Gorman

It always surprises me that chain stores can have a completely different vibe when placed in different suburbs. I love Gorman clothing and can always find something new to consider on each visit (though I curse the person responsible for this season’s skirts as they make my hips look ginormous).
This particular outlet in Brunswick Street is one of the best I’ve come across. The layout of the store is good — with lots of light and big change rooms. The staff are super sweet (any sweeter and I’d have to poke them in the eye for making the rest of us look bad) and they’re really helpful bringing in size changes and suggesting combinations and matching pieces.
When it comes to buying Gorman in the future, this will be one of my go-​to stores.

Launched in 1999, Gorman has changed throughout the years, but continues to maintain a modern style that is influenced by our ever day life. Using local culture and carefully thought out colours and designs, Gorman’s designs are distinctive. When you see a Gorman’s dress or pants, you’ll most likely recognize it.
The use of colours is what initially attracted me to Gorman’s design. Their colours are brilliant — mustard, deep purples, yellow, teal — colours that contrast with each other and some how go together effortlessly. Unfortunately, dresses average around $ 250 and can go up to $ 600. It’s quite expensive, but the quality of the garments is impeccable. It can last for years. They even have a line of organic clothes for those environmentally aware.
Like many of the shops on Brunswick Street that are up market, I’m always slightly hesitant to go in. I remember the first time I went in, not knowing anything about Gorman. I walked around and my jaws dropped at the price, but the shop assistant was friendly and left me to walk around looking over everything.
If you are clearly going to buy something, they’re quite helpful.

You might’ve noticed many a Melburnian girl clomping around in strappy clogs like they’re Dutch farmhands, and if you haven’t yet you certainly will as the weather warms up. Gorman has a big part to play in this footwear phenomenon in this town.
Other than the fact that these Gorman clogs are making girls look a bit samey, at least from the ankle down, I think Gorman gives us girls the potential to look modern, feminine, smart, fashionable, cool and comfortable with their consistently tasteful style.
And Gorman is an eco-​warrior too with its range of organic and sustainable garments (made from fabrics that come from sustainable farming practices using non-​chemical processing), so you can look great in what you’re wearing and feel good about it too. That’s a winning combination.

If I were on a desert island and I could only take one shop with me, this would be it.
And while I starve to death because I’ve run out of coconuts, I won’t regret a thing. They’ll find my shrivelled corpse and think: ‘This freaky dead chick has some sweet threads. Pity her body has decomposed all over them.“
So Gorman isn’t cheap. Get here when there’s a sale on. If I were one of these people for whom money doesn’t matter, this is the first place I would spluge.
I love love love what they do, I love the aethestic. I love it.

Like slightly homespun looking designer clothes with the occasional raw edge, a smattering of matte sequins and more than a little whimsy? You’ll love Gorman. Just make sure you take a spare 250 odd bucks along for a dress or $ 500 for a coat, Gorman’s aesthetic may be cutesy but its prices are decidedly straightforward.
With a look I can only liken to city-​girl-​gone-​woodland-​witness-​protection-​programme, Gorman’s Brunwick Street Store is sweet and friendly, its staff effusively friendly. Definitely worth a look — if only for the sweet interiors — and especially around sale time. These fullas know how to put on a good sale.