The Recessionista Reviews Phillip Lim for Target, It’s Good

Various pieces of the Phillip Lim 3.1 Target Collection (photo: M.Hall)

It’s taken me a while to write up this review because I was busy staying up late shopping online and then shopping my local Target store early this morning.  Both online an in-store there was a mad rush to get this collection, especially the bags.  Online almost everything is sold out.  In-store, at least at my local Target, there is still plenty of stock on shelves.  At our store, the employees were re-stocking all morning and bring more out, except for the handbags.  So if you still want Phillip Lim for Target, check our local store before you go shopping on eBay.  As I write this, there are now over 6,000 Lim for Target items on eBay.  If consumers don’t pay the mark-up, these will be returned to Target.   So you may have a chance to get those when they are returned.  Following are my top picks based on quality and price, plus a special giveaway for my readers, so read on!

Garments from Target’s Lim 3.1 Lookbook

First of all, as we saw at the press  preview, this was a better Target designer collaboration that we have seen since the sell-out Missoni collection.    A lot of the clothing was surprisingly well done (especially the women’s tuxedo jacket)  and the PVC, Pleather/ Polyurethane versions of the Phillip Lim 3.1 top -selling designer handbags were faithfully reproduced.  In this collection, there are 29 exclusives, so I didn’t get to see everything in my store, but if you have the chance to shop this collection, look for these items.  Sizing for this collection is Misses not Juniors, so things don’t run small as they did for Prabal Gurung for Target or Richard Chai for Target.  The fabrics are also better blends than  typical Target garments and faithful reproductions of Lim’s designs.  These are The Recessionista’s  top picks from this collection:  

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Tuxedo Jacket- Navy for $59.99 this jacket is frankly amazing quality for Target.  It’s fully lined with great finishing and black piping for trim on the faux pockets.   The lapel is unique and distinctive, with a blue collar lapel at the top, and then lapels in contrasting black.  It’s a longer length to cover the hips, and has side vents and tailored darts in the back, giving a great fit.   If you see this at your store, be sure to try it on.   No one will ever know this came from Target….it’s that good.

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target  Sparkle Peplum Tank -Black for $39.99– this is more of a vest with a high collar than a “tank.” It zips up with a hidden placket in the front hiding the zip and has plenty of stretch in it.  I paired it with the tuxedo jacket, and I think it makes a great looking holiday party look or top for a special night out.

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Shirt Dress -Floral Print-  $39.99– This item is more tunic than dress (in my opinion) because of the high cut slits on the sides that expose the top of the leg.  Many women I was with trying it on at Target where uncomfortable with the slit. I plan to wear the dress with tights or leggings to overcome the problem.  To me, it’s a great tunic top almost like an updated Nehru jacket.  The print is gorgeous and a distinctive Phillip Lim item.  I also like the floral print peplum top for $39.99 (same fit as the sparkle peplum top) and the long sleeve blouse with floral print for $29.99.  This is just a gorgeous, very feminine print that you can wear year round.

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Pullover -Navy/Green— $34.99. This is the best of the sweaters in the collection because of it’s clean lines.  The other sweaters (Sparkle sweater cable knit, is too bulky.) Some of the ladies I was shopping with today thought it was the best piece in the collection.  You need to try this one, because it’s a sleeper on the rack.  Only when you try it on will you see how well done it is.   The sweater’s front panel is a fine point knit that is very slimming. The sleeves are green chiffon rayon.   Just check the puckering around the armholes on this one, some of them didn’t have enough ease around the sleeves.

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Bags priced from $34.99 to $54.99.  The bags are remarkable.  Simply the best Target has done since the 2008 Anya Hindmarch Target collection.  My favorites are the tote bags with the Gussets (I bought the purple online.)  The carryall totes are very good looking too, but were a bit too big for my tastes.  I also like the medium satchels, they are a great size to carry a lot of stuff without being over powering and the colors like Taupe, Black and Purple are great for Fall.  I hope Target restocks these some more consumers have the chance to own a good Phillip Lim bag for under $55.00.  The travel bag is also fantastic, a great size for airline travel and can fit easily in an over head compartment.  It’s priced at $59.99.  There was an insane crush for these bags at 8 am this morning at my Target.  It was very difficult to get a Lim bag in store today.  These were the only items I really show people pushing and shoving for and exhibiting bad behavior.

Other items of note:

The evening dresses are pretty , but not the best fabric, they are 100% polyester to keep the prices low.  The Sparkles dresses were pretty but they have pockets at the hip which add width, but you can always take the pockets out.   The Sequin dress is striking, but wasn’t my taste.  I think you have to be tall and lean to carry it off.  My Target didn’t have the faux leather shift dresses so no comment on those, they look good online.

The leather jacket seemed over priced, it ran small and was sized to be form fitting and the leather seemed thin to me.

The tops are pretty ( tank tops and sparkle tanks) I just didn’t think there were special enough to invest in when I was buying the handbags.

The trench coat was good looking, but a bit bulky, so it won’t work for everyone.  I liked the details on the coat though and the contrasting lining.

Our special giveaway: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Top Handle Crossbody Bag in Black.

Now , onto the special giveaway I promised you.  I am offering my readers the chance to enter to win a 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Top Handle Crossbody Bag in Black.  This is a really handsome bag and I know one of you will love it.  To enter, you have to leave a comment to tell me your favorite item in the  3.1 Phillip Lim for Target collection and follow The Recessionista on our various social networks (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+.)   There will be one lucky winner and the contest will run for 2 weeks.  Use the widget below to enter by logging in with your email address or Facebook log-in.  Contest is open until Sept. 29th at 11:59 pm EST.   Open only to US Residents.  This contest is not sponsored by Target and the handbag was purchased by me for this giveaway.  Target has not provided any samples to The Recessionista.

Note: This giveaway has ended.  Congrats to our winner, one of my favorite Target shoppers Staci Abney!  Thanks to all who entered, there will be more giveaways soon and more chances to win!

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