I'm a Lands End fan myself so checked this out with interest. I think #3 and #7 and the coat are my favorites. A sporty peacoat is so great for Fall and that is a nice shade on you. I don't think the coat cuts you off - it is a modern length and will work well with pants.
I just did a LE order with a bunch of summer tops on sale and a swim suit - will not be posting pics though of that one

My favorite is #1. The color works really well for you and the shape is very nice as well. I think all of the other tops work very well for you with the exception of 3/4. I don't think it works as well as the others. I love the red coat on you. Such pretty detailing.

Nice finds Alana.

I'm so excited to see the coat on you! I think it looks great on you and if the color reads true in person, it's a keep. I also really like the color and shape of #1 on you. Those are my two favorites and I like E's idea of keeping a few of these pieces to save room for something of the arty drape variety.

Hi everyone.
I had my mom over to help me decide about this and everything is going back.
The coat was small in the shoulders--it wasn't an illusion caused by the camera!
I liked the shawl collared pullover--but not the colour--so I've reordered it in the "wine."
I truly appreciate all your help with this. But I just cannot feel comfortable--yet--with such body con sweaters.
I have been very depressed about this for the past 24 hours, and I have been thinking all sorts of nasty negative thoughts--so please do not tell me I am making a mistake, even if I am, lol!

I am thisclose to giving up completely on looking nice this winter. Just reassure me that I will find nice clothes that I will feel fabulous in, OK? I really need to hear that.

You will find nice clothes that you will feel fabulous in, AND you will be proud of your self for demanding a higher level of joy from your things. I get pickier and pickier the more I work on this, and it is so easy to get frustrated. But you will find things you love that love you back. Saying no to not quite right is the first difficult step, but it is a milestone too!

Oh please don't lose heart, you will definitely find some nice things for winter! One positive thing that has come from this is that you've found that Lands End has some options for you. The shawl collared sweater will be gorgeous. Did you rule out all of the other coat styles? I think there was one that had a raglan sleeve - something like that could be an option for you rather than the set in sleeve of the pea coat that you're returning.
And, don't forget that there will be more styles coming. Some times you have to kiss a lot of frogs, right?

JenW, MissVee--how comforting you are. Thank you so much. You are so right, it is a milestone, eh? A growing pain, no more. But to go from not caring to super picky in 60 seconds flat does cause a bit of whiplash, lol!
Missvee--are you thinking that a looser shoulder style (like the raglan) might fit better? If so, that would be very useful information.

Oh I am sorry you want to send everything back. I like it all with the possible exception of the top in #7,8 and that may be just because the other colors are so flattering on you. Still no point keeping clothes you won't want to wear - but you should absolutely keep an eye out for those colors!

Alana, I find that a raglan sleeve can be cut a little deeper than a set in sleeve, making it easier to layer. It's also more forgiving in the sense that the shoulder line doesn't have to line up perfectly. It might be worth trying a few coats in the stores just to see whether you like the silhouette.

Awww: I'm sorry none of this worked for you. But there's lots of clothes out there, so onward and upward! You'll find something that you feel great in & then you'll wear it all the time & forget all the hassle of the search.

Shevia--yes, I willkeep an eye out for those colours.
Missvee--I will do that just as soon as I can. I hope the stores have some decent plus sized stuff this year.
E--thank you, my friend.

Alana I am so sorry you are feeling this way. But I have to agree with others that ... Clothes that don't make you feel fabulous have to go, that is the single most difficult first step.

Has your second set of orders arrived? Hope I didn't miss that!

ETA: Of course there will be clothes that make you look and feel fabulous. Sending some YLF fairy dust your way x

Huge step! You've identified what doesn't work for you.
Is it the fit from shoulder to hem that you don't like? or just the hem?
I think you should take a cue from the wonderful tops your mom sewed for you and look for more fluid styles.

Another thing to keep in mind is that knits seem easy to fit because they're stretchy, but I find them to be the hardest item to get just right, because they're stretchy. I almost never wear knits without a topper anymore.

Currently, I'm in love with the mixed media Pleione top from NAS. A coworker has a similar top from Target. It does come in plus, but I know the shipping to Canada is a pain. It's knit on the back and sleeves, but a woven on the front. It gives a perfect mix of comfort without cling.

You know how when your house is a wreck and you start to clean up and then you have a moment where everything looks like chaos and a mess because you've seemingly made it worse by trying to tackle the problem? That's right where you are. And the next part where everything starts to fall into place and you can breath again? That's right around the corner. (or is that just me?)

Alana- missed this the first time around, but want to cheer you on as your sort out your F/W wardrobe. Hurrah for sorting out priorities and preferences. Reading the forum lets you know that a lot of stuff goes back or in B/M stores doesn't even come home. That is a function of creating a deliberate wardrobe that actually works, rather than just settling for something that is okay. You moved at lightening speed to put your summer looks together. Have courage, you now have good direction towards the next season.

I am glad you re-ordered that sweater in a different color. I love the shape of it and it will play well with the new specs!

Also missed this the first time around, but wanted to cheer you on. You are making just as much progress by determining what DOESN'T work, as what does. Believe it or not. I look forward to seeing the EF pieces on you.

alana, look at the bright side - now you have more money to spend on clothes that will make you feel truly fantastic. also, you started shopping too early - there is not much of fall merchandise in yet. wait till the end of August/beginning of September - you will have much more to pick from. check land's end websites then. also try talbots. lord's and taylor (plus size) (at the bay) had great cashmere sweaters/cardiagns last year. they ran 40% promotion for back to school so I guess sth similar will be available this year too.

Neel--thank you for the fairy dust--I now have some to give away when needed.
Traci--that mixed media top looks interesting. Knits are tricksy. I hadn't really realised that, before. Now I know. And yeah, the house metaphor. I get it. Totally. Thanks.
Eliza--thanks for the encouragement. I hope the sweater and the specs will play nicely with one another.
ElizabethP--that's growing pains,isn't it. Making mistakes and learning that they are mistakes. Fortunately, these are only clothes, after all.
Lari--that's interesting--I started shopping too early? lol! Thanks for all the great tips--and yes, I am very happy to have the money back in hand for other, happier-for-me clothes.

Everyone--you're kindness and support helped me realise that my self talk about returning/not buying these clothes is different this time than it has been in the past. In the past, I would have looked at those bumps and lumps which make me uncomfortable and blamed myself for looking so "awful." I would have told myself I had to return the clothes because I didn't deserve such nice things. Or thought--as my Mom said to me--"Could you lose just ten pounds? Then the coat will look fabulous on you." Well, yes, I could. But keeping it off has been the challenge. And would be again. and again. Not going there.

This time, I looked at the lumps and bumps and told myself: I don't have to wear clothes that show that off, not if it bothers me. I returned the clothes thinking I deserve to look as good as I possibly can. How lucky I was this summer to find clothes that do that!

Rick on! The sorting and choosing-- not this fit, not that collar-- are exactly what everyone does to get to the items that look best. I encourage you to move away from the negative vibes and see it in this more everday light.
Choices can be overwhelming, too. You will find better items for you if you branch out to different retailers-- still can be at good price points but we all find vsrios brands that " get us" vs those that don't, on some one year and not another.
Knits can naturally seem more fitted and so you might look into some wovens as well. But having some bit of fit or structure at the waist is good.
Remember Angie's PPP guidelines as well. You are being picky and patient. At times we have to be practical and fill an important wardrobe hole quickly; the issue is to find a balance between some ideal and reality so you don't" settle" too quickly, but you don't drive yourself crazy. Note that "Perfect" is NOT part of PPP.
The point of trying these different items is you will have some " aha" moments on items that look the way you want. These become guideposts for growing your wardrobe-- more like this, less of that; aiming toward new items being as good or better than what you have already (again, not more expensive, but more of the fit and style you want. )

I really like everything except the turtle neck on you. I think it closes off your pretty face.