Off the Rack: Calypso St. Barth for Target Photos and Review

Posted by

May 5, 2011

Earlier this week, I checked out the Calypso St. Barth for Target collection and tried on a dozen or so dresses, tunics, bathing suits and the like. Each piece instantly whisked me away to beachy retreats along distant coasts (fashion can do that, you know). My favorites pieces on the racks were the colorful silk tunics with cool detailing like sequin trim or crochet accents. These ran true to size (or even a bit snug - I appreciate that the tunics are fitted for a slim, non-muumuu look but the armholes were a tad tight and there's not much give with fabrics like silk, cotton and linen. Of course, I'm not complaining about the awesome fabrics. It's great to see Calypso use natural, breathable fibers for a resort collection instead of polyester. That would have been disastrous.

Shop it online:

Calypso Target

Moving along, my store didn't have many home decor items out just yet, but what I did see looked fab for the price. On my way out of the store, I noticed the accessories (they must have put them there in the time it took me to make the rounds). Both large straw totes were fantastic, looked luxe and will sell out fast, especially with Mother's Day right around the corner. I didn't see any jewelry in person but love the items I've seen online. The makeup cases were misplaced in my store (I overheard staff as they were rallying to find and restore the Calypso stragglers to their rightful endcaps), but look great online as well.

Alas, I did not see my fair metallic Moroccan-inspired poufs, so let me know if you did - dying to hear more about quality before I order online. I'm not worried about things selling out at my store except key pieces like the maxi dress and perhaps the accessories, so I didn't buy anything on this trip but I'll be back. This is not to say there wasn't interest from other shoppers, at any given moment I saw a well-dressed woman or two checking out the display. It's nice to see something that appeals to all ages from kids to adults with a wider variety of sizes being offered than I think I've ever seen previously. Three cheers and two thumbs up for Calypso!

What did you like, love, buy?

Photo credit: TheBudgetBabe.com

Comments (19)

Posted in: Budget Fashion, Designer Collaborations, Swimsuits, Target

Previous Post Next Post

Comments

I really love the maxi dress on you! So cute. How tall are you?

Also, the white dresses look fab too. And I love the blue on that swimsuit!

#1 Jess on 2011-05-05 07:35 (Reply)

Thanks, I thought the maxi dress was made really well. I'm 5'8" - I've heard style experts say a maxi dress should skim the tops of your feet - this one reached my ankles and I thought the length was perfect.

#1.1 The Budget Babe on 2011-05-05 07:50 (Reply)

I really like the tunics as well. It's
making me want to purchase a couple as well
as the dresses. Online, they look very short
but on you being as tall as you are they look
like they are at the knee which is good.
can't wait to have a couple of these
pieces myself!

#1.1.1 Kenisha Cameron on 2011-05-05 10:17 (Reply)

Really glad someone asked the question I was going to. I'm your height, and often I get disappointed by dresses that fit shorter than I'm comfortable with or with waist lines that fall far above my natural waist. I'm going to have to examine what you try on in the future before I head to the store and find it doesn't work for me.

Thanks so much for posting these!

#1.1.2 Kujaku on 2011-05-09 04:21 (Reply)

Thx, it's not a perfect science but i hope my "real life" photos provide some assistance in helping readers gauge what things really look like, especially if they're going to be ordering online.

#1.1.2.1 The Budget Babe on 2011-05-09 10:20 (Reply)

Thanks for the thorough review. I completely agree that the best thing they did with this line was make it out of natural materials. Silk caftans for $50 and cotton sleep sets for $30 ...those are the kind of luxurious bargains I'm looking for in a Target Designer Collaboration. Well done Target for bringing us high quality for low price and well done Calypso for not sacrificing their quality to mass produce their product! Kudos all around!!!

http://whatiworetiptotoe.blogspot.com

#2 Brea Ellis (Homepage) on 2011-05-05 07:50 (Reply)

LOVE the blue bathing suit and blue dress! SO cute! I want to go to the beach...work always seems to get in the way

Great review!

#3 twenty something (Homepage) on 2011-05-05 08:30 (Reply)

Great post, I haven't had a chance to drop by our local Tarjay yet...

But bad news, I tried to buy my poufs online on 5/1 and they were out of stock. I couldn't even find out how much the price is...

#4 The Dazzling Diva (Homepage) on 2011-05-05 09:01 (Reply)

Thanks for the pics! Now I need to head to my local Target.... Love that maxi dress.

#5 Kim on 2011-05-05 09:10 (Reply)

LOVE the dresses...and thanks for the close-up shots of the beading. (Oh, and nice boots with the summer dresses!! LOL) Always appreciate you checking out everything before I head to Target!

#6 Emily on 2011-05-05 09:33 (Reply)

I love the maxi dress. I had to order the petite one so we'll see how that works out. I didn't go as crazy with this collection because you were right about the arms on the tunics. The medium fit well in the body but the arms were too tight. I got the side tie top in teal, the pink silk scarf, a necklace, and the bustier lace bra. Good prices for the quality.

#7 Tracie on 2011-05-05 10:11 (Reply)

I had no idea they had petites! Thanks

#7.1 Jess on 2011-05-09 10:48 (Reply)

I haven't been by my local Target to check out this collaboration yet, so I'm glad you did. Judging by the way things fit you, I'm betting everything will be too long on me at 5'2". I definitely need to check out the accessories though. And I love that blue bathing suit. Glad to hear the tunics are a bit fitted, it seems like everything tunic-ish fits like maternity wear these days. That maxi dress is perfect on you!

#8 Sara (Homepage) on 2011-05-05 10:22 (Reply)

I'm 5'1" so I feel your pain. But check online because they have the dresses, skirts and some of the tops in petite.

#8.1 Tracie on 2011-05-05 10:34 (Reply)

Cute dresses! I love maxi length, its so flowy and summery.

btw, where did you get those boots you're wearing? I love those!

#9 Bea on 2011-05-05 10:40 (Reply)

The maxi dress is, far and away, my fave!

#10 Sally McGraw (Homepage) on 2011-05-05 10:55 (Reply)

I want the maxi dress (I saw it at Target yesterday), but I want to wait for it to go on sale. Hopefully, there are a few left by then. I also liked that the line is mostly cotton. I agree the shirts were cut pretty slim, so I will probably size up.

#11 Erin on 2011-05-05 12:19 (Reply)

I really wanted a pouf but couldn't find any at my store. But I picked up a blue scarf for myself and an aqua ombre sundress and fluorescent yellow bathing suit for my daughter. Adorable!!!

#12 Cathy (Homepage) on 2011-05-05 16:31 (Reply)

My silver pouf arrived in the mail today. I ordered it the second it popped up on line because I was afraid it would instantly sell out (I learned my lesson with the John Derian coasters) and you just can't find poufs at this price anywhere else. It's really nice! The pleather doesn't look cheap and there's great detail in the stitching. The whole cover even zips off if you need to clean it. I hope you're able to snag one!

#13 Carrie (Homepage) on 2011-05-06 17:37 (Reply)

The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog