Hey there fashion lover! If you‘re like me and always on the hunt for the latest designer must-haves and brands on the rise, you‘ve probably heard of Matches Fashion. As a certified fashionista and avid Matches shopper myself, I‘m here to give you the full scoop on this modern luxury retail destination. Consider this your ultimate Matches Fashion review—I‘m diving deep into the brand‘s backstory, shopping experience, product range, and more so you can decide if it‘s right for you. Trust me, Matches is a favorite for a reason!
What is Matches Fashion?
First, let‘s start with the basics. Matches Fashion is a global luxury retailer offering a curated selection of designer clothing, shoes, bags, accessories, and even home decor for the stylish shopper. With its finger on the pulse of the fashion world, Matches is known for carrying the coolest and most coveted high-end brands—think Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Gucci, and Burberry, to name a few.
What I love about Matches is that they go beyond the big names. The buying team is always scouting the globe for emerging talent and up-and-coming designers to add to the mix. In fact, a quarter of the Matches assortment is from new brands on the rise. So if you want to be ahead of the trends, this is the place to shop.
Matches was founded back in 1987 by husband and wife duo Tom and Ruth Chapman as a single brick-and-mortar store in Wimbledon, London. But it wasn‘t long before the business took off and expanded into the e-commerce space in 2006. Fast forward to today, and Matches Fashion has become an omnichannel empire with:
- 14 trendy boutiques across London
- Over 450 luxury designer brands
- 4 million customers in 176 countries
- 55 million+ online visitors per year
- £500 million in annual revenue as of 2020
The brand has achieved an impressive 35% compound annual growth rate since 2013 and continues to be a leader in the online luxury space. And it‘s no wonder why—Matches Fashion has set the standard for what a high-end, hyper-curated shopping experience should look like in the digital age.
The Matches Fashion Shopping Experience
As a loyal Matches Fashion customer, I can confidently say the brand truly excels in creating a personalized, immersive shopping experience unlike any other. Online or in-store, every touchpoint feels unique, purposeful, and tapped into the most important thing: you, the customer. Let‘s break it down:
Online Shopping
The Matches Fashion site itself is a fashion lover‘s heaven. You can easily get lost scrolling through pages of stunning imagery and editorials featuring the latest designer collections styled in the most creative, aspirational ways. I‘m always so inspired by how Matches showcases the products and brings the runway trends to life.
But it‘s not just pretty to look at—the site experience is all about ease and personalization. Some of my favorite features:
- The ability to shop by designer, category, or curated edits like "New In Today" or "Future Collectibles"
- Detailed filters for size, color, price point, style, and more
- 24/7 access to expert advice through their Fashion Concierge (simply the best customer service)
- Saved favorites and designers for a tailored shopping experience
- Exclusive product launches and collaborations you won‘t find anywhere else
- Virtual styling and shopping events through Matches Fashion LIVE
One thing to note is that Matches‘ prices definitely reflect the luxury experience. Most items are in the $200 to $2,000 range (or more for certain high-ticket pieces). But I see it as an investment in quality, curation, and access to the best edit in fashion. Plus, Matches Fashion has a killer loyalty program that earns you points for every purchase which you can put toward future orders.
The shipping experience is also top-notch. Matches offers free shipping and returns in the US for orders over $250 (easy to reach, trust me) and your beautiful packages come quickly and safely. Every detail of the delivery feels glamorous, from the signature marble box to the ribboned garment bags. It‘s always such a treat to unbox my Matches goodies!
In-Store Experience
If you have the chance to visit one of Matches Fashion‘s London stores, you absolutely must. The spaces are like a physical manifestation of the site—modern, curated, and full of luxe details.
Matches‘ flagship on Carlos Place in Mayfair spans 5 floors and 7,000 square feet of fashion heaven. Inside you‘ll find an ever-changing rotation of exclusive capsule collections, new designer launches, and ultra-rare archive pieces. Matches often partners with brands to create special products and installations just for the store, so you never know what surprises await.
But the crowning jewel has to be the personal shopping suites. It‘s a totally private and personalized styling session with your own consultant who will pull the best pieces for you based on your wants and needs. They have an encyclopedic knowledge of the store inventory and have even been known to track things down from other locations or designers—talk about going above and beyond!
The whole brick-and-mortar experience feels like a high-fashion playground for discovering new brands, getting expert recommendations, and of course, trying on all the amazing clothes. Even if you leave empty-handed, you‘ll walk away feeling inspired (and very well taken care of).
Top Brands and Bestsellers
Now let‘s talk about the good stuff—the actual products and designers you can expect to find while shopping Matches. The retailer carries over 450 brands ranging from heritage fashion houses to up-and-comers making their debut. It would be impossible to name them all, but some standouts include:
- Gucci
- Balenciaga
- Prada
- Loewe
- Vetements
- The Row
- Jacquemus
- Ganni
- Molly Goddard
- Marine Serre
I‘m always impressed by how Matches stays ahead of the curve and embraces both major names and emerging talent. Scrolling through the New In section feels like getting a first look at fashion week—it‘s all about what‘s new and next.
It‘s hard to narrow it down, but if I had to pick my must-haves from Matches, it would be:
Women‘s Bestsellers
- Frankie Shop Bea Pleated Trousers: An elevated basic I reach for constantly. The perfect tailored black trouser with the most flattering fit.
- Bottega Veneta The Pouch Leather Clutch: The it-bag of the moment in Bottega‘s signature woven leather. Takes any outfit to the next level.
- Khaite Eda Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater: The ultimate luxury knit. This baby is 100% cashmere and feels like a dream to wear.
- Toteme Structured Wool Blazer: A personal favorite that combines Scandi minimalism with impeccable tailoring.
- Gianvito Rossi Portofino Leather Sandals: Every fashion girl needs a great strappy sandal. Matches has the best color selection of this iconic shoe.
Men‘s Bestsellers
- Fear of God Essentials Sweatshirt: This brand is the king of cool, laid-back basics. The perfect oversized sweatshirt.
- Common Projects Original Achilles Sneakers: Matches has been carrying these cult-favorite minimal sneakers for years. A staple in every guy‘s wardrobe.
- Acne Studios Face Patch Beanie: Bold logo beanies are having a moment, and this one from Acne adds instant edge to any outfit.
- Stone Island Ghost Piece Jacket: For the tech gear enthusiast—Stone Island is the gold standard and Matches always has the latest from the brand.
- Gucci Bee Embroidered Wool Sweater: Gucci under Alessandro Michele has become a must for fashion insiders. This crewneck captures the designer‘s signature mix of classic and quirk.
Through Matches‘ unique edit, it‘s easy to mix and match these hero pieces to create outfits that look straight off the runways. I‘m constantly finding new styling ideas and combinations while browsing.
Sustainability Efforts
Another facet of Matches Fashion I admire is their commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. Like many consumers today, I care about shopping responsibly and supporting eco-minded brands. Matches has taken some major steps in the right direction, including:
- Launching a responsible edit of products meeting certain sustainability criteria
- Setting a goal to ensure 50% of shipped products come from certified responsible sources by 2025
- Offering a selection of eco-conscious and upcycled products from brands like Ahluwalia, Duran Lantink, and Conner Ives
- Providing detailed info on product composition, sourcing, and manufacturing
- Donating unused fabrics and materials to fashion schools
- Developing a takeback program for customers to extend the life of products
It‘s refreshing to see such a major retailer taking sustainability seriously and helping customers shop their values. While there‘s still a long way to go, I appreciate Matches efforts to push the needle in the right direction and champion brands doing good for both people and the planet.
The Final Verdict
By now, I‘m sure you can tell I‘m a huge Matches Fashion fan. What can I say—they tick all the boxes! From the highly curated selection of brands to the personalized, high-touch service to the seamless online experience, Matches has earned its cult status among fashion lovers worldwide.
Yes, that luxury experience comes with luxury prices. But for me, it‘s worth the investment in pieces I know will last from designers I trust. Matches‘ unique POV means you‘re always discovering something new and staying ahead of the trends. Plus, those special site features and perks like early access, exclusive collections, and personal styling make it feel even more worth it.
At the end of the day, Matches Fashion is my hands-down go-to for feeding my designer obsession. I can‘t tell you how many times I‘ve found the perfect piece or discovered an amazing new brand while browsing. It‘s become a total addiction—but hey, if you‘re going to have a shopping habit, might as well make it a chic one!
So there you have it, fashion friend. Consider yourself an honorary member of the Matches Fashion fan club. Your wardrobe (and inner fashion guru) will thank you. Happy shopping!
