If you love staying on top of the latest designer fashion trends, you‘ve likely come across Modes. This luxury clothing retailer carries an impressive selection of pieces from top brands like Balenciaga, Balmain, Jimmy Choo, and many more. But with high-end fashion comes high prices, which may leave you wondering – is Modes legit and worth splurging on?
In this comprehensive Modes review, we‘ll take a close look at the brand‘s background, bestselling pieces, customer feedback, and more to help you decide if Modes belongs in your shopping rotation.
About Modes
Modes was founded in 1971 by Aldo Carpinteri. Based in Italy, the company started out as a single boutique called Stefaniamode before expanding and rebranding as Modes. Today, Modes has flagship stores in fashion-forward cities like Milan and other locations throughout Italy, as well as an online store that ships worldwide.
The Modes mission is to bring together avant-garde, trendsetting pieces from established and up-and-coming designers. Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, Modes focuses on a tightly curated selection that captures the mood and hottest looks of the season.
Modes carries both men‘s and women‘s clothing, shoes, bags and accessories from over 300 luxury brands. Labels you‘ll find include:
- Balenciaga
- Bottega Veneta
- Balmain
- Christopher Kane
- Fendi
- Jil Sander
- Jimmy Choo
- Maison Margiela
- Zimmermann
- And many more
The prices definitely reflect the luxury status of these designers. Most pieces cost several hundreds to a few thousand dollars. However, Modes does have a sale outlet where you can score some styles for up to 60% off.
To sum up the main pros and cons of Modes:
Pros:
– Impeccably curated selection of the season‘s most covetable designer pieces
– Carries both heritage brands and emerging designers
– Free worldwide shipping and returns
– Discounted styles available in sale section
Cons:
– High price points that are inaccessible for many budgets
– Limited customer reviews available
– Physical store locations only in Italy and Switzerland
Now that you have the background, let‘s spotlight some of the most popular Modes pieces that fashionistas are loving lately.
Modes Bestsellers for Women
Balmain Fitted Double-Breasted Jacket
When you need a power piece to take charge at the office or an event, this impeccably tailored Balmain blazer has you covered. The sharp shoulders, nipped waist and gold embossed buttons create an iconic silhouette that exudes confidence and polish. Wear it with sleek black trousers or jeans and heels for a look that means business.
Jimmy Choo Romy Glitter Pumps
These shimmery Jimmy Choo pumps are fit for a modern day Cinderella. The low 60mm heel makes them easy to walk and dance in, while the glittery finish in soft neutrals or poppy red makes a captivating style statement. Pair them with an LBD or gown for your next festive occasion.
Wandler Mini Satchel
Dutch label Wandler is known for their sleek, functional bags and this mini satchel is the perfect everyday carry-all. Crafted from smooth leather in versatile hues and punctuated with the brand‘s signature gold hardware, it features an adjustable strap to wear over the shoulder or cross-body. Tuck in your essentials and go hands-free in style.
Must-Haves for Men
Balenciaga Zip-Front Bomber Jacket
Balenciaga‘s take on the bomber jacket combines retro-cool vibes with modern street style. Crafted from a slouchy technical fabric and finished with rib knit trims, flap pockets and ruched sleeves, this is an effortlessly edgy layering piece. Wear it with a hoodie, trousers and sneakers for an off-duty model look.
Common Projects Achilles Low Sneakers
Clean, minimal and ultra-versatile, it‘s no wonder Common Projects is a cult favorite sneaker brand. Their classic Achilles low top is rendered in smooth leather and detailed with the brand‘s signature gold stamp on the heel. These luxe kicks pair perfectly with denim and elevated basics for a cool everyday uniform.
Maison Margiela Drawstring Trousers
Tailored trousers with a hidden drawstring waist? Leave it to avant-garde label Maison Margiela to reimagine wardrobe staples with a casual-meets-polished twist. These straight leg pants are crafted from fluid virgin wool and offer an easy, comfortable fit without sacrificing a smart appearance. Dress them up with a button down and loafers or down with a tee and sneakers.
What Customers Are Saying
Since Modes is a multi-brand retailer rather than its own label, there aren‘t as many customer reviews as you might find for a standalone brand. But based on the feedback available, the response seems generally positive.
On Trustpilot, Modes has an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars from about 50 customers. Positive comments often mention excellent product quality, fast shipping, attentive customer service and access to discounted designer items. The handful of complaints mostly referred to difficulties with returns or specific issues with products.
It‘s a similar story on Knoji, which gives Modes an overall score of 3.9 out of 5. The rating is based more on analyzing the brand‘s online presence rather than aggregated customer reviews. While Modes scores high for its engaged social media following and easily accessible contact information, points are docked for its somewhat vague shipping policy details.
The Bottom Line: Is Modes Legit?
Based on our research, Modes appears to be a legitimate source for luxury designer fashion, especially if you‘re looking for curated seasonal trends and exclusive or emerging labels mixed in with heritage brands.
The biggest consideration is the price point, since most pieces cost upwards of several hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Modes isn‘t exactly a bargain retailer, but they do offer some solid discounts of up to 60% off in their sale section if you‘re lucky enough to find your size in stock. And occasionally they promote sitewide discount codes, like 10% off for new email subscribers.
Another factor to keep in mind is that Modes‘ generous free shipping and returns policy only applies to full price items. Sale items are final sale, and all items must be returned unworn with tags still attached within 14 days of delivery.
If budget is no issue and you‘re itching to add some of the moment‘s most coveted designer pieces to your wardrobe, you can feel confident shopping the tightly edited selection at Modes. Just be sure to check the details on the specific item‘s shipping and return eligibility to avoid any surprises.
And if you ever find yourself in Italy, it‘s worth popping into one of Modes‘ chic boutiques to soak up the atmosphere and see the merchandise in person. But for the rest of us, their online store makes it easy to access those enviable international styles from anywhere in the world.
Happy shopping, Modes fashionistas!