Psst...Alice Temperley's at Target!

When I plan to go to Tarzhay, I like to go early on a weekend morning when the crowds are minimal and I can get in and out without losing my mind. This morning I arrived just after 10AM and almost immediately found the new Alice Temperley for Target collection. The latest edition of the incredibly successful "Go International" concept, Temperley has created an entire collection of her usual English-countryside/Victorian-inspired pieces priced for the average girl. Now this is a big deal; Temperley's designer brand, Temperley London, is found on Net-a-Porter and other contemporary retailers for upwards of $600 an item! Luckily, Target has made it possible to get very nearly the same look without breaking the bank.

Here are a few of the pieces that made me actually venture into the scary confines of a Target dressing room:

Ruffle-front Blouse - $29.99
Long-sleeve stripe tee - $16.99
Melton wool cropped jacket - $44.99 

All completely adorable and wearable with jeans, black trousers for work, or pencil skirts...whatever. I was instantly on the phone leaving conspiratorial messages for my sister and close friends who are WAY more into the ruffled-front-high-collar thing than I am. Don't get me wrong, it's super-cute, but looks a bit off-balance if you have any sort of a curve around the bustline. (That, and I for one remember the Laura Ashley blouses we wore in the mid-1980s and I don't think I've ever recovered.) The reason for the urgency? If you've ever shopped any of the other Go International designer collections, you'll know that these pieces don't stick around long; it's a one-shot deal and you gotta get in there quick!

How close does this Temperley line come to the real thing? Witness exhibits A & B below:

Exhibit A - "A lacy top" 

Alice Temperley for Target - Lace Inset Tank - $14.99
Temperley London - Crochet Detail Blouse - $660.00Okay, so they aren't exactly the same, but you can see where Ms. Temperley was going here. While this tank doesn't have the poofy sleeves or the tie at the neck, plenty of the other pieces in the collection do - so you can get pretty close to this. But the buttons are almost exactly the same, and somehow I don't think this similarity was a coincidence!

Exhibit B - "A flower dress"

Alice Temperley for Target - Petal Tank Dress - $49.99
Temperley London - Court Knitted Dress - $1292.00Clearly this isn't a coincidence either... True, the designer version is positively to die for, but you really couldn't go wrong with the version available at Target - especially dressed up with the pop-of-pink blouse - a blouse that could also be worn separately with jeans or whatever... In any case, every girl needs another knitted black dress to wear her black tights with - right?

Temperley London - Crochet Detail Blouse & Court Knitted Dress available at Netaporter.com

So, what did Ms. P&C come home with from this fabulous new collection? Amazingly, the one coat that doesn't appear to be available in most stores or on Target.com. I picked up this fabulous wool/felt coat that features incredible details and fit. The vertical pleats run on the yoke, there are four buttons, sculptural bishop's sleeves and a cute-as-pie polka-dot lining.

Alice Temperley for Target - black jacket You can see the little belt detail on the back and the lovely box-pleat too... Overall, I just knew this would be great for the many chilly days to come here in San Francisco this fall and winter.

And how much was it? I blush to tell you it was only $69.99... Maybe this is why it's no longer available anywhere else? My lustful fashionista heart is filled with utter glee!

For additional commentary and review on the new Alice Temperley for Target collection, please visit Chic & Charming for a very comprehensive write-up...and get yourself over to your Tarzhay to get in on great, limited-edition design at amazing prices! 

Comments

[chic and charming]

I love the exhibit A, exhibit B comparisons of her high end collection and Target collection! Also, your jacket was definitely not available at my Target. Great find!

[maura]

got the VM - was in Seattle, love the stuff but doubt I can make it to any Target before the feeding frenzy leaves only size 20 orange striped shirts or something --- the Brooklyn Target is closest, but I've never ventured into that abyss!

[Genevieve]

Here are the spoils from today's Target hunt:
A botanical print sweater. Really great cotton, nice and long length.
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_4/601-6551893-9295357?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B000UJY20U

Loved the mod dress with pink flecks. Super duper flattering for us busty gals.
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_1/601-6551893-9295357?ie=UTF8&asin=B000UK4X1M

Annie I tried on this dress, and it's a big, big miss for me and my curves.
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_3/601-6551893-9295357?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B000UK1DKG

A few things...
- The quality lacks on some of the pieces, including these ruffle-y blouses and dresses
- The 3/4 length cropped coats are less wooly and more felt-y
- The cropped black vest with buttons lacked any kind of weight

Nice find on the coat--didn't see that at either of the two Targets I went to!