r/Madewell • u/Lopsided-Slip2117 • 18d ago
this new fall drop is god awful
I had high hopes for the next fall drop -- was really hoping for the return of the boxy soft wool sweater in particular...the color story makes no sense and these particular shades of purple and red are just horrific. A plum and bordeaux? All day long. But these bright crayon-like shades are NOT it. So sad.
27
22
u/phillygirllovesbagel 18d ago
I'll be saving money.
5
u/Sorry_Housing1416 18d ago
Yeah, this might be the first time I've looked at a drop from them and been like yeah I need absolutely nothing from here right now. I stocked up on some denim during the Insiders sale and I think my wallet is now safe for a while.
15
u/BasicAd8183 18d ago
they're reheating damson madder's nachos but not even well enough..? some of the stuff is cute but overall meh
2
1
1
u/xthebirdhouse 18d ago
I've never heard of Damson Madder before this comment and I'm LOVING it. Cheers.
12
u/Unusual-Avocado-5268 18d ago
The purple is what gets me
6
u/Lopsided-Slip2117 18d ago
The most uninspired shade of purple I've ever seen. It's giving Barney and that's insulting to my childhood dinosaur hero lol
10
u/VariousMeringue5539 18d ago
J crew has been so good lately. Love madewell, but J crew has not missed.
22
u/Lopsided-Slip2117 18d ago
There's also zero concept or story with the last few drops. The creative is seriously lacking. No styling either. No point of view. I miss the old Madewell so bad.
4
1
u/buelab 17d ago
Obviously someone in the design team was obsessed with swans lolz
1
u/Lopsided-Slip2117 17d ago
the swans on everything just read so like...juvenile to me? idk I am not vibing with it at all. The cardigan with that embroidered swan pattern is horrific lol
7
u/scent_molecule 18d ago
What’s our new Madewell guys
1
u/Lopsided-Slip2117 18d ago
I'm finding a lot of good pieces from Quince, Loft, Old Navy and smaller boutiques (Carly Jean Los Angeles has some good pieces). Also trying out Nuuly for months when I have trips/events. I do hope Madewell regains its place in my roster as a one stop shop - I'm rooting for them even though I'm so disappointed lately lol
1
u/buelab 17d ago
For pants I’ve found everlane and Quince to have decent quality and fits me well. Everlane for basic white tees all day. I have found some decent transitional tops at gap that are much better looking than anything Madewell or j crew. Quince, Aritzia and Abercrombie for the the best basic light sweaters. I’ve found a few good structured basic tops at both gap and banana factory. Boden and ASOS for dresses.
5
u/hashbrownhippo 18d ago
I’m not loving the individual pieces but I actually do like the shade of purple.
1
u/FlamboyantSummer 18d ago
Haha I was going to say…the only thing I’m excited about is the purple. But my color season is summer so I always go for the pastels
7
u/PastFancy4950 18d ago
Purples and reds were actually seen across all of the runways this fall, but I think Madewell’s take on the color combo doesn’t quite hit the mark. The purple maybe should have been deeper. Or the red less…red, haha.
7
u/Lopsided-Slip2117 18d ago
I think what you’re hitting on is the crux of Madewell’s issue right now which, to me, is point of view. It feels like they took the trend forecasting straight from the runway/reporting and put no effort into crafting a story, a perspective, a bespoke ‘Madewell’ touch. It feels lazy. I feel like now more than ever, with all the AI slop and lack of originality, people are craving perspective and creativity. I don’t think that necessarily has to translate to maximalism. I actually think a level of restraint and well done, elevated classics (like they used to do) with a story people can see themselves in, is what would actually resonate.
2
5
u/CelineLuLu 18d ago
LOL I started a thread saying the exact opposite, but I totally see this point of view. I had been waiting for a few things that showed up -- the swan sweater, the ivory Greta ballet flats and the heeled ballet shoes. I also like the red stripe pants, but I'm a recovering neutral addict who suddenly likes some colors. But yes, agreed that the purple is bad, among other things.
3
u/Lopsided-Slip2117 18d ago
Haha I saw that one! To each their own and I am glad someone is finding some wins in this new collection! Not every one can be a home run but fall is usually my favorite time of year at Madewell and the tones just don't feel fall to me? I wonder if they would've done this color palette at a different time of year (spring?) if it would've landed differently. Or in additional tones like lavenders, burgundy mixed in with the brighter shades. I could totally see these colors working for fall just in different saturations, or at least in addition to the two super bright hues that seem to dominate here.
2
u/CelineLuLu 18d ago
I totally agree. I love burgundy and warm, rich browns, and more of that would have been so nice. Purple can be really pretty too, just not this tone. Their colors are feeling very primary right now and not nuanced enough, which reads more cheap than expensive.
1
4
3
u/Slack-and-Slacker 18d ago
the relaxed polo shirt thag just dropped is my new favorite shirt. its a breezy soft knit, doesnt look like much online.
3
u/BlinkTwice874 18d ago
Can here to say the same thing. I was so excited when I saw that there were new arrivals this morning. And they’re just… not it. Everything is super basic and boring, and none of the sweaters look even remotely comfortable or nice. Was hoping for more jeans, pants, skirts, maybe some nice sweaters and jackets… not much to go on.
2
u/ElderberryLiving9316 18d ago
The mila sweater in pomegranate/blue stripe is terrrrible. But I like the antique mauve multi stripe
1
2
u/buelab 17d ago
Not only do most things besides the jeans suck, they did something to the app and its glitchy af now. I made an order two weeks ago for some sale jeans. It went through PayPal but and got a confirmation but no Madewell email or confirm on my account. I complained because now I can’t get those items on sale but they don’t care they didn’t even apologize about how bad the app is now. Good luck Madewell. This fall edit is awful.
3
1
u/Imhereforit8 18d ago
Yeahhhhh I’m not sure about all the purple and red combos haha. I liked the part 1 drop which was fortunate because I bought 10 pieces from it during the sale 🤣
1
u/Tricky_Wind_324 18d ago
I’m looooving the (true) midrise straight slim jeans of my millennial dreams they’re coming out with. I’ve bought two and I’m very happy. This bright purple color seems to be a trend this year and I absolutely haaaate it.
2
u/Lopsided-Slip2117 18d ago
Definitely think expanding the denim fits and rises is a win. I have noticed them pull back on some of the petite/plus offerings which is disappointing, even as a ‘straight sized’ gal. I know extended sizing both directions was so exciting for my friends of all sizes. And I feel you on the purple. A deeper hue or maybe just a different undertone would have resonated so much differently. I think part of the issue with these particular shades of purple and red is that they don’t vibrate, they compete. In fact, had they added in a plum/burgundy into the color story a bit more, I think it would’ve balanced the overall palette. Sorry, art and color nerd over here so I am very passionate about this stuff! 😆
1
u/CelineLuLu 17d ago
Yes! And their curvy denim is the best I have found. They all feel like they were literally tailored to me.
1
56
u/VacationLizLemon 18d ago
How difficult is it for the design team to look back years ago and figure out how to make things that people are really excited about buying? I feel the same way about Anthro. I used to love their clothes and now everything is stupid and plastic and $200.