♥ Goelia gifted me the pieces featured in today’s blog post; all opinions are my own ♥
Getting dressed isn’t everyone’s top priority and where you shop is sometimes as important as what you buy.
Goelia, a fast-growing Chinese fashion label founded in 1995, now has physical footprints in China, Australia, and Singapore. The brand integrates both Asian and European trends into its designs, which are decidedly feminine, with softer silhouettes, and generous uses of stripes, ruffles and frills, tweed, and florals. While there are no clear cultural fingerprints or signifiers on the designs, Goelia pieces are distinguishable from aggressively normal American brands with how intentionally eye-catching their designs are, even in mostly neutral color palettes. Its collections are filled with matching sets, dresses that are unique enough to be a whole outfit, colorful or printed jackets, and basics with a twist. In a few words, Goelia is “a total look”–no styling necessary.
The flip side, of course, is that the Goelia look is perfectly predictable and reproduceable; you may never look shabby, but you’ll also never wow or surprise. As such, it’s great for someone who wants to look dressier (or just more intentional) but doesn’t necessarily have the time, energy, or interest to scrutinize or optimize every outfit.
QUALITY & PRICE
On the whole, I was pleased with Goelia’s workmanship considering most pieces fall in the $50-$200 range. You might find a loose thread here and there, but nothing worrisome. For the most part, the fabric feels durable/substantial, but the material composition is sometimes disappointing as polyester is widely used in warm weather styles… though I do see a greater use of silk and wool in its fall collection and in higher-priced pieces.
SIZING
I made the mistake of relying too heavily on older reviews when researching fit and ended up upsizing in all of the pieces featured in today’s post. But Goelia actually updated its sizing earlier this year; I probably would’ve found a more tailored fit if I stuck with my size based on Goelia’s size chart.
I ended up ordering more pieces in a size down and found those to fit closer to what I normally prefer. I’d recommend ordering your suggested size based on the size chart.
+ Goelia Contrast V-Neck Slim Knitted Women Midi Dress in Black // size S // $69
A twist on the LBD, this simple knit dress is my favorite from the first order; the graphic contrast trim adds just enough visual interest to forgo a necklace, and imbues it with a sporty (specifically tennis) vibe.
The material–51% Viscose, 26% Polyamide, and 23% Lyocell–is midweight, stretchy, and can be worn comfortably into fall. I should have ordered my “normal” size, which based on the Goelia size chart would’ve been a size XS, instead of upsizing.
+ Goelia Puff Sleeves V-Neck Shirt With Silk Scarf in White // Size S // $59
This top is… unconventional and an interesting take on the classic white blouse. It feels like the antithesis of a boyfriend shirt, with puff sleeves, a wide v-neckline, and a removable print silk scarf that attaches like a necklace.
As this shirt already has a lightly relaxed fit, in a size up it looks oversized on me from certain angles. I’d size down if you have a straighter shape.
+ Goelia Lace Openwork Crop Jacket And Half Skirt And Knitted Camisole Three-Piece Set in Black // Size M // $179
This three-piece set is the priciest item I’m featuring here, at $179, but the quality is also appreciably better. The camisole has a built-in-bra, the sculpted guipure is reminiscent of Self-Portrait, and each piece in the set can stand on its own.
I was a bit concerned about the width of the jacket sleeves, as they looked pretty fitted in the stock photos, so ended up going up two sizes in this style. That proved unnecessary, as the jacket has an easy fit and the skirt an elasticized waist. Take your normal size here or upsize if you have broader shoulders.
+ Goelia Wool Blend Tweed Mini Dress With Belt in Ivory // Size S // $139
This dress is a whole outfit; perhaps too much so. I honestly can’t think of any styling that wouldn’t overwhelm it so it’s hard to add a personal touch. The medium weight material is perfect for spring and fall in the northeast. While I can do without the pleated accent at the hem or the tiny metallic speckles in the fabric, it’s an easy piece to incorporate into my work wardrobe.
Upsizing made this one a bit loose all over on me, so try your suggested size based on the size chart for this one as well.
+ Goelia Fitted Double-Breasted V-Neck Mini Dress in Black // Size S // $59
This is one of the pieces that the Goelia team picked out for me to try. I probably wouldn’t have picked this of my own accord, as it has a K-drama in the early teens vibe and felt a bit young for me. I think the execution is way better than I anticipated though: the proportions of the contrast trim feel just right and the pearl buttons elevate it even further.
The material (38% Viscose, 36% Lyocell, 24% Polyamide, 2 %Elastane) is quite stretchy so I should not have sized up as the extra fabric in the skirt created unflattering folds and bumps. Take your suggested size based on the size chart.
RETURN POLICY
Like many brands that primarily stock their products overseas, Goelia’s return process has a few fine prints. The return window is 15 days long and shoppers outside of the US are expected to ship the package prepaid and with tracking. For US shoppers, however, it looks like Goelia now offers USPS return labels upon request.
If you are interested in trying Goelia, here are some unique codes for you to use:
10ELLE: $10 off with no minimum purchase
20ELLE: $20 off on orders over $169 (valid 08/10-08/20/2024)
Happy shopping!
