FYI.

This story is over 5 years old.

Entertainment

NYFW - A Quantum Leap with Samantha Pleet

The last time I checked in with Samantha Pleet she was an optimistic up-and-comer who made adorable party dresses and trademark rompers that "looked good with bad tattoos."

The last time I checked in with Samantha Pleet she was an optimistic up-and-comer who made adorable party dresses and trademark rompers that "looked good with bad tattoos." Two years later I was greeted with an equally wearable and fun spring collection that was a little more grown up.

A residency on the floors of Saks Fifth Avenue probably didn't hurt the evolution of the line, yet Pleet is and always will be Brooklyn's plucky go-to gal. Much like another of Brooklyn's finest, Mary Meyer, she makes clothes for girls I know--and girls I know wear her clothes.

Advertisement

One big change this season: Pleet slowed the role of her multi-season romperlution. Instead of the half dozen I counted way back when, I saw a total of one romper and one full-length jumpsuit. This season cast a wider net of shapes, including calf-length dresses with twisted waists and knotted cutouts, smart blazers, adorable shorts, and swimwear.

Capes are another cornerstone of Pleet's line, and the requisite example was a lovely deep forest green number that felt a little out of place in the neutral and teal palate.

Another cape appeared attached to a swimsuit, which felt a little costume-y when imagined at the beach, though very adventurous if one more piece of clothing were tossed in the mix and it was worn as a bodysuit.

Once again, Pleet gave us a vintage mash-up. A diamond print jumpsuit seemed especially 1980s-resort, while a blush dress with a knotted waist seemed more 1940s. Then again, a black, silk twisted-waist dress worn a bit looser felt straight-up 1990s. Who knew a twisted waist was the key to quantum leap?

And yet the presentation was cohesive. The diamond cutouts echoed throughout; the vertical color blocking cozied up next to stripes and an abstract, feathery watercolor print.

My burning lust kicked in when I noticed Derrik Cruz's Black Sheep and Prodigal Sons accessories. I'm a sucker for horsehair and leather. Um, burned leather? Sign me up! White resin, I'll take it. They didn’t all totally go with the looks, as the beastly jagged materials contrasted in an odd way with the lighter of the garments, but the white leather pieces popped perfectly against the dresses. Regardless of my opinion here, I'm still majorly jazzed about the black horsehair necklace and bracelets.

Advertisement

One crucial side note: The median height of attendees was the most consistently tiny I've ever seen. Pleet herself is about five feet tall, and—no joke—about half the crowd was just her size. In my heels I felt like a seriously awkward giant until the models came out, and then I just felt seriously awkward. Here's a photo to give you an idea of the height differential:

On the subject of important side notes, here's another one: How amazing does this champagne bartender look? I was totally mesmerized by her. I kinda just wanted to dive right in.