Experience with Lands End or J.Crew Swimwear?

Scarlet

Does anybody get their swimwear from LandsEnd? They have some pretty cute looking styles, but I haven't bought from them in a long time. I want to find a one-piece or something tummy-covering. I also used to buy from J.Crew but not for ages now.

Link to LandsEnd swim styles overview:
http://www.landsend.com/shop/-/N-jz3

Example of cute:
http://www.landsend.com/produc...../id_267978

10 years ago

Shopping

31 replies

Latest reply was from aptlee

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I tried recently, but had to send the suit back because it was too big for me in the smallest size. It was a tank, though. And it didn't come in petite so I couldn't try that route. I do think it could be worth checking out but I would worry you'd face the same issue that I did.

10 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

ETA: that was Land's End. J. Crew I had years ago -- the sizing would not be a problem there. There you might have more trouble finding one that offered good support for you.

10 years ago

missvee

Veteran

I was looking for a suit with a D cup that would suit a long torso as well ( talk about a HEWI!!) and I bought a very nice one from Lands End a couple of years ago. I wouldn't say it's the most stylish garment ever, but the quality was top notch.

10 years ago

Anonymous

Sears sells Lands End and you can try on the bathing suits there. I love their one puece suits because I can get them for a long torso and a large bust. I agree that they are not the most stylish, but they fit. Oh, and the elastic wears well as long as you rinse your suit to remove the chlorine.

10 years ago

kkards

Veteran

its been about 2 years since i bought a suit from lands end and about 20 years since i bought any from jcrew. imo lands end runs big and is very generous in there sizing. the quality is good, not great, but pretty much what you would expect for the price. now, as i said, its been about 20 years since i bought a suit from jcrew, and thats because my assumption is that they would be geared toward a women whose not experienced any shifting or gravity. i would be interested in hearing others experience.

10 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

I buy from JCrew and the excellent thing is they sell tops and bottoms separately and returns are free at JCrew stores. So you can try in a multitude of sizes and styles with no pain.

10 years ago

Anonymous

I have two Lands' End suits I got a few years ago. I love that they have a bunch of options for two-pieces with more coverage. And they seem to hold up well, although honestly mine don't get a whole lot of wear.

10 years ago

viva

Veteran

I love JCrew but I have no real need for support. (Not much there.) I do buy structured tops for shape -- usually an underwire bra style, which I just happen to really like -- but I am a 34A on a good day, so really I am not looking for much real support.

I think JCrew swimwear is an excellent choice for a more boyish shape. I'm not sure how well it would work for a more endowed woman.

The quality is excellent, they sell tops and bottoms individually and the pieces mix and match very well, and they have free shipping and free returns (by mail) for swimwear. It's also very much the JCrew style -- sporty, saturated colors, minimal prints (although great ones where they do venture into prints), and classic shapes. They do sell tiny bottoms but also hipsters, boyshorts, and very cute briefs (which I just bought) that work better for me now.

10 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Looking at those sites now and this is tough for me. I love the sporty vibe of the JCrew stuff but have little hope it would work on my not-boyish shape. Considering how poorly their pants fit me, I'm not encouraged.

Then on the other end of the spectrum, you have the not-as-fashionable but sturdy suits from LE et al, many of which look terribly matronly once they are on my body. Feh.

10 years ago

Dee

Veteran

I'll second everything viva said. They do sell one pieces as well and I found them to be pretty cute. The only one-piece swimsuit I've bought In years is from JCrew. Lots have ruching details along the sides and there were several styles even among the one pieces so you can find one that works best for you.

10 years ago

K. Period.

Veteran

I have a phenomenal one piece that I bought last year from Land's End. It is my "out with the kids" one piece. Modest enough that no one thinks that I'm trying to be sexy mama around the community center swim pool, but super flattering so that I still look like a sexy (but modest) mama. However, like any swimsuit purchase, be prepared to try on A LOT of suits to find the right one, at Land's End or J Crew (which I also love the suits from). I probably tried on fifteen or twenty last year to find two.

10 years ago

Makrame

Veteran

Well, this thread prompted me to look at JCrew website - turns out they have free shipping and returns on swimwear so I decided to try some things. I have a shirt in the medallion print that I like so decided to try a few swim pieces in the same print (bikini bottom, underwire top that goes up to D cup, rash guard and board shorts) - and they are all on sale. I'll update on the fit once I get these.

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10 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

A few years ago, I bought a two-piece swimsuit from LE. The top was I think what is called a tankini; it covered my tummy, although when I'm in the water, the bottom of the tank can float up a bit, so you could see my midsection. For the bottom, I got what was basically a miniskirt-style bottom. I thought that the coverage was great; I was very comfortable in it. And the quality seemed to be excellent as well.

FWIW, I am a very small size, and I was OK with the smallest-size LE suiting, but that was the two-piece stuff--not sure if the one-piece would be different. And this was a few years ago; not sure if their sizing or quality has changed.

10 years ago

MsMaven

Veteran

I bought a suit from both three years ago. I need a long torso and a D cup, but I have a narrow ribcage. The J Crew is cut for someone with a wider ribcage, so this suit didn't fit that well and ended up in the guest room supply. (And it has been used several times.) The LE just isn't comfortable--too tight although it was supposed to be my size. I've kept it and maybe by summer (with healthy habits) it will fit better.

My best suits are the Freya 2 pc tankini.

10 years ago

kerry

Veteran

I have a suit from Lands End that I bought a few years ago. I like it and it has held up well. I'm on the plump side of things so I like their slimming suits. I tried a J Crew ruched one piece last year and liked it and felt it was flattering but I also tried a Miraclesuit in a similar style and found it a little less plunging so went with that instead. For a slimming suit, the Miraclesuit (and J Crew) were less matronly than Lands End but when I was in Mexico in March I wore the Lands End suit more often because it fit just right.

10 years ago

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I like my Lands End suits.

10 years ago

karymk

Veteran

I like JCrew because I need larger tops and wear tiny bottoms. I am boyish.

I order a bunch of suits and then keep what I like and return the rest. Best way to shop is at home when you need garments that have humiliation potential (bras, bathing suits, jeans).

10 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

I've had several LE suits over the years. I like the tankinis because I have a long torso. I just bought some more because we're going to Hawaii this year, and so I bought several tops and bottoms, rash guard and a coverup (all polka dots). I haven't tried them out in the wild, but they all seem ok except for the bikini top. I shouldn't show my mid section anyway, but I thought it might be nice under the rash guard, but it feels too big around my rib cage.

Free shipping if your order is over $50, I think, and I can return any of it to Sears. So there's no downside.

10 years ago

Cait

Active Member

I have a six year old Lands End swimsuit that is basically bomb-proof. It is unfaded, unstretched, and basically as good as new. I would highly recommend them, with the caveat that their sizing runs large.

10 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

My Lands End swimsuit is about 10 years old and although I only wear it a few times a year it looks brand new.

Also I bought this rash guard and wear it as a regular top and I love it: http://www.landsend.com/produc...../id_267043

10 years ago

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I also have a LE tankini and swim skirt and really like it.

10 years ago

Joy

Veteran

My best friend swims at the gym daily and buys a Land's End one piece suit every year in the long torso because she likes the style and the pool chlorine is hard on a suit.

10 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

Thank you for these very helpful responses and the various descriptions of your fit needs! It sounds like the overwhelming answer is that both of these are good options. The thing that is a bit of a disadvantage for me is that I am overseas, so the ordering and returning process is more of a bear, which is why I am trying to increase my chances of success by asking you all.

I am thinking to get a rashguard for sun protection on the beach, but I bet the Europeans will think it is bizarro

MsMaven, interesting point about the J. crew cut. I used to have their newly revived scoop tank one-piece and it was a bit too wide, actually, and made me look thicker than I was. I did have a different style from them that I liked a lot though. Good reminder about Freya too.

Janet, J. Crew bottoms never fit me well, but I still had good luck with their suits back in the day. Also I think Lands End isn't as matronly as it used to be.

Makarame, I hope they work out!

Viva, I love your description of J. Crew style.

Gigi, I am kind of liking those mini-skirt bottoms too.

10 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

If you want to try on bra sized swimwear before ordering overseas you should try 'Doppel D' in Mitte.

http://www.doppel-d.eu/

They're very nice and do a great (bra) fitting. Of course they don't have a huge stock, but it may be worth having a look.

10 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

Good to know, Astrid. I'll have a look!

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

LE swimwear is generally excellent. I have lots of clients wearing it - especially curvy clients. But you can be sized out if you are very small - as Suz points out. I echo all the comments on J.Crew swimwear too.

Nordstrom is my other go to place for swimwear with clients because they cover many brands and sizes. Also for Freya two piece swimwear - Bare Necessities is great.

Lovely to see you again, Scarlet. I miss you. xo

10 years ago

LoriFLA

Active Member

I love my Land's End Swimsuits. I like their underwire tankinis and flounce skirts. I appreciate that they have D cups and suits for long torsos.

10 years ago

Makrame

Veteran

Just wanted to give some feedback on the JCrew separates - I received my order, and the quality is very nice. The D-cup underwire balconette top is reasonably supportive (not shock-proof but pretty good), the bikini bottom is generously cut and flattering, and the board shorts are cute. The only item that is cut too tight is the rash guard - I have some UPF-swim-shirts from LandsEnd, and they are softer and more comfortable. While I am not sure yet if I am keeping these items, I would say the JCrew swimwear is definitely worth a try.

10 years ago

viva

Veteran

Makrame, I'm so excited to hear your review of the J Crew board shorts. I just ordered a pair as an alternate bottom and I am beyond thrilled to perhaps not have to wear a conventional bikini! (I am a big beach walker, get bored just lying around, and I love the thought of having some jiggle contained.) I ordered the shorter ones in a lime green. Hope they work!!

10 years ago

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