WIB: Helmut Lang asymmetrical awesomeness

Sooooo... I really am trying to reduce the size of my wardrobe, but I'm also trying to add more quality pieces that I truly love while letting go of the things that are meh, or nice-but-not-me. And after Greyscale's mention of The Real Real in her moth post, I did some dangerous browsing (to be fair, some of these things filled wardrobe holes I'd already identified... but some didn't). I've stalked Helmut Lang stuff in the past but it was always too rich for my blood... but secondhand is much more reasonable.

I've received three of the below things already and love them, and I'm eagerly awaiting the other three. I'm so excited that I finally got a chance to try out Helmut Lang without breaking the bank, and it perfectly suits my taste... nothing that shouts for attention, but all sleek or sharp, elegant, and with details that make them a little unusual.

1. Hasn't arrived yet. I love the shape and color, and I have some vacancies in the dressy section of my wardrobe.

2. Hasn't arrived yet. The zipper and neck remind me of a jacket I had and loved, but let go because it was too tight across the chest. I'm hoping this one fits better than the one that got away.

3. Arrived this week. Made of wool and will be a great work dress when the weather cools down again. I love the zipper that twists around from the back shoulder to the front hemline (and becomes a slit if unzipped a bit), and the folding/draping at one shoulder.

4-6. Arrived this week. Cropped tuxedo blazer. I've been on the lookout for a sharp and interesting black blazer to replace or supplement my adequate but kinda boring basic black one. I was hoping to find a cropped style that would look good over dresses, and this fits the bill.

7: Arrived this week. Beautiful simple, sophisticated, not-boring black cupro/silk dress. This'll be great for work, and looks like it'll be a great backdrop for accessories.

8-9: Hasn't arrived yet. I *really* hope this one fits well. I've been on the lookout for a black-tie appropriate long formal dress, because I don't want to have to scramble (and probably get something less-than-awesome) if an event comes up, and this is pretty much what I was dreaming of, for under $100 shipped.

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8 years ago

shedev

Veteran

Nice choices. I love HL.

Bijou

These are all beautiful. It is great when you finds a designer that has a good fit with your style.

Jaime

(website)

Yes The RealReal is amazing for designers like Helmut Lang and you picked some fantastic pieces. Please model!

Brooklyn

These look awesome. I hope they all work out for you.

Lucy

SO lovely! I really love (and would totally wear) all of these

Greyscale

Ooh. That blazer has always been one of my favorites. I never bought it only because I just don't have any excuses to wear blazers. These are all excellent choices! I hope they're all winners.

I really love how the new Helmut Lang became such a great source for slightly edgy, asymmetric things at prices that were almost within my reach. It's a look that used to be much harder to afford. And they produce enough of it that it shows up second-hand or at discount stores (Gilt, Nordstrom Rack) pretty reliably. I've collected quite a few over the years, especially from a few years back when their collections really resonated with my style (the past few seasons haven't appealed to me as much). And you're right, they do have a lot of longevity for me, so I think they'll work well with your goal of reducing your wardrobe.

Style Fan

Great choices. I love that blazer. Now I will have to check out The Real Real. What a great resources.

cindysmith

Great choices!

I've also occasionally found Helmut Lang pieces at tjmaxx, and yoox carries them also. One of my favorite summer tops is a semi sheer silk Helmut Lang asymmetric tank I found at TJMaxx (in Dallas, with their "The Runway" section) for 1/3 of regular retail. Love it when TJMaxx gets HL or AG in stock

Nomad

Active Member

shevia, I'll take pictures soon!

Greyscale, I think you and I have some overlap in our clothing tastes. I was reading some of the history of the brand yesterday, and on the one hand, it's a bit sad that Helmut Lang himself is no longer with them and that it's changed from its original form... but on the other hand, I also really love how it's so much more accessible for us now. A lot of the new (or... new-ish secondhand) stuff has enough edge to be intriguing, but not so much that it veers into inappropriate for an office environment; that's a difficult and awesome combination to find. Thank you for clueing me into The Real Real! Now to stalk some HL leather jackets for a while...

cindysmith, that's great to know! I think I always assumed the brand was too fancy and rarified to find in affordable places, and I'm delighted to learn otherwise... I'll keep my eye out a lot more now!

Suz

Beautiful sophisticated items! I hope the rest work out for you.

JAileen

These are all beautiful and interesting pieces. I especially like the blazer and the two short black dresses. Even though these pieces are black, they have very interesting cuts and, as you say, will be a good backdrop for accessories.

Anonymous

Looks great.

An odd coincidence, but I had a store credit at the RealReal and bought a few Helmut Lang tops! I recognize some of these items from my shopping spree and think I might have had that zippered sweater-coat thing tagged. (I didn't get it because it was black and I'm trying not to add black. The black is all yours :-))

Love that red dress and hope it works out for you.

Greyscale and Cindy: I didn't know that HL was available at Nordstrom rack and yoox. I kind of have mixed feelings about this knowledge though: Do I really need another place to shop?

smittie, that's too funny that we were hunting the same stuff. Will you be showing off your new tops here soon? I'd love to see them!

Dianna

They are so beautiful. You look so well in dresses, it's good you are adding some more to your wardrobe.

Thanks, Dianna! I went so many years never wearing dresses or skirts... I think I'm trying to make up for lost time. (Also, some mornings it feels like too much brainpower to pick out a top and pants... I hadn't appreciated before just how easy a dress is!)

I probably had a few of them tagged too. But plenty to go around!

Haha! Yes, I'm compiling a set of pictures. It's a little hard to wear all the tops right now because it's been so cold, and they're mostly summer tops.

Irina

Can you tell about your experience with RealReal? I like some items there, too but yet to order anything.

JuniperGreen

Wow great finds! These pieces remind me of something I might see at All Saints.

HL was not really on my radar but #3 has me very intrigued... do show us how they look on!

smittie, I'm looking forward to seeing them when you get a chance.

Irina, my first order was easy and worked out great. Read the descriptions carefully so you know what condition the item is in and if you're okay with it. The measurements they give are a handy guideline but may not be perfect. Shipping and return shipping are NOT free, so that's a calculated risk. So far I haven't needed to return anything, so I got lucky with the first set of items. I'm hoping the second order (which is on its way) goes as smoothly.

JuniperGreen, funny you mention that, I was really hoping TheRealReal carried All Saints, because that's another brand I occasionally stalk but haven't been able to justify buying at full price. (Alas, they do not.) But you're right, it's a similar aesthetic. I'll take photos after the second batch arrives.

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