We tested what might be one of the best hoodies out there
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EverlaneGreatness is subjective. It's difficult to qualify anything as the "greatest thing ever" without running into someone who doesn't share your opinion or enthusiasm for said thing (this is especially true for websites' comment sections). What's great to one person can be just mediocre to another, and plain awful to the next.
So the idea that a men's hoodie can be universally flattering to all body types and sizes is a far-fetched one, to say the least. But the Insider Picks team has been testing out Everlane's Zip Hoodie Sweatshirt for the past week, and we're all on the same page about it — namely, that it is, indeed, great.
What's so great about it? Well, for starters, Everlane isn't your traditional clothing retailer. Unlike the J.Crews and Banana Republics of the industry, high clothing markups are nonexistent at Everlane; instead, the company promotes transparency. On its website, the retailer breaks down how much it costs to make its clothing (labor, materials, transporting the apparel, and duties). It compares its prices with those of traditional retailers. The Zip Hoodie Sweatshirt, for instance, goes for $65 at Everlane, and Everlane claims traditional retailers would sell it for $120.
Everlane also isn't trying to be something it's not; instead, the company continues to deliver what its customers want. From the start, Everlane has excelled at making high-quality basics for affordable prices, and its Zip Hoodie Sweatshirt is a clear reflection of this today.
"[It] is one of our most highly rated products on our site because of its quality, fit, and how it holds up over time," Everlane's head of product strategy Kelli Dugan told Business Insider. "We always survey our customers after they buy a product on our site to get their initial feedback right out of the box. We then follow up with them to see how the product is holding up after wear and wash. This is something we do with all of our products to gain insight and feedback into what people love and how we can improve."
Unlike a lot of other hoodies out there, Everlane's hoodie also doesn't feel overly casual. At Business Insider's NYC office, which adheres to a business causal dress code, our testers — Breton, Tyler, and Jeff, who share their thoughts on the garment below — didn't look sloppy or underdressed. "We spent months searching for a fabric that makes the guy feel more put together in a hoodie," Dugan told us. "The modern fabric is a smooth and sleek cotton that has a very soft feel, but can also be worn outside of the house."
After having lived in and washed the hoodie over the course of the past week, the Insider Picks team can now comfortably recommend Everlane's hoodie as one of the best hoodies on the market.
Tester #1: Breton Fischetti, senior director, commerce:
The fit in the body is perfect. The arms are just about right, which, because I'm 6'2 and have long arms means they feel a little short when I'm moving around, but that's not a unique problem to this garment. It's surprisingly light, about half the weight of my other American Giant hoodie, but it kept me warm when I was riding my bike; it did a great job blocking the wind. The hood is a nice size and shape, and feels sturdy. Overall it's super comfortable. It doesn't have the ridiculously fuzzy interior that some hoodies do, which I actually like because that usually only lasts until I wash it and it sheds little fibers all over my clothes.
With this one I feel like I know exactly what I'm getting, because I don't expect it to change much after washing.
Tester #2: Tyler Lauletta, commerce reporter:
My Everlane zip-up was a welcome addition to my spring wardrobe. There is a fine line between "snug" and "tight" and Everlane, at least with my body, did a stellar job at walking that tightrope. The hoodie moved with me in every motion I needed to make, never restraining due to tightness or getting in the way thanks to excessive bagginess. The feel of the interior is nice and consistent, not the overly soft materials that will fade after a single wash.
Simply put, I have spent much more than $65 on hoodies that I have liked far less than this one.
Tester #3: Jeff Dunn, commerce reporter, tech:
Questions of whether or not everyone needs a $65 hoodie aside, you get what you pay for. The hoodie looks sharp, feels light, and adds some warmth without getting you too sweaty.
Everlane's Zip Hoodie Sweatshirt retails for $65 and is available in black, gray, navy, and light gray.
This article was originally published on 4/25/2016.