When it comes to contemporary fashion that seamlessly blends style with comfort, Rails has emerged as a go-to brand for many fashionistas. With a huge Instagram following of over 330K and features in leading publications like Forbes and Glossy, Rails has firmly established itself as a beloved label in today‘s fashion landscape.
As someone who loves staying on top of the latest trends while prioritizing comfort, I‘ve been eager to try out Rails clothing for myself. In this comprehensive review, I‘ll take a deep dive into the brand‘s history, aesthetic, product offerings, customer opinions, and more to help you decide if Rails is worth adding to your wardrobe. Let‘s get started!
The Rails Story: From Door-to-Door Sales to Celebrity Favorite
Every iconic brand starts with a vision, and Rails is no exception. Founder Jeff Abrams launched the label in 2008 out of his desire to marry the laidback vibe of LA streetwear with the sophistication of British contemporary fashion. With no prior experience in the apparel industry, Abrams bravely began selling Rails‘ initial offerings of hats and hoodies door-to-door.
The defining moment for Rails came with the creation of the brand‘s now-signature Hunter button-down shirt. This classic piece quickly gained a celebrity following, with style stars like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Kendall Jenner frequently spotted wearing it. The "Hunter effect" propelled Rails to new heights and cemented its status as a fashion industry mainstay.
From its humble beginnings, Rails has grown into a globally-recognized brand with hundreds of stores worldwide. The company maintains its headquarters in Vernon, California, and has expanded its product line to include a wide array of clothing and accessories for women and men. Impressively, Rails has managed to scale while staying true to its original mission of combining comfort with contemporary style.
The Rails Aesthetic: Where Beach Meets British
So what exactly is the Rails aesthetic? In a nutshell, imagine the effortless cool of a Southern California beach girl meeting the understated elegance of a British gentleman. Rails has carved out a unique space in the fashion world by creating pieces that embody this intriguing mix of laid-back and refined.
From flowy sundresses to cozy knit sweaters, Rails‘ designs tend to have a relaxed, lived-in quality that makes them perfect for everyday wear. The brand is known for its expertly draped silhouettes, super-soft fabrics, and muted, earthy color palettes. Rails also isn‘t afraid to incorporate trendy details like animal prints, tie-dye, and utility-inspired elements to keep things fresh and modern.
One of the things I love most about Rails is how versatile the pieces are. You can easily dress items up or down depending on the occasion, making them true wardrobe workhorses. The brand‘s aesthetic lends itself well to mixing and matching, so you can have fun creating a variety of outfits with just a few key pieces.
Whether your vibe is cottagecore, minimalist, office-chic, or streetwear-inspired, Rails likely has options that will fit seamlessly into your personal style. The effortlessness and ease of the brand‘s clothing make it a great choice for anyone who wants to look put-together without sacrificing comfort.
Rails Clothing Review: Best-Selling Picks
Now that we‘ve covered the background and overall aesthetic of Rails, let‘s get into the specifics of the brand‘s offerings. From essential layering tees to on-trend outerwear, Rails truly has something for everyone. I‘ll highlight some of the most popular items in various categories to give you a thorough overview of what the brand has to offer.
Women‘s Clothing
Perci Natural Animal Star Sweater
You can‘t go wrong with the Perci sweater from Rails. Featuring adorable star patches in animal prints, this ultra-soft knit pullover delivers a fun, animal-loving aesthetic without going too cutesy. It has a classic crew neckline, relaxed fit, and dropped sleeves for extra coziness. Style it with distressed denim and ankle boots for a charming daytime look.
Lisette Moss Dress
If you‘re into feminine dresses that feel both casual and chic, the Lisette dress is for you. Made out of sturdy denim with a button-down front, this safari-inspired midi has an effortlessly elegant vibe. Subtle puffed sleeves, flap utility pockets, and a tapered collar add a fashion-forward twist. Complete the Casablanca-esque ensemble with simple hoop earrings and ankle-wrap sandals.
Peyton Olive Sherpa Jacket
Rails really hit the mark with the Peyton jacket. This plush sherpa coat has a vintage-esque patchwork design that is giving me major grandma-chic vibes in the best way possible. It comes with useful details like a zipper sleeve pocket and button-flap front pockets. The cozy, unstructured feel makes it the perfect piece to throw on for chilly mornings and nights.
Men‘s Clothing
Johnny Olive Tee
The humble t-shirt gets a stylish upgrade with Rails‘ Johnny tee. Crafted from a super-soft cotton modal blend, this crew-neck top has a lived-in feel and comes in a muted olive hue for versatile wear. The contrasting chest pocket adds a utilitarian touch that‘s so on-trend right now. Dress it up with trousers and a suede bomber jacket or go casual with cargos and high-tops.
Rune Flax Navy Sweater
This subtly color-blocked crewneck sweater is ideal for nailing that effortless look. The two-tone design combines two shades of classic navy and features a bold banded trim along the neckline, cuffs, and hem. Knit from soft heathered yarns, the Rune sweater has just the right amount of visual interest while remaining totally wearable. Pair it with chinos and leather sneakers for a cool, laid-back outfit.
Franklin Desert Rose Jacket
Lightweight jackets are essential for transitional weather, and the Franklin jacket fits the bill perfectly. This brushed cotton button-down comes in a unique desert rose colorway that adds a subtle pop to neutral outfits. Layer it over a striped tee with dark wash denim and Chelsea boots and you‘ll be good to go from day to night.
Quality, Fit & Comfort: What Customers Have to Say
One of the most important factors to consider when investing in a clothing brand is the quality and fit of the pieces. To get a well-rounded perspective, I dug through hundreds of customer reviews from various retail sites that carry Rails.
The overwhelming consensus? Rails knocks it out of the park when it comes to crafting high-quality, ultra-comfortable clothing. Many shoppers raved about how soft and well-made the pieces are, with some even calling Rails‘ button-downs the "best shirts ever." Several reviewers noted that the items hold up beautifully even after multiple washes.
Customers also had great things to say about the fit of Rails clothing. The brand‘s signature relaxed silhouettes seem to work well on a variety of body types, with many people stating that the pieces are "flattering" and "drape nicely." Reviewers also appreciate that a lot of Rails‘ styles are flowy without being too oversized.
When it comes to comfort, Rails garners top marks across the board. From the cozy fabrics to the effortless fits, customers love how easy and wearable the brand‘s pieces are. A few shoppers even confessed to wanting to "live in" their Rails clothing. As someone who believes that you shouldn‘t have to sacrifice comfort for style, I‘m totally here for it.
Rails Pricing: Is It Worth the Splurge?
Now let‘s address the elephant in the room: the cost. There‘s no denying that Rails‘ prices are definitely on the higher end compared to many mall brands. To give you a better idea, tees usually go for around $50-70, dresses are roughly $150-250, sweaters are about $150-200, and outerwear can get up to $400.
So is splurging on Rails really worth it? While everyone‘s budget is different, I personally think that Rails‘ clothing is a worthy investment for a few key reasons. First and foremost, you‘re getting premium quality pieces that are designed to last, not fast fashion that will fall apart after a few wears. Rails‘ fabrics and construction are top-notch, so you can feel confident that your pieces will hold up wash after wash.
I‘m also a big believer in cost-per-wear. Since Rails‘ pieces are so versatile and comfortable, you‘re likely to reach for them again and again. A Rails shirt that costs $150 but gets worn 50 times comes out to just $3 per wear–not too bad when you break it down! Additionally, a lot of the styles are so classic that they‘ll remain in rotation for years to come.
Plus, Rails puts an emphasis on small-batch, mindful manufacturing rather than mass production. The company only produces limited runs of each style to reduce excess inventory and waste. When you factor in the quality construction, longevity, and sustainable practices, the pricing starts to make a lot more sense.
Of course, everyone has to decide for themselves what works for their wardrobe and their wallet. If you‘re on a tighter budget, I‘d recommend starting with a versatile basic from Rails and building from there. You can also keep an eye out for sales, coupon codes, and site-wide promotions which the brand offers from time to time.
Where to Shop Rails Clothing
While the most robust selection of Rails clothing is available on the brand‘s own site, there are a variety of other places you can snag the latest pieces both online and in-store. Major retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, Bloomingdale‘s, Revolve and Anthropologie all carry Rails.
If you prefer the brick-and-mortar experience, you can use the store locator on Rails‘ site to find a stockist near you. The brand has retail partners in most major US cities, so it‘s easier than ever to try pieces on in person before you buy. And of course, with many stores now offering curbside pickup and/or BOPIS (buy online, pickup in-store), you have more choices than ever when it comes to getting your Rails fix.
One perk of shopping through the Rails site is that the company offers free shipping and returns, which is super convenient. The site also has a "Ready to Ship‘‘ section with pieces that can be sent out right away, which is great if you‘re in need of a last-minute outfit.
My Final Thoughts on Rails Clothing
After thoroughly researching the brand and testing out various pieces, I can confidently say that Rails lives up to the hype. The clothing strikes that perfect balance of being fashion-forward yet totally wearable for daily life. I‘m impressed by the brand‘s commitment to quality fabrics and construction as well as its mindful manufacturing practices.
I love how Rails has created such a strong signature aesthetic that feels both modern and timeless. From the drapey silhouettes to the coastal California-meets-cottage-core color palette, every piece feels intentional and carefully considered. Whether I‘m getting dressed up for a meeting or going out to brunch with friends, I find myself constantly reaching for my Rails pieces.
The only downside is that all of this style and quality does come at a price. However, I truly believe that Rails is one of those brands that is worth investing in, especially if you‘re looking to build a more sustainable, longer-lasting wardrobe. By shopping consciously and choosing versatile, well-made pieces from brands like Rails, you can create a closet that will serve you for years to come.
So if you‘re in the market for contemporary clothing that combines effortless style with unbeatable comfort, I highly recommend giving Rails a try. This is one brand that has earned its cult following and glowing reputation. With so many irresistible options to choose from, your only challenge will be narrowing down your cart!
