Ask Angie & Others: J.Jill - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie & Others: J.Jill

DonnaF

Veteran

I don't see a lot of love for J.Jill on the Forum. I know it's not exactly fashion forward. . .Angie (& others), does it work for your older clients with (ahem!) older body types? (I am in my late 50s) I am always on the lookout for stores with petite sizes, and the online site has quite a sale going on. . .

Most of the tops look like they are probably a bit boxy, but they have a fitted white shirt and a fitted chambray type shirt that interest me. Brooks Bros. fitted & tailored don't fit me. (If something fits in the shoulders it often pulls in the bust.) I have finally concluded that Lands End cuts are very boxy and a bit too big for me, but I still have a tendency to get seduced by pretty pictures.

Quality? Your thoughts? J.Jill S/H is pretty high, and tax is added in on top of S/H, so returns would not be painless. I am hoping to get to a B&M store later in the week, but it is not particularly close or convenient. Thx!

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23 replies

Latest reply was from DonnaF

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I seldom shop at J. Jill with clients. The cuts tend to be unflattering (a little matronly), although I do like the quality of their fabrications. Remember that pictures in catalogues are very inaccurate - clothing is pinned and photo shopped.

christieanne

Veteran

I tried on a bunch of things at JJill last week (with my mom - she is 72 and bought some things) but I thought most of it was boxy. I did buy a nice fitted opaque white layering tank which was a nice find as the cotton and quality seem great.
I saw some cute pointy flats online but they don't carry in store.
If you can have an outing and try on in person I would suggest that.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I've purchased a few things there in the past but that's been several years ago. Always ran big on size. They used to have decent camis and sometimes linen gauzy shirts I liked to wear over a swim suit in summer. Still have one I use every summer so quality isn't bad. But for fit, I can't say much else I've purchased there has been successful for me - maybe some of their jewelry. I tried having a blouse I bought there altered one time but it *still* seemed boxy to me even after!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have one tissue weight knit top that I got in a discount store that is still holding up 5 years later. I wear it to lounge now, and it was always quite boxy. Mine is an xs so I guess it runs large.

KikiG

Veteran

I got an adorable, heavily embroidered, heavy linen knee length A-line dress there last year. In this case, the boxy cut worked for me to skim over my bunchy bits. However, for the most part, their things do not work for me in terms of cut, color or style.

Liz

Veteran

It's hit and miss for me. The ones that are hits have been workhorses: right color, good quality, and I've worn them for years until they have worn out. The fit is iffy for me. I'm an hourglass/pear with a defined waist and strong shoulders, and I feel like their tops and t's are cut for an apple. But when I've found a winner, it has been a real winner. Their color palette really suits me, and is what often draws me back. I don't find their sizing consistent, so trying on in person is the way to go.

catgirl

Veteran

I find their style too gentle for my tastes as I get older, which you'd think would work the other way around.... but every now and then I see something I love. And I give credit to companies that carry petite sizing!

biscuitsmom

Veteran

I agree... most of the items are boxy and many are on the large size...if you can go in person, it may be worth a trip, if only for at-home or loungewear... once in a while you can find a stunning piece there, but its getting hard!

Laurinda

Veteran

Hit or miss for me too, but I can't think of a store that isn't!

They carry items in Plus sizes and I really like J.Jill's colors and fabrics, but I have the best luck with their accessories - often on really steep discount. I keep an eye out for their sales or free shipping dates.

DonnaF

Veteran

Okay, thanks for weighing in. Sounds like I need to make a trip! I'm a P2-P4, so I can be in-between sizes and never know which size to order. But J.Jill's sizing looks so inflated that I'm probably an XS -- or nothing. Saves on wear & tear and the budget! (What budget?)

But do others of you associate J.Jill with Coldwater Creek (without the snacks) and Chico's? And tho$e who aspire to Eileen Fi$her?

catgirl

Veteran

I kind of associate j jill with Chicos and Coldwater Creek in terms of price point and target market, not so much with Eileen Fisher mostly because of that. But I think aesthetically they are actually closest to Eileen Fisher (which I often admire in the Garnet Hill catalog, but again, find too "gentle" for my tastes)... Throw Peruvian Connection in there as well, and we're headed into Sundance territory!

eds

I love JJill, but mostly just to look at the beautiful fabrics and colors. I've purchased only a couple of things... most are just too flowy and unstructured for my middle aged body. I have similar problems with Eileen Fisher. I wouldn't write off any of these brands.... Coldwater Creek, Chicos, included... I have found beautiful pieces in all of them.

Laurinda

Veteran

Sally McGraw (Already Pretty) had a post on broadening your source searches: http://www.alreadypretty.com/2.....rches.html

This discussion covers a few stores I had not heard of (never mind the title): http://ask.metafilter.com/8782.....-their-50s

I find I am very opinionated about which stores will get my cash. I'm sure Chico's has a few gems, but I can't bear their special 1-2-3 sizing. To me, it says "This is for schlubs that have given up all hope of fit". OTOH J.Crew does not carry anything over a 34" waist, so I will never shop there, not even for accessories.

KikiG

Veteran

I used to shop at Chico's almost exclusively, but either I've gotten younger or their product mix has skewed "older" for me, somehow. I do know that a lot of my Chico's stuff I have given away because while I used to be very happy with it, it now seems matronly to my eye. I often see things that I think are cute or possible at Coldwater Creek, but their fabrications often cause me to reject the item. I won't buy a 100% acrylic sweater, for instance, because they don't wear well for me. Some things are just impossibly missy and I wouldn't have let my 70s mom wear them, either! I did get a fantastic fitting, plain white button up shirt there. Petite and busty is a difficut combo for a button up shirt, let me tell you. I am fantastically happy with my white shirt in size petite small.

Jjsloane

Veteran

I do put JJill in the category with Coldwater Creek, Chico's and some Garnet Hill. I like the colors, fabrics and quality, but rarely find something for myself with a proper fit. I have found some gems at all of these places, but it's more of a search and you really need to try them on in person or have a generous shipping/return policy.

qfbrenda

Veteran

I have the same problem as have already been mentioned. Though I have had great success with their knee length skirts. I thought they would work when someone here told me they can't wear jjill skirts because their body is too curvy. Ha! Since I don't have much of a waist or curves, I thought they would work for me and sure enough, they do. I also have a dress from there that I love. But I have to be careful. A lot of their clothes are too boxy for me.

I find it interesting that jjill and Coldwater Creek have so many petites. It's fantastic that they offer petites, but most of their styles still scream "I must be tall to wear this" to me.

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

I am a fan of jjill. I think that they are a less expensive version of Eileen Fisher.
There are some boxy styles but combined wit other pieces , they can work well. My Mom loves their clothes, she is an apple. I love the simplicity and can accessorize in so many ways. Garnet Hill has some beautiful things! Really good quality.
I have an arty style, I love flowy things. I think you can do great things with some jjill pieces. I would not dress in head to toe jjill.

I know, most people here do not like Eillen FIsher or JJill but I am a fan! No need to look matronly with the right coordinates. sizing is large.

Isabel

Veteran

I really like JJill. I tend to get big white shirts there and linens. Before I gained weight I got all my jeans there. I also have some wonderful camis from them.

They due tend to be boxy so I am selective. I just bought a lightweight wool boyfriend jacket from them. My mom, who is a seastress, thinks that their quality is fabulous. I have been very happy with them.

christieanne

Veteran

I kind of love Eileen Fisher especially in last two years as they have edged up the styles but still have to be selective as the cuts can be overwhelming and enveloping even in petites.
Maybe if JJill wasn't always so Pastel with color I would glance there. The colors are just boring to me - it's like they decided that only certain people should wear them and all the bright/jewel tone wearers need not apply I need a little more structure in my clothes as well.
Chicos and Coldwater - never look there although I would take my mom there. She is not preppy and really not a clothes horse so it's good for her to get something colorful and to fit.
EF is bolder with color and you can't beat the knits for quality and longevity. Price point is getting too high imho but i can find things on clearance often from EF.

Good luck with your shopping and let us know what you find! Maybe there are gems we are unaware of.

DonnaF

Veteran

Online Chat feature could not give me garment waist measurements in the items that interest me, and they aren't carried at the nearest B&M store. They are described as *shaped* shirts, so maybe they aren't so boxy. My bust & waist measurements correspond to their P2, so I would be at the bottom of their XS, but my hips (wonder of wonders) are smaller, so that could also be a boxy warning sign!

Yesterday I realized why I am sometimes oblivious to boxiness: I am a tucker; I generally wear shirts with skirts; and when I wear shirts with pants, the waist is mid-rise or (gulp!) higher. Those things mask the box. Doh! Thus, when I tried to wear a couple of those shirts tucked into lower rise pants, it totally did not work.

fern

Veteran

Christieanne made me laugh. I love the fabrics JJill uses, but you have to sort through a lot of beige-y linen to find the deeper colors.
I do love the arty natural style, love it at Eileen Fisher too- but I have the same fit complaints as above. JJill always gets me with -as Angie said - the pinned catalogue shots. The clothes look curvy. I get so angry when they turn out to be super boxy. Fooled me again JJill! (that's me shaking my fist)

catgirl

Veteran

Another catalog I think of in this category is Territory Ahead. Anyone shop there?

DonnaF

Veteran

I got more measurements from the online chatline and raised my concerns about boxiness. She said the shaped shirts were much more fitted than the regular stuff. To hedge my bets and make up for the S/H charges in case I have to return them, I ordered three belts that were $10 each down from $50 and $55 or so. I envy guys cuz they don't have to deal with belts in two or three lengths due to varying *waist*lines, clothing they are layered over, and how high or low one they sit! We shall see. . .I am working hard to avoid making bad choices and find returning stuff to be annoying but guilt-free.