Experiences with Kettlewell? - YouLookFab Forum

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Experiences with Kettlewell?

Anonymous

Hi all! I'm thinking about doing a Kettlewell order and I know some of you have some of their things. Normally I wouldn't order from overseas but I like having my colors available anytime and it looks like a good company. And, I'm ready to simplify my shopping as much as possible since it'll all be online for the foreseeable future.

I had an idea to create a 3 piece year round dress with a sleeveless top, long sleeve top and skirt in the same color. Has anyone tried something like this? Are the colors a good match?

How's the quality? Customer service if you need to return, etc?

Shopping

30 replies

Latest reply was from

Jane

Veteran

I’m a big kettlewell fan. Their returns are easy - they include a sticker. Their customer service is excellent.

I have several of their silky scoop neck long sleeve tops which are so hard wearing. I wash and hang up, they don’t need an iron. I have just bought a long navy cardigan which seems good - I’ve only worn it twice.

Colours are their key thing I think. So if you buy a ‘beetroot’ cardigan, ‘beetroot’ top and ‘beetroot’ skirt, they will all be the same.

I have not ventured beyond their silky scoop neck tops, because I find the fabric of other tops a bit casual for me - because I would wear the tops for the office.

I am wondering if it might be worth you calling them. They seem to me to be a very family orientated business and keen to hear from their customers.

Lynne

Veteran

Good to hear your experience, Jane. I've just recieved my first order and have made a second. The sizes are consistent and TTS, and the tops I ordered (lace camisoles, scoop neck T with double layer at front, faux wrap T, and long cardis) all wear really nicely. I think it seems like a great source for coloured layering pieces, and I really like being able to search by colour. I found the lengths were quite generous on the tops.

The only thing I wont order again are the scarves; they seem not substantial enough for my style.

I've tried to add my tops to Finds, but the bookmarklet isn't supported.

Anonymous

Thanks Jane and Lynne! Glad that the tops are not too short and the silky fabric is nice and durable! I wouldn't buy the scarves as I'm not wearing scarves for the time being, and don't like the infinity style on me.

Helena

Veteran

No idea but I can't wait to see what you get ... I follow them on social media because of all the pretty colours!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I just looked at their "Spring Palette"....and was launched into orbit:

https://www.kettlewellcolours......ng-palette

Helena

Veteran

Angie, they couldn't have curated it for you any more perfectly!

ETA - so of course I had to do this quiz on the site. I was typed a 'winter', but the funny thing was a little message came up to say you've already done this quiz five times lol! I guess I'm repeating boredom-busters during lockdown *slaps forehead*

kellygirl

Veteran

Omg, the colors. SOOO pretty.

Anonymous

I get a feeling some pretty colors may be showing up at some other houses soon! And ha to repeating the boredom busting quiz!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

So I “did my colors” ages ago, was borderline winter and summer, but came down slightly on the summer side. I just did kettlewell’s quiz and came up with winter. Not terribly surprising, especially because I recall that one of the big differences between the summer & winter palettes was that summers didn’t wear black well. At the time, I couldn’t, but these days I can be very comfortable in black. Both summer and winter are “cool” palettes, which makes a lot of sense for me. https://www.kettlewellcolours.co.uk/season/cool

Far more surprising to me was the result of their style quiz. Some of the questions were just awkward. For example, I didn’t know who most of the actresses were (and I was annoyed they were all white) and I don’t like any car. In the end, the result it gave me was “princess”, a word I would never in 1000 years apply or want applied to myself (except maybe in the sense of a princess who’s in hiding or deposed or something being recognized by her regal bearing/good posture). So I was very uncertain of the result. The style descriptor did make sense to me though—fitted garments, especially on top, no huge scarves or OTT pieces. Yes to small details and sparkle. That all sounds like me. But then I feel like there is a whole other half to me that isn’t captured here at all, the whole RATE/tomboy bit that’s a big part of me.

I’m curious what the descriptions for their other styles are. I often wonder if this is a little bit like having your fortune told or reading your horoscope, where most people can imagine themselves into the general picture drawn.

This page has the “princess” video. https://www.kettlewellcolours......z-princess

Anonymous

I’m an Autumn Pixie - which is part wishful thinking ( the pixie part ) and part reality .

FI maybe you’ll find it more enjoyable if you take it less literally and seriously . It’s also a UK company , so take the choices of cars and actresses with a grain of salt . This isn’t mean to be academic.

Anonymous

And I was somewhat surprised to realize I was already following them on Instagram . Ha !

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Lisa, lol, I’ve just been looking at the other types. Turns out a lot like what I said about horoscopes. The “adventurer”, for example, does layers and textures, which ring my bell at least as much as the details and fitted pieces of the princess. We all know I’m not a minimalist, but good fits in classic cuts from that type applies to me there. I’m not sure what it being a UK quiz has to do with anything. Are you thinking I’d know US actors and cars better? I know just enough to know that it’s a global market, and I wouldnt know cars or “stars” anywhere. But as far as “more fun” or whatever you said—quizzes and analysis are made for geeking out analytically. That’s the fun part!

Anonymous

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Runcarla

Veteran

@ suntiger - thanks for the introduction to this brand. Now I know where to go for basics in hard to find colours.

Anonymous

I only looked at the color quiz, but didn't give them my email to send the results. They can have that if I choose to order!
But, it's clearly not a substitute for a proper color analysis or color theory self study.

One of the questions was about home decor. My house is beachy: aqua, beige, light brown, with some navy and teal. DH and I are autumns. You can enjoy looking at colors but know they're not the best for you to wear.

I won't bother with the style one if it's about cars and actresses- British, American or otherwise!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Jane and Lynne, I forgot to thank you for your firsthand experiences on the brand. Good to know! I wonder about their ethical and sustainable practices. I can't find any info. Can you?

Helena and Suntiger, I haven't taken the colour quizz, but know I am a Warm Spring. Warm, clear, and lots of light is the description of the Spring Palette - and that's dead right! Hence orbit launch when I saw the colours

I see some good items for my style. Simple while the colour does the talking. On my radar! Thanks for the introduction.

Jane

Veteran

https://www.kettlewellcolours......and-ethics

I am hoping that this link works to their ethics page.

And maybe this one too

https://www.kettlewellcolours......gton-boddy

It is pleasure to share first hand experiences; I am always so grateful for all the information I receive from you and the forum, and so often feel slightly like I am taking rather than giving because I just don't know many of the brands this side of the pond!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

TL;DR Summary: For your particular purposes @suntiger (building a 'dress' capsule in the same colours) I think Kettlewell should be a good match. Just be shrewd with buying less basic items & calculating your comfort levels in shipping & returning from abroad.
_____

I had my colours 'diagnosed' as a deep Autumn in 2019 & subsequently first bought from Kettlewell whilst in the UK (was introduced to them by the colour stylist). You can actually search for palettes on their website not only by season (e.g. autumn) but also by tonal direction (in my case, deep) if you're a little unsure of your exact grouping. The most useful thing about this is you can actually click on the individual colours in any given palette to then see all the clothing items they have in that particular colour. Could be useful for the purpose you have in mind, @suntiger.

I have since ordered from Kettlewell again here (in HK) & have found their customer service to be as good internationally as it was on home soil (even emailed them their sales team the other day to ask about the stock of a particular item, & they responded in a timely manner with a real human being lol). The only thing is shipping & returns can be a little pricey abroad, but I account for it in my calculations according to the number of items I'm buying (I will sometimes buy multiple sizes since I'm on a cusp height/ weight). I've had to do this less since the sales team confirmed that the measurements given on the website are for their garments, not the body (passing this along in case that helps you to shop better too).

In my experience, their basic pieces are the best (usually the bestsellers & the ones that are regularly restocked/ brought back in one reiteration or another over the years). I remember reading on their website that part of the reason why they have such limited stock is because they are very exact about their dye lots, so hopefully that should reassure you too.

That said, some of their more 'novelty' items can be a little hit & miss (I think I posted a review here of a satin pussybow blouse I bought from them, where the 'fiesta orange' colour looked more coral in real life). The reviews others leave on individual items often have a fair amount of information (tip: I'll often 'ctrl + f' for specific terms like '5ft3' or 'autumn' to more easily find the reviews most relevant to me).

I've gone on at length lol but I hope that helps you make a decision @suntiger. I agree with @FashIntern that the Kettlewell quiz can be a load of old tosh in trying to truly understand your own colours/ style lol. But I think if you focus more on anything that hones in on the original ethos of the company, instead of all these additional bells & whistles, you should find some fairly solid & useful basics (albeit sometimes overpriced lol) that will last you a while.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Oh, come on Z—the quizzes are fun! Even the ones that seem a little off get you thinking about a different direction.

Anonymous

Looks like the shipping is free to the US if you spend $100, that's why I was thinking I'd buy a few pieces at once. The prices seemed reasonable, as long as the quality is there. I did do the search by season/ color-very helpful too! The darks are no brainers for me, but it could be a good way to get non shifting lighter Autumn colors too.

Thanks Jane for the links- the first one was good for the ethics. Maybe Angie will feature them in the brand spotlight one week!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@FashIntern Haha oh no doubt that they're fun, I just meant they can sometimes be more overwhelming or distracting than truly helpful if you don't have an inkling of a direction already. I meant 'tosh' playfully But if it's helpful for you though, then do use it! I, on the other hand, tend to get a different answer each time

@Suntiger Free shipping is a no brainer, then! Maybe start out with some basic pieces first, though, & do check reviews to make sure the lighter colours aren't see through (I find they generally aren't, but that may be because I haven't bought many of their summer weight items). Hope your haul goes well!

Anonymous

Yep I always look at the reviews! And see through pieces are my pet peeve. I wouldn't buy anything very light, maybe oatmeal or tan. Lighter that that is just too much contrast with my skin and the rest of my wardrobe.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I decided to do the quizzes for fun- I did give them my email but ticked “No” to any marketing or special offers. No surprise to me that I came out as a Spring, it didn’t say deep or light etc, just plain Spring.
And a Princess also, FI! I did recognise all those celebrities ( Elle McPherson is an Australian model from the 80s or 90s and Darcey Bussell was a famous British ballerina who I first heard of when she was in Madame Tussaud’s in London in 2002!).
Great links Jane, thank you. Unfortunately the clothing items they suggested after doing the quizzes still didn’t seem quite right to me- heavyish-looking wrap tops etc.

Anonymous

I was considering the wrap tops Jenni.
They'd be a good way to still have the more fitted shapes but for winter, I think. Guessing Princess corresponds loosely to TR Kibbe?
I think I could count on 2 hands the number of celebrities I may recognize out of context!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thanks Suntiger. Perhaps the tops looked a bit heavy to me since I am in the opposite season and quite hot right now!
You may be right about the TR Kibbe- that’s what I think I am from the Kibbe quizzes. My hair is wrong for TR but when I was younger it fit it.
It will be interesting if you try the Kettlewell stuff.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

You guys are tempting me to do a Kibbe quiz, or at least look up that type. So far I’ve stayed away, because people around who do them always say it’s complicated.

Anonymous

I think you have dramatic and natural Kibbe FI!
My hair is wrong for TR too Jenni! Despite nearly a year without a cut, I don't think it's grown more than an inch or 2

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Suntiger, I want to try some of the tops next year, and will report back. YES, the brand needs a spotlight

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Out of interest, having poked around the site a lot recently, it “feels” really British to me! Cultural differences, you know? We have lots of British culture and heritage here because we were a colony, but also different humour and levels of casualness. US culture is of course different again.

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