It’s time for another quick and honest review! This time we’ll be looking at The Oversized Alpaca Crew from Everlane, which is both a personal and a reader favourite.
The exciting part is that for today only, this knit is on sale for just $75 USD (approx. $108 CAD), which I think is very hard to beat for the quality, comfort and versatility it offers. If you’re reading this after the sale, don’t fret, I still think it’s well worth $100 USD (approx. $145 CAD).
So do read on if you’re in the market for a crewneck sweater that’s:
- Lightweight but still very toasty
- Super soft
- Perfectly oversized in fit
- Offered in a lovely range of colours
- & Easy to maintain
Even if you’re not shopping right now or this particular piece isn’t for you, I hope the insights in this review may prove useful for future consideration.
Full disclosure, the Alpaca Crew I have was originally gifted as part of a collaboration in 2019 but this post is not produced in partnership with Everlane.
This post contains affiliate links and some gifted items. If you see something you like and decide to shop through the links included, I may earn commission on a sale at no additional cost to you. All opinions are always my own and I only share items I love and think you might too. Thanks for supporting Style Bee!
OVERSIZED ALPACA CREW gifted in 2019 (True to size for an oversized fit, wearing my usual size.) | PERFECT LEATHER BELT (Runs large, I sized down) | JANE STRAIGHT LEG PANT – sold out, similar here and here | LOW 1 WHITE SNEAKER (True to size, full review here)
QUICK FACTS
ABOUT THE OVERSIZED ALPACA CREW
PRICE: $75 USD (today, October 22nd, only) – Regularly $112 USD (approx. $145 CAD)
For INTL customers, all duties and taxes are included at checkout so there are no surprises, which is definitely my preference when shopping online.
8 SIZES: XXS | XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL | XXXL
FIT: Oversized, as the name would indicate. I wear a Small and it is relaxed and roomy (my preference for layering over a base tee) but since the knit is so lightweight it doesn’t feel bulky or heavy and layers into all my winter coats with ease. If you want a more traditional fit then I would consider a size down.
COLOURS: There are currently 10 colour ways offered. All shown in the banner below. I’m wearing the Almond colour, which is a very soft, slightly warm grey. It’s the perfect light neutral as it goes with warm and cool tones and never shows any pet fur or lint. I just ordered Spruce and Warm Taupe.
HEATHERED BLACK | HEATHER CHARCOAL | ALMOND | COBALT | NEUTRAL COLORBLOCK | VIOLET | SPRUCE | WARM TAUPE | TONAL BLUE | TONAL RED
MADE OF: 58% Alpaca, 34% Nylon, 8% Wool
ITCH LEVEL: Next to none. I have relatively sensitive skin and could easily wear this without a base layer underneath, however, I cannot guarantee this for everyone. It has as soft a hand feel as cashmere but it’s more gauzy and open. I have no problem with the texture around my neck, which is not always the case, even with some cashmere.
CARE: Dry Clean. I take mine in for a dry clean once a year but find that wearing a base layer underneath and spot cleaning is all that’s needed for the rest of the time. I also know folks who say they wash it with cold water on delicate and dry flat but I haven’t tried that personally. Read more about how I care for my knitwear.
SHOP THE OVERSIZE ALPACA CREW
DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
IT DOESN’T PILL
While there may be one or two pills in high friction spots, I’ve never felt the need to use a sweater comb on this knit (which I do on every other one). I find knits with a high alpaca content are much less prone to pilling than cashmere and this makes it extra easy to care for.
LIGHT AS AIR BUT STILL TOASTY
Lighter than many of the wool and cashmere sweaters in my closet and slightly less warm too. I think this is what makes it such a staple because it adapts to a wide range of climates.
It’s perfect for travel for that reason.
ELEGANT SHAPE & TEXTURE
I love shape of the subtle balloon sleeves, thick crew neckline and the unique rib texture throughout. It gives the sweater an elevated feel and a touch of interest.
INFINITELY EASY TO STYLE
Thanks to it’s airy weight this sweater is such a breeze to style. It tucks and layers without bulk and drapes beautifully.
I also like that the wrists are fitted so the sleeves actually stay up!
I’VE LOST COUNT OF HOW MANY WAYS I’VE WORN THE ALPACA CREW BUT HERE ARE 5!
MORE STYLING IDEAS
I also love it with a classic dark wash jeans, lug sole boots and a plaid coat.
It doesn’t get more timeless than a silk pant, sleek Chelsea boot and a wool wrap coat.
In the deep winter it’s great over a turtleneck with black skinnies, snow boots and a puffer coat.
It looks amazing front tucked into trousers with a sleek suede boot and trench coat.
It really is perfect over a tee with joggers and slippers for a luxe lounging look.
SHOP THE OVERSIZE ALPACA CREW
OVERSIZED ALPACA CREW gifted in 2019 (True to size for an oversized fit, wearing my usual size.) | PERFECT LEATHER BELT (Runs large, I sized down) | JANE STRAIGHT LEG PANT (fit is true to size but they will stretch out) – low stock, similar here and here | LOW 1 WHITE SNEAKER (True to size, full review here)
THANKS FOR TUNING IN.
I hope this post is helpful for anyone interested in a high quality knit at a more approachable price point. If you have any questions or additional notes on this particular piece, please feel free to leave them in the comments.
WISHING YOU ALL A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!
Hi Lee! Thanks for the heads up on the sale – I hadn’t noticed the Everlane email yet, but saw your post! I love this sweater! I bought one last fall in mustard and just ordered another one. I just discovered your blog this summer (I was searching on how to best pack linen, when I was finally able to make a trip back home to Ontario ;)) and this is my first time posting. Just wanted to say that I love your blog, especially the Canadian focused content. I’ve learned of some new brands that I hadn’t heard of before – I just ordered some items from Ana + Zac and if you haven’t tried anything from them yet, the clothes are so lovely and incredibly soft! I also ordered the Only Child vest from your Depop sale and I am loving it. I’ve been feeling for a while that my closet was all over the place and was finding it hard to not wear the same 3 or 4 outfits, but your blog has given me ideas and inspiration as to what I needed to add to my closet and how to better style what I do have – thank you! Quick question about slippers – I am loving the look of both the Kyrgies (I see Bare Knitware has some too) and the Bronze Age Dahlia Shearling Slide, and I am wondering which ones are warmer? I’ll probably ending up getting both styles eventually, but only allowing myself one for this winter 😉 Thanks!
I just ordered mine! We’re around the same size, so hoping the small is a good fit. I got the warm taupe :). Question for you – do you have any fav tees for layering under sweaters? I need to be better about this so I don’t need to wash so often! Thank you so much – so glad I recently found your site!
Thanks for the info Lee! I have this in two colours and one of them did pill a lot actually…I wonder if it was just a fluke! I bought them last year though so far past the return window…any tips on how to fix for this type of knit?
Thanks for tuning in Laura! I appreciate you sharing your insights on this piece. Not ideal that one of them is prone to pilling but my suggestion would be to use a sweater comb. They are the most gentle but still effective on softer fibres like alpaca. I have one like this. Hope that helps!