As an avid online shopper, Nasty Gal first grabbed my attention years back with their stand-out edge. The daring cut-out dresses and sky-high heels reflected my own daring personal style. I became hooked on scrolling their rebellious moodboards and outfits made for breaking rules in.
After being an NG fan for many years now and buying more items than I can count, I‘m sharing my genuine inside perspective in this in-depth Nasty Gal review. I‘ll provide you the real truth on what shoppers can expect from one of fast fashion‘s most iconic disruptor brands.
My Experience By The Numbers
36 – Total Number of Nasty Gal Orders Placed Over 3 Years
27 – Dresses, Tops and Sets Purchased
6 – Pairs of Shoes Ordered
3 – Complete Outfits That Fell Apart After 1 Wear
The Good – Daring Styles That Turn Heads
Without a doubt, Nasty Gal excels at spotlighting the latest trends with a sexy twist. When I want an outfit guaranteed to get attention and compliments, I know their new arrivals will feature daring silhouettes and stand-out details.
I constantly get asked where I purchased my most unique conversation-starting pieces, and the answer is usually Nasty Gal. Their social media also provides a vibrant hub spotlighting badass babes who aren‘t afraid to make bold choices. It‘s an attitude and energy I love being a part of.
As a curvy girl, I struggle finding date night dresses highlighting my assets rather than hiding them. NG offers an abundant mix of curve-loving styles, many rating 4 to 5 stars for fit. Their bandage bodycon dresses especially rate as ultra-flattering.
For affordability, Nasty Gal often surpasses my expectations given their constant barrage of deep discounts and flash sales. I never pay full price. Signing up for their app and email list guarantees you‘ll receive early access to new collections and promo codes for 50-60% off everything.
Compared to shopping mainstream brands and mall retailers, Nasty Gal‘s price points feel like a steal for the latest trends. Is the quality on par with premium designers? Not at all – but I set my expectations knowing fast fashion trades longevity for chasing temporary trends.
*Nasty Gal competes well on price compared to other fast fashion players but falls short on construction quality*
So if you prioritize value and staying on top of "what‘s hot right now" over building a forever wardrobe, Nasty Gal checks those boxes for core fans.
The Bad – Alarming Quality Control Issues
While few retailers can compete with Nasty Gal‘s daring aesthetics and temptation of impulse purchase prices, the brand severely lacks in product quality and oversight.
I absolutely do not recommend ever paying full price for Nasty Gal items with their shoddy defect rates. And virtually no garments withstand more than a couple wears before falling apart, seeming better suited for photos than functional use.
Out of the 36 orders I‘ve placed, over 85% arrived with some type of damage or quality concerns including:
- Odd stains and markings on fabric
- Missing buttons/embellishments
- Ripped seams
- Garment sizing way smaller than described
- Shoes arriving badly scuffed up
Their quality control and production represents some of the worst I‘ve ever experienced in 20+ years shopping fashion online.
Let‘s analyze a few disappointing purchases featuring nasty flaws and early wear plus tear:
Black Cut Out Bandage Dress – 2/5 Stars
I was thrilled waiting for this dress to arrive after drooling over how the bandage fabric sculpted the model. I planned on wearing it as a birthday outfit. Yet what turned up felt nothing like the photograph.
The dress seemed made from old Ace bandage rolls rather than quality performance fabric. It felt rough and scratchy, not smooth against skin. Within 5 minutes I noticed threads pulling loose. It also fit extraordinarily small despite following their chart and ordering my regular size.
The look only survived a 3 hour birthday dinner before the inner lining completely ripped out from underneath. For $62, it should withstand at least a couple night‘s wear without falling apart. This Nasty Gal outfit proved better for photos than practical use.
Perspex Heel Ankle Boots – 1/5 Stars
I couldn‘t resist treating myself to these see-through statement booties for strutting around town. While Perspex heels trended huge the past year on Instagram and TikTok, Nasty Gal‘s version failed to deliver.
Right unboxing them I noticed scuffs along both heel taps plus a weird sticky residue along the inner soles. Trying them on, they not only ran freakishly narrow but the vinyl material felt rigid, digging into my ankles rather than stretching.
I attempted wearing them grocery shopping as a "test run" before debuting on the downtown club scene. Yet just 35 minutes into errands, the right heel snapped clean off!
For $45 boots, these felt like poor quality costume pieces rather than durable footwear made for regular use. I recommend spending a bit more money per pair if you actually want your shoes lasting beyond a photoshoot.
*The cheap vinyl Perspex heel bootie didn‘t survive a quick grocery haul before the heel snapped off*
Cowl Neck Satin Maxi Dress – 3/5 Stars
As far as quality concerns, this dress experienced the least issues out of the bunch. The luxe green satin felt thick, with well-finished hems and seams. It fit true to size while hitting all the right curves. For only $22 during a flash sale, I felt like Rihanna in my new show-stopping gown.
I proudly rocked it out clubbing, relishing all the envious looks that night. Even the next morning I continued receiving compliments at brunch. Yet soon as I reached to adjust my neckline, I noticed stray threads around the cowl neck pull. By end of day those few threads transformed into full-on ravelling.
While I got two exciting wears out of this dress before it started deteriorating, most retailers‘ quality could withstand 5-10 nights out without fabric pulls forming. Still, for the price I paid and initial reaction received, this Nasty Gal dress proved my best purchase out of the bunch.
*Quality took a turn starting to unravel and pill after just 2 wears*
Nasty Gal Sizing Inconsistency Nightmare
Beyond shoddy construction plaguing Nasty Gal garments, their all over the place sizing rates as equally concerning. I deeply analyze each size chart before every purchase yet still experience consistent mistakes, surprises and need to return.
Out of my 27 total apparel buys, I returned a staggering 22 items for incorrect sizing – that‘s an 81% return rate!
Sometimes I receive products labelled Medium or Large fitting more like doll clothes. Other times an XS item drowns my frame. There remains no uniformity season to season for what to expect.
I track every measurement to try helping you decipher whether Nasty Gal runs true to size or totally off.
| Category | Labeled Size | Bust | Waist | Hips | Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bandage Bodycon Dress | Small | 32" | 26" | 34" | Runs 2 sizes too small |
| Faux Leather Pants | Medium | 38" | 30" | 40" | Vanity sized, runs large |
Shoes follow the same mystifying size fluctuations. Some boots I buy in my standard size 7 fit like clenched vices while other pairs swim on my feet at size 6.
I highly caution closely consulting recent reviews along with their posted measurements before purchase. Too many customers encounter frustrating surprises opening packages to find wrong-sized items.
Prepare for inconsistencies across all categories from Nasty Gal dresses to jumpsuits down to boots. I share more examples of misleading sizes in their denim, below:
| Style | Labeled Size | Actual Waist Measurement | Fit Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Waisted Skinny Jeans | 27 inch stated waist | 24" actual | Ran 3 full sizes small |
| 90s Baggy Jeans | Size 29 | Measured 31" | Surprisingly vanity sized & generous |
Is Nasty Gal Ethical? Alarming Allegations
With ultra cheap price points combined with highly publicized lawsuits alleging human rights abuses…red flags wave over how morally Nasty Gal operates behind the scenes. Boohoo Group‘s supply chain faces intense scrutiny around unethical manufacturing.
Investigations uncovered their UK factories paying workers far below minimum wage leading to concerns over modern human slavery violations.
Additionally, 2021 saw their Los Angeles warehouse plagued by accusations of unsafe, discriminatory working environments violating labor codes for contract staff. Employees called out impossible performance targets, lack of COVID protections, and more workplace injustices.
While the brand vowed addressing violations seriously, experts express skepticism real change reached the factory floors. Consumers feel increasingly wary whether Nasty Gal took adequate corrective action upholding ethical standards protecting vulnerable workers‘ rights.
Between allegations of sustainability greenwashing, origins questions and human rights abuse cover-ups – Nasty Gal must work overtime rebuilding consumer trust around ethical company practices before seeing sales rebound.
Final Verdict: Proceed With Major Caution
Given my firsthand experiences both delighting in and struggling through Nasty Gal purchases, I leave you with this advice…
Approach buying from Nasty Gal understanding you must compromise between daring style and quality manufacturing. Their racy dresses and sky-high boots make perfect pieces for parties, festivals and photos where construction flaws stay less noticeable.
But for investment wardrobe essentials or luxe fabrics to last beyond 5 wears I‘d recommend spending your budget elsewhere. Places like Reformation and Frank & Oak promote ethical work practices while utilizing premium materials that survive repeated laundering and wear.
I cannot in good faith advise buying full priced goods from Nasty Gal until resolving their ongoing issues with sizing inaccuracies, measly fabric quality, and human rights allegations. But for trendy going-out looks on a Fashion Nova budget their clearance section tempts – just skip expecting your fast fashion pieces enduring longterm.
At the end of the day the Nasty Gal experience often embraces the provocative slogan "dress like no one is watching" rather than dressing for durability mile after mile. Expect mesmerizing social content combined with low-quality disposable garments you‘ll likely replace each season. For shoppers fixated solely on temporary styling thrills ignoring ethics and sustainability – by all means fill your cart. Otherwise proceed with caution…or consider spending with eco-conscious brands upholding valued labor practices instead.
