Review: Gryphon Summer 2011 Part 1

Gryphon is one of my favorite brands to peruse and luckily, I was able review a few summer pieces to share with you.

This brand is known for its reinvention of the classic trench coat and has expanded to include a full collection. Known for its high quality materials and embellished details, it is a contemporary line that constantly draws from the theme of “classic with a twist.” While adopting trendy items along with its classic staples, Gryphon creates special clothes for the everyday.

Summer is the perfect time for experimentation. The warm weather makes it easier to try a new silhouette, to test out a new color, or even dress in a different style from your usual uniform. The trends range from the traditional nautical looks to the bolder color-blocking combinations. Out of all the summer trends, the neon and neutral one is the most fun with bright colors tempered by the calming neutrals.

The tank and the shorts are by Gryphon. The silk tank has an asymmetrical hem and a deep racer-back style that creates a casual look to the luxurious fabric. The draping flatters the body and flows when you walk. The checkered detail along the neckline and back adds more visual interest to this relatively simple silhouette.

In Small, the tank fits pretty well with an easy looseness to it. I love how the tank is so bright and yet, it still looks very sophisticated. This is not a kid’s tank, but an adult version that can work for a casual beach outing or a dressier date night. The Gryphon checker tank comes in XS and in other colors like white, black, and aqua.

The Gryphon shorts balances out the bright pink of the tank and the checker detail separates it from a standard khaki pair. The cotton fabric is lightweight and smooth to the touch that gives it a delicate quality than your standard shorts. In Small, I’m wearing them on my low hip and the 3″ inseam works for a mid-thigh look. If the shorts were brought up to the waist, it would provide a more balanced look with flats.

The waist is about 30″ for the Small and I’m sure the XS runs slightly smaller. From past experience, the fitted bottoms tend to run larger than the ones with some stretch or elastic attached to it.

Outfit Details: Gryphon checker tank – S, Gyphon glow shorts – S, American Apparel lace bodysuit – XS, Charles David Awaken wedges

This outfit pairing creates a great safari or beach look and separately, each item is so versatile that it goes with almost anything in your current closet. The checker detail is what sets these basic items apart from what you’d find elsewhere.

When it comes to maxi dresses, petites can wear this look depending on the style and silhouette to match one’s body type. As for maxi skirts, I haven’t had the opportunity to try one until now. At first, when I received this item, I thought it was a dress/cover-up with a super high slit and only after I read the manifest did I realize that it was a skirt.

The maxi skirt has a knotted, ruched waist with a side zipper and a long slit for ease of movement. The shape of the skirt is hard to define, but it’s slim column with a slight fishtail effect. With some 4-5″ wedges, the skirt’s hem just barely skims the floor. In Small, the waist of the skirt is about 2-3″ smaller than the checkered shorts with some stretch to the cotton jersey fabric. I would prefer to wear an XS for a more fitted silhouette, but even in Small, the skirt fits very well.

Outfit Details: Forever 21 tank – XS, Gryphon twisted maxi skirt- S, Charles David Awaken wedges

With the three items from Gryphon, this brand is another option for smaller-sized petites as well as the general population. Gryphon sizes run from XS to L and 0 to 12. The Gryphon price point is in the mid-range between mainstream stores and designer collections. It reflects the quality, design, and distinctive attention to detail that has made this brand popular with celebrities and TV shows like Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars. I’ve had my eye on this brand since I saw it in several stores in LA and I loved their unique take on classic pieces.

Stay tuned the rest of the week for more features on Gryphon!

*The Gryphon clothes featured for this review are on loan and will be sent back.

Tagged as: bright colors, fashion, gryphon, maxi skirt, neon and neutral, new york, petite, review, style, summer, trend