Selkie Dress Review: Is it Worth the Hype?

Are you looking for a real, honest review of Selkie Dresses before you make that big purchase? As the owner of five Selkie pieces, I’m here to give you all the tea. Selkie dresses have become a crowd favorite for those who love whimsical fashion. But the most asked question is: Are Selkie Dresses worth the hype?

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own!

a Black woman in a pink selkie dress in a field of flowers

The first time I bought a Selkie, I spent hours researching Selkie as much as possible. $300 was a significant amount to spend on a dress, and I wanted to ensure it was worth it.

When I finally got my dress, I was over the moon. It was beautiful and airy, and I felt like a princess. I still have that dress, and the quality has remained great. Since then, I’ve purchased over four more pieces, and I love every one of them. One of my favorites is the Ivory Theatre Petticoat that I wore to Belvedere Castle, but the Poptart Ritz Gown is a classic!

Who is the Owner of Selkie?

As someone who loves fairytales and poofy dresses, I had to know who the mastermind behind Selkie was. The owner is Kimberley Gordon, an artist, designer, and businesswoman. She took the name “Selkie” from Scottish and Irish mythicism. According to ancient folktales, Selkies were mythical beings that could shapeshift from seals to humans.

The brand lives up to its name. The dresses are inspired by books, fairytales, princesses, cottages, and other magical experiences.

How do Selkie Dresses fit? Are They Size-Inclusive

I love how size-inclusive Selkie is. Their size range is between xxs and 6x, meaning people with all body types can feel beautiful in a Selkie. I think this really adds to the cult-like following that Selkie has garnered.

The best way to determine your size is to use their sizing chart, which I find to be very accurate.

a Dark skinned women with a large afro and white Selkie Ivory Theater Petticoat flowy skirt, and greeen and yellow corset staring at a pong. The pond is a large lake with small turtles swimming underneath the water. Far back in the background are lots of tree and a few tall building — The Ivory Theater Petticoat

How is the Quality?

Dark skinned Black woman wearing a dramatic Selkie dress between two white columns — at Rosemont Manor

All of my dresses have been well made with neat stitching. Most of their dresses are polyester, not the most luxurious fabric but one of the most affordable fabrics that will hold the style of Selkie dresses. There is a difference between the dresses that cost $300 and the gowns that cost $600. As compared to other gowns, I think Selkie is competitive in pricing.

The Good

I’ve worn my dresses multiple times and have never had an issue with broken zippers or poorly made pieces.
The fabric blows in the wind so well and photographs very well.
Selkie dresses can be resold for a reasonable price due to high demand.
You can wash most of your pieces with gentle wash or dry cleaners.

The Bad

Polyester becomes very hot in warm weather. I literally had to take car breaks when doing a photoshoot.
Some of their pieces are quite expensive and seldom go on sale.
It’s hard to find coveted pieces on second-hand sites. They usually sell quickly.
I wasn’t a fan of their t-shirt era at all but that’s over now.

wearing the Baby Banana Puff Dress in Puerto Rico

Should I Buy a Selkie Dupe?

Babe. No. The Selkie Dupes are usually pretty noticeable. Because they’re skipping corners to save money, they often lack the dress structure that makes a Selkie a Selkie. Instead, the dupes are usually a bit flimsy, and the material is thin and itchy.

Instead of buying a dupe, I suggest buying secondhand on Poshmark or Depop. Another option is to rent a Selkie on Nuuly to see if you love it.

Selkie Returns

Selkie has a decent return policy. If you’re not happy with your Selkie, you can request a return or exchange within 15 days of receiving your order, as long as it wasn’t a final sale item. You do have to pay for shipping costs, which can be a significant amount. The shipping costs for the return are deducted from your refund or credit.