LOOKING FOR MORE SEZANE TRY-ONS? SEE MY OTHER SEZANE REVIEWS:

AN HONEST REVIEW OF SEZANE: TOPS, SWEATERS, ACCESSORIES

AN HONEST REVIEW OF SEZANE: THE CLASSIC PIECES

NOW UPDATED FOR 2022. There’s something about Sezane. Quite possibly my favorite clothing atelier, you can find me daily sometimes browsing their online catalog , falling head-over-heels in love with nearly every item. The price, quality, aesthetic and overall style have cumulated to create something extraordinary, a Mecca of French-girl-meets-everyday fashion.

They also rarely, if ever, have sales. The idea of high-quality clothing priced correctly in the first place. It’s such a relief to be able to purchase slowly, mindfully, and without ‘Sale FOMO’ hanging over my head.

Needless, to say, I was so excited to finally put an order in with Sezane. However, with a short returns policy (and clothes that are, well, less than ‘inexpensive’), it’s good to go in armed with your right sizing. Here is my honest review of Sezane, on a real (a.k.a, post-Christmas) body.

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Some Essential Information

MY SIZING // For reference, I am 5’5″, 34D, with a ‘straight’ body type. A.K.A, I got no waist.

In clothes, I generally wear a US Size 6-8, UK Size 10-12. In the US, I tend to almost always buy a size 6, in the UK it can vary. This translates to me wearing a S-M in most clothes, falling somewhere awkwardly in the middle

As a general rule, for me, I tend to order one size up from whatever the model is wearing. This trick doesn’t always work, but in general, it helps me choose the right sizing.

SEZANE SIZING // When buying Sezane clothes, it’s crucial to check their specific sizing info for each item. Here it will tell you if you should generally size up, down or order true to size.

2021 update: After now buying (and trying) dozens of Sezane products, I can now safely say: they run big. I know, “But French women are so tiny!” But maybe because they’re so tiny, they look good in oversized clothes? Whatever the reason — I pretty much always buy a Size S / Size 6 US in Sezane.

MATERIALS // You will find that the material/price ratio can vary wildly. Some of the silk items are cheaper than the polyester. Make sure to check the ‘details’ section of the product listing to see its material. This is how you find the best quality on Sezane.

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An Honest Review of Sezane

SEE PART 3 OF MY SEZANE FIT REVIEW HERE
SEE PART 2 OF MY SEZANE FIT REVIEW HERE

 

Silk Boy Shirt in Ecru
(2021 Equivalent: Ann Shirt in Ecru)

Size Ordered: US6 (UK10)
Recommended Sizing: True to Size/Size Up if In-Between
Return/Kept? Kept

First up is the shirt of my dreams: Sezane’s Boy Shirt, made of 100% silk. In my effort to build a capsule, quality-over-quantity wardrobe, a good-fitting silk shirt is my jam. I have forever been in love with Equipment silk shirts, having nabbed one at a sample sale in London (clearly, I could not afford one at the full price-tag). Sezane’s version is a nearly perfect dupe, at over half the the price.

Having read over Sezane reviews and looked at how the shirt fit the model (see reference point above), I decided to order the Boy Shirt in my usual size: US Size 6/UK Size 10. It is called the boy shirt, after all. I chose to ignore the advice of ‘sizing up’ if in-between sizes — and I’m so glad I did.

This shirt was actually the best-fitting shirt of the bunch. The cut, the way it hangs on the body, the seams, the sleeve length — everything — scream of quality craftsmanship. However, as you can see, the actual shirt length is quite long on me, which would be a problem if I didn’t forever tuck in shirts.

This was definitely the right size for me, and I happily snuck this beaut into my closet for keeping. I’m now just waiting until I save up a bit more to order the black version.

2022 Update: I still have the Boy Silk Shirt and wear it frequently. However, if I were to need a new Ecru one, the cut and style of the Ann shirt is very similar, so this would be my choice!).

Dune Dress in Black
(2022 Equivalent: Shirine Dress in Black)

Size Ordered: US8 (UK12)
Recommended Sizing: True to Size/Size Up if In-Between
Return/Kept? Kept

This dress is the one I deliberated about the most. It’s another gorgeous 100% silk number at a bargain price (for silk, because it’s still not cheap).

I decided to err on the advice of Sezane and order a size up (US Size 8) — namely because I am relatively ‘thick’ in the middle (for my shape), and dresses can sometimes really not fit me for that reason. However, after trying it on, I think I could have gone for the US Size 6. The dress was a bit loose in the chest and around the arms. In reality, I probably needed a Size 7, which is what often happens to me in dresses.

However, the Dune dress’s beautiful detailing, seams, and material, clinched the decision for me in favor of a keep. I actually liked the fit even more with a good iron (as you can see here — wrinkles galore!). If you are considering buying this dress, I’d recommend checking your measurements and comparing how the dress looks on the model (and on me!).

2022 Update: I ended up barely wearing this dress and regretted my purchase. Mainly because of how much it gapped and showed my bra! Lesson learned with Sezane: if between sizes, choose your smaller size.

However, if I were to choose again, I’d go for the Shirine Dress in Black. While it’s not silk like the Dune, it’s a recycled polyester, marrying sustainability with fluid movement. It’s also the perfect ‘little black wrap dress,’ ideal with tights and boots for date nights in winter.

 

Orson Jumper in Ecru
(2021 Equivalent: Leontine Jumper)

Size Ordered: S
Recommended Sizing: True to Size
Return/Kept? KEPT

2022 update: I found the Orson Jumper in a M way too ‘oversized’ (as you can see from the photos). However, since then I’ve bought numerous Sezane sweaters. And actually, the one I return to the most? The Leontine Jumper. It’s not quite the same as the Orson, being striped. But it’s the same cotton-jumper material (not Sezane’s typical ‘fuzzy sweater’ material), and it has the BEST oversized shape. I wear this every season bar the dead oxf winter.

 

Also Ordered (And Not Pictured): the Farrow Bag in ‘Smooth Chocolate’

Returned/Kept? Returned

I didn’t even think to snap any pictures of this bag. In addition to the clothes above, I fell in love with the Farrow bag, a more cost-efficient version of the Mansur Gavriel bucket bag I’ve been pining after for seemingly ages. I have been on the hunt for a larger cross-body bag for traveling that could actually fit my camera. Blogging probs.

I have to say — so sorry, Sezane! — the Farrow bag appeared better in photos than in real life. I expected the leather to be a slightly soft, buttery feel. Instead, it is very stiff, almost plastic like, making it almost not seem like real leather (it is, though). It also made a really irritating squeaky noise when I walked with it, due to the fact that it’s such a tough, un-pliable leather. Seriously, guys. Noise. It bothers me so much.

However, I do not know if this is the feel of all the Farrow bags or just the chocolate one. I’m still eyeing it over, just in case I have a change of heart.

2022 Suggested Alternative: Okay, the Milo Bag* may be the perfect Autumn bag. It looks a bit like a Gucci or Celine but a fraction of the price. And with two lengths, it’s like having two bags in one. My constant complaint of ‘all crossbody bags are too long’ would vanish instantly.

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Final Verdict

There is a lot of worry that French brands tend to run small. Considering my less-than-svelt middle, when choosing sizes, I erred on the size of ordering up. I actually found Sezane clothing not to be as small as most reviews say they are. My advice is to order your usual size in most cases.

While my first Sezane order experience may have been a mix of hit and misses, my love for this beautiful French brand continues unabated. With their quick delivery, free shipping/returns and their no-sales approach, I will absolutely order from them again — and think you should, too.

CONTINUE READING: SEE PART TWO OF MY HONEST REVIEW OF SEZANE

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