I’ve been a Sezane customer since 2012, before Sezane was Sezane. The brand went by the name Les Composantes at the time. A fortuituous scroll through The Glitter Guide led me to a perfectly Parisian ad that I just had to click on – and the rest, as they say, is history.
There are collections I love more than others, and pieces I’ve worn more than others. But Sezane and me, c’est pour la vie, as we say in French. No matter where I live, I always shop with the brand at least twice a year. It was easiest, of course, when we lived in Paris. It was in those early years that I got most of my first-hand experience with the brand and really developed an understanding of their sizing, fit and quality. I’ve been answering questions on that subject, and others, for curious Canadians ever since.
As a follow-up to my most recent Sezane try on Instagram stories, which came with another volley of questions, I decided to gather up all of my Sezane-related expertise in one place. And so, nine years after I started shopping with you, I bring you a very long overdue guide to shopping with Sezane as a Canadian.
How does the quality of Sezane clothes compare to the price point?
Quality was part of what initially drew me to Sezane. In the early days, they relied almost exclusively on natural fabrics like silk and wool. As a bonus, their garments were almost exclusively manufactured in Europe. These days, fabrics can vary, but they are always sustainable, and the same goes for manufacturing location. Personally, I prefer to order pieces that are made in Europe over pieces made in China, but the difference in quality isn’t noticeable. Sezane is a sustainable brand that produces their garments in an ethical way, so you can, in almost all cases, feel confident about the quality of the garments you’re buying when it comes to both fabric and finishings.
When you consider that the price point of most garments remains well under $200, price to quality parity is above average compared to what is available from other brands in Canada.
How do I know what size I need?
Sizing will always be a bit of a guessing game when you order from a new brand for the first time. But I find that you can trust Sezane’s size chart, except when it comes to their non-stretch denim, which runs small.
For a long time, Sezane’s size range was limited. They’ve extended it considerably, which is always positive to see. Previously, sizing followed European norms. Now, I consider the sizing more North American. As a result, I’ve gone down a size in my most recent order, from 36, to 34. The size 34 pieces fit me like a glove. (For reference, I’m 5’2″ and weigh about 115 pounds.) If you insist on buying non-stretch denim from Sezane, go a size up – I wear a size 25 in their stretch denim, but absolutely need a 26 in any of their non-stretch jeans.
Sezane provides sizing hints for each garment in their product descriptions, which clearly identify if a garment fits smaller or larger than average. I trust these absolutely – they’ve never steered me wrong.
I’m still deciding – how long can I wait to order?
Sezane produces a lot more garments than they used to. When I first started shopping with them, collections were released monthly in extremely limited runs and once pieces sold out, they were gone for good. (It was often heartbreaking, but also part of what originally made the brand so successful.)
The brand still releases collections monthly. Many pieces stay in stock for a few months, and essentials, like basic shirts and denim, are available almost year round. That said, popular pieces still sell out extremely quickly. Restocking is never guaranteed. If you love a piece, don’t wait – if you do, you’re likely to lose it for good.
What currency will I be charged in when I order?
For internal customers, which includes Canadians, Sezane quotes all prices in US dollars. They bill in US dollars, too. That means you’ll need to factor in the current exchange rate when you make a purchase.
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping to most Canadian provinces costs $15 US. But if you spend over $200 US, Sezane will waive the shipping fee.
How long does shipping take?
Shipping in incredibly quick! Typically, orders are packed up and shipped within two business days. Sezane uses DHL for international shipments, so most often they take no more than two to three days after that to arrive at your door!
When ordering from Sezane’s Archives – in other words, their older collections – they warn shipping can take longer. They say the same right after the launch of a new collection. Personally, I’ve never experienced any of the delays they’ve said might come up.
Will I have to pay duty when my shipment arrives?
The answer to this question is an ever-evolving one, but most often, it’s yes. Back in 2012, Sezane shipped with Canada Post, so shipping took forever but you mostly escaped duty charges. Since they started using DHL, duty became a given, no matter the size of the order. But, as they increase their footprint in North America, that’s changing… in theory.
Currently, Sezane’s site says that orders worth less than $780 Canadian are exempt from duties and taxes, so if you stay under that limit, you should be safe from extra charges upon delivery. However, I’ve personally been billed duty on even small orders and Sezane has confirmed that statement actually only applies to US customers, despite the fact that their site does not specify that. This is an error on their part and they don’t seem to have a strong understanding of the fact that there are differences between Canadian and US import laws, so I am not holding my breath for it to be corrected anytime soon.
Your bill for duties and taxes may come just before, or well after delivery. Most recently, I got a surprise bill a month after my order arrived. Duties and taxes typically add up to about 30% of your total order cost.
What if I need to return or exchange something?
The good news is, returns are now free! And the process these days is relatively hassle-free. All orders come with a pre-paid return label, which is a huge step in the right direction. If you want to use that return label, you have to request a return on the Sezane website before you ship your return. You have fifteen days to decide if you want to do that. Sezane refunds the cost of the order in the original currency, to the original method of payment. That means your refund may not be for the exact same number of Canadian dollars that you paid, since exchange rates vary from day-to-day.
Sezane still doesn’t offer traditional exchanges. If you order the wrong size or colour, you will need to return the item that doesn’t work, then reorder. That said, the brand is willing to make exceptions if they make a mistake. Last summer, they shipped me a dress with a detached tag that was clearly the wrong size. In that case, they gladly sent me a replacement in the right size immediately, while I returned the original one I received.
Have any other questions about ordering from Sezane in Canada? Ask them in the Comments section!
While I typically adore every piece you share from Sezane, I’ve never shopped with them as the price points are just a bit out of my rage – I know I should be content with fewer, better things, but I’m not there yet.