4 Editors Test Out Reese Witherspoon's Draper James Brand
4 Editors Test Out Reese Witherspoon's Draper James Brand
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Frankly, we'll buy anything that Reese Witherspoon makes — which is precisely why our editors have had the star's clothing brand, Draper James, on our radars (and honestly, our shopping wishlists) for so long.
The brand — much like Witherspoon herself — boasts an inimitable Southern flair that blends traditional patterns with more modern (and practical!) silhouettes; think scalloped swimsuits, gingham-centric workout sets, flounced floral tops, and versatile accessories like beaded earrings and a chambray headband that feels so Elle Woods-coded. The styles prioritise femininity, with pieces that are designed for every occasion and budget — though we'd argue that the styles really double as the perfect uniform for summer soirées and backyard hangs.
With an Oscar, a catalogueue of cult-favourite projects under her belt ("Sweet Home Alabama" forever!), and a string of hit book-to-screen adaptations that have been championed through her production company, Hello Sunshine, we'll concede: not everyone can just be Reese Witherspoon. But through her Draper James brand, fans are at least afforded the chance to try — and try our editors did.
Just in time for the brand's summer collection debut, we asked our editors to test out styles from Draper James to see how they held up within our wardrobes. From a babydoll eyelet dress that's ideal for warmer temperatures to an olive-coloured field jacket that's bound to elevate any daytime look with a more tailored touch, our selects span across all of the brand's categories — and will make the perfect additions to anyone's seasonal wardrobe.
Keep reading for our honest review of the Draper James brand. FWIW: if you want to really embody Witherspoon for a day, just don a Draper James style while cooking up a recipe from her "Whiskey in a Teacup" book — trust us, you'll never feel more Southern in your life.
Anvita Reddy, Assistant Editor, Commerce
Draper James Maddie Babydoll in Eyelet ($150)
"Draper James has plenty of fabulous and fun picks for the spring and summer, and what I loved the most about the collection as a whole is how colourful it is. It pretty much embodies Reese Witherspoon's happy-go-lucky vibe, which I love. I tried out the Maddie Babydoll in Eyelet in a size small/4 and it was a perfect fit, and I'm 5'1. For starters, I love this gorgeous purple colour that pops on my skin tone and has a beautiful textured pattern. I have a bigger bust area and the babydoll silhouette compliments and flatters my body while also leaning modestly, which is pretty hard to find on the market, I love that this dress has the perfect amount of volume throughout, from the ruffled sleeves to the flowy skirt. It's truly such a charming dress for the summer that's perfect for casual outings and fancier day events alike." - Anvita Reddy, Assistant Editor, Commerce
Draper James Bikini Top in Awning Stripe ($75) and Draper James Bikini Bottom in Awning Stripe ($70)
"I also tried out the line's swimwear, specifically the Awning Stripe Bikini Top and matching bikini bottoms, both in a small. Although I loved the look of this bikini set, I should have sizes up in the top. I wore a button-down shirt on top as a cover-up, since the cup portion of this bikini top didn't provide as much coverage as I would like, however, the band size was perfect. If you are bigger busted like I am, I suggest going up a size in the tops. The bikini bottoms fit perfectly giving me the ideal amount of secure compression, coverage, and flexibility for a comfortable fit. The bottoms have a mid-rise waistline and hit right underneath my belly button, I appreciated this because it still flattered my body, while elongating it as well." - Anvita Reddy, Assistant Editor, Commerce
Marisa Petrarca, Contributing Editor, Commerce
Draper James Sports Bra in Pink Gingham ($65) and Draper James Bike Shorts ($75)
"These days, my activewear collection gets more wear than my "real" clothes, and this vibrant-coloured set has quickly become a favourite in my rotation. I'll admit it was a departure from my usual neutral-coloured workout attire, and I had some reservations about embracing the bold hue. However, those worries vanished when the compliments started pouring in. I debuted it at my bachelorette party, and nearly all of my bridesmaids complimented it.
Encouraged by the positive feedback, I gave it a fair shot, and I'm thrilled I did. Beyond the eye-catching gingham pattern, the nylon-spandex blend impressed me. It strikes the perfect balance of thickness and breathability, making it ideal for low-impact workouts like yoga. Even with intense sweating, it didn't show any noticeable marks. But perhaps the best part is the shorts' discreet yet spacious thigh pockets. They keep my on-person essentials (i.e., my phone, credit card, and keys) secure and easily accessible, so I don't have to worry about them as I move from one pose to another.
I'll continue relying on this set for low-impact exercises like walking, yoga, and pilates. I don't wear it to high-impact activities like an OrangeTheory class or long runs because the top's not majorly supportive. However, it's undeniably a summer staple for my gentler workouts when I want to look put-together and stylish." - Marisa Petrarca, Contributing Editor, Commerce
Kyley Warren, Assistant Editor, Commerce
Draper James Field Jacket ($150)
"I'm a sucker for a good fitted layer and this olive-coloured Field Jacket from Draper James proved to be a welcomed surprise in all the best ways. Based off of photos alone, I wasn't quite sure what to expect — the style is made from a 100 percent cotton material that's designed to feel breathable while on, but still be dense enough to provide a durable layer of additional coverage. Despite its tailored shape, the jacket boasts more of a lived-in feel that's comfortable and easy to move around in — much less constricting than the denim-like stiffness that I was anticipating. Beyond its comfy fit, I'm also just so obsessed with the look of the jacket. The field green colouring feels fresh for summer yet still easy to style for other seasons, too — I have a hunch it will double as the perfect transitional layer come fall. For full contrast, I like to pair the jacket on top of a crisp white dress with earthy brown thong heels to match. It's the perfect day-to-night look whether you're heading into the office, grabbing post-work cocktails, or just bopping around town." - Kyley Warren, Assistant Editor, Commerce
Chandler Plante, Assistant Editor, Trending and Viral Features
Draper James Crochet Long Sleeve Dress in White ($145)
"When I first saw this dress, I thought I could use it as an elevated beach cover-up . . . but it ended up being so much more. The crochet is fantastic, and it comes with an attached slip, so you don't have to worry about anything being see-through. I'm a huge fan of the neckline and how luxurious (read: appropriately heavy) it feels, and if you didn't like the relaxed silhouette, I could totally see this working with a belt as well. At 5'3, I would prefer the hem to be just a hair shorter, but it still checked all the summer boxes! This truly feels like a timeless piece I'll be able to reach for year after year." - Chandler Plante, Assistant Editor, Trending and Viral Features
Draper James Sports Bra in Navy Gingham ($65) and Draper James Biker Shorts in Gingham ($75)
"Speaking as someone who essentially lives in athleisure, this is definitely one of the cutest sets I own. Even better, the quality of the sports bra is such that I don't have to live in fear of a wardrobe malfunction with every downward-facing dog. I find the longline cut of the top to be super flattering, and while I typically opt for shorter bottoms, these are just as adorable as they are comfortable.
That being said, because this is a thicker material, I would personally feel a bit more comfortable sizing up in the bottoms, just to give my waist some more room to breathe. There's a fairly wide waistband, and I love how it stays in place, but I don't always want to worry about whether or not my shorts are cutting into my torso. Still, you will absolutely see me rocking this set in and out of the gym — it's just that good." - Chandler Plante, Assistant Editor, Trending and Viral Features
