A special thanks to Frank, Derek, Greg, Nathan and Fok for making this possible!

This guide is intended to educate the community on all things John Elliott. We will do our best to maintain the guide over time.

sGLiJss.jpg


JOHN ELLIOTT

Design Aesthetic - Clean, Minimal, Sportswear, Texture
Key Styles - Cast 2 Denim, Mercer Tee, Escobar Sweatpants, Hooded Villain, Kake Mock Pullover, Vintage Fleece

About

When John Elliott was 8 years old, he sent his design sketches to Nike. Nike sent back a letter, politely declining the young designer’s submissions. This letter now serves as a source of inspiration for the designer and his collections. Fast forward to the present, John Elliott works on an eponymous menswear line and has collaborated with Nike on 3 sneakers.

John Elliott was formed in 2012 as a concept between the designer and his best friend Aaron Lavee, who serves as the brand’s CEO. In his early days, John worked closely with Simon Miller, who is best known for his intricate work at Fabric Brand. Through Simon, John met Nobu Yamamoto, who plays a large role in sourcing and developing fabrics for the brand. With the help of Simon and Nobu, John Elliott put together his first menswear collection in the spring of 2013.

The LA-based designer is best known for his meticulous approach towards details and fit. Each season, John is known to experiment with new fabrics. In Instagram posts, he cites frequent trips to Japan as an outlet allowing him to develop new textures and textiles. The majority of the John Elliott is produced in Los Angeles and Japan using custom-knit fabrics and RiRi zippers. John works closely with his production facility in Los Angeles overseeing all aspects of development.

The vision of each collection is to refine American Sportswear through a contemporary lens. John Elliott has taken trips to Vietnam, Berlin, and Joshua Tree to draw inspiration for his collection. The designer has presented his collection during both New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week. The most recent runway collections featured collaborations between the designer and Blackmeans Japan, Nike, and Suicoke. For his FW18 Collection, John Elliott introduced his highly anticipated womenswear line.

Mainline + Collection

John Elliott splits his line into 2 categories - Mainline and Collection.

Mainline includes any item in Black, White, and Grey. You can expect items in these 3 colors to restock regularly from time to time. The most common mainline items are tees, sweatshirts, and sweatpants.

Collection pieces can either be mainline items produced in seasonal colors or specific items made exclusively the runway (ie: SRD Parachute Jacket). Collection pieces are hardly restocked so the general consensus is to buy them during the season in which they release.

Runway Collections
Season 6 FW15
Season 7 SS16 - Running Through Vietnam
Season 8 FW16 - Over The Line
Season 9 SS17 - Watching Water
Season 10 FW17 - Stretch The Floor
Season 11 SS18 - Field Manual
Season 12 FW18 - Delirium

Exclusive Capsules
Shadow Capsule
Loopwheel
Dust Capsule
Pre SS16
RTV+ Capsule
Season 7.5 Capsule
Dune Collection
Loopwheel 2
John Elliott x Omni Disc
John Elliott x United Arrows & Sons
Season 9.5 Capsule
October Capsule
FW17 Blackmeans Collaboration
Travel Capsule
SS18 Suicoke Collaboration
Vintage Fleece
SS18 Blackmeans Collaboration

Seasonal Color Grails
Burgundy
Jade
Lavender
Midnight
Plaster
Sage
Yellow

Fabrics

French Terry
JE knits its French terry in the United States to custom specifications. You will most prominently see this fabric used on sweatshirts and sweatpants. JE terry is known for its comfort and durable fabric.

Jersey
The unique blend of premium supima cotton-jersey and micro modal allows JE tees to drape well and maintain a soft hand-feel. During Season 10, JE introduced tees featuring 100% cotton blends.

Denim
JE has released three cuts of denim - Cast 1, Cast 2, and The Kane. The Cast 1 and Kane are made of 100% cotton. On the other hand, Cast 2 is made using 3x1 stretch (98% cotton, 2% stretch) Japanese denim. 3x1 denim refers to the tight weave of the denim - 3 warp threads for every 1 weft thread.

RiRi Zippers
RiRi is arguably the best zipper brand around. These zippers are imported from Switzerland and known for their smooth glide. All John Elliott pieces with zippers use RiRi.

Seasonal Fabrics

John Elliott likes to experiment with new fabrics each season. Below are some fabrics he has used.

Co-Mix
This is a custom-blend fabric resulting in a thicker tee. The hand feel of co-mix most closely resembles that of a light-weight knit sweater. This fabric is used on select JE tees and hoodies.

Gauze Terry
This fabric was developed during Season 8 to reflect the weathered, destroyed feel of the Berlin Wall. The unique texture is a mixture of cotton wool and French terry.

Loopwheel French Terry
John Elliott has released two loopwheel collections. The first release consisted of a Hooded Villain, Flash Dual Fullzip, and Escobar Sweatpants. The most recent release features a Kake Mock Pullover and Ebisu Sweatpants. Loopwheel French Terry is known for its soft, durable hand feel. It is noticeably thicker than standard French terry. The fabric is exclusively knit in Wakayama, Japan utilizing a looming technique that can no longer be found in modern production.

Pile Terry
This fabric was introduced during Season 9 in the Oversized Cropped Hoodie and Oversized Sweats. The fabric is a melange loop terry that most resembles the softness of a beach towel.

Purl Knit
The fabric is described on JE’s website as an Austrian, marled knit fabric. It was used on an Oversized Pocket Tee that released during Season 9. The tee is considered a JE grail due to its unique softness, especially for a knit.

Vintage Fleece
John Elliott's softest French Terry to date. As states on the website, it came from the idea of trying to create the perfect vintage terry piece, that would look sun-drenched. The fabric draws cues from 1950’s era Champion fleece.

Categories
  1. Tees
  2. Tanks
  3. Shirts
  4. Sweatshirts
  5. Sweaters
  6. Outerwear
  7. Shorts
  8. Sweatpants
  9. Pants
  10. Denim
  11. Footwear
  12. Accessories
Tees

Slim-Fit
Cotton Classic Crew

True to size or size up one if you have broad shoulders
Classic Crew
True to size
Cotton Mercer Tee
True to size or size up one if you have broad shoulders
Mercer Tee
True to size
Curve U-Neck
True to size
Classic Curve
True to size

Oversized
Rugby Tee

True to size; while this tee fits oversized, it's not recommended sizing down one because the tee is cropped. Sizing down one would make the tee far too short.
Anti-Expo
True to size; size down one for a regular or relaxed fit
Oversized Pocket Tee
True to size; size down one for a regular or relaxed fit
Big Tee
True to size; size down one for a regular or relaxed fit
Mock Panel Tee
True to size; size down one for a regular or relaxed fit
Raschel Mock Panel Tee
True to size; size down one for a regular or relaxed fit
Basalt Tee
Size down one for an oversized fit. This tee is very boxy; TTS is not recommended.

Note - Co-Mix and 100% cotton tees tend to run slightly smaller than all other tees. Size if you have broad shoulders.

Grails
Jade Classic Crew
Midnight Classic Crew
Moon Classic Crew

Tanks

Curve Tank
True to size
Mercer Tank
True to size
Rugby Tank
True to size

Grails
Purl Grey Curve Tank

Shirts

With the exception of the Bowling Shirt, JE Button-up are slim-fit. If you have broad shoulders, it's recommended to size up one.

Grails
2 Layer Military Shirt
41 Overshirt with Leather Yoke
Padded Overshirt
Poppy Bowling Shirt

Yuma Denim Shirt

Sweatshirts

Slim-fit
Hooded Villain

True to size or size up one if you have broad shoulders. This sweatshirt pairs well with the Mercer Tee as the side seams align perfectly with the RiRi zips.
Baseline Hoodie
True to size or size up one if you have broad shoulders.
Flash Dual Fullzip
True to size or size up one if you have broad shoulders.

Regular + Relaxed Fit
Hellweek Hoodie / Pullover
True to size
Raglan Crew / Hoodie
True to size for a regular fit or size up one to fit like OS Cropped Hoodie.
Vintage Fleece Crew / Hoodie
True to size for a regular fit hoodie or size up one to fit like OS Cropped Hoodie and Kake Mock Pullover.
Loopwheel Raglan Fullzip
True to size

Oversized
Mercer Halfzip
True to size
Oversized Cropped Hoodie
True to size for the intended oversized fit or size down one for a more fitted look
Unfinished Kake Mock Pullover
True to size for the intended oversized fit or size down one for a more fitted look
Kake Mock Pullover
True to size for the intended oversized fit or size down one for a more fitted look

Grails
Kelly Green Hooded Villain
Sage Kake Mock Pullover
Sand Hooded Villain
Yellow Vintage Fleece Hoodie

Sweaters

John Elliott sweaters run true to size.

Grails
Boucle Crew
Cashmere Crew
Cotton Cardigan
Merino Dropped Shoulder Crew
Pigtail Mercer Sweater

Outerwear

The majority of JE jackets run true to size. The only piece that is worth considering sizing up on is the Rider's Jacket. The Rider's Jacket is a slim-fit piece; if you have broad shoulders or plan to layer this piece with a hoodie, then size up one.

Grails
Aluminum Flight Jacket
Bolivia Reversible Fullzip
Blackmeans Rider’s Jacket
Iridescent Flight Jacket
Kempy Wool Overcoat
Rider’s Jacket
Sail Pullover
SRD Parachute Jacket
Teddy Jacket
Thupmer Jacket Corduroy
Wool Stadium Jacket

Shorts

John Elliott shorts fit true to size.

Grails
Blue Wave Solar Board Shorts
Surplus Jacquard Hoya Shorts
Tie-Dye Basketball Shorts

Sweatpants

Slim-Fit
Baseline Sweatpants
True to size or size up one for a more relaxed fit
Escobar Sweatpants
True to size or size up one for a more relaxed fit

Regular + Relaxed Fit
Athletic Sweatpants
True to size
Kito Sweatpants
True to size
Raw Edge Sweatpants
True to size
Ebisu Sweatpants
True to size or size up one to fit like Oversized Sweats
Oversized Sweatpants
True to size

Grails

Burgundy Escobar Sweatpants
Clay Baseline Sweatpants
Dune Escobar Sweatpants

Pants

All pants fit true to size. John Elliott pants use graded sizing (S-XXL) rather than numerical waist sizing (28-38).

Grails
Cropped Trousers
SS18 Cargos

Denim

Different from most denim brands, JE denim undergoes a unique wash process called “dry wash” where no water is used in distressing the denim. JE Denim fits very similar to SLP. The subtle details on JE denim are its layered pockets, button fly, and custom rise featuring a higher rise in the back and lower rise in the front.

Styles
Cast 1
The Cast 1 is a slim-fit jean made of 100% cotton selvedge denim. The denim is made in LA.
Cast 2
The Cast 2 is an updated slim-fit jean made of 98% cotton, 2% stretch denim. The denim is made in Japan using Japanese denim.
The Kane
This is a new fit from JE beginning with FW17. It is a straight-fit denim made in Japan.

Sizing
True to size. My waist size is 30” and I am a size 30 in JE’s Cast 2, SLP D02, and Acne Ace jeans.

Keep in mind that JE denim is very tapered and has a narrow leg opening and fits similar to SLP D02. There is 2% stretch in the denim so your pair should be a bit tight in the waist when you purchase it, but after a few wears it should mold perfectly.

Other than The Cast 2 Dillon Indigo and Silent, John Elliott denim fits true to size. For The Cast 2 Dillon Indigo and Silent, it is recommended that you size up 1.

Grails
Cast 2 Alta
Cast 2 Dillon
Cast 2 Hanoi
Cast 2 Kane
Cast 2 Kelso
Cast 2 Onyx
Cast 2 Sahara
Cast 2 Siena
Cast 2 Skittles

Footwear

John Elliott footwear is made in Montegranaro, Italy and features a custom molded sole. Each pair of shoes comes with a nice JE dustbag.

While JE has his own shoe collection, he’s collaborated with Nike on 3 pairs of shoes - Lebron 12, Lebron Soldier 10, and NikeLab Vandal High. In SS18, John Elliott also debuted an exclusive collaboration with Nike on the mush discussed Air Monarch.

Combat Boots
True to size
Leather Creeper
True to size
Leather Low
True to size
Leather High
Size down one
Leather Slides
True to size
NikeLab Vandal High
Size down ½
Suicoke Moto Sandals
True to size

My shoe size is 9.5 in Nike, 41 in Common Projects, and 42 in EU Sneakers.

I wear a size 41 in JE Leather Highs. These shoes fit similarly to CP Achilles, where you are suggested to size down one from your usual EU Size.

I wear a size 42 in JE Leather Lows. I’m pretty sure I would wear a size 42 in the Leather Slides too.

Grails
Clay Leather High

Accessories

Since Season 8, John Elliott has made accessories to complement each collection. Below are examples of a few pieces that have been made.

Grails
Moroccan Beach Towel
Sashiko Belt
Watching Water Side Bag

Interviews / Reads

5 Days With John Elliott Before His Biggest Fashion Show Yet
Behind the Collection - Loopwheel Mill in Wakayama, Japan
Formation - The Hooded Villain
Formation - Vintage Fleece
GQ: How John Elliott Began His Successful Career
GQ: How John Elliott Went From Upstart to All-Star

GQ: One You Should Know: John Elliott + Co
John Elliott Elevates the Sneakerhead Uniform for Men & Women
John Elliott Gives an Exclusive Look at His Nike Sneakers
Mr Porter Introducing The Nike x John Elliott Vandal
Vogue Runway John Elliott

Retailers

John Elliott
(Sign up for the newsletter to receive 10% off your order)
End Clothing
Mr. Porter
Notre (Enter 'Welcome15' to receive 15% off your order)
SSENSE
UNION Los Angeles

Full list here.