16Arlington Reviewed: Feathers, Sequins, Satin and Sizing, Piece by Piece

I have handled most of the 211 16Arlington pieces at Coveti and worn a few of them, and this is the review I would give a friend: the feathers and sequins are as good as anything at the price, the satin-and-lace set is the quiet value, the sheer pieces need a slip, and the sizing runs close. What follows goes fabric by fabric, then style by style, with the caveats where they belong.

The verdict in one paragraph

Buy 16Arlington for the pieces that are its own idea: the feather-hemmed minis and midis, the woven-sequin columns and the satin-and-lace camisoles and knitwear/cardigan/" class="cvx-al cvx-al--category">cardigans. They are made in the United Kingdom and Portugal to a standard that shows in the linings, the zips and the bust cups, and they hold their shape after a night out in a way the high-street copies do not. Be more careful with the sheerest chiffons, which are lovely and unforgiving, and with the resale, which is soft because the house is young.

Feathers

The plumes are natural ostrich, marabou and goose, applied by hand to a tape and stitched to the hem, cuff, split, wherever they sit. On the Hodi mini the ostrich hem moves beautifully and sheds a little on the first two wears, then settles. Store it hanging, never folded, and dry-clean only. The Michelle top puts marabou on the cuffs, which is the most practical place for feathers, away from chairs and car doors. The Flora skirt carries dip-dyed plumes in a ring below the knee over a chiffon lining, and the lining is what makes it wearable. The feather dress guide ranks the group.

Sequins

The sequin cloth is woven, not glued, so the Electra gown and the Sior dress drape like a heavy satin and do not shed. They are cool against the skin, fully lined, and heavy enough that the Electra needs its side zip fully closed to sit right. The polyester composition is the industry standard for sequin cloth; both are made in Portugal. The Elin cardigan in sequin is the softest of the group and the easiest to wear by day.

Satin and lace

The Clio top, Filipa cardigan, Ricci trouser and Elma shorts are cut in a nylon-and-elastane satin with a stretch lace, made in the United Kingdom. The satin has weight and a soft sheen, the lace is scalloped and lies flat, the rivets on the Clio are hand-applied. This is the set I would send a first-time buyer to: it fits true to size, it is under a thousand dollars a piece, and it works in daylight.

Chiffon and georgette

The Agata gown and the Wye midi are sheer by design and photographed over a slip. They are light, fluid and beautifully cut through the bust, and they show everything underneath, which is the point and is worth knowing before you order. The Connie mini in technical satin is the opaque alternative at the same price.

Knits, denim and leather

The alpaca-blend Alena cardigan and Dovico jumper are soft, slouchy and made in China; the feather trims sit on the cuffs and hem where they will not catch. The Jolie jacket and Junia trouser in organic-cotton denim are properly made daywear with metal hardware and a leather buckle. The Palmi trench in vegetable-tanned leather is the best-made piece in the range and priced accordingly.

Sizing and fit

Close to the body across the board. The satin-and-lace set is true to size, the sequin columns are close through the body with no give, and the tailored-bust dresses sit where the cups are cut. The size guide converts the ladder and says where to size up; the model is 178 cm and wears a UK 8.

Service

Luxury Handbags ships by DHL Express and FedEx from its London, Paris, Melbourne and Dubai hubs, processing in one to three business days and delivering in two to five. Most United States orders have their import duties covered; other regions ship Delivered Duty Unpaid, so local duties and taxes fall due on arrival. Returns are accepted within 14 days of delivery, unworn and with the Luxury Handbags security tag attached, and every piece is authenticated before dispatch.

Key facts

• Strongest: feather hems and cuffs, woven-sequin columns, the satin-and-lace set, the leather trench
• Caveats: sheer chiffons need a slip; feathers shed lightly at first and are dry-clean only; sequin columns have no stretch
• Made in the United Kingdom (180 pieces) and Portugal (26); knits from China
• Sizing runs close; true to size on satin and lace, size up on sequins if between sizes

Read next

Is 16Arlington a luxury brand? The size guide. How to style 16Arlington. The price guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is 16Arlington good quality?

Yes. The feather trims are natural plumes applied by hand, the sequins are woven into the cloth rather than glued, the satin pieces are lined and finished with concealed zips, and most of the range is made in the United Kingdom and Portugal.

Do 16Arlington feathers fall out?

A few loose plumes come away on the first wears, then the trim settles. Hang the piece, do not fold it, and dry-clean only. Feathers on cuffs and hems last longer than feathers on a seat.

Are 16Arlington dresses see-through?

The chiffon and georgette styles are sheer by design and meant to be worn over a slip. The technical satin, sequin and lace-trimmed satin dresses are opaque.

Is 16Arlington comfortable?

The satin-and-lace pieces and the knits are as comfortable as anything in the wardrobe. The sequin columns are heavier and close-fitting, and the feather hems ask you to sit carefully.

How should I wash 16Arlington?

Dry-clean the feather, sequin, chiffon and satin pieces. The denim and the viscose t-shirt wash at 30 degrees. Never iron over sequins, and never over feathers.