Trina Turk Review
Trina Turk’s patterns make our hearts sing—but are the clothes worth the cost?
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Reviewed / Trina Turk
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Sometimes, just a regular ol’ outfit won’t do. Sometimes you need to turn a look, turn a head, even turn your whole day around. Trina Turk makes outfits for the days you need to turn it on—the fashion label offers bright, gorgeous, beautifully done pieces that make a statement. If you’re a fan of dopamine dressing, this is a line you should know.
Based in California, designer Trina Turk’s eponymous brand makes bold, well-cut apparel that yes, includes well-made basics like button-up shirts and flattering slacks. But where the brand really shines is in playful, color-saturated patterned dresses, caftans, and outfits that just beg for a spotlight. But do these attention-getting pieces deserve the spotlight? I tried them to find out.
What is Trina Turk?
Trina Turk is a women’s contemporary fashion label founded in 1995 by designer Trina Turk and her late husband, photographer Jonathan Skow. The line of separates, sportswear, swimwear, sleepwear, and dresses takes inspiration from Turk’s California roots and is a showcase for the colorful prints she designs and for which the line is known. A men’s line, Mr. Turk, was launched in 2002, and is equally known for its embrace of color and pattern.
Most apparel pieces run from women’s sizes 00 to 16, with some sizing running XS to XXL. The brand also sells footwear, accessories like belts, handbags, and scarves—even pet accessories.
Shop stylish and colorful fashions made from ultra-luxurious fabrics.
What I like about Trina Turk
The patterns are out of this world
If there’s one thing Trina Turk is known for, it’s the colorful, hand-designed patterns Turk creates for each season’s collection—and it’s no wonder. The scale, shape, and colors of the midcentury-modern-inspired prints stun on everything they’re applied to.
Whether it’s the mod pink-and-purple print on the Giri halter dress ($298) or the dramatic black-and-white oversized floral showcased on the ladylike Leela blouse ($298), each season brings pattern play you won’t find elsewhere.
The materials are luxe
Great patterns need great fabrics—actually, all great clothes need great fabrics, and Trina Turk delivers. The Luv dress ($328), for example, is made with a silky, rich-feeling polyester that drapes beautifully. The Delancy button-up blouse ($348), on the other hand, features a thick, soft organic cotton fabric that was so luxe that I checked the tag in disbelief: I’ve never felt a 100% cotton material with a comparable sheen or hand. Even the faux-leather polyurethane material (used in the $498 Misola shirtdress; I wore the material in a now sold-out maxi skirt) feels as thick and substantial as a real leather piece but softer, more flexible, and more wearable.
What I don’t like about Trina Turk
You need to act fast
Trina Turk releases new collections seasonally—and quantities of each collection are limited (especially, in our experience, on both the smaller and larger ends of the size chart). That’s great if you’re looking for a showstopping piece that none of your haters will have at your next event and if you wear a size 6…but if you generally like to spend time deliberating on your buys or wear a size closer to the edge of the chart, you might miss your window.
This gets extra complicated when you consider that the sizing may be an adjustment—in our experience, the sizing is consistent with other higher-end brands, which means generally smaller than most mass-market brands. The brand does have category-specific size charts to consult, but if you’re ordering by habit, you might get burned.
If the item or items of your choice aren’t the right fit for you, you may not find the size you want still in stock when it comes time to exchange. And if you wear above a women’s size 16 (or a 14/XL in other retailers), you may not find options that work.
You pay for what you get
While the line discounts products seasonally, full-priced Trina Turk dresses generally start at $300 and go up from there, and even dresses on sale are generally $150 or more. Separates like blouses and pants start near $200 at retail price.
This puts the brand in the same arena as collections like Alice + Oliva, Reformation, or Diane von Furstenberg—certainly cheaper than luxury designers like Balmain or Oscar de la Renta, but significantly above mass-market options like J.Crew or Aritzia. We think the quality and uniqueness of the product speak for themselves, but there’s no denying that these pieces aren’t accessible to every budget.
Is Trina Turk worth it?
Yes, if you want to turn heads
I’ve worn a number of Trina Turk pieces, and they make dressing up fun. I wore the Luv dress in a navy blue, pink and chartreuse floral print to a milestone birthday party, and got compliments all night. (Was it rude to wear a dress this stunning, as it wasn’t my milestone birthday? Possibly!) A simple white button-up like the Delancy top makes a date-night outfit feel fresh with a tuxedo-style placket and French cuffs. Easy to wear but elevated in style? That’s a combination worthy of a special event—and capable of making any day an occasion.
Our top picks from Trina Turk
This shirtdress made of the brand’s polyurethane faux leather is edgy and classic, all at once.
Pretty bell sleeves and a silky, comfortable fabric make this minidress a versatile party piece.
The Theodora dress showcases what Trina Turk is known for: an easy silhouette, punchy pattern, and playful style.
This stretchy silk top (it’s made with a silk/Viscose/Spandex blend to move while you wear it) stuns, with soft gathers at the shoulder that keep it feminine and relaxed.
This voluminous maxi skirt in crinkle georgette is a showstopper in leopard (yes, it’s a neutral).
Made in a comfortable ponte material, these high-waisted kick flare pants are embellished with two front zippers.
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