First Fall Looks – Lands End Canvas
Hang on to your wallets. When Lands’ End Canvas and L.L. Bean Signature both launched around the same time a few years back, a new word was coined: JCrewization. Both of these sub brands, born of of larger, heritage, wider fitting and older leaning outfitters, slimmed down and got younger. While L.L. Bean Signature started out with their prices high, Lands’ End Canvas somehow was able to keep their prices Old Navy Levels. Brace yourselves for a bit of a change.
If the prices on the new fall items are any sign, be prepared to wince like the the lights just got flipped on at bar time. Because this L.E.C. low price party could very well be over. See for yourself with some of the picks:
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Weathered Fleece Cardigan – $79.50
It’d be hard to call this type of garment a necessity, but having a thicker than any of your other sweaters, slightly bulky, mock neck or shawl collar cardigan comes in real handy when the leaves start to fall off the trees. Ribbed collar and placket, nice looking buttons, and old school elbow patches.
Vintage Chino Belt – $39.50
Looks a lot like this. Doesn’t it? The strap is only 1 1/8″ wide, and the buckle isn’t much wider, so don’t expect some big honkin’ thing. They call it a chino belt, but it should hold your jeans up just as well. Made from Italian leather.
Nailhead Oxford Blazer – $99.50
This should do nicely and the price is certainly reasonable. A nice medium blue in an oxford cloth that should pair much, much easier with jeans than their chambray blazer from this summer. Patch pockets, and you have to think it can’t have much structure to it since it’s oxford fabric. Functional button holes persist, so if the sleeves are long on you, your tailor is going to have issues. Can’t imagine it’s as fitted as pictured through the sides.
French Terry Shawl Collar Sweater – $49.50
Not for everybody. The description reads: “it doesn’t get more laid back than this.” And the terry ultra soft fabric will guarantee that. But, if you’re a risk taker, attempt to pair it with a thick, white oxford button down and a black knit tie.
Autumn Orange Windowpane Poplin – $49.50
Orange, usually reserved for leaves and pumpkins, is going to be splashed all over clothing the fall. A shirt with a balanced, uniform pattern shirt is a subtle way to work that particular color in.
Wool Argyle Tie – $49.50 (reg. $79.50)
Wait, was eighty bucks? Good grief. Now just a shade under $50. Which is the threshold they usually have for free shipping. Ouch. Looks great but… ouch.
Orange Plaid and Nailhead Pocket Squares – $9.50
Consider these a budget palate cleanser. When they run a sale, they’re nice and cheap. Might be a good thing to keep in mind if you’re looking to cap a free shipping threshold at some point.
What’s your take on the new prices? Is it the expected maturation of the brand’s clout? A blip since they’re new arrivals? More proof that costs are up and prices are rising everywhere? Leave it below in the comments section.
Wow. JCrewization, indeed.
Well that’s disappointing. They have had great stuff at great prices in the past. Hey, maybe you could start a L.E.C. version of the MUYTJENS-METER!
Love the look of that poplin shirt, but those prices? Ouch!
New arrivals, months before they’ll actually be needed by most of the nation. I think LEC is just trying to get people interested in the new collection. I have full confidence that by the time we get to early September the prices will begin falling like so many leaves from trees. If not then….
New arrivals, months before they’ll actually be needed by most of the nation. I think LEC is just trying to get people interested in the new collection. I have full confidence that by the time we get to early September the prices will begin falling like so many leaves from trees. If not then….
Sorry, LEC, but at those prices I’d rather buy from J. Crew. Besides, J. Crew’s quality is better and their selection is often times more original (thanks to good ol’ Frankie Muytjens).
Plus, J. Crew actually sells my size (XS). LEC stuff runs huge for me… LEC’s Small is more like a Medium in J. Crew. Before it was worth it to pick up a cheap shirt from LEC and get it tailored. The cost of the shirt & tailoring would still end up being less than a new J. Crew shirt. Guess not anymore.
Stick to your day job, LEC! Cheaper versions of stuff we can already get at J. Crew, BR, and Gap.
I wish I lived in a place where leaves actually fell in September…
The argyle tie is taking it way, WAY too far. It is one thing to lovingly refer to wool knit ties as “sock ties”, and completely another – to actually use an actual friggin sock as a tie!
for everyone complaining about prices: wait a few months, everything at lands’ end goes on sale eventually (even canvas)
Expensive, and not really a fan of any of these looks. That nailhead blazer (which is wayyy to long) model looks like Harry Potter.
I agree. Nothing that really excites me here, especially considering the prices-$50 for a wool tie? I’ll pass…
All the stuff on their website is pretty expensive before it’s put on sale anyway. I never buy this stuff full price; sale-price only.
Honestly, I’ve bought a lot of stuff from J.Crew (buttondowns, shorts, blazers) and most of the stuff is about the same quality as LEC.
Only thing that excites me is your link to the J Crew belt. Ive been meaning to order that. Looks nice and is the same price as the LEC one.
LEC is nice, but I only own items because they are much cheaper than J Crew or the likes. I guess I could always wait for an inevitable sale!
Lets just wait for a sale. Although prices do seem high we all know stuff will get marked down. Also if any of you have a sears near by that carries LEC look around for those regular lands end coupons that are usually spend 75 get 15 off. They work on LEC even if its already on sale w/ an extra % off. They come out almost monthly.
Really? I find that J Crew’s small is WAY larger than LEC’s small.
FYI, the belt on the site is $39.50, not $49.95. Generally, the stuff is very meh.
Why does the nailhead blazer have functional cuffs?!!? WHY?!!?!? I would buy it immediately if it didn’t.
This is sad news. LEC makes decent clothing…but the price hike isn’t justifiable for their fit, style, and construction. It is’t quite at J Crew’s level in my opinion, and frankly, I’d rather walk into J Crew.
I think you have to take LEC’s sizes on an item by item basis. Read the reviews. Some will say the item runs small while others will say it runs large.
I wish that more websites would provide the option for reviewers to enter their measurements so you can get a better idea of how you compare. I’ve seen a couple of sites lately that have listed the models’ measurements, which was much appreciated. And of course, Joe was kind enough to provide his recently. Thanks, Joe!