Plus Size Brand Review: Lands' End

This past month I moved to a new state and re-entered the professional workforce which means I need a work appropriate wardrobe. While living in Florida for nearly four years, I worked in a very casual environment and literally wore jeans and sneakers daily. Now that I’m in a position that requires more business attire, I’m on the hunt. I started searching online for clothes and doing what little brick and mortar shopping I could. Let’s just say it’s been a challenge.

I’m into classic styles and I prefer to invest more in my clothing. Unfortunately this style can be difficult to accommodate when you a plus size and more so when you are on the larger side of plus. 

As much as I enjoy fashion, I haven’t kept up with it over the last four years so I was surprised to learn that Lands’ End carried larger sizes. It’s not a brand that I’ve identified with in the past, but it looked quality so I went shopping. 

Here’s what I bought and what I thought. (NOTE: Most of this stuff was returned before I created this blog so there are no photos.)

BUTTON DOWNS

• Women's Plus Size No Iron Supima Cotton Long Sleeve Shirt - I bought this in a 26. I love the quality. The material was soft and had a slight shine to it. But it was too tight in the arms, shoulders and chest. A 26 is the largest size so I couldn’t go up in size. I decided to try another style of button down.
  
• Women's Plus Size Long Sleeve Broadcloth Shirt - This is a different material than the Supima Cotton. It’s slightly stiffer and no gloss. It’s good quality, but I just liked the Supima Cotton look and feel better. I bought a size 28 in this one and had the same problem with the arms, shoulders, and chest being too tight. This one goes up to a 34, but I decided against sizing up again because I’d have to have the body of the shirt tailored increasing the cost and I didn't feel it was worth it.
  

CHINOS

• Women's Plus Size Plain Straight Leg Chino Pants - This was the product that I was most excited about. I have been looking for a chino in plus for at least two years and have not been able to find a good quality pair. Other brands haven’t had the best material or color. I bought these in a 28 in Black and Khaki. I wanted something less formal than a trouser, but not as casual as jeans to wear to work daily. The color and material were awesome, but they were too tight in the crotch and thigh. So I tried a second time and I ordered a 30 in Khaki, Black and Navy. The second time they were too big in the thigh and crotch, but too tight in the calf.
  

OUTERWEAR

• Women's Plus Size Wool Peacoat - I love a peacoat. I bought this in a 26 and it fits perfectly. The color and quality are good. It was a little wrinkled but I think I can fix that.
  
• Women's Plus Size Lightweight Cotton Jacket - I bought this in a 26. It seemed like the perfect lightweight casual jacket. It was too tight in the arms, shoulders, and chest. It doesn’t go up in size beyond 26.
  

SHOES

• Women's Wedge Chelsea Boots - This was another item I was really excited about. I bought an 11 Wide. I don’t normally buy wide, but the medium fit was sold out and I figured I could wear socks. They fit great and are the perfect height for someone who hasn’t worn a heel of any height in four years.
  

Overall, I would recommend Lands’ End because it might work for someone else. What I found out after the fact is that Lands’ End is “proportioned to flatter full-figured women.” That’s a statement straight from their website. So if you’re like me and you are on the curvier side, especially pear/triangle shapes, you’ll want to consider going up a size or two in certain items. I would suggest paying attention to the cut and the material. For example, I usually size up in straight fit pants or jeans and down in a wide leg fit. I would also recommend comparing to your “old reliable” plus size brand to help you decide on sizing. I don’t feel surprised by the outcome. In my experience brands new to plus size tend to run on the smaller side, although some brands have always catered to flatter full-figured. 

There’s been a surge in the number of brands carrying plus sized clothing, but they fall more on the trendy side. We really need quality, classic pieces and the number of brands that actually carry that is small. There's a market for it. I think Lands’ End could take advantage of that market, but they’ll have to carry a more universal fit for plus size women.