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New in from Everlane, July and August 2022: The Poplin Short-Sleeve Box Shirt, Alpaca Cropped V Cardigan, Smock Dress, and More

Alyssa stands in front of a VW wearing The Smock Dress Floral

Alyssa wears the Alpaca Cardigan in a coffee shop

Alyssa skateboards while holding pizza

Alyssa plays cornhole

Sharing an honest review of The Poplin Short-Sleeve Box Shirt, The Cotton-Merino Cami, The ReLeather Tennis Shoe, The Linen Shoestring Jumpsuit, and The Organic Cotton Cutaway Tank

I’m a little behind on my latest Everlane reviews – so feel free to settle in for this longer-than-usual post!

Today I’m rounding up a few new (and new-to-me) items from Everlane, all seasonally appropriate for these late-summer/early-fall days. While the days of temps in the upper 90s are hopefully behind us here in Charlotte, it’s still a little early for full-time, full-coverage clothing and you’ll find summer-friendly pieces here too.


Looking for more honest style reviews? Check out my index of reviews, sorted by brand

Being mindful of wanting to dress for both now and later, I recently selected a few of the brand’s easy-wearing and ready-to-layer pieces to try. Long-time readers will recall that I am picky about what I allow to be added to my wardrobe, and I like to share both my fit suggestions and thought processes as new items arrive (plus, I often find real-life reviews are a little more helpful than model photos on a website; for reference, I am 5’4″, and my measurements are 35″-28″-40.5″).

Here’s an up-close look at The Poplin Short-Sleeve Box Shirt, The Cotton-Merino Cami, The ReLeather Tennis Shoe, The Linen Shoestring Jumpsuit, The Organic Cotton Cutaway Tank, The Alpaca Cropped V Cardigan, and The Smock Dress – some of which I kept, and some of which I sent back:

If you see something you like, you can shop it here and support this blog at the same time by shopping the affiliate links included in this post. Thank you for your support - it helps keep wayward ad-free and allows me to continue reviewing items. Note: Some items in this post were gifted, however, this post is not sponsored.

The Poplin Short-Sleeve Box Shirt

Alyssa wears The Poplin Short-Sleeve Box Shirt with a pair of blue jeans

Alyssa wears The Poplin Short-Sleeve Box Shirt tucked in a pair of blue jeans

The Poplin Short-Sleeve Box ShirtColor | White
Size | XS
Price | $75
Also wearing | Jeans℅ | Shoes℅ | Necklace* | Earrings* | Watch*

Over the years I’ve had my eye on a structured, short-sleeve button-down top for an easy, yet put-together outfit. I had high hopes for The Poplin Short-Sleeve Box Shirt, and even after trying it on a few times waffled over keeping it. But because I’m on the curvier side, the top fits me a little differently than it does on the model. There’s a bit of “tenting” action going on under my bust, which is exacerbated by the crisp fabric. This structure, combined with the boxy cut, means there is a lot of excess fabric when tucking it into pants and jeans. While I’m not afraid of a fit that isn’t (pardon my use of the F-word) flattering, I don’t necessarily love the proportions of an outfit that’s voluminous on top and bottom – which is helpful to consider as I have been drawn to a more relaxed pant/jean lately. This top is begging to be paired with skinny jeans, or left unbuttoned over a crop top, but I don’t think I’ll get enough mileage out of it to justify it occupying my wardrobe space. Back it goes.

The Cotton-Merino Cami

Alyssa wears The Cotton Merino Cami on a skateboard with a piece of pizza

The Cotton-Merino CamiColor | Snowflake
Size | XS
Price | $58
Also wearing | Shorts* | Sneakers℅ | Necklace* | Stud Earrings | Hoop Earring*

Like the rest of the world, I’ve been on a real tank top kick lately. And instead of adding to my hearty collection of black tanks, I’ve been embracing pretty whites and creams. The Cotton-Merino Cami is an interesting take on the tank – though I feel a bit perplexed by its name. I’ve always considered “cami” and “spaghetti strap” synonymous, so calling it a cami when it has a more substantial strap is a little confusing (but maybe that’s just me). Either way, I’m fully in sync with the bra-friendly wider straps and low, but not too low, cut. I’ll be pairing this with high-waisted denim, shorts, and skirts until it’s just too cold to do so. And as for the wool content? I’ve never experienced any allergy symptoms from the fiber, but I have felt that uncomfortable itchiness before. Thankfully there’s none of that here.

The ReLeather Tennis Shoe

Alyssa wears the Releather Tennis Shoe and jumps over a bike docking station

Close up of the Releather Tennis Shoe

The ReLeather Tennis ShoeColor | White
Size | 7.5
Price | $110
Also wearing | Tank | Jeans℅ | Sunglasses | Earrings

To be frank, I don’t have much to add that I didn’t already say in my previous review of the gum sole version of this shoe. But I think it speaks volumes that I purchased a second pair. Though they’re both the same style, I think the different color soles make a huge difference in the overall vibe of an outfit. The gum sole is a little more casual, and the all-white version feels slightly “dressier.” In both cases, this shoe occupies a middle ground between sleek- and chunky-sole sneakers – which will be a huge plus for trend longevity.

The Linen Shoestring Jumpsuit

Alyssa wears The Linen Shoestring Jumpsuit with sandals

Alyssa wears The Linen Shoestring Jumpsuit with sandals

The Linen Shoestring Jumpsuit
Color | Beech
Size | Small
Price | $98 $68
Also wearing | Sandals℅ | Necklace | Earrings*

Jumpsuits are a tricky fit, and I’m going to spoil this mini-review by saying The Linen Shoestring Jumpsuit is going back. But it was a close call. Let’s start with the positives: the 100% linen fabric feels simultaneously thick and substantial, yet because it’s linen, it is lightweight and airy too. The drawstring makes the height adjustable, which should help it accommodate more bodies. It offers enough coverage that most people should feel comfortable going braless. But, here’s why it doesn’t work for me: the proportions. The fabric is tighter than I’d prefer in the hips and seat area, causing awkward bunching throughout the entire trunk, yet the elastic is too loose for my waist and sags down. I think if you’re curvy like me, this may not be the best fit – but if you don’t carry your weight in your hips as I do, then it’s worth a shot! Although we’re (hopefully) out of peak-summer weather, I would pair this with a cute long-sleeve tee and continue rocking it as the weather cools.

The Organic Cotton Cutaway Tank

Alyssa wears The Organic Cotton Cutaway Tank and plays cornhole

Alyssa wears The Organic Cotton Cutaway Tank with denim

The Organic Cotton Cutaway Tank
Color | Iced Coffee
Size | S
Price | $30
Also wearing | Jeans℅ | Sneakers℅ | Bag℅ | Sunglasses | Earrings

It feels like almost every retailer has carried a similar tank all spring and summer long, but the ones I’ve tried on recently haven’t been so bra-friendly. The Organic Cotton Cutaway Tank fits just like I want it to, and as long as I wear one of my bras with a convertible back, I don’t have to worry about straps hanging out (although if we’re being honest, who freaking cares?). I’ve only worn it tucked so far, but it hits at a decent length on my 5’4″ frame that I could wear it untucked if I wanted. I wouldn’t go braless in it though, as this colorway is just sheer enough to show more than I’d prefer. With many of the colors currently on sale, I’m considering adding another one or two to my closet.

The Alpaca Cropped V Cardigan

Alyssa wears The Alpaca Cropped V Cardigan in front of a brick wall

Alyssa wears The Alpaca Cropped V Cardigan in a close up shot

The Alpaca Cropped V CardiganColor | Golden Palm
Size | XS
Price | $125
Also wearing | Top | Sandals℅ | Bag℅ | Sunglasses | Earrings

I’ve waxed poetic here before about my love for my alpaca crew sweater (the one I refer to as my cat-tummy sweater, because it’s as soft as a cat’s tummy); it’s somehow lightweight, breathable, and warm all at the same time. So when Everlane released The Alpaca Cropped V Cardigan, I knew I had to snap it up too. It’s just as light and soft as my sweater, and the color adds a fun pop to my muted wardrobe. Cardigans have a somewhat stuffy reputation, but the cropped length makes this one feel a bit edgier (though there is an oversized version if that’s your thing instead). I like it styled with high-rise denim, but it’s a no-brainer for tossing on over a t-shirt dress, too. It has slightly less alpaca fiber than the crew sweater, but that might be a blessing in disguise because, for whatever reason, the cardigan sheds more than my sweater. To proactively minimize the shedding, I run a lint roller over the garment before wearing it. I suspect as I wear and eventually wash it, this will subside.

The Smock Dress

Alyssa stands in front of a VW bus wearing The Smock Dress

Alyssa wears The Smock Dress in front of a graffiti wall

The Smock DressColor | Black / Canvas Floral
Size | S
Price | $98
Also wearing | Sneakers℅ | Bag℅ | Sunglasses | Necklace | Earrings*

Smocked fabric has grown on me in the past couple of years because it’s a great way to make a garment accommodate a range of bodies without full tailoring. But I don’t love the look of a lot of smocking (or if you want to get technical, based on my loose understanding after watching a couple of YouTube videos, this dress uses shirring, not smocking, to tighten the bodice). With Everlane’s Smock Dress, the smocking is extremely apparent in the other two colors, Autumn Fern and Bluebell Gingham, but the floral pattern of this version breaks things up a bit more to make it less obvious. Speaking of the pattern, I’m generally picky about my florals; this one nods to the 90s revival trend still going strong yet with a more mod approach to a daisy print and I’m here for it. The versatility of this dress is my favorite part, though – it’s still hot enough out to wear alone with sandals, but I can see myself topping it with a sweater, layering a tee underneath, or throwing my leather jacket over it when it (finally) gets cooler.

Fabric- and fit-wise, the dress is made of a nice cotton poplin fabric with enough weight to keep it from billowing up on a windy day (like this shoot day!), yet not too heavy to wear on a hot day. I worried the lighter-colored sections would be a bit sheer, but I’ve worn black undergarments with no ill effects. The bodice of the dress hugs my figure enough to go bra-free if desired, and the wide straps keep things hidden if I don’t. I considered sizing down to an XS for a little extra support but decided against it at the final hour (though I think the sizing is flexible enough that I could have). Instead, I’m opting to take the straps up about 3/4″ of an inch (they’re a smidge loose since I’m borderline petite, and I like the overall placement of the neckline a little more when raised) – an easy fix with or without a sewing machine.

*this item is no longer available and I've linked a similar product

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What is the last item you returned because you just couldn’t wear it with as many other pieces in your wardrobe?

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