I turned 30 last month, and it was pretty anti-climactic. Nothing changed and I didn’t have any perspective-shifting epiphanies like I thought I would. What did occur to me, though, is that I hate all of my going-out clothes. As I was getting dressed for my little dinner-and-drinks celebration, I realized that I have officially aged out of all the fail-safe options I relied on in my 20s: the skimpy dresses, sheer tops, and leather skirts that always made me feel good when nothing else in my closet was working. But now that my nights consist of long dinners and cocktail bars — not clubs and questionable after-parties — I want going-out clothes that feel more mature, sophisticated, and practical without compromising on sexiness. I’m not the only one, either. I see the conversation floating around online all the time, and I was just talking about it with stylist Allison Bornstein, who recently wrote an entire Substack on what to wear when you go out in your 30s.
Revolve must have picked up on this phenomenon, because the fashion retailer launched an in-house label on March 9 that features elevated nighttime looks and so much partywear for those who don’t want to party — from razor-sharp tailored pieces and crocodile-embossed leather to jersey shirts, hand-embroidered gowns, and more sculptural dresses. The label sits at a higher price point than most of the other brands you can find on revolve.com. So I tested two pieces from the first collection, a belted leather jacket and a low-cut bodysuit, to see if they are worth the splurge.
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How Did I Style It?
Chimere Bodysuit: I know what you’re thinking: a low-cut black bodysuit and jeans scream “2016.” I thought the same at first. But the accentuated waistline, gathered fabric, and wing sleeves make it feel much more modern on the body. The dramatic silhouette looks cool with something simple on the bottom. I styled it with Agolde leather pants and my favorite black belt, a pair of vintage high-waist straight-leg jeans (similar options below), and straight-leg black jeans from the latest Madewell x Alexa Chung collaboration (similar options below). I can also see myself wearing this with a streamlined column skirt. Anything slim-fitting that has a high waistline will look cool.
Kova Leather Jacket: I wore this to work with gray striped low-rise trousers from Reformation, a black long-sleeve top from CouCou, and Margaux ballet flats. I liked the way it looked with wide-leg Dissh trousers and straight-leg jeans from Madewell plus Margaux boots. I tried to style it as a layering piece, but it really only works when it’s zipped up and belted. The funnel-neck piece is detachable, which I love. I wore it both ways and found that this design detail really amped up the versatility and price per wear. The belt is also detachable and the shape of it is great. Even though it’s superlong, I plan on wearing it with jeans and trousers.
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How Does It Fit?
Chimere Bodysuit: True to size. The medium was perfect on me, long enough to snap without pulling down on my shoulders. Keep in mind that I have very small boobs, but I do think this is a low-cut bodysuit that people with bigger chests could wear and feel comfortable in. It’s mostly made of viscose but also contains a very small percentage of spandex, so it has an elastic, supportive feel to it. The waistline is also high (it hits me above the belly button), which adds an extra level of support.
Kova Leather Jacket: Also true to size. I’m a size 6 in jackets and took a medium in this one. The sleeves are nice and long, which I appreciate as someone who is five-eight. It also fits me really well through the shoulders, even though mine are broad and often require me to size up in fitted jackets. I struggled with the belt and the fit at the hips. The jacket looked best when the belt was nice and snug and gave me some shape, but unfortunately, I couldn’t cinch the belt without the fabric gathering awkwardly, as you can see below. It takes a bit of maneuvering and adjusting to get the jacket to sit just right, especially because it’s long and hits several inches below the hips. When I did manage to get the belt right, I loved the way it looked. But I wouldn’t describe this jacket as effortless.
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How Does It Feel?
Chimere Bodysuit: Slinky, lightweight, and airy — but not so much so that I constantly feel at risk of having a nip slip, thanks to the gathered, corded detail in the back. It’s 96 percent viscose (sigh), but the impeccable drape kind of counteracts that in my mind and makes the bodysuit as a whole feel more expensive. Nothing about my personal style is sexy; I’m an oversize-clothes girl through and through. But this bodysuit made me feel hot, hotter than anything I’ve put on my body in months.
Kova Leather Jacket: Comfortable, breathable, and soft to the touch. But I have to say, I was surprised to see that this jacket is 100 percent lamb leather. It has the softness I would expect from lamb leather but not the suppleness or the luxurious drape. Since lamb leather is thin and lightweight, it usually falls beautifully and looks flattering on the body (like this 100 percent lamb-leather St. Agni skirt I reviewed last year). But when I tried to wear this jacket without the belt, it looked stiff and shapeless. I wish it had an elasticated hem.
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Are They Worth the Splurge?
Chimere Bodysuit: Yes. I know we’re all rolling our eyes at $250 for viscose, but sexy going-out tops that also happen to be stylish and sophisticated are hard to come by, and this one checks all the boxes. The way I felt when I first put it on — hot, confident, and cool! — is well worth $250. Plus it’s so flattering. I already know it’s going to be my go-to for dinners, drinks, and parties. The black version is low in stock, but the brown version below is just as good.
Kova Leather Jacket: No, I would not purchase this jacket. It’s 100 percent lamb leather, so I wouldn’t say it’s unfairly priced. But the belt situation is too finicky for my wardrobe, which mostly consists of minimalist, low-effort pieces. The drop waistline that hits me at an awkward length also makes it hard to style. And since it really doesn’t work without the belt, the price per wear is low. Plus the leather-jacket market these days is bountiful with lots of options. If you’re already shopping on Revolve, I’d recommend this style from Helsa, one of the Cut Style team’s favorite brands, instead. It’s also 100 percent leather and features a similar silhouette but will be easier to style because it’s more fitted at the hips.
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However, if you love the concept of a leather jacket with a hip belt, this one might be worth the splurge. The vast majority of belted leather jackets on the market are either cropped or cinched at the waist, not the hips. Tl;dr: You’re not going to find something similar (trust me, I looked), so if you love it, get it now before it sells out.
