Purnell Clothing at Appalachian Outfitters

Purnell clothing is built for the kind of life that does not sit still. The brand makes apparel for people who move between the outdoors and everyday settings without wanting to change their entire wardrobe to do it. A gauze tank that works on a hot hiking trail works just as well at a patio dinner. A quick-dry stretch shirt handles a long travel day and then looks right at a meetin the next morning.

This collection at Appalachian Outfitters brings together Purnell's men's and women's clothing across tops, sweaters, shorts, and outdoor dresses. Most pieces are currently available at significant sale pricing, which makes this a good moment to pick up a few Purnell essentials if the brand has been on your radar.

About Purnell: Clothes for Movers and Makers

Purnell was founded in 2012 in Santa Barbara, California by sisters Brita and Dagny, along with Dagny's husband Brent. The brand is women-owned and named after Grandma Francis Purnell, described as a genuine free spirit who inspired the ethos behind the clothing.

The philosophy is captured in the phrase 'clothes for movers and makers': apparel designed to cross easily between the place you get your hands dirty and the place you sign the deals or meet up with friends. That idea shapes every design decision, from fabric choice to cut to detail.

Purnell's ethos sits somewhere between workwear durability and outdoor adventure. The clothing is not technical performance gear in the traditional sense, but it is built to hold up to active, busy, unpredictable days.

Purnell's Approach to Materials

Sustainability is not a marketing addition for Purnell; it is built into how they source and make their clothing. The brand uses a mix of eco-conscious materials, and the specific fabrics appear in the products themselves:

Hemp. Hemp fabric is naturally durable, gets softer with washing, and requires significantly less water to grow than conventional cotton. The Women's Navy Striped Hemp Knit Tee is a direct example of this in the collection.

Organic cotton and natural fibers. The brand uses organic cotton and other natural fibers as the foundation for many of their knit and woven pieces, including the gauze tanks and raglan shirts.

Recycled polyester. Purnell incorporates recycled synthetic fibers into performance-oriented pieces, including the quick-dry stretch shirts, which use materials designed to replace virgin synthetic fabric.

Deadstock fabrics. Purnell also sources repurposed deadstock fabrics: unused textile inventory from other manufacturing runs. This reduces waste by giving existing fabric a useful life rather than sending it to landfill.

BlueSign-certified supply chain. Purnell works with BlueSign-certified suppliers. BlueSign is an independent certification that verifies responsible use of chemicals, energy, and water in textile production.

What the Purnell Collection Covers

The current collection at Appalachian Outfitters includes 21 Purnell pieces split across men's and women's clothing. Categories include tops and tanks, button-down shirts, sweaters and pullovers, knit crewnecks, shorts, and a slip dress. The collection covers sleeveless, short-sleeve, and long-sleeve options.

Nine pieces are currently in stock. Availability is limited, and sizing in some styles is restricted, so checking individual product pages for your specific size before purchasing is recommended.

Purnell Women's Clothing

The women's side of the Purnell lineup covers a range of fabrics and silhouettes built for warm-weather and transitional-weather use.

Gauze tops and tanks. Purnell's gauze tops and tanks are made from a lightweight woven fabric that breathes in warm weather and moves easily. Gauze has a relaxed, slightly textured look that reads more casual-chic than athletic - pieces that carry easily from trail access points into a town stop without looking out of place.

Safari and button-front shirts. The safari shirt brings a structured button-front silhouette in a neutral colorway. Utilitarian in design but refined in execution, it works well as a lightweight layer over a tank or on its own in warmer temperatures.

Hemp knit tees. Purnell's hemp knit tees are a clean example of the brand's material philosophy applied to a simple, versatile top - natural feel, easy to wear, and suited for a range of casual outdoor settings.

Fleece and knit layers. For cooler days or evenings, Purnell's fleece and knit pullovers provide mid-weight warmth in natural colorways. Options in this category include waffle knit crews and side-button sweatshirts that add a slight design detail elevating them above standard athletic territory.

Bottoms and dresses. The Women's Fleece Knit Carly Short and the Women's Striped Slip Dress round out the women's lineup. The slip dress is a versatile warm-weather piece that pairs with sandals for casual summer settings.

For a broader view of women's outdoor clothing options beyond Purnell, the women's outdoor clothing collection covers jackets, base layers, and tops from other brands carried at Appalachian Outfitters. For tops specifically, women's hiking tops filter directly to that category.

Purnell Men's Clothing

Purnell men's clothing leans toward the smart-casual end of outdoor apparel, favoring pieces that work as well in a social context as they do outdoors.

Quick-dry stretch shirts. The Men's Short Sleeve 4-Way Stretch Quick Dry Shirt and the Men's 4-Way Quick Dry Stretch shirts (in olive and check patterns) are the most technically oriented pieces for men in the collection. Four-way stretch with quick-dry fabric handles active days, travel, and warm outdoor settings.

Striped and seersucker shirts. The Men's Short Sleeved Striped Shirt and Men's Short Sleeved Seersucker Shirt take a more classic, heritage-influenced approach. Seersucker fabric is textured and airy, traditional in warm-weather American clothing. These are a slightly dressier option than the quick-dry shirts.

Performance polo. The Men's Performance Knit Heathered Polo combines a polo collar with a performance knit fabric, landing in the smart-casual space comfortably.

Knit layers. The Men's Fisherman Wool Blend Sweater is the standout layering piece for men in this collection. A classic fisherman's knit silhouette in a wool blend that provides genuine warmth. The Men's Heathered Crew Neck Pullover and Jersey Knit Henley are lower-cost alternatives in lighter knit fabrics.

For more men's outdoor clothing options at Appalachian Outfitters, the men's outdoor clothing collection covers the full range of brands and categories. The men's hiking tops page filters to shirts, polos, and tops across all brands.

Choosing Purnell Clothing for Your Life

The most useful way to approach Purnell's clothing is to think about which settings you move through most frequently and which pieces serve multiple settings without looking like they are trying to do too much.

Active warm-weather use. The quick-dry stretch shirts (men's), the gauze tops and tanks (women's), and the Carly Shorts handle hiking, paddling, and active outdoor days in warm conditions. These are the pieces where Purnell's performance material choices are most relevant.

Travel and transit. Quick-dry stretch shirts for men and the slip dress or gauze tanks for women pack light, resist wrinkles, and dry overnight. For anyone who travels carry-on only and wants outdoor-capable clothing that does not read as hiking gear, these are strong choices.

Everyday and social settings. The striped and seersucker shirts, the performance polo, the hemp tee, and the safari shirt all read well in casual social settings, outdoor dining, and everyday errands. The Fisherman Wool Blend Sweater works as a smart mid-layer through fall.

Layering for cooler weather. The fleece knit pullovers and crewnecks serve as mid-layer pieces over a tank or tee, adding warmth without bulk. For building a complete outdoor outfit around Purnell layers, the blog guide on stylish and functional women's hiking outfits walks through how to assemble trail-ready looks that work from the trailhead into town.

Why Buy Purnell at Appalachian Outfitters

Appalachian Outfitters is an independent outdoor retailer with genuine expertise in the outdoor and adventure apparel space. Purnell fits naturally into the store's focus on brands that take sustainability seriously and make products that earn their place in an active lifestyle wardrobe.

Current sale pricing. Most Purnell pieces in the current collection are offered at 35-50% off their original retail price. For anyone interested in the brand, this is one of the better value opportunities available on Purnell clothing.

Limited availability. With only 9 of 21 pieces currently in stock, and sizes selling through on sale items, the selection will narrow over time. Checking availability and sizing now is advisable if specific pieces have caught your attention.

Questions About Purnell Clothing

Who is Purnell and where are they from?

Purnell is a family-founded, women-owned clothing brand started in Santa Barbara, California in 2012 by sisters Brita and Dagny. Named after their grandmother Francis Purnell, the brand makes everyday-outdoor clothing built for an active, practical life.

What materials does Purnell use?

Purnell uses organic cotton, hemp, recycled polyester, deadstock fabrics, and other natural fibers. They work with BlueSign-certified suppliers, which verifies responsible use of chemicals and resources in their textile production.

Is Purnell clothing sustainable?

Yes, through several verified practices: use of natural and recycled fibers, sourcing deadstock fabrics to reduce textile waste, and working with BlueSign-certified supply chain partners.

Is Purnell clothing suitable for hiking?

The quick-dry stretch shirts (men's) and the gauze tops and tanks (women's) are appropriate for active warm-weather outdoor use. The wool blend sweater and fleece knit pieces work as mid-layers for cooler conditions. Purnell is not a technical performance brand, but their performance-fabric pieces handle active outdoor settings well.

What sizes does Purnell carry?

Sizing varies by product. With sale inventory, some sizes may be more limited than others. Check the individual product page for the specific style you are interested in to see what remains available.

Are the sale prices permanent or temporary?

The current sale pricing reflects marked-down clearance pricing on the existing inventory. Once pieces sell through, they are not guaranteed to be restocked at sale prices. Availability on sale items is limited.