Hi there!  I finally got the chance to check out the line that William Rast (the fashion love child of Justin Timberlake and Trace Ayala) produced for Target.  Here is my review after looking through their collection and seeing it on one of my beautiful clients who had a generous gift card to spend there…

William Rast is known for their denim, that’s what the company started with back in ’06, and they really have good denim, it’s carried them through four years of building and adding to the WR empire.  BUT, the jeans they produced for Target are hit and miss, AND they cost $50 dollars!!!  I don’t know about you, readers, but if I’m going to buy jeans at Target, I’m not spending more than $30 bucks.  I’m thinking these jeans will be on their way to the sale rack within a few weeks and you should check them out then.  Look for their skinny jeans with patches, the one bright spot I found.

As far as the tops in the collection, I found them to also be overpriced for the level of quality.  The materials are much too sturdy and stiff.  I think that a designer can do lovely tomboy/military/menswear inspired clothes and still deliver soft fabrics that lay on a woman’s body nicely.  These pieces do not fit the bill.  And I am NOT ready for a return to the late 80′s/early 90′s with William Rast’s overdose of bootcut jeans and chambray shirts.

A major pet peeve of mine is when designers go overboard with self-promotion.  The William Rast “flag” is ALL OVER this collection (seven stripes, no stars).  I can’t stand logos and designer names ON clothing, that’s what labels are for!!!  Another return to the 90′s that I refuse to join.  (Remember when wearing a logo was cool?  I still don’t understand why and I’m not falling for it again!)

I’ve included some of the top offenders of the William Rast for Target collection, the worst being the $40 legging with the WR flag blazing in black across BOTH legs.  Dudes, you’d have to pay ME to be a walking advertisement!  Needless to say, my client and I left Target without any of William Rast’s pieces.

Whew!  I’m done, and pouting because Stella McCartney has designed a collection for Target Australia this summer… and it is GORGEOUS.  I’m keeping my eyes peeled to read news of her designing for America, and if I do, you will be the first to know!  Maybe I’ll wear my Tucker for Target pencil skirt out to dinner this weekend with my husband to not lose faith in top designers meeting us halfway…

-Jill