Are you ready to elevate your style game with the crème de la crème of designer fashion? Then you need to know about Moda Operandi. This luxury e-commerce site is a favorite among fashion insiders for its expertly curated mix of established and emerging brands, fresh-off-the-runway styles, and exclusive trunk show experiences that let you shop collections months before they hit stores.
I‘ve been a loyal Moda Operandi customer for years, and I‘m excited to share an honest, in-depth review of the retailer. As a bona fide fashion girl, I‘ll give you my take on everything from the product selection and quality to the overall shopping experience and customer service. I‘ll also dish on some insider tips and tricks for snagging the best deals and must-have pieces.
So pour yourself a glass of rosé, cozy up with your credit card, and let‘s dive into the fabulous world of Moda Operandi together!
What Makes Moda Operandi a Standout Shopping Destination?
Moda Operandi was founded in 2010 by Vogue editor-turned-entrepreneur Lauren Santo Domingo with the goal of making runway fashion more accessible to consumers. Instead of waiting for styles to hit stores months later, Moda Operandi allows shoppers to pre-order looks straight from designers‘ collections right after fashion week through online "trunk shows."
This innovative concept took off with fashion die-hards and has helped fuel the company‘s impressive growth. Over the last decade, Moda Operandi has raised over $360 million in funding, expanded to 125 countries, and solidified its spot as one of the top online luxury retailers with an estimated $175 million in annual revenue.
Moda Operandi carries over 1,000 brands and designers, from household names like Gucci and Chanel to need-to-know labels like Christopher John Rogers and Ganni. While other luxury e-commerce sites like Net-a-Porter and MatchesFashion focus more on in-season inventory, an estimated 60% of Moda Operandi‘s assortment is next-season trunk show styles for pre-order. This means you can constantly shop a mix of current wardrobe staples and one-of-a-kind statement pieces no one else will have.
In addition to its compelling merchandise mix, Moda Operandi also offers a high-touch, personalized shopping experience. Customers can take advantage of virtual styling appointments, curated "Obsessions" from notable tastemakers, and access to exclusive in-store inventory and experiences. It‘s like having your own personal fashion fairy godmother!
By the Numbers: Moda Operandi‘s Bestselling Brands and Products
Just how obsessed are Moda Operandi shoppers with certain designers? Let‘s take a look at some stats. According to the company‘s 2020 Year in Review report:
- The top 5 bestselling brands were Bottega Veneta, Prada, Loewe, The Attico, and Alexander McQueen
- The most popular shoe brands were Amina Muaddi, Bottega Veneta, Prada, The Attico, and Mach & Mach
- The best-selling bag styles were the Bottega Veneta mini Jodie, Prada Re-Edition 2005, and Loewe Flamenco Clutch
- Jewelry from Anita Ko, David Yurman, Foundrae, Lizzie Fortunato, and Mizuki were the most sought-after accessories
On a category level, ready-to-wear clothing makes up the bulk of Moda Operandi‘s sales at 45%, followed by bags and accessories at 35%, and shoes at 20%. The average order value clocks in at a whopping $1,500 – but hey, that‘s the price of luxury!
So what are some of the specific products Moda Operandi shoppers are scooping up? Based on my own purchasing history and insider intel, here are a few standout bestsellers:
- Ready-to-Wear: Khaite Maddy sweater, Jacquemus La Robe Manosque dress, Christopher John Rogers rainbow-stripe knit dress, Zimmermann lace blouses and floral dresses
- Shoes: Bottega Veneta Lug boots, Amina Muaddi Begum crystal slingback pumps, The Attico Venus crystal-buckle pumps, Porte & Paire minimalist sandals
- Bags: Prada Cleo brushed leather shoulder bag, Loewe Puzzle bag, The Row 90s baguette shoulder bag, Staud Bean bag
- Jewelry: Lizzie Fortunato Modern Craft earrings, Mizuki Sea of Beauty pearl necklaces, Anita Ko Hepburn choker, Foundrae Resilience Medallion necklace
Quality, Fit, and Overall Product Review
So with those stylish selects in mind, let‘s talk about quality and fit. In my experience, the products I‘ve purchased from Moda Operandi have always been exceptionally well-made with luxurious materials and fine craftsmanship. These are investment pieces that are built to last, not fast fashion that falls apart after a few wears.
Sizing and fit can sometimes be tricky when shopping online for designer fashion, especially since many brands have their own unique size charts. Moda Operandi includes detailed product descriptions with measurements for each item as well as user reviews that you can reference for guidance.
One feature I really appreciate is that certain brands like The Row and Khaite offer complimentary tailoring services so you can get that custom fit. Moda Operandi also has an excellent customer service team available to answer any sizing questions via chat, email, or phone before you order.
While every body is different, I generally find that Moda Operandi‘s featured brands run true to size. I‘m consistently a size 8 in dress brands like Zimmermann and Rosie Assoulin and a 28 in denim from Re/Done and Agolde. For European designers like Isabel Marant and Loewe, I often size up to a FR 40 or IT 44.
My top tip is to always check the product description for the "Fits" section and read the reviews to get a sense of whether an item runs big or small. Moda Operandi will also specify if a piece is meant to be fitted or oversized. When in doubt, don‘t be afraid to order multiple sizes to try since returns are free and easy.
What to Know About Moda Operandi‘s Trunk Show Experience
One of the most unique aspects of shopping at Moda Operandi is the opportunity to pre-order next season‘s collections through their digital trunk shows. Brands will partner with Moda Operandi to launch their runway collections for a limited time period, usually 3-7 days.
During the trunk show, you can browse the entire collection and reserve your favorite pieces by placing a 50% deposit. This guarantees your items before they hit stores and sell out. The balance isn‘t due until the item ships, which is typically 2-6 months later depending on the brand‘s production schedule.
I love shopping trunk shows because it lets me snag some truly special pieces that are hard to find anywhere else. Many of the samples or one-of-a-kind items are only offered during trunk shows and never make it to Moda Operandi‘s regular inventory. It‘s also a great way to support up-and-coming designers and be an early adopter of the next big things in fashion.
The main downside of trunk shows is that wait time. When you‘re excited about an amazing new piece, 4 months can feel like an eternity to actually receive it! Moda Operandi will send email notifications with status updates, expected ship dates, and tracking info. But delays can happen since items are made-to-order, so you need to be flexible.
Trunk show purchases are also final sale, so you need to be decisive. My advice is to carefully review the sizing info, materials, and measurements before you order. Moda Operandi has stellar product descriptions and images to ensure you know exactly what you‘re getting. You can also reference the runway looks to get styling ideas and see how a piece fits on the model.
Evaluating the Pros and Cons of Moda Operandi
So now that you have the full scoop on the Moda Operandi experience, let‘s summarize some of the key pros and cons.
Pros:
- Access to exclusive pre-order trunk show items that sell out quickly
- Unique, expertly curated assortment from a mix of established and emerging designers
- Detailed product info and runway images to guide ordering decisions
- Excellent customer service with free shipping and returns
- Flexible payment options with 50% deposit structure for pre-orders
- Personalized shopping experience with virtual styling, waitlists, and access to VIP perks
Cons:
- Very expensive price point that caters to a high luxury budget
- Long wait times for trunk show purchases
- Final sale policy for trunk show orders; no returns or exchanges
- Not ideal if you need something right away
- Can be challenging to sort through large assortment and narrow down options
So is Moda Operandi worth it? In my opinion, if you are a true fashion devotee who appreciates quality over quantity and covets special designer pieces, then absolutely YES! No other retailer offers the same caliber of access to runway collections and insider shopping perks.
But if you‘re a more casual or budget-conscious fashion shopper, you may want to shop department stores or contemporary sites like Shopbop that are less of a splurge. Not every closet needs a $5,000 beaded couture gown or collectible art bag after all!
Personally, I view Moda Operandi as a trusted source for investment pieces and special occasion dressing. I shop the site a few times a season to pre-order standout runway items as well as scoop up glamorous gowns, chic beach vacation looks, and fun accessories that make a statement. The rest of my wardrobe is a high-low mix from other retailers.
Insider Tips to Get the Most Out of Shopping Moda Operandi
As a seasoned Moda shopper, I‘ve picked up a few tricks along the way to make the most of this chic shopping experience.
- Sign up for an account so you can create a wishlist and get alerts about price drops or back-in-stock items.
- Wait to shop until a sitewide promo for bonus savings. Moda Operandi will often offer tiered discounts like $200 off orders of $1,000 or more.
- Take advantage of the installment payment options with Affirm if you want to spread out the cost of a big ticket purchase.
- Pre-order your wedding guest outfits during trunk show season for the best selection. You can reserve pieces months in advance for all those summer nuptials!
- Book a virtual styling appointment if you need some expert guidance selecting special event looks or building a seasonal wardrobe. It‘s free and so helpful!
- Don‘t sleep on the sale section! You can often score gently worn trunk show samples or past-season styles for up to 70% off.
- Check the "New To Sale" section every Monday morning. Moda Operandi often does an extra 20-30% off markdowns over the weekend.
- If you find a must-have item that‘s sold out in your size, use the "Reserve in Store" feature to see if it‘s available at any Moda Operandi boutiques. A customer service rep can facilitate the purchase and shipment.
Happy shopping! Feel free to DM me @trendypursuits on Instagram with any questions as you dive into the wonderful world of Moda Operandi!
