When you think of Bohemian fashion, one brand that should pop into your mind is Free People. The brand is known for its electric and ‘free-spirited’ style. It feels like a perfect combination of Bohemian and modern fashion.
But is Free People a good brand? Let us discuss it by going through some important topics like quality, sustainability, style, and sizing, and one of the most important things, what customers think!
Is Free People A Good Brand | An Inside Look At Free People
Before diving deep into the details of a brand, it is always better to go through some history of how the brand started and its philosophies. It all started back in the 1970s when a young man called Dick Hayne opened a store in Pennsylvania. It started gaining popularity for its unique and free-spirited style. The young people who bought from the store felt their own sense of freedom.
Fast forward to a few decades, and Free People has achieved its subsidiary position of URBN and has expanded its product lines to clothes, accessories, and activewear. With its intricate designs, high-quality fabrics, and a distinct blend of modern trends and boho aesthetics, Free People has become a reputable name in women’s fashion, especially for those who want carefree and adventurous clothing.
Quality
Quality and craftsmanship are essential things to consider when evaluating a fashion brand. Talking about Free People, you will notice Bohemian aesthetics, meaning you’ll find complex details featuring embroidery, lace, and unique fabric combinations. But does the quality match this beauty?
Generally, Free People garments are well-made, with attention to detail that is obvious in their designs. Their products are made from responsible materials, are artisanally made, and are reusable. These responsible materials include organic cotton, recycled polyester, and other cellulose-based fabrics.
One of the best things about the brand is that it offers vegan leather and faux fur garments for cruelty-free options. 2016 the brand proudly went angora-fur-free as it stopped buying and producing products containing angora fur. However, like with any brand, there are some hits and misses. A few users reported an inconsistent quality of clothes and accessories over time.
The brand emphasizes and proudly mentions its sustainable practices through its Care FP Standards. You’ll see more about this in the upcoming sections.
Getting The Right Fit – Size
Free People has its size guide information for dresses, shoes, bottoms, and swimwear. But is getting the right size or fit a problem with Free people? You get a range of sizes from XS to XL, but there might be a little catch here. Because of their love for loose and flowy dresses, some pieces may run larger than expected. For example, some users reported that some styles from the brand are a bit small and not exactly true to their size.
The best thing to do here is to do some work beforehand. This means checking the size guide and reading reviews from other users who have purchased similar garments or accessories. This can save you time and money because there is no more hassle of returns or exchanges.
Price Point
Let’s be real: Free People isn’t the cheapest or one of the most affordable brands. It is considered to be a premium brand. Their items can range from about $30 to as high as $300. This can feel pricey for a lot of people. However, many fans believe these prices are justified because of the unique designs and good quality. Sometimes, they have sales and promotions where you could get their products for comparatively lower prices.
If you think of Free People as an investment that elevates your wardrobe, then the brand can be your tea! However, several users still feel that the steep prices are unnecessary, and you can find similar boho aesthetics from other brands. So, if you are on a budget, Free People feels overpriced, so you can either wait and browse their sale section or try out other brands.
Sustainability and Ethics
Looking for a sustainable or clean brand is a big deal today! If you are looking for sustainable brands while shopping, then this section of the article is important for you. Free People has been improving in this area, but there is still much room for improvement and growth.
They started striving towards more responsible and sustainable practices through their Care FP Standards. Care FP is about making big and small changes to protect the planet. The brand has already donated more than 140,000 units to community donations and over 2 million dollars to Girls INC.
However, here is the main key takeaway. The environmental rating given to Free People is ‘Not Good Enough.’ The brand has taken impressive steps to lower its carbon output by promoting fuel efficiency for transportation, renewable energy, and reusable shopping bags. However, there has been no proof of proper steps taken to address hazardous chemicals in their production or reduce the emission of greenhouse gases during its supply chain. For more details on this report, do visit this page.
What The Customers Say – Reviews and Feedback
Shopping with Free People is supposed to be a pleasant experience. This is because you get detailed product descriptions, and most importantly, they offer a fair return policy, allowing returns within 30 days. Let’s look at some of the customer reviews for a better idea.
One of the users on Reddit commented, ‘A stylist here! I like some of their collections. However, Free People is a ‘hit or miss’ brand. Moreover, I feel the stuff that they offer is a little overpriced. I think there are better brands out there that can give you a similar Hippie-Boho aesthetic, such as Anna Sui. Free People may be good for the younger audience; however, as I said, it is overpriced, especially for what they offer.’
Another user, SpringPedal, shared, ‘They have some really pretty and excellent quality pieces with biodegradable materials, well at least that’s what I know. However, they are a little expensive and sometimes feel like they aren’t the best quality. I usually purchase second-hand things from Free People, but I am ready to invest if I like something from the store that I genuinely love and isn’t available at an affordable price.
One user said, ‘It is a great brand to choose from if you are a choosy buyer. I buy those pieces that are less trendy. I got two sweaters and a top that I bought about 3 sizes bigger, and I wore them as a dress from 7 years ago. Honestly, I still get a lot of compliments whenever I wear them.’
Another user said, ‘One of the biggest issues with the brand is its inconsistent quality. Several years ago, I shopped from the brand a lot, but eventually, because of the mail-order disappointment, I had to stop. I used to place an order and get excited about it, only to find out that the product was poorly made and the colors were way too different compared to what I saw online or in their catalog. I just stopped shopping from there finally. ’
FAQs | Is Free People A Good Brand
Is Free People a premium brand?
Yes, Free People is a premium brand known for its high-quality materials and bohemian-inspired designs. These also include some great craftsmanship. The prices can range from about $30 to $300. The unique style and intricate designs make the brand one of the deserving ones to invest in. However, some customers find the brand a little overpriced.
Is Free People a Chinese company?
No, Free People is not a Chinese company; it is an American brand founded in Pennsylvania in the 1970s. It is a subsidiary of URBN, which is also based in the United States of America.
What aesthetic is Free People?
Free People is a bohemian, free-spirited aesthetic that features vintage-inspired style. This aesthetic has flowing or loose silhouettes, complex embroidery, lace details, and earthy tones. The brand’s collections are designed to induce a kind of adventure and individuality, especially for those who love a carefree yet stylish look that has both a modern and timeless boho vibe.
What makes Free People unique?
Free People’s distinctive bohemian aesthetic and high-quality craftsmanship and design make Free People unique. The brand seamlessly blends vintage and free-spirit fashion with modern trends for a timeless vibe. It creates a sense of individuality and a carefree lifestyle.
Conclusion
To get the right answer to ‘Is Free People a Good Brand?’ you need to know what you want in a fashion brand. If you value unique bohemian-inspired vintage-styled designs and are willing to invest in higher-quality pieces, then Free People might be the one for you. However, if you look for sustainability in a fashion label, you may do a little more research and wait for the brand to improve.
If you prioritize budget-friendly prices with proper ethics and sustainability, Free People might disappoint you. Ultimately, it is all about who gets captured with the charm of free-spirited and adventurous essence in terms of clothing through the brand!
