Advice reviews sought: Cezane, Storm and Ann Taylor - YouLookFab Forum

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Advice reviews sought: Cezane, Storm and Ann Taylor

jussie

Veteran

Edit (it’s spelled Sezane-oops). Hello all, it’s been ages since I’ve had time to post but I do read with interest!
Lately I have been hankering for something good quality and a little different from what is available in store here. I wonder if anyone has experience Cezane, Storm or Anne Taylor? I would appreciate any info on these brands thanks so much. I am mostly looking for “business casual” wear.

Shopping

15 replies

Latest reply was from cat2

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Hi Jussie, have missed you! I only really know Storm well of those, it is an NZ brand sort of second tier of “designer”. So a level behind NZ’s more locally famous designers like Karen Walker, Kate Sylvester, Trelise Cooper. But good reputation, was in the fashion mags etc. Probably made in China though I don’t know for sure. I always look at the clothes in store but find them a bit costly. I am good at finding similar quality items elsewhere on sale.
Ann Taylor I think is a US brand? I had some shoes once, I got them here in Auckland in an outlet store but have no idea why a US brand was there. The shoes seemed fine, they were sandals and the quality seemed good, they stretched a bit but after a reasonable amount of wear. I wasn’t tracking wears back then.
No idea on Cezane, never heard of.

Star

Veteran

I know that most of Cezanne items are made in different countries in Europe so I immediately think they are better quality than most made in Asia, but no personal experience.

jussie

Veteran

Star: yep I know Cezane is euro, I guess that makes me wonder does it run a bit small? Their stuff looks beautiful
Jenni: great to hear from you. I didn’t realize Storm, Kate Sylvester and Karen Walker are all NZ. What a talented bunch. I rather like Karen Walkers “hi there” range. Thanks for sharing your experience with Ann Taylor.

Star

Veteran

Nikki Garnett of Midlife Chic blog in the UK reviews Cezanne items seasonally, perhaps have a look at her archives. She discusses sizing too.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Ann Taylor is a mid priced brand here in the US - traditionally they did women’s suiting pieces and other items for a fairly formal workplace. In recent years they’ve gone a bit more casual and trendy to respond to the casualization of work wear. Their sister brand is Loft, which does more casual and weekend items. I’ve never had problems with the quality, although knit items haven’t lasted as long as woven. As far as fit it’s pretty typical for a US mall brand, so maybe runs a bit big compared to overseas sizes?

LaPed

Veteran

I have one Sezane pullover, bought secondhand online and looks like it will wear well (it’s a 100% cotton knit). It’s an interesting brand; their look (a lot of very femme, 70s, vintage-inspired pieces, dainty florals and blouson sleeves) seems very on-trend, a French take on “cottage-core”? I’m between an XS and a S and this particular sweater fits well in a S; I wouldn’t want to go any smaller.

Ann Taylor is a US brand I associate with classic, mid-market office-wear. Their sister brand Loft does slightly more casual styles. Nothing too cutting edge, just solid and dependable. There is *a lot* of Loft and a fair amount of Ann Taylor in the thrift stores where I live. Seems to be the go-to for preppy young recent college grads buying clothes for their first real job, clothes which then get upgraded after a couple of years?

Storm I’m not familiar with; don’t think it’s available in the US.

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Glory

Veteran

Although I don’t have personal experience my sister is a huge fan of Ann Taylor and has been wearing tops and sweaters for several years.

Lynette

I love Ann Taylor as well as Ann Taylor loft and have worn clothes from both often through the years. The quality is good and the prices are fairly reasonable.

cat2

Veteran

In terms of fit, Ann Taylor is cut with slightly narrow shoulders but not as narrow as Theory, and the default cut is for the straight-waisted.

jussie

Veteran

Glory, Lynette, Cat2: thanks for your response. Sounds like Ann Taylor is fairly decent

jussie

Veteran

La Ped and Laura: thanks for the info. I love the sound of “cottage core” to describe sezane, seems very apt. I might need a medium I think.
Anne Taylor sounds solid and dependable. Can’t wait to try both.
Storm is still a bit of a mystery.

Minaminu

Veteran

I have a Sezanne blouse and jumper, both preloved. Both are made well and with good quality materials, yet I don't think their quality justifies their retail costs.

Based on what I tried and bought, their blouses tend to run small and the sleeves length is If you have short sleeves, their knitwear has a very generous cut as this is quite a trendy look.

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rachylou

Veteran

Just waving Hi Jussie! I don’t know anything. I wore Ann Taylor in the 90s, a very very long time ago...

Style Fan

Veteran

Good to hear from you, Jussie! I have been looking at a pair of Sezanne jeans. I notice that a lot of bloggers wear Sezanne pieces. I think they run TTS. I have looked at Ann Taylor, but I find it a bit "office" for my life now.

cat2

Veteran

I forgot to give a shout out for the Ann Taylor shoes. They are reasonably priced and stand up to abuse really well. I have done repeats of their pumps and flats. For reference, I have a duck shaped foot.