A question about sweaters from Lane Bryant

This comment was posted by Suzannah on an earlier post:

Just a Lane Bryant question? Have you tried on any of their new sweaters? I was just at the website, I have never ordered anything from them, and have two friends who contradicted each other, one says everything runs large, the other the opposite! I love the cable knit babydoll sweater and the space dye tie front cardigan. I think the closest store may carry them but that is still 45 mins one way!! Just wondering your opinion, maybe a good sale going on!

I haven't been into a Lane Bryant store very recently so I haven't seen the new sweaters in person yet. I can say that, at least for me, Lane Bryant's sweater/top sizing is very consistent with the size chart. I've worn a 22/24 in every top I've bought there for the last, I don't know, 7 years or so and that's with some weight loss and gain. If I was forced to say whether their tops run big or small, I'd say they run on the slightly bigger side. Not huge, just generous.

Before you go hopping in the car, I should point out the following:

The website sometimes gets new items before stores do. You might want to call ahead to see if they have the new sweaters you're looking at online.

This is the first round of fall stuff. They'll get more sweaters as the season progresses. This initial crop is looking very promising, though.

Lastly, buying clothes when they first come out is tempting but wait. All this new stuff will go on sale soon, believe me. Just wait for a sweater sale or for a really good coupon to pop up. Lane Bryant sometimes has 40% off coupons you can use online. Those are great if you're confident about your size. You can also sign up to get on their email list and they'll send you coupons you can print out or you can have them mailed to you. Don't ever pay full price at Lane Bryant!

Comments

[lilaeden]

Seriously, NEVER full price at Lane Bryant! I like their clothes but without all the coupons/clearance I'd hate to pay that much for clothes.

I agree that the sizes are pretty consistent and maybe they run a little big, especially on the shirts for me.

[Carrie]

I agree re: LB coupons, they're great! I have found the style of top indicates to me if it will be roomy or not. The closer-fitting sweaters are true to size. The empire-style tops, dollman sleeve sweaters, or anything with gathering near the neckline tend to be roomier on me.

[Eden]

I don't find that the stuff runs consistently large or small. Sometimes it might be small in the bust or at the waist. Sometimes I find that the next size up or down fits better than the size I expect, especially when it comes to LB sleepwear. The only solution is to try it in person unless you want to order a couple of sizes and return what doesn't fit (which is what I do with Old Navy; I wear sizes from a misses XL to a women's 3X from them).

Oh and another hint about LB. It's "real woman dollars" redemption time. I have more than I'll use. Maybe someone you know has some RWD you could redeem and save some money.

[Sarah]

Does anyone know if you can check the RWD logged into your account online?

I elected to go paperless and now I don't see where the balance is... The LB site says you should be able to check rewards balance online, but I can't find anything.

[SteveD]

I found that you could order in the Store and use the RWD on those items. Our local store does not carry "Seven7" Jeans and I wanted a pair.

I think they are sending them by Pony Express by way of China.

Good guestion on the RWD. Nothing I could find, nor could they tell you at the store. I was told you have to have the receipt with the Coupon on it (stapled).

I snagged two $25 dollar one and used them the other day.

SteveD

[a.]

lately LB's coupons have so many restrictions on them-- no rightfit, no clearance, no accessories, no seven, no perfect price, no nothing you might ever possibly want to buy-- that I had to do the unthinkable and just buy a pair of jeans with no coupon. It was a sad day.
However, I am glad to see rightfit jeans in new washes and more substantial denim trickling in! That dark wash "denim" just felt so weird to me.

[SteveD]

Don't forget Fashion Bug has "Right Fit" Pants also! For $26.99

http://www.fashionbug.com/pagebuilder/right_fit_results_plus?WAIST=34&HIP=36-39&nav=Plus&shop=right_fit_best&sub_cat=

SteveD

[Bree]

I definitely agree that LB is getting too restrictive with their coupons, which is a shame because I always shop clearance before I buy new off the rack. But because I'm a 26/28 in most of their items, those are always the first to go, especially the brand new, full-priced items off the rack. It seems a lot of women on the high end of plus-sizes don't wait for sales because they know if they don't get it now, they never will. But I hardly ever buy full-price there anymore unless it is with a coupon.

[Danielle]

I work at Lane Bryant, and if you shop there a lot and use your coupons and the gift cheques you earn by using your LB credit card, you can get some good deals. I consistently see smart shoppers get about 50% off by using RWD, coupons, and/or the gift cheques. Also, check clearance!! There are almost always cute clearance clothes at my store! Anyway, the sweaters are true to size, but unless you are in a hurry, I recommend writing down the sku number and bringing it into the store. They will ship right to your house and you DON'T PAY SHIPPING as long as you get the standard method. Also, you can use any coupons or special sales that are going on in the store (including RWD!). As always, you can return anything you bought online in the store for refund or store credit as long as you keep your shipping invoice. Also, about the prices, the clothes, bras, panties, et al (except the jewelry, it is kind of cheap, but a lot of it is cute!) last forever. I've had bras from there for over a year and a half, which is unheard of for busty women. I also have jeans and blouses that are over three years old. The clothes go out of style before they wear out or fall apart. I'm a total believer in Lane Bryant!!!

[Danielle]

Oh yeah, one more thing.... 39.50 for a pair of jeans is really quite reasonable, so even if you can't use a coupon, it's a pretty good deal. Silver jeans at Maurices are $74!!! That's what I had to buy before I moved to a town that had a Lane Bryant!! I know I'm a total dork, but I love my job!!!!! I love my customers and my coworkers. I have never felt so empowered and never worked such a rewarding job in my life. Okay, I'll stop my lame posts now!! :)

[Raven]

I agree that the coupons are too restrictive, but $39,50 for the Right Fit isn't that bad compared to the $49.50 or $54.50 you spend for the rest of the jeans.

However, that was a Gift Cheque that actually didn't ban our good friend Clarence (clearance). It only happened once, though, about 3 or 4 months ago...not to send anyone on a unicorn hunt.

The good thing was that Gift Cheque was used during RealWomenDollar time, so I spent $75, paid $50, and got a $25 RealDollars coupon. I came back during the redemption period and bought $50 worth of sale and clearance for $25.

So, in total, I paid $75 for $125 worth of clothes.