Dresslink's: A Review
Collaboration with DressLinks
'Heated flames purge us from our sins, red and gold better keep your promises.
London Bridge is up in flames, crackle and pop one dead two to go. Splintered seeds burnt at the stake, embroyic stem cells dissect thy bones. Feed me from the fire of hate, let the love wash away like the cloak that caresses me. Barbed wire around my throat, take away my voicebox let there be silence. Silence of the lambs, a mute in a deaf mans world, cut away thy senses and let the darkness commence'
Dresslinks Review
In July Dresslinks contacted me and asked me to create a wishlist which you can view here in exchange for two products of my choice. Throughout our email exchanges the social director of the brand was unfailingly polite and was attentive to my every need. I was allowed to choose two items or as many items that would be available under the $20 limit. The prices are low but the shipping is high in order to cover the price of marketing the products. As a compulsive floral buyer I was immediately attracted to the 'floral blazer' adorned in a watercolour print that resembled a Van Gogh painting.
'We are all artists and it is our personal style that shows the world what we are made of'
Customer service aside, the quality of the items were poor. As an honest critic I evaluate the material, shipping cost/time and resemblance to the stock photo available online. After waiting nearly two months for my items to arrive I was eager to see them come to life. Sadly the fabric had the thickness of paper and did not resemble the tailored blazer I had been coveting online.
Reality vs. fantasy
In my mind the blazer was tailored to perfection, with structured boxy shoulders that would accentuate the length of my frame. The watercolour print would be even more vivid in real life and the thickness would protect me from the cold. Sadly the reality was quite the opposite:The poor tailoring revealed undone stitches at the cuffs and the bottom of the jacket was frayed. There was also a large distinction between the colours online and its presence in real life. The romantic peach hue that adorned the blazer was a garish flurosecent pink, although a disclaimer on the website stated that colours may appear different on camera as I was to discover myself.
Below the photos romanticize the blazer making it appear like the dreamy concotion that I had envisioned would appear. That is why it is so integral to view multiple pictures or ask the brand to supply pictures in order to make your decision. If I had the choice again I would choose the midi whose satin material appeared to be of a higher quality.
Quality vs. Price
As a critic it is difficult for me to evaluate the quality of the fabrics without accrediting prices. Each item ranged between $2 to $9 (the maximum price I had found) and would cater to women who want to look fashionable without the hefty price tag. Economic instability means that we are constantly seeking 'fast fashion' without the realization that higher quality products are on average more durable.
'Are you buying labels or a product?'
With that in mind my review might be too harsh as fast fashion is manufactured purely to sell rather than to sustain. That being said I am a firm believer in 'fast fashion' with a social conscience. In other words Primark, H&M and Miss Selfridge all deliver good quality products at affordable prices and this is something that Dresslinks is lacking in.
The Look
Inspired by urban street cool, the aesthetic of this shoot epitomizes London fashion. London fashion is a paradox: unafraid to challenge social boundaries yet far more relaxed about putting together outfits than an other nation. As one reader told me ' your nation exudes an easiness that New York does not have. Fashion comes to you but to us it is contrived'. Us Londoners are inspired by real life events and surroundings that determines our fashion sense and that is a unique asset to have.
' Dreams are made and broken in the fashion world but your identity can never be taken'
From the pleather midi to the round lense sunglasses the femininity of the blazer is offset by the sharp urban aesthetic. The gritty suburbs shows a London unrepresented by postcards, a London surrounded by poverty and abjection. The watercolour blazer combines the Romantic optimism of Valentino with the fragile delicacy of Dolce Gabanna. If the blazer is a symbol of nature, the vivid blue and leather personifies strength in the face of adversity. Like the fight for survival cobalt blue is competing for its crown as most popular colour.
'London is the city where dreams are made but those dreams are fleeting and far between'
Have you ever shopped at Dresslinks?
Much love Springbots xox
Photography: Jumanna Khanom
Blazer: Dresslinks
Skirt: Miss Selfridge
Jumper: Forever 21
Shoes: Zara
Bag: Miss Selfridge
Sunglasses: Topman