After spending two long nights sleeping on planes, I was happy to be back in the U.S. today. I checked my Twitter feed upon landing (hooray for Twitter, FB, and Blogger not being blocked!) and realized that today was a good day to return…
Me (shooting up from my airplane seat, suddenly alert): “The Jason Wu for Target line is launching this morning! How convenient!!”
Groggy Nick: “Wha? What’s that?”
Me (sly smile creeping across face): “Stores open in one hour!”
Unamused Nick: “You’re kidding me, right.”
I would typically never subject my boyfriend to the madness of women at a collaboration launch, but my local Target is outside of the city and I don’t drive in Boston (for good reason). After some coaxing and promises of an “American breakfast” afterwards, we dropped off our luggage and were on our way.
I arrived at 7:45AM and there were about 20 people in line ahead of me. We were told that each shopper was limited to 6 pieces from the collection. I was relieved to hear this, as there were definitely some eBay’ers ahead of me (unless they were generous husbands/grandmothers picking up merchandise for loved ones?). When doors opened at 8AM sharp, I speed-walked in and grabbed every XS I could find. All dresses were already snatched up except for this one, which I was happy to grab:
Preface: All clothing in this collection is in women’s regular sizing. Sizing seems to run normal for a women’s regular line, which means it will probably not fit extra petite ladies without alterations. Most items have a boxy cut, with a straight-up-and-down silhouette when un-belted. Everything seems to be sold out online today, but Target might quietly restock like they did with Missoni.
Now, on to this dress. This piece appeared unflattering on models in both stock photos and ads, but in-person, I thought it was one of the more interesting pieces of the collection. I love the combination of goldenrod and black against blush pink, as well as the details like a simple collar, pearly buttons, and scalloped trim on the front pleats. This would be lovely for brunch in the spring, and can also be business-casual appropriate in warmer weather.
On me (~ 5 feet tall, 32-24-32), this dress needs some slimming along the torso to make the armholes a bit smaller, and to rectify the bunching back as shown below. The belt loops also fall below my actual waist, so I would move those an inch or two upwards. Another aspect I don’t love about this dress that can’t be changed is the wide angled cap sleeves.
Old Navy jeggings in 0 Short, CL Decolette Pumps (starts in sz 4, now also in nude)
This blouse is boxy like everything else in the collection, but drapes well enough that it doesn’t need alterations on someone my size. I like how it looks worn casually with jeans or tucked into a pencil skirt. The blouse does poof out when fully tucked in, so I would slim the sides a little or layer on a cardigan / blazer.
In the ads, this top looked gorgeous paired with the floral pleated skirt. On the hanger, it looked wide and tent-like. Nick took one look and scoffed, and I almost put it back, but decided there was no harm in bringing it home to try on.
When worn, this top was surprisingly girly and pretty. I love the dotted mesh against the navy floral and can see this top (as well as many others in this collection) pairing perfectly with crisp white skinny jeans. I added a yellow belt for fun and the resulting look wasn’t too bad – almost like a peplum silhouette.
$22.99
These 100% rayon tees were a definite no for me. The material was stretchy and cool to the touch, but felt like they would pill after a few wash n’ wears. The tees looked similar to stuff you can get at H&M; any day. The twisted-ness of the neck is also more visible with the black trim, making the quality look cheap.
The skirts and dresses in numerical sizing all started at size 2. I wasn’t too disappointed about not finding any pleated skirts or dresses because they would require costly alterations, anyways. This skirt is 100% cotton and feels like a stiffer poplin material. I like the grosgrain ribbon waist, the pockets (sucker for pockets), and front pleats, but found the printed material to look a bit tacky.
Readers – Out of #1-3, help me decide which piece(s) to keep! If any of you also shopped this collection, I’d love to hear what you got!
So cute
unfortunately, EVERYTHING is sold out- in stores & online 🙁 Make sure to stop by my blog & stay a while! Please, follow if you like!
Best Wishes from,
classicglamblog.blogspot.com
I opted to not buy in to the Jason Wu collab, although I love his style. I'm still quite traumatized by the insanity that was Missoni. I spent so much money on that collab and I don't even wear the clothing really, However I was very happy with the housewares and bedding. Thanks for the run-down APG, I do appreciate being able to see real pics of the pieces because I haven't been into target this week yet.
-TheUrbanLAss
http://www.theurbanlass.com/
You always look so awesome! I was surprised at one of your comments on your legs(bow-legs) because it was something I never noticed on you. I avoid many fashions(dresses, skirts, shorts, straight-leg pants) because I am very conscious of the space between my legs(from center of one knee to center of other knee I measure about 17cm). I am 4'11 and about 106 lbs and feel I am well proportioned. Would love a response or some advice as to how to look more fashionable.
You got your hands on some lovely pieces! Too bad we don't have Target in my country! You have such an impeccable style <3
XoXo
Plami
http://www.fashionthrill.com/
The first dress looks gorgeous!!!
xoxo
So, I ordered some stuff online and it's on its way and this makes me nervous, haha. I am 5ft tall, 34-25-34, but am a 32 D bust, so I got the dress in a Medium thinking that I can have it taken in, I just wanted to make sure there is room in the bust area. I also got the t-shirt thinking it would be easy to tuck into pencil skirts and I'm not expecting too much quality-wise. It is Target.
OMG THEY ACTUALLY FIT!! IM SO SURPRISED I ACTUALLY THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE HUGE! I MEAN THE SKIRT IS VERY ILL FITTING BUT IM REALLY SURPRISED OF THE DRESSES, THE FALL ABOVE THE KNEE WHICH LOOKS OK.. OXOX
PLEASEEEEEEEE LOOK AT THE JACKET IM SELLING
classic tweed jacket on SALE
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item;=250991718152
I think I'm going to skip it. Thanks for the reviews! I "discovered" an amazing new blog- Brighton the Day- check it out. I think the blogger is petite. Amazing outfits. http://www.brightontheday.com/
Hello Jean, I found something similar to your 'short sleeve tee with tie' – which could be a better option. *wink*
http://www.forevernew.com.au/Reagan-Contrast-Tie-Front-Colour-block.aspx?p19881&cr;=100255
Lovely as usual!! I like the blue bluse with dots!
The Life After
Hi Jean! I think the first TWO are keepers! Did you purchase a petite 0 or 0 short in the Old Navy Rock Star Jegging? I tried on the 0 regular in the store today and they were a bit high at the waist and there was too much fabric bunching near the ankle. Crossed on what size to go with. Thanks!
Welcome back! I woke up early to check it out…and boy was I disappointed!!! Everything fit sooo big….and not as cute as online! I ended up just buying a regular dress from their non-designer items…haha
What a bummer – I was intrigued by this collection from what I'd seen of the previews, but after seeing their actual quality, I'm doubting I'll go check it out after all. (Thanks for saving me the trip to Target! hehe)
At first glance, they all looked cute, but looking closer, they all seem to run way big (#3 hangs out the back a lot on you, which is a shame because it looks so cute otherwise on you!). They also all look like very cheap material, even without the close-up shots. I agree that they wouldn't last through many washings and that the twisted collars of some of the tops especially made them look bad/cheap. It's kind of sad because these could all be cute but they're so cheaply made, and you can better quality for the same prices at H&M;, or even department stores like Kohl's or Boscovs.
Out of them all, I like the first dress best and would consider having that altered, but the material looks really thin and easily wrinkled, so it may not be worth it either.
I couldn't go till monday, because i don't shop on sundays, but they still had a couple things when i got there. i wanted a black pleated skirt, but they didn't have any good sizes. i did get that dotted bow blouse, I wanted the blue, but they didn't have any in my size so i got the blush one. the neck twisting bothers me a little too, along with the fact that after a bit of wear, the neckline droops a little, the bow is heavy and long for such a thin fabric and now i feel like i am readjusting to keep from giving everyone a show. haven't decided if i'll keep it yet, it sure is cute.
keep 1 and 3!!
they look cute on you ^^
Alterations needed: Thank you thank you! I will check it out.
Arts: I'm in the city – River North area….
thumbs down for this collection!
Welcome back!
As for the pieces, I agree with Couture Coco. The pieces look rather disappointing and oddly shapeless without some sort of waist cinching device, belt/sash/scarf. I suppose the style is meant for flow, blouse-y but it's just not as flattering with the print and cut.
i vote for the pleated dress, I swear you look so good in his clothes! wish it would fit a just a tad better though.
Jean, you have so much style you could make a paper bag look good BUT imho, none of these pieces do you any justice at all. The pieces themselves all look really disappointing to me and I honestly would not part with any money for them. I'm disappointed with this collaboration but that's bound to happen sooner or later…:-)
Hi Jean!!
I love your blog and I always read when I´m working! pls coul you tell us about Jason Wu accessories for target? I´d really like the white bag with a black cat …
Regards,
Valencia (from Brazil)!!!:D
Here's a recommendation from the Alterations Needed Forum for a tailor in Chicago:
http://forum.alterationsneeded.com/find-share-tailor-t3-60.html#p6352
Hope that helps!
great review and photos. i never had the chance to take photos on weekdays. i'm always in a rush in the morning and come home after dark 🙁
i blogged about my jason wu for target experience as well.
http://cushyblushy.blogspot.com/
hey Mona
do let me know if you find someone. Do you live in the city or the burbs?
thanks
arts
My definite favorite for you is the mesh top – the belted / peplum-esque look is so very pretty. Kudos to you for not only going shopping upon returning but also quickly organizing this detailed review post!
I agree with others who said take it ALL back. Your wardrobe will thank you, lol.
Truthfully, I don't think any of these pieces are worth keeping. What a shame too because I was actually looking forward to this collection but I think they all have awkward cuts and after the costs of alterations, I don't think it's quite worth it anymore. (Speaking of alterations, I finally brought in some things to a tailor that has a pretty reputable name here in San Diego and paid major $ but needless to say, I was SO disappointed but that's a different story for another time).
Hi Jean – I really enjoy your blog! This is a little (ok, a lot) off subject – but have any of your readers ever mentioned a good tailor in Chicago? I have spent 3 years dealing with so-so alterations from various dry cleaners. I'm ready to find a real tailor! Thanks in advance for your help!
I don't think any of the items you got are worth keeping. They all look cheap, like something you would find at F21. I always ask myself this question when I buy so called "designer" brand items- if it wasn't for the designer name would I still have bought it? Ask yourself the same question and don't let the Jason Wu name cloud your usually good fashion judgement.
I agree, take it all back. Thanks for the review, though!
Walk away from the Jason Wu. They do nothing for you. You can do much much better.
Hi, there! I actually bought my items online. I bought just the white dress with the circles/dots and the white satchel bag. There wasn't anything else I was really interested in.
I did go to Target that morning to see what else they had, but there were about fifteen people waiting in line. I decided to forget it since it looked like it was going to be a small amount of items left. In fact, there was nothing left after 10 minutes. Oh, well, I went to get some groceries that I needed anyway.
Jean, I do like what you did with the striped dress with the belt. The skirt was cute; I agree that it needs to be altered. 🙂
Oh, check out this Target Jason Wu customers that went kind of crazy in Miami:
http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2012/02/terrible_couple_buys_out_targe.php
There's a video within the article too.
–Sue
I think the sleeveless top looks the nicest on you, but I'm not feeling too woo'd by any of the pieces you tried on haha 🙂
Love the review, and your photos, as usual. I agree with above that none of them fit perfectly. (It is the same result I get when I shop almost everywhere.) I like #3 on you though, especially how you styled it with the skirt and yellow belt. I think you could get a similar style, however, from a brand like Johnny Boden for the same price but with better quality…
Dear Jean
I came across your blog while surfing for petite fashion. I'm impressed and inspired to improve my style after reading your blog. Although they may not fit on me the way they do on you (I'm only 4'9"), I'm feeling brave to at least try out some new styles.
Do you buy these branded stuff all the time? Not sure if I can afford to, but I'd like to try, with coupons and such.
thanks for being my inspiration
arts
I assume your non-city Target is the one just over the river from Brighton in Watertown? If not, that's the close one to head to for Beantown city dwellers wanting to avoid high city prices!!
Another shout-out to Austinites! I was able to see a few items at the Aboretum Target and the 183/Payton-Gin Target at 3pm yesterday. I feel like Austin's targets do not carry a lot of JW items. I never saw the nude/yellow/black dress in person.
Beautiful tan!
If you keep one- the dotted blouse. My favorite item from this post is not a Jason Wu, but the Old Navy jeggings. 😉
My husband and I are in Austin too! We went to the Target down South off of 71…we got there at 7:20 and people started waiting outside at 7:40 since it was raining…we were able to get a lot of stuff actually…but it wasn't easy. It was definitely an experience…we'll be doing a blog entry on our experience soon too!
-Trang
benjaminandtrang.blogspot.com
Hi Jean!
All your pics look great but my absolute favorite on you was the Jason Wu for Target floral sleeveless top w/ mesh (#3)…I was in store and bought a couple of these actually, and I agree the quality seemed not worth it, and my husband and I were considering it should be returned as well. But after seeing how you styled it, I'm really reconsidering…
I went to a Target in Austin right at 8AM…there were about 15 of us waiting outside at 7:40, but I was able to leaves with loads of stuff. I'm surprised you were only limited to 6 items! Luckily, I was able to get my husband to help as well, but he wasn't as good as getting items as I was 😉 We'll be doing a review of our Jason Wu items as well on our blog soon too 🙂
Love your blog!
-Trang
I'd like to add my vote to those who said "don't keep any of them". These items look unflattering and the materials are of poor quality.
Why the brand name blines so many people?
I know you've got a lot of comments already but count me in for the "don't keep any of them" vote. I agree with what the others said that if you take away the brand name, these clothes won't probably attract the shoppers waiting in line at Target. The armhole on the yellow dress looks too big on you and as for the rest, you'd end up spending a lot of money getting them all altered. Better to just splurge on a good fitting high quality item.
I went a little crazy shopping online (shopping under pressure is never a good idea), and ended up getting six things: 1. gold peplum blouse (a super popular item online, both xs and s sold out as I was checking out, so ended up with a medium :-/), 2. dot print shirt dress, 3. white cap sleeve pleated blouse, 4. navy floral pleated skirt, 5. straw clutch, 6. flap satchel. I think I'll get it at the end of the week, but based on your reviews, I'm not holding my breath.
I like navy blouse on you. The best fit all of them, but probebly need a little slimming.
I love the blue and the nude blouse! so pretty ♥
Hi Jean, I think you should definitely keep the dress. It looks so gorgeous!
xoxo
Why keep any of these if only for the Jason Wu name? You can do so much better with pieces from other brands/stores.
Hi Jean –
I think you should keep the dress.
I was at a Target South of Boston at 8:00 sharp and only 5 people were with me in the store. I bought the cat t and almost bought the cat bag but decided not to. Really wanted the cat scarf, but both targets I went to were sold out. I'm a cat lover ! 🙂 I bought the same dress you did in extra small and although I don't particularly like the yellow in the dress, I think its cute on. I have the same nude pumps and I also paired with a black pair of strappy pumps. I'm 4ft 11 and the extra small fits me well as long as its belted. I also bought the black pleated skirt in size 2. Wish they had the white dress but none of the stores in the area were carrying it. There is one person on ebay selling that dress for $249! Insane….I tried on the blue and red t shirt dress but the extra small was just too big on me. I found most of this dresses and shirts were a little matronly and a little too big for my size. Love your blog!
Love all the pieces you picked up! You look lovely!
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