The Ultimate Equipment Clothing Review: Fabrics, Fit and Style Put to the Test
Overview of the Luxury Brand Taking Basics to the Next Level
Equipment, the brand fusing Parisian sophistication with California cool, has earned its status as a go-to label for elevated essentials. Specializing in silk shirts, cashmere knits and other lust-worthy staples, this luxury line transforms basics into interest-piquing investment pieces.
Beyond fabric innovation and borrowing from men‘s style cues, what sets Equipment apart is their tailored-yet-relaxed silhouettes in rich, seasonless solids and playful prints. Effortless and cosmopolitan is their vibe – think throwing on an Instagram-worthy outfit in five minutes flat.
But are their $200+ price tags justified? Does their clothing live up to the hype? I decided to find out.
In this in-depth Equipment clothing review, I analyzed some of their best sellers, dug into manufacturing details, compared to competitors, aggregated customer reviews and tested pieces first-hand. Continue reading for the full scoop on fit, quality, style and more.
Pros of Equipment
- Luxury fabrics like silk charmeuse and cashmere
- Flattering, oversized yet polished silhouettes
- Unique prints and wearable neutrals
- Classic yet contemporary aesthetic
- Some pieces offered in extended sizes
Cons of Equipment
- Expensive price point
- Limited plus size offerings
- Lacks height diversity in models
- Supply chain lacks transparency
- Sparse social media engagement
The Fabric Makes the Clothes: A Look Into Manufacturing
When prices hit luxury territory, ethics and manufacturing should enter the conversation. So what‘s behind those buttery soft silk tops?
Unfortunately, Equipment shares little about production on their website or other channels. Most products indicate a "Made in China" origin. Given China‘s poor environmental track record, this raises potential sustainability concerns.
And while the brand touts European sophistication, design apparently takes place in LA without further acknowledgement of the overseas factories producing the goods. This lack of supply chain visibility is disappointing for the price.
That said, quality across their core materials – silk, cashmere and cotton – remains superb. Besides occasional issues with delicate fabrics, most customer reviews praise longevity. And the brand‘s timeless approach suggests an investment that can and should withstand trends.
For socially-conscious shoppers though, Equipment falls short on transparency around fair labor practices. Those values may outweigh buttery fabrics.
Spotlight Review: 5 Iconic Equipment Styles
Now let‘s get into reviewing specific pieces. I‘ll analyze some best-selling shirts and dresses based on fabric, fit, style, price and value.
1. The Signature Button-Down Silk Shirt
This oversized menswear spin on the classic button-down receives rave reviews for its versatility and flattering shape. It even landed a permanent place in the Museum of Modern Art‘s archives!
Cut from fluid silk charmeuse, it‘s airy yet indulgent with a slight sheen. The loose fit provides room through the shoulders, chest and hips for a comfortable drape. Extra fabric even allows you to elegantly knot and tuck.
At $248, it sits on the lower end of Equipment pricing. Choose black, white or punchy hues like lagoon blue depending on your wardrobe needs. Dress this shirt up with wide leg pants and heels, style casually over a cami and jeans or layer under a slip dress. With care, it should last decades as a staple.
I‘m personally a huge fan – it provides easy polish for any occasion. My one complaint? Lack of petite sizing, as short gals may struggle with the longer silhouette.
2. The Aubrey Silk Print Shirtdress
Perhaps Equipment‘s best known dress, the Aubrey features an eye-catching leopard print with an easy shift shape. It attracts fans seeking both statement style and versatile construction.
Crafted in lightweight 100% silk, it slips over curves smoothly without clinging. Subtle front pockets add functionality. At $295, the shorter length works well layered over tees and leggings or alone with tights and boots.
Some reviewers found the fabric delicate and prone to snags. There are also quite a few complaints around inaccurate website colors not matching actual garments.
However, if you adore wild patterns and flows silk shapes, the Aubrey offers a worthy way to incorporate them into your wardrobe. Handle gently to extend longevity of thismodern classic.
3. The Ryder Cashmere-Silk Sweater
For those craving Equipment‘s fabrics in cozier form, allow me to introduce their Ryder sweater. A wool cashmere blend meets silk for uniquely satisfying softness with temperature regulation.
The relaxed crewneck silhouette layers smoothly under jackets and shirts. Raw trims and side slits provide subtle design interest and movement.
Reviewers adore this sweater for bridging seasons in ultimate comfort. Cashmere quality rates well above basics brands with impressive durability. It evenwashes and wears beautifully over years according to customers.
My experience with the black version aligns – it felt instantly special yet lived in. At $398, it‘s certainly an indulgence but one that should earn cost per wear over time. Only downside? Dry clean requirements.
4. The Laney Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater
For those who prefer more shapely knits, allow me to direct you to Equipment‘s Laney turtleneck. Slim through the hips with an elegant high neckline and ribbed finishes, this sweater upgraded my winter wardrobe.
The softness earns raves though a few noticed slight pilling. I didn‘t experience issues after multiple careful washes. Long sleeves provide warmth without bulk.
I also appreciated the range of sophisticated neutrals like camel and charcoal alongside bolder red and ivory options.
At $298, the Laney costs less than comparable cashmere pieces. Fit me perfectly in my standard size too. It instantly became my most reached for sweater and I expect to wear for many seasons ahead.
5. The Slim Signature Silk Shirt
No Equipment review feels complete without mentioning their slim cut, collared Slim Signature Silk. Smoothing through the waist with single button cuffs, it nails polished femininity.
Neck ties optional, but you may just want to show off Equipment‘s signature dotted print. I opted for the black and white star mix which paired perfectly with skirts for work and weekend denim alike.
Silk charmeuse drapes beautifully here and the fabric quality impressed me yet again. However, several reviewers with larger chests or curvy frames report gapping buttons so size up accordingly. For those who fit the straight silhouette, it should flatter most body types.
Yes, the $278 price stings but feels justified by both compliments and confidence I experience wearing this shirt. Handle with care as the delicate fabric may snag. Then enjoy for countless stylish wears ahead!
How Equipment Compares to Similar Luxury Brands
While Equipment reigns supreme for upscale essentials in my book, labels like Vince, Theory and Joie share comparable price points and aesthetics. Let‘s explore how they stack up.
While Vince builds entire collections around layer-ready basics, their fabrics and prints rarely achieve Equipment’s allure or uniqueness. Theory offers office and evening appropriate pieces better suited for formal affairs than everyday wear.
And Joie lacks depth in their classics compared to Equipment’s decades of perfecting the fit and feel of silk button downs and tailored knits.
That said, Theory and Vince also offer a wider range of business casual workwear like dresses, pants and blazers. For variety across categories, they edge out Equipment’s more singular focus.
I also appreciate that both Theory and Vince feature greater size diversity and model representation. Equipment‘s straight size and ethnically homogenous casting leaves much to be desired.
When it comes down to it though, no other brand provides Equipment‘s expertise in luxe fabrics and flattering silhouettes. Their distinctive take on polish stands out noticeably.
Yes, you‘ll pay more for their mastery. But those unique charmeuse prints and casually flowing shapes make each purchase feel special. For me, the originality and quality justify investing in Equipment above the rest.
Who is Equipment Best Suited For?
So who should add Equipment into their closets? Read on for recommendations based on style and demographics.
Style
Women and non-binary folks wanting simple yet stand-out classics should strongly consider Equipment. Their pieces provide visual interest through luxurious sheens, playful prints and flattering shapes instead of flashy trends.
Within women‘s categories, they work well for:
- Feminine personal style craving a dash of menswear
- Androgynous and minimalist tastes
- Print and texture lovers – especially animal prints
- Office attire requiring polish yet comfort
- Going out looks both sassy and sophisticated
They miss opportunities to appeal to more traditional ultra-femme or rock n‘ roll aesthetics. Garments skew towards relaxed over body-con fits as well which may not suit curvier bodies.
Demographics
While technically unisex, Equipment‘s womenswear lens shows in silhouette and style. So female shoppers remain their core demographic.
However, their menswear inspirations allow more masculine individuals across gender identities and expressions to incorporate certain pieces seamlessly too.
Due to straight sizing limiting larger bodies, the brand best serves straight and petite frames. Their loose cuts can overwhelm curvier figures in places. Tall women also struggle with some top and dress lengths ending at awkward spots.
When it comes to age, working professionals in their 30s and 40s likely appreciate Equipment‘s polish best. But their muted color palettes and timeless construction should appeal from 20-somethings building an adult wardrobe through mature women seeking graceful looks with ease of wear.
Price points do skew higher so the brand fits best with middle to high income brackets. But you can also often shop sale racks at Saks, Bloomingdale‘s and Nordstrom for deals on past season items.
Customer Perspectives From Around the Web
While product shots set expectations, genuine experience brings greater context. So I dug into customer commentary across retailer and review sites.
Overwhelmingly, shoppers praise both quality and versatility. One Slim Signature Silk shirt buyer at Saks raved "This top is so classy and I always get compliments when I wear it."
Reviewing the Layla Cami at Nordstrom, a customer shared: "This camisole is my new favorite layering piece. It’s incredibly soft and comfortable, not at all restrictive."
A pregnant shopper reviewing the Adalyn shirt on Shopbop welcomed both the comfort and compliments: "This shirt is an absolute dream come true for my expanding pregnant belly and bump. I can‘t tell you how many times I‘ve been stopped and asked where this shirt is from."
The most enthusiastic reviews centered around signature silhouettes shoppers returned to across colors and prints. Love for the versatility and longevity of wardrobe staples like the Slim Signature styles rang through clearly.
That said, some commentary indicated quality and sizing issues over time. One disappointed Aubrey dress buyer warned: "The fabric pills terribly even with delicate care and now looks old after a single season.”
And a frequent customer on Revolve felt the collection changed for the worse: "The quality has gone down over the years and the price continues to increase."
So while many pieces earn glowing praise, shoppers recommend carefully checking fabric composition and treatment requirements before investing. Delicate silk requires quite gentle care which not all consumers appreciate long term.
Key Takeaways: Is Equipment Worth Shopping?
Considering all evidence in this Equipment clothing review, here are my final verdicts on the beloved brand:
Quality? General excellence across core fabrics like silk and cashmere though variation between fabrics exists. More delicate materials may snag or pill.
Style? Distinctive blend of Parisian sophistication, menswear borrowings and California laidback all in flattering silhouettes. Classic with a modern twist.
Value? Worth full prices for unique long-lasting pieces IF they suit your lifestyle and closet needs. Wait for sales to purchase more delicate fabrics prone to damage over time.
Who should buy? Anyone wanting artful upgrades to essentials with timeless potential. Best suited for feminine figures under size 14 with straight or petite frames.
While by no means the most ethical or size inclusive brand, Equipment delivers stand-out polish for those valuing premium fabrics and tailored shapes. For silk camisoles with intriguing prints, slim cashmere turtlenecks, and relaxed-yet-posh button downs, I firmly believe Equipment demonstrates mastery.
Treat as investment pieces with proper care and their distinctive luxe essentials should sustain for seasons. Shop strategically, keep delicate nature in mind and Equipment likely won‘t disappoint.
