At Land’s End The Classics Are Trending

Wow! Such winning style and comfort at Lands’ End. My picks for the summer are the silky soft Supima© cotton polos and shorts that are the perfect length to be classy and versatile. 

The breezy linen barrel leg trousers and linen peplum tops are a polished outfit for a summer evening out. Many people still spruce up a bit to go out to a restaurant or a shopping area. These would work very well!

The super cute boucle Johnny collar textured sweater with ribbed cuffs is 100% soft cotton. Great for breezy summer evenings in San Francisco and on beaches, and it will take you into the early fall. Pair the textured sweater with so many things, from skirts to jeans to longer shorts. 

Uh-Oh, I’ve done it again! My bias for 100% natural fabrics is showing. In summer clothes, cotton and linen rock. Lands’ End makes cotton and linen pieces that are machine washable. Usually I’d line dry the garments, but in a pinch you can toss them into the dryer too. Frequent machine drying tends to wear clothing out faster. So if there’s time, I machine wash then hang cotton and linen garments on a hanger to dry in the bathroom.

At Land’s End the classics are trending! Not only are they well made and well-priced but you can wear them for years to come.

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I’ll also review a linen tunic from the brand Bodhi that was promoted on The Today Show as a product deal. Here goes: I can’t imagine wearing yards of material in the summer. In hot boiling July or August, yikes! The sleeves have enough fabric to fit a monkey -- too bulky and long for human arms. The tunic's body shallows up the wearer. There’s no front zipper to step into the dress, so you have to ball it up to pull it over your head. High side slits can be problematic requiring an underneath layer. It’s also baggy and not versatile enough to step off a beach to have drinks or dinner with friends. IMHO, this one would be a regret purchase that you’d find too limiting to wear after you buy it even at its advertised bargain price. Contrast this frumpy tunic with Lands’ End's many stylish summer offerings at much better starting price points. Cute and bouncy routs baggy every time!

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Should You Sleep On A Silk Pillowcase To Prevent Wrinkles?

Silk pillowcases are expensive so alas ... should you pay the piper for them to prevent wrinkles? Let's discuss.

Silk is said to be a better fabric than cotton for pillowcases because it prevents lines and wrinkles from etching on your face. The argument goes, silk's smooth surface lessens the amount of friction on the skin as we sleep. Silk also absorbs less moisture than cotton, therefore when sleeping on silk, the serums, creams, and dewiness in your skin stay on your face instead of getting absorbed into your pillowcase. 

Well according to some dermatologists, silk does pull the skin less and the fabric does soak up less moisture than cotton. However, I don't think it makes any discernable difference in the aging of a face, and personally, I won't be switching from cotton to silk pillowcases. 

Here's why:

1) Silk is 3+ times higher in price, so for me to switch from cotton to silk pillowcases, I'd have to look 3+ times younger going forward. There would have to be a recognizable difference to be worth the extra cost. For sure, I'll have age-appropriate wrinkles, and I think slathering on scientifically proven anti-aging serums will do more to stop and soften those lines and wrinkles than any other course of action. Slather on enough face serum and enough face serum will absorb into our skin even if some ends up on a pillowcase! Btw: I can find no studies measuring silk versus cotton in creating lines on a face. If obsessed, you'll have to sleep standing up.😁

2) Although silk is smooth, soft, and comfortable, good cotton (sheets and) pillowcases are also cozy and luxurious to sleep on, no? 

3) A silk pillowcase is more trouble to clean. It must be hand washed, or machine washed separately on a delicate cycle, then hung up to dry while cotton can be mindlessly machine washed and dried on a hot setting. IMHO over the years, silk pillowcases add up to needless time and money spent.

Still if unlike me, you'd like to switch from cotton to silk pillowcases, Fishers Finery is 19 Momme 100% Pure Mulberry Silk; machine washable; and the best value I can find for silk pillowcases. Another option is a Bedsure Satin Pillowcase for a feels-like-silk fabric that promises the same benefits as silk, namely, hydrated skin and less frizzy hair.

And finally my lovely readers, don't get me wrong: I like silk and satin pillowcases, but for the same money, I can buy an Eddie Bauer 100% cotton bed set to get 2 cotton sheets and 2 pillowcases for the cost of one silk pillowcase. In fact, I did so! I love cotton bedding too. Somebody, please speak up if my cotton pillowcases are adding creases to my face by drying out and rubbing against my skin. I haven't noticed!😳

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Cute Summer Old Navy Dresses

When I came to help my mom, who took a fall fracturing her fibula, I packed all winter clothes, including leggings, t-shirts, and two cardigans since I only thought I'd be away for about 4 weeks, but she is undergoing physical and occupational therapy and I'm still here. Spring has arrived and all my spring and summer clothing is at home. I only packed one dress (this one) that I can wear on a chilly, early, spring day, but not on a balmy, global warming-created day.

So in anticipation of 80 degree F days (in fact we had one today), I bought 2 Sub-Knit Short Sleeve Tiered Swing Dresses in hot pink and medium-navy blue from Old Navy, as well as, a black pair of $2 flip flops to wear around the house. Old Navy's flip flops are great, no need to pay more elsewhere, and I'm happy the retailer once again manufactures 100% cotton dresses. Not polyester, not rayon, no blends, all-cotton dresses!!! ON is forever offering deals. Wait for one to get a dress dirt cheap!

Hopefully, between my ballet flats, Nike sneakers, and the new flip flops I won't lack shoes to wear as the weather warms up. The all-weather mocs I also brought with me will soon be retired until early autumn. 

The thought crosses my mind I'll be wearing the same style of dress over and over like a uniform, but I bet real money the majority of people rarely notice what we wear when we encounter them. They sense if we are disheveled and not coordinated, but can't recall our particular outfits. What do you think?

My life as a minimalist-want-to-be is being tested and frankly, I'm enjoying the noble less-is-more experiment. So far, I'm managing!

Moreover, ladies, look at this handsome guy! Hubba, Hubba!! Posting him fits into our spring fashion topic. Colorful shirts in a breezy linen blend have just arrived at L.L. Bean for men. The fabric wicks moisture and dries fast. 

Get ready, Betty ... Freddy for cotton dresses, linen shirts, and shorts season. 

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The Classic Cardigan Sweater

Photo: Lands' End 

Even as an adult, my mother sometimes gives me, shall we say, "unsolicited advice." She might adopt, then cling fiercely to a puzzling obsession for a period of time, pleading her case in the most relentless and funny way every chance she gets. One year her obsession was to get me to wear more turtleneck sweaters. And we couldn't watch the Nightly News together without her pointing out, how the accomplished Ms. Diane Sawyer (the anchor of the broadcast) was wearing a turtleneck. Said Mom, "See, every successful woman wears one! It's why she has such an important job."

Photo: Appleseed. If my Mom sees this image, she might say, Look how happy this woman is in her turtleneck! 😊

Poor Mom to have a daughter unlike herself. In fact, a turtleneck isn't my favorite style of sweater. I think I only have one in my wardrobe. I haven't seen it in a while as I only pull it out on the coldest day of the year.

My favorite style of sweater is a cardigan. I have many of them in red and neutral colors for winter including black, navy blue, and gray; and in bright pastel colors for summer, such as turquoise, hot pink, red, sapphire blue, and teal. 

I have a couple of pullover sweaters, but it's the cardigans I wear. Having a front opening and being able to button and unbutton a sweater helps me to regulate my body's temperature, I suppose. If I get hot in lieu of taking off my sweater, I can simply unbutton it.  And, I also like the understated, polished look of a cardigan sweater, which you can dress up or down with the right skirt, trousers, shoes, and accessories. Easy, stylish dressing!

I like 100% Supima cotton cardigans for the summer and 100% cashmere or 100% merino wool cardigans for the winter. An ex-sailor (of the U.S. Navy) once told me that 100% wool sweaters keep you the warmest on moist rainy days. A good tip! Here's a 2nd tip: I like my cardigans long. A sweater length extending to the upper thigh is dressier, as well as, makes you look taller by drawing the eye to your legs.

IMHO cotton, cashmere, and wool are the most comfortable, wearable, and durable fabrics. You pay the piper once, but keep the cardigans for decades, so over time you truly get your money's worth in not having to rebuy them. Furthermore, in sweaters I tend to pass on fabric blends like cotton-modal or cashmere-nylon since my experience is, they don't tend to fit or hold up as well. These are basic rules of thumb sans finding a too-good-to-be-true deal.

Photo: L.L. Bean

Retailers I turn to for cardigans include Lands' End, Uniqlo, and L.L. Bean. L.L.Bean tends to offer chunky sweaters, while Lands' End and Uniqlo style sleeker cardigans. Sleeker (smoother and fitted) sweaters are usually dressier and more versatile while chunky sweaters are more casual. However, styles came and go, so a fresh browse from time to time is neccesary. Uniqlo, the Japanese innovative retailer, always has the best-priced cotton, cashmere, and merino wool cardigans -- and they hold up for years. All 3 merchants have Crewnecks and V-necks, as well as, an assortment of other sweater styles like pullovers and yes, turtlenecks. 

A classic cardigan will always be a wardrobe staple and my favorite style. Sorry, Mom! Perhaps you can get your other daughter to wear more turtlenecks.😉 On that's right, I'm her only daughter. Dear Mamà means well.💋

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Exquisite Cotton Oxford or T-Shirts

LL Bean oxford shirts

For sure, cotton is a favorite fabric for a shirt. It's soft, fluffy, comfortable, durable and easy to machine wash and dry. Wear solo in summer, layered in winter, and you can't go wrong!

Good news: The cotton plant is plentiful worldwide. It grows in the Americas, Africa, Egypt, India and Australia, where it is picked and spun into yarn. India is the largest producer of cotton today, and the USA has been the largest exporter over the years.

Whether you need a dressy oxford shirt or a casual everyday t-shirt, now is a perfect time to add them to your wardrobe as the summer sales have begun.

Two competitors with equally stellar quality in apparel have fabulous offerings on both shirt styles. Personally, I turn to both merchants year after year:

1. For oxford shirts I'd go with L.L. Bean for a wider selection and a better sale price at this time. The retailer's dressy, classic oxford shirts are of 100% organic cotton that are soft and breathable.

2. Presently Lands' End has a greater selection of colors, plus is running an attractive sale on t-shirts. They are made of supima cotton (meaning extra long fibers) that feel smoother and take dye better than lesser quality cottons. The one thing about LE I dislike is, not all the colors have the same on-sale price. Perhaps I'm quibbling as there are 31 colors to match your wardrobe. I prefer the slightly-fitted, short sleeve, crewneck style, but customers have other choices and choice is always good! Different strokes for different folks.

Of the fabrics available in clothing, natural textiles like cotton, silk and linen last a long time, which make them excellent basics, as well as, investment pieces. Order the sales now and watch for the colors you desire, not yet on sale, lower in price later.

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Turn to LL Bean for Unshrinkable Men's Shirts

Sometimes the superior quality of men's clothing makes one envious! LL Bean offers stellar cold weather clothes for men. If still looking for a few holiday gifts here are 3 winning possibilities:

1) Unshrinkable, Stain-resistant Tees - (↑top image) - Made of soft 100% cotton that resists wrinkles, stains, shrinking, fading, and pilling, and they keep their shape with repeated machine washings.

2) Washed Cotton Double Knitt hoodies, Crewnecks and Quarter Zip Shirts - Designed with 2 layers of heathered cotton with a touch of nylon to be ultra-soft and durable.

3) The Unskrinkable Flannel Shirt - Made of 100% brushed cotton flannel, the shirt is super soft, warm and cozy; and it will never shrink, wrinkle, or pill.

Who doesn't adore cotton? The fabric is comfortable, easy to care for and holds up over time. LL Bean is an unbeatable crafter of menswear, especially for winter. The company's tees, shirts and hoodies are soft, weighty; and attention is paid to details.

It's better to get a great gift than an on-time gift. So if you're afraid this gift will arrive after Christmas day, place the order, then print the picture of what will arrive, place the photo in a box and wrap it. Moreover, check back for the after Christmas sales. The price reductions are great too!

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Eco-Wise Wool Blankets For A Long Winter's Nap

There is no stopping Old Man Winter.  Like it or not, he's coming.  Having soft, warm blankets, so the whole family can swaddle and snuggle, is a cold weather necessity.  This year Lands' End is teaming up with Pendleton Mills, the celebrated Northwest weaver, to offer quality and comfort for much less than you will pay anywhere else.

At Lands' End, the many choices include cotton, fleece and wool blankets, goose down, or hypoallergenic comforters and Chenille throws.  Like their high-end coats and jackets, the blankets are temperature rated.  Select the perfect blanket -- warm, warmer and warmest -- to suit your needs.

Pendleton has designed blankets for 140 years.  The family-owned business is strongly committed to weaving wool with methods that are environmentally friendly.  Their blankets are 100% virgin wool and machine washable.  Created to last, they retain their softness and color for years to come.  Lots of colors and stripes too! 

In my opinion, you can't go wrong with any of the bedding, or bath towels and rugs at Lands' End. Discover plush and durable home essentials at very reasonable prices.  Extra tip: Check LE's website periodically for promotions to save 30% - $40% and receive free shipping.

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