The following Versalette review is brought to you by Tam Le. Please note that this post may contain affiliate links, and if you make a purchase, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
I first came across the Versalette when reading the Chrysalis Cardi review on Her Packing List and a quick google search on convertible clothing, I came across the Versalette. I ended up buying both but, unfortunately, someone stole my Chrysalis Cardi. I got my Versalette in September 2014 in time for a trip to Laos.
The Versalette has now become a staple in both my everyday and travel wardrobe. I am currently trying to live a more sustainable and minimalistic lifestyle include having a capsule wardrobe. The Versalette ticks all the right boxes for me; the company is ethical, with an inspiring manifesto, use surplus fabric and manufacture in Denver, Colorado.
The item is easy to look after, and can be worn in 30 different ways.
What Is the Versalette?
Essentially the Versalette is a big rectangular piece of fabric sewn together, like a large tube top. The magic with the Versalette is in the drawer strings and hidden sleeves. The way you change your look is by changing the drawer strings either on your top to make a top or dress, or on your waist to create a skirt or wrap around your neck as a scarf. Depending on what you pair the Versalette with, you can create a professional look for work or a casual look for sightseeing or a dressy affair for dinner.
I love how the different ways of wearing it still look great on many different size people too.
What I Like About the Versalette
I enjoy wearing it as a dress, long or short skirt, and scarf. The top does not work as well on my short and slim frame because there is just too much material to control.
I always take the Versalette on the trips and especially in transit on the plane, bus or train. This item has become a life saver because while in a hood mode, I can pull the hood over my face, and it blocks all the light but still gives me room to breathe, while keeping my neck warm on the cold plane or bus. I only got sleep on an uncomfortable overnight bus ride from Inle Lake to Bagan in Myanmar, thanks to the Versalette.
The majority of the vast numbers of way to wear this item is simply changing the various neckline or length of skirt/dress/top and adding sleeves or no sleeves. The sleeves are basically like flaps that you can tuck in to create a sleeveless look or take out to create the cap sleeve look. I change the sleeves all the time depending if I am in the sun and feeling warm but then the evening breeze hits, and I take the sleeves out to add some warmth.
What Could Be Improved
While there are many things I love about this item, I did want to highlight a few cons. The item is 92% rayon and 8% lycra, so it takes forever to dry. This is one of those items that you wash when you know you are going to be in a place for a few days unless it’s a dry, windy or hot location.
It is $110 USD so it’s not cheap but I feel the price is worth it, and I do not regret spending the money.
I have noticed the fabric pill a bit and especially in areas where the draw strings are constantly pulled on. I did get a small hole near the armpit about 3 months into owning it, but it has not gotten any bigger, and it is easy to mend. I do also have a few stains on mine. Maybe I do not know how to wash it out properly but I do find that after wearing this item every week for a year, it is starting to show the signs.
However, every time I wear it, I always get people asking me about it. Especially when I am traveling, people are like, “Hang on, didn’t you wear that as a skirt yesterday but it is a dress now?” I love this item and highly recommend it to everyone.
Watch the video to see the various ways you can wear it.
Save $10 on your purchase using code HERPACKING10.
About the Author: Tam was born and raised in Perth, Western Australia but after receiving a scholarship to study in Miri, Malaysia in her first year of university, she caught the travel bug and hasn’t stopped. Since then she has lived in six other countries and traveled in countless others all while working in admin. She loves to read, hike and eat. You can follow her latest adventures on instagram @leclockadventures
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using them, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps to keep this site running – thank you!
I loved your review so much that I bought one for myself! Thanks, Tam!
I think you could easily make yourself one (or two) Tam in a nice bamboo fabric that would suit all climates and wicks and travels well and dries much faster. Would be worth a try.
Just got myself one! I agree with you on using it just for dress, skirt, or scarf. The whole thing is a bit heavy and I worry about it getting stained, but it is such a cute piece to wear all the time, we will see how it goes!
Does anyone know if she got a specific size or the one size fits most version? There visibly used to be three sizes but now they just have the one size.
This item is being redesigned for 2016 and will only be able to be converted to around 3 styles instead of 30. They are down to the charcoal color and only have a few left, so if you want one get it soon (just snagged one myself with the discount that is still good; thanks HPL!).