Reformation Rou Dress Review: Is It Still Worth Buying?

Originally published in 2018. Updated 2026.

Here’s something that doesn’t happen often in fashion: a dress I first bought and reviewed in 2018 is still on the Reformation website in 2026. The Rou Knit Dress has quietly become one of Reformation’s longest-running staples, cycling through new colorways each season while the core silhouette stays the same. It’s earned that longevity.

But Reformation in 2026 is a different brand than Reformation in 2018, and if you’re researching this dress for the first time, you deserve the honest version of that context. So this review covers both: the dress itself, which I still stand behind, and a look at how the brand has changed since I first wrote about it.

I woke up this morning to barely above-freezing temperatures and remembered that I still had this post in draft form. While it’s belated… better late than never.

First, a word about Reformation (or “Ref,” as they occasionally refer to themselves; no relation to to the religious movement), the LA-based fashion retailer with a founding myth that is textbook for most DTC operations with a non-market strategy. Like most millennial-catering businesses, it competes on the virtues of sustainability (environment and working conditions), but with “instant fashion” lead times. The design principles are simple: most pieces have “effortless silhouettes that celebrate the feminine figure” which can look like a Forever 21 basic (said with no derision).

How Reformation Has Changed

The brand’s sustainability story is more complicated. Since Reformation’s acquisition by private equity firm Permira in 2019, the brand has scaled significantly, from around 14 stores globally to more than 60 today, with new styles dropping at a pace that sits closer to fast fashion cadence than slow fashion principles. Critics have noted a shift toward more synthetic fabrics in some product lines, with prices continuing to rise. Reformation’s own sustainability reports show carbon emissions increasing in 2023, and questions about whether their marketed metrics tell the full picture have become more pointed.

And the quality debate is real. Customer reviews in 2026 are more mixed than they were at Reformation’s cultural peak. Common complaints include thinner fabrics than previous seasons, inconsistent sizing across styles, and prices that have increased while some materials quality has declined. The Rou specifically holds up better than many Reformation styles in reviews: the knit construction and the TENCEL fabric are relatively consistent, but it’s worth knowing the broader context before assuming the brand’s current output matches its older reputation.

So why pay $128 (up from $98 in 2018) for the Rou Dress, when you can pay <$30 for something similar at Forever 21 (or an equivalent)? It comes down to a number of seemingly small differences (which may not sway you). While the lightweight lyocell-spandex blend (90% TENCEL/10% spandex) is not particularly luxe, it drapes well considering the weight, and has the right amount of stretch–enough to hug but not so tightly as to be uncomfortable. The square neckline is (imo) universally flattering (and looks great with all neckwear), so is the fit-and-flare silhouette; And midi length continues to be very on trend.

And then there’s the matter of pockets: a detail that most high-street retailers eliminate to save cost, but is so essential to some consumers. The pockets on the Rou Dress are deep, and actually useful.

As I mentioned back in August, I bought the Rou Dress after some weight gain (the result of several especially hectic weeks at work + just general inactivity), and it was a piece that I felt good wearing as I waited for the new weight to redistribute itself. It was a real morale boost at a time when my body image was in the toilet. 

As most Reformation styles are only available in one standard clothing size, if you are short or short-torsoed, you might find the straps too long (as I did); it has an easy fix but I do want to note it. For those around my size, the Rou Dress in size XS measures 8″ along the edge of the armhole, 11″ across the waist, and 46″ in length. You can find the Reformation size chart here.

2026 uPDATE

The Rou’s core appeal hasn’t changed. It’s a classic midi-length fit-and-flare in a comfortable lightweight knit: fitted through the bodice, full and flared through the skirt, with a scoop neckline and pockets deep enough to actually use. The silhouette is one of those rare shapes that works across a genuinely wide range of body types: the fitted waist gives you structure, the flare creates balance, and the midi length is formal enough for events without feeling costume-y for daily wear.

The fabric is still a Tencel lyocell and spandex blend, currently listed as 88% TENCEL / 12% spandex, which is a slight adjustment from the 90/10 blend I reviewed in 2018. It still drapes well for a lightweight knit, still has the right amount of stretch, and still doesn’t feel particularly luxe at close range. What it does feel is comfortable, which matters more for an everyday dress than fabric prestige.

Sizing note: The Rou now comes in an extended size run (listed as “Rou Knit Dress Es” on the Reformation site), which is a meaningful change from 2018 when Reformation’s sizing topped out well short of where it should have. It’s a genuine improvement.

Petite note: If you’re short or have a short torso, the strap length issue I mentioned in my original review has not been corrected: this is still a one-length garment, and the straps will likely run long on you. It’s an easy alteration, but worth knowing going in. For reference, in a size XS the dress measures approximately 8″ along the armhole edge, 11″ across the waist, and 46″ in length.

The Reformation Rou Dress is available on the Reformation website and also through Nordstrom. The Reformation “Lou” Dress is the long-sleeved version with a scoop neckline.