James Perse Boxy collage top | size 2*
James Perse long skirt | n/a – a few years old
Rag & Bone Quinn sandals
Jas M.B. bag
(*as you can see, the viscose chiffon on this top can look quite wrinkled – this is JUST out of the package though, a good steam should get the wrinkles out…)
The James Perse summer sale is in full swing, and now that orders have started to come in, I hope you’ll come back and report on fit, etc., for your fellow addicts! Since everything is final sale, be sure to do research and ask around about fit before you buy. I’ve listed in the fit guide below EVERY SINGLE ITEM that’s on sale and my (and other readers’) comments, so check there first, and leave a comment if you still have questions.
In case you’ve purchased final sale items that don’t work for you, I’m also going to allow comments on this post for swaps/buying different sizes, etc.,
RULES for swapping/buying:
1. This is for current summer sale items ONLY, you must have received this from the summer sale recently. This is NOT for older James Perse items.
2. I will not accept any responsibility or liability for failed transactions. Post/swap/buy at your own risk
3. Leave a comment with details about what you have and want to get rid of OR what you are still looking for. Just give the name of the product(s) in your comment (the spam filter will catch links and I may not see them), and give details on sizing/color and why they didn’t work for you. Leave your email address so other readers can contact you in name (at) gmail.com format – make sure to leave the spaces so your email is not clickable. I AM NOT a go-between here.
4. I will not do anything with email addresses
5. I am doing this as a way for you guys to swap/buy final sale items that might not have worked for you. Please do not try to get rid of anything you’ve worn, unless you state that up front, and please don’t use this as a way to make money…I hope you can swap sizes with other readers, and try to give everyone an opportunity to get what they want. This IS NOT EBAY.
6. I will delete any comment or offer that does not meet these guidelines. I also reserve the right to delete any comment or offer that I feel is disingenuous or against the spirit of the swap.
James Perse Summer Sale Fit Guide
For reference, I am about 5’3″, 150 pounds and consider myself a pear shape, with a small waist/bust but thick hips/butt/legs. I normally wear a size 2 in James Perse, most of my tops, dresses & pants are size 2 unless otherwise noted.
Crepe Jersey Blouson dress | Quite large up top for me, since I have to fit my hips
Skinny Stripe tank dress | Haven’t tried this on, I assume it fits like other “fitted” dresses: I always take my regular size in those to hold me in
Skinny wrap tuck dress | Love this, the v-neck tends to be quite deep. The tuck is different from older ruched styles, not as “tight,” but still holds you in
Inside out linen jersey dress | I have the linen jersey top and it stretches out quite a bit, also the raw hems fray
Cotton gauze shirt dress | I have this, and think it runs just a bit big, and is not fitted at all
Shirred neck collage dress | This is similar to a dress I bought last year, fit is true, slightly oversized I think
Crepe jersey flare dress | size up if you’re “hippy”, my review here
Long sleeve split dress | tried this on in the tank version – it’s AMAZING, long though.
Tucked double v long sleeve tee | great long sleeve shirt, pretty fitted, I have it in gray
Long fleece military coat | Jennine tried this on when I was with her, she’s a little taller than me, and this was great on her
Stretch cotton Linen trench | haven’t tried this on, seems like it would be fitted, but the open top allows some room, maybe size up if you’re hippy?
Cotton gauze drape front top | I bought and returned this in size 2, thought it was a little large for me up top, I would get a 1 if I re-buy
Cotton gauze button shoulder top | haven’t tried this on, assume true to size
Relaxed shirt | AMAZING shirt, tried on in a size 2, fits perfectly (the wild rose color is beautiful)
Sheer slub side panel shirt | the must-have JP shirt – fits true, perfectly flattering on every shape
Vintage Fleece drape neck pullover | I have this in black, it’s a nice interesting sweatshirt, fits true to size
Sheer slub ballet tee | haven’t tried this on, but assume it fits true, slightly fitted
Boxy collage top | just got this in size 2, perfect drape, longer in the back, sheer
High gauge jersey shell tank | assume true? Haven’t tried this on
Crepe jersey a-line tank | tried this on, the a-line is nice, felt it was slightly oversized on me
Crepe jersey little boy tee | have not tried this on, assume more fitted, smaller
High gauge jersey boyfriend tee | oversized, but not too. great fit, lightweight, easy material, almost silky
Lightweight cashmere pieces | these tend to be slightly fitted, but super-soft and stretchy
A-line long sleeve tee | great drape, lightweight, thin material. The arms fit rather snug on me, but I have big arms…they always stretch.
Vintage Fleece raglan short sleeve pullover | haven’t tried this on, assume a boxy fit?
Vintage fleece sweatshirt dress | have this in black, it can be fitted unless you size up
Artist blouse | have not tried this on, looks like it would fit true to size, longer length
Open circular cardigan | have tried on a similar style, would take true size
Viscose chiffon classic stripe tee | haven’t tried this on, seems drapey, larger
Viscose chiffon sweatshirt top | tried this on, didn’t like the banded waist on me, but if you like that, it’s a great alternative to fleece
Cotton gauze henley tunic | have this, love it, size 2 fits nicely, meant to be oversized, longer in the back
Relaxed cotton striped shirt | tried this on, perfect fit in my normal size, not fitted
Cotton gauze collarless safari shirt | basically the top of the shirt dress, assume true to size?
Cotton cashmere tees | tried these on, fit true, slightly fitted but stretchy, and seemed like they might lose their shape easily?
Stripe scoop boy neck tee | haven’t tried these on, look like a nice, slightly fitted, but longer shirt
Casual t-shirt | my favorite shirt EVER. Take your normal size for a “normal” fit, size up for oversized
Relaxed v-neck tee | have some of these, they’re not my favorite though. More relaxed fit, longer length
Henley smock shirt | haven’t tried these on, very sheer, oversized fit I assume
Cotton gauze tuxedo shirt | love these, but haven’t tried them…
Asymmetrical twisted mini | tried this on in my normal size, love the skirt, definitely a mini length…
Fleece twisted seam maxi skirt | tried this on, and owned an older style. The bottom is quite narrow, and reader Karen said it is TOO narrow, which makes it hard to walk in
A-line dresses | as I recommended on the flared dress, maybe size up if you’re hippy.
Shadow stripe funnel neck | The funnel neck drapes nicely I think, true to size
Vintage fleece hoodie | believe it or not, I’ve never tried one of these on! I’d take my normal size
Vintage fleece pullovers | I have one in gray, and always wish I’d sized up one size.
Vintage fleece sweatpant | I have a pair in black in size 2, which are VERY snug at first, but stretch out A LOT with wear. Almost too much, but not enough to size down. Super comfortable.
Knit twill slim cargo | haven’t tried these on, assume they stretch like other pants though.
Cashmere long cardigan and other open cashmere pieces | tried some on, they fit similar to Inhabit but are lighter weight and seem to “give” a bit more
Tanks | fit true
Drawstring vintage cotton skirt | I had to try a size up in this, and then it fell down below my waist so the fit was a little “off” I thought
Tie Front skirt | love this, but It was too long on me, and I didn’t like the idea of having to tuck shirts in all the time to appreciate the tie-waist
Drape twill long short | haven’t tried this on, would assume they’re roomy, and stretchy
Soft drape twill pant | also assume they’re roomy, and stretchy – but could be quite fitted at first, give them time to stretch out
Parachute utility pant | I did try these on, I think I might have sized up, but don’t remember really liking the fit on me
Clean chino pant | reader Karen said she took her normal size and could barely get them on. Not sure how much these stretch
Skinny Trouser | I tried these on and fell in LOVE immediately. They’re skinny, but not too tapered at the bottom, so great for me. VERY snug though, not sure how much they’ll stretch
Yosemite pieces | I really have no experience with these, would assume they’re true to size?
Thank you so much for this! I wasn’t familiar with James Perse before I found your blog, but I’m excited to take a look at their things. And the fit guide is invaluable for shopping online!
glad to have introduced you 🙂 as you can tell, I’m a huge jp fan…
and i just added your blog to my reads, i love your outfit with the sailboat skirt and everlane tee!! so good!!
Thanks so much for this forum to swap and trade JP Grechen! I am happy with my purchases for the most part – I also got the recycled crepe dress and really like it (might have to go back for the gray one…).
Two things I’d like to re-home to another JP fan:
1) Drawstring Vintage Cotton Skirt in charcoal pigment, size 2 ($79): definitely on the generous side. I love the idea of a casual drawstring skirt but this one is too straight up & down for my figure. My hip/waist differential is 10 inches, so it doesn’t work for me. It’s a cute sporty look, fun alternative to sweats or shorts. Color is a nice faded black.
2) Vintage Cotton Hoodie in stag pigment, size 2 ($89): also slightly generous, I’d say it fits like a size medium in any other hoodie. Roomy through the body, it’s a classic hoodie design. Super soft and lightweight material., great neutral color.
Contact me if you’re interested! JulieSLarkin (at) Hotmail (dot) com — I’d prefer to sell these items and will cover shipping.
Thank you! I am letting my hair go grey and I feel like I need to embrace a simpler style. Your blog has really helped me narrow down the things I like. 🙂
oh…i love that you’re letting your hair go grey! i’m not quite ready for that, but i’m lightening it bit by bit to make the transition a little easier. or so i tell myself. i don’t want to color my hair forever…but i’m not a huge fan of my ‘natural’ color!
Grechen, regarding the fit of the “Soft Drape Twill Pant,” I asked the online sales assistant which of their pants fit the largest, and she suggested these, if that helps anyone decide on sizing.
Thanks Grechen! I have two to let go of…..the fleece twist seam skirt in black which is too narrow to walk for me but then again I have super long legs. The hem circumference is 42 inches. It is the most luxurious feeling skirt and I love it but will I wear it? Not sure so if someone else could use a size 2….it was $79. I also have the Clean Chinos in Carbon size 1. Those were $99.
I’m pretty happy with the size 2 I ordered but it’s a little big. I’m going to try and shrink the waist. If anyone wants further measurements I’d be happy to take them.
Hi,
Just posting the chest measurements I received from James Perse customer service when I inquired about a couple of items:
Crepe Jersey Recycled Flare Dress:
Size 3 chest = 35”
Size 4 chest = 37”
Cotton Gauze Henley Tunic:
Size 3 chest = 41 1/2”
Size 4 chest = 43 1/2”
HTH someone!
A few questions for Grechen or anyone else about the Relaxed Shirt.
– Is it machine or at least hand-washable?
– Anyone have a sleeve measurement on the Size 2? (Grechen, I know we both have issues with too-long sleeves. How did you find them to be?)
– Do the sleeves stay rolled up?
I’m not sure that Wild Rose is “my”color but I might be willing to take a chance on it. 🙂
good questions 🙂
I don’t know the answer to the “do the sleeves stay rolled up” question because I don’t own the shirt, but the sleeves aren’t very long really – they seemed to fit pretty well when I tried the striped version on (here’s a dressing room picture). as you can see, the sleeves look like they fit nicely.
I wash (on delicate, cold water) everything in the machine and hang dry. even some dry clean stuff. i’ve never had any problems with anything doing that – except my eileen fisher harem pants shrunk in length just washing on cold instead of dry cleaning…
wild rose is BEAUTIFUL. i actually have the v-neck tee in wild rose and wanted to get the a-line top in wild rose even though i vowed not to keep/buy anything that’s not black, white or gray from now on. i can’t part with it…
Thanks so much for arranging the swap Gretchen!
I got the twist seam skirt and it is a bit snug on the bottom but I can walk….just carefully!
Also, love the boxy top in gray which looks great with the skirt.
Unfortunately, the black, crepe jersey dress in size 4 fits snugger than I like.. I really wanted it to work as it looks so cute on you! You said it is already sold out, so i would like to sell that.
Please contact me if interested at debbie (at) debkaplan (dot) com
I received the drape top in a size 2 (I 5 ft 6 130 lbs and 34 dd and it fits perfectly.) I love it.
My drape top has a mase in China tag! The website says made in USA. What a disappointment.
oh, that’s disappointing. i didn’t notice that! all the crepe stuff (not the crepe jersey apparently) is made in china. but i don’t think the whole garment is, which is why the discrepancy. my dress is all that material, so it is made in china, and the boxy collage top says made in china on the tag…
Hi
I actually bought the wild rose relaxed shirt and was not the biggest fan in size 2. if you would like it I can sell it to you at a reduced price. (cuz I have washed it on cold once but have not worn it). Please email me if you are interested! thanks!
My email is eileenskim @ gmail. com
I seem to be the only one who was interested in the Stretch Cotton Linen Trench (64% Cotton, 35% Linen, 1% Elastane), which is $159 in the sale, down from the original $395. I’m going to give my feedback on it anyway, just in case. This garment seems not to have been distributed through non-James Perse channels. In fact, most James Perse boutiques did not carry this item. Such a shame, as it’s a classic cut. It totally fits in with the shop-like-a-parisienne trend that’s so popular.
Grechen, you recommended I try the size 0 when I asked you. I was stressed out about the Final Sale nature of these great sale prices. Being very petite but with a 36″ bust (typically wear UK 30F bras), I have a fairly easy time finding tops and dresses that fit in the bust and shoulders. When that happens, sometimes the garment is too long. It’s usually easy to shorten sleeves and hems, but if the vertical distance from bust to shoulder is too long, the garment is hopeless. However, you agreed the low stance of the trench coat promised to accommodate my bust.
Right before I ordered the trench in Carbon Pigment, however, I managed to speak with someone in one of the NYC James Perse boutiques. (No one had replied to my email inquiry through their website while I was asking you, Grechen.) The salesperson suggested size 1 because the sleeves run tight. That’s when I realized I would probably want to wear long sleeve tops or dresses underneath the coat. I almost never have a problem with too tight sleeves, but I have a Juicy Couture hoodie that, while delightfully trim and petite, has tight arms. I can only wear this in summer, with sleeveless or short sleeve things. That’s the only time such a thing has happened to me in a jacket or coat, but it taught me not to assume my arms are thin enough for everything..
I was still very worried, but the woman told me her measurements, and, since the size 1 worked for her, I followed her advice. She’s a little taller than I am, but her bust is a little trimmer, so I hoped it would all work out, because of the openness of the front. It’s really, really hard to find very simple jackets and coats with a low stance (top button or single button placement low on the torso). I was also incredibly excited to see reasonable width lapels on the trench. Big collars or horizontally expansive collars, as in moto jackets, make my broad shoulders look even broader and add bulk to the bust. Being an inverted triangle type, I’m always trying to downplay my upper body.
After I ordered, I started dreading the jacket’s arrival at the same time I really wanted it to try it on! I remembered I once had a cotton trench coat that was beautiful but whose fabric was such heavy cotton twill, it was a burden to take it anywhere. Even wearing it was somewhat awkward. Any coat with such bulky fabric wouldn’t be suitable for travel, either. I try not to buy anything I wouldn’t want to take with me if, God forbid, I should have to travel for work again and deal with the TSA, carryon limits, etc.
Imagine my surprise when I got the package and the shipping box was only about 9″x6″x3″ and very lightweight! I cut the box open with my keys and tried it on. IT FITS, except for the sleeves being a couple inches too long!!! The fabric is very light! I live in a Mediterranean climate, so this is perfect. It’ll be just enough coverage for windy days, to prevent my skirts from riding up. I almost always wear 18″ skirts.
I have two minor concerns. The sleeves have a cuff that buttons, as in a dress shirt. There are two buttons on each cuff, so you can fasten it tighter for a smaller wrist. Naturally a portion of the sleeve above each cuff is split, to allow for this flexibility. When the sleeves will be shortened, that split will be truncated so much, I think it’ll have to be sewn shut. That means I’ll have to commit to an sleeve opening size and pay a higher than usual sleeve shortening fee. Not a big deal, really.
The other concern is the color. While it is a cool, darkish gray, as I had hoped, the color is more mottled than I prefer. The texture is partly to blame, as it’s a somewhat rumpled texture that makes the color look more uneven than it is. Most of my wardrobe is deep, clear, and intense, so heathered colors, mottled colors, not to mention grayed, browned, or pastel colors don’t blend in well. If it really bothers me after I shorten the sleeves, I’ll dye it. The cotton and linen fibers will take the same dyes well. A friend has promised to teach me how to do this.
Overall I am VERY HAPPY I got this coat. It’s as light and versatile as a jacket. It has deep, functional pockets. It’s a neutral color in natural fibers, including 35% linen, making it suitable for hot weather like our Indian summers in northern Cal. The cut and lines suit me. It looks good from the front, side, and back. The other big problem with a lot of clothes is if there is enough material to cover the front vertically, the back is too long and bunches up between shoulders and waist. There is a little bit of that happening in this coat, but not so much I would be self-conscious. In fact, given how long my hair is, it might not show at all. I’d have to try the coat on again to be sure. It can’t be a big problem if I can’t even remember that much, right?
So, Grechen, THANK YOU for telling us about the sale, getting us early access, and giving us the free shipping code. I was kind of gagging on the price, given the Final Sale terms, so the free shipping code pushed me over the edge. I gambled, and it paid off! 🙂
that’s the best review EVER!!! thank you so much for sharing your thoughts 🙂
Hi,
I’m totally new to James Perse. I’ve never purchased a James Perse item before, but I found a dress that I really like…JERSEY DEEP V DRESS JAMES PERSE style WQY6682. I was wondering if anyone here owns or has tried this dress on before to offer some input on what size I need. I usually wear an XS but for JP it looks like that could either be a 0 or 1. I’m 4’11, I weight 105, bust 32DD. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
is it this one? http://www.revolveclothing.com/james-perse-jersey-deep-v-dress-in-black/dp/JAME-WD542/
if so, I have that…
i think you could do a size 0 – i typically wear a size 2 and i’m 5’3″ around 150 and a 34b…