As an everyday fashionista with a penchant for feminine florals and ruffles, I was bound to discover It-brand LoveShackFancy eventually. Over the past 2 years, I‘ve purchased over $3,000 worth of LSF dresses, skirts, sweaters and accessories.
So who better than me to give the real deal on whether this social media darling is worth the spend? In this in-depth LSF review, I‘ll use my first-hand experiences to uncover the good, the bad and the ugly behind the brand‘s pretty facade.
My Intro to LoveShackFancy
I initially spotted the LSF Gwen Mini Dress on fashion blogger Danielle Bernstein of @weworewhat. The pink and peach hand-dyed cotton with delicate shirring and fluttery sleeves appealed instantly to my feminine aesthetic. At $395, the investment felt justified for what appeared to be high-quality construction and ethical production.
I purchased the Gwen dress in early 2021 and it became my go-to for everything from summer weddings to date nights. I literally received a compliment every single time I put it on. The lightweight fabric hangs beautifully and the elastic waist stays perfectly in place.
Here‘s a photo of me in the ever-popular Gwen last summer:
I felt like a real-life princess prancing around in it! So began my love affair with LSF…
The Good: Why I‘m Obsessed with LSF
After the Gwen dress worked out so wonderfully, I started snapping up other LSF pieces that caught my eye. The quality and craftsmanship across everything from dresses to sweaters and skirts remains impeccable.
In total, I‘ve purchased 8 dresses, 3 skirts, 2 handbags and 5 sweaters over the past 24 months. Out of all those items, I‘ve only had 1 dress come with a small defect (loose thread) which I easily fixed myself.
Here‘s a breakdown of what keeps me coming back to LSF again and again:
Incredible Quality and Construction
The fabrics LSF uses like silks, cottons and cashmeres clearly stand apart from cheaper fast fashion brands. I‘ve worn some LSF dresses over 20 times now with zero signs of wear – no loose threads, weird pilling or fading.
I also appreciate the intricate detailing that goes into pieces like embroidered bodices, tiered ruffles and lace trims. These touches make the prices feel merited.
As Creative Director Rebecca Hessel Cohen told Fashionista:
We focus on quality, not quantity and operate a made-to-order production model to avoid overproduction and waste.
Flattering, Feminine Silhouettes
LSF designs genuinely make me feel beautiful and confident every time I wear them. The delicate flutter sleeves, tie fronts, shirred waists, ruffle hems and v-necklines all combine to be super flattering.
I also love that I can dress most LSF pieces up or down. Like this Renee Slip Dress that works for date night or brunch paired with a jean jacket:
Versatile, Playful Prints and Colors
What first draws me to LoveShackFancy pieces every season are the unique hand-dyed colors and custom prints. From vibrant tie-dyes to Liberty archive floral designs to colorful confetti dots, each LSF garment feels special.
And the palette always feels spot-on for the season. Light pastels for spring, rich jewel tones in the winter and bright punches of color for summer.
Standout Dresses I Keep Re-wearing
These are some of my most-worn LSF favorites that I think really showcase everything wonderful the brand does so well:
Lorelai Maxi – This strappy floral maxi in floaty cotton is my go-to for summer events, especially in the evening with wedges. I‘ve worn it to parties, weddings, date nights and girls trips.
Blaire Midi – I call this my "fancy lunch dress" for all spring and summer daytime occasions that require something slightly dressy but still casual – think ladies lunches, bridal showers, teas. The demure polka dot print looks elevated with pearl earrings and nude heels.
Avery Puff Sleeve – The ultimate date night dress for me with its elegant stand-up collar and cuffed balloon sleeves. I always get asked "Where is THAT dress from?!" when I wear it. Looks darling with simple black pumps.
…Plus 5 more of my most-loved LSF pieces that literally function as wardrobe heroes for me.
Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing
As I invested more in LSF over time, their commitment to sustainability and ethical production also became important to me. Some key ways they aim to minimize environmental impact:
- Made-to-order model to reduce overproduction and waste
- Locally sourced handmade textiles from artisans when possible
- Usage of recycled materials for 30% of fabrics on average
- Bio-degradable packaging for shipments and in stores
They also partner exclusively with factories that align with standards for worker safety, fair wages and community give-back programs.
The Not-So-Good: LSF Shortcomings
With that said, LoveShackFancy isn‘t without its disadvantages. Over the past two years, here are some drawbacks I‘ve noticed from continually buying and wearing this brand:
Inventory Fluctuations and Limited Stock
The major downside to LSF‘s small production runs is popular items sell out lightning fast. I‘ve had dresses and skirts disappear from my online shopping carts before I can checkout. They‘ll restock eventually but not always in my size.
It can also be hard to find staple/basic pieces that blend back with the rest of my wardrobe. Simple tees, tanks and jeans sell out instantly because LSF makes such limited quantities.
Care Requirements
Most LSF garments need to be dry cleaned only and air dried. I can‘t just toss them in with my everyday laundry. It‘s an extra hassle to drop off and pick up from the dry cleaner constantly.
I also find myself hand-washing and air drying LSF clothes more gingerly to avoid any shrinking or damage over time.
Bulkier Storage and Wrinkling
Because the fabrics usually require delicate care and drying flat, LSF clothes take up more closet space. And items wrinkle faster than my other dresses and tops even just hanging. I find myself steaming pieces before wearing more than I‘d like.
How LSF Compares: Price, Quality and Style
I would classify my personal style as feminine retro with a modern twist. I love bright colors, artsy prints, ruffles and puff sleeves balanced out by some edgy accessories or sleek heels.
So how does LoveShackFancy compare aesthetically and value-wise to some other similar brands I wear?
Reformation
This brand offers more casual, form-fitting styles focused on neutrals and solid colors vs prints. I would say the quality differs only slightly – Reformation uses a bit more synthetic blends vs LSF‘s focus on natural fibers. But overall construction quality is on par and both brands aim for sustainability.
At 50-60% lower price points however, Reformation comes out ahead value-wise. I find myself reaching for my LSF special occasion dresses over Reform dresses though.
Rixo
Rixo provides much more variety in terms of colors, prints and silhouettes without being overly feminine or girly. Their fabrics and construction quality align evenly with LoveShackFancy I‘d say. Both brands use high-end materials like silks and cashmeres.
Pricing is almost identical between Rixo and LSF‘s regular collection. But LSF goes on deeper sale more often in their Last Chance section.
Anthropologie
I find Anthropologie can be hit or miss in terms of fit and quality consistency. They offer more casual feminine styles than LSF. Pricing also comes in lower than LSF but that gap is shrinking with recent brand price increases. When it comes to dresses for both brands, I reach for my LSF pieces more.
So in terms of value per cost and long-term cost per wear, I firmly believe splurging on LSF over fast fashion is worth it. The designs stand the test of time and withstand tons of wears.
LSF Review: Pros and Cons Breakdown
Here‘s a final recap breaking down what I see as the pros and cons after wearing loads of LSF pieces weekly these past 2 years:
LSF Pros
Excellent construction and fabrics – everything from 100% silks to cashmeres and cotton blends scream quality
Intricate feminine details – the ruffles, puff sleeves, embroidery and smocking appeal to my inner princess
Flattering and comfortable fits – despite being so femme, their dresses move with my body nicely rather than restrictive
Sustainability – from locally sourced textiles to recycled fabrics used in over 50% of materials
Versatile designs – so many pieces transition beautifully from day to night or work to weekend
Elegant heritage prints and colors – Liberty of London archives, custom hand-dyed hues, rich color palettes
LSF Cons
Inventory fluctuates – hot items sell out fast and take time to restock
Mostly dry clean only – extra hassle to maintain pieces vs machine washable
Wrinkle easily – steamer gets a real workout with LSF clothes
Slim pickings for basics – simple tees, tanks and layering pieces often out of stock
Price creep – regular collection price tags continue to inch upwards each season
Limited plus size range – majority of dresses, skirts and tops stop at XL/size 12
Final Verdict: Is This Brand Worth Your Money?
drumroll please!
…
The answer is a resounding yes – if the feminine, princess-esque styles align with your wardrobe aesthetic.
I whole-heartedly believe the cost per wear value is there with standout LSF pieces. The exquisite details like hand-smocking to the ethical production make them worth the splurge over disposable fast fashion.
Just be prepared to put in a bit more care and maintenance if you invest in LSF. And maybe set text alerts for out of stock faves so you can snap them up upon restock!
I know I‘ll continue building out my LSF collection over the years ahead – both for regular everyday wear and those special occasion outfit moments.
What do you think – are you ready to see what all the hype around LoveShackFancy is about? Shop the latest dreamy dresses and feminine finds at Loveshackfancy.com.
And if you have any other questions before taking the plunge, just drop me a line below! I love geeking out over one of my favorite brands.
