I Tried 7 Pieces From H&M’s Magda Butrym Collection
H&M’s no stranger to designer collaborations — this one marks the company’s 20th collab in a lineup that includes Stella McCartney, Marni, and Karl Lagerfeld. Polish designer Magda Butrym, whose namesake brand just turned ten, is the latest. Her collection with H&M is now online and in select stores, available as of April 24 (just in time for Mediterranean vacations). Butrym’s “dreamy, romantic and Slavic” floral-appliqué-adorned dresses, shoes, and tops have already been seen on Vittoria Ceretti, who wore two pieces from the collaboration at Paris Fashion Week.
The collection features 45 pieces, ranging from an $18 blush and $35 red tee to a $629 leather coat and $300 red floral minidress with an XS-to-XXL size range. Here’s what stood out to me.
Do I need the Magda Butrym H&M collaboration?
It depends on the piece. Admittedly, it’s been nearly a decade since I’ve shopped at an H&M. But I’ve long been drawn to Magda Butrym’s pieces. I mostly like how she works with floral motifs (which I have an aversion to) by abstracting their forms. The clothes were just cost prohibitive. The intent of this collection — to showcase the quality and accessibility of Butrym’s designs and textiles — is well-executed. Several of the pieces are made of recycled fibers, and Butrym’s infamous rose motif is rendered relatively true to its original form. Many of the pieces are near-direct takes on Butrym’s in-house designs, like a spin on her micro knit sets and several slinky tops, plus her iconically Polish crochet dresses and accessories. And in a fashion world increasingly defined by economic pandemonium and dupe culture, what better “dupes” to invest in than ones curated and created by the designer herself?
What I Tried:
For reference, I’m five-foot-seven, typically a small or extra-small in tops and a 2 or 4 (about a 27-inch waist) in bottoms and skirts. Except for two items, the pieces, at large, fit true to size.
Magda Butrym H&M Denim Bustier Top with Rose Appliqués
As a denim junkie, this look was the first to stand out to me: a casual yet tailored take on denim and a fun spin on Butrym’s classic floral motifs (besides being extremely on trend for a Canadian tuxedo spring and summer). Both pieces are 100 percent cotton, a relief to note, and felt sturdy: no snagging zippers, an additional button for closure on the bustier, and nice-looking hardware on the denim. The medium blue wash was also well done, artfully faded and just the right shade of blue grey.
The top fit snugly, though comfortably, without making me feel like I was suffocating (likely thanks to its smocked elastic back), the corsetlike boning on the front providing elegant structure. I adored the jean’s subtle pleating, which lent a trouserlike silhouette and plenty of volume to what could have otherwise simply been a baggy pair of jeans (I found they could be worn higher on the waist or slightly lower at the hip). Though they were too long without a heel, cuffing was an easy fix (and a nice touch overall).
Magda Butrym H&M Baggy Pleat-Front Jeans
Magda Butrym H&M Halterneck Top with Rose Appliqué
The shade of pink was perfectly executed — subtle but flattering — as was the ruching and playful appliqué work, echoing draping found on many of Butrym’s skirts, tops, and dresses. The halter is opaque and plenty forgiving with generous stretch — likely thanks to its 92 percent recycled polyester and 2 percent elastane makeup — to fit securely. It’ll pair well with just about any bottom in your closet, Butrym or not.
Magda Butrym H&M Maxi Skirt with Rose Appliqué
I’m not typically drawn to bodycon pencil skirts, especially knit or spandex ones, which tend to hug me in all the wrong places. This skirt was flattering enough with a slit in the back allowing for comfortable movement and snug, adjustable draping on the waist and tummy area. Though this piece was ultimately a pass for me, I very much appreciated its potential versatility and the strategic placement of the oversize appliqués.
Magda Butrym H&M Rose-Appliquéd Bodysuit with Cutout Detail
The same could not be said of the matching black bodysuit, whose fit was not PG enough to be pictured. Despite trying on an XS, the front was far too loose to stay put or cover the girls properly (venture if you dare; boob tape required), no matter how tightly I tied the neckties. I loved the idea of a plunging bodysuit with a small bow-tie-like appliqué at the neck and scarflike additional ties. Tucked into the skirt the look felt glamorous, slinky, and smooth, save for the ill fit.
Magda Butrym H&M Rose-Appliquéd Leather Sandals
I’m guilty of overrelying on flip-flops in all forms this time of year to carry a look, so I loved the concept behind this 100 percent leather pair, one of two heeled sandals in the collaboration. I was able to style them with everything I tried on. The appliqués on the back (as opposed to, say, the front or the sandal’s thong portion) elevated an otherwise simple and unassuming pair of shoes. The roughly two-and-a-half-inch heel height made these a comfortable wear; the very angular, square toe front is not always the most flattering but is chic nonetheless.
Magda Butrym H&M Sequined Hourglass Dress with Rose Appliqué
This dress felt notably well-made: lined, with an additional hook-and-eye corset closure for the top half, meaning no sequins dig into your skin, and light, though significant, support around the delicately cut top. Padding at the hips created an interesting, exaggerated silhouette, reminiscent of Butrym’s twists on form and structure in dresses and gowns. Though I could not for the life of me find this piece flattering on myself, it is another great entry into the world of Butrym for those looking to avoid dropping $2,000 on a single dress.