More on Lilly Pulitzer for Target

crutcher

I went to the Jason Wu sale at Target several years ago...I was early around 8:30 or so...The store was packed...That is good...Some of the people had carts loading in all sizes and styles...There was no selection left...It took me about a mini second to figure that these were not wonderful selections for someone to go home and drool over but rather clothes that would be sold somewhere...The funny thing is some of the cart drivers were men and were being followed by their wife (?) or whoever...I really came away from that one disillusioned and vowed never to go again regardless of how enticing the designer for Target appeared...
I don't know what would be the best solution for this type of thing..limiting purchases, would only cause the people to get someone else to buy...Yet something needs to be done to give those people who really want to shop a chance...Interesting...

9 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

I found this telling:

"less proof of shoppers’ discerning taste than evidence that folks love a whiff of leisure-class exclusivity, a brand name and a bargain — however that might be defined"

I have never been a huge fan of the Target exclusives. *shrug* But I appear to be alone. To me, part of the joy of a high end piece, is the fabrication and craftsmanship, not just the name or print. So I tend to enjoy the craze from the sidelines.

Great deal for Target though.

9 years ago

old chic

Active Member

I think H&M recently started limiting how many of a particular item from a designer collab you can buy. That seems like a good start.

9 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

I'm safe, because I just don't "get" Lilly. There is a Lilly boutique within the department store, and it just perplexes me; I walk around it.

9 years ago

K.M.

Veteran

crutcher, wow, I hadn't even thought of that side of things! Naive that I am. Well your post definitely has put me off from any of these design collaborations for good (not that I ever partook before, but I was at least curious). That's kind of sad. Old chic, that's good to hear about H&M.

And Thistle, you are so right about the craftsmanship issue!

unfrumped, I also don't get Lilly and never have. But the Target hype did make me look at the website and I did for a moment consider a dress for my daughter, but it just didn't look special enough.

I was going to go to Target yesterday for regular shopping and when I saw on their website that it was the big Lilly Pulitzer day I actually decided not to go so as not to have to deal with crazed shoppers.

9 years ago

lisaflex

Veteran

i like some lilly

i stayed away from target on lilly day just for that reason...i would have bought it just because and then sold or returned it.....kinda sad people go to buy just to resell...i would have bought it thinking i would love it, but, then after being home, i would have realized as it sat in its target bag with paper towel i purchased (lol) for a week or so....

9 years ago

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Crutcher is right. When Missoni did their line for Target, their website crashed from the unprecedented online traffic, and almost all of the clothing sold out fast online and in stores - and a lot of it appeared on eBay within a day. I was disappointed not to be able to see more than a few random stray items in person, two days after the sale went live.

I like to go see these collections to see if there is anything unique or interesting. I bought two pieces from the Altuzarra collection last fall - but in truth, I would have bought them if they have been one of Target's house brands, because I liked the design.

I had thought to go look over the Lilly stuff, because I had my eye on that long-sleeve floral top - but my flamenco teacher/theatre partner gave me one of her mod floral tops, so I got my itch for crazy happy tropical wear scratched

Let me note that the Missoni for Target pieces I did see were disappointing, and I have no words for how awful the textiles in the Pilotto collection were. Cheap cheap cheap cheap cheap Beautiful prints though. Cheapo fabric.

Not all collabs are total junk, either - I have the leopard choker that Versace did for H&M - I got it on eBay, new, for close to, or a little less than, the price it retailed for. I think the seller started the price very low, and had counted on more aggressive bidding, but the auction was the day before Thanksgiving, when nobody was really shopping.

I get a ton of compliments on that choker, it really is a statement piece.

9 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I have purchased items from a number of the Target collabs. Some of them I wore twice but the quality was so poor I couldn't stand wearing them. Some of them I never wore but listed (and sold, although not at a profit) on eBay. Others ripped right away. The best thing I got was some Missoni socks that have held up well. I did go on the site and tried to order the Lilly Pulitzer swimsuits but of course they were already sold out on Sunday morning 9 a.m. So yes I continue to fall for the hype and at least try and buy stuff, in spite of my 90% negative experience due to the poor quality. I thought the swimsuits were cute, it had nothing to do with the LP brand. I'll keep looking as I want to add a new swimsuit this year, and no I'm not upset they were sold out.

On to LP specifically, I thought that the brand has been taken over by preppy wannabes anyway. I didn't think real preppies wore LP anymore. Anyone else get that impression?

9 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I was at Target yesterday because I'm spending a week in rural Alaska and needed supplies - had NO idea it was LP day. But everything was cleared out at our store, and I heard store clerks talking about how it was all to be resold on Ebay. I find that disgusting. I did the Missoni (which was so crazy) and Liberty sales, but really can't stand the whole idea of people buying to rip other people off, then returning. It will all trickle back in once people realize they don't have to pay 3X the price of resellers.

9 years ago

Daria

Active Member

I'm with Thistle and others who don't get the idea of cheaply fabricated high end clothes. I'm guessing for Target it's not really about "good design for all" but about the store in general getting so much vibe.

9 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

KM, I think you're dead on that it breaks their motto 'good design for all.' When Target started this all with the GO campaign, the collections were in the store for months. These things are now 5 minute flash mob events. You don't even go into a dressing room and try things on. You throw them in a basket and run.

I think they've made a huge mistake with their intention to not to restock. They've been trying to get customers back after the credit card fiasco, and they've turned everyone off with this stunt.

9 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I read that the LP launch yesterday was as much of a zoo as the Missoni one was, both online and in stores. I dislike the idea of so many people buying cartloads to resell online, but I guess if Target put a limit on items, they'd have to do it all the time?

I agree that the designer collabs aren't my favorite, even though I like Target in general and their clothes. The collab clothes are never as high quality either - maybe they're made with narrower profit margins? Kohl's seems to do better with their collabs; they've got one with Milly coming out this week that I plan to check out.

9 years ago

K.M.

Veteran

Thanks for all the feedback, I feel more validated! Rachylou, yes, I don't get why they won't restock or conceive of these collaborations as season-long offerings. Oh well, because then that would kill the hype. Too sad.
Alaskagirl, but, waaait.... they had a Liberty collab... I am glad I never knew about it, because I would have tried to get something and surely, based on everyone's feedback here, I would have been disappointed!
So odd, as you all point out, that the quality is worse than their regular offerings. My favorite purchase of the whole winter is a cotton sweater (by their Merona brand); grey with a burgundy and pink argyle pattern. It cost all of $ 9 on sale, yet it's warm, it's soft, it has held up to several washes and heavy use (several times a week for various purposes), and it's the perfect fit. Looks good too.

9 years ago

K.M.

Veteran

I had to come here and post an update... I just dropped my daughter off at her school and one of her classmates was sporting a Lilly Pulitzer for Target dress (I had seen it online so I recognized it). We live in Targetland here so I'm not surprised... It is eye-catching and bright, but upclose the print and detail are a bit rough. That had been my impression from the website.

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