St. John

Much of it comes down to the knit itself. St. John is best known for a tightly woven wool-and-rayon double knit that Marie St John developed in 1962, finished with a distinctive knit-in hem rather than the sewn-in hems most companies use. That proprietary fabric and construction, made by a luxury house, is what you're paying for.

For the woman who wants a polished, hold-its-shape jacket or suit she'll wear for years, yes. The brand's classic knits became almost a uniform for a devoted clientele, and they hold up so well that authentic pieces keep their value on the secondhand market. If you prefer fast-changing trends, look elsewhere; St. John rewards the long game.

Women's knitwear, specifically classic wool-and-rayon knits, Chanel-inspired jackets, and an extensive use of primary colors. The signature double-knit suits and jackets are the heart of the brand and the reason it became a status symbol among its clientele.

The construction is your best tell. A genuine St. John garment uses a knit-in hem, where the finish is worked into the knit rather than sewn on, and the body is the brand's tightly woven wool-and-rayon double knit. When buying resale, scrutinize the hem and fabric before the label, since those details are hard to fake convincingly.

Authentic St. John pieces are sought after secondhand precisely because the knit keeps its shape and the styling stays classic. Counterfeits lose value the moment they're spotted, so the resale strength really belongs to the genuine article. Buy authentic and the pieces tend to stay desirable for years.

St. John Knits was founded in 1962 by former model Marie St John and her husband Robert Gray. Marie hand-knit simple skirts and tops for herself; they proved popular, and after retailer Bullock's ordered 84 dresses, the couple built the business in California, with Marie designing and Robert handling sales.

St. John is owned by Fosun International, through its Lanvin Group subsidiary. Fosun first took a 30% stake in 2013 and moved to a majority in 2017; in 2022, as part of Lanvin Group, St. John became publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange via a SPAC merger.

Yes. Beginning in 2005, Angelina Jolie became the face and spokeswoman for St. John, with campaigns shot by Mario Testino. The brand replaced her in 2010 with Karen Elson, reportedly because Jolie's fame had overshadowed the brand, before naming Kate Winslet the face in 2011.

The St. John Sport line carries more on-trend, casual styles, while the main collection holds the classic tailored suits, jackets, and dresses. From the start the founders offered both tailored suits and casual sportswear, so the split lets you choose between the signature dressy knits and a more relaxed everyday look.

Enrico Chiarparin was appointed creative director in 2023, working closely with stylist Karla Welch and bringing experience from Calvin Klein, James Perse, and Miu Miu. He followed Zoe Turner, who from 2019 to 2023 revitalized the house with younger silhouettes and red-carpet dressing for stars like Zendaya and Sarah Jessica Parker.