Calvin Tran

I came into this store by accident. But this was certainly my lucky day. Not only did I get the utmost attention but I also met Mr. Tran who helped pick out all my outfits. His designs are amazing. Most items can be worn multiple ways and have an elegance and class about them. I’m definitely going to be purchasing more in the future! Thanks Calvin!

In the past I have shopped at Calvin Tran, I loved his clothes, yet I was tired of the rude costumer service. If I am coming into your store to buy quite a few outfits I at least expect to be treated like a decent human being, I quit shopping at Calvin’s store, Yet recently I had a last minute wedding to attend and need a new top and for some reason I choose to go back to Calvin’s store. Which I am so glad I did ! I was greeted and helped by a lovely young lady name Brianna. Who helped me find the perfect top which I fell in love with. I am so happy that the customer service is better now. Thank you so much Brianna for your excellent service, I now will be shopping here again quite often !

It’s rare when you can go clothes shopping and have the designer bring you clothes designed for your body type right to the dressing room. Something to try at least once in your life. I typically seek out Calvin’s advice for special occasion wear, and he never steers me wrong. There have been times he’s guided me from something that’s a decent fit, over to phenomenal outfit. (And seriously, I appreciate not getting spoon feed BS about whatever I try on looking good just so some coed can get a fat commission check. His honesty is refreshing.)
I bought a wrap top from him a few years ago and it’s a staple for when I travel. Classy, versatile and low maintenance, what more can you ask for from a special occasion top? One of my all time faves!
Expect to pay for his talent. At the end of the day though, whatever you paid will be a bargain for the number of time/​uses you get out of his clothes.

This is my favorite designer. Yes, you will need money to shop here, but let’s be honest the crap in Bloomindales costs nearly as much. And it’s crap!
Calvin is wonderful and innovative. I love that you don’t have to be a size zero to look fantastic in his clothing (probably would help, but is not required). I have part of my closet (and yes it’s large) dedicated to only his clothing. I have quite a few of his pieces. Maybe a gown one day, is my next purchase for an event.
If you want cheap, then go to Target, Macy’s etc… If you want the best, you shop here. It won’t be cheap, but the pieces you purchase will be timeless and the favorite go-​to pieces in your closet.
I stumbled upon the shop by accident and it was my favorite shopping experience. I’m quite pragmatic and like to be efficient. Now, you may not be able to read what things cost., red on black tags; I couldn’t. But, you’ll get the best cost per wear of any designer IMHO. And… people always notice that you have great taste!
I’ll go for high quality over quantity always!

I have been shopping at Calvin Tran since 2006. My first experience there I felt like Julie Roberts in Pretty Woman. I was immediately shown numerous outfits by a man who knew how to dress me. I have a womanly curve — Big boobs and a matronly belly. It’s just the way I’m built. I was amazed and thrilled at how the clothes fit and made me look fantastic. A few months later I was in SOHO in New York and happened upon the Calvin Tran store there. I excitedly walked in and was surprised to see the man who had helped me. I put two and two together. It was Calvin Tran. In our first meeting he never introduced himself. I was impressed that he was humble enough to dress me and listen to my opinions of the clothes without showcasing who he was. I have been a fan ever since.
After my first child my body was still not quite back to pre-​baby shape, but I had an event to go to. I strolled into Calvin’s store hoping he could help me, but concerned that if I bought something it wouldn’t fit after I lost the baby weight. Of course Calvin fit me with a top that is adjustable that made me look ten pounds skinnier and I felt simply radiant. I now have a healthy supply of his items from shirts, skirts, leggings, dresses and coats. Every time I wear one of his items I get a compliment on his clothes. EVERY TIME. He has a way of designing clothes that is architectural in nature and clever in design. Some of his items he has to instruct me as to how to put them on. His creativity simply is inspiring to me. I love when I go in he greets me with a hug and a smile and when I leave, whether I have bought something or not, I feel beautiful.

Calvin Tran is, hands down, my favorite designer –Chicago or elsewhere. Discovered him and his beautiful clothing quite by accident –after stepping off Halsted Ave. and into a full-​scale Mariah-​Carey tribute –complete with song, dance, sass, and a holiday hostess dress that put everything else in Chi to shame.
Been shopping there ever since –dresses, tops, sweaters, skirts, vests, jackets –all investment pieces, all photograph well –never received so many compliments or appreciated the artistry of design so much as when wearing his line.
Some Unilocalers out there seem to be a little salty!
Thoughts on that… Hilary T. … is Calvin’s behavior «disgusting» because he suggested you shop at K-​Mart? If so, that would seem you are suggesting there is something negative about people who do shop at K-​Mart for clothing or purchase inexpensive clothing at prices they can afford. In that case, the only person who is behaving in a disgusting manner, is you.
And bullying? Seriously? Sigh…
«Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.»
So unless you’re a school-​aged child writing Unilocal reviews, shut the f-​ck up, and go shop somewhere else.

Calvin saw my review and decided to send me a «compliment» which was actually a scathing, name-​calling message. Not only was his message poorly spelled and grammatically incorrect, but it was also hateful, juvenile, and full of lies.
His message called me «a size 16 and 4 feet tall.» I am neither of those things. He also said he «finally found something to make [me] look like a human being.» This is classless and unacceptable. It is harassment, trolling, and bullying.
If you can’t accept criticism gracefully, you are in the wrong business.
I reported him to Unilocal and am going to look into what other actions I can take. Buyers beware, and please don’t shop here. Your experience will be full of false praise, insincerity, and poorly made, overpriced product. It’s a toxic designer, and to endorse this behavior would be poison for your soul.

I also received a harassing «compliment» yesterday from Calvin. He told me I should shop at Kmart to get cheap clothes that would fit. I am looking into ways to report this behavior because it is disgusting.

Unique designs in interesting fabrics and colors with multi-​ways to wear many. For one 5′ 8″ who wears a size 8, everything tried on fit well. There were no other customers in the shop at the time that I was there. The sales lady was attentive to showing multiple options for wearing the garment. I’m happy with the purchase and look forward to returning to this shop.

Went in on Sunday with a tall thin friend, I’m 5’2 «, Mike, aka Calviin told me how much he liked my entire outfit, we were on sidewalk looking at sale items. My friend, whom is a shopper away Target, tried on several knock out pieces, he kept the out fits coming, talked to me a lot, she went back on Sunday and made a purchase, wonderful experience, he rembered who we were, will return, if your ignored start the talk going, from a ex retail manager… Loved Mike and the sat/​sun staff, great experience !!!

I’ll start by saying my friend really likes some of the items she has bought at this place. The staff spends a ton of time showing her numerous ways to wear each piece and generally fawning over her telling her repeatedly how tiny she is.
I’m a size 6 – 8 depending on the season. I’ve been in the store probably 8 – 10 times with this friend and another who is a size 00. Each time we were there a while however for some reason I’m never acknowledged for evening being there while they run around fawning over tiny girls. Last time I carried the same top around for 25 min and no one even offered to let me try it on (even though we were the only ones in the store). For $ 300 for a top I shouldn’t have to beg for your attention
Unless you are a size 2 or smaller and can get the staff to show you how you can wear the pieces multiply ways the fabrics and finishes don’t justify the prices or terrible attitudes. Some of the individuals almost seem like cartoon characters.
I thought I may have just been oversensitive about the size thing until I saw Calvin on Bravo. No attempt to even try to hide the dislike for anyone over model size.

I was perplexed for a long time when I first learned that I need to move to Chicago from my love SF, very very sad. Yet one thing that cheers me up more than anything else, is the idea of having Calvin Tran in the city.
Everything Calvin Tran presents, is one of a kind, multi-​functional, yet well-​worth the price (think about 5+ completely different ways of wearing each piece, it’s like buying 5+ pieces at the price of 1!). I stopped shopping at any generic chained stores (even the fancy ones), now I head straight to Calvin Tran. They have everything I need, elegance, quality fabric (best for traveling, never get wrinkled!), formal and casual ways in one piece, best of all, they are designed to fit all body types and shapes (1 size only) yet they fit me PERFECTLY.
Here, let me give you an example. I was recently in NYC, this one dress I wore to have lunch with my agent/​manager near central park, then to my see my mentor from Vienna Philharmonic, then to the concert at Carnegie. The next day, MOMA, shopping in SOMA, art gallery runs, then dinner with high school friend followed by some chilling time at a bar. Same dress serves all, with some slight variations= spot on fabulous. Guess what, I have a picture with Sting, with me in a Calvin Tran dress.
Words of wisdom: try things on, and let the genius sales ladies/​gentlemen show you the various ways of wearing the piece. You won’t be able to guess what it looks like from the hanger, really. Pricey? Think about all the ways you can wear them, or pick from the sale rack! (70%off now!)

The clothes are gorgeous!
My only complaint is that I can’t afford my whole wardrobe from here! You may need a little bit of instruction on how to wear some of the pieces, but ever thing is SO beautiful and unusual. I purchased one thing from the sale rack (a blouse) wore it the next day. I could not believe how many people said they loved it. These are stand out pieces and you pay the price for it, but who cares!!! I looked fabulous.

More stars for the designs – even though it takes a minute to figure out how they’re to be worn and imagine yourself in it. True, one of my most interesting, cool pieces was bought here a couple of years ago.
However, the customer service/​vibe? Snoot-​like, as if to say, «You aren’t cool enough to even browse!» Barely a hello and not so much as one one word the whole time I looked through the racks. Awkward! You know what that equals? No sale!

I’ve been in Calvin Tran twice. The first time I went in with my fiancée and the sales associate didn’t even look up to say hi, she was busy socializing with someone behind the counter. The second time I went in, she was incredibly unfriendly and her attempts to sell are just sad. The attitude from her made my friend crazy and I wanted to try a piece on but just decided that I couldn’t take it anymore and went out of the store in a rush.
The pieces have unique styles and some have nice material but mostly, its ok and its for sure everything is overpriced.
Would never go in there again!

my girlfriends been a slave to calvin tran’s unique and multifunctional pieces, ever since opened his NYC flagship boutique. their employees are very helpful/​friendly/​and definitely worth checking out. im in the corporate side of the fashion world (NYC) and it’s definitely refreshing to see new and upcoming designer that knows the women’s figure. good luck!

My friend’s uncle is the designer here and she always looks super stunning in the dresses here. My favorite one was this long black formal dress that she could put on five different ways for five different looks. Definitely a bargain for the different events that she could wear the same dress to but still look stunningly different from the other.