Hello There, Joe Fresh. I Think I Love You.

By
Shana
-
52
2119

faux-fur-collar-winter-coat

 

Gang, Joe Fresh reached out and asked if I’d like to collaborate.  Never having tried any of their pieces before, I promptly took the opportunity to venture to the nearest Joe Fresh.

In NYC.  Such hardship.  (Especially since Mike was already there doing his Strata thing.)

As you can imagine, we had a really good time.  And (AND AND!!) it was actually the very first time we spent a night away from the boys.  EVER.  (Well, that’s not technically true – we spent a verrryy romantic couple of nights in the hospital after my mastectomy but that Does. Not. Count.)

In any case, the trip was a total success.  To be honest, I was kinda blown away by Joe Fresh.  I mean, not everything is amazing – a few sweaters didn’t drape well, the dresses were all inexplicably long (which Cams will love), but there were some standout pieces that are not to be believed.  Including…DENIM.  WHA?  I know.

joe-fresh-faux-fur-coat

joe-fresh-coat

review-of-joe-fresh-flare-jeans

joe-fresh-jeans

 

These lightwash, high-rise flares are my hands-down favorites.  They’re as soft as sweatpants, perfectly distressed (just a tad), and a true high-rise.  Low cost denim usually fumbles with lighter washes or skimps on the higher rise, but Joe Fresh nailed it.  And the bum is good!!  These jeans do stretch out, though, so I should’ve gone down a size.  (In these pics I’m wearing my typical size – 25, but a 24 would’ve been better.)

If you follow me on Instagram (@shanachristine) you’ve seen this jacket before.  Comfy, flattering, and looks oh-so-fancy.  But since these pieces are all insanely affordable (the jacket is seriously on sale for under $60), I didn’t feel the need to be precious with it.  You know?

quinny-yezz-umbrella-stroller

 

(BTW – Quinny’s new umbrella stroller, the Yezz, is my new fav.  So light!)

 

army-green-coat-faux-fur-collar

white-victorian-blouse

 

pretty-white-blouse

 

Philly Mamas already know how good the toast and coffee are at Rival Bros.  But just in case you haven’t tried their latest creation (apple butter, rosemary, almonds, and manchego cheese)….well.  GO.

lightwash-distressed-flares

 

I brought these jeans into a random tailor and UGH.  They’re STILL TOO LONG.  Skinny jeans have spoiled me – I totally forgot how annoying it is to hem jeans.  So back I’ll go.  I was trying to decide if I wanted to hem these for flats or heels…but since they’re literally under $50 I may just buy another pair.  (If anyone has a good tailor in Philly, let me know!)

 

mom-uniform-with-flares

 

Outfit Details

top: Joe Fresh lace trim blouse (size XS)

jacket (from earlier pics): Joe Fresh Aviator Jacket with faux-fur trim (size S, so it will fit over sweaters)

jeans: Joe Fresh High Rise Flare Jeans (size 25)

boots: so old I have no idea.  Bought well before kids when we all wore bootcut everyday and had to hem every pair of jeans for a specific shoe.  GAH!

 

In hindsight, I should’ve done a whole #dressingroomselfies thing since this is the first time I’ve ever covered Joe Fresh (and I’m betting many of you aren’t familiar with the brand).  So…I did a quick little at-home version to show you my favs.

double-denim-for-work

I was shocked by how well Joe Fresh’s oxford shirt fit.  The armholes are nice and high (but not too high), it fits perfectly across the shoulders, and the sleeves are a good length.  I’m wearing an xs.  The jeans are Joe Fresh Dark Wash Flare Jean, size 24.  These jeans have NOT been hemmed.  Yet.  Ahem.

vneck-tee-army-green

oversized-plaid-scarf-camel-red-black

Wearing theJoe Fresh Dark Wash Flare Jeans again, this time with the Dolman Sleeve Tee (size xs).   And, of course, my favorite scarf.

 

joe-fresh-black-cashmere-sweater

Ignoring my jean-hem problems,  the sweater I can’t seem to stop wearing is actually Mike’s.  Joe Fresh Men’s section has some pretty decent cashmere sweaters.  Their guys’ clothes in general have a nice, slim fit but not overly so (like, good god, H&M).  It’s perfect for Mike.  (And, uh, for me too.  His sweater is a size medium.)

 

long-top-over-flares

I LOVE this top.  Until I realized that I accidentally came home with the S instead of the XS.  So.  Suffice to say that this particular picture doesn’t do the top justice, but it does look (when properly sized) amazing with flares.  That are hemmed.   I should probably exchange the top for an XS and take the jeans back to the tailor….but…WOMP WOMP.  That sounds hard.  Instead, I’ll probably just hack at the jeans with scissors and call the size S close enough.

black-and-white-patterned-shift-dress

You know me and my love of short hemlines.  I was trying to figure out how to show you how many inches were taken up when Pax stepped in.  Problem. Solved.

Anyway, this dress is one of my absolute favs.  The pattern is cool, and it’s perfect with a turtleneck and over-the-knee boots (pics coming soon).  But the really exciting part is the fabric – it’s that slightly thick, yet fabulously drapy ponte.  Which means the dress skims nicely over lumps and bumps yet it’s totally stretchy – there’s no restriction of arm movement.  Also?

POCKETS.

dress-with-pockets

 

Shop Joe Fresh Favs

 

 

Enjoy!

xo,

S

ps.  Just saw these jeans.  DYING.

 

A huge thank-you to Joe Fresh for sponsoring this post.  Dresses with pockets, perfectly faded denim and oversized scarves are pretty much the cornerstone of my fall wardrobe, so this article was a joy to work on.  And readers, thank you – so much – for your continued support.  It doesn’t go unnoticed and is so very appreciated.

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52 COMMENTS

  2. Didn’t just peruse but tried to buy a couple pieces – okay five pieces. But all the prices in their site are much higher than your listed ones by around 25%. The clothes are super affordable indeed but I was buying so much because a dress for $30 or jeans for $30 instead if my usual $200 plus? U save ten percent btw signing up for their email. However the more I save the more I buy! Would appreciate any insight into the price discrepancies as all pieces listed are higher on their website. And since this post just went live I would assume any sale they had would be still applicable when u posted the piece since it’s a collab. Really enjoyed the styling as always!

  3. Ok. This blanket scarf. It’s listed as acrylic. I am so so wary. How does it feel?? I cannot, will not abide by anything scratchy.

  4. Great pieces! I have 2 questions. ..
    1…is this the same Joe Fresh that JCPENNY sells?

    2. What is the color of your gorgeous maroon nail polish?

    Thanks so much..I always enjoy your blog for style inspiration. ..you have a knack! !!

  5. I’m sold on their styling but what is the quality like? I’m envisioning H&M where things look good for a minute or two and then they shred. I have the same skepticism for Uniqlo. The stuff looks cool but not sure if it will hold up. I’m getting spoiled in that I like things to actually last more than a year now that I’m older and can afford nicer stuff. 😉

    • I don’t know about all Uniqlo stuff, but I got a super comfy jersey blazer there that I abuse horribly and it still looks awesome. Like wear 2x a week, wash and dry on hot (haven’t even checked the tag to see what I should do) with some regularity, and use around a toddler (spread stuff on it/Kleenex/etc.), and it still looks great since last fall. I keep meaning to get more of their stuff, but I really like to try clothes on and not shop online and there isn’t one super close so I haven’t yet. Also doing the pregnant thing currently so doing more maternity items right now anyway…

    • Hey cs, I’ve been buying Joe for years now. Their kids’ stuff lasts great for as long as you need it to – and often long enough to get passed down to the next kid or sometimes two – but it’s pretty much the same with the adult clothes. One year, two years, maybe three if it’s not on high rotation. I don’t mind that myself, though, because the prices are commensurate and I like to experiment with clothes.

    • SOOOOO….when I grabbed the links to the products, I think I was accidentally on their Canadian site. Which would explain the price differences and shipping. If you look in the top right hand corner, there’s a little flag – switch to US, and all will be well! (They are currently offering free US shipping on orders over $50.)

  10. Being in Canada, my local grocery store carries Joe Fresh so I check out their offerings regularly. My favorites are their shift dresses as they works so well for my body shape and almost all have pockets. I also usually get on clearance – my best purchase was one for $5 but more recently for $10. I will definitely check out the plaid scarf you tried. <3!

    • Yep! I’m in Canada, too, and now that Shana has put the stamp of approval on Joe, I know it’s p-e-r-f-e-c-t-l-y okay to buy half my clothes at the supermarket. (But hey, Lisa, don’t you wish we had access to the FULL line of Joe? Dang it. The difference in selection between joefresh.ca and joefresh.com is crazy.)

    • I’m in Canada too & it makes grocery shopping a little more fun… I always stop and browse Joe Fresh clothes! And I love their kids clothes so much!

  11. Ok, maybe unrelated tailor question. Your hem looks distressed, do you save your original hem? Or do you distress the new one? I have been trying to sand my seven flares after hemming, maybe becoming an obsession…arghh

  12. I love this article, you nailed it… and I too, love Joe Fresh… simple, good quality, and more budget friendly for me. This might sound silly, but every time I see “sponsored” on a blog, I have this vision of a 1950’s Hollywood-esque visit to “insert the sponsor’s store”. You arrive and try on as many clothes you wish, with a gang of attendants at your disposal. Is it that glamorous?

    • Oh, YES. It’s verrryyy glamorous. Picture me, all red-faced and sweaty in a dressing room for four hours with my hair static-clinging all over the place while the teenage workers knock timidly, “lady, are you OK in there?” Very 1950’s glam.

  13. Ever since the Joe Fresh Bangladesh Factory collapse I haven’t been able to step foot inside their stores. Their prices are amazing and tempting – and I know they made some attempts to make things right – and they aren’t the only fast fashion retailers that used that particular factory – but it still makes me feel too guilty to shop there.

    • I’ve never shopped at Joe Fresh, but I totally get this sentiment. I would love to see more conversation about this issue. I don’t mean that I think Shana should host it because that doesn’t seem to be her gig, but somewhere! I know it’s complicated but I would gladly pay an extra dollar for every GAP item I buy if I knew it was going directly to the people who made the item. I have similar feelings about Wal-Mart. I’d much rather pay an extra $0.25 more for my bread if it means that the check clerk has decent medical insurance, can take sick leave to care for his/her children etc., etc.

      • Yes Annie! and Mel! I worry about the same things. I feel really overwhelmed by the social costs of fast fashion, but also overwhelmed by the task of vetting every little thing I buy.

    • Mel and Annie – This article title caught my eye because of the term “fast fashion” so I wanted to pass along. It’s a fascinating read and mentions the factory collapse. One of the fair trade brands mentioned is Everlane which I know Shana has featured multiple times.

      Shana – maybe you could do a Fair Trade post and experiment with some of these brands for us!

      Article: 30 Fair Trade Clothing Brands That Are Betting Against Fast Fashion: http://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/fair-trade-clothing

      • Would be very interested to see TME’s take on slow fashion! I know I’ve seen Everlane and Zady clothing and Soko jewelry featured here. How about Reformation? Their fall weddings/parties shop is stocked with some SPECTACULAR dresses…little holiday look-ahead, perhaps, S? And I am obsessed with the Sabel and Daryn (leopard, naturally) coats. Sooooo good this fall!

        • Love this discussion – it IS an important one. I’ve never addressed it because, frankly, the issue is so complex that I struggle to define my own position. If we all started buying only things made in the US, what would happen to the people who are depending on the factory work to survive? Would those factories close? Would the countries’ entire economies collapse? Have any of you come across articles on the topic that offer actual solutions? I’d welcome more data / insight into this topic. But to answer your questions, I do try to balance things out as best as I can. And YES – send me any Fair trade / slow fashion brands you’d like me to check out. I’ve been so impressed with Zady (and Everlane, actually), and would welcome any excuse for more fashion-related “research”. It’s practically SCIENCE.

          • Great reply Shana! I’m also wondering about in-depth articles with solutions. I do appreciate the slow-fashion backlash and the small companies that are working so hard to be transparent and fair. BUT what I really hope for is that the mega corporations like GAP, Forever 21, JCrew, Apple etc., will do some restructuring or whatever is necessary to ensure that every worker from beginning to end is given a fair wage with benefits in safe working conditions and is treated with dignity. It’s the big companies that have the power to make a lot of positive change. Definitely complicated and I know very little about it. The reality is I am benefiting from the exploitation of others and I know that is wrong.

          • Annie, I get your perspective. It’s hard work to find (and afford) the companies that are doing the right thing. But I also think it’s going to take enough of us voting with our wallets for the Gaps and J Crews of the world to make substantive changes. My closet is far from guilt-free, but my small effort is to Vivienne Westwood it – buy less and choose well.

            S, seriously – thereformation.com. There are a few investment pieces I’m stockpiling pennies for that I’d love to see featured here – thanks!

          • I just had to post this very timely article on this subject! Titled “The Myth of the Ethical Shopper”.
            http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/the-myth-of-the-ethical-shopper/
            Lots of good info.

            “Trade agreements require developing countries to establish huge intellectual-property inspection bodies to raid markets for bootleg Blu-rays. We just need to offer poor workers the same kinds of protection we give pharmaceutical patents.”

            “We are not going to shop ourselves into a better world. Advocating for boring stuff like complaint mechanisms and formalized labor contracts is nowhere near as satisfying as buying a pair of Fair Trade sandals or whatever. But that’s how the hard work of development actually gets done: Not by imploring people to buy better, but by giving them no other option.”

            And thanks Maggie and Dawn for the shopping suggestions. I’m off to check them out.

          • Hi Shana, Thanks for your in depth (and positive) reply – sorry if my comment seemed negative or judgmental. I know how much work blogging is & you are right it is a hugely complex issue; economic disparity cannot be fixed by just avoiding one brand or retailer. You are awesome for helping us view getting dressed as fun and creative – and showing approachable/ affordable clothes is part of that. I also realize I am hypocritical because I just bought outfits for my baby niece at a gap clearance sale this weekend – so how can I complain about one retailer when I still shop at fast fashion stores myself? anyways I felt bad if my original comment seemed harsh. Thanks again for your (and other commenters) thoughtful replies!

        • In my experience, Reformation has really cute designs but the quality of the fabric and the actual construction leaves a lot to be desired. I’ve paid $100 for a dress that showed errors typically made by people first learning to sew. I understand they pay their employees well and i love that, but the result should still be a well made garment, you know? Maybe i’ve just had bad luck with the things i’ve ordered thus far.

          • Annie, thanks for the link- off to read. Jes, I’m crushed!! 🙁 But thanks for sharing- hadn’t purchased yet and now will think twice.

  14. I love Joe Fresh, but it is so funny to hear you falling in love with a brand I associate (awesomly) with the grocery store equivalent of meijer. Man do I miss Superstore. We also love their kids stuff.

  17. Love your blog!! I have been reading since ANMJ days when your boys were still babies. Your style looks so effortless and cool. I absolutely love it! Can not get enough. That jacket is pretty tempting. Do you mind me asking what size you would take in a suit jacket, 0,2? You’re wearing it oversized so I bet the XS would have worked too. I’m usually a 4 in a suit jacket so was planning on ordering a M for the same look. Not sure…

    • Yes! The XS fit well, I just sized up because I have a few seriously bulky sweaters I wanted to layer. I’m typically a size 0 in most jackets (jcrew, banana, etc) and a size 2 in some of the higher-end designers (milly, tibi, etc).

  19. And this is why I learned to sew: I am short and ALL my pants need to be hemmed. With that said, I do check the inseam number before buying pants. It’s hard to hem a flared Jean if you need to cut it down too much. I mean, you can do it but by the time you’re done it might look more boot cut than flare. Skinny jeans are not problematic that way. I find some denim labels have ridiculously long inseams while others are more easy to work with/hem.
    I love the current trend of cropped flares but this is my problem – finding a pair that I can hem without losing the flare. Short girl problems I guess.

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