So I saw this Ellen Tracy blouse on sale last week and started wondering – is this brand actually any good? Figured I’d test it out myself instead of just guessing. Here’s how it went down.
The Thrift Store Find
Grabbed two Ellen Tracy pieces from Goodwill to keep costs low – one printed wrap dress and one silk blend blouse. Paid $8 total for both, which felt like a steal already. The material looked decent at first glance, no obvious flaws on the racks.
Testing Process
Wore the blouse first for grocery runs and coffee dates. After three machine washes (cold water, gentle cycle like the tag said), I noticed:
- Threads unraveling along the button placket
- Wrinkles setting in permanently across the back
- Color fading unevenly under the arms
The wrap dress held up better through five wears, but the tie belt started pilling like crazy where it rubbed against my waist. The outer fabric still looked okay though.
Price Check
Checked what these pieces cost brand new online. Nearly choked – that same blouse retails for $89! The dress goes for $120+. No way that’s justified when my $15 H&M top lasts longer.
Final Verdict
Here’s my honest take:
- Quality: Not terrible but not great. Feels like outlet-tier fabric with polished packaging.
- Value: Only makes sense at 70%+ discount. Full price is daylight robbery.
- Who should buy: If you need polished-looking work clothes fast and find massive discounts? Maybe. Else? Hard pass.
Would I pay retail? Hell no. Found identical quality at TJ Maxx for quarter the price. This brand’s basically riding on its 90s reputation at this point. Glad I tested it before wasting real money.
