Is Sezane worth it? Does it live up to the hype? We’ve been seeing it all over Instagram thanks to their approach of working with smaller influencers — the people most of us actually trust. It’s a different approach. Most brands go straight for the numbers. But, if you’re like me, I rarely follow people with more than 100,000 followers, and most people I follow have significantly less than that. It feels like once an influencer gets into the hundreds of thousands — or even millions — of followers, they go in to one of two camps. They’re either the Julia Berolzheimers of the world, whose fashion is fully unattainable for the average person but is stunning inspiration, or they’re part of that large cohort of influencers who all seem the same, sharing the same Amazon hauls, self-tanners, and designer purses.
Those apparently weren’t the right fit for Sezane — and I think this was an incredibly astute move on their part. I’ve seen friends who have 2,000 followers work with them and friends who have 50,000 followers work with them. But the common thread is that I fully trust their style and their opinion. It’s obviously worked. Their DC store opening had lines around the block. But one question I’ve been asked by more than a few people on Instagram is whether I think Sezane is actually worth it.
Is Sezane Worth It? Does Sezane Live Up to the Hype?
Sezane had been on my radar for months — maybe even a year — before I placed my first order while working with them. My first order was a linen-cotton ruffle neck blouse with the prettiest garden-inspired embroidery, which I’ve worn time after time. I immediately bought into the allure of the French fashion (though, let’s be honest, I was already francophile leaning). Here are the items I’ve gotten, and why they actually do live up to the hype.
This dress, a shirtdress with a slightly 1970s aesthetic, is one that I receive endless compliments on every time I wear it. It’s funny, it is definitely a gorgeous dress — that’s why I ordered it — but people seem drawn to it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been stopped by strangers while wearing it.
As far as the accessories go, I haven’t loved the handbags — the leather is a bit too stiff for me. But, I’m obsessed with the belts. And the jewelry is so chic. I only wear solid gold, so I’ve stuck to jewelry that’s only made of resin (ie, can’t tarnish), but the bangles are SO good.
I’ve also gotten two of the marinières, both of which are made from a high quality thick cotton. This blue and white stripe long sleeve sailor tee has a darling button detail at the neck, and it’s the ideal sweatshirt alternative. Meanwhile, this scoop neck style is sophisticated tucked into a pair of high-waisted jeans.
The dress I’m wearing below is another all-star item I’ve ordered. Somehow, it’s still available in every size, but it’s gorgeous. It’s made of a linen cotton blend that’s perfect for spring and summer, the a-line skirt is full enough to keep it cool, and the open back is such a lovely, subtly sexy moment.
The verdict: Sezane does, in fact, live up to the hype. The items are beautifully made and wear well. People always ask me about them when I’m wearing them, so perhaps they do have that certain je ne sais quoi to them.
A Few Quirks to Keep In Mind
There are a few quirks to keep in mind when ordering from Sezane, and I’ve heard these echoed from others. The first is that their website often indicates that an item runs large and you should size down. Don’t do this! I’ve actually sized up in every item I’ve bought. I don’t know if this is a French sizing vs. American sizing issue, but I find that their styles absolutely do not run large. I could chalk it up to being pear shaped — perhaps they’re designed for a more slim figure? But, no, a friend who is tall and slender said she’s also sized up even when the website has told her otherwise.
The next is that the jeans are not designed for people with hips and a waist. I would need to have them taken in so much to make both the hips and the waist fit that they just aren’t worth it. It feels as if they’re geared towards someone who is taller and straighter.
And, lastly, I would say most of their items are made of natural materials, but I keep an eye out for those items specifically. They do have a sustainability promise, but I have just found that their natural materials feel better. I’ve bought two pieces that are synthetic and, while I love the styling and one of those items is perhaps my most-complimented dress ever, I fully prefer the feel of the cotton and linen items. But that’s more of a larger clothing stance than Sezane-specific.
