When it comes to fashion, Brandon Blackwood is one name that will always keep you guessing. While the brand's bags and accessories continue to be a tried-and-true mainstay in the industry, Blackwood continues to come out with new, innovative projects, from dressing stars to creative collabs. In June 2024, the brand opened a new clothing line, Studio by Brandon Blackwood.
Nicknamed BB Studio, the collection includes wardrobe staples like t-shirts, tank tops, hoodies and pencil skirts as well as trendy dresses, maxi dresses and more. Designed with multiple body shapes in mind, the sizes range from XS to 3X with room to stretch thanks to the cotton and spandex material. While originally available in black, white, green, pink and blue, the collection has now expanded to include heather grey, red and brown for fall.
While this exciting new line has understandably garnered much attention from the fashion world, we know consumers really want to know all the gritty details about the clothes before they spend their hard-earned money. So, we decided to try out a few pieces and share our thoughts so you can be an informed shopper. Scroll on to read our reviews!
Shauna Beni-Haynes, Commerce Editor
This convertible slit halter dress is the perfect wardrobe pick for dinner parties or other fancy occasions. It comes with a halter neckline, a side slit, and an eye-catching low scoop back. I loved that the simplistic design gave off very chic and elegant vibes, and you don’t need to do too much to dress it up. I paired it with high heels, gold drop earrings, and a simple clutch to complete my look. The fabric feels pretty soft and comfortable to move around in; however, there is very limited stretch, so I would size up if you’re between sizes.
Sara Delgado, Editor-at-Large
My first thought upon receiving this dress was how heavy it was. Even though it folds compactly, it seriously weighs a lot — or at least a lot more than I expected for a “summery” dress with spaghetti straps. Though I was surprised, it was a good surprise since it means the grams per meter (GSM) of the cotton is higher than what we are used to. The dress is made from a ribbed-stretch fabric consisting of 95% cotton and 5% spandex, so it sits tightly but comfortably on the body. Despite its thickness, I didn’t feel excessively warm in it though I’d be curious to see how it performs during colder months.
Overall, I really liked the Convertible Slit Maxi Dress though there were a couple of things I would improve if I could. On me, the neckline was a bit straighter than what it appears on the product flat lays on the site, which means it did dig up a little into my armpits if I pulled it up to not be so chesty and, thankfully, that didn’t make the straps uncomfortable on the shoulders. The optional zippers are what I think make this dress go from a basic piece to a statement basic, since you can actually choose how much leg you show, also upping up the versatility. However, when I first went to unzip them, they were quite hard to pull down, and I had to get assistance from my partner. I'm not sure if the zippers will loosen up with more uses — for now, I’ve kept them at the same height! — but a pair of nicer zippers would definitely make this an even better purchase. For $60, however, it is still a pretty solid and highly versatile choice.
Claire Dodson, Culture Associate Director
I really wanted to like the cropped Brandon Blackwood Logo Crop tank top I tested in sky blue, but the sizing and material texture, unfortunately, weren't for me. The colors of the tank tops are pretty — vibrant pinks, blues, greens — but they ran small. I'm normally a 2X/3X, and the 3X felt uncomfortably tight and left me tugging it down constantly. I've been trying to embrace crop tops more lately, and I could see this top working if your body is shaped a bit differently, but on me, it was too cropped (I have a long-ish torso) and kept riding up over my C cups. I can see myself wearing it as a knock-around-the-house tank, but it's so cute it deserves more!
Donya Momenian, Fashion & Beauty Associate Editor
I tried the Brandon Blackwood Ribbed Zip Hoodie first, and I really loved it. I got a size S, and it was still loose and not too cropped, so it felt nice. It's not really a casual cozy hoodie. It's more of a sleek and lightweight hoodie. It's great for summer nights and probably fall and spring outings too. I love how I can dress it up a bit for a trendy look or dress it down for chill days. Overall, I totally recommend it if you're looking for a trendy retro zip-up jacket to add to your wardrobe.
On the flip side, I struggled with the Ruched Maxi Skirt a little bit. The silhouette is so beautiful, and the fit is so flattering. I felt like a mermaid. There was one caveat, though. I got a size S, since that's typically what I am at most stores, and it was quite long. I'm actually a bit taller than other friends who are are usually a size S, so I was a little shocked. I tried to wear it a little higher up to make up for it, and I thought it looked fine even though it was a little baggy, but the elastic along the ruching made me feel itchy, so I couldn't keep it on my skin for long. I think for this, it would be best to size down to account for the length, and it should be okay because the material is stretchy.
