Reformation vs. Blue Pencil: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Reformation is a sustainable fashion brand known for stylish, eco-friendly clothing with a modern, feminine aesthetic, generally at a higher price point. In contrast, Blue Pencil is a fast-fashion brand that offers bold, trendy, and budget-friendly styles for a younger, of-the-moment audience. Reformation prioritizes high-quality, sustainable materials and timeless designs, while Blue Pencil focuses on delivering the latest trends quickly and affordably.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right fashion brand for your wardrobe and values.

Reformation: The Leader in Sustainable Style

Reformation has become the go-to brand for environmentally conscious shoppers who refuse to sacrifice style. The brand is built on a foundation of sustainability, transparency, and ethical manufacturing, offering everything from elegant dresses to everyday jeans. Their target customer values high-quality, long-lasting pieces that feature clean lines and flattering, feminine silhouettes.

• Product mix: Women's apparel with a focus on dresses, tops, bottoms, and denim. The aesthetic blends vintage-inspired details with modern trends for a timeless appeal.
• Price point: Mid-range to premium, with tops and jeans typically starting around $80 and dresses ranging from $150 to over $300.
• Quality & Materials: Known for high-quality, sustainable fabrics like organic cotton, linen, Tencel, and recycled materials. Garments are designed for durability and a long lifespan.
• Style & Aesthetic: The style is minimalist, chic, and decidedly feminine. Expect flattering fits, clean lines, and versatile designs that work for both casual and formal occasions.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing generally runs true to size, from XXS to XL, with size guides providing detailed measurements to help customers find the perfect fit.
• Sustainability & Ethics: This is a core part of the brand. Reformation provides a detailed "RefScale" on each product page that tracks its environmental impact and is committed to carbon-neutral operations.

Reformation is ideal for those looking to invest in a stylish, eco-friendly wardrobe with pieces that are designed to last season after season.

Shop Reformation: thereformation.com

Blue Pencil: The Home of Trendy, Affordable Fashion

Blue Pencil serves a fashion-forward, youthful audience that loves to experiment with the latest trends without breaking the bank. The brand operates on a fast-fashion model, rapidly introducing bold, colorful, and playful designs. It's the place for statement pieces, eye-catching prints, and apparel that captures the current fashion moment perfectly.

• Product mix: A wide range of on-trend apparel, including casual wear, statement dresses, accessories, and outerwear. Styles are often experimental and expressive.
• Price point: Highly accessible and budget-friendly, with most items falling between $30 and $150, making it easy to refresh your wardrobe frequently.
• Quality & Materials: Primarily uses synthetic or blended fabrics that prioritize affordability. While some pieces may include recycled materials, the focus is not on longevity.
• Style & Aesthetic: Bold, vibrant, and trend-driven. Features include bright colors, statement prints, oversized silhouettes, and experimental details that appeal to a younger demographic.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing can be less consistent due to the fast-fashion production cycle, ranging from XS to XL. It's often recommended to check customer reviews for specific fit advice.
• Sustainability & Ethics: While the brand highlights some sustainable initiatives like using recycled fabrics, it is not a core focus. The business model prioritizes speed and affordability over deep environmental commitments.

Blue Pencil is perfect for shoppers who want fun, trendy clothing for the current season at a very attractive price point.

Shop Blue Pencil: bluepencil.com

Reformation vs. Blue Pencil Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a significant price difference between the two brands. Reformation’s items are an investment, with dresses often costing between $150 and $300 and denim hovering around $130. This price reflects the cost of sustainable materials, ethical labor, and durable construction.

Blue Pencil is far more affordable. With most products priced between $30 and $150, it is designed for shoppers on a tighter budget or those who enjoy buying new items frequently. While Reformation’s value is in longevity, Blue Pencil’s value is in its accessibility and alignment with current trends.

Quality & Materials

Reformation’s commitment to quality is clear in its fabric choices. The brand almost exclusively uses high-end, eco-friendly materials like Tencel, organic cotton, and recycled cashmere. This results in clothes that not only feel better on the skin but are also constructed to withstand wear and washing over a long period.

Blue Pencil uses materials more typical of fast fashion, such as polyester, rayon, and other synthetic blends. These fabrics allow for lower costs and vibrant printing, but they often lack the durability and breathability of the natural fibers found at Reformation. The quality is suitable for clothing meant to be worn for a season or two, but not as long-term wardrobe staples.

Style & Aesthetic

The aesthetic difference is night and day. Reformation offers a polished, feminine, and often minimalist style. Its designs are timeless with a modern twist, making them suitable for a wide range of occasions, from weddings to weekend brunch. The focus is on flattering silhouettes that enhance the wearer's figure.

Blue Pencil is all about making a statement. Its style is bold, playful, and heavily influenced by current social media and runway trends. Think vibrant colors, unique prints, and experimental cuts. It's fashion designed to be noticed and photographed, perfect for someone who uses clothing as a form of joyful self-expression.

Fit & Sizing

Reformation is known for its consistent and reliable sizing, which typically runs true to size. An emphasis is placed on creating flattering cuts, and their website offers detailed size charts to help you make the right choice. Their designs are structured to complement feminine shapes.

Blue Pencil’s sizing can be more of a gamble. As a fast-fashion retailer, production speed can lead to inconsistencies between different items. While they offer a standard XS to XL range, it's wise to read product reviews for feedback on fit before purchasing, as some items may run smaller or larger than expected.

Sustainability & Ethics

This is the most significant point of difference. Sustainability is at the very core of Reformation's brand identity. They are transparent about their supply chain, manufacturing processes, and carbon footprint, even providing an impact score for each garment. Every aspect of their business is geared toward reducing their environmental impact.

Blue Pencil follows a fast-fashion model, which is inherently less sustainable. While they have introduced some eco-friendly initiatives, such as using recycled fabrics in certain collections, these efforts are not central to the brand's primary mission of delivering rapid, affordable trends. The brand lacks the deep transparency and commitment that defines Reformation.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your personal priorities when shopping for clothes. Both brands offer distinct advantages depending on what you're looking for.

Choose Reformation if:

• You prioritize sustainability and ethical manufacturing in your purchasing decisions.
• You are building a long-lasting wardrobe with timeless, high-quality pieces.
• You prefer minimalist, chic, and feminine aesthetics that don't go out of style.
• You have a larger budget and view clothing as an investment.

Choose Blue Pencil if:

• You love to experiment with a constant stream of new, runway-inspired trends.
• You are shopping on a tight budget and want fashionable items at a low price.
• You want bold, colorful, and playful outfits for parties, events, or everyday wear.
• Long-term durability and sustainability are not your primary concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Reformation or Blue Pencil cheaper?

Blue Pencil is significantly cheaper than Reformation. Most of Blue Pencil's items cost a fraction of what you would pay at Reformation, reflecting its fast-fashion business model and use of more affordable materials.

Which has better quality?

Reformation has far superior quality. The brand uses high-end, sustainable fabrics and focuses on construction that ensures durability and longevity. Blue Pencil's quality is lower, designed for short-term wear in line with fast-fashion trends.

Are both brands sustainable?

No. Reformation is a recognized leader in sustainable fashion with transparent, eco-friendly practices. Blue Pencil is a fast-fashion brand, while it may have some minor sustainable initiatives, its core business model is not environmentally focused.

How does Reformation sizing run?

Reformation sizing is generally reported as true to size. The brand focuses on flattering, feminine cuts and provides detailed online sizing guides to help customers choose correctly.

Is Blue Pencil a fast fashion brand?

Yes, Blue Pencil fits the definition of a fast fashion brand. It focuses on rapidly producing trendy styles at low price points to keep up with seasonal demand.

Where can I buy Reformation?

You can purchase Reformation clothing directly from their website, in their physical retail stores, and at select high-end retailers like Nordstrom.

Which brand is better for a wedding or formal event?

Reformation would be the better choice for a special occasion like a wedding. Its dresses are made from higher-quality fabrics and feature more elegant, timeless designs suitable for a formal event. A Blue Pencil dress might be perfect for a trendy party, but less so for a classic formal setting.

How do the aesthetics of the brands differ?

Reformation's style is centered around sophisticated, feminine, and minimalist looks that are an enduring classic. Blue Pencil's aesthetic, on the other hand, is all about being present in the current trend cycle, so think loud, playful, and experimental.