Here I am sporting my first purchase (and keeper) from a Target designer collaboration.
Granted I get as excited as everyone else when a new designer collaboration is announced and ooh and ahh appreciatively at the budget-friendly pieces to be released, but I've always been kind of turned off at the hysteria produced over some of the collabs. There are very few things I'm willing to get up early on a weekend for and crowding around the doors of a Target to prepare to cat fight with other women is not really my idea of fun (hello Missoni, Phillip Lim).
I did buy a few pieces from the anniversary re-release of some designer collab "greatest hits" but ended up returning both dresses because ultimately they seemed impractical for me to wear. I do regret missing out on some cute dresses from Tucker and accessories from Missoni though - but not enough to pay some (still!) inflated Ebay pricing for them. I'm always a bit hesitant to initially purchase from the collab collections because I always have to ask myself whether I actually want the item because I like it or because everyone else does.
I guess another part of the "problem" for me with these Target collabs is that some of the pieces are so distinctive that you immediately can spot them (i.e., this dress) - and some of the pieces themselves are so distinctive that though they are pretty, I can't really think of any other way to wear them (i.e., this dress).
Thanks to a bout of unintended insomnia and Internet browsing during the wee hours of the collab release date, this dress is mine (I also got the red one, but it looked so bleh on me) and I quite like it. The print is out there but not too out there. And it's flippy - I like flippy!
What do you think of Target designer collaborations? What was your favorite collection? Are there any collab pieces you own that you adore - or regret?
Jacket: F21 (worn here - sim, sim)
Dress: Peter Pilotto for Target belted dress (or check stores - same in red, more traditional)
Necklace: Purple Peridot pennant (worn here - the original, sim, bolder)
Bracelet: F21 modernist layered
Shoes: Madewell film noir (worn here - sim, sim)
Clutch: Rebecca Minkoff (worn here - sim, sim, foldover)
I like collaborations but am as critical to cut/fit/fabric as I am with anything else that I add to my closet. I am a fan of flippy too and am kicking myself for overlooking this dress when browsing the PP collection
ReplyDeleteOkay, so I actually tried the red version of this dress, loved it, bought it, then tried it on again in the comfort and lighting of my own home. My daughter took one good look at me, wrinkled her nose and immediately commanded: "Return!" And since I'm so susceptible to the power of suggestion, I did. Return it, that is. Now, seeing you look fab and fierce in this dress, I wonder if perhaps I was a bit too hasty. Then again, you make everything look fab and fierce so maybe I'll just admire the dress on you. Happy Monday!
ReplyDeleteI originally liked the red version too but I think your daughter may be right - the bolder color PLUS the pattern mix may be overload to wear in the regular world. Granted, I've seen some gals just rock it out though, so I guess it's all attitude!
DeleteI'm not going to lie, this collection scared me a little. I've seen about 3 bloggers (including yourself) pull it off well. I think my issue is that "bloggers" tend to just pile on patterns and layers to just wear something different. I like this dress a lot because you paired it with a simple blazer and not another pattern. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI liked the collection but I think a lot of the pieces didn't necessarily apply well to day-to-day life. I think this dress may be one of the tamest pieces from the collection, hehe.
DeleteThe collection was available in the UK, via NetAPorter I think but I didn't bother looking to be honest. The only collab I've ever purchased from is Madonna for H&M years ago and that's because there was loads of it in our local store and no mad scrum! I still have the dress actually :)
ReplyDeleteThis is really pretty, I've seen a few bits here and there which are a bit busy for me. I'd wear this dress though and I like how you kept it simple, that is the way I'd go too!
I adored some of the big puffy dresses from the collection but honestly, where would I ever wear them to?
DeleteI try not to be caught up in the brouhaha that ensues after the launch....& get frustrated when I see the pieces in the clearance racks just a few weeks later. But this look is a winner.....definitely so Spring-Summer friendly!!
ReplyDeleteRebecca
www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
2 thumbs up!! You look so beautiful coz pretty is so under rated! BEAUTIFUL!
ReplyDeleteMrs Jack Of All Trades
Dubai, UAE
www.mjoat.com
I've found that many of the Target collab lines run big for some reason so I haven't been able to wear any of the dresses. I do love the mix of prints in this one and it will be great in the Spring!
ReplyDelete-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
Jewelry Giveaway!
I don't have that prob, hehe! ;o)
DeleteThis dress is really pretty! We didn't get the pieces here :(
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a keeper! I don't even remember seeing this dress in this collection. It's so lovely on you.
ReplyDeleteThe Jason Wu collab was one of my favorites. I wore the dress I bought a lot. I can't say that about any of my other Target collab purchases, though, so I'm much more cautious about making those purchases now.
The dress looks great on you!
ReplyDeleteI loved some of the early, early collaborations, like Paul & Joe, Erin Fetherston, and Richard Chai. Still have and love and wear pieces from those collections. Haven't bought a thing from any of the recent collections. The quality has fallen drastically.
I agree, I think the quality from some of the earlier collabs were better. Maybe they'll do another greatest hits re-release!
DeleteI think this print looks great on you since you paired it with a simple blazer and heels.
ReplyDeleteI liked the Jason Wu collection but only because I'm a crazy cat lady. After that there really hasn't been much that has caught my eye, to be honest.
I totally agree on collaborations. I typically think they are totally overrated. I did indulge in the Philip Liam 3.1 one for a sweatshirt in specific (that I am actually wearing IRL this moment!), but other than that, I don't typically get the hype. I love this dress though. The patterns and the hem are very gorg on you!
ReplyDeleteWhen I think about it now, I wish I hadn't missed the Liberty of London collab, but I remember trying some of the pieces and they just didn't work for me. Oh well.
DeleteI've never actually gotten anything from any of the collaborations either. I think part of it is that there is no rush or hype where I live. So I can dwell on whether I really like the items for a while and still know they'll be available in my store. So far, I haven't decided I needed anything. But I really love how this dress looks on you!
ReplyDeleteWait for it to hit the clearance racks, then decide! ;o)
DeleteI loved this collection. I thought it was super fashion forward, and you are rocking it! It looks so awesome on you, and I love the flippy skirt!
ReplyDeleteMeredith
createthatoutfit.com
Yes!!! I've been waiting to see someone sport the Peter Pilotto line. I think it looks great on you, mostly because the dress already does the color and print mixing all on its own that you usually achieve by mixing and matching different pieces. I get what you mean about statement pieces. They're fabulous but tricky to style because they're find all on their own. I'd probably do like you've done here and pair with a cardi or jacket in a print color. Or maybe red for a pop, and since the red dress didn't work out for you?
ReplyDelete<3 Liz
www.withwonderandwhimsy.com
Thanks for the ideas! Yeah, when I first saw the lookbook, I really liked a lot of pieces but when I considered how I could actually wear some of them in daily life, suddenly my list dropped of significantly!
DeleteThis dress is a perfect fit on you and I love the flippy skirt. It's a keeper.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I've ever bought from a collaboration is a Phillip Lim for Target bag BECAUSE they looked JUST LIKE his regular bags that I seriously cannot afford. I am a bag hoe and just NEEDED it. I used it a good 4 months in a row though it's been put away since I've gotten out the Spring colors. I think your dress is gorgeous! It looks good on you, the print is vibrant and fun. Buy what you like! Plus it's Target, you can always return it later!
ReplyDelete-Ash
www.stylizedwannabe.blogspot.com
The PL bags were super-cute but I knew even better than to try to get anything with that collection - I believe local reports did say that was a madhouse!
DeleteWhile I keep my radar up for Target or H&M designer collaborations, I try not to get too caught up in the hype, buying only pieces that will work with what I have or my style. I, like you refuse to pay for inflated prices on the secondary market for these pieces and I've missed some good pieces, but such is life - you snooze, you lose. By far, my favorite collaboration is Jason Wu and I wished I was able to buy the dresses and a few more pieces that I wanted! Btw, how did you find the fit for this dress/Peter Pilotto for Target line?
ReplyDeleteI'd say stick with your normal sizing, though I've read some reviews thought the collection ran large. I've only tried this dress and the sleeveless drop-waist dress and my opinion is that both dresses run true-to-size, though I ended up buying this dress one size up because my shoulders and upper arms are kind of big.
DeleteThat dress is beautiful, I love the print! The stripe clutch is a cute and perfect accessory to wear it with too!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you will get lots of wear out of it, it would look great with brights as well as the black you have here :)
Away From Blue
The dress looks great on you.
ReplyDeleteI have similar feelings towards a lot of the collaborations lately. The hype really generates a "get it now" mindset. While I think it's amazing designer looks can be bought by the general public at affordable prices, it becomes a bit of a madhouse and generates too much angst for something that is meant to be positive. This is especially true with some collabs like the ones for H&M. When I see certain people buying with the intent of selling on eBay for higher price points, it really generates a negative experience for me. It's really a shame because I think the intent of the collabs are great and fun but sometimes, I get turned off by the not-so-friendly experience.
xo,
nancy
I've stayed clear of all the H&M collabs because it seems like a complete madhouse - plus they're usually more than what I'm willing to pay H&M for, hehe. And I'm with you, it makes me angry to see pics of folks with shopping carts full of collab items - girl, I know you don't need 6 of the same dress! ;o)
DeleteLove the little peplum hem of that dress, so cute.
ReplyDeletexo
PinkSole
Love love love this dress on you. I wasn't a huge fan of this collection (too print crazy and busy for my taste) and definitely agree with you that the pieces are very noticeable, but I love how you paired it with the blazer to make it way more professional and less day look. So pretty!
ReplyDeleteI loved the collection at first glance but when I tried applying some of the pieces to "real life", suddenly my wishlist dropped off significantly, hehe. I'm hoping for another Liberty of London-esque collab to come out, or another re-release of some greatest hits!
DeleteThis dress is perfection on you, love it!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you on the Target collaborations. I often like (not love) a few pieces from each line, but I'm certainly not willing to fight crowds to get them. I do wish I had been able to get one of the Phillip Lim satchels though!
ReplyDeleteYeah, there are very few things I'm willing to get up early, stand in line and fight for! ;o)
DeleteThat dress is adorable on you! I really love the Peter Pilotto collection. It is one of my favorite collections (besides Phillip Lim)! I got the romper when it first came out, and then this past weekend I got the cropped blue, white and black sweater and the drop waist red, black and white dress.
ReplyDeleteNikki
thefashionablewife.com
The romper looked super cute on you and will be a fun piece for warmer weather. I kind of regret not getting the cropped sweater since I've seen some gals just rock it!
DeleteLisa, I love this collaboration! but have been lukewarm with recent ones . I think this collection is outstanding and I can see getting up early for it, well yes, I can see it, but I would not do it, early bird 8 am not. This is a great pick,m you look fabulous. This dress has your name on it, I think. As always, it is styled perfectly !
ReplyDeleteXX, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com
Lisa
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for the typos, it is hard to type on my iPad.
XX, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com
Haha, no problem. You should see my typing on my phone - fat fingers!
DeleteAdorable as always! I always love the collaborations, my favorite was Libertine, then Missoni - mainly the accessories - and of course I loved the Liberty collab. I completely fell for the Pilotto sunglasses this time, got two pairs.
ReplyDeleteSome of the older collabs were really nice and I'm sorry I miss out on them!
DeleteI think my favorite collar so far has been with Prabal Grurang and Philip Lim. I didn't get to get any of the bags of the PL but I really like the clothing in it. As for PG, I have a couple pair of shoes from it that I wear and are comfy.
ReplyDeleteI bought a couple items from this collaboration but they all looked horrible on me and I just returned it. I saw that it's already on clearance.
This dress looks great on you and I am glad you found something that you liked. This dress is so fun!
Alice
www.happinessatmidlife.com
When I went to my local Target to return the red dress, I saw racks of the PP collection on the shelves - I guess I should have just come to my local store!
Deletei like the collaborations but like you i don't go crazy over them. this dress was a good find, though. it looks fabulous on you!
ReplyDeleteI love that dress so much!!! You look great, as usual! Could you tell me the sizing on that dress. I am normally a size 4 at JCrew if that helps. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHey Rachel - I got this dress one size up from my normal dress size and am glad I did (I have bulkier shoulders and upper arms). I also tried the drop-waist dress from the collection and that fit in my normal size. I think if you don't have particularly big shoulders, this dress should work in your normal dress size - hope that helps!
DeleteYou look fantastic in this dress, Lisa! I really wanted a few things from the Jason Wu collection but there was such a frenzy on that one that I couldn't get involved. Too stressful.
ReplyDeletexo,cynthia
I agree. Women in a mob can be vicious! ;o)
DeleteI know what you mean! Whenever there's a designer collaboration, I have to debate over whether I like the clothes because I like them or because they're designer. I kind of regret most of the collaboration pieces I've bought other than my Rodarte for Target dress.
ReplyDeleteThe Peter Pilotto dress you got looks great though! If I had somewhere to wear that to, I would've gotten it.
I regret not getting anything from the Rodarte, Tucker and Liberty collabs. Some of their fun pieces still stick out in my mind - but I still refuse to pay inflated Ebay pricing for it! ;o)
DeleteLisa, that dress looks awesome on you! I love the jacket with it. Such a beautiful print. I haven't bought a collection since Jason Wu. HaHaHa I just haven't found anything that suited me. You wear Pilotto well!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.averysweetblog.com/
love that dress lisa gorgeous! i agree. some of them i love.. some of them pass. i really wish i had been able to snag a philip lim bag tho.. but sadly i was in germany at the time and i they were SO passed sold out online the day of i couldn't even get onto the website lol!
ReplyDeletewww.lisalovescoco.blogspot.com
When the PL came out, I steered way clear of a Target and their web site - I think there was mass hysteria for that collection!
DeleteStunning dress! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fashionjazz.co.za/blog-outfit-day/
This dress looks so fantastic on you! I really like it!
ReplyDeleteI think some Target collaborations are better than others, but not all of them are always aimed at the same market. I do think they have gotten better about the sizing lately.
I kind of wish they'd bring back a Liberty of London (or do a sim) collab in the near future. My mind is all about bright colors and florals lately (bring on the warm weather!)
DeleteAnd looking good in it. I know what you mean with items you cannot really style any other way. That is me all over. I often buy items like that. But no I have never bought any designer collaboration stuff. Same reasons you mentioned. And I am always afraid I might see everybody in it.
ReplyDeleteGreetje
This dress looks great on you. I think the red would like nice too. I liked this print a lot. You know I'm not a fan of dresses so I got it in a sweatshirt.
ReplyDeleteVery cute dress! I love the colour, and I find it very spring! I also like the blue blazer...
ReplyDeleteI love the collaborations but never score them! so I kind of like gave up.
ReplyDeleteI got a dress from the Phillip Lim collection later on and its true what you say, they are so distinctive.. my cousin recognised it.