My Review: Who What Wear

Yesterday I was able to view the new Who What Wear collection at Target, and in short, I wasn't impressed. First off, I almost missed it. At my local store, they placed the 3-4 racks of this line right in the middle of Womenswear, sandwiched somewhere between the Mossimo and Knox Rose brands. There was no oversized, overhead signage as with pasts major collabs; I think even the recent Adam Lippes collection had more fanfare. There were small signs (as shown here) on some of the racks, but blink and you'd miss them.

Shown here is a good representation of what's wrong with this line. At left is pretty royal blue linen t-shirt for $17.99. The issue, though, is that it's so paper-thin that you can't wear it without a cami underneath. Next, in the middle is a skinny black chiffon tie for $14.99. I wasn't sure WHAT this was supposed to be exactly until I checked back on Target's website - whether it was a belt or a neck tie - and it turns out it's a Skinny Scarf. This doesn't really make sense to me, because the only time I've seen these before were attached to the neckline of blouses (like on this Mossimo one). Then on the right, you'll see a bright floral pencil skirt for $27.99. What you can't see is how tiny the sizes look; I thought I was looking at a size 0 or 2, but the size tag on this super-narrow skirt was a 6. Likewise I saw an olive-green knit dress that looked like a size XS on the rack, and it turned out to be a L.

On the other end of the sizing scale, both the denim shirt dress (which I thought was a trench from the Lookbook) and the black/white shirt dress were so long that they literally came to my ankles (I'm 5'4, btw, so I'm short but not that petite). I also saw a bizarre pair of black cropped gaucho pants with a draped front (that they're dubbing a Front Wrap Culotte) that I can't imagine being flattering on anyone.

There were other pieces that weren't bad - in particular, this striped Bateau T-shirt for $19.99. Then again, it also wasn't anything special, and could have just as easily been from Merona. While I was checking out the racks, I saw just one other woman peruse the Who What Wear collection, then quickly move on to pick out things from other Target house brands.

For me, this collab is a big fat yawn, and I'll be passing on it. What did everybody else think? Will you be buying it, waiting for it to go on clearance first, or skipping it altogether?

Clearance Alert: Adam Lippes [Online]

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that the Adam Lippes for Target collab had gone on clearance, but that the sale was mainly confined to stores only. But now the collection is on clearance for 50% or more off online, with many items - like this adorable Pet Treat Canister - on sale for crazy-low prices. This canister is only $7.50, and the matching Pet Dish is just $3.75. While certain items are available in-stores only, there are many fun items still in stock online - just in time for Holiday gifting, like throw blankets, pillows, and bar sets.

One note: the fine print on Target.com states that returns for this collab are due within 14 days of the ship date, so if you buy any Lippes items as Christmas presents you should assume they are not returnable.

Clearance Alert: Adam Lippes for Target [Select Items]

The Adam Lippes for Target collection is on sale already - well sort of. In store, I saw the home goods (as shown here) on clearance already for 30% off. However, none of the bags, totes, clothing or shoes were included in this sale. Meanwhile, over on Target.com, the Adam Lippes clothing is part of the sitewide "buy one item, get one 50% off) on select clothing, but nothing else in the collab is on sale.

Adam Lippes Flies Off Shelves (at least at my local Target...)

A quick visit to my local Target store today brought a surprise: the Adam Lippes for Target collection seems to has almost sold out! I wasn't that impressed with this collab, but I guess others are buying it, as there were no more housewares (as shown) available, nor any shoes. Of the clothing (men's and women's) there looked to be only XS and XL sizes available, and I only saw two handbags left.

So how about it, readers? Did you buy any Adam Lippes stuff, and if so, what'd you end up with?

Launching Today: Adam Lippes for Target

Several weeks ago I posted the link to Target's Plaid Takeover Lookbook, including items from the Adam Lippes for Target collection (which launches today in select stores and on Target.com). To be honest, I wasn't overwhelmed with anything in the lookbook, but with ponchos all the rage this season, the Adam Lippes one (shown here) will probably be a sellout. Buyer beware, though: it's made of mohair, so if you're allergic to the fiber (as I am) you'll want to avoid it.

If you're still craving the poncho trend - but don't want to pay almost $60 for the Adam Lippes version - other options are plentiful at Target and beyond. From Mossimo, there's a buffalo-plaid one for $29.99 and an aztec-patterned one for just $22.99. There's also a striped/fringe one from Merona for $26.99. And The Budget Babe reports that Walmart actually has a variety of cute poncho wraps - in plaids, solids and prints - for just $13.97 each.

Lookbook: Target's Plaid Takeover

A couple of months ago, I told you about Target's upcoming "Plaid Takeover" for Fall. I still happen to think it's too early to think about cozy plaids while the thermometer reads 80+ degrees. Nonetheless, Target has now published its Plaid Takeover Lookbook and Brand Shop, featuring more than 360 items in assorted plaid prints - from pumps to pet beds - launching later this month.

As part of the plaid madness, Target is launching a limited-edition collection by designer Adam Lippes with more than 50 buffalo plaid-inspired items ranging in price from $10 to $129.99. This line will debut September 27 at all Target stores and on Target.com, and will include home décor, apparel, shoes and accessories for women and men. Some of the styles look interesting, but buffalo plaid gives me bad '90's grunge flashbacks, so I'll probably pass on the Adam Lippes stuff. How about you, readers? Are you excited for Target's Plaid Takeover, and will you be buying into it?

Target's Mad for Plaid...

The calendar hasn't even reached the first day of summer yet, but Target already wants us to start thinking about Fall. The Bullseye is planning a "plaid takeover" this Fall, bringing tartan touches to everything from home goods and must-have fashions to plaid Coke bottles, shampoo bottles, ChapStick tubes, dog leashes, Band-Aids, paper towels... the list goes on and on. Target’s plaid takeover begins in August and will continue through October, and prices range from $1.99-$179.99.

And to prove they're even more mad for plaid, Target has tapped designer Adam Lippes to create more than 50 items inspired by buffalo plaid for the Adam Lippes for Target collection of apparel, accessories, pet goods and home furnishings.  Adam Lippes for Target launches at all Target stores and on Target.com on Sept. 27th, and you can read more about this designer collab here on A Bullseye View. 

New at Target: Scent Bar

Luckyscent’s Scent Bar boutique is launching a fragrance line at Target this month. Scent Bar is the first bath and body collection from the famed L.A. fragrance boutique of the same name. Proprietors Adam Eastwood and Franco Wright have earned a reputation as Hollywood’s fragrance gurus, guiding women on a voyage to discover their signature scents in the comfort of Scent Bar’s gem-like boutique. Now every woman can discover her signature scents with Scent Bar’s collection for Target. “Our focus was on creating truly wearable scents wrapped in great body products she could use every day – all at a great price. For years we’ve helped women discover fragrances they fall in love with, and we’re thrilled to bring that boutique experience to Target’s specialty bath department” said Adam Eastwood.  Each product will retail for about $8.99 each.

The line will include four different fragrances:
Sunswept (shown here) ~ “Summer bliss. A citrus twist. Sunswept captures the joy of a sunny day, fragranced with notes of Sicilian orange, sheer lemon and bergamot.”
Blush ~ “That playful glance. A new romance. Blush is a toast to the modern flirt, fragranced with notes of sugared peony, cassis and pink champagne.”
Cabana ~ “Your private beach. A tropical breeze. Cabana invites you on the ultimate escape, fragranced with notes of coconut, Tahitian vanilla and papaya.”
Forbidden ~ “A midnight kiss. Your secret wish. Forbidden is an ode to seduction, fragranced with notes of ruby pomegranate, blackberry and amber.”

A Method to their madness...

As regular readers of my blog should already know, I am a huge fan of Method products.  Just over a decade ago, the brand's co-founders Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry revolutionized the world of cleaning. They developed effective products derived from non-toxic ingredients (no more bleach or phosphates) that are beautifully designed (no more hiding bottles under the sink) and also smell delicious (no more fake pine scent!).

The duo managed to make cleaning products cool. With a focus on product design and innovation, their stylish line of cleaners doesn’t sacrifice on performance.  Plus, Method products are better for the health of people, pets, and the environment.

The San Francisco-based company sold its first product back in 2001, and today Method is proudly displayed everywhere from bathroom countertops to Target shelves. This year, Method launched their first global brand campaign - dubbed “Clean Happy” - with a colorful, quirky music video set to the song “Young Blood” by indie rock band The Naked and Famous. Check it out below: