Earlier this year, I was on the hunt for the perfect pair of near-white sweats that could be dressed up just as easily as down. In particular, I was looking for a relaxed yet slim fit, easily layered under a coat.
While searching, I remembered that Allbirds has since expanded beyond shoes to sustainable clothing. Looking at their website, the R&R Sweatshirt and Sweatpant seemed to fit the bill.
These are a bit on the pricier side at $98 per piece – however, they have elements that I find are worth the higher price tag. For example, they are carbon neutral through a few ways:
Our R&R Sweatpant is carbon neutral thanks to a combination of sustainable practices, like using natural materials, and carbon credits. But before we balance the emissions, its footprint starts at 19.4 kg CO2e. Think of this measurement like a nutrition label for your closet.
Fit & Style
Overall, I enjoyed the fit – I ordered these both in a size Small. For reference I am 5’4” and normally a size 26 in jeans. The cotton / hemp / lyocell fabric blend provides a nice drape to the material. Note that this is not your traditional fleece material. It feels a little more slippery due to the lyocell content, which is great for layering. The interior looks very similar to a classic french terry material.
I appreciate that the sweatshirt isn’t too long, despite being full-length. If anything, I do think the sweatpants could be an inch shorter, to reduce the bagginess at the ankle.
Quality
The fabric feels substantial, and all of the stitching, the carbon footprint marker, the drawstring, looked solid. I don’t doubt that these will be able to withstand normal wear for years at the very least.
However, there is one downside with the natural white color – the material is not the most opaque in light colors. It’s a little hard to tell in my photos, but you can see the contrast between by skin and the interior (white) pant pockets.
Verdict
I really like the fit and sustainability of these sweats! While this color didn’t work out for me, I think they are great if you’re looking at other options, such as this deep green or terra cotta. They also have a hoodie version with a very slick in-seam kangaroo pocket.
Partnership Disclosure: This blog post was not sponsored by any of the brands listed above. As always, all opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, in which I earn a commission on purchases.
