The perfect example of an ‘It girl brand’ is LA label Reformation. Fans include Hailey Bieber, Taylor Swift and Kendall Jenner, and it famously dubs itself the ‘second most sustainable option after being naked’, since sustainability and ethical practices are at the heart of everything the brand produces. That, combined with its ability to create stylish It dresses every season that we all want to wear, meant I was intrigued.
I know I’m not alone in lusting after its buys – the immaculate styling and super-chic stores don’t help either *cry* – so it was only right that I tried the new-season buys so I could report back.
Here are my unfiltered thoughts on the quality, price and fit of six It buys in Reformation right now…
The perfect work trousers
I’ve long waxed lyrical about how tricky it is to find great wide-leg trousers. If I’m buying a new pair, it’s not uncommon for me to buy two sizes and two lengths (if that’s even an option), and then still end up having to pay for alterations. So I’ll be honest and admit I didn’t have high hopes for these.
That meant though that these Mason trousers were the biggest surprise of this haul. If you’re tall or long-legged, they’re well worth the investment. In super-soft Lyocell, they’re lightweight (so they might not be your go-to while it’s still chilly out), but the material means they’re ideal on dress-down days, and the tailored shape makes them a dream to dress up for evening. They drape nicely and are the perfect length on my 5ft 7 frame.
I give the Mason trousers full marks and I don’t remember when I last gave any item of clothing that top ranking.
Rating: 10/10
The ‘nice’ top
Jeans and a nice top is my go-to outfit formula, so throwing a going out top into this haul was a no-brainer, particularly since that high-low smart-casual mix is one that Reformation’s styling always nails. It’s for that reason I really wanted to love this.
The print of this top is gorgeous, and the silk feels expensive, so my so-so review is based entirely on personal preference. I love a bit of structure in my going out tops, and in lieu of that, I need to be able to sport my trusty Skims underneath, but that’s impossible with such a silky top with fine straps.
If you have a smaller bust and no qualms around something silky and fitted over your stomach, it’s worth a try, but if you need some support, there are tons of other Reformation tops that’ll suit the brief.
Rating: 5/10
Read more on new season buys:
- The best wide-leg trousers for every body shape, budget and personal style
- The best Skims dress dupes in stock right now
- The 6 It Zara dresses trending right now that you can still get your hands on
- The 6 spring-summer fashion trends you need to know about
- The best Reformation dress dupes on the high street right now
The wedding guest dress
I’d say dresses are Reformation’s forte. From slinky slips and cute, summery linen numbers, to bridesmaid-ready styles and night out frocks, it has every area nailed, but I wanted to try something a little out of my comfort zone to really put the brand to the test.
Although this is the same print, material and a similar style to my out, out top, I much preferred the dress, which is huge for me since dresses aren’t a regular in my daily rotation.
I felt great in it. It was slinky and figure-skimming without being clingy and while looking elegant, the long length meant I could get away with wearing literally anything from my shape wear wardrobe underneath. A dream.
The quality is excellent, but for the price, I’d rather a more versatile dress: the recognisable print on this means you’d only feel comfortable wearing it to a maximum of two weddings in the same social group. That said, you could rent a Reformation frock, or investing in it then renting your own one out, is a great way to counteract this.
Rating: 9/10
The could-be-designer cardigan
I’m quite gutted I love this cardi as much as I do – it’s out of my price range and the knit section of my wardrobe is on its way to bursting as it is. But cashmere is an area Reformation is secretly nailing.
There was nothing I didn’t love about this cardigan. The chic and lesser-spotted chocolate hue, the slouchy fit, the various ways it can be styled for maximum wears, the super-soft fabric (it feels like a level-up from high street cashmere thanks to longer, smoother threads), and the minimal vibe that gives it a modern look. Obsessed.
Rating: 9/10
The new-season It top
Denim in all guises is big news for the new season, so I had to include a minimum of two pieces in the trending fabric. I’m a big fan of a denim shirt, so was drawn to the idea of a top or waistcoat. For my body shape however, I don’t think it was the best option. Where it’s the slouchy relaxed vibe of shirt iterations that I love, a top is much more restrictive, and I had to size up to get this to do up.
That said, it looked so good with my wide-leg leather trousers and Converse for a low-key evening out, and it got lots of compliments.
Rating: 7/10
The modern jeans
I’ve been loving wide-leg (can you tell?) styles for spring as they feel fresher than slimmer trouser and jeans shapes. Denim is notoriously bad for the environment – from how much water is used to produce a single pair to how recyclable they are thanks to synthetic stretchy fibres – but as Reformation is renowned for its sustainability efforts, going for a pair of jeans (in my new favourite shape) felt like a good buy to put to the test.
Don’t let the name of these jeans put you off. If you have a shapely bum or thighs, the fit on these is ideal. The style hugs the waist then skims all the way down in a structured shape, which makes them feel smarter than your average pair of wide-leg jeans. They’re the perfect day to night shade, too.
I would have loved them to have the same floor-skimming length as the Mason trousers, but with heels particularly, these are perfect.
Rating: 8/10
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