My first experience shopping at Sézane was when Carolyn and I stopped into their flagship store in Paris last fall. Since then my eyes have been opened to the French brand, and window shopping their site has become a bit of an addiction! Over the past few months, I’ve also noticed a lot of buzz in the States around classic Sézane sweaters such as the Betty cardigan, Gaspard cardigan, and the Barry cardigan. However, the one I’m covering today is perhaps one of the most talked about pieces online – maybe it’s one that’s even caught your eye. Read on for my honest Sézane Emile cardigan review!
But First, A Little About Sézane
The Pros
There’s a lot to love about the French brand founded in 2013 by Morgane Sézalory. The first is their commitment to sustainability. In fact, that’s where Sézane’s origins lie. Sézalory originally began selling vintage items from Paris through her website, Les Composantes, before starting to design her own pieces with vintage elements as inspiration. Since then, the brand’s desire to maintain a sustainable company has not wavered.
Sézane is a B-Corporation, which means that they have met the highest standards for social and environmental performance. Nearly 90% of their pieces are made in Europe, and they focus on small-batch production to reduce waste of unsold pieces.
This also means their pieces can sell out quickly, but they do restock select items such as their “French Essentials” (including the Emile). As for the social part of the B-Corp designation – they’re also philanthropic, and regularly donate a portion of their profits to various non-profit organizations.
Besides their commitment to sustainability and social causes, Sézane is also emblematic of the cool, effortless French Girl style. Many of their pieces, particularly the “French Essentials” portion of their website, are timeless classics that would fit right into a capsule wardrobe. They also have regular small collection drops, which are a fun way to shop statement pieces.
Looking for other pieces to add to your capsule wardrobe? Check out the free guide to capsule wardrobe shopping here.
The last “pro” I’ll cover is their quality. I’ve ordered a few pieces from Sézane now, and have so far been happy with the high quality of the item compared to its price point. Besides their knits (the majority of what I’ve ordered from them), they’re also well-known for their trench coats, leather bags, shoes, and basics.
The Cons
Sézane is at a slightly higher price point than many retailers we highlight on MCO. For instance, the Emile cardigan retails for $170. However, when you consider their sustainability efforts, quality, and the timeless appearance of their pieces, I would argue that many of their items are worth the cost.
Of course, that is a completely personal decision! Sézane does offer free returns, so if you don’t end up liking a piece they do make it very simple to send it back or exchange it for a different size. If you’re focusing on purchasing quality over quantity, I would argue that Sézane is definitely worth a try.
The Emile Sweater – My Experience
I’ve had the Emile sweater in “pastel yellow” by Sézane for a few weeks now, and have had some time to try styling it in various ways. I’ve also had a chance to gather my thoughts for this review!
The Style
First order of business: the style. I would describe the Emile as having a slightly oversized, boxy shape. The buttons go all the way to the top, with balloon sleeves. It’s a timeless piece, in a classic, full-length silhouette. Wool cardigans in a relaxed fit are a great wardrobe staple!
I chose this piece because I love a slightly oversized sweater that I can layer over other pieces in colder weather, and cozy up in when cooler temps arrive. However, if you prefer a slimmer shape, I recommend taking a look at the Gaspard or the Barry.
The Material
The Emile cardigan is a wool blend comprised of 40% merino wool, 36% super kid mohair, 13% polyamide, and 11% cotton. One thing to note is that because it is a wool blend, it does not feel as “scratchy” as 100% wool if you have sensitive skin. I have read a few reviews that share that they have experienced a bit of shedding – I have not yet noticed this, but it’s a possibility.
I like the construction and appearance of wool pieces (plus the warmth in the winter), so to me, this is a great material for a cardigan. If you have sensitive skin and wool blends to bother you, you could try layering a long-sleeved tee underneath if you love this sweater’s look.
The Fit
Sézane’s website describes the Emile as having a “slightly oversized volume” when it comes to the fit. The brand recommends that if you are between sizes, you should choose the one below. If you’d like to stay true to size with a slightly roomy fit, I would recommend following that advice.
My usual size falls between an XS and a size S from most brands, so I chose the XS based on the guidance provided. Based on other online reviews, some decided to actually size up as they’re looking for an even more oversized fit. In the end, it is completely your preference and how you’d like the sweater to look!
Washing and Care
This next bit is very important (I’ve seen some horror stories online of shrunken sweaters that wouldn’t fit my dog afterward). Sézane recommends you wash the Emile by hand in cold water, and lay it flat to dry. I have not yet had to launder this piece, but when I do, I plan to fill a Rubbermaid bin with cold water and a little bit of wool-specific or gentle detergent to hand wash it.
I’ve done some research on the best methods to wash Sézane sweaters, and to dry it you should roll it up in a clean towel to squeeze out any excess water. Then, leave it flat on a clean, dry towel.
How to Style It
pearl bracelet | shorts (similar)
One of my mom’s favorite sayings might be: “Pack a sweater, you never know when it’s going to be cold!” I’ve incorporated this mantra into my life not only for practicality and comfort’s sake, but also for fashion.
I love the interest that a cardigan can provide for your outfit, whether that be with texture, color, or pattern. Another positive of the cardigan is its versatility – you can button it in any number of ways, tuck it in, leave it open, wear it as a top, or tie it around your waist or shoulders.
For the first look above, I chose to button the Emile once in the middle and layer it over a plain white tank. The feminine sweater pairs well with the more casual look of the striped poplin shorts.
Summer to Fall
Try buttoning the top button of the Sézane cardigan to share the spotlight with the piece you’re wearing underneath. A striped poplin dress is the perfect choice for walking around your local botanical garden, and grabbing a coffee with friends.
Or, leave it buttoned all the way to shine as a top. Make the transition from summer to fall with the help of linen pants. You could choose to wear a more relaxed drawstring wide-leg style like the ones below, or perhaps swap them out for a pair of high-waisted trousers for an office-appropriate look.
striped blue dress (similar) | white linen pants
One of my favorite styles is to layer the Emile over a relaxed button-down shirt for fall. Tie the sweater over your shoulders for a chic detail, or wear it over the shirt if the temperature drops (that’s the perk of a looser fit). Wide-leg blue jeans complete the look.
Another option for fall is to pair the Emile with a black mini skirt, tights, and a trench coat. It’s a great way to style it as a top and create a chic look for work.
The Case of Open or Closed
Switch up the look of Emile by playing around with how you close it. Wear it unbuttoned over a classic white tee, or tucked into a pair of jeans for a more tailored appearance.
Colorways
One of the most difficult parts about ordering this sweater was choosing a colorway. Select from a list of 15 (!) colors and patterns. I’ve noticed that select styles do come and go out of stock – so if your current favorite is unavailable, make sure to add it to your account wishlist to be notified when it comes back.
The Verdict – Is the Emile Worth It?
All in all, I’m very happy with the Emile sweater. Granted, I am comfortable with a boxy fit and a wool blend material – both of which are things to note in case you are not inclined to wear them.
The weight, construction, and details of the sweater feel high end to me, and worth the steeper price tag! If the price is a barrier, I have seen secondhand versions of the Emile out there, as well as a number of Sézane dupes – both of which are gentler on the wallet. However, if you’re ready to treat yourself to the real thing, I think you’re going to love it!
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Soak is great for hand wash items. It’s no rinse and comes in great scents.