Cuyana vs. Everlane: Cashmere, Cotton, Silk, Alpaca Wool Reviews

Most of the clothes in my closet hail from Cuyana and Everlane — a duo of ethical and sustainable designers that you’ll find me wearing almost every day. Since most of the questions I get about clothes are about these brands, I’ve put together reviews of my favorite Everlane and Cuyana pieces, broken down by fabric and type.

I’ve lived in Everlane for nearly a decade and Cuyana for the past few years — yet this is the first post I’ve dedicated to these socially responsible and sustainable sartorial powerhouses. If you have a question, drop a note at the bottom of this post or over on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

About Everlane

Everlane believes in exceptional quality, ethical factories and radical transparency. This company has transformed the fashion industry through sharing the true cost of goods sold with their consumers and unflinchingly standing up for what is right — whether that’s for their workers, fundraising for , making a plant to , or getting real about .

From and to and staples, Everlane’s ever-expanding collection includes a men’s line (which I like to shop) and well-made boots and bags that are beautiful and affordable.

Everlane has also believed in me since I started writing online — helping me share their collections with readers and even showing Kipper Bear some love. In seven years of blogging about fashion and sustainability, Everlane stands out as a company who cares about their partners, suppliers, customers and people.

About Cuyana

Cuyana’s central philosophy is fewer, better things. Sourcing and fabrics from three continents, Cuyana strikes a confident balance between classic staples, rich color palettes and unexpected silhouettes. I’ve yet to find better quality silk than their 25mm and dresses, which are made in the US.

Cuyana’s alpaca sweaters and pima cotton basics are reliably soft and made to last with thoughtful design details, and their have a garnered a cult following. “Unflappable” always comes to mind when I think of this company. They are committed to and deliver on their mission to design well for the modern woman.

Size + Fit

I’m 5’8″, 125 lbs, 24″ x 32″ x 24″ and prefer loose, comfortable fits.

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Cashmere and Cotton Sweaters

Everlane The Cashmere Ballerina Raglan

Wearing size small in heather grey. In stock at Everlane.
℅ Everlane December 2018.
Medium weight. Boatneck. Super soft. Neat seams and a bit of stretch.
This sweater matches everything in my closet and is wearing well.
I would love to see Everlane make this in an olive green or camel hue.
Also wearing Gorjana necklace and vintage Oliver Peoples eyeglasses.

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Cuyana Wool Cashmere Slim Crewneck Sweater

Wearing size small in camel. In stock at .
Purchased secondhand on eBay in June 2018.
Lightweight. Boatneck. Drop shoulders. Seams have a casual feel.
Slight pilling with lots of wear, but it’s kept its shape well.
Would love to have this sweater in .

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Everlane Original Seed Stitch Raglan

Wearing size small in heather grey; similar here.
Purchased secondhand on in March 2014.
Super lightweight, yet opaque. Crewneck. Textured seed stitch and seams.
Five years on with weekly wears, this sweater is still one of my favorites.
Bought a second one on Poshmark in muted black, but it felt washed out.
Also wearing Gorjana necklace and a thrifted jade bangle.

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Everlane The Cotton Long-Sleeve Crew

Wearing size small in bone. In stock at Everlane.
℅ Everlane February 2019.
Medium weight. Crewneck. Relaxed and comfortable fit.
I’ve been waiting for warmer weather to really start wearing this.
It’s a bit sheer and looks great with old jeans or tailored trousers.

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Alpaca Wool Sweaters and Cape

Cuyana Baby Alpaca Oversized Turtleneck Sweater

Wearing size regular in camel. In stock at Cuyana.
Size “regular” is now the “M/L” option on the site.
Purchased from Cuyana in August 2017.
Medium weight. Love the drape and slightly oversized feel.
This has been my go-to cold weather sweater for two winters.
I like to pair it with over-the-knee boots and coated black denim.
After machine washing on delicate, there’s slight pulling in the neckline. This piece travels well and looks good after two weeks in a carry-on.
Also wearing: Vintage pyramid necklace and mom’s bamboo bangles.

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Cuyana Classic Alpaca Cape

Wearing size petite in black. New O/S version in stock at Cuyana.
Purchased secondhand from Poshmark in June 2017.
I don’t wear this often, but love to wrap up in it on long flights.
It’s perfect for fall and looks good with a gold and black belt.
Also wearing: Vintage pyramid necklace and mom’s .

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Cuyana Oversized Alpaca Sweater Tee

Wearing size regular in beige. In stock at Cuyana.
Size “regular” is now the “M/L” option on the site.
Purchased secondhand from in August 2017.
This is my sweater for all seasons. Medium weight and super breezy.
Also wearing: Vintage pyramid necklace and mom’s .

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Cotton Button Downs

Cuyana Poplin Pleat-Back Shirt

Wearing size small in white. In stock at Cuyana.
Purchased secondhand from in May 2018.
Crisp, polished, tailored, soft. Love this on its own or under a sweater.
Also wearing and vintage Oliver Peoples eyeglasses.

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Everlane Men’s The Japanese Slim Fit Oxford

Wearing men’s size extra-small in white. In stock at Everlane.
Purchased from Everlane in November 2015.
Thick, slow-spun cotton yarn, pearly buttons and a rounded pocket.
Four years on, this shirt is holding up great with regular wear.
Also wearing and a thrifted jade bangle.

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Everlane Women’s Tuxedo Shirt

Wearing size 0 in white. Sold out at Everlane, but similar here and here.
Purchased from Everlane in April 2018.
After I bought this from Everlane’s Choose What You Pay, I thought about ordering an extra one. The oversized cuffs, cotton flannel bib, long fit and overall design and feel are just gorgeous. A year later, it’s wearing well.

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Cotton Cardigan and Trench

Everlane The Soft Cotton Wrap Cardigan

Wearing size small in heather grey. In stock at Everlane.
℅ Everlane February 2019.
Everlane calls this a cardigan, but it feels more like a cozy knit robe coat. The cotton is thick and stretchy, and the knit is breathable with clean lines.
I like to wear this around the house, out to grab coffee and groceries, walking the dogs and on the odd Wednesday at the office. You could get away with wearing the black version as business casual.

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Cuyana Cropped Trench

Wearing size extra-small in khaki. Sold out at Cuyana, but similar here.
Purchased from Poshmark in March 2017.
This jacket is great for travel and somehow resists wrinkles and signs of wear — a splash of red wine came right off a couple of seasons ago. I just wish it had a pocket tucked into the inner lining.

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Pima Cotton Basics

Cuyana Classic Crewneck Tee

Wearing size small in heather grey. In stock at Cuyana.
Purchased secondhand from in February 2019.
Lived in and so soft. Rolled sleeves. The perfect length to wear with high-rise denim or pair under a tailored blazer.
I really like this shirt and am waiting for it to show up on eBay or Poshmark in navy stripe. I might get a medium next time.
Also wearing vintage suede belt, mom’s , vintage Oliver Peoples eyeglasses.

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Cuyana Slim Turtleneck Long Sleeve Tee

Wearing size medium in black. In stock at Cuyana.
Purchased secondhand from in June 2018.
Stretchy pima blend with a slim fit. This has kept its shape and color with several washes. I don’t wear this top often, but every time I do I feel a little like Steve Jobs. It’s great with gold jewelry and black denim.
Also wearing vintage Oliver Peoples eyeglasses.

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Everlane The Pima Stretch Long-Sleeve

Wearing size small in black. In stock at Everlane.
Purchased from Everlane in December 2016.
Stretchy pima blend crewneck with a slim fit. This has kept its shape and color over the past two and a half years.
This is my go-to for layering. It’s stretchier and softer than Cuyana’s pima turtleneck and still looks brand new after many cold cycles in the wash.

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Everlane Cotton Racerback Tank

Wearing size small in black. Sold out at Everlane, but similar here.
Purchased from Everlane in July 2017.
Everlane got it so right with this tank. The neckline, low sides, fit and length all feel good for working out or heading to a summer concert.

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Silk Tanks, Tees, Tops

Cuyana Silk Tank

Wearing size small in dove grey. Sold out at Cuyana, but similar .
Purchased secondhand from sometime in 2016 or 2017.
Cuyana no longer makes this style of silk tank. I’m hoping they’ll bring something like it back soon. The loose fit and flowing feel are my favorite, and the silk is opaque without feeling too heavy.

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Cuyana Silk Tee

Wearing size small in blush. In stock at Cuyana.
Purchased secondhand from in December 2017.
Cuyana makes some of the best silk pieces around. They use 3-ply heavyweight silk crepe and work with seamstresses in New York — all of their silk tops and dresses are made in the US. I love the fit and feel of this top so much that I used it as a pattern to make a raw silk version. The high-low hemline, keyhole back, gentle crewneck — I’d love to have it in every color.

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Cuyana Silk Tee

Wearing size small in oxblood. In stock at .
Purchased from Cuyana in November 2016.
Every fall I pull this tee out and wear it through winter to the office, dinner, date nights, meetings, holiday parties — you name it. A couple of months ago I ran it through the wash on cold and steamed it. The color faded a little bit and it now has a softer, sueded silk feel. The stitching and shape are still going strong, two and a half years on with regular wear.

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Everlane The Clean Silk Relaxed Shirt

Wearing size 2 in pale yellow. In stock at Everlane.
℅ Everlane February 2019.
Featherweight, sheer, soft, with the palest hue of golden yellow.
This shirt is butter in silk form. And with Everlane working hard to , this shirt is proof that it’s possible to make Bluesign-certified silk in a LEED-certified, fair-trade factory for under $100. By 2022 they hope to offer silk that’s grown via regenerative organic farming, and dyed and washed with 100% recycled water and 100% renewable energy.
I also like the and midnight navy versions of this one.
Also a wearing .

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Silk Dresses

Cuyana Silk Tee Dress

Wearing size small in grey. Black and navy in stock at Cuyana.
Purchased secondhand from Poshmark in November 2018.
After eyeing Cuyana’s tee dresses for a few years, I grabbed this one on Poshmark last winter. It’s the only piece from Cuyana I’ve ever owned that feels just a bit short and small — next time I’ll grab a medium. The color is beautiful with a faint sheen that catches sunlight, and the neckline and sleeves are perfectly tailored.
Also a wearing .

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Cuyana Silk Shirt Dress

Wearing size small in navy. Updated style in stock at Cuyana.
Purchased from Tradesy in February 2016.
I don’t wear a dress often, but when I do it’s usually this one. Cuyana nailed the design of this piece and included a little sash-tie belt to boot. The rich navy will forever be one of my favorites and the length is just right.

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Everything else in my closet. How to clean out your closet for good.