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Original poster

isabelle oliver - any good? nice quality?

25 replies

cosima · 07/02/2008 21:32

i ordered some stuff over xmas, it didnt arrive on time, they lied about despatch, generally messed me about i cancelled the order and had to write two snotty emails to get a refund. BUT I am thinking their stuff looks nice and i'm thinking of ordering it, is it worth the money? is it as nice as it looks?

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 07/02/2008 21:33

excelllent quality, shockingly expensive but holds its value. try ebay. and avoid the wrap tops.

Original poster
cosima · 07/02/2008 21:34

whats wrong with the wrap tops? that was what i was thinking of

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 07/02/2008 21:38

there's no body to them - they stop below yr bra and you have to wind the ends round to cover the rest.
so if you wrap any looser than breathlessly tight, or bend over, or your knot works loose, you gape. Plus you need the agility of an eel to wrap the thing in the first plaace - no good when heavily pg

DforDiva · 07/02/2008 21:40

i agree its very expensive what it is, but it is nice quality.
last summer i bought couple tops and they were really nice, everyone commented how nice they were
i love kimono top, portrait top, off shoulder top, cant remember name it was like two top but one top, and etc..
they had new colours last summer, like teal, green, grey
i got to send wrap top, i think its ok if you are size 8-10. i was size 16 and looked horrid. and wrapping is now fun when you are very big,and specially in the middle of summer.
sold them all on ebay after had ds, and amazing people bid up to 35pounds, well i must say they were still in excellent condition.
go for it, i could have another baby, and buy loads IO stuff. never bought bottoms but apparanetly the wide leg jersey ones are very comfy.

millie1 · 07/02/2008 22:34

I also ordered over Christmas - thought delivery & customer service were fine but had to chase them by phone 3 times for refunds ... somewhat coincidentally the refund always appeared on my account the day after I phoned them .

That aside - think their stuff is lovely. Got a couple of scoop tops and the a-line skirt - really comfortable. The white scoop top has gone a bit bally but that might be because I've been wearing it under a black jumper.

So yes, I'd say order away - and look on eBay!

Oh ... and they have one further thing to answer for ... those little sample bottles of Molton Brown bubble bath ... I'm on my last, am very addicted and shall have to go and buy my own from Molton Brown

hoxtonchick · 08/02/2008 07:56

the wrap top is rubbish, i agree with everyone. but i had a pair of jersey trousers from there which lasted from when i was 6 weeks (2nd pg ) 'til after dd was born so pretty good value. i had the a line skirt too which was fine, but a bit dull.

Pollyanna · 08/02/2008 08:02

I have got the scoop neck tops and think they are good quality - they are long enough to cover my huge bump.

I can't wear the wrap tops anymore as they come unwrapped (am 33 weeks)- but I thought they looked nice before (if I managed to get the wrap right, which was a bit of a faff.).

The tracksuit trousers are a rip off
All the other trousers are way too long on me - and I am 5'9. The wrap cardigan looked rubbish on me.

Pannacotta · 08/02/2008 08:43

Agree with MrsB about the wrap top (I ordered one and it went straight back).

I also had some bad experiences with them (bad and rude service) when they were just opening which made it all the more surprising, and it put me off, but the clothes are nice so I relented during my second pregnancy.
I like the ruffle dress and skirt best (super flattering IMO).
Do check on ebay or post a wanted ad on here.

flowerybeanbag · 08/02/2008 10:41

I had only excellent customer service from them I have to say, and it's all good quality stuff ime.

PinkMartini · 08/02/2008 10:47

I've ordered from them twice - the black jersey trousers and bump bands which were pricy but have lasted v well so far (Am 34 weeks)

Items arrived quickly and beautifully wrapped (like someone was sending me a present )

Used an MN discount too which was lovely but must say I've unsubscribed from their emails and hope that they'll stop sending me catalogues - it was seriously OTT (worse than Boden and I didn't think that was possible!)

I suppose they've only got an 8 month window to sell to you but my god it was three times a week in my inbox!

MrsBadger · 08/02/2008 12:44

millie1 - ask someone who's flying to get you some in duty free. Much cheaper.

Original poster
cosima · 08/02/2008 13:22

i just tried to order a halter top but they don't have my size. I'm actually due tomorrow and want it for nursing really. Do you think a size bigger would be alright to take into account extra milk bosom, or do you think the fact that its maternity wear and i won't be pregnant make it way too big anyway, IYSWIM

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 08/02/2008 14:08

I'd have thought the halter top would be v awkward for nursing tbh - better to get one of their nursing tops.
Or try mamaway
or Boob

MrsBadger · 08/02/2008 14:10

or mummylooksfab

Pannacotta · 08/02/2008 15:37

Agree again with MrsB.
I recommended a nursing dress from mummylooksfab on a thread a while back and the OP was delighted with it when it arrived. Their clothes look really good, not like some nursing things which just look odd.

millie1 · 08/02/2008 16:58

Oh that's a great idea MrsB ... DH will be away next month I think but come to think of it he won't be through Heathrow and he tells me Geneva dutyfree doesn't keep much of anything. Still, I must get him to check it out before I order. Thanks for that

ravenAK · 08/02/2008 17:03

I bought a long black skirt & was @ £60 for a tube of lycra - but to be fair, I've lived in it all pregnancy! Looked like a total rip-off when unwrapped, but is actually incredibly flattering, comfortable & practical - I've got extra weeks out of loads of non maternity tops because of the deep waistband on the skirt.

Original poster
cosima · 08/02/2008 18:20

thanks mrsB mummylooksfab looks fab.

OP posts:
Ishouldbeworking · 08/02/2008 20:58

oh blimey - got two wrap tops already on their way to me. Are they really a faff then? Anyone out there who thinks they're good??

Have also had a pair of trousers from them - the smooth line ones, which I've already worn and were great - really oomfortable.

taliac · 08/02/2008 21:29

IO okay in my opinion but its overpriced for the quality and I think designed for tall people. And yes the wrap tops are a dreadful faff.

I liked Crave Maternity personally.

Stargazing · 08/02/2008 21:44

the wrap tops are just awful, awful, awful.

AWFUL!!!

they market them by saying that the wrap feature on the boob tubes, halters etc means that any size bump is accomodated but in truth, just means that you are either adding ridges to your silhouette or flashing bits of skin through the wrap-gaps (which invariably appear no matter how well you think you've wrapped)

AWFUL.

MrsBadger · 08/02/2008 22:35

any item of clothing that needs a video to show you how to put it on should be approached with caution imo...

rookiemater · 08/02/2008 22:49

Got two items from Ebay. The trousers were magnificent and lasted really well and ordered a black top that was just a bit frumpy. I rate Blooming Marvellous they have some lovely items that are about half the price of Isabelle Olivier.

jcscot · 09/02/2008 11:17

I lived in Isabella Oliver last time I was pregnant and I love their stuff. It washes and wears well and I'm now wearing some of it for the second time.

I have the hipster trousers - flattering cut and super-comfy. I also bought the bump bands and the ruffle wrap dress (v v v flattering and glamourous). I've just ordered from them again and I bought the Duo Swing dress - I can wear it layered over one of their scoop neck tops just now and wear it on its own in warmer weather.

I have two of their bracelet sleeve wrap tops and I loved them. True, I found it a bit of a faff the first time I tried to tie it but I got the hang of it quickly and I think they're fab.

The quality is good and I've had nothing but excellent service from them.

LoveAndSqualor · 09/02/2008 12:28

Agree re wrap tops and the trousers being too long (I'm 5'7" and had to take them up), but the tops with the ruching down the side are fabulous. I'm 34 weeks and wearing one of the vests as I type - in fact, I have two of the black vests, and have basically lived in them, rotating pre-preg cardies over the top, from about the 25-week mark). Have the portrait top in blue/purple and have had masses of compliments; ditto the long cardigan (with ends which either hang to about your knees or can be flipped over your shoulders). Definitely best things I've bought during pregnancy; in fact, buying a couple of things from IO has meant I've barely bothered buying anything else!

Oh and great service, too ..

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