Draped Cardigan ($24.80)

Rating: Buy It Maybe

Fit: This cardigan (this is not a cardigan, btw) has absolutely no fit so really I shouldn’t spend too much time going on about it. But I’m just going to say I’m not the biggest fan, that’s just a taste thing though because really it’s just a piece of fabric with two holes cut in it for arms, there’s not much to hate. Also in the store it had a safety pin to hold it together and I was not into it but then Sydne was like “It’s actually a trend for fall” and I was still like ew. Anyway, now that I see the model just wearing it all open and free, I kinda feel stupid for wearing the safety pin.

Versatility: I understand that the comfort factor this sweater thing offers is seriously high. So buy it to sip hot chocolate by the fireplace while reading The New York Times Style Section. That’s totally okay with me. Also, grocery store shopping/general errand running is a suitable place to don such a shapeless piece of fabric. Oh, and morning coffee runs but those might fall under general errand running. America’s Next Top Model viewing parties with a few good friends? Yeah, this could work for that. One more! Baby bump concealer.

Trend: I’ve already mentioned the safety pin aspect of it, if that was actually intended. Also, fall is a time when the weather starts to cool so sweaters are huge during this particular season. (Duh. I know you know that.)

Demographic: 20s, lounge-y sophisticate

Floral Printed Dress ($39.00)

Rating: Buy It Maybe

Fit: This is a cute enough dress–nice print, 40’s inspired silhouette. For a lot of people this dress will work and look supercute while for a lot of other people the cut of the skirt will make them look like a bell. I happen to fall into that latter category. The way the skirt comes in to form the bottom ruffles really exaggerates the hips in an unflattering way. However for more narrow hipped girls, congratulations, this dress is perfect for you.

Versatility:With tights and boots you can probably wear this well into fall.

Trend Factor: The colors are definitely welcoming fall and being from the Twelve by Twelve line, F21 is trying to conjure up a little vintage feelings.

Demographic: 20s

Velvet Roses Skirt

Rating: Buy it maybe

Fit: The majority of Forever 21’s full high-waisted skirts fit well. They nip the waist and hide any flaws you might have below the belt. Fit wise, this one was just as cute as my floral and tribal skirts that I absolutely love. Even the velvet wasn’t so bad. The problem for me was the shiny gold polyster, which I could only picture on a teen.

Versatility: The skirt is a great holiday choice. You can wear it with black tights and ballet flats when you go to grandma’s for dinner and with a t-shirt and flat boots when you’re hanging out with your friends.

Trend Factor: Velvet is one of the trendiest textures for fall. And roses were all over Milan. The print actually reminds me of Prada’s black flowers.

Demographic: Teens

Safety Pin Sweater Top ($22.80)

Rating: Buy it Maybe

Fit: One of my favorite things to wear for fall is a big comfy sweater over leggings. Now that I broke up my boyfriend I no longer can’t steal his. So I thought  this sweater would be a fun alternative. I was wrong. Even in two sizes bigger than I normally wear, the sweater still fit like this.

Versatility: You can wear it with a black mini and tights—or with a leopard skirt to look like the Forever 21 model (though I don’t recommend that). But since it’s not too comfy, why bother?

Trend Factor: Punk is cool for fall and even Rachel Zoe put $1,000 safety pin earrings in one of her daily reports.

Demographic: Teens or anyone skinny enough to be able to wear the top like a boyfriend sweater.

Mesh And Stone Trim Tee ($32.00)

Rating: Buy It Maybe

Fit: This is one of those long, tight rayon shirts that hugs every sort of fat roll you may have no matter how small. Things like this are really just made for the mannequins. I mean, look how that shirt looks on that plastic, flawless body. On a normal person it’s going to look more like this. Of course you can always just tuck it into a high-waisted skirt and problem solved, but this brings me to the next problem with this top. The embellished mesh top is oddly shaped. If it were either a bit less wide or more low cut, it would be more flattering.

Versatility: Unless you’re mannequin perfect, this is going to work best tucked into something high wasited. Otherwise, it’ll work with jeans and leggings.

Trend Factor: The embellished top it like a built-in statement necklace.

Demographic: Teens

Pleated Silky Dress ($22.80)

Rating: Buy It Maybe

Fit: You can see Sydne sneaking into my dressing room behind me and the first thing she said was, “Whoa boobies!” And seriously, whoa boobies in this dress. I tried it on because anything pleaty immediately request a trip to the dressing room and I’m happy to report these are flattering pleats, but it is low cut so it might work better for the smaller chested girls out there. Also, it was quite hard to find one of these dresses on the rack that wasn’t riddled with runs in the polyester so just beware that this dress will inevitably get ruined. In fact, I imagine it will happen the first night you wear it out, but I’m probably just being a pessimist. Actually, no. That probably makes me a realist.

Versatility: This is a nice dress for an evening out.

Trend Factor: The light color and pleated skirt evoke a sort of Old Hollywood vibe.

Demographic: 20s, Sophisticated

Satin Woven Tunic ($22.80)

Rating: Buy It Maybe

Fit: I don’t know if buttoned-down shirts really require much reviewing. Like, we’re all pretty aware of how they fit, right? It’s really not that hard to mess them up. Like this one, it’s fine. It’s blousey and a nice, rich color. It has this weird tie that–if you’re an old lady like me–is going to cut across your muffin top and then you’re going to wonder, “Why does Forever 21 insist on doing this to these things they call tunics?” And then you’ll remember, “Oh right. This is a store for teenagers. That is why a teenager (or anyone else without a muffin top) can wear this with a pair of leggings or whatever the kids are wearing and it will be cute. Duh.” That was sums up my experience with this particular button top, anyway. Of course it’s possible to remove the tie and belt it around the waist but they had to go and put belt loops on it.

Versatility: Schoooooool!

Trend Factor: Just a good ol’ classic

Demographic: Teens, 20s

Ankle Tab Jumpsuit ($27.80)

Rating: Buy It Maybe

Fit: I’m a jumpsuit girl. So as long as it doesn’t have a tapered leg, I’m trying it on. This particular one was incredibly unflattering. But it was quite possibly the most comfortable thing I’ve ever slipped into in a Forever 21 dressing room.

Versatility: If you have $30 to spare on loungewear, buy it! Just don’t wear it out of the house otherwise you might ruin your chances with your neighbor hottie.

Trend Factor: Jumpsuits have been and still are in. Even unflattering jumpsuits are in (sorry designers, I’m just not a fan of those harem onesies).

Demographic: Everyone

Blurred Floral Bustier Top ($17.80)

Rating: Buy It Maybe

Fit: Finally! A corset style top at Forever 21 without that tacky elastic back. Granted, the quality wasn’t perfect. I could already see the sticking unraveling at the bust. But the print is pretty and a zipper is better than elastic any day unless you’re preggers.

Versatility: Wear it over jeans with a blazer or tucked into a high-waist skirt.

Trend Factor: Artistic prints and florals are perfect for transitioning from summer into fall.

Demographic: 20s, Sophisticated

Silk Pleated Tunic ($34.00)

Rating: Buy It Maybe

Fit: Well isn’t this a nice little nightgown. Seems like the perfect sort of thing a 1960’s sex kitten could wear to bed (unbelted natch and yes, I do watch too much Mad Men). Oh, just one problem. This is not a nightgown. Rather this falls into that difficult to wear category to the F21 tunic. Too short for a dress yet too unflattering for some to wear with leggings or however a “tunic” is supposed to be worn. Despite the nightgown style, I did find the color gorgeous but I gotta say it would work a lot better sleeveless. As they are now, the sleeves are awkwardly poofy rather than cutesy poofy.

Versatility: On someone taller with hips like myself, tunics don’t aren’t very versatile. On other people they can work as dresses (I would suggest getting a real belt to replace the tie) or wear them with leggings or tights. This dress with some dark tights and oxfords would be my favorite.

Trend Factor: I keep saying everything’s vintagey. Either I need to pay attention to trends more or stop picking up items from the vintage inspired line Twelve by Twelve to try on.

Demographic: Teens, 20s