J. Jill?

Carol

What do people think about J. Jill? It is widely available secondhand, and also fairly affordable at retail. When I was looking at linen last summer, their stuff kept popping up, and it looked great. It looks like a great summer brand.

It seems like a typical "women's brand," (Chicos, NY&Co., etc.), and those can be great or sometimes cheesy. This one veers a little suburban mom, a little Rachel Ray, which is a great style, but not sure I'm feeling that now. Also has some beautiful things, like crisp dresses and great patterns.

This post has 5 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

5 hours ago

Shopping

15 replies

Latest reply was from RobinF

Veteran

I liked them years ago (like early 2000s) and then their style seemed to completely change to no-style. I went off them when I was looking at a catalogue and thought “Oh, it’s cool how they just integrate the plus size models without comment” and then realized it was a regular tiny model who looked 8 sizes larger in the shapeless clothes.

That purse is sharp, though!

5 hours ago

Chris987

Veteran

I've had a few pieces. Quality is reliably good for a reasonable price (IMHO). I've never seen anything I would call "cheesy" which to me means cheap appearance or fabric. Very classic styling although they do have a little bit of classic/trendy. Aimed at "older women" (my words). Soft colors - rarely anything vibrant. For some reason I find their prints a bit uninteresting, despite loving soft colors in general. Overall more casual than dressy. DOES have petites! YAY for me! Almost all tops/sweaters are tunic length which is not my thing, but that's their vibe. I also find their stores to be really drab and boring. But they have some great individual pieces that can be styled in outfits in a way that's not their usual vibe. A few months ago I found 2 pr of regular size pants that fit me really well except needing to be shortened ... after looking at lots of brands for over a year. I also have a thrifted skirt that I've never worn but it's nicely made.

Just noticed another fabber thought their styles to be "shapeless". Maybe by some definitions ... to me I see more fluid/loose. Up to your own preferences of course.

5 hours ago

cat2

Veteran

I think it’s a thing to snark on brands that aren’t trying to chase every teenage trend. But once you stop trying to dress from the juniors brands, you will then need to figure out where to shop for the rest of your life. Each of the mall brands cater to different body types and different style preferences and over time most of us figure out where to get essentials and where to find more directional pieces. My current mix has jeans from a handful of not particularly trendy brands that work best for my body type and then more sophisticated tops, sweaters and trousers from bridge brands. I would not diss every one else’s choices like this using the is it trendy filter given that is expressly not the point.

4 hours ago

MsMary

Veteran

As Angie likes to say, "leave no retail stone unturned." I have been known to shop at Chico's or J Jill on occasion, even though I cringe at their older-lady images. I like the short trench you posted!

3 hours ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

ALWAYS worth a look!

3 hours ago

karen23

Active Member

J Jill seems all right, but it does not seem to cater to my body type or style preferences.

I noticed the same thing Cookie mentioned with plus-size clothes, when I was heavier. I don't recall seeing this happening with J Jill because I wasn't really looking at that brand, but it was common in catalogs and it's annoying as heck. They use regular size women to model plus size clothes, putting a medium size woman in a plus size top. So a woman who is actually big enough to wear a 1X orders one, and surprise, it's not a tunic, it's like a regular t-shirt. I would rather see a big woman modeling plus-size clothes.

3 hours ago

cat2

Veteran

Cringe at images of older women? If you are referring to the pictures above they are women in their 30s. Do you think women should just disappear from the public eye?

3 hours ago

JAileen

Veteran

We have a JJill store in town. I never go, though. It’s at the mall that’s far away (8 miles). I just looked on their website at all of their things in my size and in a few colors I like and found a jacket I like. I don’t need it though. The clothes didn’t look “old lady” to me. That is very subjective, of course. In the picture, the model is wearing sunglasses that look like the ones I got after my cataract surgery.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

2 hours ago

cat2

Veteran

I don’t shop at J Jill or Chicos or J Crew or BR because they don’t fit my shape. I do shop at Talbots and Boden, which do fit it. I don’t think anyone should be throwing shade at any of those choices. They fill similar wardrobe needs for essentials and occasionally deliver something really fun.

2 hours ago

Sloper

Veteran

I’ve had a few J Jill pieces quite a few years ago - a “jean” jacket in navy linen which was perfect for spring/summer work, and I think a sweater or two.

I agree with Angie - leave no retail stone unturned. They may have that one tee or jacket or lounge pant that’s just right.

And thanks Cat2 for your thoughts as well.

2 hours ago

MsMary

Veteran

Cat2, no, no, no!! I cringe that the brand image is that it's only for "older ladies," which in my mind is not the image I'm going for! Like, bedazzled sweatshirts and what have you like my mom used to wear in her 80s and 90s!

2 hours ago

MsMaven

Veteran

It’s been decades. Over time and trying on and buying a few things, I found the sizing and proportions of the clothing wasn’t right for my proportions. Now I have too many places to shop from! Unfortunately.

2 hours ago

Sal

Veteran

I can’t offer advice on the US brands as I don’t shop there - but I don’t see shade being thrown cat2 - just commentary that their marketing approach could be better. And thoughts that maybe their clothes are worth a look despite the marketing and photos.

2 hours ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I think sometimes the young women, (and I’m mainly talking 20s-30s here rather than teenagers who are more in the process of becoming women and can also be very critical) can be mean about how women in their 50s-60s and beyond dress. I know because I feel I sort of did that in my 30s. I have lived on the same property and shopped in one of the same suburbs since I was 30, and I specifically remember dismissing the shops in that suburb as “old lady shops”. The small mall did have a glow-up over a decade ago and now is a very fashionable place. The joke is on me I feel. I didn’t intend to be mean back then but it’s a bit scary how sometimes my 30s don’t seem that long ago, yet my oldest child turns 35 next week.
I don’t know any of these brands very well living on the other side of the world. I think you could happily pick and choose some items from all kinds of brands and not dismiss any.

1 hour ago

RobinF

Veteran

I have spent some time browsing J. Jill because it was my mom's favorite store. In general, the clothes didn't fit me, especially the bottoms, but they fit my mom really well (we looked alike but had very different body types). IMO the quality is decent and I love that they carry a lot of petites. Since she passed away 5 years ago I haven't been there so my information may be dated.

36 minutes ago

Category