Totally agreed. They have taken a nose dive. I stopped shopping there about two years ago as well.

I like the Lands End Canvas line a lot -- and the clothes I have so far are very well made -- but the sizes definitely run big. I am a size 4/6, and where XS tops from there. I haven't tried pants or skirts yet, so would love to hear about the fit.

Anonymous wrote:PP, how is the fit of Lands End / LL Bean these days? I guess I mean, are they cut in a more contemporary style? I am a person (small on top, bigger on bottom) who looks good in the modern cut of pants (sits lower on the waist, curvy hip, flared leg) and my experience with LL Bean / LE is that everything is very high-waisted and slim through the thigh. Thoughts?

I tried to order some of the hipper things from the Lands End Canvas line (really, they do have some cute things), but the sizes were totally off. I am petite but muscular, and even their smallest size was enormous on me. I think their size 0 is more like a size 6, seriously. Absolutely nothing they sell will even come close to fitting smaller people. And buyer beware for everyone else; order 2-3 sizes down!

Yes, they now have 3 fits and one of them -- they call it Modern -- is intentionally low waisted. Not low waisted like Dsquared pants, but below your belly button with a short zipper.

Also, some -- but not many -- of the shirts are body skimming now. Check the Canvas sub-line. It's for younger people and they intentionally do not make in a size XL, for example. I cannot wear it because of my bust -- it's too sleek

PP, how is the fit of Lands End / LL Bean these days? I guess I mean, are they cut in a more contemporary style? I am a person (small on top, bigger on bottom) who looks good in the modern cut of pants (sits lower on the waist, curvy hip, flared leg) and my experience with LL Bean / LE is that everything is very high-waisted and slim through the thigh. Thoughts?

You know what clothes wear like iron? Lands End and LL Bean. No shit, you can have and wear the same pair of pants for 11 years if you wish.

Now I know most of you are thinking -- because you like the Ann Taylor youthful look -- goodness, Lands End is for my grandmother in Akron. And you are correct about 85% of their offerings.

But, if you focus on the 'Canvas' line of Lands End and/or pick carefully through the regular LandsEnd offerings, you can definitely find current, stylish clothes. Not many, but enough. If you're patient enough to "shop" Marshalls and pick through the citrine, see-through T-shirts there with rhinestones, then you can muster the same energy for LandsEnd.

So my M.O. now is to buy lined black pants and skirts, etc, at Lands End and LLBean. Anything you'd wear 3x a week. Coats ... and then I round out my wardrobe with trendy, bright, cheaply made crap from H & M and Zara and Target. Tissue Ts, scarves, $4 bracelets if I am so moved.

As well, the customer service is turned to crap. I used to be greeted by the friendliest and most professional staff in the AT on Connecticut Ave but a couple of years ago, they just started ignoring their customers. Other ATs as well.
When their spring line two years ago showed what looked like blue camaflage prints, I started going in less.

Their shirts pill in t minus 10 seconds. Total crap.

Anonymous wrote:
OP here...sorry to start a thread that has been started before, but while I'm here can I just say...

Definitely no need to be sorry! I'm happy to repeatedly vent about Ann Taylor.

I used to love their suits.

And, now their pants, are just crap. Thin, unlined, poorly fitting.

And, totally agree about the shirts. That's the case with most stores now. I'd be willing to pay more if they'd go back to decent quality. I'm not sure who's buying this crap. I haven't bought a thing from AT in years.

OP here...sorry to start a thread that has been started before, but while I'm here can I just say...

I am sick of the shirts that are so thin you see too much. Of course this is my gripe with many stores, not just Ann Taylor.

I don't even just mean the quality (which sucks). I used to ooo and ahhhh over sweaters and hope my size would be available when it went on sale. The colors were beautiful too. Now it's just unimpressive.

I love Marshalls and TJ Max too, but you have to be a good searcher.

There have been other threads about this! The consensus is that AT sucks now!

And their sizing is so off. I'm 2-3 sizes smaller in Ann Taylor than I am in anything else. It's aggravating b/c I nothing fits and I know it's just a ploy on their part to make me feel thinner.

I don't feel like there clothes were ever that high quality. Their suits have never held up for me any longer than cheaper suits from other stores.

I still will shop there occasionally but I find them way, way too pricey. I just bought a cute dress for work at Marshall's and one at Target of all places, each were $20. Probably will last just as long as Ann Taylor.

Well, with constant 40% sales, it was only a matter of time. So now I only buy at 40% off, knowing that the clothes will mostly likely only last me 2 years.

I used to check out their sales for work clothes and/or events like weddings, but for the past 2 years I have not been impressed. Quality and style seems to have gone down hill. Anyone else notice this?