Is A Seaweed Sweater Worth It? I Put SeaCell To The Test

I'm a yak wool loyalist. So when seaweed showed up, I had to see if it could keep up.

My love for Oliver Charles began with their signature yak wool sweater. I have long been singing its praises, and have been known to say that it is the perfect sweater. And when you find the perfect sweater, it is quite difficult to consider that any other sweater can ever be as good.

This was my mindset when I decided to try out the SeaCell Crew Neck and SeaCell Cardigan for a 5 Adventure Challenge. While I hoped they would be a stylish addition to my wardrobe, I had serious doubts as to whether SeaCell could offer enough versatility to stand up to my busy lifestyle. I decided to take the sweaters out for some adventures around my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, to put them to the test.

Cleveland weather can swing from a warm afternoon to a chilly evening in the same day, which made it the perfect place to see how they'd hold up.

A Color That Still Packs Like A Neutral

Unboxing an Oliver Charles sweater always feels like a special occasion, and opening up my new SeaCell Crew Neck and Cardigan was no exception.

I expected seaweed to feel, well, like seaweed. Instead, the fabric was lush and soft, with a beautiful drape that felt almost airy in my hands.

As any frequent traveler knows, neutrals are key to avoid overpacking, so I often choose boring colors in the name of versatility. Lately, I have been trying to spice up my wardrobe and decided to try out the Blue Grey color for my crew neck. I love the way the blue coloring is subtle enough to still match most of my wardrobe while offering a pop of color.

The SeaCell Cardigan: A Neutral That Isn't Boring

As a true minimalist, I could not help going for a more neutral color for my new SeaCell Cardigan, to make sure I could easily pair it with most of my wardrobe items.

I chose the Sand Dollar color and immediately loved how clean the color looked while still standing out from a boring, standard white. I was especially excited to try out a different style from Oliver Charles, and the cardigan felt like the perfect way to do so. 

A cardigan is the easiest layer to throw on when a warm afternoon turns into a chilly evening, and just as easy to take off. Between the Blue Grey crew neck and the Sand Dollar cardigan, I had one pop of color and one clean neutral that worked together just as easily as they worked with everything else.

Sustainable Style For A Farmers Market Stroll

After receiving my SeaCell Crew Neck, I knew I needed to try it out on my weekly farmers market trip. I paired my sweater with a pair of loose jeans and a hat for a comfortable weekend style.

While learning about SeaCell, I discovered that the material is not only organic and 100% biodegradable but that Oliver Charles also makes sure to only work with farmers using regenerative farming practices. The seaweed is harvested in Iceland only once every four years, and only the very tops of the plants are cut so each bed can grow back on its own.

It felt fitting to be able to wear a sweater that prioritizes the same values as many of the farmers at my local market.

The Cardigan I Planned To Take Off (But Didn't)

When dinner plans came in at a pizza spot I'd been wanting to check out in Cleveland, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to try out the SeaCell Cardigan. Choosing a light neutral paid off right away.

For a pizza night, I paired it with a neutral beige crop top and initially planned to toss on the cardigan when the sun went down, but I loved the way it brought the whole outfit together and kept it on all night.

It was light enough that I never felt too warm while the sun was out, and just enough once it went down.

The SeaCell Crew Neck At The Ballpark

The next test for my new SeaCell sweater was an impromptu Guardians baseball game.

While a sweater may not be the standard attire for a ball game, it was an unseasonably cool evening, and I was honestly just really excited to wear the new crew neck again.

I found the SeaCell material to be exceptionally soft and comfortable for the entire game and really appreciated how light and breathable the SeaCell fabric felt! It kept the chill off through the late innings without ever feeling heavy.

Can SeaCell Handle Humidity? A Lakefront Sunset Test

Don't be fooled by my Chicago hat, this beautiful lakefront is in Northeast Ohio! Evenings on the lake are often warm and humid, but cool down fast once the sun sets.

I tossed on my SeaCell Crew Neck with my athletic wear for a sunset adventure to test whether it could really stand up to the humidity.

I was surprised when I stayed comfortable, even while walking, and felt like my skin could still breathe despite being covered up (which was an unexpected bonus because with the beautiful lake comes mosquitoes). And once the sun went down and the air cooled off, I was glad I had it on.

How To Layer For Days With Big Temperature Swings

I love to get outside as much as I can and often spend at least one day a weekend out for a hike.

Usually, I try to stop at a new coffee shop on the way out of town. Here, you can see that I used my crew neck as a comfortable top layer on an early morning coffee run. I paired the sweater with leggings and my hiking boots so I was ready to go for my hike!

My rule for days like this is simple. Start with one light layer you'd be happy to keep on all day. The SeaCell Crew Neck has become that layer for me. It's cozy enough for a cool morning, breathable enough once the trail heats up, and light enough to tie around my waist if I don't need it.

So, Is A Seaweed Sweater Worth It?

For me, absolutely. I could not believe how much I fell in love with SeaCell. My yak wool sweater is still my go-to when it's truly cold. But for warm afternoons, humid evenings, and all the in-between days, SeaCell has earned its own spot right next to it.

These SeaCell sweaters are for anyone looking to elevate their wardrobe with a versatile piece that can hold up to whatever adventures present themselves. I wore the crew neck on four of my five adventures, and the cardigan never left my shoulders at dinner. They're machine washable, so I won't have to baby them, and with Oliver Charles' lifetime repair guarantee, I know they'll be around for plenty more.

While I immediately knew I loved the look of my sweaters, I ended my challenge feeling so excited about the SeaCell fabric production process. Knowing that I am wearing a product that prioritizes healthy ecosystems and upholds sustainability values further solidified their spots in my wardrobe.

Now that my SeaCell sweaters have proved themselves for hometown adventures, I'm ready to bring them on the road for a test while traveling. 

If you believe that every good wardrobe starts with owning less and owning better, consider buying yourself an OLIVER CHARLES sweater.