ShopDiary

McQ Alexander McQueen for Target Review

So I rushed out yesterday morning to check out McQ Alexander McQueen for Target, the first of the mass retailer’s new fashion initiative called Designer Collaborations. Not to be confused with Target’s GO International Collections which features emerging designers, Designer Collaborations teams up with established designers.

When I entered the store on Sepulveda in Sherman Oaks, I immediately went to the corner where the GO International racks are located. I found out via Racked LA that this store had a good selection in stock so I initially got confused when I didn’t see the McQ line there. I was about to leave but then I sauntered a few steps away and found the McQ line in the area where the Isaac Mizrahi stuff would be. I guess Designer Collaborations replaces the space vacated by the Isaac Mizrahi line. There weren’t huge signs like for GO International so you could miss this collection if you aren’t in the store looking for it. Since I was in a rush, I didn’t get a chance to scope out all the goods but I believe that this store had everything but the black coated poplin trench coat, tattoo print scarf and the leather jacket.

I have to admit that I’ve been too busy lately to keep up with news about the McQ for Target line so I wasn’t eagerly anticipating its release. But after seeing the video recently, I just had to check it out! The collection is true to the details and edginess of the British designer’s diffusion line, McQ.

I tried on a few pieces and here are my reviews. For your reference, all clothing I tried on was XS or size 1. I’m a size 0-2 and a vertically challenged 5 feet in height. Fit for this line is junior sizing. Tops are XS, S, M, L and XL. Bottoms are in odd numbers from size 1 and up (through size 13 I believe).


The zigzag print tee ($19.99) comes in the distinctive zigzag print in fuschia and black with a tiger’s face on the bottom front right. The tee is sleeveless and fits true to size. The fabric is surprisingly of good quality. I got one! The Liela print tee ($22.99) features an image of the line’s muse, Liela Moss of the band The Duke Spirit. It’s made of soft cotton and fits true to size. I didn’t purchase this but I think I’ll return to the store to get one. I’m not exactly a rocker type but I like the print. The trompe l’oeil necklace by the neckline looks cool.

The zigzag tiger print silk tunic/dresss ($44.99) is reminiscent of the non-Target McQ line’s McQ Tiger stripe dress. I believe this dress is lined. I remember the silky fabric to be of good quality – not excellent quality but good for what it is. It looks like a sack but can be forgiving for those without perfect abs. Perfect to wear with black zipped leggings and heeled booties. If I were 18 and went to clubs every weekend, I would totally buy this. The only thing that bothered me about this dress is the low cut armhole. I would have to wear a tank top inside so my bra wouldn’t show. Clearly I am not 18 anymore but then again, maybe it’s a matter of preference.

The Tattoo Print Strapless Dress ($79.99) is described as the pièce de résistance of the line. It’s got Alexander McQueen’s trademark hourglass shape and muted images of a mermaid, a pair of dice, a sword on a heart and an anchor. The material is made of sateen 100% cotton, I believe. It’s got lining underneath that gives the skirt a bit of flounce. The fit is a bit tight around the bust area. If you’re a B cup and over, you’ve got to size up. I am wearing a size 1 here and I felt a bit squished up there. There is a built in bra shelf and the cups are cut well (not weird like Proenza Schouler was). The studded wraparound belt is clearly not leather and looks a bit cheap but it serves its purpose. I like this dress. It looks like a fun dress to wear out on the town with friends. It fits well but I won’t buy it for $80. Besides, I’m not 18 anymore.

The High Waist Gore Skirt ($49.99) evokes the silhouette seen on the Fall 2008 runway for McQueen’s mainline label. It is made of 100% cotton, I believe, and has lining to give it some pouf. The skirt really defines the waist. If you’ve got a bit of belly, like me, you may need to size up. This is a size 1 and I couldn’t pull the zipper all the way up (there was about a half inch to go!). I guess if I just breathed in a little I could have pulled the zipper all the way up. But like I said, I didn’t have enough time to linger in the fitting room (and tuck in my top neatly!). I like this skirt but I’m too short to wear it. The Black Jumpsuit ($59.99) was a disaster on me as you can see. It looks better on taller girls. Plus the material is a heavy cotton that won’t wear well after a few washes (and it’ll be a bitch to iron). It’s also got this attached fabric belt that closes awkwardly on the left side. If you want it, get your normal size. Fit won’t be an issue as the cut is loose on the chest, waist and armhole areas.

I bought the menswear inspired cropped tuxedo blazer ($49.99) and TRS Pants ($39.99). I don’t have any cropped pleated trousers yet and I thought this would be nice to have. I didn’t take a decent photo of myself wearing both so I added a photo of Rose Byrne so you can see the stripes on the material as well. The pants have adjustable tabs on each side (what do you call them?) so you can cinch your waist if you want a tighter fit. I think they’re useless and I just might have to figure out a way to remove them. Fit is true to size but size up if you want to wear it slouchy like Rose Byrne did. The cropped tuxedo blazer has nice little touches like fabric covered buttons and an inner breast pocket. I think the blazer is meant to be fitted and can be a bit snug where it buttons above the waistline.

Lastly, I got the pink/black zigzag print scarf which also comes in the blue tattoo print. The zigzag print scarf is made of 100% silk which is an excellent buy at $29.99. It’s about 40 x 40 inches and is a versatile piece that can be worn in many ways (check out Hermes’ Playtime with Your Scarf and Bag Snob for ideas). Like the silk tunic and t-shirt with the same zigzag pattern, the scarf has the face of a tiger which is consistent with the designer’s secondary McQ line. Check out this McQ tiger print silk scarf which is $260 at La Garçonne.

Overall, the McQ Alexander McQueen line for Target is an improvement from past designer offerings. There were several hits but there were definitely some misses. Like the GO International Collections, this first offering for Designer Collaborations fits junior sizing. Pieces were cut well and fitted well (influence of a great designer perhaps?) but the material in some pieces, like the grey studded jacket, denim and shorts, leave much to be desired. If Target is serious about teaming up with established designers, they need to step up their game and use better fabrics. Target Australia did it with Stella McCartney and Zac Posen. Target USA should too. They should also eliminate requisite generic pieces that don’t do anything for the guest designer line.