Saturday, February 16, 2013

My review of Prabal Gurung for Target...

Although the public at large seems to have gone bonkers for the latest Target designer collab, I decided to sit this one out after reading accounts on Sunday that lines were already forming to get into stores. And since I had a crazy/busy work week, I didn't get over to Target until just late yesterday to check out the Prabal Gurung for Target collection in person.

What are my thoughts? Well, I largely share the opinions of my fellow blogger The Recessionista. Many of the cuts are unflattering, the neon prints are too loud, and the fabrics seem cheap. The only two items I bought - ordered online and which ironically also arrived yesterday - were this top (shown here) and a similar one in the black/white floral print.  I had intended to wear them under a new white blazer I got for Spring, but both tops fit baggy and droopy, and I don't think going down a size will even help. Plus the fabrication is so flimsy, I fear neither top would last more than a couple of washings.  Therefore, both tops will be headed for the returns department.

At the Target I visited, there were a few dresses left, lots of tops and cardigans, and one pair of the short-shorts.  While there, I saw several women and teenage girls check out the Prabal racks, hold things up, then put things back and move on to Mossimo, Merona, and other in-house Target brands.  And that's exactly what I did, moving on to grab this Mossimo blouse in "Lollipop Red" (really more of a vivid coral) that will be perfect for work.

To be fair, I did not check out the Prabal shoes, bags or jewelry, so I cannot comment on those. Some bloggers have called out those items as the true "stars" of the collection, but I didn't bother with them as I wasn't impressed with the pictures of the jewelry and I generally can't wear Target shoes due to my fussy feet.  Plus, I already have a Prabal Gurung bag from the Target + NM holiday collection which I scored for 70% off.

What did you think, readers?  Were you impressed by this collection, or not?  And what - if anything - did you buy?


13 comments:

Generation Kvetch said...

I thought the material was ok on some items, but nothing fit my curvy body. The shoes were cute but really plasticy. I liked the short poofy print skirt with the black lace at the bottom. Too pleaty for me but nice on someone else. My Target is being redone so not a lot of space for clothes right now. I did score two pairs of fit 3 ankle pants for $7 each

Hey said...

They stock up on items that are blah and the ones I personally like: The Nolita Print Dress Shirt, the Nolita Print tote, and the clutch are all either sold out in stores or sold out online.

Lisa said...

Have to agree - I thought most things looked cheap. At my Target most of the items were really wrinkled on the hangers, too, so they just looked bad. That said, I ordered the Nolita flats and LOVE them. Good quality there and a great print!

tina said...

I agree--went to Target yesterday and was interested in the B/W tank and the dress with the "First Date" print and the black panels on the side. The materials felt cheap and poorly constructed.
I did find Target had enamel bangles on sale (kind of Kate Spade-like) for 7.48 so I scooped us several of those. I saw them on sale at another Target for 11.88. I do not understand the price discrepancies on sale items (The two targets I visited are both within three miles from my house).

Catherine said...

All 3 of my Targets had basically the same stuff--a lot of the first date drop waist dresses that I didnt even bother trying on as I knew it would look horrible on me and the first date black side dress that I thought was super cute but a little short for me (but I am 6 ft tall). I did pick up the Nolita print skirt that I like. I cant believe how dmall it ran though! Wish I would have seen the white tee or the Nolita tees at my Targets. My Targets had all the shoes but the Nolita flats but since they didnt come in my size (12). I didnt bother. I was hoping to find one of the bangles to go with my Nolita skirt but havent seen them yet. I am hopng a lot of this stuff shows up at Goodwill like the Jason Wu (and even some of the Missoni) stuff did!

Music said...

I checked out a SoCal Target. Didn't think the stuff was that amazing and wasn't impressed with the quality. Shoes were never an option because my feet are a weird width. I tried on one of the dresses - first date print with black panels. Too big on the top. The colors are somewhat overwhelming as well. I suspect I'm just over the hill enough that it isn't an option.

Unknown said...

Well, I am here to beg to differ! I LOVE this line! Color is fresh and exciting and MOST of the line exceeds expectations for the price point in material and quality! Meet the Parents Dress and Floral Crush Dress are both exceptional! Fit TTS, detailed construction and high-quality fabric! Nolita and FC Long Sleeve Tees are fanntastic! Love the MTP and Nolita Skirts! Overall, very happy with this line - Some few Fails - The paneled First Date Dress, 100% Poly is very tight in the arms and bust area - The MTP Cardigan runs HUGE - Size WAY Down!

Target Addict said...

Tina: I've been meaning to blog about Target's great enamel bangles. Thanks for the reminder! And I can't understand the price discrepancies either; all I know is that for some reason or another, different stores have their own markdown schedules.

Target Addict said...

I finally checked out the shoes and bags in person yesterday, and I have to say the shoes look pretty good in person. But the lace clutch bag is TINY! It's about HALF the size of the Prabal clutch I nabbed on clearance from the Target + NM holiday collab, and definitely not worth the $34.99 price tag.

Amy said...

I was very underwhelmed by the collection, and there is a lot left in my Bronx store, and the one near my workplace in CT. I think maybe I am too old for this particular line, but I thought for the most part it looked cheap.

Unknown said...

I'm with Devorah, I bought the Nolita clutch (cute and colors go with all sorts of items in my closet) and the Floral Crush dress fit perfectly and true to size. The material is better quality than typical Target dresses and the zipper is solid. It's perfect for a spring shower I have to go to.

Jessica - Simply Strawn said...

I finally made a trip to my local Target today and I was underwhelmed, to say the least. They had everything but the shorts, blazer, and sweatshirt (which, of course, were the items I was interested in). Everything looked SO cheap. I didn't even bother trying anything on. The shoes looked nice though!

Elizabeth said...

I purchased two items from this collection: the first date dress and a pair of red shoes with the kitten heel. I didn't care for the other items since they were a bit "loud" for my liking. I would have purchased the Dresden blue leather jacket, but it was nowhere to be found!! The black sandals with the silver accents were horrible! After trying them on, I couldn't get past the cheap and bendable the accents were and figured that after a few outings my sandals would probably break. Oh well on to the Kate Young collection!!