All About Faithfull the Brand‘s Origins and Ethical Fashion Philosophy
Faithfull the Brand was born out of a serendipitous friendship between Sarah-Jane Abrahams and Helle Them-Enger, who met while vacationing in Bali in 2012. Drawn together by a shared love of travel and fashion, their conversations soon turned to dreams of launching a clothing line infused with the relaxed, bohemian vibe of island life.
Soon Faithfull became a reality, with its headquarters split between Bali and Sydney. All Faithfull pieces are locally handmade in Bali using natural, environmentally-friendly materials when possible. This artisanal approach ensures fair wages and reasonable hours for Faithfull‘s employees.
As described on their website, Faithfull fuses “Scandinavian simplicity with the Australian laidback spirit” in their breezy, vintage-inspired designs. They aim to dress the “modern woman and her off-duty life” whether she‘s exploring a new destination or enjoying downtime at home.
Inside the Faithfull Look: Key Style Elements and Details
Flip through Faithfull‘s Instagram feed or website and you‘ll notice some signature style elements shine through across their collections:
– Boho silhouettes: Flowy maxi dresses, wide-leg pants, mini skirts and rompers rule here. Think relaxed yet polished pieces that could go from beach to dinner without a hitch.
– Vintage floral prints: Faithfull incorporates delicate flower patterns and foliage motifs onto garments and accessories for a romantic, retro vibe.
– Natural fabrics: Breathable linen, cotton and rayon textiles, sometimes blended with a touch of stretchy spandex or silk. Great for warm climates.
– Standout patterns: From polka dot prints to an eye-catching blue zebra swimsuit, Faithfull isn‘t afraid of making a statement.
– Feminine details: Sweet touches like smocking, shirring, puff sleeves, tie straps and waist-cinching belts add girly flair.
Overview of Faithfull‘s Categories and Bestsellers
Let’s explore some of Faithfull’s major product divisions:
Dresses: Faithfull‘s crown jewel – find gorgeous maxis, midis and minis here. Bestsellers include the Romilla, Nikoleta and Aylah dresses.
Tops: Cropped blouses, fluttery kimonos and tanks for pairing with all your bottoms. The Azaelea top is popular.
Bottoms: From wide-leg linen pants to mini skirts, Faithfull‘s got your legs covered. The Lissandra pants are fan faves.
Swim: Make a splash in their one-pieces, bikinis and cover ups with unique prints. Check out the Bettina zebra swimsuit.
Shoes & Accessories: Straw bags and hats, dainty jewelry pieces and floral slides to finish your vacation #OOTD.
Loungewear: Cozy up in tie-dye joggers, shorts and hoodies, kaftans and more.
Sale: Score major deals on dresses, swim and separates at up to 50-70% off! Stocks move quickly.
Hands-On Review of Faithfull‘s Most Popular Dresses
As a self-proclaimed dress lover, I was excited to take a closer look at Faithfull’s top-rated smocked and shirred midi and maxi gowns. Here’s how 4 popular styles measured up for this 5’3” reviewer:
Romilla Midi Dress ($329)
True to photos, this ivory linen midi makes a graceful statement with its tie front bodice, slim adjustable straps and tiered skirt. It‘s fully lined and the built-in shelf bra provides light support, although I‘d likely wear a strapless bra for peace of mind!
The airy fabric kept me cool in balmy weather while the flirty silhouette felt both feminine and beachy. Easily dressed up or down, I can see this elegant number becoming a fast vacation favorite.
Verdict: Beautiful special occasion / honeymoon dress!
Alberte Midi Dress ($279)
I loved the playful contrast of a buttoned-up puff sleeved bodice with a sultry low back cut-out on this sweetheart neck midi. The black polka dot print makes it ideal for transitional seasons too.
I ordered my usual size and the stretchy cotton smocked back panel offered a flexible slim fit that was flattering but not restrictive. The voluminous tiered skirt and twirly potential make it wonderfully whimsical!
Verdict: Bold yet versatile style statement dress
Aylah Midi Dress ($209)
This black babydoll midi dress took me back to the prairie with its retro puff sleeves, smocked Empire waist panel and dainty floral print. The airy viscose fabric felt soft against my skin.
I appreciated the adjustable spaghetti straps and lightweight feel, although the top gaped out a bit until I added my own belt to define the waist. Then it achieved an ethereal cottagecore look that was right on trend!
Verdict: Dreamy earth mother vibes
Nikoleta Mini Dress ($209)
For fans of shorter hemlines, this darling tie front minidress looked like it stepped off a French film set. The ecru linen fabric boasts subtle horizontal stripe detailing and the thigh-grazing length makes it sexy yet demure.
I loved playing with the waist ties and found the hidden elastic stretch panel at the back allowed me to loosen or cinch the fit. The optional matching belt completed the chic vintage visual. It’s a standout look for brunch dates or summer parties!
Verdict: Tres chic vacation wardrobe staple!
Comparing Faithfull‘s Ethical and Sustainable Practices
What sets Faithfull apart from fast fashion labels is their dedication to ethical working conditions and eco-friendly processes. But how exactly does Faithfull‘s sustainability record stack up?
For starters, by locally handmaking all their apparel instead of relying on factories, Faithfull can closely monitor safe and fair workplace regulations. They also actively support the economic welfare of Indonesian artisans and marginalized communities.
On the materials front, Faithfull uses predominantly natural fabrics like linen, cotton and rayon rather than synthetic blends. This makes their clothing biodegradable and promotes breathability in warm environments.
They don‘t use any animal fibers or leather, making their collection vegan-friendly. items are carefully wrapped in paper and biodegradable tape instead of plastic.
When benchmarked against similar boho-style brands like Spell, Beginning Boutique and Princess Polly, Faithfull stands out for its ethical garment production and regular charity partnerships supporting women‘s health initiatives.
Are there still improvements they could make? Of course – they don‘t share much about water use reduction in manufacturing or wage breakdowns. But overall Faithfull makes admirable strides towards sustainability in the fashion space.
What Do Customers Really Think? Spotlight on Online Reviews
Scouring the internet for third-party Faithfull testimonials beyond their website and Instagram, I noticed reviews ranged widely from gushing accolades to quality complaints.
On retail sites like Revolve and Shopbop, most customers praised the uniqueness of designs and lightweight feel of the fabrics. Negative feedback centered around sizing inconsistencies, poor fabric quality that showed wear quickly and items that looked less flattering on average body types.
On Trustpilot, Faithfull scores an average 3.2 out of 5 stars over nearly 300 reviews. Happy shoppers used words like "beautiful", “perfect” and “stunning” to describe dresses they felt comfortable wearing on summer vacations, while others complained of see-through fabrics and incorrect fits despite following size charts.
I weighed the constructive criticism against the breathless five star gushes and landed closer to a 4 star evaluation. While quality control issues persist, those able to try items on locally or with easy returns access seem very satisfied with Faithfull’s romantic, feminine styles.
5 Tips to Get the Best Fit From Faithfull
Based on collective buyer feedback, I‘ve put together 5 tips to find your dream Faithfull pieces with minimal fuss:
1. Carefully measure yourself before ordering: Follow their size chart precisely rather than guessing based on your usual size. Faithfull runs large on average.
2. Reference real customer images: Scan reviews with photos to see items on different body types beyond the site’s willowy models. This helps set expectations.
3> Order 2 sizes when possible: Try your preferred size plus one size down to determine the best fit for YOU rather than adhering strictly to sizes.
4. Hand wash gently: Take extra care while cleaning Faithfull‘s delicate designs and air dry only to prevent shrinkage damage.
5. Buy In-Store: If able, shop Faithfull pieces in person locally where you can properly try before you buy. Returns are easier too!
Does Faithfull Live Up to the Hype? Our Final Verdict
As this in-depth brand review concludes, does the beloved Faithfull label satisfy our inner wanderlusters?
In short – yes…with a few caveats.
There’s no denying the alluring, romantic essence of Faithfull’s flows silhouettes and artful prints. When well-made, their dresses induce that heady vacation mindset year-round.
Yet the inconsistencies around fabric quality, bleeding prints and poor fits means finding your new favorite garment could take some trial and error. Be prepared to hand wash gently and exchange sizes if needed.
For those able to easily return items locally or with financial flexibility, Faithfull offers a chic antidote to fast fashion‘s homogeneity. Just balance dreamy expectations with pragmatic care – these aren‘t indestructible pieces.
Ultimately Faithfull fills its brand promise to globe-trotting female travelers seeking effortless glamour on the go. Just stop and smell the roses along the journey of building your boho-goddess wardrobe!
Other Brands to Explore
If Faithfull‘s price points stretch beyond your budget, explore these affordable, ethical alternatives:
- Boohoo (+ Sizes)
- Rouje
- Nobody‘s Child
Feel equally dazzled by Faithfull‘s aesthetic? Also check out:
- Spell
- Free People
- Johnny Was
