Lands’ End Spring 2012 – What I’m Loving

Many catalogs arrive in my mailbox, and many of them go straight into the recycling bin without flipping a page. However, when the Lands’ End catalog arrives, it always gets a view. For years I have trusted Lands’ End to provide quality, classic pieces at reasonable pricepoints. They have petite and women sizes, great colors, and phenomenal customer service. And each spring, I dog-ear at least a dozen pages. These are my dog-ear-worthy pieces from their recent catalog:

I may be a curvy, soft woman over 30, but that doesn’t mean I want a dowdy swimsuit. I like to wear something that flatters the figure, lets me play in the surf or pool with my daughter, but also make me look stylish… and yes a bit sexy. This suit does it all.

Detachable straps so you can have a sexy strapless suit, add the straps traditionally for a classic look, or cross the straps in back for a more secure suit for bodysurfing or playing with the kids. Soft cups and hook closure in back supports the bust and keeps the suit from sliding down. Shirring, gold hardware detail, and distracting yet on-trend print flatters the figure. Available in sizes 2-18, from past experience I have found Lands’ End suits to run a hair big so go down a size from what you wear in a dress.

About a decade ago, I took a black Lands’ End Beach Living tankini on a vacation to Jamaica. I wore it tubing, under clothes when zip lining, wore it in a waterfall, on the beach, in the pool. Came home, the suit accidently went with all the other vacation laundry into the washer on hot, and a long trip in the dryer. The suit came out looking exactly as it did when it arrived in my mailbox two weeks prior. A few years later, that same suit went with me on our honeymoon to Costa Rica where again it dealt with sand, salt, chlorine, and extreme activities. And still through the years and wear, the suit looked like new. So I know if I want another hard-working suit, I can rely on Lands’ End.

Their Beach Living series is always a great combination of different styles of bottoms, tops, and one-pieces in fun and classic colors and prints; this season had me gasp with their choices. You know I love orange and pink, well both colors are available this year in solids and some fun prints like Riveria Rose Floral and Watermelon Sorbet Dot. The V-neck One Piece reminds of the Lands’ End Canvas halter one-piece I own and adore; the twist and v-neck tankini tops look so stylish yet supportive, and I love the variety of bottoms so I can have something that covers the tummy but still has a stylish leg-lengthening leg opening. Don’t be surprised to see me in the Riveria Rose Floral or Watermelon Sorbet this summer!

I have a 15-year old Lands’ End tee that I can still wear in social situations for it has not pilled, faded, or stretched out with wear and washings. When I want quality tees in flattering silhouettes and fun colors, I know I can rely on Lands’ End; this season they have come out with some pretty cool silhouettes.

The Narrow V-neck has an extremely flattering neckline that is more polished than your standard v-neck; the Smocked Split-neck Shell is a feminine alternative to a tank with details that would make it even appropriate as a shell under a blazer; the Draped Scoopneck is a touch more refined and feminine than a standard scoopneck, and has the slightly longer sleeves that are so flattering. White the Flowered Soft V-neck isn’t my personal style, I think it’s pretty and a quality alternative to similar tees sold at other brands for a better price and better selection of colors.

I adore striped tees – they are a budget-friendly way to add a trend to your wardrobe, and look more polished than standard solid-colored knits. I own the Lands’ End Sailor Tee and love the quality, heavy weight, and classic lines. I have the Ivory/True Navy combo, but now desire the True Navy/Ivory combo to pair with pink cropped jeans, a floral full skirt, or a yellow pencil skirt.

The Striped Boatneck Top is such a flattering silhouette – the Washed Chambray Stripe would be lovely under a navy blazer with white jeans, or even with a bright mango or pink twill skirt. I am really digging their new Short Sleeve Drapeneck – the Ivory/Mushroom Stripe is a subtle print that would look amazing tucked into a printed pleated skirt, with cropped jeans and a blazer, or just with a pair of city shorts and wedge sandals for a casual weekend.

On Twitter, someone mentioned how light colored denim can be so unflattering, and said my suggestion of NYDJ for quality heavyweight denim was out of her pricerange. Lands’ End also offers quality denim for a much nicer price. These white cropped jeans are stylish, trendy, and less than $50. Available in regular and petite sizes 2-18, I have found their denim to run a bit big and go a size down from what I wear at retailers such as Gap and Ann Taylor.

Yesterday I was reading in Bazaar about how feminine shirtdresses are back in style – full skirts, feminine prints, lady-like touches. An hour later, I see this shirtdress in the Lands’ End catalog. Available in chambray and madras, this dress would look so chic with some espadrille wedges and a wide leather or jute belt.

Cotton/linen blend to stay cool on the most humid summer day, smocked back for a good fit. I love the mid-calf length which looks great with flip flops or proper shoes, for a trip to the farmers market or to an evening poolside soirée. While I wish it was available in more colors, I can see myself wearing it in white with a black leather belt, black heeled sandals and a big silver cuff.

While they may remind you of TOMS, these simple canvas shoe is a classic style that has been around far longer than that brand. What makes these shoes special is the memory foam sockliner and shock-absorbing EVA outsole. The Navy Seersucker would be an adorable choice to pair with most any color in your wardrobe – white jeans and a red tee, green cotton sundress, yellow cropped jeans and a white tank, hot pink floral frock.

I own this, I love this, and my set looks practically brand new, even after five years of machine washing, tumble drying, and heavy wear. Each year, Lands’ End makes these classic pieces even better, and this spring’s color choices make me consider purchasing another set – Phipps Orange is adorable and would look amazing with crisp white pants, similar watercolor brights like candy pink and leaf green, or even denim and chambray.

I don’t wear flats, I think they make my short and fat feet look even more short and fat. However, come summer I do a lot more walking and don’t want to go everywhere in heels. Last weekend I met with friends and one was wearing a peeptoe flat that was so flattering and classic, it made me consider a similar shoe for the warmer months. I think these flats are adorable in the Chambray Fabric, and would extremely versatile and comfortable.

Have you received the recent Lands’ End catalog? Any pieces you like, any you don’t?

Note: I was not paid by Lands’ End for this post, they do not know I am writing it. I chose to write it because I know you readers look for quality, budget-friendly brands that cater to a variety of sizes and shapes of women, and I feel Lands’ End fits the bill.

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