As an avid online shopper always seeking out the best deals on unique fashions, I rely heavily on marketplaces connecting me with small designers and boutiques. Over the past couple years, Jane has become my go-to hub – the virtual equivalent to wandering quaint, curated storefronts.
Today I want to provide the ultimate insider‘s guide to Jane based on extensive personal experience ordering tons of items. By the end, you‘ll know exactly what it‘s like to shop there, what to buy, and whether or not it‘s right for you.
What is Jane Boutique Exactly?
Jane is an online women‘s marketplace featuring over 2,000 brands across apparel, accessories, home goods, baby stuff, and more. Since 2011 they‘ve focused exclusively on smaller sellers, boutiques, makers, and independent designers.
Low retail overhead lets Jane offer big discounts, like 60% off typical asking prices. They also showcase lots of limited edition and made-to-order items you won’t find anywhere else.
Over 600 new products go live every day in limited quantities. So it becomes an exciting daily hunt uncovering coveted goods before they sell out.
To paint the picture further with some key metrics:
- 2,000+ brands and growing
- 600k+ Instagram followers
- 10+ million app downloads
- 65% average discount from typical retail
- #277 sales rank among all U.S. online retailers
Impressively, husband and wife founders Mike and Megan McEwan bootstrapped the site themselves back in 2011 and have grown entirely organically since, mostly through word of mouth and influencer networks.
They‘ve turned down VC funding to maintain control. In 2022, Jane is projecting between 100-200 million in sales. Not bad for a "two person show" as Mike calls it!
Why Jane Beats Big Retailers
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What I love about Jane is the carefully curated selection not just showing the same old stuff from major wholesalers. When you want to break out from the mainstream uniform, that‘s where Jane thrives.
The other huge differentiator is connecting customers directly with the makers and sellers. There‘s no middleman taking a cut. By featuring passionate people behind boutique brands versus big faceless corporations, it also feels good directly supporting those small businesses and diverse entrepreneurs.
And of course…the savings. Why pay 3X more for a Free People dress at Nordstrom when you can get it from the boutique that supplies them – brand new with tags – for a fraction on Jane? It just makes sense if you value quality alongside affordability.
At the same time, Jane isn’t going to have basics like t-shirts and jeans. And browsing feels more chaotic vs a highly organized department store. But that‘s part of the intentionally quirky charm too. Expect the cute and unique, not the everyday.
What I Love to Buy from Jane
Here’s an overview of my favorite categories and purchases from Jane after almost three years as an obsessive shopper. Hopefully it steers you towards great finds too!
Trendy Contemporary Clothes
The contemporary clothing options completely align with my style. I gravitate towards feminine boho looks from brands like Spell Designs, Johnny Was, and Love Sadie. Flowly kimonos, embroidered peasant tops, flared pants. These can run $150+ at a place like Anthropologie but I’ll find very similar versions on Jane for $50-75. Amazing.
Some of my recent scores include:
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- Floral embroidered tunic dress – $49 (retail $140)
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- Distressed high waist straight leg jeans with raw hem – $64 (retail $198)
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- Sheer floral print kimono with pom pom trim from – $39 (retail $98)
I also appreciate that many items are made from natural, organic materials by ethical production partners. So not just scoring a bargain but feeling good about positive social impact too.
Trend-Led Accessories & Jewelry
As someone who loves playing with fun jewelry and accessories to change up basic outfits, Jane delivers once again. I’ve found amazing hair clips, scrunchies, sunglasses, bags…all styles running way cheaper than what major retailers push out.
They do an awesome job curating non-basic earrings, necklaces, bracelets, etc. Local makers create lots of one-of-a-kind pieces not mass manufactured. Here are some recent favorites:
[Product pic]- Hairclaw alligator clamp in metallic emerald – $16 (Anthro wanted $36!)
- Set of 3 engraved Arizona wood bracelets – $28
- Heart-shaped John Lennon lens round sunglasses – $22
Home Decor, Wall Art & Textiles
Liven up your space with tons of boutique wall art prints, tapestries, pillows, throws, candles and more available on Jane, almost all under $100. We’re talkin’ super cool graphic prints, watercolors, photography not mass distributed from China. Really fun way to showcase local artisans.
Some of my recent awesome buys:
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Rustic wood haven signs set of 4 – $34 total! At Target/Wayfair these would easily run $15-20 each
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Whale tail resin wall print in soothing sage green and white – $22
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Puffy heart decorative throw pillows, set of 2 – $15.50 each
There’s definitely a boho/California vibe to lots available that fits my aesthetic. But options span modern, abstract, minimalist looks as well.
Navigating the Jane Marketplace like a Pro
Now that you know why Jane rocks, let me offer some best practices I’ve learned for navigating the site smoothly and scoring sweet deals from this boutique bonanza.
Be Quick on the Draw
The best coverted items go FAST on Jane because available inventory directly tied to that designer. Could be just 5 units of a ring. Maybe 12 of the perfect floral swing dress.
So if you snooze past the in stock alert, chances another shopper already snagged your size.
I cannot stress enough – if you see something and like it, buy immediately before second guessing! Take proactive measures like:
✔️ Turn on push notification alerts from the mobile app for your favorite boutiques
✔️ Check the Just In section multiple times per day
✔️ Set email stock alerts for items previously out of stock
✔️ Follow Jane social accounts for exclusive offers
This sense of urgency and fear or missing out helps make shopping at Jane thrilling vs boring old placing an order guaranteed available for months. But you have to put in the effort staying vigilant on fresh arrivals.
Read Sizing Details Carefully
One quirk buying from so many smaller operations is inconsistencies around sizing. Some brands run big. Others shrink unexpectedly after washing.
So rather than assuming your typical size will fit consistently across all Jane apparel and accessories, read all provided size charts and product details thoroughly. Reviews also help identify any issues
fitting smaller or larger than expected.
I mainly stick with boutiques using standard numerical sizing over S/M/L notation which proves vague. Brand loyalty also helps me re-order beloved items knowing how that label’s clothes fit my body.
But when trying someone new, I may order 2 sizes at first if uncertain, then return whatever doesn’t work out. Don‘t hesitate safeguarding yourself here, even though yes, return shipping comes out of your pocket.
Contact Sellers with Any Questions
Thanks to Jane’s boutique brand focus, I can often message business owners directly with questions pre-purchase. It feels good developing personal connections getting to know the people behind start-ups versus big faceless corps.
I’ll ask details like:
❓ What are your guiding values and vision?
❓ Do you manufacture locally? Ethically? Sustainably?
❓ Do certain materials shrink over time? Stretch out?
❓ Would you say this dress runs true to size?
Nine times out of ten my inquiries get answered within a day or two max. And the transparency makes me more excited to buy, knowing specifics that increase confidence I’ll love what arrives at my door.
So if any doubt creeps into a potential order, always reach out. These sellers genuinely appreciate your interest in their livelihoods, beyond just seeing you as a customer.
Plan Around Shipping Times
Department stores may promise two day free delivery but boutiques on Jane typically take more like 5-7 business days, sometimes upwards of 10 until receiving your order.
The hands-on approach means less infrastructure for bulk transporting, packaging, tracking and all that. So I plan week in advance for things I need by a certain date – birthday gift for my mom, new shoes before a vacation, etc.
International shipping also remains a notable gap limiting reach to US buyers only for now. But Jane covers their home turf well with major carrier partnerships across UPS/FedEx/USPS.
For context, here’s a breakdown on Jane shipping costs and methods:
- Free shipping threshold ~ $35-50+ order value
- $4.99 – $10.99 for smaller orders
- 2-4 days with UPS/FedEx
- 5-7 days for USPS
So factoring an extra week or so days once placing an order prevents frustration over when your items turn up.
Read Return Policies Before Buying
Jane sellers all set their own policies around returns and exchanges. So rather than universal coverage, you need checking each shop’s fine print beforehand.
Most allow at least 14 days for return requests, then give you up to 21 days actually sending an item back. But others impose shorter limits so know those terms to avoid losing out.
I filter specifically for free returns when shopping to avoid return shipment costs eating into my savings. Some great retailers reimbursing all transportation include Johnny Was, Touch Dolls, and Hard Tail Forever.
But smaller upstarts lack the margins supporting such perks. So just balance priorities – are you willing to cover return shipping for better prices from an indie designer?
Bottom Line: Is Jane Boutique Worth Your Money?
Hopefully this comprehensive review captured why I fully endorse Jane as an addicted power shopper. Once embracing the "quirks" around limited inventory, varying shipping speeds, and smaller batch production, the access to special boutique goods makes minor hassles so worth it.
I haven‘t even touched on their baby, kids, men‘s or home offerings, but just as thoughtfully curated as the women‘s fashions.
So if you want a break from big box uniformity at affordable price points unmatched elsewhere, Jane brings boutique charm to your fingertips through a highly engaging and satisfying ordering experience.
I‘ve turned so many friends and family onto them as well, almost becoming an unofficial brand ambassador I‘m so enthusiastic (feel free to DM for my exclusive invite code!)
Just remember the quick trigger finger securing new arrivals in your size, contact sellers directly with any questions, and understand longer transit times. Do all that and I promise you‘ll get hooked just like me on scoring boutique steals from this thriving online community marketplace.
Happy Jane hunting!
