Nic +Zoe sizing? Quality?

3style

I just received a spring/fall sweater from online from Nic +Zoe. It was sized small, (my most typical size) and it was enormous. For it to have fit like it does on the model, I think that I would need a Petite XS. Unfortunately, the style is entirely sold out in petite sizes. I don’t have any other personal experience with this brand. Is this typical for how they run? Or does it vary enough that it still makes sense to try other items in my more typical size of “small” next time?

Also, a fair number of reviewers were suspicious of the quality when the item arrived and didn’t expect it to last. But there weren’t any actual reviews saying that it had fallen apart. To me the quality seemed about average for the price.

All and all the styles, sizing and quality seem similar to jjill, as far as I can tell. Thoughts?

5 years ago

Shopping

11 replies

Latest reply was from Stagiaire Fash

Thistle

Veteran

I have found Nic and Zoe hit or miss on size and quality.

Sometimes they run big, sometimes they don't. This bothers me less than the quality.

Sometimes the quality is spectacular, like an Angie find from a couple of years ago that's still going strong. Other things, like a cardi I bought from them, had buttons coming off after the FIRST wear. Another top I bought had a hole after the third wear and a single hand washing.

Honestly, I avoid them now unless Angie recommends something from them. They are too expensive to have such spotty quality.

5 years ago

Aquamarine

Veteran

I’ve tried a few items on and I think they run big.

5 years ago

Kathie

Veteran

A friend and I have both had problems with the quality. So, I avoid them. For me, the item looked very worn after just a couple wears and one wash. For my friend, the item developed holes after just a couple wears.

5 years ago

3style

Veteran

Interesting. A new Nic + Zoe stand alone store has just opened up in the last month or so along my common commuting route at the mall. I haven’t had a chance to go in there. I was assuming that they were the next Elie Tahari from photos of the designs, but it doesn’t seem like that kind of quality, from what you all are saying and judging by this sweater. Price wise they seem to be positioned in the same range as WHBM, which I’ve generally found to be very durable, so I’m not seeing a lot of point in trying N+Z beyond Angie’s picks.... Unless of course the next ten people who reply say they are awesome.
Thanks everyone.

5 years ago

Linda

Active Member

I’m a huge Nick & Zoe fan and own several pieces. I generally wear their XS petite size. I’m pretty small, so it’s not unusual for me to wear an XS in most brands. I find their quality to be excellent, in fact, I find their pieces to wear better than the more expensive Eileen Fisher brand. I have pieces from Nick & Zoe that are in my regular rotation and are over 5 years old! I’ve added a photo of a Nic & Zoe outfit I wore to dinner for my anniversary.

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5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I love them, but only have a few tops. I do think they run slightly large. I think the quality is slightly above Jjill.

5 years ago

MsMaven

Veteran

My earlier purchases at Nik+Zoe were great, but lately I don't see much that appeals to me. I have several tops from the last 2 years that are still going strong. I normally wear an M and this size seems consistent.

5 years ago

3style

Veteran

Thanks Linda, that’s quite an endorsement. I really liked your anniversary outfit. Not sure if I said that at the time. I think you and I are just about exactly the same size and proportions. I’m going to “follow” you because I can likely exactly copy some of your specific Finds.

Thanks FashIntern, good to hear more positive reviews. I’m looking for a few lighter to mid-weight tops and their styles seem pretty versatile for pants. I’m less clear if many of them work with skirts. I think I remember you wearing a fair number of skirts, is that right?

MsMaven, I don’t know what they did previously. I was mostly shopping at AT and BR a few years back, because I felt like I needed a bit more simple essential pieces and had acquired too many random items from gifts and hand-me-downs and my own sale goggles.

I think that I should probably try some things in the store next, instead of ordering further online, to get a better feel for the brand.

5 years ago

Barbara Diane

Veteran

The sizing seems to depend on the cut. Sometimes I find their sweaters at great prices at Nordstrom Rack.

5 years ago

3style

Veteran

Barbara Diane, Thanks for reminding me about the Rack. It takes me typically 1-2 hours to find a sweater there which I like and that fits, but then it’s always been a real workhorse statement piece for years. So it’s a reminder that it’s worth doing occasionally. Just need to not combine it with bra or shoe shopping there, otherwise it’s a really long day.

5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Yes, they generally work well with skirts for me.

Shopping at the Rack in person can be frustrating. Their business model almost guarantees holes in inventory. I much prefer shopping them online. Their filtering tools are not as good as Nordstrom’s, but cover all the basics. Be warned that their return policy has changed—the period to get rejects in to the store is much shorter than it used to be. If you’re looking for a lower price, maybe do your getting-to-know-the-brand shopping in a store that will have a wide selection in every size before you buy.

5 years ago

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