My New Favorite Dress

I have struggled to find my fashion footing since Steinmart closed in late 2020. Every summer, my daily uniform continues to be Peck & Peck shorts and Cable and Gauge tops. However, since it hasn’t been refreshed in at least three years, the pieces were looking pretty tired.

Talbots became my go-to store. It is near my home, and I pop in there frequently. I have Talbots shorts, tees and shirts, and dresses. I love their Jeggings. Though this year, they have had little that caught my eye. My husband noticed me shopping at Talbots. For Christmas he bought me a $200 gift card—and, I have had a hard time spending it all. I have used most of it up filling in with basics—like another pair of jeggings in a color I didn’t have.

Clearly, I needed to find a new source.

This Summer has been hot. I came home one day in my Peck & Peck shorts and my Cable & Gauge top and immediately went to my closet to find a loose-fitting dress that didn’t bind my waist and allowed air-flow. What a relief! Right then, I decided that I needed to find more comfortable dresses suitable for my everyday attire.

Somehow, I stumbled upon Lands’ End. Back in a different era, I used to buy a lot from Lands’ End. My ex-husband wore a lot of chinos and polo shirts and Lands’ End was a great source for those basics. But that was then.

Lands’ End is still not the place to shop if you are looking for trendy or fashion forward items. But, I found these dresses that have become my new favorite. I bought four. I love them so much; I have devoted an entire post to them. You wouldn’t be likely to find them on your own as they are listed as a swim cover-up. In reading the description, you see that they do say it is “more than just a cover-up” and suggest that you will be “wearing this on and off the beach.” They are correct.

These 100% cotton, easy-care dresses have become my new summer uniform. They can be worn as a swimsuit cover-up, and Lands’ End does have swimsuits that match the print of several of the dresses. I have worn them to luncheons, church, on the job site (I am a remodeling contractor), and just running errands. They can be dressed up or down. I have not yet worn one as a swimsuit cover-up.

The website shows six prints and three solid colors with embroidery around the neck. It appears that some of the dresses I purchased are now out-of-stock. I bought them at a lower price than the site currently lists—but even at $27.96, they are a great value. If you sign up to receive texts, etc., you can usually get an additional percentage off. You will also get notices of additional discount offerings.

Lands’ End’s sizes are generous. I typically wear a medium in most everything. Recently, I even had to purchase a large in a dress. I bought these dresses in a small and they are perfect! You have to love that. If you are really small, no worries. They come in extra small. They also come in plus sizes.

Reading the reviews, it appears that Lands’ End keeps this style from year to year.

Check them out! We still have many days of warm weather ahead. Let me know what you think.

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Marita Littauer Tedder has spent the majority of her adult life working with women—helping them improve relationships, achieve their speaking and writing dreams, and being the best version of themselves they can possibly be. The author of 20 books, this Living Our Best Life Project is her newest effort—through which she hopes to challenge women to be fulfilled where they are.