Johnny Was Review: Wearable Art in Silk and Embroidery, Bought With Eyes Wide Open
Johnny Was’ best-documented strength is distinctive, artisan-inspired design. It’s a Southern California women’s lifestyle brand known for vintage-inspired embroidery, signature prints and what it calls “ultra-luxurious silhouettes,” and fans describe the feel in glowing terms. One wrote, “The clothes feel like soft air. The fit is perfect.” The collection covers embroidered blouses and tops, mini, midi and maxi dresses, silk kimonos, jackets, swim and resort wear, sleepwear and robes, lounge sets, petites, and accessories such as scarves, handbags, jewelry, belts, shoes and BUDHAGIRL bangles, plus home goods like blankets and journals. Fabrics include silk, velvet, cashmere, denim, Italian leather, superfine merino and soft cotton, and statement pieces like the Aziza Long Kimono are 100% silk. Signature shirts and blouses such as the Audrey Mandarin Collar Shirt, Nisha Blouse and Zellah Blouse sit in the high-$200s, with sale sections that bring some pieces under $100. Sizes typically run XS to XXL.
The honest caveat: Johnny Was’ Trustpilot profile is unclaimed and has only 54 reviews, but 72% are one-star and the TrustScore is 2.2 out of 5. Complaints mention fit (“too tight under the arms”), fabric disappointment on final-sale items, “deteriorating quality” and hard-to-reach customer service. The small sample isn’t representative, but it’s worth weighing at these prices.
Quick Highlights
✅ Distinctive vintage-inspired embroidery and signature prints
✅ “The clothes feel like soft air. The fit is perfect.”
✅ Luxurious fabrics: silk, velvet, cashmere, merino and Italian leather
✅ 100% silk statement kimonos
✅ Wide range: blouses, dresses, kimonos, swim, sleepwear and lounge
✅ Petites collection
✅ Accessories, jewelry, BUDHAGIRL bangles and home goods
✅ Sizes typically XS to XXL
✅ Sale shops with pieces under $100
✅ Web exclusives and early access on select items
✅ Tracking provided on every shipment
✅ Instantly recognizable boho-luxe aesthetic
❌ Trustpilot TrustScore of 2.2/5 from just 54 reviews (unclaimed profile)
❌ 72% one-star reviews
❌ Fit complaints, such as tight under the arms
❌ Many items are final sale
❌ Reports of declining quality and fabric disappointment
❌ Customer service hard to reach, according to some reviewers
❌ Premium prices, with blouses often near $300
Why Trust This Review
This review draws on Johnny Was’ Trustpilot profile (54 reviews, 2.2 TrustScore, unclaimed and not invited by the company) and Johnny Was’ published product, fabric, size and shipping information. Because the review sample is small and complaint-heavy, we’ve balanced it with the brand’s design and product details. GlossGirly has no commercial relationship with Johnny Was that affects this verdict.
Full Review Breakdown
Design: Embroidery, Prints and Boho Luxury
Johnny Was is instantly recognizable. Its pieces combine intricate embroidery, rich floral and paisley prints, contrast seams and relaxed, flowing shapes, a vintage-inspired, artisan-crafted aesthetic often described as boho luxury. Signature items include embroidered blouses, printed silk tops, mandarin-collar shirts, tunic dresses and long kimonos that layer beautifully over jeans, dresses or swimwear. Many shoppers collect Johnny Was pieces as wearable art and pair them with simple basics to let the prints shine. Coordinating scarves, jewelry, bags and home goods extend the look. If you love bold color, texture and craft-inspired detail, few brands offer as much character.
Fabrics and Quality
Johnny Was works with luxurious materials, including silk, velvet, cashmere, Italian leather, superfine merino, denim and soft cotton, and statement pieces like the Aziza Long Kimono are 100% silk. When everything comes together, customers say the clothes “feel like soft air.” Not every buyer agrees. One reviewer felt a dress fabric was “like a nightshirt,” one questioned whether a blouse was truly 100% silk, another said a swimsuit “started to fuzz” after the first wear, and a long-time shopper reported “deteriorating quality on last 3 orders.” Read every product’s fabric content and care instructions carefully, and inspect pieces as soon as they arrive.
Fit, Sizing and Final Sale
Fit is the most common complaint. One buyer said a dress was “too tight under the arms” and bunched at the neckline, and a Canadian shopper said a coat “doesnt fit properly.” Johnny Was cuts many pieces in relaxed shapes but with structured shoulders, armholes and embroidered necklines, which can fit differently than expected. Check the size chart, read product notes and try a petite size if you’re shorter. Most importantly, note that many items are marked final sale, so they can’t be returned. If you’re unsure of your size or the fabric, buy full-price items that qualify for returns, and read the Returns and Exchanges page first.
Price, Shipping and Service
Johnny Was is premium. Blouses and shirts often cost between about $170 and $300, with kimonos, dresses and outerwear often higher. Sale sections help, but sale items are more likely to be final sale. Orders ship on business days with tracking, and orders may arrive in more than one shipment. Service is a sticking point for some, with one reviewer saying “no one answers or responds.” Keep order confirmations, email support with your order number and screenshots, and allow a few business days for replies. Johnny Was suits shoppers who love the aesthetic and know their sizing, and buying from authorized department stores can make returns easier.
Best Products Worth Buying
The heart of the Johnny Was look: flowing blouses decorated with intricate, vintage-inspired embroidery around the neckline, sleeves and yoke. They pair beautifully with jeans, white trousers or skirts, and work for brunches, vacations, gallery visits and relaxed office days. Each piece feels like wearable art, and many shoppers build whole wardrobes around these tops. Because embroidery can make necklines and armholes fit more snugly, check the size chart and consider sizing up if you’re between sizes. Read the fabric content and care label, since some pieces need hand washing or dry cleaning to protect the embroidery. Check whether your chosen style is final sale before ordering.
A 100% silk long kimono in one of Johnny Was’ signature prints. It’s designed to drape over dresses, swimwear, slips or jeans, and it’s one of the brand’s most versatile pieces, taking you from beach cover-up to evening layer. Silk gives it a soft, luxurious feel and a beautiful flow when you move, and one-size or relaxed fits make sizing less of a worry than with fitted styles. It makes a standout gift for someone who loves color and boho style. Follow care instructions carefully, since silk is delicate, and store it hanging to avoid creases. It’s a great first Johnny Was purchase.
A refined button-down with a mandarin collar and Johnny Was’ signature print or detailing, offering a polished take on the brand’s boho aesthetic. It works tucked into tailored trousers for work, worn loose with denim on weekends or layered under a blazer. The structured collar adds a smart, slightly vintage feel that suits shoppers who want something less flowing than an embroidered tunic. As a premium piece, check the fabric content and fit notes, and compare your measurements with the size chart before buying. Inspect it on arrival so any quality concerns can be raised quickly with customer service.
Johnny Was’ mini, midi and maxi dresses showcase the brand’s prints and embroidery in easy, feminine shapes, perfect for weddings, vacations, garden parties and summer evenings. Many feature tiered skirts, relaxed bodices and artisan-inspired details that photograph beautifully. Fit can vary between styles, and one reviewer found a dress tight under the arms, so read product notes and choose your size carefully. Check whether a dress is final sale, especially during promotions. Pair dresses with Johnny Was scarves, sandals and jewelry for a coordinated look, or let a dress stand alone as a statement piece.
What Customers Actually Think
Note: Johnny Was’ Trustpilot profile is unclaimed and has only 54 reviews, most of them complaints, so this sample may not represent all buyers.
“The clothes feel like soft air. The fit is perfect.” — Gabrielle, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 5 stars)
“it is too tight under the arms, it bunches up unattractively around the neckline” — Elizabeth Wilkinson, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 1 star, Kanako dress)
“The fabric is like a nightshirt and it is a final sale!!” — Marci, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 3 stars, Jolie dress)
“deteriorating quality on last 3 orders received” — Pat Quan Schmutzler, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 1 star)
“Called customer service, no one answers or responds, no one does their job!” — Dissatisfied, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 1 star)
Is It Worth It?
For lovers of embroidered, print-rich, boho-luxe fashion, Johnny Was offers distinctive pieces you won’t find elsewhere. At premium prices, though, fit, fabric and final-sale issues matter. Know your size, read fabric details, avoid final sale when unsure and inspect orders right away.
Competitors Table
Feature | Johnny Was | Free People | Anthropologie | Farm Rio | Spell | Sundance |
Signature style | Embroidered boho luxe | Boho casual | Eclectic | Tropical prints | Vintage boho | Western boho |
Silk pieces | Many | Some | Some | Some | Some | Some |
Price level | Premium | Mid | Mid–Premium | Mid–Premium | Premium | Premium |
Petites | Yes | Limited | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Final-sale items | Many | Some | Some | Some | Some | Some |
Trustpilot | 2.2 (54 reviews, unclaimed) | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed |
FAQs
Is Johnny Was good quality?
Many fans love its silk and embroidery, though some reviewers report fabric and quality concerns.
Does Johnny Was run small?
Some styles fit snugly in the arms and neckline, so check size charts carefully.
Can I return Johnny Was items?
Many items are final sale. Check each product and the returns page.
What is Johnny Was known for?
Vintage-inspired embroidery, signature prints and boho-luxe silhouettes.
Does Johnny Was offer petites?
Yes, it has a petites collection.
Final Verdict
Johnny Was creates some of the most distinctive clothing in boho-luxe fashion: embroidered blouses, silk kimonos and printed dresses that feel like wearable art, in luxurious fabrics. Fans love how the clothes look and feel.
The small but critical review base highlights fit issues, fabric disappointments, final-sale frustration and slow service. Buy carefully: know your size, read fabric details, avoid final sale when unsure and check orders on arrival. For the right shopper, Johnny Was pieces become treasured favorites
Scorecard
Category | Score |
Design & Artistry | 9.6/10 |
Fabric Luxury | 8.4/10 |
Fit Consistency | 6.4/10 |
Quality Consistency | 6.6/10 |
Returns Flexibility | 5.0/10 |
Customer Service | 5.2/10 |
Product Range | 9.0/10 |
Value for Money | 6.8/10 |
Overall | 7.1/10 |