Gorman Dresses Review

About Gorman

Looking to spice up your wardrobe with some bright pieces for the summer? Look no further! Gorman is known for its vibrant colors and unique designs. With vivid splotches and shapes, their collections for women and kids are fun and lively. 

Despite being an Australian and New Zealand-based brand, these iconic Gorman face masks, clothing, footwear, accessories gathered 274K followers on Instagram—they are definitely a known brand! 

This Gorman dresses review will take you through the brand, products, customer ratings, promotions, and more to help you decide if their picks are right for you. 

Overview of Gorman

Lisa Gorman began her fashion empire in Warrnambool, Australia. After learning to sew on her great grandmother’s Singer machine, Lisa sold custom-made applique sweaters to Warrnambool’s craft stores, beginning her first business. 

She signed up for night school in visual merchandising, signed on for a two-year sales traineeship under bridal designer Mariana Hardwick. The young entrepreneur quickly worked her way up to become a designer—all while working part-time at the hospital. 

Finally, at age 28, Lisa launched her own design business: Gorman. Despite humble beginnings as a one-woman operation, it grew into a chain with over 40 stores across Australia! 

The company is loved by the bulk of its faithful customers (called “Gormies”), but there are increasing concerns about declining quality and manufacturing ethics.

The brand participates in cruelty-free, environmental, and ethical initiatives within their business.

To prove it, the brand clearly labels the sourcing of all of their materials on their website with as little environmental impact and cruelty as possible.

Just before this Gorman dresses review gets into the details, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the brand. 

Pros

• Many Gorman clothing pieces offered for women and kids
• A wide range of items besides clothing offered, including homeware and children toys 
• All products are made as ethically as possible
• A variety of promotions and discounts
• Free shipping on all Australian orders 

Cons

• Expensive 
• Pieces are very similar to each other in the collections 
• Steep international shipping costs 
• Concerns about ethical business practices 

Gorman Playground Review

Playground is the brand’s kidswear collection, featuring colorful prints and fun designs suited for all children. From babies to young kids, these Gorman jumpers, tops, and playsuits have got all ages covered.

There are many wonderful patterns and clothing items, and you can even find Gorman picnic rugs. For this review, we will focus on two of the bestsellers in this line. 

Gorman Glasses Guy Stripe Playsuit Review 

The Glasses Guy Stripe Playsuit is made of 100% organic cotton for a comfortable fit with short sleeves, a front snap opening, and a relaxed waistband.

With a little light blue friend wearing orange glasses embroidered over broad stripes of pale pink and daffodil yellow, this piece is a must-have for any spring wardrobe! 

And, we’ve got some good news—the Glasses Guy Stripe Playsuit is currently on sale for $19 instead of the usual $38.

Gorman Puffin Top Review 

Not only is the Puffin Top a feature item, but it is also part of the Julian Martin x Gorman line. As an adorable grey long-sleeved shirt with a cute navy, gray, and orange puffin pattern, this shirt is cute and comfortable. 

Made of 100% organic cotton, the Puffin Top is both sustainable and affordable. It is currently on sale for $30, instead of $38. 

Gorman Dresses Review

Gorman has clothes for any occasion where you want to make a statement. While they carry all types of clothing, the brand is popular for their dresses. This Gorman dresses review will focus on two customer favorites.

Gorman Viola Dress Review 

As part of the Hi, Bye line, the Viola Dress is an online exclusive. Available in aqua blue or burnt orange, this garment is made of 57% linen and 43% organic cotton for a soft and light feel. 

A flattering v-neck and dropped shoulder gives a lovely silhouette, and the ruffle details at the elbow-length sleeves add a unique flair to this everyday item. The Viola Dress is on sale for $88.12 when the original price was $176.23.

Gorman Romi Shirt Dress Review

In the same shade of aqua blue but a different cut, this Gorman dresses review will now look at the Romi Shirt Dress. With a drop waist and three-quarter sleeves, this button-up collared item is both functional and flirty. Better yet, did I mention it has pockets? 

This Gorman dresses review found out that this piece is also on sale for $141 instead of $176. 

Gorman Sale Items Review

Gorman is definitely expensive when compared to your typical clothing brand, but the cost goes towards organic materials and unique designs! Fortunately, they also have many more affordable items in their sale section. 

While Gorman outerwear, like the Gorman raincoat, and Gorman shoes are all on sale, we will look at their feature bestsellers.

Gorman Stay Flo Tee Review 

With a special multicolored marker-like print, this 100% organic cotton jersey is absolutely a statement t-shirt.

A rounded neckline and a cropped boxy fit gives a neat silhouette, and the light material makes the Stay Flo Tee wonderfully suited for hot sunny days. Pair it with a pair of jeans for a casual but polished look, perfect for park dates! 

The Stay Flo Tee is available for $55, down from its original price of $68.49. Just like with all the other Gorman clothing products, be sure to check specific washing instructions suited for the material! 

Gorman Reviews: What Do Customers Think?

To give you a more rounded impression of the brand, this Gorman dresses review took a look at feedback from individual blogs and rating sites.

In this section, you will find insightful comments from Style and Shenanigans, Sydney Morning Herald, and Trustpilot. Unfortunately, Gorman’s website does not list any customer testimonials. 

First up, Style and Shenanigans reflected, “I love Gorman for its quirky, distinctive Australian look. My take on Gorman is that it is pitched to the arty hipster types who like retro shapes, statement prints and an overall kind of modern kitsch aesthetic. A modern take on the 1970s and 1980s if you like.” 

Unfortunately, the author found issues with the fit and sizing. She writes, “Gorman seemed to be suited to women with more “apple” type body shapes.” Still, she continues to swear by the designs, enjoying how the dresses are comfortable and versatile.

Gorman definitely has a loyal following among women who love color, quirky patterns, and fun designs.

Since this is a local Australian brand with a lot of surrounding buzz, The Sydney Herald investigated some nitty-gritty details to see if it is worthy of its popularity. 

After interviewing different customers, it’s clear that most customers love the designs but are disappointed by quality and manufacturing practices:

“There are the gripes about quality. Gorman dresses, jumpsuits, skirts, and trousers often cost hundreds of dollars full price, but many customers say they just don’t last.”  

Trustpilot also shows a number of critical reviews. One buyer wrote “Their stuff is interesting and I have previously shopped a lot at this store but I do find the bright colors fade and doesn’t last that well. The customer service is terrible.”

Many customers also complained about complicated return and refund policies. One frustrated reviewer wrote:

“I ordered a few items from Gorman online, they sent out the items in separate parcels and one of the items was missing. I reached out to Gorman’s customer service and they informed me I need to deal with the Australian post and they can’t do anything about it.”

Are Gorman clothes good quality?

This Gorman dresses review finds that the company’s clothes products are lacking in quality. Considering the expensive price tags, it’s fair that people have high expectations. As one customer put it: “For a garment that sold for $269, one doesn’t expect the fabric to shrink.” 

Overall, the clothes are not of terrible quality, but some customers are disappointed. Gorman’s apparel is manufactured outside of Australia, so some speculators attribute the poor quality to that. Also, the brand’s sizes may be inconsistent. 

On the other hand, Gorman also has loyal customers who continue to swear by their products. Before your purchase, take a close look at the materials used and ask about washing instructions. 

Is Gorman clothing ethical?

Here is the big question and concern posed by many customers. Since 2016, Gorman Clothing began to improve its labor practices. The brand began publishing and routinely updating its list of suppliers from the final stage of production. 

They now also perform audits on some supply chains, ensuring a living wage in its Code of Conduct that also covers the International Labour Organization (ILO)’s principles.

Gorman Clothing definitely tries to be environmentally conscious. By using organic cotton, reduced packaging, and decorating stores with vintage furniture and low VOC paints, the company makes an effort to reduce its environmental footprint. 

That being said, this Gorman dresses review finds that they can do more to tackle waste and eliminate hazardous chemicals. Though their wool is sourced from non-mulesed sheep, Gorman still uses animal products like leather and hair.

Ultimately, the company needs to have stronger supply chain environmental policies.

Does Gorman do Afterpay?

Gorman products are costly, but luckily, you can use Afterpay! You can easily pay off your clothing purchase in four monthly installments without interest when you select this method at checkout. There are no fees—only a late penalty if you miss your payments. 

If you have never used it before, you can sign up while checking out with Gorman.

All you need to do is: choose your items, download the Afterpay App, create your account, tap the ‘Card’ tab to add your Afterpay Card to your digital wallet, and head over to any retailers accepting this payment method. 

Is Gorman Worth It?

Ultimately, this Gorman dresses review finds that their collection is worth it. The brand definitely has some quirky abstract patterns, perfect for renovating your summer wardrobe.

For those who are always setting new trends and march to the beat of their own drum, this shop might just feel like home. 

That being said, we do have to take a few other things into consideration. For example, Gorman is also more expensive than other brands.

Customers have expressed that high shipping fees on top of already expensive prices, combined with unreliable delivery, are not worth the quality of these pieces. 

Plus, even though they use organic cotton, Gorman’s manufacturing practices are not sustainable enough for it to qualify as a sustainable fashion brand.

But in the end, it seems that even though their designs are not for everyone, those who love them will keep coming back for more. 

Gorman Promotions & Discounts 

This Gorman dresses review finds that they currently have a wide variety of promotions and discounts! With the code: ‘SHIPSHIPHORAY’, you can receive free shipping on all Australian orders over $149. 

Hurry, there is a Gorman flash sale with 20% off but it is ending soon!

Don’t worry if you miss it, Gorman Hi, Bye is also restocked with up to 70% off, no coupon code necessary. 

Where to Buy Gorman

Australians can buy Gorman clothing straight from GormanShop.com.au or in-person stores. For cheaper items, you can visit the clearance Gorman Outlet located at 92 Bridge Road in Richmond, Victoria. 

Unfortunately, international customers can only purchase from the brand’s website, as there are no international Gorman clothing outlets. 

FAQ

Who is Gorman owned by?

The chain of stores is owned by Lisa Gorman, the founder and creative director. She is also an Australian fashion designer with a passion for sustainability via using organic fabrics and reducing packaging. 

Where is Gorman clothing manufactured?

This Gorman dresses review finds that their clothing is not manufactured in Australia. Instead, according to their supplier list as of July 2019, most of the factories responsible for 100% of Gorman’s current final stage production are from China.

They also have factories in Taiwan and India, but none in Australia. 

Are Gorman clothes true to size?

Customers provide varied answers, so it seems like the sizing changes between different items. According to Gorman, they have their own scale:

• Extra-small is roughly Australian size 4–6 
• Small is roughly Australian size 8–10 
• Medium is roughly Australian size 12–14 
• Large is roughly Australian size 16–18 

Gorman advises you to contact their customer service for precise garment measurements.  

What is Gorman’s Shipping Policy?

Gorman ships internationally, but not to all countries, and there are additional shipping fees and duties to pay. 

For domestic orders: 

• AUD 10 for Australia Post Parcel Post, order time depends on the region, but the dispatch time is within 1–3 business days after purchase 
• AUD 15 for Australia Post Express Post, orders arriving in 2–4 business days excluding weekends and public holidays 
• Free parcel post shipping on all Australian domestic orders above AUD 249 

International shipping is sourced and dispatched using DHL International. It is available at: 

• AUD 15 flat rate on New Zealand orders 
• AUD 25 flat rate on other available countries 
• Free shipping for international orders $249+ 

Click and collect options are available for orders over $100, excluding Gorman Hi, Bye. You can pick up your clothes in most stores in Victoria, but not all, so double check before choosing this option! 

If your order is not collected within seven business days and Gorman cannot reach you, then the brand reserves the right to cancel your order. Fortunately, they will issue a refund. 

How do I return Gorman? 

Gorman items are tricky to return. There are different rules for different products! There are 5 categories that we will cover in this Gorman dresses review: 

1. Online orders
2. Sale and promotional items 
3. Final sale and non-returnable items
4. Gorman Playground products
5. If you paid through Afterpay or Zip Pay 

For online orders, you have 14 days from the day you receive your parcel to return the item. You must return online orders through post. This Gorman dresses review found that refunds are not often directly issued. 

Full-priced items can be returned for an online credit valid for three years, an exchange if the product is available, or a full refund of the time excluding shipping costs. 

Sale and promotional items can be returned for an online credit valid for three years, or an exchange. They cannot be refunded. 

Final sale and non-returnable products are not accepted unless they are faulty. Gorman Hi Bye or online exclusive items can be returned for an online credit valid for three years or exchanged if the product is available. 

If you paid through Afterpay or Zip Pay, full-price items can be returned for an online credit valid for three years, or refunded. The sale or promotional items can only receive online credit.

To return your items, complete the online returns process, and if you are eligible, your initial payment will be completely returned, and the remaining payments will be canceled. 

Gorman Playground products can be returned for an online credit valid for three years or refunded if they were purchased for full price. That is to say, the only items that can receive a refund are items purchased at the full-price. 

How to Contact Gorman

If you have any questions beyond this Gorman dresses review, reach out the brand in any of the following ways:

• Email: [email protected] 
• Phone: 03-8420-0336 (monitored between Monday to Friday, 9 AM–5 PM) 
• Fill out the Contact Form on their website 

Australian residents can contact their local Gorman boutique for assistance. If you have complaints, send an email to [email protected].

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Need some more children’s and women’s clothing? Here are a few other brands you can consider :

Rags

WildBird

Pact

Stitch Fix

Smartwool