What do you love from LOFT, Limited, or Express? - YouLookFab Forum

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What do you love from LOFT, Limited, or Express?

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

LOFT, Limited, and Express are three local stores that I never go into. I've seen a few posts here and there recommending items from those stores, but when I do a search, it pulls up posts from years ago. (I don't see an option to sort by most recent...)

Also open to suggestions from other typical mall stores, but we don't have anything good like JCrew or Banana Republic.

Have you gotten anything from those stores that you've loved and recommend?

Shopping

34 replies

Latest reply was from Beth Ann

Susie

Veteran

I like Loft for basics like cotton and linen tees for summer or layering. I recently got 2 pairs of leggings there that are super soft that I will use as lounge wear. I also found a nice belt as well as a knit skirt on sale that I am keeping for next summer.

I don't shop at the Limited, maybe because it seems too young for me? I know others like some of the trousers from Express. It's one of my daughters favorite places to shop.

Kristin L

Veteran

I love the linen tops, caridgans, dresses, skirts and pants at Loft (I guess that's almost everything ). I haven't bought pants from them this season, though, because most of the ones I've seen are ankle. On me, they look like I'm expecting a flood.

I don't buy a lot from Limited because there isn't a B&M near me, but I have bought several of their tops 2nd hand and they've held up very well! There is an Express near me, but I haven't bought anything from there because most of their things don't work for my proportions.

ClaraT

Veteran

Re: Loft.
I used to shop at Loft more often, but their sizing has changed (even XS is often really big) and their material/quality has suffered as well IMO. However, my favorite skinny jeans, called the Modern Skinny, are from Loft. They have inexpensive tanks and tees, but I'd rather pay slightly more for a sturdier garment. The stores are not huge, which I like, so it doesn't take long to tell if they have something you like. Decent petite section. Worth a visit.

Peri

Veteran

I shopped almost exclusively Limited and Express in the 80s when I was in my 20s and as a consequence never shopped those stores after that. In my mind they were still sort of 80s.

This month I followed a teenage friend into both stores and was sort of impressed. Yes, they are young, but they have great pants and some cute blouses. I bought a sheer black blouse with white hearts and I'm willing it to get cool enough for me to wear it. I didn't buy the pants but they are on my radar.

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

Thanks! I'm mostly looking to fill in some basics if I can find them on major sale. I keep seeing 40% off ads, so that's why I started thinking of those stores. I did try the (Express? Limited? I forget) Editor pants, but they didn't work for me at all.

I'm also looking for comfy jeans and pants that look good with flats. I seem to keep picking up bottoms that are slightly too long that require my booties that have a bit of heel. It's a great look, but not one I want on weekends, LOL.

Same with tops -- I have all these flowy shells that need a topper. But on weekends, I just want to throw something on but not look like I'm about to settle in on the couch with a blanket and a book.

This also translates to: machine wash AND dry! I've had to line-dry (or flat) nearly everything in my closet and it's now keeping me from wearing things.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I got an Express suit - Columnist pants fit me better than Editors - and I have their Essential button down white shirt. Zapotee wears a lot of their stuff as I recall. Oh, I also have 2 silk shells by them I adore. (I guess you could say any of my even slightly business wear type stuff is from Express lol.)
I find them not ridiculously oversized like Gap for instance. A ladies small fits me as a small should, no in between xs and s like BR or Gap, etc.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

Have you found TJ Maxx online, yet??

elpgal

Veteran

Fell out of love with Loft because their it's dont work for me anymore but can highly recommend Likited and Express for their pants and blouses; never bought any of their knits. The quality is good and hey wear well. A lot of polyester but it is the nicer kind.

Day Vies

Veteran

Oh yes. Admittedly, LOFT is not one of my go-to stores but that is only because I don't have an account with them though I need one because they actually have a petite's section. (I'm a petite XL in jackets and tops). Limited and Express I haven't shopped there in at least 10 years. I think it's because they're clothes look too young for me in addition to the fact I'm not sure they carry tops in my size. The last thing I bought from Express were a pair of their Editor pants they were fantastic. I was a much smaller size 8 when I bought them but they were my go-to dress trousers.

Here are some of the things I got from LOFT.
#1 is an a-line box pleat wool skirt. It came with a brown velvet belt to tie in a bow. I got this skirt around 10 years ago but it's such a classic.
#2 Last fall I picked up this metallic weave light-weight batwing sweater. It ties in a bow at the back of the neck. I love this sweater, the color is neutral but the metallic threads catch the light beautifully
I also have several button-down shirts from LOFT not pictured. They fit me well and don't gap, which is a remarkable accomplishment.

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deb

Veteran

I used to shop Loft a lot several years ago. Then their quality changed, as did Ann Taylor, IMO. But, my daughter just found some really cute sweaters and tops there so I will check them out again.

Von

Veteran

I don't do Loft anymore because I feel like for the price of some of their clothes, I can just go to regular Ann Taylor and get a better quality. That being said, I am a regular AT shopper, and I just love their pants for work - Especially the tropical wool trousers. They put out sale emails practically every day, there's no reason to buy anything full price at AT or AT-L. The exception may be the nice work pants...apparently they're always the exception for the sale prices, so I usually get mine off season on the markdown rack.

With most of these stores though, I'll say if you take a trip somewhere that has a good selection at a mall, go into BR, AT, AT-L, Express and try on pants. Most of them have pants with fancy fit names "Martin, Julie, Marisa, Jackson etc", and if you find the right size and the right fit, online shopping with them is a lot less daunting when you are home. I keep a little notebook of what size I tried where, and fit notes.

kkards

Veteran

I find the loft to be hit or miss. In general, if had pretty good luck with pants ( as others mentioned they carry petites) and a variety of cuts. I've found some great jackets/ blazers, sweaters and knit tops, but I've also been in many times and walked about without even seeing anything worth trying on.
I want to like the limited, I loved it in my 20's, and I like the new stuff they are carrying now, but in the fitting room, it's clear they just don't get me.
Express, nice pants, but I have a personal problem with the return policy.

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

Oh, TJMaxx is my go-to store, but the "good" one is too far for a quick shopping run. I usually try Macy's, JCP, and Lands End (Sears) at the local mall, but thought I'd expand my horizons now that I'm not limited by sizing anymore. I've had luck at AT, too. I was just wondering if I was missing anything tried-and-true at the other stores.

DV -- gorgeous, as always! I've been hoping to add a metallic top but haven't found the right one yet.

kkards

Veteran

As Angie says, leave no retail stone unturned. I would give each a look,.

Liz A.

Veteran

The limited really gets my X shaped body. They've recently become my go to for pants. Express is good too but only when I'm on the slimmer side. I like their sweaters too, because I don't do wool, and they're so soft and comfy.

Makrame

Veteran

I used to buy at least half of my clothes from the Loft (in part because I have one close by). These days I prefer to order items from Nordstrom because I can get often better quality at a lower price. I have a couple of good quality jackets from the Loft (fully lined, good fit), modern skinny jeans mentioned above, a nice anorak, and a few tops. It is also my favorite store for buying scarves (I usually wait until I can get them at 40% off). I have a big scarf collection from the Loft.

Anonymous

I used to be a loyal Limited shopper in my 20s and still love their looks, but sadly, their pants/skirts don't accommodate my softer 30-something childbearin' hips. However, it's an excellent source for colorful blazers and cute tops. Around Christmas, Limited always carries the cutest, coziest big sweaters, if that's your thing. They run sales all the time, so I'd hesitate to buy anything full price unless you can't live without it.

Express: Worth trying out the Editor/Columnist pants for work and the button-down tops. They also carry a good selection of tees and tanks in tons of seasonal colors, but I can't speak to the quality because I haven't bought basics there in years. I'm not a huge Express fan (even at 25, I felt too old to enter!), but there are a few hidden gems every season. I know a lot of women who wear Express jeans, too.

Loft: Another place that carries machine washable work pants in a variety of fits. I've found some good, basic skirts here, too. I've been disappointed with the quality of Loft's knitwear, but I like Loft for finding trendier tops to mix in with my basics. The downside is that Loft carries a whole lot of polyester, so buy on sale. I do love that Loft is very good about bringing in new seasonal colors. If you aren't a sucker for colors like I am, this might not be a draw. My sister swears by Loft jeans.

Thistle

Veteran

Honestly, I don;t shop at any of those three stores.

Ann Taylor (not loft) has some lovely sweaters, terrific camis and tess, and amazing ponte knit pencil skirts.

Anonymous

I love, love, love my Express Editors in size 4S, though the only ones that fit me are the Original Express Editors. The new ones with the wide waist sag in an odd way. My DD wears the Express Columnist pants and has quite a few of their button-down shirts. She's not petite like me, though.

I'm not very familiar with Ann Taylor. My DD got some really nice AT tees at an outlet store in Orlando, FL. I just ordered my first AT top, and am awaiting its arrival. The fit and quality will determine whether or not I order anything else from them.

I haven't ordered from BR in quite a while. Now that there's a new BR store close to my house, I plan to go check it out, in hopes they'll have a decent petite selection.

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

I shop Loft often; they are one of the few stores that have a decent petite selection, although the stores in my area seem to have a smaller area for petites lately, and a lot of the pants in the Julie fit are not in stores, so I end up getting a lot of their things online. I loved the shorts they had this past summer, they fit me perfectly and had a great selection of colors. They have some good quality skirts and jackets. Tops are hit and miss for me - a lot more polyester than in years past, but sometimes still nice enough. I found a couple of cotton button front shirts recently and just got a pair of cords that fit great.

AnnieMouse

Veteran

I wear a bit from Express - their Portofino blouse is one of the only button fronts I can stand (nice fluid fit), and I've always had good luck with the cut of their trousers and denim (Editor and Columnist are Express fits, Drew is/ was Limited, I believe). I have also had pretty good luck with their jackets (especially in spring time - my favoured office toppers have come from Express), and their camis are my hands-down favourite (and I've tried just about all the bra-top camis out there).

AviaMariah

Veteran

Like others have said, LOFT has a more decent petite section than most. I have good luck with their trousers. But you do have to watch the quality.

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

I ended up at Loft yesterday and really liked a pair of leggings...but not for $50. I also liked the Julie trousers, but I don't need any more pants right now. Thanks for all the info!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

There's a "Ann Taylor Factory Store" in my area which is formality-wise in-between Loft and AT, and I get a lot of stuff there: pants, blouses, skirts. I have not been overly impressed with the quality of Loft knit tops but I think their pants and skirts are quite good if they fit you. I agree with others that Loft prices often seem too high for what you get, but they do have periodic sales and coupons if you sign up for their credit card.

We don't have an Express store nearby, I don't think, and I rarely go into The Limited, dunno why, too young for me? Too much poly?

Kristin SF

Veteran

I've been meaning to mention - I was on the hunt for a long time for the perfect military jacket. I found this one at Express (leave no retail stone unturned!) and it's really The One for me. Right green color, perfect amount of stretch, nice sizing for my petite height. You can cinch the waist for some nice definition.

It's a great topper for weekends and also doable for the office. Goes perfectly with a striped shirt, jeans, and red shoes. And it's 40% off!
http://www.express.com/clothin...../cat450004

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

Nice jacket! I've been looking for one, too, so I'll check that one out. Thanks!

Kristine

Veteran

I just went into a Limited a few months ago for the first time in many years. I found a cap sleeve navy lace blouse that I wear under blazers all the time. Then I just ordered two scoopneck merino sweaters at 50% off ($20 each). They're a nice layering item, but I haven't washed them yet so I can't comment on the durability.

I made the mistake of buying a Limited suit recently too. It's not a complete disaster, but the fabric isn't the best quality. I'll stick to basics or fun pieces from now on.

One store that I've been scoping out online is Boden. I just ordered a trench coat and I'm really impressed with the quality.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Has anyone tried the Loft's scuba fabric pants? Do they stretch out a lot when worn? Do you size down when buying?

Anonymous

I think these stores are worth a walk through at least once a season. Quality at the LOFT can be hit or miss, but I have a wool blend tuxedo jacket from them with a breathable lining that is cut so well and such nice quality that I had it tailored to fit me perfectly. Last year's jeans are from Express. I guess they either work for your body or not. I couldn't get the Editors or Columnists to work though. I had a pleather jacket from Express, too, that was one of Angie's picks. Well cut, but in the end the synthetic got to me and I passed it on.

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