Are you on the hunt for clothing that is both stylish and sustainably made? Look no further than Upwest. This up-and-coming brand is on a mission to provide "comfort for good" through their collection of versatile, durable, and eco-friendly wardrobe staples.
As someone always eager to discover new ethical fashion brands, I was intrigued when I first came across Upwest Clothing. I spent some time researching the brand and testing out a few of their most popular pieces. Keep reading for my in-depth Upwest Clothing review to see if their apparel is truly worth the investment.
About Upwest Clothing
First, let‘s start with some background on Upwest. The brand launched in 2019 as a branch of Express with the goal of offering more sustainable clothing options. They saw a growing demand for apparel that was both comfortable and environmentally responsible.
The Upwest philosophy revolves around the idea that feeling good and doing good can be achieved simultaneously through the clothing we choose to wear. The brand believes that "moving forward is more important than being perfect." While they may not have everything figured out from the start, they are committed to continually increasing their usage of sustainable fabrics and ethical manufacturing practices.
Another core part of the Upwest mission is giving back. The brand partners only with other "Brands We Believe In" for any products they don‘t make in-house. And with every purchase, Upwest donates a portion of the proceeds to charitable organizations supporting mental health. To date, they have donated over $500,000 to non-profits like The Trevor Project, Mental Health America, and the NAACP.
Upwest Women‘s Clothing Review
Now, onto the clothing! Upwest offers a full range of apparel and accessories for women, with a focus on comfy, casual basics that you can lounge or adventure in. Imagine soft knits, breezy t-shirt dresses, cozy fleeces, and stretchy leggings in muted, earthy tones. It‘s the type of clothing you reach for on a relaxing weekend day when you want to look put together but still feel at ease.
While Upwest carries everything from sweaters to swimwear, some of their most popular items fall into the loungewear and activewear categories. A few standout pieces from their current women‘s collection:
The Waffle Mock Neck Sweatshirt
This cozy sweatshirt is made from a unique quilted fabric that adds subtle texture and visual interest. The mock neckline and long wrist cuffs keep you warm, while the drawstring hem allows you to adjust the fit. It comes in versatile colors like olive green and heather grey that pair well with any bottoms.
The Sherpa-Lined Cardigan
An elevated take on a classic cardigan, this ultra-soft pullover features a plush sherpa lining, relaxed collar, and convenient side pockets. The oatmeal hue and button cuff details make it easy to dress up for work video calls or dress down for movie marathons on the couch. When the temperatures drop, you‘ll want to live in this cardigan.
The Unwind Fleece Jogger
The perfect marriage of style and comfort, these fleece joggers will make you want to cancel all your plans and stay in. The breathable cotton-blend fabric feels amazing against your skin while still looking presentable enough to wear out of the house. They have a flattering high-waisted fit, functional pockets, and come in a variety of neutral colors like black, olive, and burgundy.
Customers rave about how soft, comfortable and well-made Upwest‘s loungewear is. The pieces wash well and maintain their coziness. Many reviewers say they love the pieces so much, they want to buy multiples and wear them on repeat.
Upwest Men‘s Clothing Review
Guys, Upwest hasn‘t forgotten about you. The brand also carries a full lineup of laid-back yet stylish wardrobe essentials for men. Like the women‘s collection, the focus is on comfortable, versatile pieces in classic silhouettes and neutral hues.
Some of the most sought-after men‘s items include:
The Sherpa Full Zip
A rugged take on a cozy zip-up sweater, this nocturne green sherpa is ideal for crisp fall days or cool summer nights. The contrasting trim and front welt pockets add visual interest and functionality to the simple design. Toss it on over a t-shirt and jeans for an effortlessly cool look.
The Unwind Lounge Pant
Everyone needs a pair of go-to lounge pants and these check all the boxes. The super-soft brushed fleece interior feels incredibly plush and warm against your skin. A drawstring waistband allows for a comfortable, customized fit, while the deep pockets can hold all your essentials. Choose between classic black or dark heather gray.
The Cord Baseball Hat
Top off any casual look with this stylish corduroy baseball cap in a striking rust hue. The durable cotton-blend fabric and breathable mesh lining make this a hat you‘ll reach for again and again. It‘s understated yet effortlessly cool—the perfect accessory for laid-back weekend style.
According to reviews, Upwest‘s menswear runs true to size and offers a comfortable, relaxed fit. Many guys appreciate that the pieces are basic enough to become everyday staples, yet have subtle design details that elevate them beyond generic sweats and tees. The fabrics get top marks for softness and the clothes seem to be made to last.
Quality and Sustainability
Two of the biggest selling points for Upwest clothing are the high quality and low environmental impact. The brand prioritizes the use of sustainable materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, and TENCEL lyocell.
By 2022, Upwest aims to have 50% of their products contain sustainable components and to use 100% more sustainable raw materials than conventional ones by 2025. This means materials that are recycled, organic, or sustainably sourced. They are also committed to minimizing plastic use in their packaging, opting for recycled and reusable materials instead.
The clothing is designed to last, so you can feel good about investing in pieces you‘ll wear for years to come. The fabrics are incredibly soft and durable. Many pieces are pre-shrunk and get even softer with each wash. Upwest also pre-washes some items with silicone to decrease pilling and wrinkling over time.
And when you are ready to part with your Upwest clothing, the brand encourages you to recycle it through their Give Back Box program so it can be donated to non-profit organizations rather than ending up in a landfill. Making it easy to refresh your closet consciously.
Pricing
So how much will a organic cotton joggers or a sherpa-lined cardigan from Upwest cost you? The prices are quite reasonable for the quality and sustainability, on par with other mall brands like Everlane, Madewell, and Patagonia.
Expect to spend $30-$40 for a basic tee, $50-$80 for sweaters, sweatshirts, and pants, and $100-$150 for outerwear. Upwest also offers accessories like hats, bags, and scarves in the $30-$50 range, as well as home goods like candles and blankets for under $100.
While it‘s not the cheapest clothing out there, Upwest is quite accessible for sustainable fashion. You are paying for higher quality, eco-friendly materials and fair labor practices. Many customers say the clothing is well worth the price and they appreciate supporting a brand that prioritizes people and the planet.
To get the most bang for your buck, I recommend signing up for the Upwest email newsletter to be notified about sales and promotions. The brand often offers discounts of 20-40% off, especially around major holidays. You can also shop their sale section for past-season styles at a lower price.
Shipping and Returns
Upwest offers free standard shipping on all orders over $50 in the US. Expedited and overnight shipping are available for an additional fee if you need your items ASAP. The brand typically processes and ships orders within 1-2 business days.
If for any reason you aren‘t completely satisfied with your Upwest clothing, you can return unworn, unwashed items with tags still attached within 60 days of purchase for a full refund. Sale items are final sale and cannot be returned or exchanged.
One thing to note is that Upwest currently only ships within the United States. The brand has stated that they do plan to expand internationally in the future as they continue to grow. But for now, Upwest is focused on serving US-based customers.
Customer Service
Based on customer reviews and my own experience interacting with the brand, Upwest offers top-notch customer service. The team is responsive, friendly, and always eager to help.
When I had questions about the sizing of an item, I used the live chat feature on their site and was immediately connected with a helpful stylist who offered personalized fit recommendations based on my measurements and typical size in other brands. The interaction was easy, efficient, and made me feel more confident in choosing the right size.
Other customers rave about the quick shipping, easy returns, and helpful staff. Upwest makes it clear that customer satisfaction is a priority and they go above and beyond to ensure you are happy with your purchase. If any issues arise, the team works quickly to find a resolution.
The brand is also quite active and engaging on social media. They frequently respond to customer comments, host Q&A sessions and giveaways, and share styling tips and info about their sustainability initiatives. Following them is a great way to stay up-to-date on new product launches and get inspiration for how to wear the clothes.
Overall Value
So is Upwest clothing worth it? In my opinion, absolutely. After testing out a variety of pieces from their collection, I am blown away by the level of quality and attention to detail. These clothes are not only incredibly comfortable and effortless to wear, but also make you feel good about your purchase knowing they were made ethically with the planet in mind.
The price point is accessible for well-made, sustainable clothing that you‘ll reach for again and again. I appreciate that Upwest offers a wide range of basics that are easy to mix and match to create outfits for lounging at home, running errands, working out, traveling, and even dressing up for casual events.
Upwest has quickly become one of my go-to brands for everyday clothing. The pieces offer the perfect balance of comfort, style, and sustainability. I love that I can support a company that cares about making a positive impact and gives back to important causes.
If you are someone who values classic, timeless style and wants to build a more ethical, eco-friendly wardrobe, I highly recommend checking out Upwest. The clothing is versatile, high-quality, and the ideal foundation for a conscious closet. Once you experience the unbeatable coziness of their fabrics, you‘ll be hooked!
How to Shop
Ready to give Upwest a try for yourself? You can shop the full collection on the brand‘s website at Upwest.com. Filter clothing by category, size, color, and fabric to easily find exactly what you‘re looking for.
While you can sometimes find select Upwest pieces at Express stores, the brand‘s website offers the widest selection of items and sizes. By shopping directly from Upwest, you‘ll also often get access to web-exclusive items and sales.
As I mentioned before, Upwest frequently offers promotions to help you save on your purchase. There isn‘t a loyalty program, but you can almost always find some sort of discount code to apply at checkout. Recent promotions have included 25% off loungewear, $25 off orders over $125, and 20% off sitewide.
Pro tip: Upwest offers a 10% student discount as well as a 15% military discount on full-price items. If you qualify for either of those, it‘s an easy way to save a little extra.
For the most up-to-date info on Upwest discounts, I recommend following the brand on social media and signing up for their email newsletter. They will notify you about promotions as well as new arrivals that tend to sell out quickly!
The Final Verdict
Upwest Clothing is the definition of feel-good fashion. This brand has found the perfect intersection of style, comfort, and sustainability. They make it easy (and affordable) to build a wardrobe you can feel great about wearing.
As someone who is always on the hunt for brands that create clothing responsibly and give back to the community, Upwest ticks all the boxes for me. I love how much thought and care the brand puts into the fabrics they choose, the factories they work with, and the charitable organizations they support.
The clothes themselves are fantastic. I am impressed by the fit, quality, and stylish simplicity of each piece. From the ultra-soft fleece joggers to the cozy waffle knit tops to the breezy t-shirt dresses, every item I‘ve tried has exceeded my expectations for comfort and versatility. These have quickly become the items I reach for first when getting dressed each day.
I also have to give major props to Upwest‘s customer service team. They are clearly knowledgeable and passionate about the products, and go above and beyond to provide a pleasant shopping experience. It‘s refreshing to interact with a brand that genuinely cares about its customers.
My only complaint is that Upwest doesn‘t currently offer international shipping, but the brand has expressed plans to expand globally in the future. Here‘s hoping more people around the world can discover the goodness of this awesome brand soon!
Bottom line: if you are in the market for high-quality, ultra-comfy, responsibly-made clothing at a reasonable price point, Upwest is absolutely worth checking out. This is a brand I feel great about supporting and recommending. Trust me, once you try their clothes, you‘ll wonder how you ever lived without them.
