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Because My Wardrobe Isn't Care-of: Where I Really Shop

Being fairly Type A, we really love a good blog post series for a number of reasons. First, it keeps us organized. Second, it gives us good ideas for content. Third, it allows all three of us to showcase our different tastes, tricks, and overall style. With that in mind, welcome to a post series we like to call "Because My Wardrobe Isn't C/O: Where I Really Shop" (see title above, too). In this series, each of us will discuss some of our  favorite places to buy clothing for work (or play) and link to some items we've purchased or just really like. We are going to try to stay away from the typical corporate fashun stand-bys (Banana Republic for workwear? Groundbreaking.) and try and focus on retailers that don't get a ton of fashun blog love. Hopefully you will find some new places to shop!
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Katie 1 is going to start us off by discussing her love of Lands End. Yes, Lands; End. The place of school uniforms, boat totes, and bathing suits. The place your grandma shops. Yes, that place has become one of my new favorite places to buy work clothes. Why? Let me give you five reasons.

First: Lands' End has really stepped up its style game in recent years. Gone are the days of matronly shorts with elastic waistbands, baggy t-shirts, and mom jeans. While those items can still be found (don't worry grandma's everywhere!), Lands' End now offers a variety of dresses, pants, skirts, blazers, etc. that are both stylish and appropriate for both work and play. Since this allegedly is a workwear fashion blog, I'm going to focus on the work. They say the proof is in the pudding, so let me provide you with proof of this style evolution in the form of their ponte sheath dress (which has apparently become one of their seasonless staples and is available in every color and/or print you can imagine). Case-in-point: Katie 2 and I just bought this color block ponte sheath dress. (I liked it so much that I bought it in both the pale wisteria and the eggshell white which I am justifying because with a coupon for an additional 20% off, I ended up spending less than $60.)
Looking for a coordinating blazer? Check out this one!!! Bonus point for being machine washable. 
Looking for a version with sleeves! Check out here!!! You can thank me later.

Second: Their Wear to Work Collection. Lands' End seems to just get it when it comes to workwear. It almost seems as though they put together a blue ribbon team of designers and Real Working Women to come up with this collection. It is a selection of suiting basics (blazer, skirt, pants, and dress) that are meant to be mixed and matched. Right now the collection is only available in basic colors, but as the seasons change they do introduce some patterns (I have the sheath in a charcoal with a pink windowpane print and the long sleeved sheathe in a navy plaid). I've also noticed that the collection is available in a linen blend for summer. When it comes to my purchases, I've been really pleased with the fit (classic yet modern), the quality, the variety, the price, and the ease of care (MACHINE WASHABLE!!!). I've had both items for over a year now and they look just as good as the day I purchased them (this is after multiple washings and that one time my husband accidentally dried them). Long story short- are you or do you know a newly minted professional looking to build her work wardrobe? Recommend this line to her. She'll thank you the first time she spills coffee on one of the items and is able to wash it right out.

Third: the cashmere. Unlike a lot of other retailers (J.Crew, we're looking at you), the quality and price of Lands' End cashmere has remained constant for as long as I can remember. They always offer a number of styles, colors, and prints and the weight of the cashmere is good too (not too thin, not too light).

Fourth: their outerwear. Lands' End is my go to for hardcore winter coats. When I say hardcore, I mean my "I stayed warm during the polar vortex" coat. I'm not talking about my cute wool winter coat here (although they do have a nice selection of those too). I'm talking about my completely utilitarian down sleeping bag coat that is a necessity if you live in a colder climate. We're actually planning another post wherein we discuss this typically utilitarian item so I'm not going to go into an in-depth discussion here, but as a teaser, my coat is somehow both warm and lightweight at the same time, packable (it folds into a travel pillow) and MACHINE WASHABLE.

Fifth: their consistency. In my experience, I have found the quality of Lands' End to be more consistent than other comparable retailers. I have found this to be especially true in terms of sizing (on the generous side). No ordering two sizes and returning the other here! I've also found the fabric quality to be consistent (substantial ponte, non-see through knits). Knowing what I am going to get means that I can shop online with confidence and not worry too much about having time to go to the post office in order to make a return.

Honorable Mention: most items are machine washable which is clutch in my household, given that both my husband and I compete for the title of Spilly the Kid.

Now that I've educated you about the wonders of Lands' End, go forth and shop. Also, feel free to share your favorite unexpected places to find workwear. We love hearing about new places to shop! (And so will our readers, when we actually get some of those).
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