Everlane
Rated: Good
Price: $$
Location: USA
Quick verdict
A brand with a genuinely complicated story. Real, measurable sustainability progress since 2020 coexisting with an unresolved union-busting legacy and workplace racism allegations. Everlane now uses 80% lower-impact materials, achieved a 52% per-product emissions reduction (SBTi-approved), and scored highest among 52 companies in Remake's 2024 Fashion Accountability Report. The pricing transparency model. Publishing full cost breakdowns on every product. Remains genuinely unusual in fashion. But the brand fired nearly its entire unionising workforce in 2020 (42 of 57 workers), faced documented racism allegations from former BIPOC employees, still doesn't guarantee living wages at most factory sites, and has no circularity or take-back programmes. The rebrand from "radical transparency" to "Clean Luxury" under new CEO Alfred Chang signals a company still working out what it wants to be.
Key info
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, California, USA
- Founded
- 2010 (launched 2011)
- Product categories
- Basics, Menswear, Womenswear
- Price range
- $$
- Key certifications
- GOTS, GRS, OCS (Organic Content Standard), Responsible Wool Standard, Responsible Alpaca Standard, Bluesign partnership, SBTi-approved climate targets, Fair Wear Foundation. Key factory partner Saitex holds B Corp, Bluesign, and Fair Trade certifications. Not independently confirmed as B Corp certified at brand level.
Everlane sustainability rating
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We Avoid) to 5 (Excellent). How we rate
Rating breakdown
80% of total materials classified as lower-impact, including 75%+ organic/recycled/regenerative cotton and 96-98% recycled polyester and nylon (GRS-certified). Regenerative cotton programme and CanopyStyle partnership for cellulosic fibres. 91% of goods made under third-party chemical standards, Deductions for continued conventional leather and cashmere use and only ~65% Tier 3 raw material visibility.
The 2020 union-busting controversy. Laying off 42 of 57 unionising workers days after they requested recognition. And racism allegations from the "Ex-Wives Club" of former BIPOC employees remain defining events. Only ~16% of factory sites have conducted independent living wage analyses. Full Tier 1 and Tier 2 factory mapping and Fair Wear Foundation partnership are positives.
SBTi-approved targets with a demonstrated 52% per-product emissions reduction since 2019. 100% renewable electricity at HQ and retail stores. 40% of Tier 1 manufacturers sourcing renewables. Met all four of Remake's climate demands. However, no take-back, repair, or circularity programme exists, and no biodiversity protection actions are evidenced.
Pricing transparency showing material, labour, transport, and markup costs for every product is genuinely unusual. Full Tier 1 and Tier 2 factory disclosure with photos and worker counts. Annual impact reports since 2021. However, factory audit results aren't disclosed, actual worker wages aren't published, and Tier 3+ supply chain remains largely opaque.
Despite positioning as a sustainability leader, Everlane has no resale, repair, or garment recycling programmes—a notable omission as competitors like Eileen Fisher and Patagonia have established circular systems. The pricing transparency model is innovative but hasn't evolved much since launch.
What they do well
- Industry-leading pricing transparency, One of the only fashion brands publishing full cost breakdowns (materials, labour, transport, duties, markup) for every product
- Measurable, verified climate progress: SBTi-approved targets with a demonstrated 52% per-product emissions reduction since 2019; meets all four of Remake's climate demands; 100% renewable electricity at owned operations
- Top scorer in Remake's 2024 Fashion Accountability Report, Earned 40/150, the highest among 52 global companies assessed, representing a dramatic turnaround from scoring 22/100 (near Forever 21) in 2020
- Significant material sourcing improvements, Moved from minimal sustainable sourcing to 80% lower-impact materials, 96-98% recycled polyester/nylon, and introduction of regenerative cotton programmes
Room for improvement
- Union-busting legacy remains unresolved. In March 2020, fired 42 of 57 unionising CX workers days after they formally requested recognition; every union committee member and employee who showed public support was fired
- Workplace racism allegations. Former BIPOC employees published documented allegations of pay imbalances, advancement prejudice, stolen ideas, and a CCO who rejected 31 of 32 Black model cards; they called Everlane's response "embarrassingly performative"
- No circularity programmes. Despite positioning as a sustainability leader, has no resale, repair, or garment recycling programmes, which is a notable omission as competitors have established circular systems
About Everlane
Everlane was founded in 2010 by Michael Preysman, then 25, a Carnegie Mellon graduate who had worked in private equity. The invite-only launch drew 60,000 signups in five days for just 1,500 T-shirts. Validating demand for transparent, well-priced basics. Originally online-only, the brand opened its first physical stores in 2017 and now operates approximately 11 locations. Revenue reached approximately $198 million in 2024, with L Catterton (LVMH-backed) investing an additional $25M in October 2024 to become majority shareholder.
The brand's 2020 represented a credibility crisis on multiple fronts. In March, Everlane laid off 290 employees, including 42 of 57 customer experience workers who had been organising with the Communications Workers of America. The union stated that every committee member and anyone who showed public support on Slack was fired. Senator Bernie Sanders publicly condemned the move. Three months later, the "Ex-Wives Club": a collective of former Black, POC, and allied employees. Published a 7-page document alleging systemic racism including pay imbalances, advancement prejudice, and a chief creative officer who rejected 31 of 32 Black model cards.
The recovery since 2020 has been substantive and measurable, though incomplete. After hiring sustainability director Katina Boutis in 2021, Everlane began publishing annual impact reports, achieved SBTi approval for climate targets, and dramatically improved material sourcing. From minimal sustainable materials to 80% lower-impact, with 96-98% recycled polyester and nylon. By 2025, Eco-Stylist upgraded them from a failing 30/100 to a passing Silver rating of 69/100, and the brand improved its sustainability rating Remake's 2024 report placed them as the top scorer among 52 global companies at 40/150.
Manufacturing spans the US, China, Italy, Peru, Spain, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. The most notable factory partner is Saitex in Vietnam. A B Corp-certified, Bluesign and Fair Trade certified denim facility that recycles 98% of water used. New CEO Alfred Chang (formerly of Fear of God and PacSun) took over in October 2024, with Preysman shifting to Executive Chairman. The rebrand from "radical transparency" to "Clean Luxury" signals a company still searching for the right identity. One that can hold both its genuine progress and its unresolved contradictions.
Product highlights
The Way-High Jean
Highest-rise straight-leg jean in organic cotton denim, manufactured at Saitex, which recycles 98% of water used in production.
~$148 (often on sale ~$111)
Everlane's signature denim available in 9+ washes; Saitex factory holds B Corp, Bluesign, and Fair Trade certifications.
The Essential Organic Crew T-Shirt
100% organic cotton basic crew neck tee with the brand's signature pricing breakdown on the product page.
$36–$48
The brand's best entry point, One of the few products where the full cost transparency breakdown is most compelling.
The '90s Cheeky Jean
Premium non-stretch Japanese denim, extra-high rise with "Happy Pockets," available in 100% organic cotton options.
~$148
Vintage-inspired bestseller showcasing Everlane's improving material certifications and the Saitex water-recycling production.
The SuperFuzz Alpaca Crew
Blend of organic cotton, Responsible Alpaca Standard certified alpaca, and merino wool.
$126–$168
Showcases Everlane's improving material certifications: Responsible Alpaca Standard is a relatively rare certification in mid-price fashion.
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