Cuyana Review: Oversized Alpaca Sweater

After reviewing my experience with Lauren Manoogian’s 100% alpaca sweater (my first time trying anything 100% alpaca) a lot of readers recommended I try Cuyana’s 100% alpaca oversized sweater. Side note: if you want to learn all the benefits of alpaca over wool or cashmere, you can find it in my Everlane alpaca review (which was my first time trying anything made with alpaca though it’s not 100% alpaca). But since I had just declared my new year’s resolution that I would only add one item to my closet a month (and also because I was getting more and more pregnant) I decided not to buy this. Luckily I was able to arrange a clothing swap with a fellow ethical clothing enthusiast in my neighborhood. So I was able to try it without buying it (I also got to try out her Vetta sweater for a month which I loved! I reviewed that here).

The version of the Cuyana alpaca sweater that she had was a limited edition red one that also came in the petite size, which is what I’m wearing here. They weren’t joking about it being oversized. I’m 8+ months pregnant and the petite size was just right, so I can imagine how big the normal sizes are (and actually that’s one of the common comments about this alpaca sweater that I’ve heard from people who’ve bought it). There are only two size options XS/S and M/L and I think even the XS/S would be a bit too large for my 5’4” frame. The petite would work best for me, though unfortunately they don’t make that size anymore (though you can sometimes find it on the RealReal here).

And how is the alpaca quality? The Cuyana alpaca sweater is much thinner than the alpaca sweater I tried from Lauren Manoogian. But that is actually a good thing, especially for California, since alpaca fibers are so warm to begin with. The Cuyana alpaca sweater will definitely keep you toasty even though it is short sleeved and looks more like a top than a sweater. Like the Lauren Manoogian sweater, there’s no itch to alpaca fibers and it’s super lightweight but keeps you extra warm.

I would consider this sweater if it came in the petite size in one of the neutral colors. But seeing as how big the XS/S size is, it’s not something I would buy right now (also since spring is right around the corner so I’m going to hold off on purchasing any cold weather clothing now). But if you’re on the tall side, live in a cold climate and are looking for a warm and high quality 100% alpaca sweater I would highly recommend considering adding this to your winter wardrobe.

Cuyana Review: Le Sud Leather Travel Bag {Updated August 2021}

*This is not a sponsored review and I paid for this myself

I've had this Cuyana Le Sud Leather Travel bag for some time now but I really wanted to put it through its paces before giving a review here.  But having traveled with it to Tahoe, LA and Hawaii I feel like I can give a fair review now.

First off this design comes in two sizes.  This larger travel bag size and a smaller Le Sud Leather Satchel size.  This larger one goes for $375 while the smaller one retails for $295.  Just make sure if you order this, you order the right one since in stand alone pictures they look identical.

So what I love about this travel bag:

- There are a ton of pockets inside the bag (which is lined with black cotton canvas).  There's a slot for your laptop and then there's two big zippered pockets.  On the outside there's a pocket that closes with a magnet which I slide my phone into for easy access.

- This bag measures 13 in. x 18 in. x 7.5-9in (9 at top, 7.5 at base) so it's a large bag and it can fit a lot!  When coming back from Hawaii I had to let out the top (by unbuckling the side straps) and even though it didn't look as chic, it did the job of holding all my extra stuff

- The leather isn't too heavy

- The short straps were long enough to put over my shoulder (though the long strap was pretty useless when the bag was heavy)

What I didn't like about the bag:

- For the price point and what Cuyana stands for, this bag did not feel luxe.  The pebble leather is probably very durable for traveling but the texture was rubbery and it wrinkled like in the picture above. TBH it looked like cheaply made-in-China leather.

- The way it slouched over my suitcase was not cute.  I wish it came with horizontal straps on the other side so I could slide it over the handles of my suitcase.  Then I didn't have to use the straps to hold it into place.  Also if the bag was even slightly off centered, the bag would fall off the top and then start dragging on the floor while still hooked onto the handles.  For $375 I would hope for more on my travel bag.

- The zippers were rough and jaggedy so I had to be careful when taking things in and out of the bag and pockets.

So the big question, would I buy this again?  Nope.  For the price I would want a better travel bag.  Something chic, durable, but also more functional and luxe feeling.  Ah well, I'll be using it until I find something better but for now it will do.

To be honest, I'm actually over Cuyana.  I know they have a good message and are supposed to feel luxurious but their products haven't really stood up to scrutiny these days (like their linen top I reviewed this past summer).  Everlane's leather goods feel more luxe and they're at a lower price point.

Anyone have any suggestions for travel bags that they swear by?

{August 2021 update: I sold this bag awhile ago and I just wanted to let you know the best travel bag I’ve found so far is Everlane’s Renew Transit Weekender. It’s lightweight, very durable, and can be easily organized. I love it! I’ve also come to realise that all-leather bags aren’t great for traveling—they’re just too heavy.}

Cuyana Review Linen Off-The-Shoulder Top

Hi guys, here's something you don't see very often on this blog: a Cuyana review!  I reviewed this linen off the shoulder top as a request from a reader who wanted to know how Cuyana's linen compared to the linen items from other brands in my closet, which includes Grana, Everlane, and Elizabeth Suzann.  In past reviews I ranked Elizabeth Suzann linen the best, followed by Everlane and then Grana.  Well it's hard to rank Cuyana in this line-up because all their linen items are only 49% linen and 51% viscose.  The linen blend that Cuyana uses is way softer than any normal linen fabric but I'm not a fan of viscose, (also known as viscose rayon) which is highly toxic to the environment during it's production process.  Frankly I'm disappointed that Cuyana would use such an unsustainable material for their clothes and it doesn't seem like this peice of clothing would fall under their "fewer, but better" motto (I don't see how adding viscose to linen is making it better).

{Wearing: Cuyana off the shoulder linen top, Marine Layer denim skirt, Everlane modern loafer mules, Goyard St. Louis GM tote (similar here)}

But as for the top itself, I ordered a small and found it still quite big.  It's definitely an oversized fit.  Also I'm not a huge fan of off the shoulder tops since they don't ever stay off the shoulder on me (for the pictures I didn't even bother with trying to get them off the shoulder since that's not how I would wear it in real life).  The tulip sleeves are a cute touch though.  

The linen material is very soft and unlike linen at all.  There's no crispness to it, and if I wanted something this soft I would probably go with cotton or tencel.  If you can't already tell by the tone of the review, I returned the item since it's not something I would wear and I'm trying to add mostly natural sustainable fabrics to my closet (or if unsustainable like leather, only purchase it second-hand).

Anyway you can find all my other unsponsored Cuyana reviews like this one here.

Cuyana Silk Cami Review

When it comes to silk, I think Cuyana does it best (over Equipment, Everlane, and Grana).  The first silk item I reviewed from Cuyana was their silk tee, which was at the end of last year.  Well today I have a fun summery silk cami from Cuyana and even though it's a different type of silk from the tee, I still love it!

So the silk tee is made from a 3-ply heavyweight silk so it's quite thick and even a bit warm (I likened it to kimono silk).  But the silk that the cami is made from is quite a bit thinner.  It's a lot more like the silk that Everlane and Equipment uses.  However the silk Everlane uses is 16mm crepe de chine while Cuyana uses 25mm crepe de chine.  And with that extra 9mm, you can really tell a difference.  The 25mm is more opaque and has a sturdier feel to the material.  I also like the luster of the 25mm crepe de chine.

I got the cami in a small and it's the perfect size to wear alone or under a blazer come fall.  I also like the strappy detail in the back.  Since it's so strappy, you won't be able to wear a bra but these kinds of invisible bras do the trick (P.S. here's a funny little story from Garance about these kinds of bras/nipple covers, lol).

Anyway this is probably the best silk cami I've ever tried.  I think the silk material is one of the best you're going to find for $135.  And if you care for it (and don't have any drastic weight fluctuations) this cami should be the last silk cami you'll ever need to buy.  

Cuyana Classic Zip Around Wallet and Leather Envelope Clutch Reviews

Hi guys and we have another review (well actually 2 reviews) from a fellow blog reader today!  Thank you to Linda for her awesome review of Cuyana's leather zip around wallet and the leather envelope clutch.  I never really thought about Cuyana's clutch, but after reading her review I'm very tempted to get one for myself!  So without further ado, in Linda's words:

I decided to order the Cuyana classic zip around wallet to replace a Tory Burch wallet that had worn out. I had ordered the Everlane slim zip wallet as an option but ultimately decided to return it because I was worried that the smooth-grained leather would be scratched too easily (I don't baby my leather goods as much as I should). I decided on the Cuyana wallet first because I had heard great things about the quality of their leather goods, and second because I wanted a simple, classic wallet with the option to monogram.

I waffled over color and monogram options for awhile but in the end decided to go with a very timeless option: black leather (lined in bright red), with my initials in monogram. 

Size-wise, this wallet is about the same size as the Tory Burch wallet, and comparable to other zip around wallets I've looked at. It fits a TON of stuff - far more spacious than the Everlane option. I've crammed mine full, with many ID cards, credit cards, receipts and so forth, and it still never feels bulky and the slots haven't stretched out too badly. I also love that it has the separate coin compartment in the center - super functional and easy to use.

Pros: 

- Quality: Like other Cuyana products, the leather is super soft and smooth. I've had this wallet for about six months now, and even carrying it in my backpack every day to and from work, it barely shows any signs of wear; a few smudges here and there, but nothing a quick wipe with a damp cloth or leather conditioner won't remove. 

- Size: The perfect size if you are a chronic hoarder of IDs, credit cards, loyalty cards, receipts, etc. but still want to look chic and pulled together!

- Color and monogram: I love the wide variety of chic color options this wallet comes in; if I were more carefully with my purchases, I would have loved the stone or blush options. Also, the stamped monogram is totally worth the $10, in my opinion, as it's held up really well with no signs of wear. 

Cons:

- Nothing comes to mind!

Overall, I am extremely happy with my purchase, and I can see this wallet lasting me for years. I've received many compliments on it, and I'm planning on purchasing more as gifts for dear friends in the future!

I purchased the Cuyana leather envelope clutch in pebbled black leather. I wasn't really considering any other clutch options like this one, as I was really looking for something structured and simple for upscale evening events. I already have an oversized black leather slouchy clutch from American Apparel, so I wanted something on the other end of the spectrum of black leather clutches. (I'm not very adventurous in my accessorizing - thus, all the black leather!) 

Pros:

- Quality: As expected, the quality of this clutch is just beautiful. This leather seems firmer and more durable than that of the wallet, funnily enough given it's more of a special occasion item rather than an everyday item. The magnetic closure is well-made and holds the bag closed with a comfortable amount of resistance when opening. 

- Size (weight/shape): This clutch is very lightweight, as it doesn't have any hardware or decoration, and it's the perfect depth for slipping under your arm if you're carrying a drink or shaking someone's hand. 

Cons:

- Capacity: This clutch is really meant to hold just the bare necessities, as the magnetic closure won't shut if the clutch is too full, and there's only one card slot in the back. For an evening out, I can comfortably fit a lip product, my iPhone 6, a small Altoids tin, and my room key/ID/credit card in the card slot - that's it. The lack of capacity was a bit surprising to me at first, but I like that it forces me to streamline what I bring. That being said, if you're looking for more capacity, I'd consider the convertible clutch.

It doesn't appear that this specific option is available any more, but looking at the current options, both the black shimmer pebbled leather and the black pebbled/smooth leather clutches look pretty similar and both are gorgeous, of course.

Everlane Cotton Poplin V-Neck Tank Dress Review

Last week I reviewed both Cuyana's poplin shirt dress and Everlane's poplin square shirt dress.  And today I'll be reviewing the poplin dress I liked the most, Everlane's cotton poplin V-neck tank dress in washed black.  I ordered this in my usual Everlane size, size 2 and it fit perfectly (I'm usually a small or size 4 in dresses).

I would say this is the most fitted dress I've tried from Everlane thus far.  Everlane really likes to make boxy or loose fitting dresses that mostly look good on those with nice long legs.  But this tank dress was just right for my pear-shaped body.  The fit is a bit looser around the middle and narrows a bit near the legs.  I like the v-neck which doesn't show too much skin, and this dress also comes with pockets (side note: I love when dresses come with pockets but I don't really ever use said pockets.  I guess I just like having the option).  

I guess my only gripe with this dress is that at times, there's some weird bulging that does around my butt area (see pics above).  But that's a lot more noticeable in the pictures than in person.  In general, this is a great LBD for summer (IF you can handle the upkeep of poplin.  Like reader Colleen had commented in the Cuyana review, if you're going to keep the nice crisp look of poplin better be ready to spend some dough at the dry cleaners or get friendly with your iron).  Since neither of these things are an option in my current simplified-Airsteam-living, I passed on this dress and sent it back.  But if you're willing to put in the effort this black poplin tank dress could be the right simple dress for all occasions!

Cuyana Turkish Cotton Robe Review

Happy Monday guys and hope you all had a good weekend!  Today we have a Cuyana review from reader Susy (who awesomely answered my call for some help in reviewing Cuyana items).  So without further ado, here's her review on Cuyana's Turkish cotton robe:

"I was interested in this robe first because I keep seeing Turkish cotton towels popping up all over Instagram. I have one Turkish cotton towel and I adore it, so based on that and my trust in the Cuyana brand, I went ahead and ordered it. 

The website says that if you prefer a looser fit, move up a size, so while I normally would have ordered the S/M, I went with the L/XL. As you can see in the pictures, it's definitely oversized. I'm 5'6" and 125 lbs, so I felt extremely dwarfed in it. But that's the relaxed look I was going for, so I'm okay with it. 

The pros: the cotton / bamboo mix feels light in the summer and slightly heavy in the winter. The material itself is pretty thin, but no thinner than any other Turkish towel. I love the casual elegance and the wonderful drape it provides. I've washed it a couple times on cold delicate and hung to dry and it comes out looking just as good at ever. I'd say the fabric has a semi-dry hand feel (a term I learned from Everlane!).

The cons: the fabric has started to pill slightly around the seams. This is a minor thing compared to how I feel about the robe as a whole, I was just surprised because in my experience, Cuyana products are made to last, and I didn't really think this was a garment that would pill. So I just hope it doesn't get any worse or that I can use a sweater stone on it.

Overall, I use this robe every morning after I shower and I just love it! It's the perfect addition to elevate your normal routine."

And if you want to read more from Susy, go check out her blog AUSENNS and her insta account @susyolivia.  Thanks again Susy for your review and if anyone else is interested, I'd love to get more reviews on the site!

Cuyana Poplin Layered Shirtdress Review

About a month ago I posted a quick poll asking readers what they wanted to see reviewed next from Cuyana.  And one of the top choices was their poplin layered shirtdress.  So here I present the Cuyana poplin shirtdress review.

When I first saw their layered shirtdress I was intrigued by the different design.  I love the addition of a slight tail in the back as well as the layers at the side slits.  But when I tried it on I felt a bit like I was wearing a old-school nurse's dress.  All that was missing was the little nurse cap with the red cross on it.

But I have to admit, this might be because I ordered a small instead of a medium.  On the model on Cuyana's site, the shirtdress fits looser, though if you look at my pics above you can see that when I wear the shirtdress there's less of a tail than in the pictures from Cuyana (as in the back-end on the model's dress is a lot more pronounced).  Which makes me think that the shirtdress I got is a bit different than the one on the site.  Either way I probably should have sized up to a medium (or it's an indication that I should get off my butt and work out at least once in a while, but that's another story).

Anyway I did like the shirtdress, but just not on me.  But here's what I liked about it:

~ The poplin from Cuyana is hands-down the best poplin I've tried on so far.  Not that I'm a poplin connoisseur, but the poplin from Cuyana is thicker and smoother than the poplin from Everlane. Cuyana's poplin has a beautiful sateeny sheen to it.

~ I like the double layer on the bottom half as it ensures that you can't see your underwear underneath (well for nude and light colors).  This also removes the need for a slip underneath.  The single layer of poplin on top is a bit sheer but just wear a nude bra and it'll be fine.

~ I love the details like the hidden buttons and the layered slits.  I also like the 3/4 sleeves.

But like I said I didn't love it so I sent it back.  Stay tuned since my next Cuyana review will be on something that I loved and kept (hint: it's another silk item).  As always my reviews are not sponsored and if you want to read more Cuyana reviews, you can find them here.

Cuyana Summer Hat Review

Now that I live in a much hotter area I find that my skin, which is accustomed to the summer fog of SF, needs to adjust to the strong summer sun rays of San Jose.  Not only am I starting to reapply sunscreen on my face throughout the day and wearing sunscreen on arms and legs, but I'm also finding that wearing a summer hat can make a huge difference.  This is especially true when you know you're going to be out in the sun almost all day.  My new favorite item this summer is Cuyana's summer hat.  I've always wanted a good Panama hat but with it's wide brim, this summer hat is even better at keeping the sun off my face

I'm not really a hat person (the whole story about that here) but something about the wide brim and fedora shape made me want to try out this hat.  Plus I know when I order something from Cuyana, it's going to be a quality item.  And this hand-woven hat from Ecuador did not disappoint (also when I compared this hat to a straw hat made in China, the quality of the Cuyana hat is by far better, with a tighter weave of the straw but at the same time a lot more flexible).  First a quick note on the sizing, follow the instructions on their site and measure your head right above the eyebrows.  My head size was right around 56.5 so I sized up and went with a 57, and it fit great (I also wanted to go a bit larger so that I wouldn't have to deal with squeezing my head into the hat and then getting that hatband mark around your forehead when you take it off).  Since I did go up in size I had to be a little more careful about wearing the hat on windy days.  But a quick google search of "how to keep your hat on during a windy day" revealed a tip of sewing an elastic band into the hat:

When wearing the hat, pull your hair through the band and the elastic goes behind your head, sort of like a headband (and make sure to use an elastic that matches your hair color so it's camouflaged).  Or if you're too lazy to sew, two small safety pins do the trick as well.  This way if the hat flies back, it's still secured by your hair.  No more looking like a fool chasing my hat around on a windy day, lol.  Also now I know I won't accidentally lose this hat, making this a quality piece worth spending some money on ($75 for a straw hat is nothing to sneeze at).  But if you're looking to add a few quality items to your wardrobe, then this summer hat is the last summer hat you'll need to buy.  Like Cuyana says, buy fewer but better.      

Cuyana Push Stud Belt Review

When I had some left over store credit for Cuyana, I thought I would try out one of their new belts even though I would never spend $95 on a belt usually.  When I bought the push stud belt I had visions of Emmanuelle Alt's chic black and gold belt.

But it didn't quite work out that way.

Probably because I'm not the editor of Vogue Paris, lol.  But also because the belt isn't meant to be worn around the hips to hold up pants but more as a waist-cincher.  That's why the belt is so narrow.  Also it was really hard to use the push studs, though I'm sure that's because the belt is new and the leather holes are still too small.  It would probably get easier to wear with use, but at the same time I'm looking for a chic belt that's easy to use from the get-go and will hold my pants up.  So back the belt went.  Now I'm looking to use my credit on something else.  Is there anything from Cuyana you guys would like a review on?  

Cuyana Crossbody Pouch Review

Lately my blog has become all things Everlane all the time, so I'm working on getting some variety here. Today's review is for Cuyana's Crossbody Pouch in Stone.  If you're looking for a high-quality minimal crossbody without spending a lot of money then this bag might be for you.  This bag reminds me of Celine's trio bag, but of course this is just a single.  I had the Celine trio before and I loved the chic simplicity but at the same time it was hard to swallow the over $1050 price tag.  In the end I sold my trio because the leather was fairly delicate, it didn't suit my needs, and I felt like I could have spent that $1000 more wisely somewhere else.

But anyway, onto the review!  The pros:

- This beautiful bag is made from high quality Italian leather but in the U.S. Yay for supporting local American manufacturing.  And just like Cuyana's mini saddle bag and their Classic Leather Tote, the leather is soft and smells wonderful.  Also the pebbled leather seems a lot more durable than the Celine leather, and is probably less likely to scratch.

- The size of the crossbody is fairly decent, measuring 7"H x 9.25"W x .25"D.  I was able to fit my sunglass pouch, wallet, phone and keys with a little bit of room to spare.

-The strap is adjustable as well as removable.  So you could use it as a pouch within a bag or a clutch, and then convert it to a crossbody when you want a minimal handsfree purse.

-For $110, this beautifully well-made purse is a pretty good price (even a Madewell leather purse, made in China goes for $138).

And then there are the cons:

- That 0.25" depth is kind of a deal breaker for me.  Even if I could over-load it with a lot of things due to the decent height and width, I don't like the look of a bulging purse.  And if you don't put relatively flat things or have a couple bulky items in your purse, then the crossbody starts looking lumpy.  So this bag is definitely for people who just carry the essentials with them (or it would be a great simple going out purse).

- No lining on the inside.  Again, it's not a big deal but I just like to have some kind of lining on the inside.

-The strap ends up being a little too long for me.  If I were to keep the purse, I would just pierce another hole in the strap to shorten it.  (The strap is at the shortest in the pics below, and though the length is alright, I just prefer if the bag hit a little higher up the hips).

In the pictures above I'm wearing Everlane's microstripe u-neck shirt in a small, Paige Verdugo Crop jeans (similar here), and Everlane Modern Loafers.

In the end, I returned the purse since I already have too many going out purses and really don't need another one.  Currently Cuyana is out of their Crossbody Pouches in all colors except mint, but if you sign up for email notification they will email you when they get more in stock.  As usual this post is not sponsored and if you're interested in other products from this brand, check out all my Cuyana reviews here.  

Cuyana Mini Saddle Bag Review (and Comparison to Mansur Gavriel Crossbody) {March 2018 Update}

Hi guys, thought I would switch it up a little today by reviewing something other than Everlane or Mansur Gavriel.  The last time I reviewed a Cuyana bag it was their Classic Leather Tote.  That was the first time I tried out a bag from Cuyana and I found their leather and bag quality in general to be pretty awesome.  So I was eager to see what their new saddle bags were like, especially since I've been wearing out my Mansur Gavriel crossbody (review here) with daily use.  

First, a note on the two sizes of the Cuyana saddle bag.  The regular Cuyana saddle bag measures 9.5" H x 10.75" W x 3.5" D; while the mini saddle bag measures 6.5" H x 7" W x 2.5" D.  So the regular saddle bag is 3 inches higher and almost 4 inches wider but only an inch deeper.  I went with the mini version because the regular just looked too wide for a compact crossbody that I would use daily.  But the regular size is just $100 more so I would say it's a really good value (which seems to be evidenced by the fact that the larger sizes are always sold out).

Now onto the review of the bag.  First the pros:

- The leather, as expected from Cuyana, is really awesome.  Soft and buttery, it's what you would expect good Italian leather to feel like.  

- The price on this bag ($195) feels totally reasonable too.  If you look at Everlane's Italian made crossbody, they go for $365 while Mansur Gavriel's saddle bag crossbody goes for $495-$595.

- I love the gold bar detail at the magnetic clasp.  It makes a boring old saddle bag a little more interesting.

But in the end I didn't keep it because:

- It was just way too tiny.  I don't need to carry a lot on a daily basis but the bag could only hold my phone, keys, and wallet (and my wallet is pretty compact as it is).  I couldn't really fit sunglasses with a case in there (and lately I need to carry around sunglasses since there's sunshine all the time in San Jose-- so different from foggy SF).  I think it might feel smaller than it actually is because the opening of the bag is quite small.

- Also the bag is not lined on the inside and I like my bags with cotton lining, but that's just a personal preference.

(And there's those Adidas slides I talked about, the ones that my husband think are hideous, but give me 90's nostalgia, lol.  They're not quite blog-worthy shoes, but hey that's just what I was wearing at the time).  Anyways in these pictures, the mini saddle bag doesn't look that small, but I guess I'm so used to the size of my Mansur Gavriel crossbody so it felt tiny.

For reference the (regular) Mansur Gavriel crossbody is 7"H x 9.25"W x 2.25"D {and Cuyana's mini saddle bag is 6.5" H x 7" W x 2.5" D}.  So Cuyana's version is deeper but the shorter width and small opening at the top make the bag feel smaller.  Also I ended up sticking with the Mansur Gavriel version because it's lined and its larger magnet makes opening and closing the bag really quick and easy.  

Anyway if you're looking for a super high quality leather saddle bag that's reasonably priced and you don't need to carry a lot of things (or conversely if you do need to carry a lot of things, you might want to try the regular size), then I think Cuyana's bags might work for you.  Currently these bags are sold out on Cuyana (all sizes and colors but I've seen them do periodic restocks-without fanfare so make sure you sign up for restock notices if you're interested).  As usual this post is not sponsored and if you're interested in other products from this brand, check out all my Cuyana reviews here.  

{March 2018 Update: So it's been 2 years since this review and things have changed. I loved my MG crossbody bag and wore it consistently for 6 months, after which the leather where the handles attached to the bag got all crumbly and disintegrated.  I cannot stand by MG's calf leather quality and I am not the only one.  Read this eye-opening post here.}

Everlane vs. Equipment vs. Cuyana Silk Comparisons Review

I'm not sure how useful the Everlane cashmere vs. JCrew cashmere review was, but I really enjoyed learning a little bit more about the source and production of the materials of the clothes I buy.  And Everlane makes it even more interesting because of their radical transparency and thus their willingness to give consumers a lot of details.  So today I'm doing a silk comparison post as well.

{I read an older review post the other day on my phone and realized that these posts look really really long.  So long, I'm not sure I would even read it.  So for those who are in a time crunch here is the tl;dr version of this post: Everlane silk shirts are better than Equipment silk shirts.  But Cuyana silk shirts can't really be compared with either of the Everlane or Equipment shirts because it's a totally different kind of silk.  Whether you like Cuyana over Everlane or vice versa is a personal choice--and mine is Cuyana).  The details on how I got to this verdict below:

Cuyana silk shirt, Everlane silk shirt, Equipment silk shirt

First a little background on silk:

-Momme is a special weight measurement used for high quality fabrics and is used to indicate the heft and weight of the fabric. Higher momme weight means that more silk was used in the production of the fabric.

-The standard momme weight for silk ranges from 12-19.  Silk with a momme weight from 16-19 is usually considered high quality.  And anything 19-22 in momme weight is about the best of the best (momme=mm).

-Silk cloths also have a thread count and should be greater than 400.

-There is silk made from wild worms (usually Shantung or Tussah silk) and it's courser and more beige than cultivated silk which is smoother and whiter.  When you think silk, you're most likely thinking of silk from cultivated worms (like these 3 shirts).

-There are several types of silk: chiffon (the billowy one), china silk (also called habotai, about 5-12mm), and crepe de chine (12-15mm).

sources: 1, 2, 3

Bottom left is Everlane, bottom right is Equipment and top is Cuyana.

Now to compare the silk from Everlane and the silk from Equipment.  The silk of both shirts felt fairly similar--the type of silk that feels a little more velvety but thin.  Equipment doesn't give us any information about their silk, except we know it's made in China (from the tag).  Everlane's silk shirts also come from China (Hangzhou to be precise) and their silk is 16mm crepe de chine.

The only difference between Equipment and Everlane silk is the color.  Though both shirts are black, the Equipment one is not a true black, it's more of a gray.  But of course the biggest difference is the price.  I purchased the Equipment blouse for $208 while the same shirt from Everlane is $78.  With the same quality silk but at a much better price it's kind of a no brainer to go with Everlane over Equipment (on top of that Everlane does awesome things like give back to this silk factory in Hangzhou.  They funded the construction of solar panels so that the 240 workers who live and work at the factory can have hot showers.  Everlane was able to do this through their Black Friday Fund}.

Cuyana, Everlane, Equipment

From the pictures, you can clearly see that the Cuyana silk is quite different from both the Everlane and Equipment silk shirts.  It's a much darker color, but it's also of a much heavier weight.  Their silk shirts are made in the USA from 22mm crepe de chine.  That means a lot more silk went into the production of this shirt and you can tell.  It feels a lot more durable.  I love this silk shirt so much I'm considering getting this one in white (I feel like most white silk shirts are really sheer, but since this one is so much thicker it will probably be quite a bit more opaque).  But for more than twice the price (at $175) of an Everlane silk shirt, the Cuyana silk shirts are definitely more of an investment piece (best for those who truly believe in Cuyana's motto: Fewer, better things).  Still it's cheaper than Equipment shirts.  {Moral of the story here, no one should be buying Equipment shirts when there's so many better options around.}

So my final verdict: Everlane > Equipment; but Cuyana stands apart.  If I could only choose one?  It would be Cuyana.

Here's another blogger's review of Everlane and Equipment silk shirts and another blogger's review of Cuyana's silk shirts.  I purchased all items in this review for myself and this post is not sponsored, but if you'd like to help me purchase more Everlane items here's a referral link.  Thanks for reading!

{edit: I add Grana's silk into the mix in a Grana vs. Everlane vs. Cuyana silk review}

Cuyana Silk Tee and Scoop Tee Review with a comparison to Everlane's Silk and Cotton Tees

So now you all know I'm moving from 2500 sqft. to 250 sqft. next year (details here), so you would think that I've completely stopped acquiring things, especially clothes.  And I will...slowly... but I can't just quit cold turkey.  Plus I have some left-over store credit that I need to use up before I become technically home-less (though I'll be trailer-full).  Well that's what I was telling myself when I purchased a couple more items from Cuyana.  (I did a review of the Cuyana Classic Leather Tote).

If you haven't heard of this brand, I sometimes think of it to the older sister of Everlane.  Their clothes are a little less trendy and I think for a more refined crowd.  Their motto is "Fewer, Better" which is a bit different from Everlane's "Radical Transparency", yet both companies believe in quality items sourced and produced in a responsible manner.  Oh and Cuyana costs a bit more too.  Cuyana's silk tee runs you $155 while a comparable one from Everlane is about $75.  Cuyana's cotton tee is $40 while Everlane's is $15.  Those numbers alone would tempt some just to stick with Everlane (especially since what they're doing is not only socially responsible but their products are also really quite fantastic).  But Cuyana deserves an honest test-drive as well.

And this is what I thought: (also for those who are interested in the sizing of Cuyana's cothes, I am about a size 4 or small in most tops and I would say the sizing is pretty comparable to Everlane- ie an Everlane small is about the same as a Cuyana small).

First up is the Cuyana scoop neck tee.  I really love the fit of this shirt.  The scoop neck is just-right in that it's not so wide that you flash everyone with your bra when you bend forward.  Also, the sleeves are the perfect length.  And finally the shirt isn't cropped, but it's not too long either (it's hard to tell because the model has the shirt tucked-in on all the shots, but the shirt ends right below the waistband).  For a better idea, Everlane's shirts in a small are about 24 inches from shoulder to bottom hem while Cuyana's is 22 inches.  The material is also super soft, softer than Everlane's cotton shirts.  And that's because Cuyana's are made from 50% modal and 50% pima cotton.  (Also did you know modal is just another way of saying rayon?  I didn't because I never really bothered to know more about my clothes until recently).  So that means the care for this shirt requires laying flat to dry.  But I really don't have space anywhere to lay them dry.  Also this tee is $40, which is over double of Everlane's cotton tees.  So my overall verdict is to stick with Everlane for their tees (edit: but to be clear, it's mostly due to my preference for a no-hassle shirt that I wouldn't get too upset about if I got it dirty-which happens to my shirts all the time).

Everlane silk tee on left and Cuyana silk tee on right

But if I were to choose Cuyana or Everlane when it comes to the silk department, my vote goes to Cuyana's silk tee in black (in small).  I love love love it!  The silk feels amazing and is totally different from Everlane's silk.  This silk material is of a heavier weight and feels more durable.  It reminds me of the kind of silk that kimonos are made of (I know that's not super helpful, but I really don't know too much about silk).  It's hard to describe the difference, but I plan to write a more in-depth post about the different kinds of silk and compare the silk from Everlane, Equipment, and Cuyana.  As for the shirt itself, the cut is really flattering.  I like the extra length in the back and also the sleeves, which I didn't think I would like because it almost looks like cap sleeves.  But the sleeves are cut a little longer so it actually looks quite flattering (still hides any flabby triceps, though I like how the Everlane silk tees have a longer sleeve overall).  For almost double the price, the Cuyana silk tee might seem like less of a value than Everlane's silk tee.  However the silk tee from Cuyana is of a higher quality and seems like it would last longer.  If your goal is truly to have fewer but better clothes then Cuyana's silk tee is the better choice.

So I would say give Cuyana a chance, especially when it comes to their silk items and their leather goods.  Those items are truly made with a higher quality and are worth the extra dollars if you plan to use these items for years and years.  Like all my reviews, I purchased items for myself and have not been paid for any of my opinions.

{edit if you're looking for more silk reviews there's the first one- Everlane vs. Equipment vs. Cuyana silk review; and the second one- Grana vs. Everlane vs. Cuyana silk review}

Madewell Transport Tote vs. Cuyana Classic Leather Tote vs. Mansur Gavriel Tote vs. Everlane's Petra and Day Market Tote {Updated January 2021}

I was unfortunately not able to compare these two very similar totes side by side since I ordered the Madewell Tote first, didn't care for it so returned it and then purchased the Cuyana Classic Leather Tote.  But here are some of the similarities and differences I noticed between the two bags (also you can read a whole reddit forum discussion here).

First the dimensions: The Madewell Transport Tote (in black, with tan handles) measures 14.25(h) x 14.25(L) x 6(w) inches with a 8.25 inch strap drop.  The Cuyana Classic Leather Tote measures 13(h) x 18(L) x 5(w) inches with a 9 inch strap drop.  So the Cuyana tote is a a little shorter, but a lot wider.  However, since the leather on the Cuyana bag is so soft and smooshy, it's quite easy to fold in the sides a bit to make it less wide (like the picture below).

source

Though the totes are really similar, here are the reasons why I think the Cuyana tote is better:

-First off, the leather on the Cuyana tote is amazing.  It's super soft and smells wonderful. The smell reminds me of the leather of Balenciaga bags, even though the textures of the leather are different.  The leather on the Madewell tote is stiff and feels and smells like cheap leather.

-The difference in the leather is probably due to the fact that the Cuyana tote is made in the US while the Madewell tote is made in China (plus Cuyana is a brand all about producing top quality items).

-The strap of the Madewell tote is a just a tiny bit shorter, but it can make all the difference when trying to wear a tote bag over the shoulder when wearing a winter coat.  I think the Cuyana bag might fit, while the Madewell tote most definitely wouldn't.  

The Cuyana tote also comes in 3 different variations: the classic, the tall tote and the zippered tote.

So as you can see, my vote clearly goes to the Cuyana tote over the Madewell tote.  But if we were to have a broader discussion about all the totes that I own (including the Mansur Gavriel Tote —reviewed here—and the Everlane tote), I would have to say my favorite is probably the Everlane tote.  I love the smaller shape, the adjustable straps, and the two deep interior pockets with snap closures.  The Mansur Gavriel is good for just piling things in, and it holds its shape really well.  I think in general I'm just not a soft tote kind of gal.  But if I were to choose one, it would definitely be this Cuyana tote.  

Have you guys checked out Cuyana before?  I'm in love with their products and their site

I personally purchased all of these totes and were not paid in anyway to make this review (just trying to help fellow-tote lovers!)

{Feb 2019 update: Things have changed in the 2.5 years since I've written this review.  The leather on the Everlane petra tote stiffened up and became rubbery, which I really disliked so I sold it.  I also did not keep the Cuyana and Madewell totes because in the end I wanted to limit the number of totes in my closet.  I have a friend who used a Cuyana tote consistently for 1.5 years and the strap broke on her.  Also I had the Cuyana Leather Travel Bag for a brief time but also sold it because I found the leather quality on that to be not as great—it was very thick and pebbly.  So what totes am I currently using?  I love my Celine small cabas tote (reviewed here) and my Everlane Day Market Tote (reviewed here—which is very different and better made than the original line of heavy Petra totes IMO even though the leather is of a thinner quality. You can see how the Everlane Day Market Tote wears even after 100 uses here). I also love Cuyana’s Classic Structured Tote since it has an extra layer of microsuede on the inside to allow the bag to stand up on it’s own and make the bag overall less floppy. If I were to get a tote bag to replace my Celine one I would probably go for this one. However if you’re in the market for a lightweight, slightly floppy tote then Cuyana’s Classic Leather tote is the one for you.}

P.S. My friend has Cuyana’s small Carryall tote in stone and has been using it almost daily for at least 4 years. The long crossbody strap broke in year 2, but the bag itself is still going strong, which I think is a good testament to the quality of the leather Cuyana uses as well as it’s durability (well except for the strap). She replaced the strap but here she is modeling her very well used Cuyana tote for me: (also she’s tiny so the small bag looks huge on her fyi)

{January 2021 update: For those of you guys on a budget, Quince (also known as onequince) has some very similar totes for about half the price. Quince is an ethical company that contracts with the factories directly in small batches at the best possible prices (thus also preventing waste by not overproducing a certain item). My review of the Quince leather tote is here (where I also compare it to Cuyana’s leather). I would say Quince’s tall tote is like Cuyana’s structured tall tote and not the floppy one I reviewed here. Quince’s selection of totes can be found here. But if you’re looking for something like the Cuyana structure tote, unfortunately they don’t have anything like it anymore.}