I feel I owe it to readers to give notes of defense to this post. As I forayed into Forever 21 with a pair of shoes and not much else, I thought that would be a short lived venture into Stateside-high street shopping. However, being a somewhat methodical person, (and yes, I’m taking the ‘methodical’ excuse and sticking with it….), I thought a peek into Twelve by Twelve, Forever 21’s supposedly higher-end, less trend-led line Twelve By Twelve (Geddit with the number play? No, I didn’t either….) seemed in order, especially when the prices when churned through the $-¬£ machine, are still less-than-ASOS prices. How that is possible production-wise, frankly is frightening to think about. For the sake of prevention of migraines, let’s just sweep that question under the carpet, shall we?
I ended up with a bit of a haul (I say ‘haul’ but the total after shipping was still the equivalent of me popping into Topshop and buying ONE singular dress….) that after clicking about today, MOST of the items aren’t even available on the site anymore. Things at Twelve by Twelve seem to move at the speed of lightning…
With this pleated collar and cuff set, you can definitely cross ‘less trend-led’ off Twelve by Twelve’s objective list and also the knock-off shaming factor does play in your head a bit since this couldn’t BE anymore of a blatant Miu Miu SS08 copy. Still, with my tail between my legs, I proceeded with the purchase because quite frankly, why SHOULD some cuffs and collar be more than…um….$18? Plus, putting them over random things like tie dye dresses is giving me much chuckles indeed. Nonetheless, I’m still going to cut off cuffs and collars off more interesting shirts to see what happens…
Some other buys included knitted shorts that I’ll be wearing under sheer French knickers (more on that on another day…), those knitted leggings that I can’t stop snapping and unsnapping because they have WOODEN snappers going up the calves, a necklace that I’m wearing below and a dress that yet again, I should be hanging my head in shame for, because yes…. there’s more rip-off action going on. Christopher Kane’s AW 08-9 jingly jangly pailletes that I so admired only mere weeks ago? Brought to you in a jiffy via this grey jersey dress dangling with clear pailletes (well sewn-on and making a lovely tinkering noise, I might add….) courtesy of 12 x 12…
A temporary phase of cheapie cheapie online shopping? Let’s hope so… I gather that Twelve by Twelve isn’t as ubiquitous as it’s sister Forever 21 but I’d love to hear those juicy State-side views. For the peeps who aren’t familiar with the whole Twelve by Twelve thang, I’d say it’s a trial and error thing and I can’t vouch for the longevity of the garments but hey if you are going to delve into FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Garments….), and rising UK high street prices are starting to irk you, crossing the pond for a bit makes a welcome change.
i’ve seen the twelve by twelve garments at many of the F21 stores here in california and i just don’t get it. i really don’t see a difference between regular F21 and the “higher-end” twelve by twelve. i find that the fabrics are not any better, the cut and fit are just as bad, and the styling is not any better or worse than regular F21. maybe they’ll improve as time goes by. for now, regular F21 is the better deal.
The economy here in America is terrible at the moment. The dollar is worth practically nothing. That’s why you were able to get everything so cheaply.
as a hopeless forever21 junkie, I have to say I’m really happy to see a review of some twelve by twelve items. here in the u.s., the prices are such that I can’t see buying anything from them versus from regular f21 (which is half as expensive)–the quality doesn’t look any higher, if judging from pictures is any indication.
I thought the collar-and-cuff set looked like a lagerfeld homage, but now I see the miu miu factor. also, I just want to say I love this blog! I write about fashion a lot and you’ve been really inspiring, after I spent the last couple of months dressed all in black and moping over ‘boring’ spring clothing.
Love the cuff and collar set. Must buy it! I’ve seen some 12×12 at my local f21. I’ve bought some very well made pieces and some crappy pieces, so I prefer to examine the stuff in person first.
Forever 21 tag code: Their best stuff has a chain in place of a tag. Their second best stuff has a polka dot ribbon bow. Their regular crappy fall apart in the wash stuff has an embroidered tag. Plus, you should avoid any washable fabrics they claim need dry cleaning.
I haven’t spent enough time inside a F21 lately to take a really good look — the last time I was in, the lines were about twenty girls deep to try things on, and twenty deep to buy. (Serves me right for “popping in” on a Saturday afternoon!)
But I do have a couple of cute finds, and some of the basic sweaters I have have lasted quite a while (but then, I don’t wash my sweaters in the washing machine).
I do love that grey jersey dress, knockoff or no!
I am very familiar with 12by12 and the pieces tend to be nicer than F21. THIS is much more my budget–I’m a broke student who only works part time!
I like how you added the cuff and collar to the tie dye.
Damn it! I love the collar and cuffs set but it costs $35 to send it to Australia! How annoying when the set only costs $18 to start with…
You look awesome by the way. Top stylin!
Susie: It’s so bizarre that you’ve just posted this when I’m about to do a Forever 21 post of my own. For various reasons I only just went to F21 for the first time 2 days ago. Seriously, for 110.00 (and this includes tax) I got a pair of jeans, shorts, sweater, shell and vest. And all I could think of was the probable exploitation of the people making these things. Not that I desisted from buying…
wow, these outfits!
the tights.. how very mint humbug.
and that’s a good thing.
or are humbugs licorice? in which case it’s not a good thing, sorry!
so excited, i’ll be in NY next week, so am trekking to the financial district to check out C21 for sure. (that’s where it is, right?)
ps, are you still in US? Swear it’s been ages if you are..
oh god, that middle outfit with the collar/cuff is simply AMAZING! i love the cuff idea, im so going to raid my boys wardrobe and hack up one of his shirts.
im reaaallly interesting to see how u do the sheer french knickers with those knitted shorts! im picturing kinda like stella mccartneys knickers two posts down no?
x
I didn’t even think about this collar with cuffs and how to make them cool but you did and it makes these items way considerably consider-worthy.
Check out my ebay goods!
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZk_h_1987
FYI they had the paillete dress in stores when it first came out in September in Black…and in publicity pics from June ’07…So maybe not so much of a knock off, just coincidence.
Love the way you combined that collar and cuff set in so many ways! I’m kinda wondering how long it all will last though…
They definetly have some desirable items, and I’ve spent many an hour browsing the site, but I’ve never bought anything.
Soo jealous you manage to find a collar and cuff sets! I need to go clicky on the website right now..
Great buyss!
Meaculpa: No talk of the recession/credit crunch here…yes, I was aware of that… silver lining in the clouds and all that?
Fawnlust: Spring is anything BUT boring… hope you have fun…
Jael: That is very complex tag reading… too much info for my brain…
Lady Smaggle: Yes, their int’l shipping system is seriously wack….
K-Line: $100 for all that?! (I’m reading ¬£50 by the by…)
Stevie: Of course I is not still in the States! Returned well over two months ago…. these were ONLINE buys…. the magic of the internet…
Addison: We shall see, we shall see!
Simone: Oiks… interesting stuff…. pailettes must have been a highlighted as a note on WGSN for AW08-9 or something…
the turn around is so fast now. there is like a race between h&m zara and f21 to see who gets the knocked off runway looks into their store the fastest. yikes. i wanted to share this with you since we both loved kane;s paillettes. i got this margiela scarf from my work long ago and i dont remember why i got it but now i can say i am ready to work it.
http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1724/8926274/16490987/310624059.jpg
http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1724/8926274/16490987/310624062.jpg
http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1724/8926274/16490987/310624063.jpg
http://pic60.picturetrail.com/VOL1724/8926274/16490987/310624065.jpg
xxx
Interesting enough, I was looking at what I’d buy at F21c just yesterday. I just ‘added to the cart’ everything liked (mostly chep but beuatiful shoes) and I’d pay 98euros (!!) for 5 pairs of wicked heels and some accessories! But then again, don’t ship to my country (Sussie-UPS girl-are you stil doing that?). But anyway, at this price, are the shoes even remotely comfortable or are they just plain plastic? Anyone? Thanks for the answer.
of course, that looks amazingly cute! I especially love it over the tye dye.
-Giselle <3<3<3
Ah! They don’t send to Romania, what a shame!, considering i spotted an interesting top/dress at merely $23.
Anyway, the collar-and-cuff things are quite interesting, as i was thinking these days to cut the sleeves of an evening dress (vintage, snapped from my mom’s closet), so that the dress will remain sleeveless, and from the sleeves to cut just small cuffs, and wear them together, but apart 🙂 like this… Interesting, very interesting!
Oh! susie, here at http://www.egirl.ro (one of the leading romanian women lifestyle online magazines) we love your blog! Check out my blog as well: http://www.shopaholic.ro
I was going to get the collar and cuffs too. Your outfits may have just pushed me to do so as they do look great! I espcially like the middle outfit.
argh! collars and cuffs! I was trying to find them on ebay last year but to no avail…will have to look on normal stores…
love the last dress, by the way.
when you said knitted shorts, for a minute there i thought you meant the real deal with the chunky shorts! bummer. someone should really make a pair~is anyone listening out there??? 😀
I’m so glad you posted those pics of you with the collar/cuff set. I was really curious on how it would look in (semi) real life. The collar looks super rad, I think I might dip my toes in the F21 pool of ruffled collars.
F21 is a regular stop for me… though the quality is not great… it is very cheap, even with the dollar being equal to toilet paper right now. They do have rep for being a rip-off chain, and Twelve by Twelve is definitely the big sister impersonator of fashion!
Very cute ensembles!
I bought the same collar and cuff set from the Forever 21 in Pasadena, CA a while back. That store has an “in-shop” Twelve by Twelve boutique that basically consists of a small section in the back of the store. The Twelve by Twelve merchandise is poorly visually merchandised compared to the rest of the store. Most of the clothes are hung on overjammed sideways-facing racks. Like the rest of the store, you have to wrestle and dig to find the best pieces. In that regard, it’s better to shop online and pay for the shipping. In my experience, the quality, prices, and fit doesn’t differ too much from the F21 stuff. Nevertheless, F21 will always be my guilty fashion addiction.
Horray for affordable fashion! Why shun those less fortunate and limit them with options of either rummaging through the thrift stores (which I’m all for but who has the time) or mass produced clothing with no individuality in an effort to cut prices and make a profit.
I encourage manufactures to provide unique items you wouldn’t be able to find elsewhere(eventhough they may be trendy). And hate or love it this is what Forever 21 does. While copying the look of our fav lux designers isn’t the ideal place to start, it’s created the path of retailer’s realizing consumers want more! More play on textures, design’s, style etc. So lux copy design’s is only the beginning and we’ve already witnessed how this has developed with major retailers offering low lux lines a la H&M, Target and Kohl‚Äôs…
So yeah the fabric’s used may be a little on the cheap and not as well made as your coveted lux items, but duh, how else could retailers offer it at an affordable price??
And in that respect, I thank 12X12 and Fav21 for bringing the flavor…and when there’s finally a retailer who decides to offer affordable clothing while marching to the beat of there OWN proverbial drum, I’ll be ALL ON IT…
I worked at Forever 21 in ’06 and ’07, during which they introduced the “Queen Bee” line that was supposed to be higher quality. It featured a lot of dark-toned plaid and mini skirts. Despite costing more, the clothes still had issues and after a few months the Queen Bee shipments ceased.