Just Jil

Designer Jil Sander recently caused quite a stir when she sent her male models down the runway with her paper bag purse to mimic the days of “brown bagging it.” What caused even more of a stir is the bag – dubbed “a pricy paper bag” by even us here at Stylequirk – sold out in both the black leather and brown paper versions almost overnight. I found all of the reactions to this simple bag fascinating. This simple item isn’t simple; it’s simply Jil Sander.

Jil Sander, for those of you who are not familiar with her, is a minimalist German fashion designer and founder of the Jil Sander fashion house. To quote wikipedia.com, “Sander's trademark look, a contemporary, somewhat odd, was originally intended for women conquering executive positions in the 1980s. Her line consists mainly of luxurious fabrics in plain grey, beige, blue, black or white. Her fashions have always ranged in the top price segment and it’s almost ironic she has been described as the ‘Queen of Less.’”

Jil Sander is one of my fantasy designers. In other words, I would love to be able to afford her clothes, but that is a bit of a fantasy for the time being. It’s actually a little odd to use the word “fantasy” in connection with her clothes, because Jil Sander is best known for her minimalist designs. She may not be one of the more well-known designers to the mass market, but she is definitely one of the more expensive. I think Jil Sander definitely gives new meaning to the phrase “Less is More.” A plain white cotton button-down is in the neighborhood of $400.

Although she is hardly one to follow trends, you will also find garments, shoes, and accessories that keep up with all of the current colors and styles. Practically every hot fashion trend, menswear, ladylike and retro can be worked with her line, give or take a few accessories (like her simple paper bag purse).