Eileen Fisher stretch silk jersey shell | size regular XS
Eileen Fisher stretch crepe ankle pants | size medium petite (petite “midnight” on sale at Nordstrom)
Robert Clergerie Frazzia sandals | on sale for $149 at The Dreslyn
Kristen Elspeth necklace | gold-plate version at Shopbop
I bought this Eileen Fisher top before the bar mitzvah events last month when EF was offering 15% off. All summer, and for quite some time before, I had wanted a longer silk-y tank to wear now, and then layer for fall, but didn’t have any luck finding one. I knew I would be able to find a good one, one that would be a wardrobe staple, at Eileen Fisher, but I ALWAYS balk at her prices.
Finally, I decided to suck it up and get one, going into the store and trying everything similar on. I ended up with this one because it fit me the best, was the length I wanted, and I just couldn’t resist the sheer layer at the bottom.
But I’ve only worn it once. And I fear this top will become something I “save” and never wear because I’m afraid of ruining it. At the same time, though, I am beginning to come to terms with the idea of having things for certain occasions that don’t necessarily get worn weekly, or even monthly. This tank is an essential layering piece, and I know I’ll be pleased it’s in my closet. It’s ideal for wearing with cropped sweaters on top, with a longer cardigan and leggings, or by itself. I imagine it would be wonderful for travel, and is easy to hand wash + hang to dry.
That’s the thing about most Eileen Fisher pieces; they’re “investments.” Not all of her clothing is as “classic” as this tank, or the pants, even, but most is and will stand the test of time. I’ve worn the pants several times since I got them, both for travel and at home. They’re incredibly comfortable, easy to move in, and don’t show wear. I’ll have and wear these for many years, and I can’t imagine they’ll ever look “dated.”
Even though I know this now, about Eileen Fisher, the initial price is hard to stomach. I did pay full-price for my harem pants years ago (and they’re still going strong…), but other than that, I’ve waited for a coupon to buy, so I feel a little better about what I’m spending. I DO think her retail prices are fair, given the company’s ethics and commitment to designing and manufacturing in the US as much as possible, but why pay full-price if you don’t HAVE to??
What are you willing to pay full-price for? DO you ever pay full price??
She’s featured on HauteLook today. I feel the same about her prices and think that some of her pieces look as if I could only wear them with other pieces of hers. I have a black dress and leggings that I’ve had for six years and are only just beginning to bag a little.
another ‘problem’ with eileen fisher is sizing. for me anyway. i could NEVER buy something online without trying it on first, i am all over the place in sizing with her. my harem pants are medium, these pants are medium petite, my slouchy pants are large petite, this tank is XS…i mean…
I absolutely love this. I’ve been loving Eileen Fisher as I see her clothes more and more.
At least with Haute Look, most items can be returned to a Nordstrom Rack (last time I shopped, at least – it’s been a year since I’ve bought something from them) Ironically – last time it was Eileen Fisher! The Rack stores usually have a decent selection but “eh” on the pricing. I find the sales pricing at regular Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus often better. (I don’t have a NM locally, so that’s an issue if I want to do an in-person return). Off Fifth is another online retailer with a lot of product, and I can do in person returns…..(I don’t shop in the stores at first because they rarely have the selection I want – except maybe regular Nordstrom. I also don’t live nearby, so any shopping trip is a minimum of an hour each direction drive time)
I’m wearing Eileen Fisher silk pants today – thrift store 🙂 They’re an odd color – mushroom, I guess? I’m wearing with black tee, sweater, and black flats. Not sure what other color to mix with….
yes, that is the good thing about hautelook, but i haven’t shopped there in forever either…i was sort of tempted by some things, but not enough to buy LOL – especially not if i have such a hard time with sizing.
oh, mushroom sounds pretty 🙂
you know me, i’d pair it with black, or white…
I felt white was too stark & summery a pairing for September (if I did a tee and cardigan, my standard work top when it’s 80 outside and colder in my office). When it gets a little cooler, I have a couple of scarves I think I could wear with a long sleeve white tee and the mushroom pants that will be a nice combo.
Shopping my closet, trying to use all my scarves – add these to my goals for autumn!!
I’d say I pay full price probably 60-70% of the time. I don’t buy very much, and what I buy tends to last. Except t-shirts and distressed jeans, of course. I suppose I’ve always felt the hardest part was finding what I like. And the times when I try to hold out for a better price, like that Kenzo sweatshirt, I lose. So, bargains, not my strength;).
I cannot imagine every paying $100 for a tank top or $250 for pants. I like EF pieces, but I haven’t found any discounts deep enough to persuade me to buy. Also… most of the pieces I find seem to be made in China, with only the occasional “made in the US”.
That’s a great tank. You should wear it more, I think it will hold up nicely. All of the Eileen Fisher pieces I have are either from Nordstrom Rack’s clearance racks or consignment shops. And one bag that I bought directly from the website on clearance. I wear most of them frequently and hand wash them, and doing so they have held up better than any other brand of clothing that I own. No tiny holes, or loose threads or anything. But so far I haven’t been able to suck it up and pay full retail. I did just order my first Elizabeth Suzann piece… I started with the Georgia tee because it seems like it will get a lot of wear.
oh!! can’t wait to hear what you think of the elizabeth suzann top. i am waiting not-so-patiently for the shoe launch on monday…
i haven’t washed the tank yet, but i will definitely hand wash it in the sink and maybe lay it out to dry? what detergent do you use to hand wash?
Normally I just use a small amount of my regular laundry soap in cold water. I usually buy the Trader Joe’s liquid type, but I’ve used dish soap and shampoo in a pinch. I air dry on a folding rack out on my patio, or I hang blouses on a hanger outside if it’s something that won’t stretch. And I just moved out of the country and am living in a hotel, so I’ve been washing everything by hand in the sink lately… but under normal circumstances I washed almost everything except the most delicate in the machine’s delicate cycle in those zippable mesh bags and then hung them outside on a rack to dry.
I wear a lot of EF because it fits me and because I like the natural fibers.
I mostly pay full price for the basics like the ponte pencil skirts (which I wear almost every day for work, hand wash, and they last forever) and the black tops. I considered the top you’re wearing but wondered if I would like the neckline as a larger, bustier person.
I find that the things I am willing to cough up the dough for are the things I hold on to because I really like them. I have sent too many bags of bargains to goodwill after too few wears, and I’m determined to knock it off with the sale shopping.
I’m pretty darned consistent with her sizing, and I’d even consider it my “go-to” for the brand that fits me best. I’m a size 14 or a Large in EF pieces, but I’m tall (5’10”) and have a tummy, but not really hips, plus broad shoulders, so maybe that’s why it fits me well?!?
I caved and bought the organic cotton bateau sweater from the Haute Look sale…I’ve had my eye on that sweater since last winter! Yay!!!
I really, really love this outfit on you! You look SO put together, pretty, and chic. It’s one of those simply perfect outfits! I’d wear this to lunch with friends, date night, or even an event thingy. Plus, will your cute neon EF sweater go with it?
I agree!
Me, too, Sasha. It’s so easy!
Thx for reminding me to actually answer the question, Lisa! I rarely buy something at full-price. I get attacks of guilt when I do. (Thx, Mom! 😉 ) I love doing my own sleuthing for the best price, but I often end up here and usually find something I can live with, price-wise.