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Eileen Fisher: experience or opinions?

Aziraphale

Veteran

The other day I went birthday shopping with my mother-in-law. There's not much I need right now -- no real wardrobe holes -- so I suggested we just browse around. So first thing, she took me to Eileen Fisher. I've been in there before, I admired the calm neutral colours and the drapey styles, but I didn't buy anything because (a) most of their clothes were simply enormous on me and (b) a lot of if was well out of my price range!

So it turns out that Eileen Fisher now stocks petite sizes in the store (most places in Vancouver, you only get petite size online). BIG yay for that! Their smallest petite size is sometimes still too big, or rather, some styles are too voluminous on me, but quite a lot of their clothes fit. Prices are still high. However, the fabrics -- so many soft, delicious fabrics! Lots of tops looked boxy on the hanger, but drape so nicely when you put them on.

In the end, I settled on a grey tunic made of the softest, lightest merino I have ever touched, and a pair of slouchy viscose trousers that feel like pyjamas. I'm very pleased with both, but a bit worried that they will get wrecked easily -- the top especially. I've never had a top in that price range. I tend to splurge on shoes, jeans and sometimes jackets, but all of those things are durable. Do any of you have experience with Eileen Fisher? How well do her clothes wear?

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32 replies

Latest reply was from Author Linda

SW Ann

Veteran

I am a recent purchaser of several EF dresses and just bought several new items for fall.....My experience with their linen has been excellent. I have a dress that has worn very well. A similar style from another company wore out in one summer season. I wear this dress AT LEAST weekly, if not more often, and 3 years in of frequent wearing, it is starting to have a couple of wear points.... I can't speak for the merino as wool of all kinds makes me itch. However, I think they stand behind their products. Hope you enjoy your purchase! I always wonder about "pilling" with items like that....

Aziraphale

Veteran

Thanks SW Ann! That is encouraging. I'm not used to spending money on tops! As far as the merino goes -- honestly, I normally can't wear wool, I'm very sensitive to itchy fabrics, but this top is the softest thing I've ever worn. I walked around the store for a half hour wearing it -- I didn't want to take it off.

JAileen

Veteran

I have a few EF items - a few tops, a dress, a jacket, and sandals. I like the drapiness. I've bought my things at Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and thrift stores. I think they're pricey too. Not the thrifted things. My jacket, an EF version of a pea coat is lovely. On another thread I complained about finding 100 percent wool coats. This one is, and I think I paid $15 for it.

Last year Ms Mary was asking how she should spend an extra bit of money she had. I suggested this EF coat. I had tried it on at Macy's and it was divine. I really wanted it but it was $600 or so. It was too much money, I didn't need it, I already have a warm duffle coat. But I still wanted it. But there were nice touches. On the grey side the snap closures were grey, and on the camel side, they were camel. It was very soft - 64 percent baby alpaca. That's why EF is expensive. I hope they come out with something like it again.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ei.....xZYkNbp0Dg

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DonnaF

Veteran

Years ago, I bought an EF t-shirt that was mostly rayon, and it pilled a bit fairly soon as rayon tends to do. I got rid of it mostly because I decided that I bought it a size too big.

IIRC, from reviews I've read here and elsewhere, most women are pleased with EF quality, but a few say the quality isn't as stellar as years past. I tend not to buy EF due to her color choices, price, and mostly because her styles don't quite align with mine such that an EF purchase would be a big risk for me.

I believe Joy has a lot of experience with EF.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I have some Eileen Fisher pieces, and I would say they wear pretty well. They don't wear any better than most, but they don't fall apart or anything, either. The more delicate, textured weaves can snag easily, just as they can with any other brand. I've always felt that the fabrics are what really set Eileen Fisher apart: the luxurious feel and contents of them. The workmanship is generally quite nice as well.
The pieces you chose seem to be good investments; they will mix and match with many other pieces, so you can get a lot of wear out of them!

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

I second what everyone has said and add that it can be quite useful to read the reviews on Eileen items on the Nordstrom site (if they sell it). I recently bought the below stretch crepe pants based on the reviews, several of which speak to the sturdiness of the pants.

Eileen Fisher Stretch Crepe Slim Ankle Pants (Regular & Petite)

View Info

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Anonymous

Just curious of any of you who have the viscose fabric machine wash or dry clean those items? I have one dress I got on a great sale, and I haven't washed it yet. I am leaning toward dry cleaning it to preserve it longer. I do find their dresses to be shorter than I prefer. It seems like the brand is designed for a shorter clientele.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Great, thanks everybody!

JAileen, that is a lovely coat! I can see why you wanted it.

DonnaF, that's funny, the reason I was drawn into the EF store the first time was BECAUSE of her colour choices! Right up my alley. It'd be a boring world if we were all alike, eh?

Firecracker, that's what I noticed when browsing the store: the fabrics felt luxurious. It's what turns her boxy, plain-looking tops into something special.

dashielle, I think I'll pop over to the Nordstrom site and see if my items are on there. Thanks for the tip!

Aziraphale

Veteran

delurked, the tag on the pants says "We recommend machine wash cold, separately, gentle cycle. Line dry. Use cool iron if necessary. May be dry cleaned." I'll probably machine wash them; they seem sturdier than the merino top. I'll probably have the top dry cleaned, even though the label says you can hand wash in cold water.

Gaylene

Veteran

Every one of my Eileen Fisher pieces has been a smart buy for me! They are my go-to pieces for smart casual and travel. I have pieces in silk, cotton, wool, viscose, and cotton.

Yes, some of my pieces have earned the odd pill or snag because of constant wear, but I haven't experienced any of the issues others have had with excessive pilling or wear marks. All my pieces have come directly from the Eileen Fisher shops, though. I have noticed that many of the Eileen Fisher pieces on Nordstrom's website are "exclusive" to Nordstroms, so I have wondered if that might account for a difference--or maybe I've just been lucky.

I machine wash almost all of my EF pieces, including the silk, viscose, and wool ones, in cold water, delicate cycle, with a just a bit of gentle detergent, and hang or dry flat without any problems. The only exceptions are obvious ones like my double-faced wool coat.

I often pay full price for my Eileen Fisher pieces because I snap them up when I find something I love instead of waiting for a sale, but I consider them some of my best value. The EF stores do have occasional promotions, and there are always the sales rack at the back of the shops which are worth a browse, but, on the whole, I find my best buys are when I put the focus on getting the right fit, style, and color from her line.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I have quite a few EF items, and they have worn well. Mind you, I'm not generally super hard on clothes, for some reason. I'm becoming a bit hooked on EF... her fabrics really are awesome. I
have a few new pieces for the fall I'm really looking forward to
wearing! I really hope your pieces work our for you. Another good thing, her sizing seems to be fairly consistent (at least compared to some), so once you figure her out you may be able to order easier.

Delurked, are you talking about the viscose jersey? I have several pieces in this fabric... the drape front dress, harem pants and a black tunic in particular have been washed many times. No shrinking, and they are still pure black (ie no fading). I wash in a front loader on delicate, and hang or lay flat to dry.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Gaylene, you shop the way I shop. I almost never wait for sales, mostly because I'm very particular about fit and style too (especially when it comes to higher-end items). Plus, I'm not a regular size, so when I find a perfect item, I grab it.

Glad to hear you've had such success with your EF purchases! Also pleased to hear that you are pleased with the quality of items purchased directly from the EF store. I am hoping these two things get a lot of wear. The pants are a new thing for me in particular -- I've never had any slouchy pants. They're so comfy. I may never want to take them off!

Aziraphale

Veteran

Elizabeth P, glad to hear the viscose jersey fabric keeps it shape and colour! It looks like it should.

catgirl

Veteran

The EF stuff that works on me really works(swingy merino tunics). I am often sized out or the fit isn't right. But the looks are so tempting and I am always trying to replicate it with other things like the tunic below!

Long Chiffon Blouse

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Aziraphale

Veteran

Una, I'm sometimes sized out too. I tried on a pair of boyfriend jeans in there in the smallest size they make, 2Petite, and they were still too big. But I'm by no means sized out in other stores -- in Aritzia, for example, I'm sometimes a size medium! I wish sizing were more consistent among retailers.

Anonymous

That's good to know about them having petite sizes to try on instead of just selling them online. I always feel like I'm getting swallowed up in EF stuff, even when I go down a size. I'm wondering if the petites might work better, although I don't usually wear them. I would love to buy more EF because of their luxurious, amazing fabrics. Such a pleasure to wear!

Anonymous

Sounds like I should be able to machine wash my dress just fine.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Their quality seems great. However, I've now bought a couple of EF items over the years that I realize are just too big on me, even though they're a S. EF cuts just don't seem to work well for my body -- too much room through the body. I'm about to sell a nice linen tank because I don't feel fab in it.

jill58

Veteran

I love the look of EF but don't own anything. Most of the pieces are beyond my budget. The items I've seen at Nordstrom Rack, where they are sometimes slightly more affordable, unfortunately, all seem huge. I'm typically a 6/8 but in EF a small would be too large. This would make me uneasy about ordering online should sale items pop up.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I often love EF fabrics, textures and knits and I find the brand's quality to generally be good.

But a large number of the pieces don't work for me -- just too overwhelming with drape, length or boxiness. I am 5'4", and don't have the architectural stance that makes the EF stuff look good on their models. I always find it interesting how much better the pieces look in their catalogs/ website than e.g. on the basic model shots on the Nordstrom website.

catgirl

Veteran

Shannon was the queen of EF!

Thistle

Veteran

After reading this thread, I may need a few more EF pieces!

I only have a few pieces from her, but I love her fabrications. Silk, alpaca, thick soft cotton... All have been so beautiful.

dakotacheryl

Veteran

Probably 90% of my nice/work wardrobe is Eileen Fisher. I love the fabrics and timeless style...the pieces just work together season after season.
I am not a small person, so I am not sized out by any means..usually buy Medium/Large depending on the fit across my bust mostly. I did just buy the new boiled wool kimono jacket in a petite small because I preferred how the fit looked to my eye LOL. First time in that size (and probably last).
I machine wash (front loader) on delicate cycle for most items and hang to dry...and I have had many pieces for years and they look wonderful.
I do have a few pills on some of the viscose items where my seatbelt rubs along the side of my hip. I just remove them with a clothes shaver.
I did buy a couple of the loose weave linen pieces this spring/summer...never again...caught on my jewelry, or on my sweet dogs' nails. Love the fabric, but just not practical for my lifestyle.
I have bought many wonderful garments on eBay. When you get a feel for her sizing, it's a great affordable option.
Her merino wool is one of my most favorite fabrics. Looks brand new for simply years and years. I mostly dry clean those pieces.
I did buy a pair of full length heavier merino wool pants on eBay in a size large cause the price was so low. They were HUGE. I machine washed and dried them on medium heat...LOL, I now have a perfectly wonderful pair of cropped thick wool pants that fit me perfectly, will look great with my booties this fall/winter and I can launder at home with no worry about shrinkage.
It is interesting that I am in the age demographic of most of the reviewers on the Nordstrom website...ahem, I'll be 59 in a few weeks. Is that because I am discriminating about fabrics and quality, or have given in to the Eileen Fisher aesthetic of elastic waist pants (not all though), and mostly knit fabrics??

Anonymous

Dakotacheryl, you have your own EF store! There is the joke that EF's subtitle is "Forever 49," which someone mentioned on here not too long ago. But I've always loved the line, even though there hasn't been much I could wear.

PSA: I noticed on their website today that they have a lot of pieces 25% off, including the organic wool shibori poncho that was discussed on here during the NAS.

K2

Like Dakotacheryl, I have quite a few Eileen Fisher pieces, many are basics or sweaters that I have gotten on sale or E-Bay, tho I have bought a few pieces at full price. I sometimes have the problem with some pieces being too voluminous in the upper body, but have just had them altered and they are perfect for me now. I just wash on delicate and hang or lay flat to dry and have had things stand up well to the wear, but delicate looser weaves have snagged, so I am more reluctant to buy those now. Enjoy your pieces!

unfrumped

Veteran

I don't seem to have the body type for most EF so I had never looked until a couple of years ago.
Then for some reason I started browsing in- store and was very taken by the fabrics and some of the styles and also lovely colors.

I still can't wear 90% of her stuff ( more due to lots of scoop necklines that I can't wear, things too flowy for work, a lot looks a bit too rough- hewn or beachy for work, and a lot of stuff meant to be worn with skinny jeans or leggings.) but there is the occasional great nugget, so I'm hooked on browsing, at least.
I started out looking at sale rack items; her prices are hard to swallow. But, I only need what works with my wardrobe, and not just a sale top ( heck, the sale prices are still steep) so now that I have a better idea of which types of things would be style- makers or workhorses, I'd be willing to splurge. Also I will try them on for size & consider if I want to wait. Or items may be in other colors online.

chadya

Veteran

Beautiful fabrics and often colors
But too boxy and way oversized for me

There is an EF store near me called the EF lab that has good deals and samples and yarn on cones too

Irvington NY if you are ever this way

LaPed

Veteran

I love EF's fabrication and commitment to ethical/sustainable practices. I WISH she made clothes that suited my body type and fit me. I'm sized out of most EF garments, and lots of drape is rarely practical for my lifestyle. I have one very old EF Irish linen blazer in navy that is a S/S staple for me. It's boxy but not enormous. EF linen has really spoiled me -- makes other linen feel cheap and papery. I'm on the verge of spending some big bucks on an EF linen duvet cover for my bed. I'm probably more taken with EF's home goods than with her clothing line -- her designs suit my house better than they suit me.

Aziraphale

Veteran

La Pedestrienne, I wasn't even aware that EF made home wares! I bet they are divine. I have my home decorated in colours like she uses for her clothing.

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