Betsey Johnson

Just another designer clothing place. There is no such thing as too glittery, poofy, or out-​there for Betsey Johnson. If you like it in the runway, you’ll probably love it in the store. However, if you didn’t love it on the runway the store wont be winning you over.

I used to love going in to Betsey’s store because the girls were so kind and the clothes were amazing (albeit overpriced). However, when I went to go buy my last Betsey dress due to the stores closing, I pretty much had the worst experience ever. I was the only person to walk in the store since it was late morning on a weekday, so I made it a point to say «good morning» to the woman working the floor. She barely glanced up from her computer game and said nothing. When I asked to use a dressing room (still being ridiculously polite in spite of the rude snub she gave me when I walked in), the worker acted like it was a huge pain in the ass.
Quite frankly, I was so disenchanted I didn’t buy the dress I wanted. Never again. Besides, I ended up spending the $ 300 I would have on that one dress I’d only wear a couple times a year on several way sexier ones at Aritzia that I can wear all the time :)

I was in the mood to shop, which is rare, so I stopped into the Betsy Johnson store. They had a huge sale, so I thought I’d splurge on something new for myself. I love her clothes and style.
The store was loud with ladies talking to each other, cackling about who is buying what off the rack. I didn’t want to bother the sales people busy with clients, but then I realized that they all worked there and probably didn’t even notice a customer at all.
You ever wonder exactly how many sales people it takes to drive a customer out of a shop. About 4. Too bad you’re going out of business, but I can see why.

Goodbye Betsey. It’s sad to hear you’re going under, away from us the way of Talbot’s and so many before you.
The staff there look mortified right now — no one is smiling, all of them turn away from the last straggling customers coming in to buy something on their final clearance. I can’t blame them, but god forbid they help what’s left of their clientele.
The clothes itself reminds me of a candy store. You ever look at candy and think, that looks cute, but I don’t want to eat that because it would hurt my teeth. Looking at Betsy Johnson clothes is like that. It crosses the threshold for me of «wearability» if you will. Sometimes, at smaller stores, Juicy, H&M, Forever 21, the clothes will be fairly normal, with an embellishment in a corner, a heart embroidered at the tip of a sleeve, a golden button at the collar, but in any case something small. Betsy Johnson throws away this sense of subtlety and doesn’t look back. Embellishments everywhere, giant skirts, heart shaped plunging necklines, corset-​boning built into a summer frock — everything very Lolita-​fashioned, woman-​child focused. Think bows, gems, and sequins, all of them extra large on an extra small sized dress.
On their Goodbye Clearance I managed to find a beautiful sailor-​blue-​n-​white striped blouse, stretchy, comfortable, princess sleeves, and most importantly, 20% off. I will say this — though the blouse is a rare, slightly-​less-​embellished item amongst the Halloween costumes that make up the rest of their clothes, it is of excellent quality. The fabric is thick and comfortable, stretchy but sturdy.
The last thing I wanted to say is that Betsy Johnson herself as the face of the business seemed to be a bad, bad call. She says, «This is the face of a woman who cannot age with dignity.» And that’s precisely how I feel inside the store, like a grown woman being told repeatedly that if I dressed and acted like a helpless little girl, scratch that, like a helpless little /​princess/​, I’d be of more value to society and in particular to this strange business.

If I had to choose between eating Top Ramen for two weeks or buying shoes or accessories at Betsey Johnson… well I think you know how I prioritize.
Shoes. Duh.
I am lucky enough to own a glitzy pair of Betsey Johnson shoes already. Recently, I was in the store and spied a sparkly pair of cranberry stilettos; ON SALE! Sadly for me, (tears streaming down my face as I relive this moment) they were too big and the last pair.
The night before I wandered in and succumbed to my costume jewelry fetish and splurged on an opulent, double finger bow ring. I needed it; it matches the bow on my 1950’s ball gown. But I am sure I will have many opportunities to wear this wowzer of a ring.
Every time I have ever wandered into this boutique, the upbeat and friendly sales girls have all been just as sparkly and cute as the adorable merchandise. For me, I love to browse whenever I am in the mall, which is often and on infrequent occasions, it is a special treat to leave with one of their cute pink bags with something indulgent inside.
Ahhh…priorities.

Okay so I love this place. I only went in for the first time today after passing by countless times. As I suspected, the dresses were all adorable and the very first one that caught my eye just happened to fit like a glove. There’s a certain magical feeling that comes when you see a dress, put it on, and it just effortlessly fits you. Everything is very girly and feminine. I noticed most of the dresses were either black, white, or pink. I didn’t mind this at all… I’m not exactly into the wearing a skin-​tight red satin slut dress experience that you might get at BCBG. So the cute factor was a huge appeal.
The lady helping me was super nice and helpful too. Thoughfully brought out some store-​heels for me to put on to get the full experience when I tried on my dress, checked in on me, offered feedback, and was very nice and personable as well.
My only qualm? The store felt chaotic and the clothes were very tightly jammed on the racks… too much so given that they are $ 400+ dresses. The «chaos» I could probably safely attribute to black friday, but the cluttered vibe? Nah. But I get it. The store is small. They really should consider moving out of the space they’re in for something larger… even the window display looks like a mess, which is a shame, because as I said, the dresses are gorgeous.

My friend and I had such a great shopping experience at Betsey Johnson, I just really wanted to share.
My friend was looking for a dress for her wedding reception. She’s not a conventional bride, but wanted something floor-​length and fancy. After shopping at BCBG, where we were treated like, well, nothing (barely got the time of day from the snobby held-​together-​with-​tape saleswhores), we decided to stop by Betsey Johnson. The women there were so nice to us!
They had one floor-​length dress that my friend loved, but it wasn’t her size. Well, they had it shipped to her (overnight, $ 30), and it arrived and fit perfectly like they said it would. One of the saleswomen found the perfect necklace for my friend, and it really made the dress perfect. On top of it all, the dress was on sale, and it was about a third of my friend’s budget.
What made my friend buy her dress here was not the design (which was beautiful and perfect for the occasion), but the exceptional customer service we received at Betsey Johnson. We were treated with respect, care, and enthusiasm, and it made buying the dress exciting and fun. I can’t remember the saleswomen’s names (I’lll ask my friend and update if I find out), but they were above and beyond. Thanks!

Beyond the gorgeous clothing and charming accessories, I have to say that it is the group of wonderful Betsey girls here that makes shopping so much fun.
Everyone is so nice and very helpful :) I purchased maybe 10 dresses, and a couple of stockings… xoxoxo Betsey love!

Nancy is amazing! I met her up at the Seattle store when Betsey Johnson herself visited. Nancy helped me find the dress I wanted! The Seattle store only had a size 6 and 8 left in that dress style. Nancy told me based on how the 6 fit me, that the 4 would fit perfectly! She also recalled that her store back in Portland had a size 4 in that dress! Furthermore, she arranged to have it mailed to me from her store in Portland!
The dress just arrived and it is PERFECT. I love it so much and Nancy included the sweetest little note. She went above and beyond in customer service, and I’m sure she’ll help you find your perfect dress here too!

Betsey Johnson has very creative sweet-​looking clothes and accessories and every now and then I like to stop in to look at them. Just look. This is strictly clothing made for cute teenagers. If you are over 20 you will look like you’re off your rocker. Actually it’s for cute teenagers with generous parents, because no way could I have afforded this stuff back then, even with an after school job. The flowery tulle sequined dresses look like adorable cupcakes in the window, but if you’re old enough to drink, you’re too old for these clothes. Oh well, I hear Old Navy is having a sale…

I love love love love love love love love love LOVE Betsey Johnson. She has created all the clothing items of my DREAMS. Seriously, I think she has wires hooked up to my brain and she can read my mind and then she creates all these fantastic items that are exactly what my heart desires and exactly what I would create if I had her time, energy, money and sewing skills: Panda print cardigans, lucite-​rhinestone jeweled shoes, lobster rings, teddy bear earrings, mermaid shirts, layered tulle party dresses, cupcake skirts, heart and rose and skeleton dresses, lady bug and leopard jewelry… if only I could afford everything in her store! But also, the salesgirls are so cute and sweet and friendly. They even called to invite me personally to the exclusive sale event strawberry and champagne party at their new store. I want to go to prom every single day so I can have a reason to wear these delicious dresses. LOVE LOVE LOVE them all !! XOXO

the new betsey johnson boutique is right across the way from crappy forever 21.
nice juxtaposition.
of course, i had no intention of buying anything.
«i don’t have any money»
and of course they had the cutest sweater in the known universe.
«ok i have some money»
dear god WHY did this have to open up so close to me?!