St. John- What gives?

Nicole D

...with the high prices? Some of the pieces look super dowdy, others send me into orbit with their classic cuts. I am not familiar with the brand but the prices always get my attention.

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11 years ago

Shopping

20 replies

Latest reply was from Trishalee

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I know what you mean, Nicole. I think the intended market is wealthy older women.

The prices are partly due to quality, I have to say. Have you seen the stuff in person? The items I have touched have been beautifully constructed of lovely materials. Often there are subtle design details that don't show up on the photos, too. You know. The designer kind of detail.

I've never tried any on, so I can't vouch for fit.

They usually have some pieces in Holt's.

11 years ago

nancylee

Veteran

Agreed. I've had the exact same thought. Why so much money for what seems to be pretty dowdy clothes? I guess because of the intended market, like Suz said: dowdy dowagers.

11 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I think it's the name, which has been around for a long long time and has a certain reputation with the older 'ladies who lunch' crowd.

I personally can't stand the feel of whatever fiber they use for a lot of their sweater-knit stuff (rayon? acetate?) but it is very nicely and sturdily made on fully-fashioned knitting machines which is quite rare these days. I've seen St. John pieces at high-end thrift stores and consignment places that have to be 20 years old and they look exactly the same as new.

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, if you look at the designs there are tip offs, actually -- more length on most dresses (i.e. over the knee vs. above), more neck coverage, more arm coverage...

11 years ago

biscuitsmom

Veteran

I always associate St John's with St John's Bay! Big $ difference there! Haven't felt or tried on any of them, so am not familiar, although Suz is....sounds like there is a huge difference in quality and price, but they're not for me, for sure.

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hmm. Laura, I have never seen the knits you speak of. The stuff I have seen has all been silk, wool blend, or other fairly luxe fabrics. I guess that stands to reason since I have seen it in Holt Renfrew. But they are the same pieces that Nordstrom's sells, just a smaller sample.

11 years ago

Anonymous

Eegads. I have been in close contact with boatloads of this stuff. A wealthy woman had her "maid" deliver several suv's full to the Dress For Success boutique (as a donation). The fabrication feels horrible to me, but she had cut all the fiber content tags out of the clothes. We ended up selling it all to a consignment store to raise money, since it wasn't exactly interview suiting.

I have also see it for sale in various places and a peek at the tag revealed that it's a wool (with acrylic) blend of some sorts. Even in the smallest sizes, the cuts are pretty boxy and dowdy looking. You guys are definitely on the right track when you guessed their demographic. The classic Chanel styles and trim have a nice look in the catalogs, but the clothes must be heavily pinned up the back! St. John Sport and St. John Knits are all knit cut-and-sewn construction. I think there is an even more expensive line (older?) that has some sharp, tailored suits and that might be where they got their reputation.

11 years ago

AnnieMouse

Veteran

A lot of women in finance wear their stuff, because it is a sound investment and works in very conservative environments.

11 years ago

MsMaven

Veteran

Several of the partners' wives (Big 8 CPA firm in the olden days of the 80s) wore St. John. One of them had a wonderful shape and looked fabulous in the dresses. (I did say this was the 80s.) Once I was in Nordstrom during a St. John trunk show and tried on a lot of the clothes. They were made for someone 3 inches shorter than I am--nothing quite lined up right. I did finally find a sweater top and bought it. I remember well the date--October '89. The delivery took forever--something do do with the October 17 Loma Prieta earthquake.

The skirts were made for a different body type, so I ended up buying an EF knit skirt. I didn't ever really feel comfortable in that sweater. I can't find the photo of it right now.

I don't know anyone who wears St. John now, although I see the clothes in the stores.

11 years ago

Nicole D

Veteran

Thanks for all your input! I had suspected it was for a certain demographic, an older, wealthier lady (like the Queen). I'll try to keep an eye out for them at Value Village and check out the fabrics.

11 years ago

deb

Veteran

It has always had a high price point. I think her daughter now runs the corporation. I know 10 years ago or so her daughter did all the modeling Marie Gray did it when the company first started.

11 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

All I know is that the brand must make money. Nordstrom in Seattle and Bellevue dedicates a lot of floor space for it.

11 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

I thought the point of St. John is that you have the knits blocked to fit your particular body. Maybe Nordstrom does this for its customers?

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow. It sounds as if it's mostly knits, then? The stuff I saw was definitely NOT knitwear.

11 years ago

deb

Veteran

It is mostly knitwear. They were the first (and only?) company to knit their hems instead of sew the hems like other manufacturers.

11 years ago

Susie

Veteran

My favorite aunt used to wear a lot of St. John. She was always lavishly dressed though her style was not necessarily of the moment. I remember being shocked when I later saw the prices of the brand.

11 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

St. John is classic Political Wife and all her minions (down to private school PTA and up to Margaret Thatcher Fan Club). It lasts forever. Very heavy and hot (always a sign of quality - which reminds me I have a Gucci caftan tunic to show you all... I find it totally unwearable). Has the comfy ease of a velour tracksuit, but yet has the stiffness and formality that allows you to say you're actually dressed.

Anyways, what I'd like to know is, what is the secret of Angelina Jolie? She was their spokesperson and made St. John look hot.

11 years ago

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

St John is pretty timeless - there are pieces from the 70's and 80's that still look chic and classic. Kind of a less expensive Chanel in some ways. There is a ton of it on eBay, and the resale price is still pretty high on the really nice stuff.

I've tried on St. John in stores and consignment shops - the fabric is always lovely to the touch, but the cuts usually look frumpy. I don't think St. John is the company for curvy girls. At least, not this curvy girl.

11 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

St. John is BIG around Boston. I can remember it going back 30 years. Sak's, Bloomingdales, Neiman, always carried them. It has always been very expensive.

I remember seeing the brand a lot on Cape Cod and Nantucket. I have forever loved some of their jackets. But it is definitely considered "old money" East Coast garb around here. You know, Kennedy, Barbara Bush ( in Maine ) ...which is funny, because I am not sure that they actually wear the brand, but that is the association.

11 years ago

Trishalee

Active Member

Today on ruelala there is a St. John segment. There were actually some very stylish looking pieces at significantly lower prices.

11 years ago

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