About So Elly
So Elly was founded in 2020 by Julie Stephenson and is named after Julie’s grandmother, Elinor, who had an innate sense of self, a witty sense of humor and an entrepreneurial spirit. So Elly was founded on the principle that clothing designed with quality and simplicity can span the seasons, transcend generations and become long-lasting wardrobe staples. Every So Elly piece is made with a commitment to versatility, quality of material and fine craftsmanship. Each item is designed to be mixed and matched, loved and worn for years to come.
Studio appointments available upon request at customerservice@gmail.com.
Our Local & Global Community of Artisans
A community of artisans, craftspeople and small businesses are at the foundation of all that is So Elly. Our collections are designed in Brooklyn, New York. Our core woven pieces and cut & sew knits are manufactured in a woman-owned and operated sewing studio in Manhattan.
We believe our community has no borders, and we’re proud to partner with craftspeople both in New York and across the world. Our hand-knit sweaters are made in partnership with a woman-owned company that champions skilled women artisans across the globe. Through our sweater program, we support continued training, fair wages, and meaningful work that empowers women and sustains their craft. Each sweater is a reflection of that care: made-to-order and in small batches and with eco-conscious materials.
Our paper goods are letter-pressed in Brooklyn and our shipping boxes are made in the US. We partner with local vendors whenever possible and support many of the small businesses in the garment district in Manhattan including our button and trim suppliers and fabric vendors.
Our clients and partners bring meaning to all that we do.
A Commitment to Purposeful, Responsible Design & Materials
So Elly is committed to responsible design, sourcing, and production. So Elly woven and cut & sew garments are made locally in NYC. The craftspeople that cut, sew, press and prepare each piece are highly skilled and bring care and precision to all of our clothing.
We craft and dye in small batches to minimize excess and to optimize the use of raw materials. All of our garment-dyed items are dyed in-house with textile dyes made in the US. Dyes are recycled and re-used whenever possible.
Our textiles are sourced from Italy, Japan, Belgium, India and Korea with the utmost attention to quality and responsible practices. At So Elly we strive to use naturally based fabrics: cotton, organic cotton, linen, wool, cashmere, camel hair and mohair. We use synthetic fibers consciously and sparingly to add comfort, durability and function to specific collection items.
So Elly Italian cotton is certified by the BCI, we use GOTS certified organic cotton in our knits and chinos. Our Organic Belgian linen is made entirely in Europe, from flax to fabric by experts with a certification of carbon neutrality since 2014.
We invest in textiles that are traceable, well-made, versatile and offer functionality as well as comfort.