Reformation Dress Review: Valentin and Carmelina

In my ongoing effort to share more sustainable brands with you, I wanted to do a quick review of Reformation. Reformation’s feminine designs and uber flattering silhouettes alone are enough to attract a loyal following, so the fact that they are also eco-conscious puts them at the top of my list for date night/wedding guest outfits. They sell basics too, but I have plenty of other sustainable brands (cough Everlane) to hit up for closet staples. In fact, one reason a lot of my friends are reluctant to commit to a sustainable wardrobe is because they feel like they have to sacrifice the joy of self-expression they get from wearing more novel pieces, like a feminine top with ruffles or a dress in a fun print. I totally get that novelty is king when you are getting dressed up for a special occasion, and that’s why I love Reformation; it’s one of the few sustainable brands that tout a wide range of fun, colorful designs. Eco-friendly novelty comes at a price of course, and Reformation dresses are not cheap, averaging ~$225 for a dress. When making such an investment, I know how helpful reviews are, so here is mine of the Valentin Dress and Carmelina Dress.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I was eyeing both the Valentin and Carmelina dress for a while but decided to wait until Black Friday to pull the trigger and was able to get a handsome 30% off each dress.

VALENTIN DRESS

$248 (173.60 on sale)

For those trying to get a sense of sizing, I am wearing a size 2, and my measurements are as follows:

Height: 5’6”
Waist: 26”
Hips: 38”
Bust: 33”

REVIEW

This dress fit me perfectly off the rack. The only thing I needed to alter slightly was the thigh slit, which I sewed up about two inches to provide more coverage. I wore this to a black tie optional winter wedding, and the fabric traveled well and barely wrinkled in my suitcase. The fabric was form hugging but had the perfect amount of give, keeping me so comfortable throughout the night. At 5’6 the dress hit me above the ankle as promised in the listing description.

I was worried the high neck and long sleeve combo would make me look too stuffy, but the thigh slit and floral print balanced it out. I would 100% recommend this dress.

CARMELINA DRESS

$298 (208.60 on sale)

REVIEW

If you’re like me and comfort is a priority, I’d say skip on this one! Don’t get me wrong, this dress was absolutely stunning. The silhouette was just as flattering in person as it looked on the model. The fabric felt and looked luxurious, and the shade of pink was just what I was looking for. I bought the 2 and 4 in Praline and found that I was right in between the two sizes, meaning I’d have to get the 4 and alter it down. I could squeeze into the 2, but the fabric had barely any give and nothing annoys me more than not being able to eat my fill at an event because my clothes are too tight!

All opinions are my own, and this post is not sponsored by any brands. It does contain affiliate links, which may give me a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support as it helps me keep this blog going!