Cynthia Rowley Review: Bold, Feminine Style for the Modern Woman

Hey fashion lover! If you‘re looking for a brand that celebrates creativity, adventure, and empowered femininity, you need to know about Cynthia Rowley. This NYC-based contemporary label has been a favorite of style-setters for over 30 years, thanks to its signature mix of pretty and sporty, playful and irreverent. Imagine the artsy girl in your college painting class grew up to be a wildly successful designer, surfer, and entrepreneur – that‘s Cynthia Rowley in a nutshell.

I‘ve been wearing Cynthia Rowley for years now and I‘m constantly impressed by the brand‘s ability to dream up fresh, original designs that are both eye-catching and wearable. From the vibrant colors and prints to the feminine details to the excellent fit and quality, these pieces always make me feel like the best version of myself – confident, creative, and ready for anything!

By the Numbers: Cynthia Rowley‘s Reach and Influence

Before we dive into the products, let‘s take a quick look at Cynthia Rowley by the numbers. Did you know that:

• The brand was founded in 1988 with an $8,000 loan from Rowley‘s grandmother
• Cynthia Rowley has over 200,000 Instagram followers and counting
• The brand has been featured in Vogue, Harper‘s Bazaar, Elle, InStyle, and more
• Cynthia Rowley is sold at over 75 boutiques and retailers worldwide
• Annual sales are estimated at over $100 million

Not too shabby for a woman who originally wanted to be a painter! Rowley‘s artistic vision and entrepreneurial spirit have clearly struck a chord with women all over the world who crave fun, feminine fashion with a hint of edge.

Cynthia Rowley Clothing Review: Color, Print & Playful Details

Now let‘s talk about the clothes! Cynthia Rowley is known for its statement-making dresses and separates in bold colors, whimsical prints, and lots of unique details. Some of my favorite categories:

Dresses:

From breezy sundresses to cocktail-ready sheaths, Cynthia Rowley dresses are flirty, flattering, and always have a little something special, whether it‘s a ruffle, a tie, or an unexpected cutout. The Fey dress with its rainbow ombre pleats is the perfect embodiment of the CR aesthetic – classic with a colorful twist!

Tops & Sweaters:

Cynthia Rowley tops run the gamut from basic tanks and tees to embellished blouses and cozy sweaters. I‘m obsessed with the Bellamy cardigan, which has a vintage-inspired crystal button front and a cropped fit that looks amazing with high-waisted jeans or skirts. The printed blouses are also super fun for work or weekends.

Swimwear:

Did you know Cynthia Rowley started as a surf brand? The designer‘s love of water sports comes through in her swimwear, which manages to be both sexy and sporty. I have the classic Poppy bikini in two prints and it‘s easily the most comfortable, flattering swim style I own. The wetsuits are also incredible if you‘re lucky enough to live by the beach!

Accessories:

CR accessories tend to be as vibrant and unique as the clothes. The Bijoux Smocked Headband adds an instant pop of print (and holds your hair back), while the Phoebe ruched bag comes in the dreamiest shimmery satin that‘s so fun for evenings out. Pro tip: Cynthia Rowley often does exclusive accessories for retailers like Shopbop and Revolve, so check there for special styles.

Across all categories, you can count on Cynthia Rowley for styles that are equal parts pretty and practical, classic and creative. These pieces stand out from the pack but are also super easy to wear and mix with your existing wardrobe. It‘s no wonder the brand has become a go-to for so many women!

Quality, Fit & Sizing: What to Expect

Let‘s be real, designer fashion isn‘t always known for being well-made or consistent in sizing. Luckily, that‘s not the case with Cynthia Rowley! In my experience, CR pieces are thoughtfully designed and constructed with good quality materials that hold up season after season. Some highlights:

• Signature dresses like the Leah and Serafina are made of dreamy cotton-silk blends that feel incredible on
• Sweaters are usually a soft, substantial cotton or merino wool with just enough stretch
• Swimsuits and wetsuits use high performance Italian fabrics with features like UPF protection and chlorine resistance
• Denim is sturdy and substantial with a flattering high waist and just enough give

I also appreciate that Cynthia Rowley offers a wide variety of fits and silhouettes to suit different body types and style preferences. I‘m curvy and petite, so I tend to gravitate towards the more fitted dresses and high-waisted bottoms which really nail the proportions for me.

In terms of sizing, I find Cynthia Rowley to be pretty true-to-size and consistent across categories. I‘m usually a size 6 or small in dresses and tops, and a 4 in swimwear. The size range overall is pretty inclusive, with numerical sizing from 00-12 and simple S/M/L options as well. That said, I know some customers wish CR would add extended sizing which will hopefully be in the works soon!

What Other Fashionistas are Saying

Obviously, I‘m a huge Cynthia Rowley fangirl, but what do other stylish women think? Here are some of my favorite reviews and press quotes:

• The Zoe Report called Cynthia Rowley "the cool girl brand that‘s all about adventure"
• Who What Wear featured Cynthia Rowley‘s floral dresses in its roundup of "dresses that will make you want to ditch your sweatpants"
• "As a tall, athletically built woman I have a hard time finding pieces that I love and that fit me well. Cynthia Rowley is a slam dunk every time! Excellent quality with designs that are unique yet classic at the same time. I love this line!" – AZ Girl, 5-star review on TrustPilot
• "Excellent quality, beautiful materials, and thoughtful design. I have have had some of my Cynthia Rowley pieces for years and they still look amazing after many wears and washes. The swimwear and wetsuits are incredible too – super flattering, stay in place, and last forever without stretching out or fading." – Nicole H., 5-star review on Google

As you can see, Cynthia Rowley is beloved by fashionistas for its signature style, quality, and wearability. Even the handful of negative reviews tend to focus more on customer service and shipping issues, not the product itself. There‘s a reason this brand has been going strong for 30+ years!

How Cynthia Rowley Gives Back

One last thing I want to touch on is Cynthia Rowley‘s commitment to empowering women and practicing sustainability. The brand has several key initiatives that set it apart:

• Every season, a portion of proceeds are donated to organizations that support girls‘ education, women‘s health, and the arts. Past partners have included Planned Parenthood, DonorsChoose, and local community programs.

• Many of Cynthia Rowley‘s garments (particularly in the swim and activewear categories) are made with recycled materials like Econyl which helps keep plastics out of landfills and oceans.

• The entire Cynthia Rowley corporate team receives paid volunteer days to support causes they care about. It‘s so cool to see a brand walking the walk!

• Cynthia Rowley offers a generous paid internship program focused on mentoring the next generation of women designers and entrepreneurs.

• The brand uses its platform to amplify diverse voices and stories in the fashion world, like hosting a pop-up shop for all Black-owned businesses last summer.

I don‘t know about you, but I love supporting brands that support women and make a positive impact. It definitely motivates me to choose Cynthia Rowley over other contemporary lines!

Cynthia Rowley Review: My Honest Take

Phew, that was a lot of info! I know I‘ve gushed a lot in this Cynthia Rowley review, but I truly can‘t say enough good things about this brand. As someone who used to play it safe with my style, discovering CR was a revelation. Wearing these bold, beautiful, crafted-with-care pieces makes me feel strong, joyful, and like the main character in my own life (cheesy but true!).

Of course, that doesn‘t mean Cynthia Rowley is for everyone or perfect 100% of the time. The biggest barrier is definitely the designer price point, although I think you get what you pay for in terms of quality and unique design. It‘s worth waiting for one of the brand‘s frequent sales if your budget is tight! I‘ve also heard mixed things about the customer service and returns process which Cynthia Rowley seems to be working on.

Overall though, I‘m a loyal Cynthia Rowley customer for life and recommend the brand wholeheartedly to any woman who wants to have more fun with fashion. Trust me, you‘ll never feel more yourself than when you‘re rocking a ruffly rainbow dress or a crystal-studded wetsuit. And you‘ll be supporting a woman-led company that spreads joy and gives back too. What more could you ask for?

So go ahead and treat yourself to some Cynthia Rowley – I think you‘ll love it as much as I do! Just prepare for plenty of "omg obsessed, where is that from?!" compliments from all your friends. Happy shopping!