At the center of the brand’s success is Jude Cloth, a proprietary nylon-spandex blend that Jude discovered early in her design journey. The fabric is wrinkle-resistant, machine washable, holds its shape, and travels effortlessly, making it ideal for women on the go. “It felt like magic,” Jude says. “You could sew it into anything. The colors were vibrant, the fit was forgiving, and the structure gave every silhouette a polished look.”
But, beyond that Jude says, “It’s not just the fabric or the print. It’s the way everything comes together: the fit, the feel, the intention. That’s what creates the emotional connection.”
The Birth of Jude Cloth
"You could sew it into anything. The colors were vibrant, the fit was forgiving, and the structure gave every silhouette a polished look."
- Jude Connally Zimmerman
A Purpose Rooted in Empathy
Jude’s deep understanding of women comes not from trend forecasting or data analysis, but from lived experience. At just 16, while working her first job at a denim store, she witnessed a mother criticizing her teenage daughter’s body in the fitting room. Rather than shrink from the moment, Jude stepped in to help the girl find a pair of jeans that made her feel beautiful. “We had a moment, and we hugged,” Jude recalls, emotion still in her voice. “That’s when I knew - my purpose is to help women feel good in their clothes.”
That mission has remained at the heart of everything Jude does as CEO, President, Founder and Creative Director. Each effortlessly stylish design is the result of a deeply thoughtful and strategic process. Every piece is built around two core principles: ease and joy. Whether it’s a wrinkle-free dress that can go from suitcase to boardroom, or a vibrant tunic that brings color back into someone’s wardrobe, the goal is always the same: remove the friction from getting dressed and amplify a woman’s confidence.
Created by Women, for Women
Today, Jude Connally releases new pieces every month, offering women a fresh take on effortless style that fits their real lives. Jude draws inspiration from her own experiences as a working mother, an avid traveler, and a woman who wants to feel confident without compromising comfort. “I use myself as the innovation,” she says. “If it works for me, I know it can work for other women, too.”
Her instinct for what women want is paired with experience honed over her multi-decade career as a fashion tastemaker. For Jude Connally, dressing women well is built into her DNA.
As she ran the 2009 MORE Magazine Half Marathon in New York City, Jude Connally Zimmerman had no idea she was about to change the way thousands of women get dressed every day. Amid a sea of black workout gear, one woman caught her eye. The stranger breezed past in a vibrant, multicolored skort, appearing as if she were floating. “She stood out with effortless grace, a burst of color and movement in a sea of sameness.” Jude recalls. “She just appeared to be so joyful.”
That moment planted a powerful idea in her mind. Jude, a seasoned fashion industry veteran and busy working mother, realized she felt most comfortable in her athletic clothes, not in the traditional fashion she sold or wore every day. “After finishing my run each morning, changing into my work clothes I realized I wasn’t as comfortable as in my workout clothes” she says. “That day I asked myself, ‘What if I could bring that same sense of confidence and comfort into everyday fashion?’”
That question became the foundation for Jude Connally, a brand that has since grown into a multi-million-dollar fashion company. Known for its American-made garments featuring signature prints, flattering silhouettes and high-performance Jude Cloth, Jude Connally has quickly become the go-to brand for busy women who want to look chic while feeling great.
By Monica Vanover on October 24, 2025
The brand’s success is measured not just in revenue, but in the stories of the women who wear it. Jude Connally is an aspirational brand for some women and go-to brand for many. “Our customers don’t keep us a secret,” says Jude. “They talk about the brand. They share it. Because they’re like me - they want to share the gift of feeling good.”
That emotional resonance is the brand’s true north. “When you have something on that makes you feel good, you can do anything,” Jude explains. “That’s what I want for every woman who puts on one of our pieces.
Given all this, it’s not surprising that the company’s tagline is “Enjoy the Compliments.” “It’s what [the customer] hears, and how she feels, every time she wears Jude Connally,” Jude explains. It’s the chorus of confidence that follows women into meetings, restaurants, and airports. It’s the result of wearing clothing designed to make you not just look good, but feel extraordinary.
Visit judeconnally.com and look for Jude Connally at specialty retailers and select Dillard’s Department stores nationwide. Experience the life-changing magic of clothing that’s designed to make you feel as fabulous as you look.
A Fashion Revolution
sponsored by: Jude Connally
From Marathon Runner to Fashion Mogul: The Jude Connally Story
