Where to Buy Good Basics Now That Shein Owns Everlane

Salena LeDonne, content strategist and writer of the newsletterSincerely Salena, recommends Canadian brand Kotn for folks looking for a sustainable company in line with Everlane’s founding ethics. LeDonne has been reaching for this Off-Shoulder Tee over herEverlane Box-Cut Teefor the past year that she’s owned it. “Kotn does have a more classic silhouette tee, too, but as someone who wears a lot of basics, there’s power in a slightly different neckline,” she says.

DDAM is another sustainable brand that was recommended to me. JournalistHannah Bensonhas had her Roma Tee for over a year, and it’s become a staple in her wardrobe. “It is an instigator for doing laundry — it can’t sit in the hamper long. I need it for most of my outfits,” she says. It’s soft, the right amount of sheer, and clings to her body without feeling tight.

Brianna Schubert, an editor and writer ofThe Mood Boardnewsletter, argues ARQ’s Janie tee is better than any of the Everlane ones she’s had. She says ARQ’s is not only softer and higher quality but also has a nice shrunken shape to it. Plus, she likes that ARQ is a small female-founded company that makes all of its stuff in the U.S. from organic, recycled, or deadstock materials.

Julia Harrison, a commerce writer atArchitectural Digest, is among the many singing praises for Gap’s affordable, well-made basics. She specifically points us to this cotton tee, which “does an Everlane thing with a chicer sleeve length.” It comes in a wide range of colors, including “the Brooke Callahan downtown-girl palette: electric blues, purples, pinks, butter yellow,” she says.

Atmos creative producerLouisiana Mei Gelpirecommends this basic white tee from Brooklyn-based Front General Store. The 100 percent cotton shirt has a relaxed fit and comes in either unisex or women’s sizes.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t include AYR’s button-down. For years, it was our best overall in the category for its perfectly proportioned oversize look and pleasing weightiness. Senior writerLauren Roliked it so much that she ended upbuying it in multiples, and Pariso also shouted it out as an Everlane alternative.

For a jean with flattering proportions comparable to the Cheeky Jean, Benson reaches for Levi’s Ribcage wide leg. “The backside is nicely snug, while the wider leg allows for more movement — maybe bad dancing, definitely running to get somewhere,” she says. She’s had hers for nearly three years, and even with consistent wear, they’ve maintained their shape and color.

Schubert prefers Just Black Denim’s relaxed straight-leg jeans because they have a “slightly vintage vibe that makes them look like they could have been found in a thrift store.” She’s been wearing hers multiple times a week and says they’re comfortable, durable, and versatile.

For a non-denim option, Harrison brought these J.Crew linen pants to our attention. They’re “doingLeset, which is whatEverlane was trying to dobut couldn’t quite figure out the silhouette,” she says.

While Uniqlo isn’t considered a “sustainable” brand, Gelpi says “sustainablecan also include good or long-wearing, which their pieces are.” One item she’s had for at least eight years is the company’s barrel-leg pants. They have a baggier silhouette thanEverlane’s barrel pantsand are made of 100 percent cotton (rather than 99 percent).

As a substitute forEverlane’s Easy Long Short, which are nearly sold out, LeDonne likes Kotn’s linen cargo shorts in a similar length. “This is another example of Kotn doing really solid natural-fiber pieces with slightly more thoughtful design details,” she says.

Vagabond came up a couple of times among my sources.Aisha Joshi, editor at Produce Parties and writer of theBabyteethnewsletter, replaced herold Everlane loaferswith this pair from the Swedish brand. Joshi, who wanted a streamlined silhouette, says these “feel more modern and interesting than the Everlane ones, thanks to the square toe and flexible sole.”

Dunn, who frequently buys from Vagabond, pointed me to the Aleyas as an alternative toEverlane’s Day Gloveflats. She says the leather from Vagabond is high quality and holds up well.

Kule content director and stylistElizabeth Cardinal Tamkinhas had plenty of clients who switched to Quince even pre-Shein acquisition (likely because of the price differences). These ballet flats come in a lot of the same colorways as the Day Glove and are about $80 cheaper.