New (Clothing) Crush: Babette
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| Simple, yes. Boring, no. Picture with a favorite necklace or statement cuff bracelet! |
In comments on last week’s Traveling in Style post, Nancy Friedman of Fritinancy (whose blog is a must-read if you enjoy the amusing intricacies of language, marketing and branding) mentioned the Babette clothing she likes for travel. I hopped over to check out Babette’s website and was immediately and absolutely smitten with what I saw.
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| Easy elegance, my favorite kind. |
All of the clothing is manufactured in the Oakland, California factory, utilizing special equipment to achieve the unique pleating, which is all done by hand. Babette herself still owns/runs the company and designs all of the clothing.
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| Oh la la! |
As you might imagine, these are not inexpensive pieces, but in doing a bit of online research since reading Nancy’s recommendation, I’ve read many other mentions of how well this clothing is made, how easy it is to care for and that it holds up for years. In fact, at a family gathering over the weekend, I mentioned this line to a cousin whom I thought might like it, and she said “oh, I love Babette! I’ve had a couple of the tops for years and they’re what I pull out when I’m not sure what to wear.”
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| Want. This. Tunic!!! |
I stopped by their Santa Monica store on Friday to see the clothes for myself, and wound up trying on at least 20 pieces. At first glance, I didn’t think a lot of them would work for me (especially the pants) but was delighted to find that the cuts and especially the fluid drape of the the fabrics were quite flattering. The texture and pleating must be seen up close and felt to be fully appreciated. I was also very impressed with the simple-but-elegant designs in neutral colors which can be dressed up or down, and would coordinate easily with items already in my wardrobe. And *every* piece is hand washable! Even the pleated pants and the jackets. Among my very favorite details are the snap closings (rather than buttons), both on blouses and pants.
According to the very helpful Sales Associates, these garments can be stuffed into a suitcase and come out of it ready-to-wear, and as mentioned above, can be hand washed and dried overnight. But these clothes aren’t just for travel; they really punch up an otherwise basic outfit, and many items I tried could easily achieve Hero status in my everyday wardrobe.
The sizing is also mature-woman-friendly; unlike some designers who produce clothing only for the very tiny, these clothes would probably be wearable for women from US size 4 up to a size 16-18. The pleating gives most of what I tried on that wonderful “fits-and-skims-but-doesn’t-cling” quality that makes a piece flattering for those with curves. Some of the pieces pictured here may look voluminous, but again, drape in such a way as to be flattering, even on a short stack comme moi meme.
But the line isn’t exclusively color-neutral; for those of you who crave color and pattern, feast your eyes….
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| This jacket is Absolutely Gorgeous™ up close, fabric has a unique texture. |
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| J’adore this color story! |
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| Not your grandmother’s polka dots… |
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| Love the shape and vintage look of this top. |
The clothing isn’t sold online, but here are lists of their Babette boutiques and other retail stores that carry this line. It’s well worth scheduling a trip to the nearest one to see and try these!!
No, bien sur I didn’t walk out of the store empty-handed; check back tomorrow to see what came home with me. (Actually checked off another item from my Wardrobe Needs list!)
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I like the fluidity of the pieces but I’d look a sight in those trousers unless I was on stilts.
Like Babatte too. Most of the pieces are poly, but a very high quality poly. The pants are the same problem as EF, short inseam for tall womeen (unless you preted you *wanted* crops) Though pieces are sold here, wish they had an e-commerce site.
I think there ARE websites that sell Babette. Check here–and I saw others:
http://www.helloboutique.com/showroom/?ac=3&des=18
Oh, dear. I’m afraid these all fall under the classification of “clown clothes.” Be careful.
Very Pseu! Look forward to seeing what you find. And I enjoy Fritinancy too.
I too would be wary of those wide pants. I like the concept, but there are crinkled poly tunics at all price levels (including the very lowest)–and i’m wondering if these garments look worth what they cost. I too await your report!
Thanks for the kind words, Pseu! I’m thrilled that you had a successful outing at Babette. I’ve been collecting Babette clothes for at least 12 years, and I still wear some of the first items I bought.
For the skeptics among your readers (“clown clothes,” “not worth the money”), I would emphasize that head-to-toe Babette is probably not the best strategy. But consider wearing one of the tops with jeans or plain black pants: very chic. Keep in mind, too, the savings in dry-cleaning costs and the environmental savings–no machine drying. Know, too, that everyone who makes these clothes is earning a living wage in the San Francisco Bay Area.
I’m 5’8″ and have never had a problem with the length of the pants. Babette herself is taller than I am and wears her own designs.
Online sales are nice (although the Hello Boutique photos are pretty awful). But I’ve found it very helpful to try the pieces on. I can wear anything from an XS to a M in Babette.
By the way, the fall/winter Babette lines include beautiful, just-unusual-enough sweaters. Something to look forward to!
I love Babette. So sad when she retired. Do you hand wash with mild soap, wring dry and then roll in a towel so the all the folds stay intact? It would be great to hear your process in handwashing. Thanks.
They look very easy and elegant…and hooray there is a shop in Seattle that carries the line…I’ll check them out when I am there!
Thank you and hope to see what you choose to buy for your trip.
Hostess
Jane and Lance Hattatt – these pants are incredibly fluid and comfortable, very feminine! Well, now you have another reason to visit our continent…
Splurgie – Nancy’s blog is great, and really gets me thinking about language.
Tabitha – you’d be surprised; they’re very fluid and look better on than you’d imagine.
Duchesse – I was certain the fabrics I tried were silk until the SA informed me otherwise. But yes, this isn’t the same polyester of 20 years ago.
Susan – thanks for the link.
Pam – yes, if you have some favorite jewelry, these pieces would complement and not compete with it.
Anonymous – I’m curious, what specifically about these clothes reads as “clownish” to you? I probably wouldn’t wear an entire ensemble, but these mix so well and add some interest to my jeans and EF pieces.
LPC – Thanks! As mentioned above, some of these would work brilliantly with what I already own.
JaneW – I was so glad I went to the boutique and had the staff help with sizing and making suggestions of items to try. Some things that looked on the hanger like they’d never work in a million years were the ones I liked the best on me!
Frugalscholar – I’ve found with wide pants that if they are fluid enough and drape that they can be quite flattering. To me the movement of them feels elegant when I want a dressier pant. This polyester is amazing; I was sure it was silk until I asked. But the price is also warranted (IMO) by the fact that they’re made in the US and (as Nancy says below) by skilled workers who are paid a living wage. I’ve seen “bridge” designer pieces that cost as much and are made in countries with lower labor costs.
Fritinancy – thanks again so much for turning me onto this brand and for sharing the background. I agree about mixing these with simple pieces to add impact and interest.
Hostess – great! Please do let us know what you think.
I agree that the Hello Boutique photos are bad. I thought the white blouse was interesting–and can’t wait to see what Deja Pseu purchased. Of coure we want photos!
Wow! What a fabulous video! Thanks Susan Tiner. Now I will have to look to see if Babette is sold anywhere in Dallas. I would love to try it on—and see if it is really flattering. Can’t imagine wearing the pants either–but if Deja Pseu says they are flattering, I believe her.
Hello:
It may surprise you to know that I do not possess a single pair of trousers in any shape or fabric. Lance is the one who literally wears the trousers in this household! However, if I were to be persuaded to try some, then I should most probably go for ones of the kind you show here.
I love all the neutral shades and the fluidity of the designs is most appealing. Rather difficult, sadly, is that they are a plane ride away!!
Looking forward to seeing what you picked out. Thank you for suggesting Nancy’s blog. I love to read your blog for all the latest. You always find ’em!
I like Babette as well, although I have to go down to NYC to get much of a selection, so I don’t manage to shop there often. Used to shop Babette when I went to California more often though. I’ve gotten a piece or two from Fawbush’s as well.
Agree with Duchesse, pant lengths are a problem, unless the pant works well at a cropped length.
I love and would wear all of these looks…but proably would add a great statement necklace to a couple of them…this is a wonderful style and I just love the edge of them. I am finding myself these days desiring more of a neutral based look…so far I haven’t pulled it off.
I’ve seen Babette on Fawbush’s site: http://www.fawbushs.com.
Their staff is wonderful about clariying size info, too.
Wow. I love the pieces pictured here and couldn’t help doing a little of own research. Here’s a wonderful video on Babette:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/c/a/2008/04/27/LVTFVSGQD.DTL&object=
I will be visiting her San Francisco boutique on Sutter St.
Thank you for introducing me to this amazing designer!
Not bad at all! I appreciate the fact that they are made in US. And the models are just the right amount different!
I own so few trousers but these I must admit are Pretty Good. Happy Easter x
Susan Tiner – thanks so much for that great video. It’s fascinating to see the pleating processes used!
metscan – thanks, some of the textures remind me of your Elm pieces.
Mardel – and for me the regular pants are too long, but the cropped length hit me at the ankle!
RoseAG – great dress, good eye!
Faux Fuchsia – I love the pants, and was surprised at how good they look and feel on.
I have admired Babette’s ads in the NYT. I prefer the print/patterned items.
I don’t usually post about fashion but I made an exception for this dress:
http://roseag-roseg.blogspot.com/2010/03/weekly-reading.html
O, I love the last ensemble. Too vintage and sweet. And they’re made in the Bay Area? I love local and sweatshop-free.
Argentée – yes! Made in the US and the workers are paid a living wage. It’s a win-win.
It’s like Eileen Fisher with “something more”!
I went to their web site and their collections just get better and better! I think a trip to Seattle is in my future. But if they had online shopping, I’d be reaching for my credit card right now.
I love this stuff! I love to sleep on planes in REAL clothes, not the pajamas you get, so this is perfect. Will check out!
emma – yes! And these pieces mix *beautifully* with my EF pieces to punch up the look a bit.
karen – I think these will be FANTASTIC for travel. You are going to love some of the prints and colors too!
I love the white crushed top and black pant and several other crushed tops.
How do I order something from you????? I love the pleated pant and would
like them in colors………………do you still sell those? Do you have a catalog?
Hi sandi, I’m afraid that this brand went out of business in the last couple of years. You may be able to find some pieces on ebay or one of the other resale sites. I don’t sell any clothing myself, just write about style and travel.
A pair of my black Babette pants (with vertical and horizontal pleats that form squares) has white mold on them. What’s the best way to deal with this? Dry cleaning? Soak in vinegar, then wash?
Hi Marsha, I’m not an expert nor have I had experience with mold on clothing, but I always start with the mildest options, then work up. So I’d start with vinegar (soak or add to a wash load) and if that doesn’t work, as the cleaner for advice.