(This is my) first time purchase of St. John. When you reference block 2 sizes does that mean I could fit it as a size 8 if I had it blocked?

--A potential buyer

This is a smart way of thinking!  By buying at consignment, in outlets (so few!), at St John, Nordstrom, & Saks end-of-season sales, and on Ebay, THEN HAVING your St. John Knit BLOCKED TO FIT, you can literally save a fortune while accomplishing a perfect fit.

On blocking:
1. Find a dry cleaners or a tailor (by phone) who has experience blocking St Johns.
2. Measure your BEST FITTING suit or dress and provide these numbers to the cleaners or tailor to get the best fit.
3. The cost is normally around $20 for blocking a suit. (When paying FULL RETAIL, I typically needed some alterations plus every dozen cleanings or so, I wanted my knits reblocked for the perfect fit.  Alterations should be a planned part of your purchasing any designer piece.) 

Now to answer your question: Yes, they block up two sizes. I have found that to go beyond that (Size 4 to 10, for example) what you gain in width, you give up in length. If a skirt is 20 inches long and has a 16 inch wide hip measurement, to get to a 20 inch wide hip, you will probably end with a 16 inch long skirt (flat measurement).  Also, expect the fabric to look a bit thinner.  In short, OCCASIONALLY, going beyond 2 sizes is possible, but KNOW YOUR MEASUREMENTS, and realize that you are taking a chance on the outcome! 

One of my favorite pant suits is from my special sales person in my most exclusive boutique.  I had received a call that their end of season sale was 75% OFF!!!  When I arrived at the store, there was a gorgeous St. John jacket in my size that fit perfectly off the rack.  The matching pants were two sizes too small, but very long.  The alterations person looked at the suit with me in it; moved quickly with a measuring tape and some pins; then disappeared for approximately eight minutes.  When she returned with the slacks, I slipped into them.  THEY WERE A PERFECT FIT!  I saved over $1,000 on the suit.

The above is true with Ebay's St. John Santana Knits and is generally true with the St. John novelty knits.  And the savings can be even greater!

Remember the words of one of my buyers: Wearing a St John suit to a meeting is like being sprinkled with fairy dust.  (Part of that magic may be your knowing that you are not only gorgeous but SMART!)

Lin