Any Idiot Can Play Greek For a Day

Apr 21, 2008 @ 12:51pm

The Grecian dress from Target's in-house Go International collection looks both random, cheaply made, and poorly fitting - even on the model.

We love a good steal from our favorite megastore, but draping should be left to those with quality fabric and serious skills. Plus, the dress doesn't really fit the fashion-for-the-masses mold.

After wondering aloud where they got the idea, we dropped the subject until we came across this gorgeous Alberta Ferretti frock.

Our first thought was, "Hello, Lauren Conrad!" And our second was, "Um, looks like Target scrolls Net-a-Porter as much as we do."

So Target, if you're listening, we love what you've done with mass fashion and please call Mr. Alexander McQueen to design the next GO International collection.

But leave the intricate draping, pleating, flowing silk look to those with access to Italian fabric mills.

posted by bastylefilegirl

Apr 21, 2008 12:57PM

Umm we do know that it's Target and therefore styling and perfect fit on a model isn't their top priority? I actually saw this dress in person and I loved it! Everyone isn't a rich fashionista and some of us have to rock the high, low, and middle fashion pieces. Now if your only going to pay 39 dollars for this dress it isn't going to kill you to take the dress to to a tailor and get the fit right...you are still going to come out with a killer dress at a killer price!

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 1:16PM

you are snob of the highest order. sickening.

posted by syako

Apr 21, 2008 1:17PM

I think that every garment on Target.com looks TERRIBLE on their models. And then in store and on me most look great. So I wouldn't trust the image. Just an FYI!

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 1:22PM

I actually like the target version better-with a bit of accessories and pinching.

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 1:24PM

i actually think this target has potential! target i love thee.

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 1:24PM

i left out the word dress :)

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 1:24PM

so wait. They're both eh. What makes the Alberta Ferretti dress any better? Just because of the name? Are you really that materialistic? It's automatically better if it's made by a designer? Why?

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 1:26PM

Agreed. (Guest 1:16pm)

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 1:38PM

why the hate, fashionista? i second the idea of getting the dress alternated to your body. i think any dress that fits you and that you like >>>> any designer, "intricate" dress any day.

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 1:50PM

oh lord, i hate the snobby attitude! get over yourselves.

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 2:03PM

oh god, the dress looks poorly made and not very attractive. i wouldn't trust a low-budget doctor preform brain surgery, just like a store not focusing on intracities shouldn't produce difficult pieces. it's common sense.

nice rilo kiley reference.

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 2:12PM

I think some people (the writers of this site perhaps?) need to learn that just because it's expensive doesn't mean it's amazing. And on the flip side, just because it's cheap, doesn't
mean it sucks.

Did I not read on here just two weeks ago about how amazing the spring/summer 08 line at OLD NAVY is? Now, now, don't be hypocrites!

I think this dress is ugly dress anyhow. (Ugh, it makes me hate Rami even more!) I saw the dress in Target, and it was horribly made. Some of the dresses there are nice, but this wasn't one of them.

However, not be a total complainer, I do thoroughly enjoy the Rilo Kiley reference in this title.

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 2:19PM

Although I figured this is another adventure in copyright, I couldn't tell which is designer and which is Target until I clicked the Alberta Ferretti link. From the picture alone honestly, even the Ferretti dress doesn't look that great. Did you see the dress in person? Or are you just saying the frock is gorgeous just because it's from the famed designer? What's up with 'leave intricate draping to those with access to Italian fabric mills'? How snobby! Are you saying you're not allowed to enjoy a draped piece if you can't afford to spend $3,000?

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 2:33PM

love love the rilo kiley.

posted by britt

Apr 21, 2008 2:48PM

I note fabric, craftsmanship and design when forming an opinion on clothing and do so independently of the name on the label. It just so happens that high quality anything - clothes, food etc. - generally costs more than a poorly executed imitation. Does this mean one has to buy the expensive original? Of course not! As we've repeatedly said, there are plenty of inexpensive items that don't copy someone else's design.

Yes, I think it's a waste of money to buy this ill-fitting dress from Target and pay even more money to get it altered. But I've also seen plenty of designer dresses that I'd personally deem a waste of money.

If one reads the whole post - as opposed to just the headline - it might be more clear.

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 3:21PM

I bought this dress and I love it! Okay it's not Alberta Ferretti but it's cute in real life and I've gotten tons of compliments. But then again, I like my clothes cheap.

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 3:21PM

Of course high quality calls for more money. But most of us are on budget and cannot enjoy the finest all the time. We have to make do more often than we want to. And I don't think many people shopping at Target are aware of the 'designer original' when they pick up a dress like this. I read a whole post and it clearly riducules a cheap dress in comparison to the expensive originals.

posted by Rose Tyler

Apr 21, 2008 3:48PM

I bought three other dresses from this collection. They are all made of jersey cotton and do not look or feel cheap. Not all the dresses in the collection are as well made. However I think that a visit to the store for Fashionista would be in order. That way you could make a fair opinion.

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 3:53PM

i tried the dress on in person and loved it. i dont even need it tailored. plus what is so fantastic is that because its so inexpensive i dont feel bad about running around and getting it dirty at night. i dont normally buy the target collections (at least not since proenza) but this dress and the ombre shirt were the bomb. plus the dress looks great with those studded burberry heels and belt i have. fashionista: it is cheap but that's what is so great about it; stop taking the fun out of fashion.

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 4:45PM

i just bought this dress and oh yes it's cheaply made and it probably won't last that long buuut i love it anyway! : ) it's swingy and flowy and feels good against the skin. i have gotten tons of compliments on it, too. it's a fun dress for not a lot of $ so i think it's worth it.

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 7:18PM

ehhh not a fan of either. you can do so much better!

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 8:23PM

oh jenny lewis.

i like the rilo kiley reference too.

posted by rocketcup

Apr 21, 2008 11:57PM

unfortunately, the dresses only look good on the models. i bought the "benz blue" one-shouldered dress last week in a medium, which i usually wear, despite other online shoppers' warnings that they ran small, and i was swimming in the dress. it was too bad, too. it wasn't poorly constructed at all, although i think the cotton knit could have been more substantial. but the banded hem is just not flattering on anyone with hips and a round bottom like me.

posted by guest

Apr 22, 2008 12:14AM

OUCH!!!

posted by guest

Apr 22, 2008 7:48PM

I love the Rilo Kiley reference.

posted by guest

Apr 23, 2008 12:01AM

digging the RK reference.

Some of these commenters should realize that they're reading a FASHION blog. Fashionista isn't all that snobby or condescending really.