Tales from the dressing room: Swan by Evans x Clements Ribiero

Hellooooo! Sorry for the radio silence, I’ve had a million things I needed to do and none were blog related, alas. But I’m here now!

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that the designer collaboration between Clements Ribiero (famed for producing a lot of Adele’s red carpet wear) and Evans launched online a week ago, and then in selected stores  from Monday. I always love an opportunity to try things on so I went down to Marble Arch along with Em to try things out – you can see Em’s two incredibly in depth reviews here: Part One and Part Two. What’s great is that we both have such different bodies – I guess if you were to go by Evans’ shape sheet, she’s a busty and I’m a pear. There’s also a height difference which will be important later…

Before the photos, I’ll answer some of the questions I’ve been asked most and get those out of the way.

• Do you like the range? Yes! I understand it’s not “edgy” or anything, it’s a very specific look: 1940′s tea party. But that happens to be one of my favourite looks ever, so yes I loved it. Of course there are items I wouldn’t have touched with a bargepole (Although Angela makes me regret not trying the Joan as she looks so lovely in her post!) but you find that with every shop, every range.
• Do you think the collection is worth the money? Yes, actually. I do. Yes it’d be lovely if the dresses were a tenner, but you’re paying a higher price point for the name – and the cut and tailoring was far more intricate than what you find in Evans’ main range. They are investment pieces, you know? There is a slight niggle though, which you’ll see below…
• Were the items true to size? I know Em had problems with the fit and kept having to swap sizes, however for me I found them pretty consistent with Evans’ sizing. In the fitted dresses I took a 20 and they were pretty much bang on. I’m guessing this is because I have small breasts? And in the trousers I was a 22/22-24.
• Were there any disappointments? The biggest issue for me was the length of the dresses. I’m only diddy, and when even taller women were saying in the dressing room that they would have to hem the dresses I guessed they’d be far too long. I’d have to have hacked off at least 8 inches for them to look right. However, I’d definitely do it although when it comes to the cost, having to pay more for a dress and then alter it is quite unfortunate.
• Is it better than the Beth Ditto ranges? Nah – Beth’s my homegirl, nothing could compare!

On to the photos! Blurry phone ones, I’m afraid – turns out my camera had no battery. Silly me!

Swan by Clements Ribiero x Evans “Swallow” coat, size 20

Hubba hubba. This was perfect. I love the way it’s tailored so it is like a large cocoon. It really reminded me of Jil Sander actually, which is awesome. This came home with me, although by some horrible financial twist of fate I may have to return it, alas.

Swan by Clements Ribiero x Evans “Peggy” dress, size 20

Sorry for the blurriness! This was my favourite dress from the promo shots. I loved the shape, despite it being a tea dress the shoulder pads lend an air of sauce. I would have to hem it significantly and pin the bust (I couldn’t fill it as well as Em!), but it was beautiful. It really made me look curvy, which is new!

Swan by Clements Ribiero x Evans “Betty” dress, size 20

This is the dress based on one of the design duo’s custom makes for Adele.  You can also see Nicolette looking fabulous in it. Again, it’s a beautiful shape, with a fitted waistband that really pulls you in. As well as the tailoring, it was fully lined and the fabric was a lovely broderie anglaise, 100% cotton. Because I have a smaller chest the high neckline worked like a dream. The biggest problem was again the length, it would have to be hemmed.

Swan by Clements Ribiero x Evans “21″ dress, size 22

I accidentally took a size 22 in the dressing room, and it was far too big. I tried an 18 but that was too tight and there were no 20s left, alas! This was another favourite from the promo shots – the neckline and lace inserts reminded me of the latest Erdem collection. However it didn’t suit me very well at all which made me very sad!

Swan by Clements Ribiero x Evans “Joan” dress size 20

Another dress I loved from the previews – Diana looked absolutely stunning in it – and named after Joan from Mad Men and definitely cut for a woman of her dimensions! This didn’t work on me but I maintain the dress is an absolute show stopper. Gorgeous.

Talking of not quite working…

Swan by Clements Ribiero x Evans “Diana” blouse (size 20) and pansy print crepe trousers (size 22)

Not reeeeally a good look on me, haha. I felt like a modern Andy Pandy! I will talk about the top later – the trousers were a really nice cut, I have to say. I couldn’t rock them as they’re much too long and hemming them would take away their shape, but if you’re over 5’5″ then I think these would be awesome. (Tiffany, I implore you to buy!) The fabric doesn’t give, but the back waistband is elasticated so it’s an easy fit.

Swan by Clements Ribiero x Evans matchstick print lounge pants, size 20

Lounge is definitely a keyword, here. They’re made from silky nylon with a fully elasticated waistband so they’re super comfortable. I don’t think the cut came across very well on my short legged-frame, so I’m going to link you to two beauties who were able to pull these off: Bethany and Amy. Gorgeous!

Swan by Clements Ribiero x Evans pansy print “Diana” blouse, size 20

I will admit the blouses didn’t take my fancy in the promo shots, however on I thought they were gorgeous. This pansy one especially I loved and very nearly bought! I think it’d look fab tucked into a high waisted pencil skirt, or worn loose over a black mini.

Swan by Clements Ribiero x Evans heart print “Diana” blouse, size 20

Again, no complaints about this at all, I loved it. I have to say, I almost wish these tops were longer so I could’ve worn them as tunic dresses! Typical, eh? But I would still buy if I had the money!

Swan by Clements Ribiero x Evans heart print “Betty” dress, size 20

The same cut as the black version, however in a different fabric. If you remember the Beth Ditto polka dot dress, this (and the pansy print items) are in the same material. Again I would have to hem the bottom quite a lot, and I did notice that unlike the black version there was a lot more room in the bust – even Em had some space!

Swan by Clements Ribiero x Evans “Adele” shift dress, size 20

Finally here’s Em and I in the same dress – I think we can all agree it looks far better on her than myself!

PHEW! What do you think, peeps? Have you bought anything from the range? I hope this helped. I really loved most of what I tried on, but I would recommend the Joan dresses if you have a large bust, the Betty dresses if you have a smaller bust, and that they work best on the taller amongst you.

Apparently there are at least two more collaborations in the pipeline, which is very exciting.