Gorman

Staring at my wardrobe there’s a lot of black, navy and some more black. Somewhere around my 27^th year I decided it was time to embrace colour a little more and thank heavens for Gorman. Australian, mostly made from beautifully-​breathable cottons (hello perfect for a Queensland summer!) and quirky cute in just the right amounts. Gorman’s clothes are feminine without being super girly. It’s a huge tick from me. Sure the cuts and style of each piece can be a bit hit and miss. This just means, although there is online shopping, it is always better to pop into the store to try something on.
Bonus points also goes to the team at the Adelaide St store (Queensland’s only Gorman shop) for recently honouring a 20% off deal the day after it expired. They’d called me and left a message while I was out of phone reception telling me of the deal. I popped in the next day and told them the situation and they gracefully still gave me 20% off my purchase. They didn’t have to, but it’s the little things that go a long way!

For lovers of fashion that’s cute, quirky, and eco-​friendly, you can’t go past Gorman. Much of the attire here is woven from organic cotton or wool, and in warm, earthy tones that are sure to seduce any fashion and environmentally conscious gal. And any lovers of quality bags, wedges, sandals, or belts will be delighted by the collections at Gorman.
If you’re looking to try something on, there’s a beautiful dressing room area with ceiling high, embroidered curtains – just make sure they’re sealed shut when you’re inside otherwise you’ll flash everyone.
There is also a sales area where you can pilfer out some bargains; I say ‘bargains’ although these sale items are still pretty pricey. But you are getting what you pay for. Gorman’s products are made in Australia, and are of the highest quality. I have a basic organic black singlet from Gorman that I’ve had for years and it’s still in perfect condition.

Gorman is what happens when hippies get high paying jobs. Some of the pieces are tres adorable, but the prices are trop cher in my opinion. Make that trop trop cher — I just can’t wrap my head around paying $ 250 + for a top no matter how cute it may be.
There’s also a lot of stuff that looks like I might have bought it from a ZZZ Market Day in the 90’s (again, at prices that represent my then monthly salary). Maybe I have sour grapes, but I’ve stopped going into Gorman as I’ll invariably be left cold by half the store, adore the other half, and walk out crushed and defeated when I realise I can barely afford an accessory.

Walking into Gorman is such a treat. Every time I come here, I find things I want to buy, the prices are what stops me though as this place is pretty expensive. Having said that, the craftsmanship is pretty high so I am sure it is worth it.
What I love about Gorman is how even though a lot of their clothes will use interesting patterns and textures, the clothes are very versatile and timeless. I can imagine that if I bought something from here, I would be able to wear it for many seasons to come as nothing here is too trendy. Gorman also stock some ridiculously amazing shoes, I saw the most gorgeous suede lace up boots here, if only they did not cost 2 weeks rent… sigh.
I have been fairly satisfied with the service; it is the type of store that will great you when you enter, leave you alone to browse but will be prompt as helping you if they notice you need assistance. I personally like this type of service over the really chatty and pushy type of service.
I would recommend Gorman to anyone looking for good quality cute yet timeless clothing and is willing to spend a bit of cash.

Gorman is gorgeous.
The hemp looking butterfly drapes that hang from the back wall of Gorman like some Christo conceptual art piece really say a lot more about the design house than you’d think. It’s a little known fact that Gorman has an organic range of clothing where all of the raw materials purchased for the clothes come from organic and sustainable farms. Most of us nowadays think often about organic food, but organic clothing– that’s something else. I, for one, was thrilled to find out about this organic range.
Outside of this, Gorman’s collections are beautiful. Lisa Gorman, of Fitzroy, Melbourne is a highly celebrated designer who’s made serious waves in the Australian fashion scene. Browsing through her current collection, you instantly see the ‘design’ element. These are not some run of the mill generic threads meant to clothe millions on the cheap. Her colours are distinctive, the patterns bold and often borrowing from a vintage aesthetic, and the designs are wonderfully fun and unique. What’s most striking about Gorman is how she arranges her clothes into unbelievable ensembles. Gorman has the impeccable ability to mish mash the most clashing and confronting pieces together and have the end product look sophisticated in this edgy, fun, almost childlike way. It’s brilliant. Gorman also designs shoes, jewellery and accessories, which are all undertakings that are equally as successful as her clothes.
To have some Gorman in your wardrobe will cost you a pretty penny (take $ 500 for 2 – 3 pieces). However, buying from Gorman means you’re choosing to support an Australian designer who gives you the option to wear sustainable and organic clothes (yes!). I also personally guarantee that you’ll feel like the most fun girl in town wearing some of her threads.

Gorman is one of those labels that specialises in frump-​chic. You know, ironically patterned midi skirts, boxy tops and tea-​dresses in whimsical, quirky prints. Nothing tight’n’tarty here.
The decore is all sandy wooden floors with animal print rugs, and some enormous, sequinned butterfly print drapes at the back of the store.
It’s a shame I’ve never been a huge fan of this label — although I possibly might be more tempted if the prices weren’t so ridiculous. The only dress I really like in there at the moment is $ 160 — and that’s almost half price. It’s nothing special, either, just a cotton, navy blue and white polkadot sundress.
But even though Gorman is not my No. 1 fashion hotspot, I totally appreciate the fact that it offers Brissie something other than yet another boutique full of mullet maxis.
And I’m grateful as hell for that.