What the heck, Lands' End? (Or, as Raines would say, "Wha EE heck??") I thought I had left you behind years ago....back in my childhood when I would brave Upper Michigan winters in your Squall Jacket and snow boots.
I never (NEVER!!!) thought I'd be writing about you now. Especially in a thanks-for-the-inspiration-I'm-getting-my-butt-to-the-nearest-store kind of way.
And just to clarify, I'm not talking about Lands' End CANVAS, mind you, who we've come to expect a certain level of fabulousness from....but Lands' End. The Lands' End of elastic-waist tapered pants and sensible sweaters.
But seriously...something is up with Lands' End. And while their clothing collection still seems to be geared to...uh...a demographic that I don't necessarily fit...I am LOVING their winter gear for stylish mamas.
You see, I am a mama who plays. We play hard, the boys and I. Hailing originally from MI, I take 'em outside in rain, sleet, and snow. And we play even harder in lots and lots of snow. ("wots and wots" says R)
So I'm loving the perfectly styled, but totally cozy warm and comfy outdoor looks from Lands' End. If the toggle coat and hybrid winter/street boots pictured above didn't getcha....check out these harder core winter looks:
LOVE the striped knit hat + checked scarf with the parka and skinny cords. Well played, Lands' End. Well played.
(item featured: Lands' End Squall Parka)
Looking for some puffer action? (The puffer in the middle is slightly shimmery - so pretty!)
(items featured: Lands' End Shimmer Down Coat, LE Shimmer Down Parka, LE Diamond Down Jacket)
I love how all of their down parkas seem to nip in at the waist (via a belt or just the cut of the parka). It's a nice touch, and much more flattering than most.
But I'm also intrigued by their PolarThin collection. I had talked myself into going for Patagonia's Down Sweater Hoodie this year....but at $250 I was having trouble pulling the trigger. Lands' End's version is only $99.
(items featured: Lands' End Polar Thin Parka)
The Polar Thin parka looks adorable in the above pics...but when I compare the two online....
(items featured: Patagonia Women's Down Sweater Full Zip Hoodie, Lands' End Polar Thin Parka)
Yeah. Patagonia's (above left) still looks much more modern, much younger. Lands' End, you are close, guys! C'mon!! I hope you are listening....
It's still worth a trip to the store, tho'. And one area where Lands' End is ROCKING it? The kid's outerwear. You know how M and I urged you last summer to get Patagonia's down sweater for the little ones? Before it sold out in the Fall? Since it was so light and so warm and comfy and was the ONLY thing most of the Denver littles would willingly wear in the winter (without tears)? Yeah...check it:
(items featured: Lands' End Boy's Polar Thin Insulator Hoodie, Patagonia Boy's Down Sweater Jacket)
Whoa. I actually like Lands' End's $50 version better than Patagonia's $100 version.
Wait!! Lands' End ONLY makes this jacket for boys, not for babies or toddlers! GAH! Land's End!!! C'mon! Our babies and toddlers also need the lighter weight jacket!! You try wrestling a baby/1/2/3 yr old into a stiff winter parka and then buckling them into a car seat!!!!!!! Not. fun. (If you have this problem, go check out M's case for the Patagonia jacket. Seriously.)
Sigh. I'll get the LE version next year for R.
HOLD ON. HOLD THE PHONE. This Lands' End's Boy's Polar Thin jacket goes all the way up to size 18-20 (aka XL in BIG BOY).........Mamas, I think I just found my new winter jacket ! And for only $50. Ooooooo....totally worth a trip to SEARS.* Granted, it isn't coming from a company as socially concious at Patagonia....sigh. Nothing is easy.
Anyway, what do you think, Mamas? The LE line is worth checking out, right?
xo,
S
*Lands' End has a shop in most SEARS stores...
ps. BTW, they totally have snow pants for Moms!
Oh, and hey! Please don't forget to take a sec to vote for Ain't No Mom Jeans for Parents.com's Best Mom Fashion Blog award--we'd love it! Just click the pic : ) xoxox
