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!
Hi, Jean love your blog and your sense of style is most helpful . Quick question – what do you recommend for wearing at home?
tks Lori
Jason Wu for Target for one day only in Toronto yesterday. I didn't try that dress you had because I thought it would wash me out – I did buy the blue dotted blouse that you have and two other items (we were limited to 3). I agree with you that the sizing is horribly big – if you're going to start at a 2, you better make them really tiny.
I just found your blog – fun to read and you along with my own mirror helped me figure out the Jason Wu line is not for me. I have a hard time finding clothes..at 5ft 4, my legs are too long to be petite, my hips too small to create any curves…waist small..think Asian tree trunk…I can go on but anyhow, good job on the review of Jason Wu line. It looked cute and I wanted it to work but it didn't work for me. I am so far from broad shouldered but I couldn't fit the shoulders of that dress u were wearing (common complaint of the Wu line) so I tried the small but that didn't work but the dress looked cute…so I brought it home- tried it one a few more times and noticed the material fraying. Poor quality!! You lost nothing in sending those clothes away..other than rogue threads getting deposited throughout your home and lots of static. Static is not kind to straight Asian hair..or probably any hair at all.
I love the pink polkadot shirt! but it was sold out! I just got a few other dresses and a shirt from the colleciton and i absolutely love them! chekc it out here! http://coasttocoastchic.blogspot.com/
Jean, your abs look ripped! You go girl! And good luck on your CFAs!
Check out my Jason Wu post! http://sandpipercat.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-experience-with-jason-wu-for-target.html
They really all looked great on you! I got the cat tote, cat scarf, the cream tie tee, the pink tie tee and am waiting on two satchels to be mailed! Check my blog and soon there will be a Jason Wu post! http://www.sandpipercat.blogspot.com!
Great review on the pieces. Love that your so detailed in explaining fit and length. It really makes you look at each item you purchase differently.
http://cincity26.blogspot.com/
I say definitely keep #2. The blue blouse looks great paired with your black ON jeggings and not all that boxy. Pretty chic. 🙂
Great reviews! I got a few items as well, including the same dress, but have to say that the sizing is really off for petites. I'm going to keep the accessories I got, but may send the dresses to my sister (she's 5'7 tall for an asian). You can see my accessory finds here http://www.mimiandchichi.com/2012/02/retro-modcloth-jason-wu-for-target/
"I would typically never subject my boyfriend to the madness of women at a collaboration launch…" – HAHA! I have to agree! They are crazy, running like a stampede of lionesses so early in the morning–it really IS just as the commercials portray! My boyfriend was sweet enough to offer to take me because I have limited parking spaces where I live (such a pain), so he actually came to pick me up to go at 7:30am, and there were about 15-20 people in line, so just like you. I bee-lined to the collection just to scope out the items, and just as I had expected, they all looked boxy and the fit appeared to be very unflattering for my body type. I grabbed a trench in a size small to try on later (it looked hideous on me) and sped over to the accessories…to my dismay, all the purses were GONE! I was pretty disappointed at myself for being so stupid and going to the clothes instead of directly to the accessories, which were the only items that I really wanted from the collection. I was trying to find my bf, when he called me and when I finally did locate him, he had managed to snatch up all the purses that I wanted! And you know the best part? When I was in line at the register getting ready to pay up, he bought them for me instead 🙂
Hi Christy, my tailor charges $30+ to get dresses taken in, and I've heard of other tailors charging up to $60. They don't care that the item is cheap and sometimes they don't even care if it's unlined. That's the price we pay to have items that fit perfectly. Or, you can learn sewing and do the alterations yourself : )
My legs are inverted bows – so it sounds like the opposite of your situation : ) I've been told to avoid tight clothing like tights or skinny jeans to not draw attention to non-straight legs, but I do it regardless. You should wear what you feel confident in and pieces that flatter your figure – no matter how trendy the items are you will not look or feel fashionable if the former aren't true.
It's so cute! It's possibly a little too sailor-ish for me but the quality and drape look really nice from the photo. Do you know anything about this brand's quality and how it fits? Thanks!
Oh no, Lien! Please share your SD tailor experience so other ladies can be spared of similar disappointment…
Hi Arts – thank you for your comment and I wish you luck in your journey to grow your style. I wouldn't really consider Target "branded" stuff : ) I do save up for pricier items that I feel are classics, like certain purses and shoes, but most of the time I wear H&M; or Ann Taylor items purchased on sale, after coupons.
I've seen that story a few times now but it doesn't get old! I don't have anything against eBayers but that couple are real jerks based on the responses they were making on a blogger's post about the incident.
Yep, went to Watertown but according to a reader, South Boston Target was nearly empty for this collection launch : )
I was debating between Watertown or South Boston. Looks like South Boston was the better choice : ) Watertown wasn't crazy, but definitely more than 5 ppl at 8! I'm glad you were able to get some items that you like and hopefully the white dress will come back in stock for you.
That's crazy! I watched the vid then read a blog post written by a woman that was there. The comments made by the eBay vulture are pretty intense on that post.
Interesting there were two lines…I'd have no idea which one to join! I agree about the Sound of Music dress. I loved the idea of the pearl collar but it wasn't executed in a non-frumpy way.
Hi Claud! That blouse is a lovely color but looks square and roomy. I think you might be able to find better at H&M; sooner or later. I loved the ivory and green blouses I picked up earlier this year from there, and heard that they came in more colors.
THanks, Lisanne. I know that feeling all too well and then the item ends up forever on the hanger and not worn.
Hi Stephanie! I'm sorry but I sent the dress to my friend who really wanted it but only found an M. If you keep checking online, I feel fairly confident that they will restock like they did with the Missoni for Target collection!
Thanks for sharing – the FB groups seem like a nice community and a great alternative to buying from overpriced eBay listings.
Jean-
It never occurred to me that I was a petite until I read your blog! I just assumed that I happened to be a little slimmer and shorter (I'm just over 5 feet tall) than other people, and blamed my not drinking/eating of milk and other healthier foods as a child as the source of my size problems. Who knew it might've been genetic issues? It wasn't obvious to me, as my dad is pretty tall (though my mom is teeny like me, and thinking back, I recall that she often shopped at Ann Taylor Petite). Cannot believe I've been so blind all these years!
It became clear to me when I bought the same pleated shift dress in blush that you did in an extra small and it did not fit at all, just like it didn't fit for you! Can I ask, though, how much did it cost for you to get it (or similar dresses) altered? I took it to a tailor, and what he charged me for slimming the dress and shortening it (he didn't even want to start talking about the cap sleeves, ha) should have been a crime! Or maybe I'm just being dramatic. I hope you don't mind letting me know, as I don't go to the tailor often and don't know much about appropriate pricing.
Thanks for enlightening me, by the way. If I had not found your blog, I would have never known.
Christy
I love your style!
http://www.patcandytips.com
This collection looks great on you! I was going to stop by, but I heard the collection was already sold out in my sizes 🙁
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http://blog.naver.com/alohayang/80152271346
Shared this post on my Korean blog.
All of my Korean friends are so interested in buying JW collection…
That's not gonna happen…lol!!!
-Ji Hye