You KNOW how obsessed I am with James Perse; every season I find multiple pieces I MUST HAVE, and generally end up purchasing. James Perse is the one designer that embodies my lifestyle perfectly, and ultimately for this reason, if I could live in only one designer, I’d choose JP (although I pray I NEVER have to commit to only one designer!). Most of his pieces are consistently very casual, but many of the dresses & skirts can be dressed up enough for a semi-casual office and dinner out – just add a more sophisticated shoe and blazer.
I’ve been looking through fall collections recently (who hasn’t?) and while it’s just getting REALLY REALLY hot here in Austin, I’m already planning my purchases. Basically all of these things:
James Perse Melange jersey dress | $165
James Perse leggings | $68 (I have these and highly recommend them, I wear a size 2. They’re a bit long on me)
Birkenstock Arizona sandals | $130 (um, yeah. I will totally get a pair of these to complete my outfit ;))
James Perse vintage fleece pullover | $135 (absolutely DYING over this.)
James Perse melange drawstring skirt | $155
James Perse extra long skinny tank top | $85 (I actually ordered this recently in black from Revolve Clothing because it was on sale and an extra 10% off with code tulip – I got the last one, sorry)
Birkenstock Arizona sandals | $130
A note on the Birkenstock sandals – of course I’ve seen the recent hype, and declaration by Vogue that “ugly shoes are in,” but I never would have considered a pair of the classic two-strap Arizona sandal by Birkenstock if it hadn’t been for James Perse’s styling. Yeah, I’m a fangirl. Of course, I already have and love my Mephisto Helen sandals (Mephisto has a superior footbed to Birkenstock IMO), but I’m really tempted to see if I can style the Birkenstock Arizona in a chic-not-hippie way. Can it actually be done??
What do you say? Are you tempted by the new fall James Perse as much as I am? What about the new Birkenstock craze? are you buying into it, or will you pass?*
*See also une femme’s article and comments about this very subject today.
And lest you think I’m only a one-trick-pony, I’m obsessing over quite a few other designers fall collections recently and will be posting those also. I love me some JP, but he’s not the only game in town!!
I don’t think I could do the two-strap Birks, but I used to have the Gizeh style and would consider revisiting them. Oh, and I LOVE that JP pullover! Going straight to the wish list…
I have been warming up to the Arizona (already sold on Gizeh/Kairo) and these pics seal the deal! I do think you need to wear them with something fairly sophisticated in terms of shape and color, like JP’s drapey neutrals. Anything with ruffles or pattern or bright colors would go real hippy dippy, real fast.
Thanks for the mention! I love the JP look; it’s in the same wheelhouse as some of the Eileen Fisher collections, but sadly the JP pieces I’ve tried have all been too long on me. Another fan of Mephisto’s here. They seem to fit my feet really well. I have a pair similar in style to the Birkenstock “Mayari’s” purchased a couple of years ago in Venice (when I hit the wall after tripping too many times on my too-large ECCO gladiators) that have held up really well. But I’m tempted to pick up a pair of the metallic Helen’s for something a little more polished.
I’m pretty new to the world of JP (thanks for introducing me, G!) and I agree that most of the pieces fit my lifestyle perfectly. I love the gray skirt in the second photo — that would be super cute with leggings when it’s cooler. Love fall fashion! 🙂
that’s exactly what i thought when i saw the JP pictures : “now i HAVE to get a pair of the arizonas…” 😉
lol at wearing them with ruffles or pattern or bright colors. AS IF.
that pullover is my FAVORITE!!!! it’s like the funnel-neck one i had last year i wore to death. so perfect for everything.
i can’t wait to be able to WEAR fall fashion! especially all the new JP pieces.
glad to have turned you on; my goal in life is to turn you all into JP clones. not really, but wouldn’t that be fun 🙂
you’re right about JP being similar to eileen fisher (which is why i like EF so much probably); i feel like JP has consistently more pieces i want to wear though. at this stage in my life anyway! and yay for mephistos! i’m a huge fan, and think you should try the helen sandals 😉 i have a silver pair and a black pair and the silver is so fun; i can totally see you rocking a pair!
Haha! I am at no risk of ruffles but have been known to wear a bright color or two. Luckily, you are safe from both dangers 🙂
I have a pair of black granadas that work well for me, simple and graphic with matte black buckles. They are nubuck, not suede. I think the smooth surface and the matching buckles are key 😉
I love this outfit on you. You are most certainly NOT a one trick pony!! I have learned so much about my own style from reading your posts. And especially that simple can be “my look” AND that’s OK. I am not an over-accessorizer. If that’s even a thing…
I’m surprisingly into the Birkies thing and bought myself a pair off of Mill Mercantile for only $50. Old hippie me got the Gizeh’s. And I love them. But no matter how I style them, I think I still look like an old hippie. But I don’t really care!
Great !!
I just purchased a skirt.. keep sharing such stuff…
Wanted to purchase the melange drawstring skirt, but the link went to something else…is it possible it’s sold out already? Love the birk styling here as well- comfy and chic. I am partial to the gizeh style, but i would consider others! 🙂
interesting…well, it was there, but now it’s gone. i’m sure it didn’t sell out, maybe they’ve just removed it temporarily? or it wasn’t meant to be in stock in the first place? It’s still in the fall lookbook so i’m sure it will show up again!!
It probably just isn’t available yet…I’ll keep an eye out. Thanks!