Is it time to break up with Sézane?

Hey all! I wanted to pin a comment addressing some of the criticism I’ve seen regarding my comments on influencer gifting. I totally understand how it comes across as hypocritical that I complain about influencer gifting in one breath and then get upset that they’ve never reached out to me. Am I slightly salty about this? Absolutely haha. Is it hypocritical? Maybe! I think the point I was trying to make, which I could have articulated better, was that if they are going to use influencers to market their product, why not include the people who have been reviewing their clothing (myself, Mila and the many others) for years, free of charge, rather than micro-influencers who have never spent their own money on clothing from the brand? Hopefully it’s obvious that I really do love and wear the brand, whether they choose to work with me or not, and in my opinion, they are missing a trick by not acknowledging our reviews as a way to incorporate a more authentic, genuine form of influencer marketing. I appreciate all your comments and thoughts on this video, it’s been so interesting to read all of your perspectives and experiences ❤

Influencer gifting is a turn off, I won’t buy Lily Silk because of that. I just can’t trust the reviews.

You're absolutely right about Sezane moving at a fast-fashion kind of pace! The number of collections and drops has NOTHING to do with sustaiability. I'm afraid it's one of those brands who forgot about their ideals when they started making really good money...

I completely agree it’s morphing into a fast fashion, overpriced operation. The prices are soaring and the quality is really declining. Very sad.

Yep, the quality has dropped significantly over the years. I just bought their latest Adele, in silk, in the Palomba print. Lovely dress, fits well and on first inspection seemed very well made. However, the damn buttons are too small for the buttonholes - and being covered in silk doesn't help. So when I wore it to work yesterday the bust and bottom 3 buttons kept popping open through the most mundane use. I'm an office worker, not an aerobics instructor. I should be able to sit typing or walk to the water fountain and not have the buttons pop. I've decided to just repair the way too big buttonholes myself but boy am I annoyed. This should have been caught in the design process and I shouldn't have to waste my time on this.

Not to be a jerk, but I think nearly everything about Sezane has been outdated for a while. Not just their marketing and fast fashion approach, but their styles. It’s like 80s mall clothing styles for the last 5 years or so. Very heavy looking large prints. I bought a lot of Sezane when they first opened and have bought almost nothing in the past five years. It’s a shame because they started as a special company and really went downhill. I also agree the influencer marketing is a turnoff. It makes me NOT want to buy from companies that do that.

The thing with vinted is that from my own experience, a large portion of those offered pieces are scams. Untrustworthy people have realised that sezane goes for large money, and they're taking advantage of that

Poor quality work and materials seems to be a problem with many clothing brands that used to do better....when you buy a well made piece from even 10 or 15yrs ago the difference is noticeable.

I’m embarrassed to say that I have been selling almost all my Sézane pieces on Vinted. I am at a cross roads in my life in terms of my wardrobe and what I miss to create my outfits. I’ve also been influenced to purchase items because they looked good on a creator but do not fit in my own style. I have also noticed that Sézane’s quality has decreased recently. I bought a classic Milo bag in burgundy and when it arrived it was not in pristine condition. The protective film had been taken off the hardware and it had no pouch. For the money I paid, I found this unacceptable.

I actually found your channel because I was searching for Sezane bag reviews and I've since watched ALL your Sezane videos (and a lot of other ones too). I found your videos so helpful because you were showing Sezane products on a 'regular' body which was much more helpful to me than the thin, tall models they use on their website. So I completely agree that it's really bizarre that you haven't been approached for PR items. TOTALLY agree that lack of diversity of body types on their product photos and IG hashtags are not only poor from a PR point of view, but actually make it really hard for the vast majority of women to buy from them. Being nowhere near a Sezane store, I rely purely on purchasing online and I often don't purchase because I can't work out whether the item will look good on me- the photos don't show the product clearly, they're just a series of stylised model shots which aren't actually all that useful. Contrast this to, say, Everlane who use a diverse range of models AND clearly show studio shots (is that what they're called?) of the items so you can clearly see it's shape and details, AND provide measurements of the garment itself- Sezane need to up their game. I still love Sezane because of their aesthetic but purchasing from them is a rare event for me (unfortunately!).

Totally agree with this video!! I became obsessed with Sezane maybe 2 years ago and bought a bunch of stuff, but I am petite and a lot of their clothes are hard to pull off. I’ve started focusing on just buying layering basics from them, they’re usually good for good quality layering pieces.

And yes, the "you wear it best" carousel is so annoying I've stopped clicking it open. The women all look like the Sezane models and yes, in addition to all being young, thin and model-gorgeous - you never see anyone at the shorter end. Apparently the average height of women in North America is 5'4" but I feel like I've never or rarely seen anyone in that carousel who is my height. I mean it's not like I can't figure out that a maxi style that's long on the model will not work for me - but it does make me feel like I'm just not a demographic that Sezane is interested in.

Amazing video Katie! I started shopping Sezane 3 years ago and have noticed a change in the number of drops and quality of fabrics in that short time and have felt it start leaning towards a fast fashion business model but I didn't want to admit it. I enjoy the brand but I'm not obsessed with it and specifically look for their sustainable fabrics when shopping (most of the time). I agree with everything you have said and thank you for packing it up in such a concise and thorough presentation. BTW, love your hair!!!

Katie, thx for being honest & candid--partly why I watch you. I have classic & beautiful pieces from 4-5yrs ago. All keepers. I do NOT buy anything made in China (more of their pieces now/likewise all of Goellia!) and quality with mostly natural fibers are a must. I actually like to see their pieces on various influencers so I can better idea of fit, etc. But I do find the quantity of released collections is a huge concern re quality. Love your vids!

Completely agree with a lot of the assertions here! These days I shop Sezane items from Vinted first and only buy full price from Sezane if I can’t find them there and only if they are in natural fibres. Might shop their Archives tomorrow though 😋

Hello Katie, I think you do the best sezane reviews. And I'm glad you still will do some sezane reviews. I notice the change of quantity and qualitiy, too. I find their amount of new drops stressful and it is not what it used to be. I loved your videos about style (using clothes you already purchased) and the videos that introduced us to smaller brands like Pink City Prints. I'd love to see a video about your holiday capsule.❤

I bought Sezane because of you and Mila!! I thought you were being paid by the brand. I am very disappointed that the brand doesn't support such good content as yours. Please, share with us other brands with good quality and style. Also, it is time for Sezane to fix the itchiness problem of most of its knitwear.

Thank you for this video, Katie! I think you highlighted some important and common complaints that I’ve been seeing nowadays, and at the pace they’re going, I doubt they’re going to change things because all companies are profit driven. I’m hoping they hear these growing sentiments and pare back but I’m not holding my breath!

I love Sezane and won't be breaking up with them anytime soon. That said, as a size 14 Aus woman, I cannot buy anything of theirs without seeing larger women try the item online. I have also learned to be very vigilant when it comes to fabric composition and will not purchase their items unless its majority natural fibers. In terms of influencer gifting - I just can't help but think that if they can afford to be gifting sooooo much product, how much is what I'm paying for quality product? And how much is just funding their gifting? It definitely cheapens the brand in my eyes.

Thank you for being so honest !! Totally agree with this issue. I have reached out to said “influencers” that show huge hauls that “they paid with their own money” and asked them about VAT charges to the US for orders (which I paid for exorbitantly for just two dresses about 2 years ago—-and have never attempted to shop since) and could never get a straight answer from anyone…so sad. Otherwise a beautiful brand that ultimately is just cashing in any which way it can as is the norm these days.