The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Off the Rack: Love 21 Contemporary for Forever 21




I finally managed to visit a big Forever 21 store in an upscale mall to check out the Love 21 line, which is Forever 21's sorta grown-up contemporary line for young women in their 20s and 30s. Dare I say Shopbop on a budget? Cuts are supposed to be more modest and silhouettes more sophisticated so you can wear this stuff to the office, then out with the hubby or boyf. I spotted a stylish 40-something as well as several mature tweens browsing the section with equal levels of enthusiasm. I liked a lot of what I saw, Rebecca Taylor-ish dresses, BCBG-ish tops, even a Nanette Lepore-ish green blazer. Unfortunately I didn't have time to try anything on, but the sizing definitely seems to be more misses than juniors as I eyeballed items on the rack. Lots of potential here for mixing and matching Love 21 with quality basics purchased elsewhere…maybe a designer bag, some nice shoes, and you've got yourself covered. Anyone a devoted Love 21 fan?

More pics after the jump.

















Comments
I am really, really, really trying not to spend money on clothes, but these are so tempting. I'm pretty sure we have some Love 21 locations here in So Cal so I might go check it out. That pink cardigan is awesome and might be just what I'm looking for to wear over a plain black dress at a wedding near the beach in late September.
#1 Brianne on 2010-08-25 18:21 (Reply)
Brianne, I used to reside in So Cal and I can tell you there's a great Love 21 at the Westfield Culver City Mall (formerly Fox Hills). I have a few Love 21 pieces and I love mixing them in with some of my high end wardrobe. The line offers a ton of affordable and stylish items that can be worn at work, on the weekends, or even to special occasions.
#2 Nikki on 2010-08-25 18:29 (Reply)
I must have that green blazer and that dress. I went to a Love 21 in Detroit but they mostly just had accessories. I have to scout out when with clothes.
#3 L. on 2010-08-25 18:32 (Reply)
Wow, that looks like a really well-organized store! Every one that I've been in has been a complete disaster and it's hard to see anything. I usually grab things online--much easier! Those are some great pieces...I have a Love 21 sweater and adore it! I wore it just last weekend and have a picture of it on my blog, if you're interested.
www.foundinmycloset.blogspot.com
#4 Jenni (Homepage) on 2010-08-25 18:51 (Reply)
Wow, that looks like a really well-organized store! Every one that I've been in has been a complete disaster and it's hard to see anything. I usually grab things online--much easier! Those are some great pieces...I have a Love 21 sweater and adore it! I wore it just last weekend and have a picture of it on my blog, if you're interested.
#5 Jenni (Homepage) on 2010-08-25 18:52 (Reply)
I cant agree more about the organization. I've visited stores in Houston, and the line is nice, but I hate being elbow to elbow with the skinny teens and picking clothes off the floor!
#5.1 SRHLCS (Homepage) on 2010-08-26 17:49 (Reply)
Love that last blue dress. It's actually a re-edition of a dress they put out in the spring. The original was a pink watercolor floral (can be seen here: http://www.cheapchicas.com/2010/03/05/deal-of-the-week-florals/)... I bought it to wear to a wedding and absolutely love it! Love21 puts out a lot of great pieces. Thank you for sharing your photos!
#6 Andrea (Homepage) on 2010-08-25 19:01 (Reply)
Oooh, cute stuff! I love the ruffly cardigan.
#7 K (Homepage) on 2010-08-25 20:54 (Reply)
They definitely make some of the cutest cardigans I've ever come across (I have at least three), but (just like the regular F21 lines) their dresses are so short! I'm quite tall, which complicates things, but even my normal-height friends have trouble finding things that are butt-covering, let alone work appropriate. I like a lot of the designs and I wish they'd be a little more realistic with these measurements.
#8 Esti (Homepage) on 2010-08-25 21:14 (Reply)
I completely agree. I am only 5'2" and rarely ever find Forever 21 dresses that I would even be comfortable going out in, let alone wearing to work (even with flats!). Who exactly are they catering to? That being said, I really like a lot of the Love 21 items and wish there was a store near me so I could check out the fit in person. It's so hard to find options that are both work and age appropriate when you're in your 20s and paying your dues in corporate America.
#8.1 Sara R (Homepage) on 2010-08-26 10:47 (Reply)
I have gotten quite a few pieces from this line and I have been very pleased with them. I have to get them online though since my F21 doesn't carry it.
#9 Tracie on 2010-08-25 21:18 (Reply)
I love the apple green coat. I am now thinking of great outfit combinations using that coat.
#9.1 Peter Nygard (Homepage) on 2010-08-25 21:23 (Reply)
I love their vibe, it's definitely targeted toward the Just graduated or end of college age girls. Stylish, dressy, fun and appropriate for a range of occasions! I bought my graduation dress from here and I love that I can wear it as a shift to work with a jacket over it!!
#10 Christina on 2010-08-26 00:37 (Reply)
I am so loving the Love21 line. I've been an avid fan ever since I discovered it on the F21 website months ago, and I am so happy that certain stores are offering it now. I know the Cerritos Mall has a rather large section devoted to it (and I'll be making a stop there on the way home from classes next week) and thanks Nikki for the heads up about the Fox Hills location. I love that mall now that they've revamped it, and I'll be heading there this weekend to scope out the Love21 line!
#11 Libby (Homepage) on 2010-08-26 01:59 (Reply)
I am obsessed with the Love 21 line!!! I am not a teenager and the clothing lays better on my frame and stuff is not so short that some is actually work appropriate!

http://www.afashionfixation.blogspot.com
#12 Ashley J on 2010-08-26 10:54 (Reply)
I haven't been to F21 in ages, I really need to go now that I know about this line! There's a huge one near my office, so tempted... :-) Thanks for the photos!
#13 Trude (Homepage) on 2010-08-26 11:51 (Reply)
Being 30 AND tall I too am a little put off by the less than modest cuts of the skirts and dresses at Forever 21 so I'm excited to try out Love 21. Your pics give a great cross-section of the stores offerings.
#14 Folayan (Homepage) on 2010-08-26 11:55 (Reply)
i'm gonna have to check out love21! i'm 5'6" and pear shaped, and can NEVER find a dress that covers my rear end lol. :-)
#15 vnssa906 on 2010-08-26 12:31 (Reply)
I'm obsessed with this clothing line. It's pretty much all I will buy from Forever 21 now!

http://www.JsEverydayFashion.com
#16 JsEverydayFashion (Homepage) on 2010-08-26 14:59 (Reply)
Love Love 21 qnd Forever 21! Right now those are my favorite stores! :-D
#17 Marie Larracuente on 2010-08-26 15:52 (Reply)
I love this line!! Forever 21 has something for everyone and I love how rich their designs are! Definitely good for mixing and matching with upper scale pieces :-)

www.rachaeldiab.blogspot.com
#18 rachael on 2010-08-26 15:57 (Reply)
Love21 the is bomb.com!!! love love love this line...especially since I'm a baller on a budget! Great for work and play.
#19 Laura on 2010-08-26 16:00 (Reply)
I love this line. Quality clothes that won't break the bank!
#20 Joyfultina on 2010-08-29 22:10 (Reply)
I LOVE this store!! I shop online here regularly. They upload new items daily. I love that the clothes are classy ;-)
#21 Tayo on 2010-09-03 01:07 (Reply)
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