Let’s dive right in. Is silkfred.com (the U.K.-based clothing marketplace) a legit website? The short answer is yes, they are legitimate. I received my clothing order and successfully returned everything for a refund. Now the biggest question is, would I shop here again?
In this honest and detailed review, I will share my purchase and return experience, my thoughts on their clothing, brand information/research, and my final verdict/recommendation. Keep reading for more!
Table of Contents
About SilkFred
Is SilkFred ethical?
They appear to follow some ethical/sustainable practices. According to their Statement Against Modern Slavery, they strive to uphold ethical practices, provide a fair and respectful work environment, and ensure their contractors, suppliers, and business partners adhere to the same high standards. They are also implementing a whistleblowing policy to encourage a culture of transparency and openness within their brand and third-party brands.
Check out this article, 13 Easy Ways To Know If A Brand Is Fast Fashion by Panaprium, for tell-tale signs of a fast fashion company.
Where is SilkFred based?
According to their Terms of Use page, they are located in the United Kingdom. Their business address is The Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL.
More Marketplace Details
Business Details
- According to their Terms of Use page, their legal business name is SilkFred Limited.
Policy & Program Details
- They allow returns within 14 days of delivery. Since items may come from different locations, it is best to request a return for each item and NOT wait for all items to arrive.
- The following items are not returnable: Intimates (shapewear, bras, undies, tights, socks), personalized items, free gifts, and earrings.
Product Details
- Some sellers offer extensive size charts, some offer just a few measurements for one size, and some don’t offer any size charts.
- They carry standard and plus sizes from UK 4 to UK 26. It will depend on each seller.
Domain Details
- The website silkfred.com was registered in February 2011.
SilkFred Review and Order Details
I ordered the below items on 12/27/2023 to my address in North Carolina (United States). I paid a total of $311 to SilkFred LTD (hello@silkfred.com) via PayPal. The charge appears on my credit card statement as “PAYPAL *SILKFREDLTD”. – View Order Confirmation
1) Turtleneck Long-Sleeve Skater Midi Dress With Keyhole
Brand Label: SIGNAGE
Color/Size/Cost: Black / 12 / $55
Country: Made in the U.K.
Material: 95% Polyester / 5% Elastane
Expectation: It is exactly what I was expecting in terms of overall appearance.
Quality: In my opinion, the quality is decent. See my Quality Comparison & Rating Chart to know my current quality-rating standards.
Fit: I guessed/got my usual size since there isn’t a size chart, and it fits one size too big. View my Body Measurements for size reference.
Keep or Return: I would return this SilkFred skater dress.
Though it is fairly comfy (and stretchy), and I like the pinched material underneath the bust, I have a few issues with this dress. Firstly, it is a whole size too big. Secondly, out of the box, one of the shoulders is flatter and pointer than the other (perhaps this can be fixed with a wash and ironing). And finally, the neck has room, but I feel constricted in it. Overall, even if this fit, I would not keep it due to the neck and semi-cheap-feeling material (especially for over $50!).
2) Deep-V Sequin Wrap-Over Dress
Brand Label: John Zack
Color/Size/Cost: Rose Gold / 12 / $95
Country: Made in the U.K.
Material: Different materials are listed in two places:
- Product page- 95% Polyester / 5% Elastane
- Care label- 93% Nylon / 4% Elastane / 3% Metalise Fibre
Expectation: It is exactly what I was expecting in terms of overall appearance.
Quality: In my opinion, the quality is okay. See my Quality Comparison & Rating Chart to know my current quality-rating standards.
Fit: I guessed/got my usual size since there isn’t a clear size chart, and it fits but is a bit roomy in the chest area. I would not size down. View my Body Measurements for size reference.
Keep or Return: I would return this SilkFred sequin dress.
Though I LOVE the style, sequins, and shoulder pads, I have several issues with this. Firstly, the material is thin and feels a bit itchy. It is one layer, and I can feel through the material the pressed-on sequins. Secondly, I like the overall fit, but the chest area is roomy. Ideally, the chest area would be half to one full size smaller. Thirdly, the shoulder pads are a bit small and feel flimsy. Not necessarily an issue since you can’t see the pads, but they just don’t feel very durable. Fourthly, the slit is revealing. From certain angles when walking, you can just about see everything inside. And finally, WOW. Almost $100 for this is absolute insanity. It is NOT premium quality, but that price certainly is. As much as I like this, I would not keep it for the price.
3) Long-Sleeve Jumpsuit With Chiffon Sleeve
Brand Label: Bella and Blue
Color/Size/Cost: Navy / 12 / $85
Country: Made in China
Material:
- Main- 96% Polyester / 4% Elastane
- Contrast- 100% Polyester
Expectation: It is exactly what I was expecting in terms of overall appearance.
Quality: In my opinion, the quality is good (though the material of the mesh sleeves feels a bit cheap). See my Quality Comparison & Rating Chart to know my current quality-rating standards.
Fit: I ordered based on the size guide provided, and it fits well, though on the looser side. I could size down for a more fitted look. View my Body Measurements for size reference. Please note that I am wearing 3.5 in/8.9 cm heels.
Keep or Return: I would keep this SilkFred chiffon jumpsuit.
This is one of the best-fitting jumpsuits I’ve tried on! It feels durable (the main material feels thick and has some weight to it), smooth, flowy, and breathable. The length of the legs and arms is long which is great for taller folks or those who like to wear heels. It has a lower crotch which is GREAT. No wedgies here! My only slight complaint is that the mesh sleeves feel cheap in comparison to the main material. It is a very thin, tissue-paper-esque material. As long as it doesn’t disintegrate in the wash, I’m happy with it.
4) Mona Off-The-Shoulder Twist Jumpsuit
Brand Label: Girl In Mind
Color/Size/Cost: Black / 12 / $65
Country: Unknown
Material: Different materials are listed in two places:
- Product page- 100% Polyester
- Care label- 95% Polyester / 5% Elastane
Expectation: It is VERY different from what I was expecting in terms of overall appearance. While it looks the same at a glance, the material is different. The product page says 100% Polyester, and garments made entirely of polyester aren’t stretchy. Since this has elastane, it has a lot of stretch! Completely different from what I was expecting, and had I known it had elastane, I would have sized down.
Quality: In my opinion, the quality is pretty good, but the belt it comes with is poor quality. See my Quality Comparison & Rating Chart to know my current quality-rating standards.
Fit: I ordered based on the size guide provided, and it fits one size too big. View my Body Measurements for size reference. Please note that I am wearing 3.5 in/8.9 cm heels.
Keep or Return: I would return this SilkFred jumpsuit.
Though I like the style, pockets, and comfort/stretchability of the material, I have several complaints. Firstly, the material feels a bit on the cheaper side. It is thick but has that cheaper synthetic feel to it. Secondly, it is not an ideal fit for me. The bottom part fits perfectly (not too tight but still form-fitting around the hips), but the top is a size too big. It slides down as I walk and there is excess material right above the waist. Thirdly, the belt it comes with is VERY cheaply made. Honestly, if I kept this jumpsuit, I would just throw the belt away. And finally, the zipper is pretty difficult to get up. This is likely just a slight defect, but frustrating nonetheless.
Overall, it is cute but not the right fit.
Shipment Info
I received four items in one package at my address in North Carolina (United States). The package originated from the United Kingdom, and I received it from a distribution center in the United States. I was provided a tracking number through Pro Carrier & USPS.
Package Shipped From: 147-04 176th Street, Jamaica, NY 11434 (United States)
Shipping Timeline:
- I placed my order on Wed, December 27th
- My order shipped on Thurs, December 28th
- I received my package on Thurs, January 11th
Total time of 15 days
Their shipping policy states up to 10 business days (including processing time) for standard U.S. shipping.
Return & Refund Info
I requested a return through their return portal on January 17th. My request was approved instantaneously, and I was provided with the return address. I mailed the package on January 23rd via USPS and paid a total of $88.15.
Provided Return Address: High Standing, Harding Road, Milton Keynes, MK10 0DF (United Kingdom)
Return Instructions:
- Please take your return to any UPS store or drop-off.
I received a full refund of $300 (minus the non-refundable $11 shipping fee) in four separate parts (per item) on February 6th. I received it fourteen days after I mailed the package. – View Refund Receipt
Customer Service Experience
General Responsiveness
- They respond fairly quickly in their instant chat. Though, it’s not always instant. Some responses come through within a minute, others take half an hour, etc. They were helpful in providing the necessary shipping information since it is an overseas return (for me).
Return Details
- The return process is straightforward through their return portal. I saw mention of a $4.50 return label but didn’t receive one. I spoke to support, and they only offer subsidized returns to U.K. residents.
- In my return email generated from the return portal, all four of my items state, “This item is sold by an international brand, and is therefore not eligible for free returns”. Regardless, returns are not free for non-U.K. residents.
Is SilkFred Legit or a Scam?
Similar Sites & Analysis
Reverse Image Search:
I didn’t find any clear signs of stolen images by the independent sellers. However, I did find many of the same items for cheaper on other sites/platforms. For example, I found the below jumper dress by FS Collection for $70 on SilkFred, and $59 on FS Collections’ OWN WEBSITE.
I highly recommend doing Reverse Image Searches when shopping online for price and quality checking purposes. You might be surprised at what you find!
Website/Company Search:
No suspicious information (such as lawsuits or alerts from the Better Business Bureau) was found.
Do I Recommend This Shop?
Based on my experience, they are a legitimate shop. I paid for my items, received them one day after the estimated time frame, successfully completed a return, and received a full refund.
With that being said, I would NOT shop here again as a U.S. resident.
Before the return process, I was feeling pretty excited about this marketplace. I like all of the items in my order (the quality is decent to good), two of the items were made in the U.K., and since this marketplace is composed of independent sellers, I can reliably purchase from the same seller if I like their clothing.
The few smaller negatives (comparatively) are that some of the sellers have inaccurate material listings on their product pages (what I received is made of different material or is composed of different percentages), and two of the sellers do not have size charts (I had to guess my size). In any case, all of my items are half to one full size too big. These things alone are frustrating, but are NOT dealbreakers alone, since all of these issues will ultimately be seller-dependent.
Now, the biggest negative is the return shipping cost. Support let me know that they only offer prepaid labels/subsidized returns for U.K. residents. As a U.S. resident, I was pretty shocked at the $88 return label cost, and the possible $102 import fees to be paid at customs (which SilkFred told me I would be responsible for if charged).
No matter how wonderful a shop/platform may be, I will not be shopping at a place where returns are not allowed or are overseas (costing an arm and a leg). But, if you live in the U.K., or don’t anticipate making any returns, I would recommend this marketplace.
To wrap up this post, regardless of my experience, be sure to read as many customer reviews as possible. If you found this post helpful in your search for SilkFred reviews, please consider sharing and commenting (via Reddit) below. Have a great day!
– Noelle
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Click the ‘View more on Reddit’ or ‘View comments’ button below to go to this review’s discussion page. I encourage you to write a comment or read others’ comments if available!
