Table of Contents
About Johnny Was
Johnny Was is a bohemian lifestyle brand with an expressive selection of tops, dresses, accessories, and beauty products. The vintage-meets-California beach company has an incredible following of 307k on Facebook and 110k on Instagram.
Loved for their imaginative style, Johnny Was collections grace the racks of Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, and hundreds of other stores across the USA.
If this sounds like your kind of brand, stay tuned. In this Johnny Was clothing review, we’ll uncover just what makes them so unique, explore customer feedback, promotions, and more, to help you decide if they’re the right fit for you.
Overview of Johnny Was
There’s something about California women that is so…effortless. The carefree ones who spend their days in the sun and live life by their own rules.
That’s the inspiration behind Johnny Was, a mood-inspired brand brought to life by beautiful women who feel good in their own skin – no matter what they look like or what size they are.
That’s the reason designer Eli Levite started the brand in California back in 1987. They debuted as a wholesale company up until 2010 when the brand began to fill some of the hottest department stores across the US.
Launching their plus size and more recently, sustainable collections, Johnny Was has kept up with the ever-changing times, catering to a broad spectrum of women with modern needs.
Located in LA, the brand continues to carry a dreamy, California beach vibe.
Is this the brand for you? This Johnny Was clothing review will help you answer that question, but first, let’s take a peek at a few brand highlights before we move on to some artsy products:
Highlights
- Offers a range of beautifully designed Johnny Was dresses, clothing, swim, beauty, and accessories
- Sustainable collections
- Plus sizes available
- Uses quality fabrics like silk, linen, and 100% cotton
- 20% off sale
- International shipping
- Free domestic standard shipping
- Financing options available via Afterpay
Bohemian, beachy, romantic…Johnny Was has a style for many moods. Their line is filled with loose-fitting items decorated with bold prints or fine embroidery.
In the next section of this Johnny Was clothing review, we’ll walk you through some of the brand’s most-loved selections, including decorative dresses and tops, beachy plus size picks, and pretty, sateen masks.
Johnny Was Dresses Review
Artistically designed, the brand’s dresses featured here bring feelings of whimsy and attitude. Are you ready to see two gorgeous, best-selling Johnny Was dresses? Because we definitely are.
Johnny Was Wysteria Dress Review
Close your eyes and imagine an enchanted garden full of delicate pink blossoms, precious bluebells, and chirping birds.
The Wysteria Dress captures the essence of springtime, with a beautiful garden scene displayed across an off-white tunic dress.
Made from rayon, this dress is accompanied by a slip for comfort and cover, as without it, it’s quite sheer. Pair it with a Johnny Was kimono for added coverage. Unfortunately, this lovely item is currently sold out.
Johnny Was Luca Maxi Dress Review
Just grazing your mid-calf, the Luca Maxi Dress is full of drama. Made from silk velvet, this flowy, long-sleeve number is a wonderful addition to your fall or winter wardrobe.
A sleek velvet collar, bell sleeves, and bold floral pattern pump up the volume. Wear with a chunky heel and Johnny Was leggings to complete the boho vibe.
This hot number is currently sold out, but you can sign up for the brand’s mailing list to see when it’s back in stock.
Johnny Was Tops Review
Flowy and perfectly beachy, the brand’s tops are made with premium materials and designed for easy care.
Embellished with embroidery and striking prints, each one carries a fresh and laid-back feeling. Keep reading for details on some relaxed and attractive Johnny Was shirts below.
Johnny Was Mariposa Effortless Peasant Blouse Review
Butterflies flutter across the back of this tunic decorated with flowers and bright, thick stitching.
The Mariposa Effortless Peasant Top has a traditional boho feel to it, with a relaxed body and slouchy arms that have convenient elastic cuffs.
Drawstrings with tassels amp up the eclectic vibe, making this blouse an attention-grabbing piece that wears well with simple jeans and a slim-fit Johnny Was jacket.
Made from a mix of cotton and rayon, this blouse can be yours when it’s in stock again.
Johnny Was Cerise Tiered-Sleeve Peasant Top Review
Loose but structured in all the right places, the Cerise Tiered-Sleeve Peasant Top is a breezy addition to your summer collection.
Made from linen, this bell-sleeved top sways with movement, making you a moving work of art.
Covered in geometric designs, this loose and light top is perfect for hot summer nights paired with white shorts and simple sandals. Like many of their stunning products, this peasant top is not available at the time of this review.
Johnny Was Plus Size Review
The brand’s plus collection is just as attractive as their regular sizes – a concept that many plus size designers can’t seem to grasp.
This Johnny Was clothing review will showcase their most popular items below perfect for beating the summer heat.
Johnny Was Saba Bandeau Review
Dive into the wonderful trance that is the Saba Bandeau swimsuit. With a kaleidoscope print, the bright aqua and cool lavender colors draw attention to your chest and back while flattering your waist.
Made from polyamide and elastase, this bandeau bathing suit is fully lined with a power mesh in the front which keeps things under control.
The shelf bra, adjustable straps, and removable pads make sure everything is supported and covered, while the square neckline accentuates your chest.
Grab this Johnny Was plus size swim suit for $218.
Johnny Was Chiaga Cover Up Review
Done your swim but don’t want to saunter into the beach club in just your bikini? The Chiaga Cover Up is on it. The perfect easy-going slip-on for times when heat is relentless and pants are no bueno.
Stash your card and keys in the two front pockets, slip on some wedges, pick up one of your Johnny Was bags, and you’re ready to go.
This viscose day gown is covered with a melange of prints and pops of bright blooming florals that adorn the shoulders and back. Two front tassels are there if you need them, but mostly, they give this cover-up a beachy, casual look. This item is currently unavailable.
Johnny Was Masks Review
Masks are the new fashion accessory and a chance for us to express personal style. Below, you’ll read about Johnny Was masks, one made in sateen and the other in silk.
Johnny Was Signature Sateen Masks Review
Why wear tasteless blue paper masks when you can put on something that actually looks and feels good?
These Signature Sateen Masks are made from cotton sateen and lined with 100% cotton for a breathable and comfortable feel while you do your part in protecting others. There’s an extra pocket in the mask where you can insert another filter for added protection for yourself.
Featuring sweet florals, butterflies, and paisley, it’s no wonder that these masks are currently out of stock.
Johnny Was Silk Charmeuse Masks Review
Butterflies float amid a black night… a colorful parrot sits among lush greenery… Roses drift across a pond. These aren’t paintings you’ll want to hang in your entryway, they’re protective masks that will keep you and others safe.
Masks don’t need to be boring, this 5 pack, made from silk and spandex with a 100% cotton lining can brighten up your day and your outfit.
Made from repurposed fabric, when you buy a pack, one is donated to essential workers. Do some good while you look good with the Silk Charmeuse Masks. Be sure to check back in often to see when they’re back in stock.
Who Is Johnny Was For?
Alone, the price of Johnny Was clothing knocks off a certain demographic. But their style also carries a more mature vibe, despite the 20-year-old models featured on the brand’s website.
With a bohemian style, younger women could get away with wearing the brand, but we find that this style is usually loved by women 40-60 years old. The premium prices only reinforce that assumption, as mature women are more likely to invest in quality items.
Comparison: Johnny Was vs. Floryday
It’s funny how two brands can carry items that look the same but at the same time be completely different. To show you how Johnny Was stands out from the crowd, we compared it to a competitor, in this case, Floryday.
We found that Floryday has pretty much the same style as Johnny Was. Upon landing on their homepage, we found items that looked eerily similar to the ones we’ve reviewed here, but we were also bombarded by deals up to 70% off and dresses that started at $5.
Of course, if you’ve had a chance to browse this Johnny Was clothing review, then you know how expensive our featured brand can be. But with higher prices often comes higher quality — the main difference between the two brands.
Floryday is like the adult, boho version of Shein – a Gen Z brand made popular by influencers. It has the same fast-fashion vibe, and is an e-commerce brand, whereas Johnny Was is stocked in well-known stores across the country and radiates meaningful and sustainable fashion.
Johnny Was Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
You’ve seen the selection, picked out your favorite styles, and are ready to check out. But before you do, be sure to read through this section of our Johnny Was clothing review so you can shop without a doubt.
Quality, fit, and customer service are so important when it comes to online shopping — a super fun activity, but if you’ve never bought from the brand before, this experience can be a little nerve-wracking.
To help you make an informed purchase, we’ve rounded up a few handy customer reviews that shed some light on Johnny Was clothing. Let’s take a peek at what the Better Business Bureau has to say about the brand.
Johnny Was has a B rating on the BBB. A score that reflects the 37 complaints closed in the past 3 years.
In the last year, the brand has resolved 2/3 of that number, primarily consisting of shipping issues — as is to be expected in 2020 when Covid-19 was at its peak and shipping was crazy.
Reading through the customer complaints, we found follow-ups by a kind customer rep that not only apologizes but often goes above and beyond and issues refunds for items that are clearly marked final sale – like masks.
This is a sign of great service and that the brand puts customer happiness first.
Throughout our search, we noticed that, though the brand is found on tons of websites, the number of reviews on each site is quite minimal. Because of this, the following reviews may not be a true reflection of the brand.
Shifting over to Amazon, we found that the Johnny Was Cylline Relaxed Tee has an average of 4.6/5 stars awarded by 19 shoppers. Here’s the rating snapshot if you’re interested in seeing how the average was calculated:
- 5 stars: 85%
- 4 stars: 8%
- 3 stars: 0%
- 2 stars: 0%
- 1 star: 7%
Primarily excellent, customers say that these Johnny Was tops are “unique,” and “soft and comfy.” There isn’t much feedback about the fit of this shirt, but overall, customers love how it looks and enjoy the embroidery detail.
The one 1-star Johnny Was clothing review read, “disappointed in quality…low quality for the price.” This shirt costs $150, so quality is pretty important. With that said, there were no other comments that mentioned low quality, the majority loved what they received.
We headed on over to SiteJabber to get an overall feel for the brand and find out if there were any major shipping issues.
Surprisingly, we were confronted with a 1.6/5 star rating given to Johnny Was by 34 shoppers. Certainly not what we were expecting, but let’s take a closer look at what they had to say.
In terms of positives, there are a few comments that speak not only of the quality of the items but of the brand in general. One reads, “The blouses are all beautiful and well-made. Finishing embroidery is lovely. The fabrics make me smile… visually and tactfully.”
Other happy customers report that the fabric the brand uses is high quality and justifies the high price tag.
To others, the prices seem unnecessary and inflated. We saw one negative Johnny Was clothing review that read, “I love Johnny Was styles but find the quality does not make the cut, especially silk items which tend to not hold up even when washed by hand. Overpriced!”
We’ve found that even the highest quality silk can be finicky, so it’s hard to tell if this is a brand-related issue or how the customer is treating the fabric.
Johnny Was is in some of the most well-known stores in the USA. You don’t make it into Saks Fifth Avenue without being high quality, so that kind of speaks for itself.
Customers love the designs, embroidery, and feel of the brand’s clothing. Though there have been reports of shipping issues, from what we can tell, customer service is more than accommodating.
Is Johnny Was Worth It?
Johnny Was is a premium brand, as some of their items cost upwards of $400. High prices are only justified by luxurious quality, and that seems to be the case based on all the customer reviews.
We love the thought and artistic whimsy that goes into their designs, each one telling a story and embodying a feeling.
There weren’t any major red flags that popped up during this Johnny Was clothing review – some minor concerns, but overall, it appears to be a solid company and they are worth the buy.
Johnny Was Promotions & Discounts
Throughout this Johnny Was clothing review, we kept an eye out for deals because, well, who doesn’t love a deal? Check out what we discovered:
- Save 20% when you use promo code FIREWORK
- Free standard continental US shipping
- The Johnny Was sale section offers great products at discounted prices
Where to Buy Johnny Was
Johnny Was apparel is available in a selection of stores across the US including:
- Neiman Marcus
- Nordstrom
- Saks Fifth Avenue
- Amazon
You can always buy the brand directly from johnnywas.com or visit a Johnny Was outlet or shop location in the US. To find one in your area, use the Store Locator on their website.
FAQ
Where is Johnny Was made?
Johnny Was manufactures its clothing primarily in the US, but they also have factories in China and India.
Does Johnny Was run big or small?
You may be able to tell by the photos, but Johnny Was clothing is designed to be loose-fitting. For that reason, you may find that it runs bigger than other clothing you own. We have come across some reviews that say their apparel runs true to size.
What is Johnny Was’ Shipping Policy?
Currently, Johnny Was ships within the USA and some international locations. They offer free standard continental US shipping but can ship to Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico too for an increased rate. See below for shipping info:
Continental US:
- Standard (3-7 business days): free
- 2-Day (2 business days): $20
- Next-Day (overnight): $35
Hawaii, Alaska, & Puerto Rico:
- Standard (5-7 business days): $18
- 2-Day (2 business days): $35 *order must be placed by 9 am PST
- Next-Day (overnight): $60 *order must be placed by 9 am PST
International:
- Mexico (5-10 business days): $35
- Australia (5-10 business days): $50
- Canada (5-10 business days): $18
- Other (5-10 business days): $35
If you’d like to keep an eye on your order, Johnny Was gives you 3 ways to do so:
- Log in to your account and view your order history
- Head to the carrier’s website and search your order number
- Call customer service and they will tell you where it is
What is Johnny Was’ Return Policy?
If you’re interested in exchanging your Johnny Was items, the brand recommends you place another order online and send them back as you would a return. All return items must meet these specifications:
- They must be unworn & unwashed
- They need to be in their original packaging
- If you purchased swimwear, it needs to have the protective lining attached
- It cannot have been purchased from a partner retailer
- Must not have been bought on final sale (50% or more)
To start, head to the Returns Portal and enter your order number and shipping zip code.
How to Contact Johnny Was
We hope that you found all that you came looking for in this Johnny Was clothing review. If you need any other information that wasn’t covered here, you can get in contact with the brand by calling 1-866-942-8806, emailing [email protected], or using the Contact Form.
The brand’s customer service hours are Monday – Friday 6 am – 5 pm PST.
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