James Perse stretch twill pants | size 2
Splendid t-shirt | old style
T by Alexander Wang cardigan | SO old
James Perse exclusive Birkenstock Arizona sandals
Margot Wolf necklace
If you know anything about me, you probably know that I’m obsessed with James Perse. Honestly. If I had to, I could live in nothing but James Perse. And at this point with my wardrobe, I probably could. In fact…that might be a good challenge to engage in…
Anyway, I AM trying to buy less stuff, but whatever I buy must be meaningful (to me), high quality, and practical for my super-casual lifestyle. James Perse always meets those qualifications. But already, I have changed from my old shopping ways. I’m very picky lately on what I add to my closet.
I budgeted for myself $500 to spend on James Perse this fall with the intention to get the hooded fleece blazer and the cotton cashmere maxi skirt. I got them both, and took them both back. In my previous life, I would have kept them both anyway, even though they weren’t exactly what I was looking for, because I’ve realized that I enjoy collecting James Perse (more on that in a Minimal Closet post…!)
I had the hooded fleece blazer in my closet for several weeks, and even though it was mostly too warm to wear it, it was cool enough on at least two occasions and I tried to wear it, but didn’t want to. I kept putting it on and taking it off again. Then I’d try again the next time it got cold. And I’d take it off again. Still…it took me too long to recognize that this wasn’t the jacket for me. I had fallen in love with it.
Finally, I packed it up and exchanged it at James Perse for these stretch twill field pants, which I’d also fallen in love with, but passed up in favor of the jacket. And I’ve worn them a few times since I got them on Sunday. I got a size 2, and I’m SO glad I did, because they do stretch a bit. They don’t stretch as much as the cotton sweatpants, or even my crepe surplus pants (which these are pretty much identical to, except for in a warmer, softer twill), but they do “give” a little with wear, perfectly, I might add – not too much, just enough. And they’re crazy soft.
I also really wanted a gray maxi dress/skirt and got the long cotton cashmere skirt, but took that back as well. The gray was just too light, and showed all my bumps. The skirt is amazing though, and I thought about getting the black, but I’d also just ordered the long fleece skirt on eBay (link goes to army green version) so I didn’t need another long black skirt.
Now, the only other thing I need, or would like to replace is a long black dress. I have the Splendid long ribbed maxi dress that I’ve worn a lot, but it stretches a lot, and has become a little big and long on me. I tried on the new James Perse sueded jersey maxi dress to see if it would work, and it is PHENOMENAL (and 25% off at Saks now with their F&F code!!).
I tried on the size 3 because that’s all they had, and I liked it, but I would probably purchase the size 2 so it will be shorter and a little more snug. The pocket placement is genius, and the sueded jersey is nice and warm for cooler weather. I’m not sure if I’ll get it now with the Saks code, or if I’ll wait until it goes on sale, but I will get it.
While I was there, I tried on a couple more things just for fun:
Cashmere leggings | of course, these were amazing (size down), but the sort of thing I’d never wear for fear of “ruining” them.
Pleated crepe slouch pants | I would have loved for these to work, because I’d really like a loose, straight pair of pants/jeans, but my calves are too big for them to be slouchy on me; they were perfect up top, but stuck to my calves, making them look more narrow than I wanted. Ugh. If you do not have elephant calves/legs, I would highly recommend these pants for something a bit different.
Vintage fleece slouchy sweatpant | these were so good, of course, but I need another pair of slouchy black pants like I need a hole in my head. In gray however………
Cashmere button cardigan | this is an amazing cashmere cardigan, sort of what I wish the Everlane cardigan was more like, straighter, slightly less slouchy. But for the price, Everlane wins out, and it’s still very good.
Cotton cashmere striped raglan top | I tried this on because the SA brought it to me, and it’s REALLY REALLY good, but as you know, I banned stripes from my closet. If you’re a stripe lover-and-wearer, this is a brilliant, lightweight almost sweater with great drape & fit.
Lapel Henley | brilliant. But the size 2 didn’t fit my hips, unless I wanted to tuck it in all the time. This top is perfectly fancy-yet-casual, and would be good for layering under a cardigan I think. It’s still a bit too fancy for me though.
A lot of the pieces I’ve mentioned are 25% off at Saks now with their F&F – if you have any questions about how anything fits or what it’s like in real life, let me know!!
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Any James Perse pieces on your radar?
So nice to see your outfits – clean lines, comfy fabrics, neutral colors. Understated and cool. That’s what I miss on many other fashion blogs. Of course, all it takes is to find a fashion blog whose aesthetics match mine – and bingo! I am a Vince girl more than James Perse. I love J.Perse style and quality but long ago I tried some things in the store and did not like the fit. I thought that he doesn’t cut for my body type and height. That was some time ago and before Pilates 😉 So I need to go and try his line again. I do have a pair of sweatpants from him that I really like, they are size 3 and away too big for me but somehow I manage to wear them around the house and to my sport studio and like them anyway. They are 4 year old and hold up great. If you can recommend items from his line that would look good on a tall-ish person, that would be so helpful!
I’ve been thinking a lot about your minimal closet series and what shopping means to me and wanting to re-prioritize my spending, and my time and energy to something other than shopping. I don’t want to go all ascetic and eliminating everything fun, but something needs to shift.
Anyway, I wanted to say that I completely appreciate that you’re balancing out the “this is great” reviews along with sharing about the things that you are deciding to take back, and that you re-wear old pieces. Another blog I read had an interesting post on why they’re “not a shopping blog” per se:
http://twelveofour.blogspot.com/2014/10/not-shopping-blog.html
” I”m more interested in what happens to all those “new in” purchases six months down the road. Hell, a year down the road.”
what a brilliant post, thank you for sharing it!
i’ve struggled with that too, is grechen’s closet a shopping blog? i’ve always called it that, but i hope it’s never been about ‘mindless consumption’…i’ve never meant it to be.
the topic of what happens with all those new purchases is a very interesting one. i can tell you personally that a lot of them end up never worn, or only worn once or twice, then pushed to the back of the closet. when i was over-shopping, it certainly happened with me. i was consumed with having new things all the time, especially having new things to share on the blog, which led me to buy things i shouldn’t have. at the time, it seemed important, and necessary to keep having new things, and maybe it was, but now, i’m more concerned with sustainability, in terms of my wardrobe. what pieces will serve me well in the long term? what do i wear in real life?
I and my daughter have just returned from a trip to Southern California. We love to shop but for whatever reason, California is invariably our least successful shopping destination. I have – regrettably – never found a James Perse store….until…
We were in the shuttle leaving Hollywood on Monday when it took us down Highland Avenue, and there, within walking distance of Hollywood & Highland metro stop observed what looks like a cargo ship container in a parking lot. Only this was labelled “James Perse” with very large lettering saying “WE ARE A SHOP”.. Groan – what have I missed…
Incidentally, the label that I find myself increasingly attracted to is Vince, whose minimalist-with-a-twist style seems to suit me to a t (tee!). Sorry I missed James Perse…now saving for another trip 🙂
you know…i really love vince, but find it too “fancy” for me in real life 😉
and the pieces that are casual enough, i like james perse’s version better!!
how tall are you? what do you consider your body type to be? i can absolutely recommend some things for you, no problem!! that’s my favorite thing to do!!
when i was almost 200 pounds, i was able to wear some james perse (size 4) – tops anyway, because i’m more bottom-heavy. Even bottoms, i sometimes found skirts & dresses that would work if i wore spanx with them, pants NEVER, even now, obviously, i struggle with pants, but no longer because of my hips/butt, but my calves. generally, though, i think sizes up to 14 and every body shape can find something JP to love 😉
i still have my very first JP purchases that are now at least 10 years old : a cami dress and a tube dress. they’re both size 4 and big on me, but i still wear them around the house, to the pool, etc., during summer months. and truly, they don’t look 10 years old. same with all of my JP items, they really never show their age, and some of them i haven’t taken very good care of, honestly…
oh no! sorry you missed it too! i didn’t have a “real” james perse store until we moved to dallas, so i always purchased at nordstrom or online, which is better sometimes, because i get into trouble in the store! the stores are really nice, like i would love my home to look …
I’m interested in the fleece bomber jacket, the grey slouchy sweatpants and since you really like the maxi dress I’m going to go check it out. I’m 5’9 so I hope it’s long enough and the pockets don’t hit a funky spot on me. And I hope it’s not too tight. Thank you for all the reviews. I love it. It’s so much easier to order online 🙂
let’s see…i’m 5’3″ and the size 3 pockets hit me right at or slightly below my hip bones, and the dress was slightly too long for me; it pretty much hit the floor.
i saw that fleece bomber jacket, it looks SO GOOD, but i didn’t try it on…not my thing, but if i go back in the next couple of days i’ll try it for you 🙂
Thanks 🙂 I am 5.8 and straight or very gentle 🙂 hourglass body type, long torso, long inseam (34) for pants.
You are such a sweetie. Thank you. If I get out of work at a decent hour I may go by the mall and check out the dress and jacket and update my comments 🙂
Hi Grechen!
Did your Everlane loafers stretch to become comfortable? I ordered my normal size and they are really tight. I haven’t worn them out if the house yet. 🙂
Thanks!
Meg
They did stretch quite a bit, but after wearing them for hours out shopping I was ready to take them off! The biggest issue is with my pinky toes – the loafers squeeze there a little. I may get them stretched, or just wear them more often! I don’t personally think they’re small enough to size up though…
I find them very snug too – right around the toe box. Really good looking, but I am afraid that by the time I know whether they’ll really be comfortable, they’ll be too worn to return. It’s the Italian design -which is narrow and I have a wider fore-foot (if you know what I mean). Conundrums!!!
PS I have vowed I won’t buy any more uncomfortable or pinching shoes! Thoughts?
OMG I can’t believe you just made me look at those JP cashmere leggings. Thank goodness I can’t find them on sale anywhere. 🙂
I would return or exchange for a larger size. I have a low arch and slightly wider foot (not wide enough to require official wide width though) and have developed foot problems (probably capsulitis) due to improperly fitting footwear (and I’m only 31 and don’t wear heels often).. My problem was wearing shoes without proper arch support and without enough toe room. Discomfort and potential problems down the line are never worth it when it comes to your feet, in my opinion. Go with a bigger size or pick a different style altogether. There will always be more beautiful shoes, but you only have one pair of feet! 🙂
ditto what renza said 🙂
Haha! Wait for the sale… Maybe they’ll be there! It’s crazy how much I want them. But so indulgent
I think it’s more than radar….it’s “Jadar”!!! 😉
I loved those pleated crepe slouch pants the minute I saw them, and the cotton cashmere striped raglan top would be (darn, I wanted to say “perfect” but I’m trying to train myself to be more realistic about my clothing. Like my daughters used to say when they were young:”Mom, if you love that top, do you want to marry it?” Haha), just right for my current mood.
I’m going to save up and budget for these. Maybe I’ll actually sell some of the items I purged, and I’ll be able to buy them freely, NOT with credit!
Love the pics of you. You look more like 25 than 40!
haha! i remember that phase. “if you love it so much, why don’t you marry it?” 😉
YES, val, of course i thought of you when i tried on that striped top. i wish i was more comfortable in stripes. i did like it on me, but i know i’d get it home and not wear it as often as i’d like to.
i agree with saving up/purging items for the pants/shirt, such a great fall/spring uniform for you i think. more than likely they’ll go on sale, either during their holiday or january sale, so you might not have to save up THAT much!!
Thanks to both of you. You are right and the voice I need to listen to (not the one saying “but they are so cute and now sold out”!). Back they go.
Thank you for sharing my post here, Jen. I’m happy that you remembered and recommended my post in a conversation about smartly adding pieces to your closet. I’m all for fun and fashion, but I’m also all about being reasonable, too.
I’m a fan of you!
Thank you again,
Olga
Glad I found your blog! I love the consideration that goes into your new pieces.
🙂
Olga
thank you so much for popping over olga!! i can’t wait to read more of your blog 🙂