When I was younger and snottier, I thought of Eileen Fisher as a designer for middle-aged women who had given up. Her pieces struck me as shapeless, sexless, trend-less, and made for those who want to hide their bodies under seriously diaphanous layers. Now that I have a middle-aged body myself, however, I find myself more accepting of—and maybe even enthusiastic about—this brand. I think some of the issue with Eileen Fisher is how all of the pieces look when styled with other Eileen Fisher pieces: kind of frumpy at times. But I find that many individual pieces are actually quite good. Like this great, casual band collar shirt jacket, which I’d wear with jeans.
A nicely minimal poplin dress that looks like it would be so crisp in the summer.
I dig the extra length on this gauze shirt, which comes in a few other good shades.
These pull-on twill pants just look so easy and comfy.
I like the tonal check pattern on this cute shirt. It’s also pretty good in black.
This stretch crepe pant comes in millions of colors and looks perfect for travel; I also really like the silk shirt here.
A lightweight linen scarf in such a good blue.
A pretty classic band collar shirt.
And finally, I really like how this linen jacket drapes, and it’d be great for the transitional weather we’re having now.
I think one of the things with Eileen Fisher is that they haven't changed, but the clothing market has changed so much that they are one of the few accessible brands that still use quality materials like 100% linen and 100% silk and still make their clothes to last. That used to not be so rare, so I think the clothes themselves were seen as a little boring; now the quality makes them so much more attractive. However, totally agree about the styling. On one hand the clothes are super classic and won't go out of style, but on the other hand a full wardrobe gives old lady.
One of the best things that has ever happened to me is that the New Yorker advertorial dept (or whatever it's called) invited me to do an event at an Eileen Fisher store in Beverly Hills--my first book had come out earlier that year. At the time I lived in the Bay Area, so they paid me to fly down, put me up at the Four Seasons, and when I arrived at the store, the shopgirls told me I was getting TWO pieces for free as part of the deal for doing the event. I was not chill about it! I think I screamed with glee! I was supposed to be some kind of professional but I was not! None of the pants and such were my thing--too women studies professor or older art teacher, especially ten years ago--but I did end up with this cool textured pullover shirt AND this amazing bolero jacket made of the most supple leather. That shit retailed for $900! I still wear it all the time when I need a going-out jacket because it goes with everything and looks so chic. Whenever anyone compliments me on it I tell them the whole story about how I got it for free, etc. etc. Also, sadly, no one came to this event (except my mom and brother...) because I am not at all famous, and they had all these appetizers and Prosecco for a crowd that never materialized...it was sort of awkward but OH WELL I GOT FREE FANCY CLOTHES.
The end.