As someone who strictly shops online and is mortal enemies with dressing-room lighting, physically getting my butt to Reformation's newest store location on NYC's Upper East Side was a journey. But, once I arrived, holding my dog in a tote bag, the whole in-store experience was surprisingly fast, easy, and, dare I say, fun? This location was both a pet-friendly and tech-driven retail concept; there are touchscreens that deliver selected styles and sizing directly to dressing rooms equipped with fully customizable lighting (from "golden" to "cool" and "sexy time") and a phone plug-in for charging or playing tunes. Welcome to The Future...*robot noises*
After some guidance from the Ref team on pulling the most festive holiday options — from emerald green silk tops to retro wrap dresses in poppy new prints and one celebrity-favorite bestseller — I ventured down to my stocked-and-ready dressing room to get suited up. Click through to see nine of the fifteen Reformation outfits I tried with my personal notes on how each really felt, looked, and fit. And, let it be known: my selected dressing-room lighting of choice was "golden."
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Look #1
I wanted to get a pants-and-top-look out of the way first — because there's little I loathe more than wiggling my way into a pair of tight pants whilst confined in a dressing room.
This outfit is head-to-toe Ref with the Aime Top in a holiday-festive "Fiesta" print, the High & Skinny Jean in black, and the new Virginia Boot (part of the brand's first-ever shoe collection introed back in October).
Aime Top
The Aime Top's contrasting confetti-style print on top of the black flowy fabric immediately drew my eye — it was fun, it was festive, it was holiday. And once I had it on, it felt just as good. I loved the cropped style (perfect with a high-waisted pant or skirt), the fabric felt light but luxe, and the structured bodice added just the right amount of romantic-retro flair while still providing safe-bust coverage.
It's tough to find unexpected going-out-style tops in the dregs of winter — and I have to say, Reformation does them best.
Reformation Aimee Top, $, available at Reformation
High & Skinny Jean
The High & Skinny Jean were out of my wardrobe wheel-house for one major reason: they were skinny. As stated above, I do not like to shimmy into a pair of tight pants so I have happily avoided skinny jeans since wide-legged pants came back into trend.
Although these jeans were figure-flattering, tucked very nicely into the cropped boots, and well-tailored to hit me just above my hip bone, they ultimately were not my style. I'd have loved them much more if they had a little crop and flair going on down there.
Reformation High & Skinny Jean, $, available at Reformation
Virginia Boot
The Virginia Boot looked a lot like the cheaper pair from Urban Outfitters that I'd worn into the store — black leather accented with a mock crock-style effect and square toe — only these babies were a bit taller and sexier.
Although I'll admit that I'd definitely prefer this decidedly nicer pair, I don't have a stellar shoe-track record (especially in slushy winter months). At the end of the day I'm OK with an-under-$100 pair I can knock around in without fear of destroying them — but, for $268, these boots are a solid elevated step up.
Reformation Virginia Boot, $, available at Reformation
Look #2
I love a high-necked mini dress. But the sexy on the bottom, sensible on the top frocks are (in my opinion) challenging to style in winter — mainly because I'm not a fan of the bare-legs and boot-look. Oh, and I also don't like tights.
With that being said, my favorite Fiesta print returned on Ref's Violette Dress shook my winter-mini-dress preconceptions to the core.
Violette Dress
Still wearing the Virginia Boot, I felt surprisingly chic and like I could comfortably waltz into any damn cocktail party I pleased with my new found bare-leg confidence. Not even an, "aren't your legs cold?!" comment out of left field could throw me in this style.
The fabric was light but durable. The A-line cut flattering yet still surprising with a slightly puffed sleeve (plus a keyhole opening on the back). And that Fiesta pattern was poppin' with holiday attitude.
Reformation Violette Dress, $, available at Reformation
Look #3
Another pant-and-top look, but this time with a wider-leg style! Here, I paired the satiny Tay Top in Emerald (it's what holiday dreams are made of) with the super high-waisted zip-up Marlon Pant in Leopard.
Tay Top
This top was heavenly. I loved the emerald sheen and the eco-silk fabric felt like a luxurious dream draped on my bod. It was comfy-sexy — the more casual short-sleeved button-front cut coupled with the dressier material made for a top to be worn effortlessly from party to office and then to bed.
Reformation Tay Top, $, available at Reformation
Marlon Pant
While I never hopped on the leopard-midi skirt trend, I felt confident trying out the divisive pattern on a pair of stretchy pants with a high-waisted retro cut — and the overall vibe did not disappoint. The Marlon Pant was super stretchy and hit high on my torso, which when coupled with the loud-leopard print made for a granny-but-glam look.
I felt comfortable and cool like I was some sort of morally grounded rock n' roll groupie — would definitely pair this pant with everything from a vintage Stones' tee to a satin blouse, white button-down, or slouchy sweater.
Reformation Marlon Pant, $, available at Reformation
Look #4
Touted as one of Ref's most popular holiday styles, the Carmelina Dress in Emerald — if you've ever seen Atonement — made me feel like Keira Knightly in that library scene...but, more office holiday-party-appropriate.
Carmelina Dress
I was excited to revisit the same silky-green fabric used in the Tay Top, although a little hesitant about the fuller upper-body coverage (I'm talking arms, wrists, chest, and neck). As a sweaty person, party attire that covers too much of my person and can potentially display the tiniest hint of moisture is problematic.
But, the Carmelina Dress felt silky smooth and lightweight on my skin — its ruching hugged my figure in the right places (aka my hips) and gave me breathing room in others (aka my armpits and inner thighs). However, the potential sweating-through-silk-at-a-party threat remains to be seen...
Reformation Carmelina Dress, $, available at Reformation
Look #5
You can't tell by my face, but I was actually pleasantly surprised by this look! A style I wouldn't usually pick out for myself, the Clare Dress turned out to be a flattering and festive fit that, again, looked pretty cute with the whole bare-leg-boot thing.
Clare Dress
At first glance, I pegged this dress as too boho with its puffy-pirate sleeves to be holiday-chic material. I also wrote off its wrap style as a surefire misfit for my smaller chest (wrap dresses usually do that whole pouf-out expose thing).
But, I was wrong — the flouncy style not only looked unexpectedly festive in a fiery red hue, but it also lay extremely flat on my chest. I shimmied, I shook, and no peek-a-boo mishaps occurred. It was super-soft and comfortable while still feeling flirty and fun. Final takeaway: I felt like a festive-holiday pirate (black booties included), and I was into it.
Reformation Clare Dress, $, available at Reformation
Look #6
The Susanna Dress is a spot-on example of why I first started shopping at Reformation; a classic year-round wardrobe staple that feels refreshingly 1970s-chic.
Susanna Dress
Ref really knows how to craft a comfy-chic wrap dress in an array of everchanging patterns — and I especially enjoyed the white polka-dot print on this particular take. Although this style doesn't scream holiday, I still loved it as a multi-season and multi-occasion piece.
The fit across the chest, again, lay surprisingly flat and felt secure — I could see it working well for larger busts too. But, my favorite detail overall that made it feel fresher than the rest? The understated puffed shoulders and sleeves.
Reformation Susanna Dress, $, available at Reformation
Look #7
Similar to the sexy-on-bottom, sensible-on-top Violette Dress that I adored from earlier, the Romee Dress was another A-line style I wouldn't usually gravitate towards on my own. But, after trying it on, I ended up really digging it — black boots, bare legs, and all.
Romee Dress
With similar top-coverage as the Carmelina Dress, the Romee's patterned fabric was less risky for sweat-showing potential — and its shorter length gave my body more breathing room.
Although the print wasn't my favorite, the mix of romantic floral with an edgier holiday palette and cut felt sophisticated-sexy. Also, more puffed shoulders FTW.
Reformation Romee Dress, $, available at Reformation
Look #8
The iconic Lacey Dress is arguably one of Reformation's most popular silhouettes — having been worn by the likes of Kaia Gerber to Lili Reinhart, Michelle Monaghan, Busy Phillips, Lucy Hale, Jessica Alba, and Zoey Deutch (just to name a few) — and it did not disappoint.
Note: The store was sold out of all other prints, so I had to try on this not-so-holiday-esque pattern.
Lacey Dress
I loved this style's sweetheart neckline and sexy-slit skirt combo — that when mixed with the right fabric and paired with the right footwear can cross into any season or occasion.
On top of the style, the dress itself actually felt incredibly comfortable. It featured Ref's iconic puff-sleeves and more structured bodice, but the fabric was surprisingly soft and hung in a way that almost felt night-gown-like.
Reformation Lacey Dress, $, available at Reformation
Look #9
This look says "Yes I am wearing a faux-fur bathrobe, don't @ me" and I like it. The Hudson Coat is crafted from deadstock faux fur (aka 100% polyester materials) in a very richy-rich looking double-breasted style.
Hudson Coat
I'm a sucker for a super-soft, faux-fur coat that looks like you stole it from some UES-grandmother's closet — and this style from Ref's outerwear collection hits that nail on the head. The coat is definitely on the bulkier, could-be-a-bathrobe end, but it still felt so cozy and glam over my casual jeans and boot look (these are my cheapo UO boots, btw).
For $298, this wasn't by any means a steal, but at the same price as some of Ref's dresses it felt really luxurious, unique, and like it could keep me warm in a full-on blizzard...or, just while I chill on the couch with a bag of Doritos.
Reformation Hudson Coat, $, available at Reformation
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