If you‘re passionate about fashion but want to shop more mindfully, you‘ve probably heard of Reformation. This cool-girl clothing brand has made waves in recent years for their trendy, feminine styles and dedication to ethical, eco-friendly practices.
As a lover of fashion and sustainability, I had to do a deep dive into Reformation to see what the hype is all about. Is this brand as green as it claims? How‘s the quality and fit of the clothes? And ultimately, is Reformation worth the splurge?
In this comprehensive Reformation review, I‘ll cover everything you need to know, from the company‘s sustainable practices to customer feedback and top-selling pieces. So grab a glass of organic wine and let‘s get into it!
About Reformation
First, a little background on how Reformation came to be. The brand was founded in 2009 by Yael Aflalo, a model-turned-entrepreneur with a vision of transforming fashion‘s impact on the environment.
What started as Aflalo upcycling vintage garments in LA quickly grew into a fashion powerhouse with a devoted following. Celebs like Taylor Swift, Meghan Markle, Halsey, and Karlie Kloss have all been spotted rocking Reformation‘s flirty dresses and flattering denim.
But Reformation isn‘t just about looking cute. The brand has set a new standard for sustainable fashion, with a commitment to minimizing their environmental footprint and supporting ethical manufacturing.
Here are some of the key ways Reformation puts sustainability at the forefront:
🌿 Using eco-friendly and recycled materials like Tencel Lyocell, linen, and organic cotton
♻️ Repurposing vintage and deadstock fabric to minimize waste
🏭 Producing in their own factory in LA and partnering with fair wage manufacturers
💧 Incorporating sustainable practices like recycling, water and energy efficiency, and green building
🌍 Offsetting their environmental impact and providing transparency about each garment‘s footprint
I love that Reformation makes it easy to shop sustainably without sacrificing style. They combine trend-driven design with eco-conscious production, giving fashion lovers the best of both worlds.
Bestselling Styles to Add to Your Wardrobe
One scroll through Reformation‘s website and you‘ll see why it‘s a go-to for "It Girl" fashion. Their pieces strike the perfect balance of effortless and sexy, with lots of flowy silhouettes, flirty cutouts and unique details.
Dresses are definitely Reformation‘s bread and butter, from everyday minis and midis to formal gowns and wedding guest looks. Some of their iconic dress styles include:
🌸 The Nikita dress: a dreamy, ruched midi with a sweetheart neckline and fluttery ruffled hem
🌴 The Christine dress: a silky slip with adjustable tie straps and a thigh-high slit
🌼 The Belgium linen dress: an easy, breezy mini with buttons down the front and puff sleeves
🍋 The Juliette dress: a sweet tie-strap sundress with a smocked back and ruffled hem
But Reformation has so much more than just pretty dresses. Their denim line is also super popular, with retro-inspired cuts like the Cynthia high rise straight leg and Liza high rise bootcut.
I also love Reformation‘s bodysuits, sweaters and ‘going out‘ tops for their perfect blend of casual and glam. And they recently expanded into shoes, bags, lingerie and swimwear too.
Of course, it‘s not just about the designs, but also the quality of materials and craftsmanship. Reformation uses soft, durable fabrics that feel amazing on your skin, with attention to detail in the stitching and finishings.
You can feel good wearing their pieces, knowing they‘re made to last. But if anything does happen to your Ref garment, they‘ll do their best to repair it for free to keep it out of the landfill.
Fit, Sizing and Reviews from Real Customers
By now, you might be adding every Reformation piece to your cart. But before you hit ‘complete order,‘ let‘s talk about sizing and fit, which is one of the most common issues customers have with the brand.
Reformation offers sizes 0-22 and XS-3X in most styles, and they share the measurements of each garment to help you find your perfect fit. Most of their clothing is designed to be fitted throughout the bust and waist, with more relaxed hips.
However, many shoppers find that Ref sizing is inconsistent and varies between fabrics and styles. If you‘re between sizes, most people recommend sizing up for a comfortable fit. Luckily, they have a great return and exchange policy if you don‘t get it right on the first try.
Another thing to note is that while Reformation offers inclusive sizing, some customers feel the brand still has room for improvement in designing for larger body types and different body shapes.
I scoured tons of online reviews to get insights from real Ref customers. On the brand‘s site, most bestsellers have 4+ star ratings, with glowing reviews about the soft, sturdy materials, pretty design details, and ‘cool without trying‘ aesthetic.
Reformation dresses make me feel feminine and elegant…I love how they design for women‘s bodies and use sustainable fabrics. Well worth the price!" – Cathy L.
I was nervous to order jeans online but my Reformation Cynthia‘s are my new favorite pants. The denim quality is amazing and they‘re perfectly fitted through the legs and butt." – Jenna S.
Customers also rave about how Ref pieces are versatile and easy to dress up or down. And many say they appreciate supporting an environmentally responsible company and feel proud to wear Reformation.
But of course, no brand is perfect. The most common customer complains are around:
⚠️ Inconsistent sizing between styles and less curvy-friendly cuts
🚫 Occasional issues with quality control like loose threads, holes or defects
📦 Slow shipping and difficulties with returns or exchanges
💸 High price point and fewer sales/promotions compared to other brands
Reformation‘s customer service also receives mixed reviews. Some buyers report positive experiences with helpful reps, while others had frustrations with unresponsive or unhelpful interactions.
Overall though, most Reformation customers are happy with their purchases and feel the sustainable practices, beautiful designs, and elevated basics are worth the extra cost. It has a 4.2/5 star rating on Trustpilot with over 2,000 reviews.
Is Reformation Clothing Worth It?
So now for the million dollar question: is Reformation really worth the hype and the high price tag?
I‘ll be honest, Reformation is an investment, with dresses usually ranging from $150-$300+ and other pieces like denim and sweaters falling around $100-$200. You‘re definitely paying a premium for the sustainable materials and practices.
However, I believe investing in ethical, high quality pieces is so important for transforming the fashion industry and reducing the massive environmental toll of fast fashion. Reformation is leading the charge in this movement without sacrificing style.
Yes, you could get a $20 dress from a certain ultra-fast fashion brand, but consider the true cost – for the underpaid garment workers, the planet, and even your wallet when that dress falls apart after a few wears.
With Reformation, you can build a wardrobe of timeless, well-crafted pieces you‘ll treasure for years. And by shopping sustainably, you‘re ‘voting with your dollar‘ for a fashion industry that uplifts people and protects the Earth.
That said, I recognize that Reformation‘s prices are still out of reach for many consumers. If you‘re on a tighter budget, I recommend shopping the Ref sale section, stalking resale sites for pre-loved pieces, or trying more affordable sustainable brands like Everlane and Pact.
But if you have the means to spend a bit more on fashion, I think Reformation is 100% worth the cost. Their pieces make me feel confident, stylish and proud of my clothing choices. I always get compliments when I wear my Ref dresses and jeans!
Just be aware of the sizing inconsistencies and read the garment measurements carefully. It‘s not a foolproof system, but Reformation makes the return/exchange process pretty seamless if you need to swap sizes.
And while Reformation isn‘t totally perfect, they are constantly evolving and striving to reduce their footprint even further. I believe they are setting an incredible example for the rest of the industry.
Final Thoughts on Reformation
Whew, that was a lot, but I hope this super in-depth review gave you all the deets on if Reformation is right for you!
To sum it up – if you‘re looking to upgrade your wardrobe with designer-level pieces that are responsibly made and effortlessly cool, Reformation is the move. No other brand is fusing together luxury, sustainability and femininity quite like Ref.
Yes, it‘s pricey, but I believe Reformation‘s transparent practices and high quality garments are worth saving up for. Start with a versatile piece like the Nikita or Christine dress, or a great-fitting pair of their signature jeans. Trust me, you‘ll be hooked!
On the other hand, if you‘re on a super strict budget or are frustrated by inconsistent sizing, Reformation might not be the best fit for you right now. Totally valid.
I still encourage you to shop as sustainably as possible. Thrifting, wearing what you own, and supporting small eco-friendly brands are great alternatives to fast fashion that cost less than Ref.
But I hope you give Reformation a chance at some point, because their pieces and mission are truly something special. Use my tips to find your perfect fit and invest in a few forever pieces you‘ll cherish.
I think Reformation is an incredibly exciting, needed brand shaking up the fashion industry for the better. Here‘s to more brands following in their footsteps towards a greener, more ethical fashion future!