House of CB vs. Reformation: Which brand is better? [2026]
House of CB specializes in glamorous, high-impact eveningwear with structured, body-hugging silhouettes designed for special occasions. In contrast, Reformation focuses on effortlessly chic and sustainable clothing, offering versatile pieces with a relaxed, vintage-inspired aesthetic perfect for everyday wear.
Let's look at the key differences to help you decide which brand is right for your wardrobe and your next event.
House of CB: The Destination for Glamorous Occasion Wear
House of CB is the go-to brand for women seeking show-stopping, curve-enhancing outfits. Their design philosophy centers on making a statement, using luxurious fabrics and expert tailoring to create iconic party dresses and formalwear. The brand is particularly famous for its corsetry and structured designs that sculpt the body, making it a favorite for birthdays, nights out, and any event where you want to be the center of attention.
- Product mix: Primarily focuses on dresses, jumpsuits, and separates for evening and occasion wear. Known for bodycon fits, corsetry, cutouts, and formal gowns.
- Price point: Sits in the mid-to-luxury range, with most dresses costing between $150 and $400. Prices reflect the intricate construction and premium fabrics.
- Quality & Materials: Utilizes high-quality materials like heavy crepe, silk, and satin. Garments are often fully lined and feature boning and structuring for a perfect fit.
- Fit & Sizing: Sizing generally runs true to size but is designed to be very fitted. If you're between sizes or prefer a bit more room, it is often recommended to size up. Sizing typically ranges from XS to XL.
- Style & Aesthetic: Bold, sexy, and ultra-glamorous. House of CB’s style is for those who dress with confidence and aren't afraid of a figure-hugging silhouette.
House of CB excels at creating immaculately constructed, statement-making pieces that are worth the investment for any major event on your calendar.
Shop House of CB: houseofcb.com
Reformation: The Leader in Sustainable Style
Reformation has built a loyal following by proving sustainability and style can go hand in hand. The brand champions eco-friendly practices without sacrificing trend-forward design, offering pieces that are both beautiful and environmentally conscious. Their aesthetic is feminine and effortless, with a collection full of midi dresses, floral prints, and chic separates that feel both modern and timeless.
- Product mix: A wide range of clothing including dresses, tops, denim, jumpsuits, and even bridal wear. Their collection balances trendy pieces with wardrobe classics.
- Price point: Sits in the affordable-to-mid-range market. Dresses typically run between $50 and $300, making it a more accessible option for high-quality, everyday pieces.
- Quality & Materials: Committed to using sustainable fabrics like Tencel, viscose, recycled fabrics, and organic cotton. The quality is good and intended for regular wear.
- Fit & Sizing: Known for offering a broad size range, from XXS to 3X, including petite options. The fit is generally true to size, with a focus on flattering but more relaxed silhouettes compared to House of CB.
- Style & Aesthetic: Effortlessly chic, romantic, and vintage-inspired. Reformation is perfect for brunch, wedding guest attire, vacations, and stylish day-to-day wear.
Reformation offers chic, versatile pieces for the environmentally-conscious shopper who wants great style without a heavy planetary footprint.
Shop Reformation: thereformation.com
House of CB vs. Reformation Comparison
Price Comparison
There's a clear difference in price between the two brands. House of CB positions itself as a premium occasion-wear brand, with most dresses falling squarely in the $150–$400 range. This price reflects the complex construction, corsetry, and high-end fabrics used to create their signature sculpted look.
Reformation is more accessible, with most items priced between $50 and $300. This makes it a stronger option for building out a versatile wardrobe with pieces you can wear repeatedly without needing a major event. For value, Reformation offers more wearability for the price, while House of CB offers specialized luxury for specific moments.
Quality & Materials
Both brands prioritize quality, but with different goals. House of CB’s quality is seen in its construction. Their dresses often feel substantial and "hold you in," thanks to bust cups, underwiring, boning, and thick, structured fabrics like crepe and satin. These garments are built to create a specific silhouette.
Reformation's quality is centered on its sustainable materials, like Tencel Lyocell and rescued deadstock fabrics. The construction is solid for daily wear, aiming for comfort and a flattering drape rather than rigid structure. While durable, Reformation’s pieces are generally lighter and less architectural than a dress from House of CB.
Style & Aesthetic
The primary difference lies here. House of CB is unapologetically glamorous. Think red carpet events, fancy cocktail parties, and milestone birthdays. The aesthetic is bold and sexy, designed to make an impact and highlight your curves.
Reformation’s vibe is relaxed sophistication. It’s the brand you wear to a weekend brunch, a romantic picnic, or as a wedding guest. The style is feminine and often leans into vintage-inspired prints and silhouettes like puff sleeves and A-line skirts. It’s trendy yet subtle enough for repeat wear in different settings.
Fit & Sizing
House of CB designs are meant to be extremely fitted and figure-hugging. Their sizing is consistent but unforgiving, if you are between sizes, sizing up is almost always a safe bet to ensure comfort, especially in a corset-style top or dress.
Reformation has a more inclusive approach, with sizes ranging from XXS to 3X as well as petite collections. Their fit is generally true to size and designed to be flattering through smart tailoring and draping rather than compression. They offer detailed sizing guides that are very helpful in finding the right option for your body type.
Sustainability & Ethics
This is a major win for Reformation. The entire brand is built on a foundation of sustainability, from using eco-friendly materials to providing transparency reports about their environmental footprint. They are a certified B Corporation, meaning they meet high standards of social and environmental performance.
House of CB, by contrast, does not make sustainability a central part of its brand identity. The focus is almost entirely on design, trend-driven styles, and glamour, without much public-facing information about its manufacturing processes or environmental initiatives.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both brands offer beautiful clothing, but they cater to very different needs and occasions.
Choose House of CB if:
- You have a formal event, cocktail party, or major celebration coming up.
- You love a sexy, curve-enhancing silhouette and structured corsetry.
- Your goal is to make a high-impact style statement and turn heads.
- You are looking for a special occasion dress that feels luxurious and well-constructed.
Choose Reformation if:
- Sustainability and ethical production are important factors in your shopping decisions.
- You need a versatile dress that works for a wedding, a vacation, and a nice dinner out.
- You prefer an effortlessly chic, feminine, and slightly vintage-inspired aesthetic.
- You're looking for stylish everyday staples like tops, jeans, and casual dresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is House of CB or Reformation more expensive?
House of CB is generally more expensive. Its dresses primarily range from $150 to $400, whereas Reformation's dresses are more commonly in the $50 to $300 range, making Reformation the more budget-friendly option a majority of the time.
Which brand has better quality?
Both brands offer good quality, but they prioritize different aspects. House of CB excels in structural quality, with heavy fabrics, full lining, and built-in corsetry for a sculpted fit. Reformation excels in material quality, focusing on high-end, sustainable fabrics that look and feel great.
What is the sizing like for House of CB?
House of CB runs true to size, but its styles are extremely fitted and structured. Many shoppers recommend sizing up if they are between sizes or have a larger bust or hips to ensure a comfortable fit.
Is Reformation's clothing true to size?
Yes, Reformation is known for being consistently true to size. They also offer a more inclusive size range (XXS-3X) and petite sizing, making it easier to find a flattering fit for different body types.
Which brand is better for a wedding guest dress?
Reformation is often a more suitable choice for wedding guest attire due to its wide selection of chic, elegant, and appropriate dresses. House of CB can be great for a black-tie or cocktail-attire wedding, but many of its styles might be too bold or revealing for a more traditional ceremony.
Which brand is more sustainable?
Reformation is significantly more focused on sustainability. From their B Corp certification to their detailed impact reports and use of eco-friendly materials, sustainability is central to their brand identity. House of CB does not publicly focus on sustainability.
Can you wear Reformation dresses every day?
Absolutely. Reformation excels at creating stylish, versatile pieces that are perfect for everyday life, including work, weekends, and casual outings. Many of their dresses and separates become wardrobe essentials.
What is House of CB known for?
House of CB is best known for its iconic corset dresses and ultra-glamorous, figure-hugging eveningwear that is popular among celebrities and influencers for major events and nights out.
