The Recessionista Reviews Derek Lam for Kohl’s

An assortment of looks from the Derek Lam for Kohl’s  collection

In case you haven’t heard, designer Derek Lam is on his way to Kohl’s with a special 58 piece collection inspired by Rio De Janeiro. Kohl’s sent me a few items from the collection for a review and a test drive. I received two printed shirt dresses and a top to look at. This collection is rich in button down shirt dresses, tropical prints, maxi dresses and sleeveless tank tops. Having seen the collection look book, I have very mixed emotions about this collection. Some of the prints are way too busy for my tastes.  Some of the pieces are not to my personal taste.  However, there are a few winners in the collection worth checking out.

Derek Lam for Kohl’s button-down shirt dress in Atlantic/Nightshade photo shared by The Budget Babe.

Of the three items I received from preview, my favorite is the shirt dress pictured above with the blue placket front and the multi-print. I like the print and the blue at the cuffs and the bodice.  Just beware, if you are busty like me, having the cutout pockets on the front of the dress over the solid blue in multi-print is not flattering.  The dress is best belted, and it does run large. Kohl’s lists the retail price of the dress as $70.00, but I am sure it will go on sale for a price lower than than, just as the Narcisco Rodriguez dress did.

Derek Lam for DesigNation
button-down shirt dress

The second item I received for review was a pale brown print shirt dress that I really didn’t care for.  The print is a bit too busy for me and the colors are not deep enough to be striking. The Kohl’s look book lists the color as  “woodgrain papaya, woodgrain parrot.”   Those are some new colors!   When was the last time you saw woodgrain on the color wheel?  To me, these colors are rather drab. If this were a solid tangerine color or a deep blue I would find it much more appealing.  This dress is also priced at $70.00, and for that price I would pass on it.  It is polyester with no give in the fabric.  You need to be tall and slim hipped to make this look work.

The final piece I received is a pretty polyester top in Khahi that has a nice silky feel, a bit of stretch in it and an insert at the bodice so that you won’t show any cleavage when you wear it.  The top has sleeves with a placket and button closure to make them appear to puff up and look full. This is a good look, providing there is enough room for your arms so you don’t feel confined. This top retails for $48.00

My favorites from the Kohls Derek Lam collection. From left  the blue boatneck dress, the sweetheart dress and the printed maxi dress.

Overall, all this is a rather odd collection. I’ve seen the entire look book. There are some really great looking dresses in it that but there are also some shapeless garments with busy prints that I don’t find appealing.   My top picks from the collection are pictured above. I like the blue boatneck dress, the sweetheart dress and the blue printed maxi dress.  Check out my Pinterest board to see more looks from the Derek Lam for Kolh’s collection.  You can also see more of the collection’s looks in the preview video for the Derek Lam for Kohl’s collection.

Now it’s time for you to tell me what you think of the Derek Lam collection.  Leave a comment here giving me your feedback and get an entry to win a Kohl’s gift card for $100.00 to go shop at Kohls.   Get additional entries by following my social communities.

This giveaway will run until 11:59 EST /8:59 PST on Sunday, March 17th , so enter quick!  This giveaway is being conducted using the Rafflecopter widget.  Hit the Read More Link to enter via the widget.  If you don’t see the widget here, just leave a blog post comment with your email address so you can be entered.  Just hit the comment button (look for the Post a Comment link under this post.) This giveaway is open to only US residents so please take that into account when you submit your entry.  Stay tuned, more giveaways to come.

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