The Recessionista Reviews Balmain for H&M

Shopping my local H&M store this am, which surprisingly had the Balmain collection.

By now you’ve heard the story of the sales of Balmain for H&M–the website crashed, the H&M mobile app connected to the website failed and there were massive  lines all around the world for the collection. Not a surprise, the collection sold out quickly.  But was all the drama worth it?  H&M customers were not happy that the site & app crashed and were very vocal about it on social media.  Shoppers voiced the outrage over not being able to buy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.   I was not happy at going out last night to attend the press preview and being made to wait  on the street for 30 minutes, only to come into the store to find the racks empty. Many of those who did buy –thousands in fact– are reselling already on eBay for huge mark-ups.  If you’re feeling bad that you may have missed the opportunity to buy, then I would say wait about  3 days and check your local H&M store for returns.  I do think there are going to be returns and buyer’s remorse.  I was able to buy several pieces of the collection today in store, and I know I am going to return some of them.  Following is my review,  after getting to actually go into the fitting room and try pieces on.First of all, quantities were very limited. Clearly, H&M didn’t make much of this stuff.  They probably couldn’t afford to.   Second, the collection runs small (except for the Cossack shirts which are oversized.) So,  if you can buy a piece you’ll want to size up. Third, the collection brings back a 1940’s and 1980’s fashion staple: the shoulder pad. I’m not sure this is a good thing. Some of the shirts and the gold women’s sweater have huge shoulder pads (we’re talking Joan Crawford shoulder pads!)   In the words of Mashable, ” The collection — which sold out online and in most stores almost immediately — features beaded silks, golden hardware and heavy shoulder pads that would look at home on both a Kendall Jenner-obsessed teen and Blanche from Golden Girls.”  There are some pieces here that are just too over the top, especially those with the huge shoulder pads.

My favorite purchase from today’s shopping : the Balmain for H&M embellished velvet turtleneck. Size up though, because it all runs small.

The heavily embellished beaded pieces are gorgeous, but may not be something that you would get a lot of wear out of.  My favorite pieces in the collection( that I saw and was able to try on) were the velvet tops with the patterns and exposed gold zippers as well as the zip up velvet jackets.  I bought a glittery gold sweater that has huge shoulder pads and 3 gigantic military size buttons on the right shoulder for $129.00 that I am sure I will be returning.

I bought this gold Balmain for H&M sweater today at H&M for $129.00. I’m not sure I will keep it though, it has huge shoulder pads in it.

The  Balmain for H&M T -shirts which looked comfortable, but unless you want to advertise Balmain for H&M, why bother with a T-shirt? The costume jewelry featured chandelier earrings that were very heavy and looked like they would rip the largest ear lobe. The glittery square cut blue and white rings were more accessible and for $17.00, very inexpensive.

The few accessories available from the Balmain for H&M collection after the mad rush to buy.

I saw a few of the pouch handbags and the one long red handbag with the gold handle,which for $199.00 I thought was overpriced.  I didn’t see any of the color block separates or tunic tops, which is something I really would’ve like to have bought.

Trying on the Pink Cossack top with gold buttons with Levis Denizens jeans at my local H&M store. It’s very Joan Crawford style with huge shoulder pads.

I did like the pink cossack top I tried on, but I am still debating about the oversized shoulder pads which are very 1940’s retro.  They are almost overpowering.  The pink and green tops were highlighted by Mashable as “grandma clothes.” That’s  yes if you’re grandma loved Joan Crawford.

In person, this top and skirt is ONLY for members of the Balmain army –in my opinion it looks cartoonish.

The military blue sweater with short satin red skirt and ruching I didn’t love—skirt reminded me of Michael Jacket’s military phase which makes it more like a costume than fashion.  The skirt also runs super small and is very short–Mariah Carey short.

Although Balmain for H&M is no longer on sale , I’m writing this review for my readers who may be tempted to shop on eBay.  If you’re going to pay those inflated prices, I hope my input helps you shop wisely.  I know I’ll be back at my local H&M doing returns within the 3 day return deadline.

Overall, I think there are things to love in this collection (the coats, double breasted blazers and color block dresses) , but it’s most accessible to celebrities and stylists shopping for red carpet event outfits, rather than the ordinary reasonable person, or the college student. Not all of us want to dress like Kim Kardashian, or will look good wearing these styles.  Unfortunately, most shoppers never got to try on the clothes to find out what might work for them.

It will be interesting to see how much sells on eBay and if H&M customers who couldn’t get into stores or the H&M website are willing to pay eBayers.  My guess is they won’t want to do that, because many of the eBayers are price gouging.  This collection is not worth stampeding and fighting over (in my opinion.)  If you are shopping eBay, search for just Balmain pieces, because many of them are cheaper than the recent listings for Balmain for H&M (see the Harper’s Bazaar piece highlighting this.)  There are also Balmain pieces on the Outnet that are cheaper than the eBay listings for Balmain for H&M.