Everyone was banging on about The Reformation dresses last year in a way I found incredibly off-putting.
I feel very allergic to “It-dress” mythologising; I do not want to wear an It-dress or any other dress that has been seen 4,000 times on Instagram because if you wear it to an actual party, people don’t think “Ooo, an It dress” they think “That woman has got no imagination or originality”.
Or maybe I’m the only one who’s that much of a meanie-pants.
So I didn’t even LOOK at their stupid website last year. But then just now I thought I might have a peek just to see if there was anything horrible that I could say about it, but in fact it’s all rather nice.
What it does very successfully, which is not that easy, is to create a world, an atmosphere, an aesthetic – a dream. It’s why Kate Moss for TopShop was so good – it was her style, her world, and we wanted to copy it. The French brands Sezane and Rouje do it, too. Sure, okay, we’re not going to look like those girls just because we wear the same dress, but we’ve got to put something on in the morning and feel good about it.
Business commentators have been talking lately over the 8% fall in Next’s share price – (or was it profits… I can’t remember I’m not a business commentator) – but you go in there and it’s not a surprise because the place is an absolute catastrophe. A car crash of colour and pattern and shape with absolutely no idea of who Next woman is or what she wants to look like.
Some resourceful and stylish bloggers and Instagrammers can take individual pieces from Next and style them properly and make them look okay – but as a whole, Next offers the casual browser absolutely nothing.
And if a high street giant with a boardroom full of designers and plenty of resources can’t do it, you have to give Reformation a bit of respect for presenting you with a new or distilled style of dressing as a fait accompli. These sorts of brands who are doing this, (Anine Bing is another that springs to mind), are worth looking at, even if you don’t buy anything, in order to get some inspiration.
Now look, let’s get real: these clothes may not work for you if your boobs are so huge you require a bra made by NASA, or you live on a farm in North Wales and wear gumboots indoors because otherwise the chickens go for your feet.
YES the models are improbably-shaped and YES it’s not madly cheap, but not every brand is for everyone and, while I always try to offer you things to buy whether you’re a size 8 or 18, which are fabulous quality for only £50 I can’t deliver that every time.
I AM very interested to hear from anyone who has bought anything from Reformation, particularly if they have had it shipped from the US rather than bought from Net A Porter in the past and what they think of it.
There is a waiting list for a lot of these things, but I don’t mind a wait list myself – it means I’m less likely to see someone else wearing my dress.
Here are my favourite things:
I also think their jeans look good. I am still trying to brainwash you all into trying some high-waisted jeans. I mean not up to your armpits, but just a little bit higher than mid-rise as it’s the quickest way, right now, to look a bit more modern.
I mean guys, seriously, what IS to stop you from wearing some high waisted skinnies with a band t-shirt tucked in and a gold necklace and looking – if not exactly like this girl – then at least some approximation?
I’ve just realised that I’ve written this entire post about the wrong brand – the one I had in my head when I started on this little journey was Realisation Par, which does in fact look pretty hateful in every regard, but I’m tired now.
I bought two dresses and a skirt from Reformation 2 years ago. I absolutely love them – but one of them I have only worn once as it’s quite skimpy on the boob (from the photos on the website this seems to be a common issue with their dresses). I ordered them online from the website but had them delivered to a friend in America and my husband collected them while on a business trip. That was a huge faff. Do they deliver to the UK? Can’t remember why I did that now but I probably wanted to avoid customs charges.
Ps if you like Reformation an American friend has suggested a brand called Christy Dawn (I think they’re linked in some way – started by the same woman maybe?). I haven’t bought anything from there – yet – but my husband has another work trip to America coming up so…
My 14 year old daughter bought a dress identical to the Thelma one last year from Urban Outfitters at a fraction of the price ie: within your £50 budget.
unusually good value for UO
I slavishly bought some high-waisted jeans in the sales on your advice. I’m tall, and it’s a great relief to have my shirts stay tucked it and not reveal my lower back flab at inconvenient moments. However, on their first outing, my never-notice-anything husband asked if they were new and said: “You look fat in them. Your bum is huge.” I didn’t care as he’s a bit right and they are so comfortable (see above). Then on the third outing my 7-year-old son offered his unsolicited opinion, which was much the same as his father’s.
If I were younger/more self conscious they’d already be in a charity shop, but I’m still wearing them.
My point is they are a MASSIVE change from what we’ve all been wearing for 20 years and it’ll take a while for husbands/children to get used to them.
YOU ARE SO RIGHT. Your bum is NOT huge. It’s just not. It’s just a new shape and we’ve all been trying to cover our bums for the last 15 years and now the bums are out. And yes, fucking goddamn it we’re not 12 year old boys. we have BUMS.
My husband would need to find himself a good witness protection promgramme sharpish if he said that to me. I’m glad you haven’t been put off I mean what do they know??
they know nothing. I had an otherwise perfectly harmless guy on Insta messaging me the other day about what he thought about a dress and I was like “what are you doing” and he said “isn’t what clothes look like from a male perspective relevant at all?” and I was like “…. omg…. absolutely… and completely… NOT…” I mean, I make sure I don’t wear anything that my husband really actively hates – but actually even then if I like it I just assume he’ll get used to it eventually
PLUS!! Sorry I am ranting now, but though I don’t want to make too many generalisations but men generally want us to wear clothes that make us look “nice” and “pretty” but sometimes we want to look “scary” “fashionable” or “cool” and occasionally those are incompatible with each other. men quite often assume we are dressing in order to be appealing to them. or is that really unfair and sexist.
Yes! My children would have me wearing “pretty skirts” at all times, and while my husband is not quite of that mind, and despite the fact I would say in fairness he is reasonably good with giving his opinion on clothes, he still leans toward whatever is most attractive in a very narrow way – short, fitted, low cut all pluses. This became apparent when I got some loose khaki trousers and he wasn’t keen as they didn’t show off my shape and I had to be clear that I didn’t always want to do that – it was a different look and he did see what I meant. Sometimes you need to show them pictures of the look you are going for until they have an informed opinion or else their eyes glaze over and they concede in an unconscious way. You need to know who you can trust with an opinion, some mums would be doing you favour, some just like to give an *opinion*.
Not tried Reformation but so with you on the high waist skinny jean. Currently in love with Topshop Sidney. Bit of stretch, nice n high tucking in the Mum Tum and about £40 ish. Thank you!
Ooo the Sidney you say? I will have a look x
Blurb on website says they’re mid rise but they go up to my waist proper and cover my belly button so good enuf for me. Just enough stretch to make them super comfy too. Almost like wearing (eek) leggings. I sized up half size for extra comfort. Can’t be doing with circulation stoppers! X
great advice Jayne, thanks xx
You are so inspiring you have no idea! I don’t buy any clothes really but i get tons and tons of inspiration from how you see the world and how you think out loud. Just wanted to say that.
PS: I live in Australia, wear high waisted jeans and they just make my shape look better. But i clearly need to get a necklace to wear with my tee-shirts now 😉
PPS: What do no-key but very hopeful fashionistas do WITHOUT you!!!
They are very pretty dresses but not so out of the ordinary that you wouldn’t find elsewhere for a fraction of the price, admittedly with a bit more rummaging. I was looking at ones similar to the Thelma on ASOS. I have had a Next voucher for months without finding anything to spend it on – they are frustrating because the odd bit I have got from there I’ve hung onto forever and love, and quite like their jeans, but a misstep lands you in frightsville.
I wore high waist jeans, band t shirt, and gold necklace at the weekend and didn’t realise I was being remotely stylish (though not Whitesnake – I mean Whitesnake?? That girl hasn’t heard of them. My brother has the original tour t shirts so find it funny they’ve put a tiny cool girl in one. Here I go again….)
Aaaarrrrggghhhh lovely dresses but American sizes drive me NUTS
I know. BS.
Those lovely frocks are not for anyone over a C cup, I fear.
However, I found myself in a big Next last week, because they had a Starbucks. A quick post coffee rummage had me buying a lovely dark green t shirt, a beach dress/cover up and a peasant style blouse – with change from sixty quid! They do try to please all of the people all of the time, though, which is possibly why they are in their present pickle (a business term).
Cindy you must be one of those business commentators of which I spoke
I was too scared to follow your high-waisted jeans advice before, and then a few months ago I bumped into this gorgeous woman whose little boy was playing with mine, and she was wearing high-waisted jeans with a gorgeous-but-not-skinny figure, and I was all ‘you’re brave’ (I thought that, not said it) and by the end of our conversation I was totally sold on them and had a small crush. She was Italian and that helps.
Anyway, I’m not sure if I’m doing it wrong but what I’VE been doing is to just start tucking things into my existing jeans which are these H&M stretchy, high-ish waist, hold-your-tummy-in ones. Maybe I’m kidding myself but I feel like it’s a step in the right direction.
(lastly, Esther I’m sorry I sent you a garbled reply to one of your Stories the other day, about Oysho – I was out and trying to use my phone to reply, and I can’t really type on it! I was trying to say that I live in Spain and Oysho is KING, I go there before any other shop, very often don’t find what I’m looking for because they’re always tiny shops but when you find something, it tends to be your favourite thing – they have a small selection but a lot of cool things within it, particularly for summer. Also cheap as chips.)
Thanks Hannah. In fact your reply on Stories made perfect sense so don’t worry. Yes absolutely – simply tucking things into existing jeans is a step in the right direction. Change is awful. I remember when skinnies took over from bootcut and we all felt like it was the end of the world. xx
Hi Hannah. I am going to Barcelona for a few days this weekend – will I find the shops there? Am very keen to explore! Thank you x
Yes, Laura, there ARE!! They are pretty small, and it’s really an underwear shop that also does swimwear / beachwear in the summer, and some homewear in the winter (that you can totally wear outside), but within those small ranges you can normally find some great bits.
It’s about a thousand times easier to deal with than Zara because it’s like someone’s already gone in and picked the cool, wearable things. (sorry, banging on now, but it’s all ZaraMangoSferaH&M repeat forever here, so it’s easy to go overboard!)
Fantastic Hannah, thank you! (my husband won’t though, when I spend all his money on excess baggage on the way home) x
I always wear high waisted jeans but I’m never brace enough to tuck my top in, what do people do about the whole Mum tum thing? Does it matter if your tummy isn’t completely flat now? Last time I wore my top tucked in my mum pulled me to one side and told me that only girls who are under 25 with a flat tummy should dress like that. Never been brave enough since! Love those straight jeans so much.
Well… I would never like to put myself in the position of saying “you can wear this; you can’t”. you sort of have to judge it yourself and god knows I don’t want to cause anyone to dress in a way that makes people TAKE THEM ASIDE. But. I can’t help a niggling feeling that you kind of ought to dress how the fuck you like no matter what your mum says?
Yes I think you’re probably right. I’m a size 14 so I’m never really sure. In fact I’m going shopping with a stylist to help me on this front. Since having a baby I seem to have totally lost my way with style.
Join the club babes. Shopping with a stylist is a vg idea. I once did that stylist thing at TopShop and it was great.
Urban Outfitters is doing the Thelma type ones again, cheaper than Reformation (poss skimpier around chest though?) and still £56, so probably dependent upon what the quality feels like when you buy it – https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb/shop/uo-emilia-white-button-through-midi-dress?category=womens-dress-shop-collection&color=010 – on the plus side you can return it as it’s in the UK.
Esther I bought SO MUCH from Reformation when I was in NY last year and it’s really good stuff – fits well, hangs just so, makes me feel like I can waft around (I’m not generally the wafty sort).
Thank you! xxxx
I have just viisted the website for Reformation and I very much like how they use different size models without comment or maknig a *plus size* fuss about it. V good job.
yes I think they’ve just launched a plus size range…
I bought a beautiful dress from reformation in 2016 (full length, navy, buttons, sexy slit) having tried it on in LA but then ordered to UK through their website as the exchange rate was awful then. They add tax once it lands here. Can’t remember if it was complicated or not.
Two weeks later I fell pregnant with my son. He’s now 8 months and I’m 5 months pregnant with my second. So I’ve never bloody worn it! But I WILL and for now I try to take comfort from it that I’ll be that girl again, and not think “abandon all hope… etc”.
Thank heavens that I’m not alone with Next, it looks like a dogs breakfast in there and has done for at least three years. I only go in about once a year now, it’s that dire. Love the look of those dresses, the first dark green wrap type one speaks to me, but I went onto the Oliver Bonas sale page a few months ago and bought several styles VERY similar to the “pinafore” type ones in the following photos, and they were about £20 each (about 75% off) – can’t wait for summer now! Might be an idea to have a look there to see what’s still around – sizing was bang on.
My husband sometimes says ‘oh that’s a sexy/ good/ nice look’ in a very sarcastic tone if he doesn’t like what I’m wearing. I don’t know why he’s still doing this after almost 9 years as it never fails to set me off on a HUGE rant about how looking nice for him is not my sole fucking purpose in life. It makes me irrationally furious, given he’s a good sort really and is probably just joking. Anyway, my oldest son’s thing, since he was about 18 months old, is that he doesn’t like me to wear my hair up. He really doesn’t like it. He’s 3 now and last night I pulled my hair up out of the way when I was doing bath time and he actually cried big fat tears about it. WTF? My hair is often up, I do not obey his tiny commands. But where did he get this notion from, at such a young age? Elaine x
Ps. I’m going to LIVE in pretty floaty dresses this summer because last summer I was breastfeeding and couldn’t and it was awful.
There’s an excellent service called Colis Expat, which basically provides you with a shipping address in a foreign country, then forwards on your parcel. I’ve only used it in Europe, but its worldwide. Love the reformation dresses, and the fact they are using larger models, I see J Crew are doing that this year too, a trend for the future? Given the average dress size is 16, they’re just normal size women, likely to be shopping for $200+ dresses!
Hi Esther! Long time fan gal, first time commenter. I read some of these comments this morning and thought EFF IT, I’m going to tuck my tee into my jeans today. But no. Alas. Whilst tall and reasonably slim (I run. To eat the cheese and drink the wine), that band of body covered by a large pair of granny knickers is just not to be showcased. After two large babies, she’s a no-go zone. A shame because your writing and ensuing comments are so empowering otherwise. I love your work and luckily/unluckily being down here in NZ, your lovely recommendations cost me no money – the shipping (if available) is extortionate! x
Hi Janelle! Just an idea – glad you had a go even if it didn’t work for youxxx
Hi Janelle! Just an idea – glad you had a go even if it didn’t work for you
I haven’t tried Reformation but I do have one of the longer Realisation dresses (the Teale) and I LOVE it. 100% silk, decent price for that, and a fine cut (I got a L as a large 12 and it is fine, and makes me feel great). It is thin silk, but that makes it light and wafty and perfect for holidays, and it is no worse than an iris and Ink one I had. I wouldn’t buy one of the extremely short ones. I did have to pay tax ad shipping, but to be honest when you look at the prices eg Rouje charge for 100% poly, it is still good value. Just not very feminist.
LOL not very feminist. love this
When I was last visiting sisters in the UK we visited a lot of Charity shops and it was full of summer dresses with front buttons, very like the one featured. I know it’s not for everybody but worth a punt if you want to try out the style and not sure if it would suit.
I got overexcited about the Reformation dresses and ordered one from the US website last week (the Virginia, since you ask).
Stupidly I didn’t read the details properly and on top of the $10 international shipping fee I’ve been slapped with a $75/around £50 import tax which is non-refundable. If I want to return it there is a $20 international returns fee, also non-refundable.
Hopefully when it arrives it will be worth it!
Oh god what a fucking nightmare. Apologies. I guess though that you have taken one for the team as the rest of us are now duly forewarned. Can I send you some free mascara as an apology?
True! I’ll post another comment about the fit when it arrives. I went back and double-checked to see if the tax was made clear on the site at checkout, and it was there… I’m just not very observant!
And I would never say no to anything free! x
I bought some high waisted jeans after you kept blathering on about them (they’re sort of straight, sort of a bit flared (WHAT)) and I LOVE them. My god what a relief to no longer find myself absentmindedly resting things on my muffin shelf.
LOL welcome! join usssssss
Hi Esther, just catching up on the spike on hols….
I travel to the states a lot for work and bought a reformation dress in the store (sorry shop). It’s bright red (v good colour)and I wore it to 6 weddings last year. It was brilliant. Yes they are VERY low cut and I don’t have tiny boobs but after lots of searching for the right top, good old m and s had a very nice sort of lacy bra top thing which didn’t seem to offend too many parents at said weddings. One thing though is that they crease REALLY BLOODY EASILY. So I invested in a travel steamer from amazon and it was life changing. Get one to go with your dress. And go for the dress. It was so nice not wearing whistles or Rixo like everyone else. The quality is not bad and shape is v flattering. I wear it with white trainers too and it’s just as good. You will not regret it. I’ll be back in May so send to my office and save you the import…
I also have realisation par (I’m a sucker for an insta sensation it seems) and they also are BRILLIANT. and I know there are hundreds of high st copies but there’s nothing like the real deal. Good luck!
Thank you Jules for this really thorough and useful review. I had totally written Realisation Par off… I may think again.
Hello my reformation parcel arrived today. I am so pleased with the Virginia dress – it looks totally fab on (and I am a 32DD) so it’s not my normal thing to have something high necked. Fact that sleeves are see through as is quite a bit of the skirt (lining stops mid thigh on me and I am 5’6) makes it look not at all frumpy and looks great with fierce black shoes. As I was there and in for the shipping I got the denim jacket and a load of t-shirts. They are really nice cut. Thank you Esther! I was having wedding outfit stress but no more.
Helen this is great news! Thank you for taking the time to write about this x