Blotchy Floral Woven Dress ($22.80)

Rating: Wear it Forever

Fit: Padded busts. A Forever 21 feature Jen and I absolutely despise. But there’s an exception to every rule and this is one of them. The subtle padding combined with the crossover sweetheart neckline actually enhances the bust, rather than making it look like you just got a bad boob job. Then there’s the waist, which actually hits at the waist. Hallelujah! The full pleated skirt is extremely flattering and unless you’re one of those lucky model-types, you shouldn’t have a problem with the hem. The only part I didn’t like about the dress was the straps, but those are removable.

Versatility: I adore florals for the winter. Make the dress cold weather appropriate with plum tights and gray pumps or ribbed charcoal tights, sparkly flats and a cardi. When it starts to heat up, this dress obviously works for spring and if you get bored with the bow, you can easily remove it and throw on belt to show off your waist.

Trend Factor: Florals are in, but really when are they ever not?

Demographic: Teens, 20s and maybe 30somethings might be able to get away with. I’d just recommend replacing the bow with a thin, sophisticated belt ASAP.

Ruffle Front Shirt Dress ($39.00)

Rating: Buy It Never

Fit: This dress looks so nice and reserved on that lifeless mannequin but on an actual person such as myself, it looks more like a hot mess. At first I tired to tell myself, it must just be the awful placement of that security magnet thing (why do they always put those in the worst places?). I mean look how nice it looks from the back. But no, it’s just F21 trying to do too much with cheap materials. The simpler they keep it, the better it always works out.

Versatility: Fall is definitely here so sleeveless doesn’t always seem like the best choice. But if we were to pretend for a moment that this dress wasn’t a disaster and you pair it with a tights and a nice coat, that would be supercute.

Trend Factor: Shirt dresses are always just kind of there. They’re not super trendy right now but definitely doable should the right one come along.

Demographic: Teens

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

Faux Leather Skort ($17.80)

Rating: Trendy for Now

Fit: I cracked up when I tried this on. I don’t think I’ve seen a skort since the early ’90s! But the skirt is so short that I was thrilled there were itty-bitty shorts underneath. On the hangers this was my least fave, but it fit the best because there were no pleats or volume attempts. It simply laid flat.

Versatility: To my surprise, I’ve already worn this skirt three times since buying it days before New York Fashion Week. I’ll prob wear it with tights at least three more times if this heat ever goes away.

Trend Factor: Biker chic was all over the fall runways—as was exposed hardware.

Demographic: Teens, 20s

Belted Sweater Dress ($34.00)

Rating: Trendy For Now

Fit: Remember in my Satin Woven Tunic review, I mentioned this is a store for teenagers (duh)? Well, this sweater dress is another example of this. No one over the age of 18 should really wear a dress that’s banded at the bottom like so. It’s just going to bring out those hips. That being said, a nice young teen could certainly rock this for the upcoming (ahhhh!) holiday season.

Versatility: Probably works best paired with leggings for holiday family gatherings, don’t want to get skanky at those.

Trend Factor: Holidays = red + pearls

Demographic: Teens

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

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

Bubble Hem Satin Skirt ($19.80)

Rating: Buy It Never

Fit: I think this photo of me in the skirt says it all. I’m all for volume, but seriously, wtf?

Versatility: Throw on some bunny ears and you can look just like a Louis Vuitton model.

Trend Factor: Volume is all the rage but extravagance only works for the runway and those of us blessed enough to look like Jessica Stam. Teenagers? This skirt is for you. Your skinny legs will look adorable poking out underneath with a pair of flats.

Demographic: Teens