This Altuzarra for Target military-green trench with contrast sleeves was my first buy from the collection. I loved how it was styled in the look book with this orange python-print dress.

The countdown is over and the clothes are finally here. On Sunday, September 14, Altuzarra for Target was released in select Target stores nationwide and on Target.com and Net-A-Porter.com. If you've been following Stitch & Strut, you know just how excited I've been for this collection, and now that it's out, I have to say it did not disappoint. Better yet, I'll just say it: this is my absolute favorite designer collaboration I've shopped. However, there were many kinks in my shopping experience along the way, which I'll elaborate on later.

The collection had pops of deep, ruby reds, so I chose to pair this look with MAC lipstick in Party Line to match. I kept my accessories neutral, with my nude, matte Ray-Ban wayfarers and square-cut American Eagle stud earrings.

Altuzarra and Target set out to design a line for a sophisticated, sexy woman who needs a wardrobe that can transition from work to date night or dinner party. It was full of many Altuzarra signatures, like the thigh-high slits on pencil skirts and maxis, as well as many staples that a woman can use throughout her life.

The quality was excellent for Target. The black tuxedo blazer was well-tailored and beautifully crafted with the peplum detailing on the back. The python-jacquard fabric featured on the black blazer, pencil skirts and various dresses felt as luxurious as a budget brand like Target can get. The military-green trench was sturdy, with edgy contrast sleeves.

In total, I bought 10 pieces: the python-print dress, the red wrap dress, the black crane dress, the Swiss dot peasant maxi, the black pencil skirt, the military-green trench coat, the Swiss dot black blouse, the black tuxedo blazer, the python-print tee, and the black waist belt.

Throughout the next two weeks, I'll post each piece styled in a different look. Today's look features the military-green trench coat and orange, python-print dress. These two pieces were styled together in the look book, and I loved them together so much, I had to do the same. This trench was a must-buy for me, so it was the first thing I ordered when the line hit Target.com at 3 a.m. that Sunday. (Yes, I'm that crazy girl who stayed up refreshing the Target homepage till the line was released.)

The print and color of the dress are so bold, so I liked how the neutral trench toned it down while still complementing the print. I kept my accessories neutral for the same effect. I wore my nude, matte Ray-Ban wayfarers and black leather Vince Camuto pumps, both available at Nordstrom Rack. I paired these with my Coach mini saffiano leather satchel in black and simple American Eagle stud earrings.

On to the Target stocking debacle. Target usually carries these lines in select stores, so it's important to always check where a collab is being carried before standing outside Target's doors at 8 a.m. on release day. I prepped for this, of course, and knew which Targets in my area would be selling the line, opting for a popular Target in Tampa that sold the entire Spring 2014 Peter Pilotto collaboration (albeit one dress).

I figured I'd order the online-only items on my wish list when the line went live at 3 a.m. on Target.com, but wait till I got to the store for everything else, as I'd heard sizing ran small and wanted to try everything on before dropping (WAY TOO MUCH of) my money. I had my plan of attack: ruby and black blazers first, then red wrap dress, then maxi, then over-the-knee boots. But when I got to my Target that Sunday morning, groggy after oversleeping and speeding through downtown Tampa to secure my spot in line (this was the first real line I've had to wait in for these collaborations), I rushed to the collection to grab my blazers but was alarmed to see they weren't there. And it wasn't just the blazers either: no boho maxi, no over-the-knee boots, no outrageous faux-fur jacket, no tuxedo pants. The list goes on. My Target, the same Target that stocked the entire Peter-Pilotto line, had nearly half of the Altuzarra collab.

Customers around me started asking Target employees where everything else was, but they said what was out was all the store carried. I rushed to the fitting room and quickly ordered what I could on my phone. Black tuxedo blazer? Check. Boho maxi? Check. Ruby velvet blazer? Sold out?! Yes, it wasn't even 9:30 a.m. and my coveted blazer, my number one must-have, was already sold out and out of reach.

The thing was, I had debated ordering the blazer and everything else on my list with the rest of the online exclusives at 3 a.m., but sizing stopped me. Also, Target's "Find in a Store" function wasn't working, so I went on the assumption (big mistake) that everything would be in my store since I couldn't confirm online.

The collaboration was stunning, but I'm frustrated once again with how Target stocks these lines. I thought the purpose behind these designer-for-less capsule collections was to make high-end designer clothes more accessible by offering them at a much more affordable price point, but limiting the availability so greatly does not make them accessible. Target officials know how popular and anticipated these lines are. (Remember how the Missoni line crashed Target's website?) They know people will stock up just to sell the clothes and accessories for double or triple the price on eBay too. So why then do some things sell out online less than 12 hours after the collection is released? Why do some stores carry everything and other stores only carry half of the collection? I love Target and I love these lines, but as a loyal customer, I'm very disappointed with how these collections are stocked.

Rant over :)

Like I said, this line is my favorite designer collaboration and Target's best. Keep a lookout on the blog for more styled looks featuring pieces from the collab up this week and next!

What did you think of the Altuzarra for Target line? Comment below with your thoughts and what you bought!

Altuzarra x Target