Community Chat

[sidsmom]

Does anyone remember J.Jill, circa 1985?

Their mid-80s line had flowy, conservative designs made of natural cotton material w/ a thicker hand.  And their catalog was illustration only.

Their contemporary line today is, at times, hard to describe.  Talbots meets J. Crew meets Chico’s meets...you get the drift.  J. Jill is mentioned on these boards from time to time...and I always think “J.Jill Circa 1985” which is a total ‘180’ from the J.Jill currently mentioned.

I had several dresses & suits from J.Jill in late 80’s. Their ‘lady-like’ design was still riding the Lady/Princess Diana wave, especially with Liberty of London prints...so pretty.  Of course, I had to have Crabtree & Evelyn bath items, as well, but that’s another thread.

I really had to look long & hard to find these pictures of their old catalog/designs. I fell down the ‘rabbit hole’ looking for this illustrated catalog! Just like I remembered.

So when someone says, ‘I like J.Jill’....I immediately think 1985 J.Jill.

Funny.  Good memories.

Do you remember the 1985 illustrated J. Jill catalog?

[bikerbabe]

No. I don’t remember. Looking at the photos you posted not my style at all.

I liked J Jill about 15 years ago. Mainly sweaters.

[tansy]

Wow.  I don’t remember the company back then at all.  What a change from their scaled down offerings now.

[GSPgirl]

I do not remember the catalog!  I like JJill, but their Wearever material is not seatbelt friendly.  I get these little pills the first time I wear these garments.  They take them back. They are fully aware of the lack of quality.  The store told me.  I miss the 80’s dresses and suits. 

[handygal2]

I don't remember this. The drawings are very quaint, and remind me of the J. Peterman catalog's style.

[gidgetgh]

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@GSPgirl wrote:

I do not remember the catalog!  I like JJill, but their Wearever material is not seatbelt friendly.  I get these little pills the first time I wear these garments.  They take them back. They are fully aware of the lack of quality.  The store told me.  I miss the 80’s dresses and suits. 

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@GSPgirl- I have several of the Wearever tops. I haven’t had any trouble with pilling at all. I drive every day. 

[tansy]

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@gidgetgh wrote:

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@GSPgirl wrote:

I do not remember the catalog!  I like JJill, but their Wearever material is not seatbelt friendly.  I get these little pills the first time I wear these garments.  They take them back. They are fully aware of the lack of quality.  The store told me.  I miss the 80’s dresses and suits. 

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@GSPgirl- I have several of the Wearever tops. I haven’t had any trouble with pilling at all. I drive every day. 

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I don’t get pilling with my tops either.l

[faeriemoon]

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@bikerbabe wrote:
No. I don’t remember. Looking at the photos you posted not my style at all.

I liked J Jill about 15 years ago. Mainly sweaters.

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Same here.

[SahmIam]

Wow. Laura Ashley meets Little House on the Prairie.

I had a highschool teacher that ONLY wore Laura Ashley/the Laura Ashley look. She was in her 40s wearing garments like that including the Mary Jane shoes, the sheep sweaters, everything. The look suited her too, which is funny when I think back about that. On another teacher, it would have been a costume.

Wonder if Ms. Hunt shopped at J. Jill back then?

[faeriemoon]

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@handygal2 wrote:

I don't remember this. The drawings are very quaint, and remind me of the J. Peterman catalog's style.

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And the Vermont Country Store.