The Saint James offering is above all characterized by the omnipresence of marine pieces: chunky knit sweaters, raincoats and other jackets coexist with more classic shirts or a few accessories.
A traditional label obliges, we regret the width of the classic cuts and the lack of renewal in the brand's offering, despite great efforts in recent years to modernize.
Another good point: the contained costs of the products for mainly French manufacturing.
Behind this emblematic name of “made in France” fashion hides one of the oldest clothing brands in Europe still in activity.
Located just north of Mont-Saint-Michel, the village of Saint James has been a place specializing in textiles since the first half of the 19th century: there are large spinning mills and know-how inherited from centuries of practice. It was a few decades later, in 1889, that the eponymous brand was born.
Initially confined to Brittany and Normandy, the brand's production focuses on knitwear for sailors and sea workers: the demanding working conditions require the development of great expertise around the design of pieces that are both warm, comfortable and solid.
After 1945, Saint James, however, experienced a major period of decline linked to the reduction in the number of sailors and industrial workers in France. While fashion is gradually moving towards more “practical” influences, the brand understands the full potential of its products and decides to launch collections for the general public. The quality, but also the image conveyed by the label appeal to demanding buyers, ready to pay a high price for French labor.
With the globalization of fashion, Saint James is experiencing significant success, particularly in Asia and America: the volume of sales is exploding, the size of the workshops is increasing considerably.
If the brand remains faithful to its original spirit, it also partners with other labels to broaden its audience: Claudie, Le Slip Français or recently Marie Marot.
