YouLookFab Forum » Topic: J Jill?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: J Jill? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/j-jill Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:05:26 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php DonnaF on "J Jill?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/j-jill#post-1430568 Sat, 24 Jan 2015 05:33:16 +0000 DonnaF 1430568@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My chambray shirt is from J.Jill and washes up well.  It is cut well through the collar and shoulders, unlike a lot of button front shirts I try and return.  It has vertical darts in front and back, and yes, even with the darts it was a bit tent-like as Angie and other YLFabbers warned.  Vertical darts to the hem are easy to increase, so I borrowed a friend's sewing machine and made the minor alteration. I am another one who had to size down.  I am almost always a PS (P4-6) since I am generally P4, but my chambray shirt is PXS and fits like a normal PS. UmmLila (Lisa) on "J Jill?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/j-jill#post-1430488 Sat, 24 Jan 2015 01:35:30 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1430488@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ J Jill was my absolute favorite about 12-13 years ago because I liked their fabrics and colors (I'm a big fan of linen), but I did notice they took a turn for the long and shapeless and I haven't shopped there for a long time. lisaflex on "J Jill?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/j-jill#post-1430456 Sat, 24 Jan 2015 00:42:10 +0000 lisaflex 1430456@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ it all depends. i bought the boyfriend chinos last yr in white and absolutely love them! i wear a smaller size at j jill than other stores. i buy petite.  love their kimono sweaters over the tube like skirts they have! very comfy. some of their pima tees are great - others not so much. just depends. i scour the sale pages on line and in store - they return anything!!! so that is a positive. and yes some stuff is boxy and frumpy even though it looks great online or in sale mag via mail - just needs to be tried on. on another note i got a blue straw bag a few yrs back for summer use that i just LOVE!!!! and their scarves are great too Anonymous on "J Jill?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/j-jill#post-1430409 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 23:01:37 +0000 Anonymous 1430409@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have a couple of pieces of JJill and it does remind me of EF, but runs bigger and wider. Also their basic knit stretches while wearing and is thinner than EF's knit. I gave a JJ knit tee in XS to my DIL to wear as a maternity top because it "grew" so much. The JJ knit also has an annoying way of clinging to everything underneath like bra parts and any underwear trim. I had a black knit pull-on knit dress from JJill and one from EF. The JJill version was much more voluminous, making it harder to style. The heavier knit, narrower EF version was still roomy enough and more flattering. MsMaven on "J Jill?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/j-jill#post-1430400 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 22:51:26 +0000 MsMaven 1430400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ In years past I bought J Jill online and in the store and had a few tops I liked, but overall, the cut was too wide for my body and too short waisted. I haven't shopped there for several years now, so I'm not current. Their styles didn't seem to change that much either.  texstyle on "J Jill?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/j-jill#post-1430349 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 21:39:08 +0000 texstyle 1430349@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ deb - that's fascinating - I wonder if the styles j.jill offfers is influenced by the mindset of the new owning group. I see a middle eastern influence myself. I find their stuff to be too large or shapeless for me too. Gigi on "J Jill?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/j-jill#post-1430343 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 21:26:51 +0000 Gigi 1430343@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I used to wear a lot of J. Jill. As others have said, the sizes run quite large. I talked to a J. Jill SA about it several months ago, and she said that she wears a medium everywhere but at J. Jill, where she wears an extra small. So if you want to try them out, I would definitely order at least one size down. I don't know how the plus items are cut; I ordered only petites'. But if the clothing tends to be on the "shapeless" end of the spectrum, do you think maybe you want to try ordering both misses' and plus sizes to see if the misses' is cut appropriately for you? As far as quality, I have found it to be exceptional. I have several pieces from there, and only a couple of them died after three years of very heavy use. A linen shirt just started to disintegrate, and a skirt lost its deep black color and is now a blah bluish black. But I've never had anything rip at a seam, for instance. J. Jill will occasionally have free shipping if you watch the website. Sometimes it's just for a day here or there. But if you are vigilant, you could at least get the outbound shipping for free. deb on "J Jill?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/j-jill#post-1430179 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 18:08:25 +0000 deb 1430179@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thistle, J Jill is no longer part of the Talbot's group. It was sold about 5 years ago. Here is a link to the sale news. <a href="http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2009/06/09/talbots-sells-j-jill-to-golden-gate-for-75-million/" rel="nofollow">http://dealbook.nytimes.com/20.....5-million/</a> ETA - Then sold again in 2011 - In June 2009, the company announced the purchase of the J. Jill brand business from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talbots" rel="nofollow">Talbots</a>. In April 2011, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahrain" rel="nofollow">Bahrain</a>-based private equity firm <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcapita" rel="nofollow">Arcapita</a> bought Jill Acquisitions from Golden Gate. qfbrenda on "J Jill?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/j-jill#post-1430156 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 17:32:37 +0000 qfbrenda 1430156@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've had mixed success there, basically repeating what others have said. I love their clothes in theory but they have often looked shapeless on me. I'm petite and love that they have petite sizing, but since their clothes seem to be designed for tall people they don't always translate well on a petite person even with sizes adjusted. That said, one thing I love at JJill is skirts. I own two that I love and plan to buy more. I asked here about JJill skirt sizing and was told by one person that she couldn't buy skirts there because she is too curvy. Well, curvy I am not! So I tried it and it fit me perfectly. And since they have petite sizes, the skirts are the right length on me. Done and done. I plan to buy their black wearever skirt in ponte knit skirt soon to replace the not-working skirt I have. Laura on "J Jill?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/j-jill#post-1430146 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 17:17:15 +0000 Laura 1430146@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like J. Jill products. Plus their pieces have lasted and worn well. Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "J Jill?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/j-jill#post-1430143 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 17:07:33 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1430143@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like J Jill and I've got several pieces from them in my wardrobe. I think they make really sturdy stuff and especially if you can find it on sale it's a bargain. I agree that it can look shapeless or too 'I give up' if you don't make sure the proportions work for your frame (maybe that's why I still like them, because I'm taller with a bigger frame?). I agree that they run big. So does Eileen Fisher, but J Jill runs even bigger. For most things I go down a size; for some I've even gone down two (and I'm talking S-m-l-XL sizing, not number sizing). Carter, thanks for th tip about ordering through a retail store. I ordered two sweaters to try when they were having a recent sale, and ended up paying ~$15 for shipping. I don't mind when companies charge for shipping (although it's gettinr rarer these days) but making a profit on shipping is obnoxious. tulle on "J Jill?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/j-jill#post-1430108 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 15:54:59 +0000 tulle 1430108@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I never seem to find things that actually look good on me at J. Jill, but my  friend (who also loves E. Fisher) wears them a lot and looks wonderful. She's a nursery school teacher, so her clothes have to be comfortable, friendly, and hard-wearing.  Her "uniform" is a J. Jill tunic over cropped skinny ponte knit pants and flats. She's a brunette, and I've noticed that the colors of those tunics (lots of deep blues, teals & greens) are particularly  pretty on her; chances are they will  be great for you, too. unfrumped on "J Jill?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/j-jill#post-1430104 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 15:48:48 +0000 unfrumped 1430104@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ditto most comments. I have several good items- got slim BF jeans unexpectedly. Some if their pima cotton is nice. I get their tank tops exclusively because they fit me; I just wait for free shipping promo.. Got a leather jacket and a boucle coat that are still going strong. Is just very hit or miss due to boxy shapeless things. I don't order online for that reason but browse the store a few times per year. Mostly seeing some fabrics IRL, as they can have some good neutral, natural textured things. Also, overall their items are too casual for me for work. JayS on "J Jill?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/j-jill#post-1430100 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 15:41:40 +0000 JayS 1430100@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ For me, too, the smaller of the sizes I wear work at J. Jill. (Same for Eileen Fisher, btw.) What I think you will find comparing Eileen Fisher to J. Jill is that EF items are cut much better and are more flattering than most J. Jill items. Eileen Fisher can make volume flattering. That's not to say that you can't find flattering items at J. Jill...just that you may have to look through a lot of rocks to find the diamond. I found their stuff to hold up well in the wash..I hang all my clothes to dry, so that may help. I love J. Jill for their basics..their tanks are my favs for layering. I also love their jewelry. Good luck! MuseumGal on "J Jill?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/j-jill#post-1430098 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 15:39:22 +0000 MuseumGal 1430098@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks all.  That's exactly what I'm afraid of, that it will be shapeless and tentlike.  Grrrr. Angie on "J Jill?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/j-jill#post-1430080 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 15:18:16 +0000 Angie 1430080@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Their stuff runs quite large, and tends to be shapeless. But shapeless is fashionable, so by all means give them a bash.  Thistle on "J Jill?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/j-jill#post-1430044 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 14:39:44 +0000 Thistle 1430044@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like their sister store, Talbots, a great deal.  I have only ever bought a few things from J.Jill as they are more arty boho than I typically go. The few things I bought were on the smaller end of my size scale and required a bit more care than I was used to. The fabrics I bought were lovely but delicate. Nebraskim on "J Jill?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/j-jill#post-1430030 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 14:24:51 +0000 Nebraskim 1430030@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like J Jill in theory, but often find the items are too voluminous unless I size down. The nearest location to me is about 50 miles. If I see items in the catalog or online, I do spend the travel time to visit the store to check them out as the hit or miss factor is high and I hate paying shipping charges for a try on. The store is in a mall with many other stores so my visit usually means a day of shopping at many stores. carter on "J Jill?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/j-jill#post-1430024 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 14:16:49 +0000 carter 1430024@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've been a fan for several years. Probably like most people, I can wear a couple different sizes depending on the brand. With JJill, I almost always find that the smaller of my normal size is the right one. I've had one sweater disintegrate in the dryer (even though the instructions said to use tumble dry), so most items I wash on gentle and hang/lay flat to dry (except for exceptions below). I love their ankle pants. I wear them Spring thru Summer for work. I usually toss these in the dryer briefly because they grow a bit during wear. I have several JJill sweaters...cotton, silk, linen. Love. I also have multiples of the linen big shirt/tunic. Awesome if you can tolerate some wrinkling. Cotton bi-stretch pants. Ridiculously flattering. Jeans...the rise is too high for me Shoes. Totally addicted to the skimmer flats. My normal size is perfect. What drives me absolutely nuts about JJill...shipping charges! However, If you call a retail store with your list of item numbers/descriptions, they will place the order from the store, and the shipping will be free. Go figure. Anonymous on "J Jill?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/j-jill#post-1430018 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 14:01:18 +0000 Anonymous 1430018@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It seems to me that J Jill offers good quality pieces that are true to size.  So if you get a feel for what size works best for you in the beginning, you can increase your online shopping success with time.   I do have a problem with J Jill though.  When I look at their catalogs and internet site, the clothes look fabulous.  I want everything I see.   The clothes do not look that way in real life (at least in my experience).  They seem to be cut in such a way that they frequently resemble a tent on me.  SO MUCH fabric at the waist!!!!  The clothes were really unflattering in real life on me.  I don't want to discourage you.  I think you should place an order, try multiple sizes, get a feel for their clothes.   Good luck.   MuseumGal on "J Jill?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/j-jill#post-1430011 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 13:46:58 +0000 MuseumGal 1430011@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm a big Eileen Fisher fan, but her prices mean I can only buy maybe one piece a season.  I've been looking for more moderately priced items with a similar aesthetic, and keep coming back to J Jill.  Because of where I live (the outer reaches of nowheresville), I'd have to do it by mail, and I'd probably want to try several sizes, so I'm hesitant to put in a huge (and expensive) order just to see if one or two things fit.  So I thought I'd ask here - are there any J Jill fans?  How is their sizing (especially plus sizes)?  How do they hold up to multiple washings?  Any feed back you have would be much appreciated.