As an obsessive online shopper and apparel writer with over a decade of experience testing ecommerce fashion brands, I‘ve ordered from my fair share of cult retailers. One such brand invading social media feeds everywhere? The infamous PrettyLittleThing, or PLT for short.
You‘ll recognize their signature pink packaging and influencer #ads peddling skin-tight dresses and barely-there bikinis. With over 18 million Instagram followers and A-list celebrity collaborations under their belt, PLT transformed into Gen Z‘s retailer of choice seemingly overnight.
But behind the glossy ads and viral styles lies quality concerns and customer complaints. On forums like TrustPilot, reviews blast questionable manufacturing and absurdly cheap fabrics.
So does PrettyLittleThing live up to the social hype? I ordered a haul of over 30 bestselling pieces, from faux leather pants to mini bandage dresses, to find out. Considering costs per wear and relying on my decade of apparel testing expertise, I break down everything you need to know before you add to cart.
Overview of PrettyLittleThing: By the Numbers
While PLT exploded seemingly overnight, founders Umar and Adam Kamani quietly launched their Manchester-based operation in 2012. Raking in £374.4 million in 2020 sales alone, the brothers sought a new approach to fast fashion.
By rapidly replicating catwalk trends and influencer styles, dropping up to 1,000 new arrivals per week, PLT epitomizes trend-driven, disposal fashion at lightning speed.
- Price Range: $5 – $100 USD, with most items under $50
- Year Founded: 2012
- Founders: Umar + Adam Kamani
- Headquarters: Manchester, England
- Annual Revenue: $967.7 million (2022)
- Shipping Origin: UK warehouses
- Delivery Times: 7-15 days to the US
- Return Window: 28 days in the US (45 elsewhere)
- Brick + Mortar Stores: 0, online-only
- Social Following: 18 million Instagram followers
While affordability and lightning-fast trends lure young shoppers in, inconsistent quality and sizing issues regularly surface behind the scenes.
To dig deeper, I directly ordered from PLT to assess the customer claims myself.
Testing PrettyLittleThing Quality from Bandage Dresses to Faux Leather Leggings
Given the brand‘s meteoric rise paired with quality complaints, I ordered over $500 worth of PLT bestsellers to see if the items lived up to their Instagram hype.
As an apparel product analyst and merchandiser for over a decade, I carefully inspected materials, construction, sizing, and versatility to compile a conclusive quality report.
The Testing Process
- 30+ top-rated PLT items ordered in sizes XS-XL
- All items modeled and examined up close
- Fabrics assessed for density, stretch recovery, pilling, and durability
- Construction checked for loose threads, seam strength, zipper quality
- Sizing and fit consistency evaluated
- Cost per wear analysis, factoring in quality
Here‘s my breakdown of which PLT categories soar and which utterly disappoint:
WORTH IT: Denim
Known for skintight dresses and barely-there bodysuits, you likely don‘t associate PLT with durable denim. But surprisingly enough, their jeans deliver quality well above the price point. Impressive stretch prevents waist gaping while retaining structure, contouring curves for a smooth, sculpted look.
The raw hem detailing and precise ripped knee placement create a vintage, broken-in vibe as well. Overall, the fabrics manage an authentic denim feel many competitors lack.
These will mold to your body overtime, becoming beloved wardrobe staples.
Standout PLT Denim Styles
- Ripped Knee Skinny Jeans – $42
- Black Oversized Denim Jacket – $50
- Rating: 9/10
WORTH IT: Going-Out Dresses & One-Pieces
As an influencer and stylist favorite, PLT gained fame for their standout selection of head-turning going-out frocks. Offering almost every silhouette from latex to ruched midi dresses, customers continually rave over the bold styles that demand attention.
Since you‘ll likely only wear these flirty club numbers once or twice before splurging on something new, cheaper fabrics actually work to the brand‘s advantage. Fashion lovers want affordable, daring pieces to make a statement while dancing the night away – not wear-forever luxury.
Standout PLT Party Styles
- Red One Shoulder Cut Out Detail Midi Dress – $22
- Pink O Ring Detail Bodycon Dress – $17
- Rating: 8/10
WORTH IT: Faux Leather Pieces
Typically one of fast fashion‘s biggest let downs, I was thrilled to uncover PLT‘s impressive faux leather lineup. Rather than plasticky or paper-thin, these bottoms and outerwear flaunt supple vegan leather with a luxe sheen. No crinkling or strange shine in sight!
They also withstand stretching and wear surprisingly well without ripping, ideal for shape-clinging pants. The soft backing won‘t dig into skin or irritate either.
Spot on for replicating leather‘s sleek, polished vibe at a fraction of designer prices.
Standout PLT Faux Leather
- Black Faux Leather Flared Trousers – $50
- White Faux Leather Oversized Blazer – $65
- Rating 9.5/10
NOT WORTH IT: Knitwear & Cardigans
As loungewear and knits trend massively, PLT‘s swoon-worthy sweater dresses and matching sets tempted my cozy-girl soul. But sadly, I discovered even the best styled PLT knits lack quality craftsmanship. Irritating fabrics, strange boxy fits, and holes after just 2 wears continue plaguing reviews.
Heavier acrylic knits without shape drowned my petite frame while thinner fabrics resembled scratchy craft store yarn. Most distressing? Even Cold wash and air dry couldn‘t prevent rippling and misshaping.
For the iconic cozy style the internet adores, splurge on reputable knitwear brands like Naadam and Quince instead.
Problematic PLT Knits
NOT WORTH IT: Intimates & Underwear
Another PLT category that sincerely disappoints? Their underthings. When comparing PLT‘s bras, underwear, and loungewear next to specialty retailers, poor construction and fabric quickly become apparent.
Their viral Calvin Klein logo dupes may look convincing online, but the synthetic fabrics irritate skin, lose shape almost instantly, and lack coverage. Underwires also poke through unevenly.
Do yourself (and your girls) a favor – invest in high quality undergarments from reputable lingerie brands. Your entire wardrobe will thank you in comfort!
Problematic PLT Intimates
- White Calvin Klein Logo Bralette
- Nude Rib Lounge Shorts
- Rating: 3/10
More Hits or Misses? PLT Categories Ranked
Curious how other PLT product segments measured up? Here‘s my conclusive quality rankings from best to worst:
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Denim | 9/10 |
| Going-Out Pieces | 8/10 |
| Faux Leather | 8.5/10 |
| Basics (tanks, tees) | 7/10 |
| Sweatpants & Hoodies | 7/10 |
| Workout Leggings & Sports Bras | 5/10 |
| Sweaters & Knitwear | 4/10 |
| Intimates | 3/10 |
While certain PLT pieces lived up to their Instagram hype in look, feel, and durability, over 50% of items disappointed despite best seller status.
Before adding that bubblegum pink cart, carefully consider the category. Trend-driven dresses and faux leather will likely impress for the price point while complex knits and intimates may verge on costume territory.
Analyzing the Infamous Inconsistent Sizing
Beyond shaky product quality, PrettyLittleThing customers vent endless complaints around unpredictable sizing and fit. According to reviewers, fairly simple measures like "choose your size based on the chart" prove ineffective.
To scrutinize further, I ordered three separate pairs of bestselling PLT jeans in the same cut and size based on their chart. Disturbingly enough, all three pairs fit completely differently!
One buttoned smoothly, one couldn‘t zip, and the third left awkward gapping in the waist. Even color and wash variations in the exact same 7/8 ankle jean style ranged in size.
While the stretch accommodated my true size, the fluctuations definitely support buyers lamenting guesswork each order.
The Verdict? Order your regular size but expect inconsistency and prepare to exchange if needed. Slimmer shoppers should size up in dresses and woven tops while curvier girls may prefer downsizing temperamental jeans for a sculpting fit.
PLT vs Top Competitors: How Do They Compare?
In the world of trend-driven fast fashion, PrettyLittleThing competes with dozens of similar ecommerce giants also selling disposable styles at impulse-shopping price points.
Top PLT competitors include:
- Boohoo (sister brand)
- Missguided
- Asos
- Fashion Nova
- Nasty Gal
- Shein
But how do PLT‘s infamous feminine going-out pieces, faux leather finds, loungewear sets and denim measure up? I ordered equivalent bestsellers from each site – comparing price, material quality, style creativity and delivery time side by side with PrettyLittleThing‘s offerings.
Here‘s an overview of how PLT fares:
Price
- Very affordable, often cheaper than competitors
- Huge sales like 50-80% off run frequently
- Limited coupons/promo codes compared to other brands
Quality
- Hit or miss depending on the product category
- Denim stands out while sweaters disappoint
- On par with competitors‘ quality fluctuations
Style
- Very trend focused, reactive to viral styles
- Lots of influencer/celeb collaborations
- Unique pieces harder to come by vs. retailers like Revolve
Shipping
- 7-12 days average to USA
- Longer delivery times than Amazon Prime brands
- Customs fees apply after $800 USD order value
While PrettyLittleThing offers competitive pricing and capitalizes on daring going-out fashion few retailers replicate, inconsistent manufacturing and sizing issues remain an obstacle.
PrettyLittleThing Review: Conclusive Verdict After My $500 Trial
PrettyLittleThing undoubtedly delivers the stylist, trend-forward pieces flooding Instagram feeds at almost suspiciously affordable prices. However, serious quality and sizing inconsistencies continue plaguing customer reviews.
After scrutinizing over $500 worth of bestselling PLT styles myself, I agree – the brand epitomizes drastically hit or miss.
While trendy dresses, faux leather pants, and jeans impressed me with unexpectedly luxe fabrics and flattering fits, PLT‘s knits, underwear, and accessories equate to cheap costume wear at best.
Sizing also fluctuates dramatically, demanding excessive exchanges you wouldn‘t expect from international shopping.
So should you actually shop PrettyLittleThing?
Here‘s my final verdict…
Yes, but strategically.
Stick to specialty categories PLT has perfected for party girls, like bandage mini dresses and vegan leather trousers. For elevated knits and underwear, invest those dollars into reputable brands built specifically for high quality construction.
And of course, brace yourself for the mandatory size swap upon delivery.
At the end of the day, PrettyLittleThing rules as a leading ultra-trendy retailer if (and only if) your expectations align. Buy certain pieces knowing their cost per wear likely caps around 5 statement-making wears.
For unlimited longevity quality at a steal, check out under-the-radar brands like Agolde, Aritzia, and Reformation.
So embrace the girls night out embellished minidress life every fashionista deserves. But maybe hold off making PLT your everyday intimate essentials savior…
