Everlane, meet Music Lane. The online retailer for hip people everywhere officially opened in the new South Congress development on Tuesday, September 2, offering just enough time to grab your silk-box tanks and high-waisted pants for Labor Day.
But first, a little primer: Everlane began as an online retailer, and quickly morphed into the de facto choice for women of a certain style at relatively affordable price points. They sell beautifully crafted basics — T-shirts, button-downs, jeans, slides — in neutral tones, kind of like what an art director at a magazine would wear. (Incidentally, a magazine art director is exactly who first introduced me to Everlane.)
Of course, the No. 1 downside of buying clothes online is not being able to try them on. No. 2 is letting the returns pile up in your closet for months at a time. Luckily, the new South Austin shop — the brand's first in Texas — helps eliminate both of these hurdles.
According to a press release, the retail space features seven fitting rooms, which can be reserved via a text message system. Customers can use the system to "hold" their place in line and then get a text when their room is ready. Customers can also check online to see if the item they want is in the store before heading out.
Another feature of the brick-and-mortar shop is that it allows Everlane fans to purchase from both online and in-store. If something isn't in stock, have it shipped to the Austin location to try on. And, for a limited time, the shop is offering curbside pickups, exchanges, and returns, meaning you can finally get rid of that pile of would-be returns.
The design of the new 2,200-square-foot South Congress shop is of course a reflection of the brand's aesthetic. Neutral colors and materials accented with utilitarian fixtures are offset by natural light, which "stream[s] in from the spacious front windows."
Everlane's newest location at 1011 South Congress Ave. is open every day from 11 am-7 pm.