The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Review: Who What Wear for Target Debuts Its First Collection

Who What Wear for Target review
Yesterday I stopped by Target to check out the new Who What Wear collection, entirely expecting to be let down after seeing the look book. And guess what: I was wrong. So wrong. As much as I love online shopping, it goes to show you really need to see clothes in person to know what they really look and feel like. So what did the collection look and feel like? Stylish, sophisticated and offered in a refreshing range of sizes, from women to plus.

Most items I tried on seemed similar in size with Target's Merona brand to give you some idea. I tried on the moto jacket ($44.99) in a large; it's meant to be cropped and fitted. I like that they gave the material some stretch so you can move freely. It bears no resemblance to real leather to the touch but it looks great on.

My favorite piece was the bateau striped sweater, truly a wardrobe essential, yet so hard to find one that's just right. This one is. It's a thicker fabric so it has a nice weight to it and won't wrinkle (rayon, nylon, spandex blend). The tag says lay flat to dry but I think it's worth it for this one. I tried the size large and liked the fit.

One thing about expensive clothing is that you usually get more fabric - like a longer hemline on a dress or skirt - which not only ends up fitting my 5'8" frame better but lends a more sophisticated feel to any silhouette...and that's what Who What Wear cofounders Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power brought to their collection, no doubt perusing their own stylish wardrobes filled with designer pieces and bringing those details to their Tar-jay experience.

Speaking of longer hemlines, this midi shirt dress ($36.99) looks and feels like something you'd find at Banana Republic for triple the price thanks to the cut and colors (you'll want them all), and can be worn for work or the weekend. The trench vest ($39.99) is definitely one of the more interesting pieces that fashionistas will covet; I didn't try it on but it looked good in person. Might be tough to sit in since it's kinda stiff. This button up blouse ($24.99) is a nice Equipment look for less dupe, you'll want to scoop one up in all six colors and prints. This birdcage skirt ($29.99) looked cheap in the lookbook but really fun, flirty and more expensive in person. And this pencil skirt ($29.99) may be the only denim skirt you'll ever need. So good.

My store didn't have any accessories in stock besides scarves, but I know you guys are loving these. Alert reader @shortykcan on Instagram says this zip pouch ($19.99) is a Clare Vivier dupe.

So I'm curious, did the Who What Wear collection meet your expectations? Which pieces did you love/buy?

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review

Who What Wear for Target review
Comments
Glad you liked it (and found some things to buy) but sorry, I hated it.
#1 Target-Addict (Homepage) on 2016-02-01 10:40 (Reply)
I read your review - and I can see why you didn't like it. But this was a surprise hit for me! I thought my store didn't have it either but then I spotted it beside the Ava & Viv line, past Mossimo and Merona. I guess since it's a more permanent collection that's where it'll live. I can't wait to see what the next capsule includes!
#1.1 The Budget Babe on 2016-02-02 08:31 (Reply)
My Target doesn't carry & closest store is a drive for me! Online seemed not to have anything! Hopefully my store will carry because I love the white/black polka dot peplum top! I'm 5'0" & petite so peplums are ideal & elongate my body. Love the split skirt(gaucho style) with boots! Wonder if they can alert me when available. I live in Trenton, Mi so Woodhaven, Mi is within a coypke if mikes from me.
#1.1.1 Ronna George on 2016-03-21 14:16 (Reply)
There's quite a bit now online, give it another look! Good luck!
#1.1.1.1 The Budget Babe on 2016-03-23 15:00 (Reply)
I went yesterday morning thinking people were going to be grabbing things left and right but I was surprised that I walked in to an empty area. All the clothes were beautifully displayed (just as you pictured) and I managed to get a lot of good stuff. I loved the trench coat - I bought a small even though I'm about 5'7 - I think it fit pretty good. I got too bought the striped tee along with the equipment inspired style shirts. I was very pleased with the shirt dresses and look forward to wearing it once the cold fades out. I live in St. Louis so right now it is too chilly to wear the breezy shirts that I just purchased...

Thank you for your post - I hope they consider a future collaboration again!
#2 Eva on 2016-02-01 10:53 (Reply)
Glad you liked it...they will be doing another capsule next month, I believe, can't wait!
#2.1 The Budget Babe on 2016-02-02 08:38 (Reply)
My store didn't get any of this collection. I might have been willing to drive to a nearby Greatland to check it out but I wasn't feeling anything in particular. To me, it seemed there was a lot of "midi" length dresses and skirts which aren't flattering on my 5'3" self. The moto jackets were okay but that's something you can find at F21 for about the same price/quality (maybe better on both). I hope future collections they do change up the lengths. I felt like this collection catered to those around 5'6".
#3 Sarah T on 2016-02-01 12:40 (Reply)
Definitely hearing this from a lot of readers, hopefully they'll take this into consideration with the next capsule!
#3.1 The Budget Babe on 2016-02-02 08:36 (Reply)
My Target had a few of the pieces but not all. I thought the ones I did see were well-made but I agree with Sarah T's comment about the sizing. I'm 5'3 and none of the pieces would work on my frame. It's a shame b/c otherwise, I would have seriously considered them!
#4 Jules on 2016-02-01 15:13 (Reply)
I feel ya, because I'm always having the {opposite} problem believe it or not...the solution: They need to do petites! No other way to solve this.
#4.1 The Budget Babe on 2016-02-02 08:34 (Reply)
I LOVE the striped sweater on you! I actually really like the cropped blue jacket too. I see what you mean...not cute online but super cute on you!

Heidi || Wishes & Reality
#5 Heidi (Homepage) on 2016-02-01 19:22 (Reply)
I completely agree about seeing it in person. That bateau sweater is so amazing, well made, and hefty! You look great in everything. I love that they incorporated cotton and linen into many of the pieces. I hope they do a line for petites, though! You can tell they paid attention to the details and the longevity of the designs. We all need classic staples like these. I also thought the look of the blouses evoked Equipment! I took home some striped tops, the floral neck scarf, lace tee, moto jacket, etc. and will be going back for more. More thoughts in my fitting room review. http://www.thekeytochic.com/2016/01/who-what-wear-collection-for-target_31.html
#6 Melissa (Homepage) on 2016-02-01 22:22 (Reply)
I love your review, it's nice to see we're on the same page! I like how you styled the stripe blouse under the stripe sweater, I have to copy that ;-)

It's tough to create a mass line that fits everyone, so I feel your petite girl problems - but I'm always having tall girl problems! LOL! Sleeves that are too short, pant legs that are too short, hemlines that are, well, you get the idea...tunics often look like tees on me and dresses look like tunics :-( So I was happy with these longer silhouettes! :-)

I'm on board with your requests for the next capsule, I might have to dedicate an entire post to that - a whowhatwear wishlist. I'd like to see some leopard print in there...

xo
#6.1 The Budget Babe on 2016-02-02 08:26 (Reply)
I actually really liked the collection. The plus size options were limited but I found a few good staple pieces. I hate shopping so I ordered everything online in two sizes and just decided to send back whatever didn't fit. The birdcage skirt, moto jacket and button back tank in vintage blue were great. I'm only 5 ft tall so I didn't love the way any of the dresses fit. The crop pants were awful weird fabric choice and theyre essentially leggings with a zipper back. You really have to try everything on because both on line and right out the packaging some things looked better than they did when actually on my body.
#7 tiara on 2016-02-02 18:33 (Reply)
That's a really good point - there's how something looks in photos, then there's how it looks on the hanger, and then there's how it looks on your body. Completely different things! xo
#7.1 The Budget Babe on 2016-02-04 09:02 (Reply)
I'm shocked that you love this more in person! That is so good to hear. Target is notorious for making their collaborations look amazing in an online catalog and then the follow through in person is lackluster. I can't wait to check this out at my local Tar-shay! Thanks for the review! I'll be sharing with my social media friends!
#8 Jennifer {fabfatale.com} (Homepage) on 2016-02-03 07:54 (Reply)
Thanks love! Yeah usually it's the other way around...you fall in love with a look book and then get let down in person. Not this time!
#8.1 The Budget Babe on 2016-02-04 09:02 (Reply)
Omg you are a godsend. I would have overlooked this but after seeing your pics I'm cancelling my Friday night plans and stalking local Target stores(sorry gals, my devotion right now is aligned with Target before the general public ransacks the T-Zone)

I think Target always undermines its collabs with unflattering photos. Like you said, you absolutely can't take the website's depicted value; you gotta go in person to experience the sartorial splendor
Xoxo
#9 Mallory (Homepage) on 2016-02-05 22:06 (Reply)
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