Summary: I tried four pieces from Jenni Kayne for the transitional weather between fall and winter, including two sweaters, one button-up, and the brand’s lug mule. They became instant favorites in my closet. I can see why Jenni Kayne has such a sparkling reputation. These clothes are perfect for walking the dog and then running out for a meeting — so comfy yet so put-together.
Pros:
- Jenni Kayne excels at creating a polished look without sacrificing comfort. These pieces easily transition between activities, from at-home to on-the-go.
- The pieces I tried are made of materials like cashmere, wool, and alpaca — marrying durability with luxury.
- These items are designed to be timeless staples, which makes it easy to create stylish outfits with other JK pieces or items from your closet.
- The brand emphasizes slow fashion and ethical production, prioritizing recycled materials and manufacturers that hold certifications like OEKO-Tex, and meeting the Responsible Down and Wool Standards.
Cons:
- These items can be quite expensive ($200+) — but, when taken care of, are sure to last for many, many years. I feel confident in labeling Jenni Kayne as #bifl (buy it for life!).
- Many of Jenni Kayne’s pieces are dry clean only. Hey, one less thing to run through the wash?
I’ve recently been on a mission to elevate my wardrobe, except I’m not willing to compromise on comfort. At all. Going from my WFH setup to dinner with friends, or popping out for one last dog walk before rushing off to a meeting — these occasions call for something that looks put together but avoids any uncomfortable seams, fabrics, or frills. As I head squarely into my mid-30s, I’m ready to find the polished pieces that work for me.
“Could I keep my comfy, slouchy style that allowed me to cruise around town comfortably, but with essentials that would magically bring my 4/10 look up to an 8 or 9?”
The first time I heard about Jenni Kayne, it was described to me as the brand that “all the Pilates instructors wear.” This was my first green light: I’ve never seen a Pilates instructor look disheveled. What I have seen is my instructor moving through a crowd on her way to teach a class, with control even in a rush — and wearing a cashmere sweater that she gingerly shimmies out of before class, just as easily as one might toss an old sweatshirt on the ground.
This is what I wanted to know: Could I keep my comfy, slouchy style that allowed me to cruise around town comfortably, but with essentials that would magically bring my 4/10 look up to an 8 or 9? So, as the seasons change here in NYC, I took some Jenni Kayne pieces for a spin.
Spoiler alert: I never stopped wearing them. These pieces came with me on every bus, plane, and train for months.
About Jenni Kayne
Jenni Kayne started the brand at the age of 19 (!) in 2002, outfitting women in her signature simple California style. It’s all comfort and ease, building on classic pieces that will last forever in warm neutrals that pair perfectly together and integrate easily into any wardrobe. Jenni Kayne is luxurious, and luxuriously easy, since you can basically build a uniform from Jenni Kayne staples to wear for years and years to come.
In 2022, the brand expanded to home. Now you can get anything from a lamp to a sofa from Jenni Kayne. And even more recently, they’ve launched Oak Essentials, a clean line of spa-quality skincare with a minimal aesthetic and high-end sourcing we’ve come to expect from Jenni Kayne. California through and through, Jenni Kayne has always had sustainability at the forefront of its business model: While their focus isn’t on obtaining certifications, they opt for simply and thoughtfully approaching each product they make. The brand values slow fashion, natural fibers, local production, and fair working conditions — plus they have a collection of recycled knits.
“The brand values slow fashion, natural fibers, local production, and fair working conditions.”
They also use recycled poly bags for their shipments, eliminating single-use plastics, and have more plans for earth-friendly shipping that will roll out soon. Their down meets the Responsible Down Standard (RDS), their wool meets the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) and they work with manufacturers that are OEKO-Tex certified. They also use undyed materials and production processes for their knits that reduce water usage, carbon emissions, and the use of unnecessary chemicals.
Trying Jenni Kayne pieces for Fall–Winter 2024
Here’s what I tried from Jenni Kayne, with notes on selecting sizes and how each piece wore over time.
Hayes Crewneck Cardigan, Grey, XS ($325)
Jenni Kayne is known for its oversized sweaters, so let’s start there! This polished yet fuzzy grey cardigan is a smart, feminine piece for throwing over any outfit. It looks great with jeans and a T-shirt (just make sure it’s long sleeve, since this a wool blend and it is itchy without a thin barrier protecting your skin!), but it also goes well with something more dressed up, like a black dress or your favorite blouse/pants office combo. The contrasting buttons make it feel extra luxe.
The wool blend is 35% alpaca, 35% wool, 30% polyester, so it will keep you warm all winter long. I’m typically a S–M top and I went with the XS here. It still felt relaxed, if not oversized!
Cashmere Half Zip, Undyed Stone, S ($495)
This was far and away my favorite piece, though everything I received is divine and will remain in my closet forever! There’s just something about a half-zip done in 100% cashmere — the marriage of luxury and loungewear that I live for. It’s perfectly boxy and oversized. I had to stop myself from wearing it to bed, it’s just so comfortable!
It did shed a bit on a dark, cotton pant, so just wear it with something that isn’t a lint magnet. I was excited to see the YKK zipper which means it’s bound to last a lifetime. You can wear this as an outer layer or as your sweater in colder weather. It was my best friend while on a long train ride along the East Coast, and the boxy fit meant I never overheated. If you’re going to splurge on something, I can’t recommend this piece enough.
Boyfriend Shirt, Walnut Stripe, XS ($275)
The design of this shirt is pure ingenuity — an oversized button-up made mostly of 90% naturally derived viscose that feels like a mix between linen and silk. It’s super breathable and could easily transition into any season. I particularly love it in this walnut stripe, which reads as deep maroon, for the cooler months.
Breathability is key not only for the summer, but especially in winter when you’re layering with sweaters and coats. There’s no worse feeling than undressing to your bottom layer to find sweat stains and BO! That would never happen in the Boyfriend Shirt.
This shirt trades on what is almost a trick of the eye — it looks like a thick sturdy cotton, but as you approach, you can begin to see the pleasant crinkly detail in the fabric. I chose an XS and it was sufficiently oversized! For reference, the size range is XXS–XXL.
Leather Lug Mule, 40, Caribou ($395)
Okay, I’m drooling. These shoes are the stuff of dreams. I initially got a size 39 and then had to size up to a 40 (I’m a size 9 US), so I’d recommend that you size up. Some reviewers mentioned they were heavy, but I didn’t find that to be the case. They were supremely wearable, and it was nice to have the extra platform sole since the back is open. Wearing open-back shoes in NYC is a bit dicey, but I felt supported and protected in these. They’re so chic yet comfy!
I found that the leather creases, but that’s only to be expected. It didn’t take any time to break these in and I wore them on repeat whenever I wanted a break from boots but didn’t want to dress down in sneakers. As for the color, you might be thinking — aren’t caribou brown? Idk but I love these shoes and they look black to me!
So, is Jenni Kayne worth it?
If you’ve been browsing Jenni Kayne’s site and waiting to purchase, let this be your green light! The fabrics are as lush IRL as they sound online. Every piece was easy to pair, which made the cost feel worth it. If you’ve ever lost a favorite sweater or a favorite pair of shoes, I’m sure you’ll agree that a sentimental, super cozy piece is priceless.
I think Jenni Kayne is the perfect brand for transitioning to investment pieces since they are durable, thoughtfully designed, and wear well through many seasons. (California girls know how to navigate fluctuating temps best!) If you’re ready to ditch your dog-walking or office sweatshirt for the luxe alternative, Jenni Kayne’s ready and waiting.
Ashley D’Arcy is Senior Editor at The Good Trade. She holds an MA in philosophy from The New School for Social Research and a BA in English & American literature from New York University. Her writing has been featured by The Nation, 032c, and sold by Printed Matter. In 2017, she was featured on Apple’s first original series “Planet of the Apps” where she was mentored by Gwyneth Paltrow. She is currently a psychoanalyst-in-training at Pulsion Institute in New York City.
