring (to me) wardrobe. The modern cut – looser, almost dolman type sleeves and longer in the back hemline – was a step above the cheap Old Navy v-neck tees I was wearing all the time. I have been wearing these tops near-weekly for at least a year and a half now and the quality has held up very well. The fabric shows absolutely no pilling, and it’s still soft and almost-new looking. The cut of the top and the quality of the fabric make these an A+ for me. I own these in white, navy and heather gray. (It’s worth noting that the heather gray runs near a full size big.) I wear these in a size medium. Sheer factor: very little.
The Cotton Tank (medium) – I am a big fan of natural fibers, they are soft, warm in the winter, cool in the summer and easy to wash. Made out of the same high quality cotton as the U-neck, this is another time-withstanding staple in my closet. I like the longer length, and the looser fit. It’s very easy to style in the summer with a half tuck and it works as a nice layering piece for fall. It tends to look wrinkled after washing, but that might be because I line dry. Sheer factor: very little.
The Ryan Tank (medium) – Everlane sent me this tank by accident when I ordered the cotton tank, and it turned out to be a happy accident. I am a girl who loves my whites, and would probably wear a white shirt every day just as long as I stayed away from spaghetti and red wine. The fit of this top is just fantastic, which is explains why you’ve seen it on many posts here. This summer when I paired it with shorts or skirts, I felt like I had an instant cool-factor. It’s very slouchy and very soft. Warning: the top is quite low cut, so if that’s an issue size down. It’s made out of rayon which is a double-edged sword for me. Rayon lends the lovely drape but it is a harder material to care for. The garment is supposed to be hand washed, but I just don’t have time for handwashing a basic tank or t-shirt. Instead I throw it in a small mesh bag and then add it to my load of whites. The fabric has a fair amount of pilling but it is a bit hard to see because it’s white. Runs a tad more sheer than the cotton.
The Box Cut (small) – I rarely wear this shirt, and already sold the version I bought in black. I think my biggest crime is buying a small, but I made the choice in hope of a cropped feel. Instead of feeling edgy in the boxy-cut top I feel shapeless and boring. I would recommend checking out the cotton drop-shoulder tee instead.
The Ryan Long-Sleeve (small) – This is probably one of my biggest disappointments from Everlane and I probably should have just sent it back after I got it. Again, I think a size medium would have given me better style factor with this top. The size small looks rather boring. Also, a long-sleeved rayon top is just unfortunate. When I purchased it last fall I do not believe Everlane had cotton long-sleeves yet. First, rayon is just not warm at all in cool weather. It feels like a breeze-through top. (Good for summer though!) And second, the fabric has held up horribly. I even started out hand-washing this one. When I realized it wasn’t making a difference I finally started machine washing it instead. Next time I will opt for the clean edge long-sleeve instead. Sheer factor: bra noticeable.
If you have any more questions, feel free to let me know in the comments.
More Reviews:
Everlane Italian Slingback Sandal
Nisolo Ecuador Sandal
****Update, January 20, 2016****
I have since ordered and returned the cotton drop-shoulder tee (mentioned above). I felt the longer sleeves weren’t very flattering on me with my square shoulders. However if you do order it, I recommend sizing down.
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This is an awesome comparison, thank you! I recently tried out the clean-edge short-sleeve tee and love it. The cotton feels more substantial than my previous box-cut tee, and the neckline and sleeve length is still boyish in a way that I love. It’s also long enough for a flattering front-tuck.
Oh, that sounds so perfect! I can’t wait to try it. Which color did you get?
I am so glad you shared this! I have been wanting to order some tees from Everlane, but wasn’t sure of the size to order or the style to get. I am tired of my Old Navy and Target tees that get holey after a season of wear, plus I want to invest in more quality pieces. Great info!
Definitely look at this size chart too, I think they run small. Let me know what you get!
Thanks so much! If you don’t mind me asking- what size were you wearing in the Old Navy V-necks?
Hi Jessica! Love this question, you must know which v-necks I’m talking about (the vintage ones). I wore a small in those. I use them now as sleep shirts or undershirts. :)
Thanks for your reply! I have medium ON vintage v-necks so I will probably try a large in the cotton U neck. It’s always tricky ordering things online with no frame of reference.
Yes, it can easily be a crapshoot, and returning/exchanging through the mail can be a pain! I hope this helps you. Best of of luck! :)
Awesome! I have a few of these myself ;) I also have the ryan long sleeve. I sized up and was very happy with the fit. I was surprised to find a difference in the fit of the ryan short sleeve (purchased prior to the long sleeve) and the long sleeve. I prefer the neckline of the long sleeve to the short but both are better than the cotton u-neck (that I too have). I feel like I wear it less and less because whenever I do my babies are constantly stretching it out with all their tugging on my shirt! Haha. I feel I’ve grown rather partial to the Ryan line. So I will definitely be adding the ryan tank next Summer.
I machine wash my Ryan tees too; I turn them inside out, wash on the delicate cycle and line dry. I feel they are holding up just fine! I don’t have time for hand washing everyday basics either!
P.S. the Ryan muscle tee is pretty nice too ;)
Boy do I feel you on the baby tugging!! You are so lucky your Ryan’s are holding up well. Yes, I think I would have liked the long sleeve better if I had gotten the medium. The small is just too fitted for my preference. Good tip about turning inside out.
Thanks for doing this post! First, you and I are about the same size and I’m shocked that you’re wearing a medium in the Cotton Tank! I just recently got it in a small and I’m swimming in it. I wonder if they’ve changed the sizing from one season/year to another?
I got my cotton tank this summer! But I do prefer a large fit, and I do have kind of broader shoulders. Maybe that accounts for the difference?
You are too cute in those tshirts, thank you for this post! I just found some Madewell tshirts in a thrift store and decided against purchasing them after reading about the little holes they develop. I’ve been curious about Everlane for awhile so posts like these are really helpful in research :) We must have the same shoulders because I’m not so comfortable with the boxiness of my two current t-shirts, which makes them look more square… oh and I’m always worried about my bra showing so thanks for that note, it was exactly what I was wondering!
Ariana, I am telling you, Everlane wont let you down! I wear my t-shirts constantly and some of them I am working on two years of owning! And the slight dolman sleeve on the u-neck tee’s is great for softening boxy shoulders! Best of luck in your hunt!