Everlane vs. Equipment: Which brand should you buy?
Everlane is known for its affordable, minimalist wardrobe staples and a deep commitment to ethical transparency, while Equipment is a luxury brand focused on sophisticated, Parisian-inspired pieces, most famously its high-end silk blouses. The core difference comes down to mission and price point: Everlane offers accessible, sustainable basics for everyday wear, whereas Equipment delivers premium investment pieces for a more polished aesthetic.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right brand for your wardrobe.
Everlane: The Leader in Ethical Basics
Everlane has built its reputation on "Radical Transparency," focusing on high-quality basics, sustainable practices, and ethical manufacturing. The brand appeals to modern consumers who want to build a timeless capsule wardrobe with well-made pieces without the traditional luxury markup. Their customer is style-conscious but also values social responsibility and wants to know where their clothes come from.
- Product mix: Wardrobe essentials like classic tees, denim, functional outerwear, cashmere sweaters, and simple silk blouses. Their collection is designed to be versatile and easily integrated into an existing wardrobe.
- Price point: Operates in the affordable luxury space. Expect to find organic cotton tees around $30, silk blouses for $110-$150, and cashmere sweaters starting at about $145.
- Quality: Uses durable, high-quality materials like organic cotton, Grade-A cashmere, and recycled fabrics. Construction is solid, offering excellent value for the price.
- Style &, Aesthetic: Minimalist, modern, and clean. Designs are simple and timeless, with a focus on great fit and versatile neutral colors.
- Fit & Sizing: Generally runs true to size with a focus on relaxed but structured fits. Sizing is inclusive, typically ranging from XS to 3X in many styles, with detailed fit guides online.
- Sustainability & Ethics: This is a core part of their brand. Everlane provides transparent details about its factories, supply chain, and pricing structure, and is committed to reducing its environmental impact.
Everlane is the go-to for shoppers who prioritize sustainable, classic basics and want versatile pieces that work for both office and weekend wear at a reasonable price.
Shop Everlane: everlane.com
Equipment: The Standard in Luxury Silk
Founded in 1976 and relaunched in 2010, Equipment is synonymous with sophisticated, luxurious silk blouses. The brand's aesthetic is built on Parisian effortlessness, combining timeless androgynous silhouettes with a modern, feminine edge. Equipment targets a discerning customer who appreciates premium materials, meticulous craftsmanship, and invests in elegant, lasting pieces for a polished wardrobe.
- Product mix: Best known for its signature silk button-down shirts, Equipment also offers luxe knitwear, dresses, trousers, and blazers. The focus is on refined, elevated classics.
- Price point: Positioned firmly in the luxury market. Signature silk blouses typically range from $230 to $400, while dresses and cashmere sweaters can cost over $500.
- Quality & Materials: Specializes in premium-grade fabrics, especially incredibly soft and durable silk. The attention to detail in stitching, buttons, and finishing reflects its luxury status.
- Style &, Aesthetic: Elegant, sophisticated, and Parisian chic. The silhouettes are often clean and sleek, creating a polished look that feels both professional and effortlessly cool.
- Fit & Sizing: Sizing is consistent and generally true to size. Blouses often feature a classic, tailored fit that is flattering but not overly restrictive.
- Sustainability & Ethics: While Equipment adheres to high production standards, sustainability and transparency are not central to its public brand identity in the same way they are for Everlane. The focus is on luxury and design.
Equipment is the ideal choice for those looking to invest in high-end, beautifully crafted silk staples that define a sophisticated wardrobe.
Shop Equipment: equipmentfr.com
Everlane vs. Equipment Comparison
Price Comparison
There is a significant price difference between the two brands. Everlane offers accessible entry points into quality basics, with a silk blouse costing around $130 and cotton tees under $50. This makes it a great choice for building out a high-quality wardrobe without a huge financial commitment for each piece.
Equipment is an investment-level brand. Their iconic silk blouses start around $230 and quickly go up from there. The cost reflects the premium-grade silk, meticulous craftsmanship, and luxury branding. While both offer value within their respective markets, Everlane is for budget-conscious quality seekers, and Equipment is for luxury consumers seeking a splurge-worthy staple.
Quality & Materials
Both brands prioritize quality, but with different materials at the forefront. Everlane’s strength lies in durable, sustainable materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, and ethically sourced Italian leather and cashmere. Their products are made to last through everyday wear and are impressive for their price.
Equipment’s reputation is built on its expertise with silk. They use high-momme count silks that feel substantial, drape beautifully, and are more resilient than less expensive alternatives. The feel and look of an Equipment blouse are distinctly luxurious. While Everlane's silk is very good for the price, Equipment's is in a higher tier of quality and refinement.
Style & Aesthetic
Everlane’s aesthetic is clean, versatile, and minimalist. It's the perfect brand for creating a functional capsule wardrobe filled with pieces that can be easily mixed and matched for work, weekend, and travel. The style is modern and understated, perfect for someone whose style is simple and classic.
Equipment embodies Parisian chic. Its style is sophisticated, polished, and effortlessly elegant. While the pieces are timeless, they often feature more fashion-forward details, prints, and silhouettes than Everlane. It leans more towards professional and dressy occasions, though their blouses can easily be styled with jeans for a high-low look.
Fit & Sizing
Both brands generally run true to size, offering reliable fits. Everlane excels in size inclusivity, with many of its popular styles available in sizes ranging from XS to 3X. Their product pages offer extensive information on fit, including the model's height and the size she is wearing, helping customers decide.
Equipment focuses on a standard size range, generally XS to XL. Their fits are tailored and classic, designed to flatter the body with structure and elegant draping. Their blouses are known for a fit that is neither too tight nor too boxy, striking a perfect balance for a polished silhouette.
Sustainability & Ethics
This is Everlane's defining feature. The brand is a leader in retail transparency, providing detailed information about its factories, pricing breakdowns, and progress toward sustainability goals like eliminating new plastics from their supply chain. For the ethically-minded consumer, Everlane is the clear winner.
Equipment is not a brand known for its sustainable messaging. As a luxury company, it produces high-quality, long-lasting garments, which is a form of sustainability in itself. However, it does not provide the same level of transparency about its production processes or materials sourcing as Everlane.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both brands offer beautiful, well-made clothing, but they serve very different customers and priorities.
Choose Everlane if:
- You're building a versatile capsule wardrobe and need affordable, high-quality basics.
- Ethical manufacturing and supply chain transparency are deciding factors for you.
- You love a clean, minimalist, and modern aesthetic suitable for everyday life.
- You want inclusive sizing options and a relaxed but put-together fit.
Choose Equipment if:
- You are looking to invest in a statement-making, luxury silk blouse that will last for years.
- You prefer a sophisticated, polished, and Parisian-inspired style.
- The luxurious feel and drape of premium-grade fabrics are your top priorities.
- You need elegant, refined pieces for a professional or formal wardrobe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Everlane or Equipment cheaper?
Everlane is significantly cheaper than Equipment. Expect to pay at least half, and often a third, of the price for a similar item at Everlane compared to Equipment's luxury pricing.
Which brand has better quality blouses?
This depends on what you mean by "better." Equipment offers superior quality in terms of raw materials, specializing in high-end silk that has an unmistakable luxury feel and drape. Everlane offers excellent quality for its price point, with durable construction and beautiful materials that hold up well to everyday wear.
Is Equipment a luxury brand?
Yes, Equipment is considered a contemporary luxury brand. Its pricing, high-quality materials, and presence in luxury retailers like Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue place it firmly in the premium market.
Is Everlane truly ethical?
Everlane is a leader in promoting transparency and ethical practices in the fashion industry. It shares details about its factories and is committed to goals like using recycled materials. While no company is perfect, its commitment to these values is a core part of its business model.
What is Equipment clothing best known for?
Equipment is most famous for its silk button-down shirts, particularly the "Signature" blouse. The brand revolutionized women's shirting by taking a classic men's silhouette and refining it for women with luxurious fabrics and a perfect fit.
Does an Everlane silk shirt shrink?
Like most silk garments, Everlane's silk shirts can shrink or get damaged if not cared for properly. The brand recommends dry cleaning or hand washing cold with a pH-neutral detergent and laying it flat to dry to maintain its size and shape.
Where can I find Equipment on sale?
You can find Equipment pieces on sale at the end of seasons on their official website, as well as at major department stores and online retailers like Net-a-Porter and Nordstrom.
How does Everlane sizing run?
Everlane sizing generally runs true to size. They provide detailed size charts and fit notes for each product, often describing if an item is meant to be oversized, slim fit, or regular. It’s always best to check the specific guidelines for the item you're interested in.
