Frame Store Clothing Review: Is This Laid-Back Luxury Brand Worth the Hype?
Launched in 2012 by Swedish entrepreneurs Jens Grede and Erik Torstensson, Frame has quickly become a go-to for effortlessly cool wardrobe staples beloved by It-girls and fashion editors alike. With a focus on premium materials, impeccable construction, and versatile, enduring designs, Frame has built a loyal following for its range of denim, tees, knits, and outerwear.
But with prices starting at around $200 for a basic tee and climbing into the hundreds for jeans and leather jackets, is Frame worth the investment? In this comprehensive review, we‘ll take a closer look at the brand‘s history, bestsellers, quality, customer experience, and more to help you decide if Frame deserves a place in your closet.
About Frame Store
Frame was born out of Grede and Torstensson‘s desire to create the perfect pair of jeans. The duo, who also co-founded the Wednesday Agency (which represents industry powerhouses like CR Fashion Book and Industrie magazine), saw a gap in the market for denim that was as comfortable as it was chic.
Blending Scandinavian simplicity with a laid-back Los Angeles sensibility, Frame‘s aesthetic is all about elevated everyday essentials. The brand‘s first collection of jeans quickly caught the attention of celebrities and influencers, and Frame soon expanded into a full range of apparel for women and men.
Today, Frame is known for its luxe basics and modern classics, from vintage-inspired jeans to silk blouses and tailored outerwear. The brand has a relatively tight distribution, with a focus on high-end department stores and specialty boutiques, as well as its own e-commerce site and a handful of brick-and-mortar locations in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Dallas.
The Frame Customer
Frame‘s target customer is someone who appreciates quality and timeless style but also wants to feel comfortable and effortless in their clothes. The brand‘s designs are meant to be mixed and matched to create a chic, unfussy uniform that can take you from day to night.
While Frame‘s price point puts it squarely in the contemporary category, the brand has a distinctly high-end feel thanks to its use of premium materials and attention to detail. Frame‘s designs are understated and often androgynous, with a focus on fit and fabric rather than overt trendiness.
Some of Frame‘s most famous fans include Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, Gigi Hadid, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, all of whom have been spotted in the brand‘s signature denim and off-duty staples. The brand has also collaborated with the likes of supermodel Karlie Kloss and stylist Ilaria Urbinati on capsule collections.
Frame‘s Product Range
While Frame is perhaps best known for its jeans, the brand offers a full range of apparel for women and men, including:
Denim
Frame‘s denim collection includes a range of fits and washes, from classic skinny jeans to relaxed, straight-leg styles. The brand is known for its vintage-inspired washes and attention to detail, like hand-stitched hems and custom hardware.
Some of Frame‘s most popular denim styles include the Le High Skinny, the Ali High-Rise Cigarette, and the Le Original.
Tops and Knitwear
Frame‘s selection of tops includes everything from basic tees and tanks to silk blouses and cashmere sweaters. The brand is known for its luxe fabrications and easy, elegantly draped silhouettes.
Bestsellers include the Le Mid-Rise V-Neck Tee, the Schoolboy Cardigan, and the Variegated Rib Cropped Sweater.
Outerwear
Frame‘s outerwear offerings range from classic denim jackets to leather moto jackets and wool coats. Like the rest of the brand‘s pieces, Frame‘s outerwear is designed with versatility and timelessness in mind.
Popular styles include the Le Oversized Jean Jacket, the Le Jacket Leather Moto, and the Faux Fur Teddy Peacoat.
Menswear
Frame‘s menswear collection includes denim, tees, button-downs, knitwear, and outerwear. The brand‘s menswear has the same focus on fit, fabric, and effortless style as its womenswear.
Some of the most sought-after men‘s pieces include the L‘Homme Slim Fit Jeans, the Perfect Jersey Tee, and the Fine Corduroy Shirt.
Quality and Construction
One of the things that sets Frame apart from other contemporary brands is its commitment to quality materials and construction. The brand works with top fabric mills in Italy and Japan to source premium denim, cashmere, silk, and leather.
Frame‘s jeans are made from a blend of cotton, polyester, and elastane for a comfortable stretch that retains its shape. The brand uses a variety of specialty washes and distressing techniques to achieve its signature lived-in look.
In addition to premium materials, Frame is also known for its expert construction and attention to detail. Jeans feature reinforced stitching, custom rivets and buttons, and hand-stitched hems. Tops and outerwear are crafted with precision tailoring and luxe touches like mother-of-pearl buttons and silk linings.
Of course, all of this quality comes at a price. Frame‘s jeans start at around $180 and can climb to over $350 for specialty styles. Tops and knitwear range from around $100 for a basic tee to $400 and up for cashmere and silk pieces. Outerwear starts at around $300 for a denim jacket and can top $1000 for leather and shearling styles.
While Frame‘s prices are certainly steep compared to fast fashion brands, they‘re on par with other contemporary labels like Mother, AG, and Citizens of Humanity. And for many customers, the brand‘s quality and style are well worth the investment.
Fit and Sizing
One of the things Frame is known for is its excellent fit. The brand offers a range of sizes and inseams to suit different body types and preferences.
Frame‘s denim runs from size 23 to 34, with some styles available in petite and tall lengths. The brand‘s jeans tend to run true to size, but some customers find that they run slightly small, particularly in the waist. Frame recommends sizing up if you‘re between sizes or prefer a looser fit.
The brand‘s tops and knitwear range from XXS to XL, with some styles available in 1X to 3X. Frame‘s sizing is generally consistent with other contemporary brands, but some customers find that certain styles run a bit oversized.
Frame‘s outerwear ranges from XXS to XL and is generally true to size, but some customers find that the brand‘s leather jackets run slightly small.
Overall, Frame‘s sizing is fairly inclusive and consistent, but it‘s always a good idea to check the brand‘s size chart and customer reviews before ordering.
Customer Experience
Frame offers a relatively straightforward and user-friendly shopping experience on its e-commerce site. Customers can shop by category, fit, or collection, and the site offers detailed product descriptions and multiple views of each item.
Frame offers free shipping and returns on all US orders, with no minimum purchase required. International shipping is also available, although rates and delivery times vary by country.
If you need to make a return, Frame offers a prepaid return label and a 30-day window from the date of delivery. Items must be unworn and unwashed, with all tags attached.
One potential downside of Frame‘s customer experience is its limited brick-and-mortar presence. The brand only has a handful of stores worldwide, so most customers will need to rely on online shopping and returns.
Frame‘s customer service team is available via email and chat to answer questions and assist with orders. While some customers have reported issues with slow response times or unhelpful representatives, the majority of reviews praise Frame‘s customer service for being friendly and accommodating.
Brand Values and Sustainability
In recent years, Frame has made a commitment to sustainability and ethical manufacturing practices. The brand has pledged to reduce its environmental impact by using eco-friendly materials, minimizing waste, and partnering with responsible suppliers.
Some of Frame‘s sustainability initiatives include:
- Using recycled and organic cotton in its denim
- Partnering with the Better Cotton Initiative to support sustainable cotton farming
- Using eco-friendly dyes and washing techniques to reduce water and energy consumption
- Reducing packaging waste by using recycled and recyclable materials
- Partnering with ethical factories that prioritize worker well-being and fair labor practices
While Frame is certainly not the most sustainable or transparent brand out there, it‘s making a concerted effort to reduce its impact and support responsible manufacturing practices.
Pros and Cons
So, is Frame worth the investment? Here are some of the brand‘s main strengths and potential drawbacks to consider:
Pros:
- High-quality materials and construction
- Timeless, versatile designs that can be dressed up or down
- Excellent fit and a range of sizes and inseams
- Free shipping and returns
- Commitment to sustainability and ethical manufacturing
Cons:
- High price point compared to other denim and contemporary brands
- Limited brick-and-mortar presence for in-person try-ons and returns
- Some inconsistencies in sizing between styles
- Mixed reviews on customer service and responsiveness
Ultimately, whether Frame is worth it for you will depend on your personal style, budget, and priorities. If you‘re looking for high-quality, versatile basics that will stand the test of time, Frame may be a worthwhile splurge. But if you‘re on a tight budget or prefer trendier, fast-fashion pieces, there are certainly cheaper alternatives out there.
Styling Tips and Outfit Ideas
One of the great things about Frame‘s designs is how easy they are to mix and match into a variety of outfits. Here are a few styling tips and ideas to get you started:
- Pair Frame‘s high-rise skinny jeans with a tucked-in silk blouse and heeled boots for a chic date-night look.
- Layer a Frame denim jacket over a simple tee and wide-leg trousers for a casual yet put-together vibe.
- Dress up Frame‘s Le Original jeans with a cashmere sweater and statement earrings for a cozy-meets-glam ensemble.
- Try a monochromatic look by pairing Frame‘s white skinny jeans with a white tee and sneakers.
- Add some edge to a feminine dress with Frame‘s leather moto jacket.
Remember, the key to Frame‘s effortless aesthetic is to keep things simple and let the quality of the pieces speak for itself. Don‘t be afraid to mix and match high and low pieces, and prioritize comfort and confidence above all else.
Customer Reviews and Feedback
To get a better sense of how Frame‘s pieces perform in real life, we combed through dozens of customer reviews and testimonials. Here are some of the key takeaways:
Positive Reviews:
- Many customers praise Frame‘s jeans for their comfortable stretch and flattering fit.
- Several reviewers note that Frame‘s pieces are versatile and easy to dress up or down.
- Customers appreciate the brand‘s attention to detail and high-quality materials.
- Some reviewers say that Frame‘s pieces are worth the investment for their durability and timeless style.
Negative Reviews:
- A few customers report issues with sizing inconsistencies between styles.
- Some reviewers find Frame‘s prices to be too high, especially for basic pieces like tees and tanks.
- A handful of customers have had negative experiences with Frame‘s customer service, citing slow response times or unhelpful representatives.
- Some reviewers note that Frame‘s jeans can stretch out over time and may require frequent washing to maintain their shape.
Overall, the majority of Frame‘s reviews are positive, with customers praising the brand‘s quality, style, and fit. However, it‘s worth noting that Frame‘s pieces are a significant investment, and some customers may find the prices to be prohibitively high.
Final Thoughts
So, is Frame worth the hype? Based on our research and analysis, we believe that Frame is a solid investment for those looking for high-quality, versatile basics that will stand the test of time.
While Frame‘s prices are undoubtedly steep, the brand‘s commitment to premium materials, expert construction, and timeless design makes its pieces feel worth the splurge. Frame‘s jeans, in particular, have a cult following for their flattering fit and comfortable stretch, and the brand‘s knitwear and outerwear are equally covetable.
Of course, Frame is not without its drawbacks. The brand‘s limited brick-and-mortar presence can make it difficult to try on pieces in person, and some customers have reported issues with sizing inconsistencies and hit-or-miss customer service.
Ultimately, whether Frame is right for you will depend on your personal style, budget, and priorities. If you‘re willing to invest in high-quality basics that will last for years to come, Frame may be worth the splurge. But if you prefer trendier, more affordable pieces, there are certainly other options out there.
Regardless of whether you choose to invest in Frame‘s pieces, we hope this review has given you a better understanding of the brand‘s history, values, and offerings. Remember, the most important thing is to wear what makes you feel confident and comfortable – whether that‘s a pair of Frame jeans or your favorite thrifted tee.
