**check out the James Perse Summer Sale complete fit guide and final sale items swap HERE**
The James Perse summer sale starts today, and YOU have exclusive early access (it doesn’t start for the public until tomorrow) through THIS link. Plus, you get free shipping on orders over $100 with code GRECHENSUMR2014.
Below are some of my favorite pieces on sale, but please leave a comment, and ask any questions you might have on any James Perse (All sales are final during the sale, and the free shipping code expires on 7/6). Chances are I either own, or have tried on nearly everything, and can give sizing pointers. And if I haven’t, a reader probably has. Happy Shopping!!!
So far, I’ve only settled on getting the crepe jersey flare dress because I’ve been obsessed with it since I tried it on months ago. It’s a great style, not so fitted, but not too flared. And I love 3/4 length sleeves; they’re more versatile for me if I’m going to be inside most of the time. What are you getting??
Vintage Fleece pullover | $79 (on me here)
Cotton Gauze Henley tunic | $69 (on me here)
Tucked long sleeve tee | $59 (on me here)
Cotton gauze shirt dress | $129 (on me here)
Parachute utility pant | $99
Mini stripe mid length skirt | $89 (on me here)
Drawstring vintage cotton skirt | $79
Fleece twisted seam maxi skirt | $79
Recycled crepe jersey dress | $89
Skinny Tank Dress | $129
Sweatshirt dress | $69 (black version on me here)
Crepe jersey blouson dress | $129
Sheer slub ballet tee | $39
A-line long sleeve tee | $69
Relaxed classic striped shirt | $69
Your turn!! What are you buying from the James Perse summer sale??
James Perse, I hate you, because I want everything, and things I didn’t know I wanted!!!
I am going to get that striped skirt–it’s sold out everywhere else. I would also like the viscose chiffon top, the tuxedo shirt, and the striped shirt. But that long cashmere cardigan looks soooo nice, and the raglan pullover, and the crepe dress….see what I mean?!?
right?? this always happens. i just got that crepe jersey dress, because i’ve been obsessing over it. and the collage boxy top in white because i’ve been wanting an oversized white top. and i had to spend more than $100 to get the free shipping. obviously.
but i’m good now. i want more, but i know i don’t need it, and i’ve spent enough! good choice on the striped skirt though, it’s really great. i wear it hiked up and with the waistband folded over a couple of times so it’s shorter on me (wore it yesterday) most of the time, and it washes well…
Thanks to you I’ve been lust over ALL the JP skirts, I love the drawstring and the mini stripe. I want both!
Thanks for the heads up on the sale! I LOVED that white wrap top you wore with the navy pants. I’m a size 6 or 8 on top, small bust, pear shaped. Do you think size 2 would fit me in that top? I haven’t tried this brand before. Thanks!
I think we’re the same size. I am very small up top and honestly the size 2 was a little big there. If I was going to get it again I think id order a 1. But then it would be slightly small on my arms…
Honestly you could go either way I think. Definitely not biggest than a 2…
Hi Grechen! Dangerous images! I have been obsessing over those parachute pants since they appeared on the website. Have you by any chance tried them on? Any thoughts about the fit? Thanks!
I think I did try those on actually. Thought they fit my hips a bit funny but overall liked them. I’d take my normal size because I think the pants seem to stretch a lot….I wear a 2 which I think is a 6-8 generally. Or 28-29 in jeans
How many times have I bought something else just to get the free shipping?!? Even though the shipping would be much less than buying the second item? But paying for shipping seems criminal.
Thanks Gretchen!
Thank you Grechen! I have been wanting that fleece drawstring skirt but have not been able to try it on. Has anyone tried that one one, the knee length one?
Agreed, Jen! I do the same thing all the time with “shipping math,” to borrow a phrase from Laurel. “If I’m going to spend $8.95 on shipping, I may as well get something for it, so how about that $30 tee?” My husband says I’m a marketer’s dream!
I really want the cotton gauze Henley, the collage top, the twisted seam skirt, and a pair of pants, but not sure which would fit the biggest ( I mean that I need the extra room right now:-( )
Well, off to my first PT appt!
Hi Grechen — I am a long time reader, but don’t usually comment. I first found you a few years ago trying to find some fit guides for James Perse and Inhabit. I am fully embracing your more minimalist leanings these days…it is part of my journey too. BUT, I have a terrible weak spot for cashmere and am eyeing the JP sweaters, particularly the vneck and the long cardigan. Do you recall if the vneck fits really slim? I think I would normally wear a 2 in a sweater, but I don’t want it to attach itself to my love handles. :0 — Christina
from what i have tried on, i do think the sweaters tend to run a bit slim. sort of like inhabit if you’re familiar with their sizing, but much thinner. i think most of the tops tend to stretch a bit though, so….i always find the arms to be snug on me with a size 2, but they stretch and give a little with wear.
for the long cardigan, i’d definitely go with your normal size. it’s LONG…
i tried that one on, and liked it, just not the shape on me so much. i went up to a size 3 so it didn’t stick to my hips. and it wasn’t too big, but sort of fit “off” a little.
Thanks so much Grechen! I was wondering which size and I like things looser, so I will be ordering a 3!
Thank you, thank you for sharing this preview!!!!
Hi Gretchen,
Wondering what size you would suggest for the Cotton Gauze Henley Tunic. I’m a busty 12 on top. Usually a L (occasionally M) in knits. Would a 3 or 4 be better? Thanks in advance!
PS Sorry Grechen for adding a “t” to your name – I think I’ve done it before in my comments. I should know better – because I’m always corrected when typing your blog url into my browser. So sorry *blush*.
I would probably suggest a 4 just to be safe? Although I find the 2 to be large on me up top, and I’m a b-cup medium, so the three would probably fit, but may be slightly tight..
Don’t worry about it! You’re allowed to misspell my name once 😉 or twice…three times you’re banned LOL. Just kidding!! It’s a pain sometimes having such a complicated name!!
Thanks so much for the fit advice. I’ll go with a 4 to be safe – I prefer a relaxed look, esp. in a top like this anyway! And thanks for sharing the sale preview as well as all the JP reviews – so helpful!
Ha, well, I’ll be careful, because I certainly don’t want to get banned 🙂 Perhaps the spelling is confounding for some (ahem!), but you have a lovely name nevertheless!
I have a question about the fit of the pants: I want either the “Vintage Jogger Pant” or the “Soft drape twill Pant” but I need to know which ones run larger, or are roomier in the waist and thighs. Any ideas, anyone, Grechen? Thx!
my gut says that the soft drape twill pants would be roomier/stretchier because of the cotton blend. I wish i had my canvas pants with me to see what the cotton content is of those, because they don’t stretch much; i think they have a pretty high cotton content. the vintage jogger pant seems to fit similarly to my crepe surplus pants, which stretch out A LOT and are quite roomy.
honestly, i would go with the soft drape twill pants over the vintage jogger. i think overall they seem to have a slouchier fit.
I went on live chat, and, as Michael from “The Office” would say, “That’s what she said!” 😉
Still debating, but not for long. Thx, Grechen!
Val, I throw things in my online cart I don’t need just to get free shipping, too! False economy; your husband’s right.
Unfortunately, the James Perse site still doesn’t have an online option for Canada except to go through a third party, which tacks on almost an additional 50% for S&H. So I think I’ll stick with taking my chances at finding JP in thrift and consignment stores. And admiring Grechen’s wardrobe, of course!
exactly my justification 😉
Gretchen, how is the sizing of the Stretch Cotton Linen Trench? Are the two front flap pockets functional? Do you think the size 0 would work for a 37″ bust? I’m generally ridiculously petite (Madewell’s skinny skinny ankle pants work for me in 25 or 26), but my bust and shoulders are robust. When jackets have one, low-set button, they are generally open enough in the bust but still fitted enough at the waist not to put weight on me. What do you think? I like the Carbon Pigment, which looks like a cool gray.
Please let me know, because those prices are AMAZING. Thanks for the early sale link!
Ooops, I meant Grechen, without a “t”
oh…i’ve never seen that one in person! i’d guess that you’d take the size 0 – i think you’re right about the the jacket being open but still fitted, if anyone’s good at thinking about that kind of stuff, it’s james perse 😉 seems like everything always “balances” out…
the carbon pigment is really pretty – my canvas pants are that color and I love it.
Okay, thanks for the advice! I’m very excited about this trench, as I don’t have anything to block the wind in spring or our mild California winters. I’m glad you’ve seen the Carbon Pigment color and love it. I think it’s dark enough, and the lines of the trench are classic enough, to dress up any really casual outfit. I’m thinking it’ll keep my skirts from flipping up in the wind, too.
I’m going to hand wash it in spite of the Dry Clean instructions, unless you think I shouldn’t?
It’s wonderful you told us about this sale, because apparently James Perse size 0 is generally not available in the other places that sell JP, like dept stores. Which generally means you’re not going to find a size 0 JP at a great discount anywhere else! So your link was super duper useful. 🙂
You ARE a JP enabler, though. 😉
haha! i consider that my mission in life – to spread the word on james perse 😉
that’s interesting to know about the sizing, but i guess it makes sense for dept. stores to carry the most “popular” sizes, and then you get your pick when sale time comes around!!
i’d love to know what you think about it when you get it, please let me know! i love that trench, but it’s really not practical for me at all!!
I’ll be sure to comment on this post again when the trench arrives. Now I’ll have to wait [an eternity] for it to arrive, lol. I wish there were a proper JP outpost in the SF Bay Area. But hey, at least I got free shipping with the GRECHENSUMR2014 code!
Okay got my order next day so kudos there. unfortunately the clean chinos ran super small. I ordered my usual size but could barely get them on 🙁 FINAL SALE ugh. I also got the twist seam skirt which I thought was like my older on but this one has the super narrow hem so my steps are mincing. Another fail. I though you had that skirt too Grechen? Did it make the cut? It fits but do I want to walk short steps all the time? I’m going to ebay the stuff boo
i had the older twisted seam fleece skirt, and found that the hem was pretty narrow on that one too, but it never really bothered me much…i loved the way the skirt fit, etc., that i didn’t mind taking shorter steps i guess. but i also felt like maybe it stretched out over time ?
my canvas pants were VERY snug at first when i put them on, but they stretch out A LOT just in a few minutes of wear. did you wear them for a while? or you just couldn’t get them on?
ugh..i’m so sorry that neither one worked…that sucks.
Oh wow, wait the canvas pants that stretch are the Clean Chinos? For some reason I thought they were a different style?? I ordered a bigger size last night bc I LOVE that carbon color and the pant was on my wish list for so long. We’ll see:).
No, they’re different and I’m not home so I can’t check the fabric content but they do stretch a lot. I never tried the clean chinos, but the JP pants I have seem to stretch a lot
After a LOT if dithering, I just ordered the Relaxed Classic Striped Shirt and the Casual T in Stag. I am really tempted by the Drawstring Vintage Cotton Skirt. Should I do it? LOL.
Oh!! Love both of those. I tried that stripes shirt in and it was amazing. I did like the drawstring vintage cotton skirt, but the fit was sort of off in me…and I tried on size larger.
I went for the drape front top. I got a size 2 because I am a 34 DDD and I am between 6 and 8 in tops. I thought it looked great on you in white but I opted for trying the black with the hope I can wear it at work. It is my first James Perse purchase. Do you know how long the sample sale will go for? I was hoping I guessed right on the drape top and if it fit order in grey too but I did not want to risk buying together considering the final sale.
I read your blog regularly and love it.
hi mona! i think the black one is beautiful. it’s such a great top – and i think it would be perfect for work.
the sample sale will go on for a while; i can’t give an end date, but you’ll have time to order another top if you like the black one 🙂 – the free shipping code ends on sunday though.
I am so glad I stumbled across your blog as I am currently trying to decide if I should take the plunge and buy James Perse. I have Everlane items, but am not a big fan of their items for their fit, style and quality (or their marketing style).
I am interested in the crepe jersey flare dress and the a-line long sleeve tee…. but I am the kind of girl who is rough on her clothes, and I move countries a bit. Would you recommend JP for somebody with a somewhat rough lifestyle?
Thanks!
Yes!! I have James Perse items that are nearly 10 years old that have held up rather nicely. I don’t dry everything anymore and I think that helps, but even ones I have dried have lasted well. The only thing I would say about the a line long sleeve is that it’s thin, so a bit more delicate than other items. But it’s such a great top and interesting shape.
The dress should hold up really well. I should be able to review mine on Monday when I get home if you want more input. But I’ve tried it in and loved it. I also have a skirt in the same recycled crepe and it is wonderful.
JP quality is excellent and if you do have a problem that’s related to quality, they’re generally very good at fixing it. I’ve had one or two t shirts and thin tanks develop holes, but threats a small percentage of my James Perse items! And compared to all of my LnA tees getting holes, splendid, etc, that’s pretty good.
Thank you very much! I will wait until Monday to see your review on the dress…. they only have size one left though and hopefully it doesn’t sell out soon.
I think I may just get my basics from the Base Range clothing line. They are sustainable and primarily focus on basics as well.
i love base range! haven’t bought anything yet, but i have my eye on a few things…
i got home late last night and put the dress on – i love it, but i did size up one size, and i’m sort of conflicted on whether or not i should have. it’s not HUGE on me; it doesn’t look very big to anyone else i don’t think, but i wanted it to just skim over my hips and not stick to them, which happens with the size 3, but the waist has a bit of room and the shoulders are a little wide…i don’t know if i’ll be able to get a picture up today (I’ll try), but in general, if you’re hippy, or have a butt, i think i’d suggest sizing up for comfort.
Oh dear…. they only have one size left. I would have had to go with a size 2 or 3, but they only have size 1. Never mind about that then.
Thank you though!!! I plan on buying a base range t-shirt soon from Need Supply, but they have a larger selection on their homepage. Yes, I went looking :).
You mean, you do it just for us and our vicarious living through your wardrobe?!? 😉