Let me tell you about a brand I adore: Johnny Was. It is based out of Los Angeles. The clothes are fun and very bohemian. They are also very expensive. Unfortunately, too expensive for me. However, they do have good sales. My favorite thing about this company is that it caters to women of all shapes and sizes. When I was a plus size, it was so hard to find clothes that were pretty and fun. It is refreshing to see this company embrace all women. Every woman is beautiful and we should all be able to shop where we would like to. I applaud them for understanding that.
I went to Nordstrom Rack last week. I had $40 in Nordstrom Bucks burning a hole in my pocket. I browsed the rack and noticed that they were sorely lacking in my usual size medium. But that has never stopped me and soon I had an armful of size smalls and larges. I headed eagerly to the dressing room.
I dragged my poor son with me, because my daughter was at a sleepover. When the lady showed us to a dressing room, she said, “Here you go, a nice big one for the two of you.” I told her there was no way he was going in with me and not being scarred for life. I figured he could just talk to me from outside of my fitting room door. She did even better, and let him sit in the empty dressing room next to me. That was so sweet and kind. I really appreciated it.
The woman in charge of the dressing room said to me, “Oh my gosh, you’re the Johnny Was girl!”
Now, this is slightly embarrassing. Every time I am there (usually once every 6-8 weeks) I ask if they have had a shipment come in. Because it only seems to happen once a year. She told me a shipment came in five days ago and she thought of me. But I had not left my number. They had been selling out like hotcakes. Darn! But I found three Johnny Was goodies, anyway! I ended up saving around 75% after using my rewards.
This shirt is a size small and I love it! I will wear this with my colored jeans. I paired this with my red pilcro pants from Anthropologie that I bought on sale for $32.50. The shirt has frayed pieces of fabric all over it. I love this. Maybe it looks like I got into a fight (hey,that’s my Johnny Was!), but it looks romantic to me.
This flannel embroidered shirt spoke to me. It is a size small. It is so feminine with just a hint of masculinity. I will pair it with jeans for casual days. But I wanted to try dressing it up, and the third picture showcases that. I am wearing Free People Ginger Fishtail Maxi in that picture. Which way do you like better? I cannot decide. I only own three pairs of denim jeans. I just love skirts and dresses. I feel sexy in the jeans, but I feel like myself in the skirt.
Oh no! I am wearing my belt the way my husband hates! Whatever shall I do? Love it, that’s what! I am smitten with this shirt/dress. I do not know what exactly this was supposed to be. Johnny Was runs a little big and this is a large. I automatically thought dress when I saw it hanging on the rack, but it could be a tunic. I could not resist the sweet red stitching. This was my favorite buy of the day. The second picture is what it looked like before I styled it.
My son was so sweet that day. We headed over to Five Guys for hamburgers when we were done shopping. He had to get my drink for me and grab the peanuts. He got the order for us when it was called. He is turning into such a little gentleman, just like his daddy. He melted my heart that day. I almost felt guilty for dragging him to a clothing store. Almost.
We did play Monster Hunter together when we got home. And then we watched “Say Yes to the Dress.”… Yep, traumatic day. Good thing there were brownies.
So, which was your favorite Johnny Was piece? Do you now have some sort of “Johnny” song stuck in your head? Me too! Mine is the Poe version.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by to read this little blog! I appreciate it.
I have a few Johnny Was dresses and love them too! While I like all the pieces you bought, I love the first (white) tunic you found and the way you styled the plaid shirt with the maxi skirt. Great finds.
Thank you so much! I loved the maxi skirt with the plaid, but my husband hated it. So I have yet to wear it that way out of the house. I thought maybe it looked weird. You have given me the encouragement I needed!
Thanks for commenting.
P.S. I would love to hear about your dresses.
I love that flannel embroidered shirt both ways you wore it! But it looks so sexy romantic with the black skirt!
Thank you! I thought so, too. My husband really did not like it that way. Now I am going to wear it like that!
I love the embroidery on that plaid. I prefer it with the maxi. Much more boho.
bisous
Suzanne
Thank you! I need to wear it that way now! It seems that is the way everyone likes it.
Thank you for commenting. Have a great day!
love the shirt with maxi!!! What? why does your hubby hate belt over dress??
Well, let me tell you something… my husband doesn’t like most of my clothes.. and the way I dress.. sometimes he calls me grandma. because I like gold jewelry and he thinks gold is for grandma.
I do not care what he thinks or what he says. (I used to.. but now I don’t lol he just wear black T shirt and khaki pants anyways.. he know nothing about fashion! )
Nordstrom rack is far from where I live, but next time I go there, I will check that brand!!! It’s so cute!!
Husbands! He does not like a belt that high. He thinks it looks weird. Oh well. I still like it. I think I dress like a grandma sometimes. Hey, there is nothing wrong with that. : )
I loved your blog yesterday. Adorable daughter. Have a wonderful day.
I love all of them and I agree that the flannel shirt with the skirt was way cute! My favorite of your Johnny Was treasures is the shirt dress, super cute with the boots and belt. What a trooper your little guy was, maybe torture for him, but fun memories for you.
Thank you, Amy! I love that bohemian look.
My son is used to his crazy momma! Thankfully he is still at the age where he wants to spend time with me. Tonight he did turn down my invitation to watch “Four Weddings.” Maybe that day was too traumatic. ; )
Thank you for commenting! I very much appreciate it.
Have a great night!
Jenni
Hi Jenni!
I love your style! We have similar taste. I also see you are wearing Frye boots? I found Johnny Was last year and bought two silk dresses. But yes, they definitely run big. I am an XXS and had to get them massively re-tailored, but so worth it! I took them to Thailand last year!
http://blooberrymuffin.com/2012/11/29/another-bangkok-preview/
http://blooberrymuffin.com/2012/11/26/a-bangkok-preview/
Have not worn them again properly but I will take them for summer in Chicago and get some proper shots!
I also LUUURVE Free People! 🙂 Glad I found your blog and will follow!
Jes
Wow! Thank you! Glad to meet a gal with similar tastes! Of course, I will never be an XXS. Well, maybe in my dreams. I have always wanted to go to Thailand. It looks so beautiful. My boyfriend in high school was an exchange student from Thailand.
I will definitely check out your blog tonight! Thank you for following and commenting. I appreciate it!
Have a wonderful day!
Jenni
I LOVE JOHNNY TOO! Johnny Was is one of the few designers I can buy in “regular” size which makes me love it more 😉
In his clothes I can “hide” without looking like I’m doing so.
Glad you haven’t forgotten what it is like to be plus and having a miserable time finding nice things!
Hi Karen!
I am so glad we share the same love for Johnny Was. I have not found anymore pieces at Nordstrom Rack lately. They seem to only come in once a year.
I will never forget what it feels like to be a plus size and how hard it is to find cute clothes. And I just want all women to be able to shop at the same store! Johnny Was is awesome that way and so is Modcloth. I also love the American Rag brand at Macy’s for their cute clothes and universal sizing. If only other retailers would get onboard.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I really appreciate it!
Have a great weekend!
Jenni