Review: Issa London for Banana Republic collection.

My initial reaction on hearing that Banana Republic and Issa London would be doing a collaboration was YAaayynoooo. I was conflicted. On the one hand, I love Issa London and cannot generally afford her beautiful, flattering, awesome dresses. On the other hand, name me one high/low collaboration that hasn't been disappointing. You can't because there isn't one. (Okay, there might be one but mostly they suck.)

I tried to keep an open mind and when the look book came out I was pleasantly surprised. The patterns were very Issa and the cuts looked pretty flattering and about what I'd expect. My worry was the fabric and fit because nothing beats the beautiful silk jersey and flattering cut of an Issa London creation. So I went. And I tried on. And on. And on. Check it:

The Red Ceramic Printed Dress is the one I was most excited about and, while the pattern was exactly right, the fit was way off. I'm wearing a small in this photo and it's too big under the arms and weirdly poofy around the hips. I don't know if I just got a dud or what (there wasn't an XS or another S to compare it with) but I did order an XS from the website because I'm not quite ready to give up on it.

The next one I tried was the Three Quarter Sleeve Wrap Tie Dress. This is the iconic Kate Middleton dress which I think would look almost costume-y in the blue, so I went for the Merlot. The material was an okay weight but seemed prone to pilling. And, as you can probably see, there is just a LOT of dress going on there. Instead of being slimming it's just...a lot. It was bunchy in the hips and had too much waist wrappage and was lumpy and just no. 

Next I went for the Coral Printed Kimono Dress, which I thought was kind of crazy in a good way. Or, as it turns out, a total Mrs. Roper dress. Oy. It could have but so fun but it was tunic-short and just CRAZY, y'all. I was cracking up. The material is really nice and I think on the right person it might work, but I am not that person.

I soldiered on and tried on this Blue Ceramic Printed Wrap-Tie Dress. This one is probably the most flattering of all the dresses I tried on and the print is beautiful. However, it has this odd seam around the hips that made the dress fall kind of strangely in the back. I don't even know how to explain this. Anyway, a very pretty dress (if a mite conservative) though I don't think it's worth paying full price.

Finally, I tried on the Brown Zebra Printed Drape Dress which was a little hard to photograph. It was a very flattering fit, good material, interesting print. If it had been any color but brown I probably would've been tempted but the color just did nothing for me at all. Womp.

So, there you have it. I was pretty underwhelmed by this collection, though when it gets marked down to 80% off I might be tempted. At full price? Not worth it. And most of them were dry-clean only, which I find annoying. BR has been running some Issa-specific codes so if you want something I'd wait for the next one. Also, 2% back with eBates! (That's my referral link if you want to sign up.)

Did you try on any of the BR/Issa collaboration over the weekend? What did you think?