Something Very Special: Price Guide, Best Picks & Honest Review

In 2015, Something Very Special arrived with a simple pitch: resort wear that didn’t require a resort budget. A decade on, that positioning has sharpened into something clearer — printed satin separates, geo mesh basics, and silk kimonos that sit somewhere between Camilla’s maximalism and Bassike’s restraint, priced where impulse meets investment.

The brand’s core rhythm is easy to spot once you know it: bold geometric prints on satin, mesh layering pieces with architectural repeats, and graphic tees that lean into nostalgic branding. It’s unapologetically decorative — more Capri weekend than boardroom Monday — and the pricing reflects that niche. Most pieces land between $90 and $170, with silk styles pushing past $400 at full retail (though markdowns are frequent and steep).

What Something Very Special Does Well

The brand’s strength is print curation. The jacquard satin pieces — like the Vaycay Pant in black — use dense, all-over patterns that photograph well and hide the construction shortcuts you’d expect at this price point. The satin finish gives visual weight without requiring premium fabrication, and the relaxed silhouettes (wide-leg pants, oversized shirts) mean fit tolerance is high.

The mesh category is where Something Very Special carves out real differentiation. Pieces like the Very Geo Mesh Dress at $110 deliver sheer layering with enough print density to work over basics or swimwear. It’s a narrow use case, but the brand commits to it — multiple colourways, matching separates, and cuts that assume you’re styling them as mid-layers, not standalone garments.

Silk pieces, when marked down, offer legitimate value. The Silk Sicilia Kimono drops from $420 to $150 regularly. At full price, it’s competing with Camilla. At sale price, it’s an accessible entry into printed silk that still reads as considered, not costume.

Where Expectations Need Adjusting

This isn’t construction-focused design. Seams are functional, not flattering. Satin pieces wrinkle aggressively and show every tension point — fine for holiday packing, less ideal for structured wear. The brand skews volume over tailoring, which works if you’re comfortable with oversized proportions but leaves little room for petite frames or anyone wanting definition through the waist.

Colour saturation varies wildly between drops. The royal blue kimono holds its intensity; some of the taupe and clay tones photograph richer than they arrive. If you’re buying based on screen colour alone, expect some recalibration when the package lands.

The graphic tees and basics — like the Be More Special Tee at $120 — sit in awkward pricing territory. You’re paying for branding and vintage wash treatments that don’t justify the gap over Rolla’s or Neuw. Unless the slogan speaks to you specifically, this category is skippable.

Price Positioning and What You’re Paying For

Something Very Special occupies the space between fast-fashion resort wear (think Showpo, Cotton On) and premium Australian labels like Alemais or Significant Other. You’re not paying for fabric innovation or heirloom construction — you’re paying for print exclusivity, seasonal curation, and silhouettes that photograph well on grid layouts.

At full retail, most pieces feel optimistically priced. At 40-60% off (which arrives seasonally and predictably), the value proposition sharpens. The MSG Grid Mini Dress at $90 down from $239 makes sense as a statement piece with limited wear expectations. At $239, it’s competing with brands that offer better longevity.

Track pants and resort shirts in geo or jacquard prints typically sit around $150-$170 on sale. Compare that to Bassike’s linen pants ($250+) or Spell’s printed separates ($200-$300), and Something Very Special slots in as the accessible option — provided you’re not expecting the same fabric hand or garment lifespan.

Best Picks Worth the Current Price

• Jaquard Satin Vaycay Pant in Black — $170
  The print does the heavy lifting here. Wide-leg cut, elastic waist, and enough visual interest to anchor an outfit without requiring tailoring. Pairs well with simple tanks or oversized linen shirts.
• Silk Sicilia Kimono in Royal Blue — $150
  Marked down from $420, this is the brand’s best value play. Real silk, saturated colour, and a silhouette that works over denim or as a beach cover-up. The discount makes it competitive with mid-tier silk pieces from Witchery or Saba.
• Very Geo Mesh Dress in Black/Cream — $110
  Sheer, graphic, and unapologetically layering-focused. Works over slip dresses, bodysuits, or swimwear. The geo print reads modern rather than resort-cliché, and the price reflects what it is — a statement layer, not a standalone dress.

Who Should Shop Something Very Special

This brand works best for anyone building a warm-weather wardrobe who wants print and pattern without crossing into full Camilla commitment. If you’re drawn to resort aesthetics but need pieces that pack light, transition between beach and dinner, and don’t require dry cleaning, Something Very Special delivers on that brief.

It’s ideal for shoppers who treat seasonal pieces as temporary — one or two summers of solid wear, then rotation out. The satin won’t survive years of washing, but it will hold up through a handful of holidays and enough Instagram grids to justify the cost per wear.

The mesh and sheer categories suit layering enthusiasts who already own a strong basics wardrobe. If you’ve got the tanks, slips, and neutral separates to build around, Something Very Special’s printed mesh becomes the visual punctuation rather than a standalone gamble.

Who Might Prefer Alternatives

If garment longevity matters more than seasonal trends, look toward Alemais for similar resort silhouettes with better fabric integrity, or Bassike for minimalist warm-weather separates that age gracefully. Both sit higher in price, but the cost-per-wear math shifts after year two.

For anyone wanting structure, tailoring, or pieces that work in professional settings, Something Very Special won’t deliver. The oversized cuts and bold prints are designed for leisure contexts — they don’t code-switch into office wear, even on casual Fridays.

Petite frames may find the proportions overwhelming. Most pieces assume height and volume tolerance. If you typically size down or prefer fitted silhouettes, brands like Dissh or Meshki offer more shape variation at comparable price points.

The Verdict

Something Very Special knows exactly what it is — printed satin separates and mesh layering pieces for warm-weather wardrobes, priced at the accessible end of the Australian resort wear spectrum. The construction won’t outlast your interest in the print, but that’s the trade. You’re buying into a seasonal aesthetic, not building an archive.

Shop the sales, stick to the hero prints (jacquard satin, geo mesh), and treat silk pieces as the value outliers when discounted. Skip the graphic tees unless the branding resonates personally, and adjust expectations around longevity. This is holiday wardrobe fuel — vibrant, photogenic, and designed to look better in motion than on the hanger.

At full price, most pieces feel optimistic. At 40-50% off, the brand hits its stride — delivering print-forward separates that compete visually with premium labels without requiring the same financial commitment or garment care. Worth exploring if your wardrobe has room for seasonal rotation and you’re comfortable with pieces that prioritise impact over endurance.