Shining the light on a new look
Quick, whose merch is this?
These shots were grabbed from the new Lands' End quarterly magazine, Apostrophe, in which they also explain that misplaced punctuation.
That apostophe may still grate but I dare you to not smile at these guys:
I've been buying LE slim-cut cords, including these mint green ones, but would never have thought to wear them with black and white checks:
The quarterly (unlike the web site) embodies the stylist's art and the eminence of a good steady stripe, chevron or check. (The dresses are less successful, as I'd expect at this price point.)
The doggies' tartan scarves are acrylic, and so, unless allergic to wool, I'd give them a miss, saving instead for a snuggly cashmere like the Autumn Buchanan version from Johnston Cashmere; price, $155.
Whether human or canine, a cute model won't substitute for quality. And if the quality isn't there, the slick LookBook will only alienate the customer once she finds the actual fabrics pill or the seams wobble. That's you, Talbot's.
In Apostrophe, LE's logo's lighthouse beacon swings wide, aiming for more snap without straying too far out to sea, away from their core classics.
Let's see how they do; I wish them well. There aren't a lot of options for women, including Womens' and Petites, who live far from shops, need basics of decent quality and hope for a soupçon of style.
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| Very MaxMara- or Eric Bompard? |
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| Lafayette148? Theory? |
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| Ralph Lauren? |
These shots were grabbed from the new Lands' End quarterly magazine, Apostrophe, in which they also explain that misplaced punctuation.
That apostophe may still grate but I dare you to not smile at these guys:
I've been buying LE slim-cut cords, including these mint green ones, but would never have thought to wear them with black and white checks:
The quarterly (unlike the web site) embodies the stylist's art and the eminence of a good steady stripe, chevron or check. (The dresses are less successful, as I'd expect at this price point.)
The doggies' tartan scarves are acrylic, and so, unless allergic to wool, I'd give them a miss, saving instead for a snuggly cashmere like the Autumn Buchanan version from Johnston Cashmere; price, $155.
In Apostrophe, LE's logo's lighthouse beacon swings wide, aiming for more snap without straying too far out to sea, away from their core classics.
Let's see how they do; I wish them well. There aren't a lot of options for women, including Womens' and Petites, who live far from shops, need basics of decent quality and hope for a soupçon of style.
Comments
I see that they are available in a variety of colours and sizes?
I think this quarterly issue looks promising...thank you for sharing it.
frugal: Are you still looking for a bag? I would not expect Longchamps quality from LE.
une femme: They also had a virtual model feature I used for the few things i bought there.
LPC: They and J Crew seem to have taken off in more new directions than LL Bean. I don't know why but retailing strategy fascinates me.
hostess: They've worked well for me as everyday pants: they fit my build and wash very well. I bought mine on deep discount.
Cornelia: I use LE for basics like silk long underwear and have several cashmere pieces that are good workhorses. But I'm not inspired by most items.
Le Duc and one son have LE's down parkas and love them. The parkas have some sharp details. A gf has a peacoat that looks many times its price. There are some good things and perhaps more to come, and as I said to Susan G, it's difficult to find women's pants with a 35 inch inseam (or length to order, hemmed for free) elsewhere
Clearly they are changing their image- let's see what happens. Many lines (dresses, skirts) need major work before they could be called styish.
I don't know that I've ever owned a LE product, but have owned LL Bean and Eddie Bauer in the past. I guess my fear is a frumpy fit from some of these merchants. I always hesitate to buy clothing online if I am not very familiar with the brand--unless the return is very easy.
(Like this one: http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-long-sleeve-pattern-supima-no-iron-shirt/id_248750?sku_0=::D1V
I have to give them a hug for that.
Anon@11:19: Oh, I liked that virtual model!
Suggest you contact customer service; they have refunded return shipping when item was faulty, and a 2" error on length seems to warrant that. Still, such inconsistencies are annoying!
re reading comments, I've seen a vast range of opinion on an item, so wait for free ship and order, unless the thing is universally slammed.
I order little for myself from LE but last winter bought two of the down parkas for family and they exceeded expectations, very good quality.
Anon@7:59: A glance at the current skirts showed at least 10 models (in LE line, not Canvas) though I didn't check to see if all sizes were in stock.
Having long railed against the limited sizes and sad fabrics most vendors offer to plus customers, I can't fault LE for its size range and fabrics like their good-looking classic cotton shirts.
I also love that a plus-sized woman can get a leopard cotton cardigan delivered to her door, if she wants: http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-long-sleeve-print-fine-gauge-supima-cardigan/id_250074?sku_0=::I2C
Plus sized women have a hard time finding clothes with some spirit, especially if they don't live in major urban areas with specialty boutiques.
LE was a staple brand for me for many years. These days I'm trying to branch out a bit so I've not been watching what they're up to.
Thank you for the update, and the doggies :).