I stopped by my Target this afternoon to see if the new Rodarte items were in yet. I was NOT expecting to actually see them there. I’ve never had good luck finding the designer lines at my Target. So, I was really excited to see three full racks of Rodarte! Apparently, the trick is to get into the store before the official release date!
My overall impression of the Rodarte collection is that the design sensibility transferred better than a lot of the Go lines. The lace, tulle, mesh, and loose knits do remind me of Rodarte couture. However, as to be expected, the fabrics are sometimes cheap looking. Most of them are very thin and the finishing details like zippers and snaps leave something to be desired.
The sizing is pretty consistent with Target juniors. The tops and skirt were roomier than most of the dresses. I tried on an XS or size 1 in most. I decided to size up on just 2 of the designs, the blue swiss dot dress and the floral brocade dress.
I took a size 1 in the black tulle dress. The fit was good. I definitely would not want to size up because it would result in a baggy waist. I wasn’t crazy about the bows on the shoulders, it was just a bit too much in combination with everything else. The skirt is tulle over a polyester lining and unfortunately it is super staticky! Even after I took it off, it was still attacking me from the hanger.
I really liked this loose knit grey sweater. I didn’t bring it home though because it was, I believe, $45 and that seemed a bit much. I couldn’t figure out if it was suppose to have an asymmetrical look or if I was just an idiot lol. Every single time I buttoned it, it was wrong. The scarf was goofy looking. It folds over on itself and looks like two sleeves on yur shoulders but it is removable. I didn’t care for the snaps either, they cheapen the cardigan imo. This is the XS
I had to try on the Small in this dress because the XS was already gone. It is definitely too big. Very baggy around the chest and waist. I love the print on this dress but was disappointed that is was not lined. It is just a thin polyester slip with an elastic waist.
Now this dress is really cute. They took the time to line it and give it a lovely bodice with a sweetheart neckline. This is the size 1 which just fit. It was really difficult to zip and I wanted a little more room to breathe, so grabbed a size 3 to purchase. Even in the 3, it’s cut quite low in the front. I’ll have to use some double sided tape to make sure my bra doesn’t start peeking out. This piece reminds me of the type of vintage prom dress you dig through resale shops for but never ever actually find in your size lol.
This dress has the nicest fabric of the line. I’m going to call it brocade although I’m not sure if that is the correct name. It is a substantial and a gorgeous floral. Unfortunately I had THE worse time getting it on. I should have given up on the size 1 and went for a 3. I did eventually manage to get is zipped most of the way. It just did not want to go up over my ribcage and chest. I really wish they would have used elastic ruching across that back of the dress. It would have been so much easier to wear. The bow halter does not look too bad in the pics but I really didn’t like it irl. It is just cheap polyester satin. I felt like it was choking me and it really did not match up with the beautiful floral. Still I am thinking about going back for this dress..
This top is the odd man out. It didn’t see how it went with the rest of the line at all. It is a great navy striped non-sheer tee with a slight boatneck. If you don’t already have one, get it. I have an identical J.Crew tee already, so I left it. This is the XS.
Here we have the lace tee and the tulle skirt both in navy. The tee is completely sheer, meant to me layered. I’m wearing a nude cami with it here. The neckline it accented with unfinished tulle. I didn’t find it itchy or abrasize. In fact, I didn’t find any of the Rodarte fabrics irritating.
I tried on the satin and tulle skirts in size 1 in both navy and pink. I wasn’t able to get great pics of either. The skirts are really just a poly satin slip with one layer of tulle over the top. I do not see wearing them as an outer layer at all but I did bring home the to navy to layer under other skirts and dresses.
Lastly, we have the sequin leopard dress. The neckline of this one is crazy low and open. Absolutely has to be worn over another top. I layered the dress with the pink tulle skirt to show how these skirts work as petticoats or slips. I took an XS in the leopard dress. It feels quite well made but the style wasn’t for me.
In the end, I think to get the best results from the Rodarte pieces, you really have to layer them. I feel like they made the collection with this in mind. It is meant to be played with by those who love fashion.
What do you think of the Rodarte for Target line?
PS-Sorry about the socks, it was cold lol.
I do not get this line. I think it’s one of the ugliest ones I’ve seen at Target. The only one I even remotely like is the 4th picture
Thanks so much for the pics. I had my mom on the phone in Target trying to describe the pieces to me. She got a couple of them for me, but she insists I’m not going to like them. The grey sweater is supposed to be asymmetrical. Ur not Crzyw! *lol*
Oh, duh, I really love the floral dress w/the blk bow (you could swap it for your own) and the blue dress on you. Both are nice. ITA that if one does not own the J Crew striped tee, get the one from Rodarte. They’re so versatile.
Gigi- That’s good news about the sweater. I was running a little slow today but didn’t think I had THAT much wine last night. Lol, your mom could be right. A lot of it is more like under wear than outer wear. Lots of layering pieces
I like how you layered the pink skirt under the leopard dress – very creative! I bought that dress, along with 2 others, the black lace cardigan, and the leopard bow belt in gray. I posted a review of my own and some photos on my blog. The blue swiss dot dress looks good in your photos, I’m thinking about going back to Target for that one. Did you see the raincoat or the leopard jacket?
hi
would you mind telling us your measurements? i bought the mesh lace cardigan online at like 5 am this morning in a size xs. then i went to the target store, all they had was the gray asymmetrical cardigan and i noticed in a size SMALL it looked VERY tight. im worried now the mesh lace one i ordered in xs isnt going to fit. and they were all sold out online by 10 am.
im usually a 0/xs. im short too. 5″3. i noticed the xs looked fine on you in the sweater. are you around the same size as me? thanks!
lisa
Hi Lisa,
I am 5′3″ about 112 measurements 34-26-36. The lace cardigans looked small in the arms but I don’t know if they had any stretch. I only saw yellow at my store, so I didn’t try it on
Postergirl-Thanks! I’ll check out your post. I think I did see the raincoat.. but it wasn’t coat like at all. It was just a thin poly silk
I too was attacked by the static of the tulle dress.. I’m a bit dissappointed in the line.. Especially the fabric.. Polyester linings on some are dare I say crunchy.. I was hoping to get the ribcage dress but only the front is sequined and I hate that! Plus it’s gone everywhere.. Even online .. I bought the striped top as a gift but I got the leopard sequin dress.. I’ll cover the neckline with statement necklaces and long bead strands
I always get so excited about the designer collaborations with Target! Unfortunately, my local Target never carries the line! I am therefore forced to order online and since it’s target, that can be a little tricky. I like to know what the quality is like before ordering too – so thank you for these very helpful reviews!
Hey Shannon, great reviews! I agree with a lot of the things you posted, and you look great in so many of these dresses. I think I like the halter-neck one the best, even if the zipper was troublesome — you should consider going back and getting it if you can get over that last part!
I didn’t even try that one in particular on because I knew the neckline would not work with my body shape, but I think you are the type of person it would flatter.
Oh, and I’ve missed a couple of your recent posts, I think something happened with the original RSS feed I was subscribing to, it hasn’t updated for a while so I didn’t know you had written anything. I updated it with your new address though and now it works though, so I guess problem solved.
Hi Shannon – Thanks for the reviews. I had a similar experience, was in Target on Friday and there were racks and racks of things. Unfortunately I’m pretty curvy, especially in the bust, and literally none of it worked for me. I haven’t had a problem with any of the collections like this one before, and was pretty bummed out. There were a few pieces I had really been coveting!
Anjali-Thanks for mentioning the rss issue. I’ve been having problems with it but wasn’t sure if I actually lost readers or if the count was just off.
Amanda-The more I think about it, the more I think (besides the skeleton dress) you could get just about any of this at F21. Probably easier to wear versions too. I don’t think you missed much!
Hello! I’m very curious about the swiss dot dress. How was the fit in the hip area? I ordered a 7 online, and my measurements are 35-28-38. Do you think a 7 would fit me? I have no way of checking in store since I live outside the US, and I just asked my aunt in Kansas to ship them to me.
Hi Patty It has an easy fit in the waist but is small in the rib cage. If you normally wear a 7 in juniors I think you will be fine. hth
Hi!
I’m going to do a big big post on my own blog, about different bloggers wearing the pieces that they scored at Target! Would you be interested? I will of course include your name and link on my blog.
Please contact me at micheleannes@gmail.com
Hope you’re interested!
Greetings Michele.
Thank you so much for the review, the blue dress looks too much cute on you. I order also, and now i am waiting, till then, your review pics will tide me over