I had a feeling that the Adam Lippes for Target collection wouldn't sell out as quickly as past designer collabs (cough, Lilly Pulitzer, cough) so yesterday I made my way to the nearest store in the afternoon and was happy to find a wide selection still in stock. In fact I think anything my store was carrying was still available in a range of sizes. Challenged to reinterpret classic plaid for the modern woman, Lippes delivered a collection of clothing and home decor with a rustic sophistication, that retails under $130.
The outerwear was definitely the highlight - including a plaid wool coat and a tassel embellished poncho - as were the sweaters, from a check sweater vest to a sleeveless cowlneck sweater (a steal for $39.99!).
I wouldn't say sizing was all over the place but it was not consistent. More on that below! Most items were intentionally oversized (which is often a characteristic of more expensive clothing, think longer hemlines, exaggerated silhouettes, etc.) so I'm not complaining about that. This was women's sizing, not juniors. Try before you buy, if possible.
The quality of this collection is really nice - you could actually wear these cold weather pieces here in the northeast and stay fashionably warm. The parka weighed a ton and the collarless coat had 10% wool. The plaid weekender looked amazing (lightweight but sturdy) as did the plaid pumps (probably uncomfortable but definite outfit-makers).
The home decor pieces were on par with Target's Threshold line - elegant, Pottery Barn style for less - but nothing jumped out at me. (Okay the plaid dog bowls were super cute but my toddler is in charge of feeding our dog now and I couldn't see him carrying these heavy ceramic dishes around - disaster LOL). I'd rather save my dollars and spend them on Threshold pieces.
So why weren't customers more excited about this line? I seemed to be the only person looking at the collection at my store (and I took my sweet time, too). The L.L.Bean-esque fleece probably threw some people off. And then there's the lack of name recognition. Overall it's a beautifully executed collection but lacks the bells and whistles that attract the eBay throngs.
Admittedly I didn't buy anything on this trip (it's tough when you're pregnant, too!) but I did snag a Liz Lange striped maternity tee for $5.98 on clearance (according to this list of ways to save money at Target, it would have been marked down again...but it was the last one!).
What did you think of the Adam Lippes collection? Did you buy anything?
The quilted wool coat ($129) : I needed at least a size medium for this coat to fit through the shoulders and arms (I'm 5'8"), plus room for layering over sweaters. This coat is very heavy! The hood is a nice feature. You can see that Adam Lippes worked for Ralph Lauren with pieces like this.
I'm wearing a size XS in this sweater vest ($39.99) and it fit well. The knit is soft and substantial. You could have a lot of fun layering this piece over dresses or pants.
Here's a picture of the weekender ($49.99) to show scale - it's big! As is my bump. Love this bag.
I can't find this blue and black plaid grandfather cardigan ($39.99) online. I'm wearing the XS. It's nice and cozy.
The mohair collarless coat ($69.99) is another sophisticated topper with a Ralph Lauren vibe. I'm wearing the size XS with plenty of wiggle room. The coat showed some creasing which was a bit of a turnoff. A bit itchy, too, but that's thanks to 10% wool.
This mohair poncho ($59.99) is definitely one of the standout pieces from this collection for those with the attitude to rock it. I couldn't help but giggle when I tried it on because my bump was bumpin' way out under there. Not going to work! The size S/M would fit me well post pregnancy.
The "mohair poncho" ($59.99) is fabricated with 10% wool.
The "L.L.Bean" fleece!
I think everyone loves these pumps ($39.99)! Now that I'm examining this photo, it looks like my store had the flats ($29.99), too, but they must have sold out before I got there. So snag those online if you want them, they're going fast.
Here's the dress ($49.99) we featured in a recent Capsule Wardrobe - check it out for styling ideas! I couldn't try this on with my bump but I held it up to myself and think the XS would fit well. Again this is because of the generous sizing. I'm not normally an XS!
I wouldn't say sizing was all over the place but it was not consistent. More on that below! Most items were intentionally oversized (which is often a characteristic of more expensive clothing, think longer hemlines, exaggerated silhouettes, etc.) so I'm not complaining about that. This was women's sizing, not juniors. Try before you buy, if possible.
The quality of this collection is really nice - you could actually wear these cold weather pieces here in the northeast and stay fashionably warm. The parka weighed a ton and the collarless coat had 10% wool. The plaid weekender looked amazing (lightweight but sturdy) as did the plaid pumps (probably uncomfortable but definite outfit-makers).
The home decor pieces were on par with Target's Threshold line - elegant, Pottery Barn style for less - but nothing jumped out at me. (Okay the plaid dog bowls were super cute but my toddler is in charge of feeding our dog now and I couldn't see him carrying these heavy ceramic dishes around - disaster LOL). I'd rather save my dollars and spend them on Threshold pieces.
So why weren't customers more excited about this line? I seemed to be the only person looking at the collection at my store (and I took my sweet time, too). The L.L.Bean-esque fleece probably threw some people off. And then there's the lack of name recognition. Overall it's a beautifully executed collection but lacks the bells and whistles that attract the eBay throngs.
Admittedly I didn't buy anything on this trip (it's tough when you're pregnant, too!) but I did snag a Liz Lange striped maternity tee for $5.98 on clearance (according to this list of ways to save money at Target, it would have been marked down again...but it was the last one!).
What did you think of the Adam Lippes collection? Did you buy anything?
The quilted wool coat ($129) : I needed at least a size medium for this coat to fit through the shoulders and arms (I'm 5'8"), plus room for layering over sweaters. This coat is very heavy! The hood is a nice feature. You can see that Adam Lippes worked for Ralph Lauren with pieces like this.
I'm wearing a size XS in this sweater vest ($39.99) and it fit well. The knit is soft and substantial. You could have a lot of fun layering this piece over dresses or pants.
Here's a picture of the weekender ($49.99) to show scale - it's big! As is my bump. Love this bag.
I can't find this blue and black plaid grandfather cardigan ($39.99) online. I'm wearing the XS. It's nice and cozy.
The mohair collarless coat ($69.99) is another sophisticated topper with a Ralph Lauren vibe. I'm wearing the size XS with plenty of wiggle room. The coat showed some creasing which was a bit of a turnoff. A bit itchy, too, but that's thanks to 10% wool.
This mohair poncho ($59.99) is definitely one of the standout pieces from this collection for those with the attitude to rock it. I couldn't help but giggle when I tried it on because my bump was bumpin' way out under there. Not going to work! The size S/M would fit me well post pregnancy.
The "mohair poncho" ($59.99) is fabricated with 10% wool.
The "L.L.Bean" fleece!
I think everyone loves these pumps ($39.99)! Now that I'm examining this photo, it looks like my store had the flats ($29.99), too, but they must have sold out before I got there. So snag those online if you want them, they're going fast.
Here's the dress ($49.99) we featured in a recent Capsule Wardrobe - check it out for styling ideas! I couldn't try this on with my bump but I held it up to myself and think the XS would fit well. Again this is because of the generous sizing. I'm not normally an XS!
http://fave.co/1jytAL7
http://fave.co/1jytAL7
lifestyle by joules
Tracy
www.TracysNotebookofStyle.com
Wishes & Reality
seen dulkil
www.motownsavvy.com
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
My review if you're interested
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com/2015/09/quickie-adam-lippes-for-target-review.html#.Vgp_6ekXlFI
Specially wanted to thank the author for the pictures and her reviews. I really regret I forgot all about Target's designer lines as the clothes post Isaac Mizrahi seem to be designed for a very different body type. I still appreciate knowing what's offered.