Minor Vent--I've Had It With Coldwater Creek

[Christine]

Not their customer service, just their clothes!

This will be about the 4th or 5th time I've ordered clothes from them. I'm a 42 year old woman who needs some "appropriate" clothing for the office. I can't wear low rise dress pants, tank tops, etc. in the office. I just want some professional looking clothing and some of their stuff seems to fit the bill.

So, I ordered $400 worth of stuff (about 4 outfits) and I had to send everyone of them back. They DO NOT LOOK LIKE THEY DO IN THE CATALOG! The fabric on most of what I ordered feels cheap and it doesn't hang well--the lines don't flow well. In one outfit, it was a skirt with a 2-pieces "knotted sweater. The catalog had the sweater looking all fitted and nice. Well, this thing looked like a SACK when I put it on. Then there was this bright orange skirt with a nice brown print on it. Very summery. It looked "flowing" in the catalog. Well, when I got it, it was this real stiff cotton and it didn't "flow" at all. It kind of looked like an upside down umbrella.

I've just had it. I'm tired of the shipping business and the expense. I said this last year after the same thing happened. I just can't believe I fell for it again.

 

[hiwaygal]

I feel your pain!

I keep getting catalogs in the mail...and I look at stuff and ooh and ahh over it. Usually I remember any of my last mail order fiascos and pitch the dumb catalog before I order something...but about once a year I think...hmmm...maybe I'll try just one more time. And then I order stuff and get stuff and send stuff back.

I'm getting ready to send stuff back to L.L. Bean now...and in a few weeks (when the Just My Size order comes in) I'll be sending stuff back to them.

Catalogs are false advertisement (6' tall models "taped" into the outfits)...shall we organize a boycott??

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Sorry about that. It is hard to find clothing these days. I shop Ann Taylor Loft when I need something "clean" or the Kasper outlet. Yes, they are somewhat plain but they last and you can mix and match it well.

 

[Christine]

Sorry about that. It is hard to find clothing these days. I shop Ann Taylor Loft when I need something "clean" or the Kasper outlet. Yes, they are somewhat plain but they last and you can mix and match it well.

I used to find things at the Ann Taylor Loft but, lately, their skirts seem a bit on the "short" side to me and a lot of there stuff was flowery last year.

I do agree with the Kasper outlet. They had some good looking suits in there last weekend. I may end up getting some stuff from there.

 

[roseprincess]

Sorry to hear about your dilemma. I hardly ever order from a clothing catalog anymore, but I never really need office clothes because I'm a SAHM.
But can you believe I have more luck finding clothes at my local Walmart for plus sizes for me than anywhere else? And some of the clothes at Walmart I bought for winter really didn't wear too bad, (turtle neck sweaters) still in pretty good shape.

Have you tried shopping at Kohls or Sears? They have pretty decent office clothes for good prices.


Rosemarie

 

[darrose]

My friend just bought some wonderful cloths at one the actual Coldwater Creek stores yesterday. Our favorite outfit of hers was something I made her try on because she wasnt sure about how it looked on the hanger. LOL
But yeah, add me to the dont order my outfits through catalogs UNLESS there is a local store I can return them to fan club.

 

[budbeerlady]

I agree, I was in thier outlet store two weeks ago, nothing fits correctly! It was all hanging weird and after trying on a ton of stuff I left and went to liz.

 

[darrose]

On the other hand its nice to have stores like Chicos, Anne Taylor loft, and Coldwater side by side. Yesterday a plain white camisole at Chicos was 54 dollars which made the Anne Taylor lofs ones for 24 dollars seem like such a bargain. LOL Though Walmarts was about 7 dollars so I have to keep repeating to myself "good quality pieces" last longer. (I hope).

 

[Christine]

My friend just bought some wonderful cloths at one the actual Coldwater Creek stores yesterday. Our favorite outfit of hers was something I made her try on because she wasnt sure about how it looked on the hanger. LOL
But yeah, add me to the dont order my outfits through catalogs UNLESS there is a local store I can return them to fan club.

Well, you know, there is a Coldwater Creek store about 40 minutes from me. I held off ordering from the catalog because I made up my mind that I was going to go to the store. Well, my kids had me running so bad every weekend, I just couldn't get there. I can't even go after work because the traffic is so bad in that area that I would NEVER get home. I'm tempted to return the clothes to the store because I'm post office phobic, but I'm afraid I'll still never get to the store. NEVER AGAIN.

 

[Christine]

Have you tried shopping at Kohls or Sears? They have pretty decent office clothes for good prices.


Rosemarie

I'm about 2-3 inches too tall for the Kohl's clothing. I can usually get a skirt to fit; however, the tops that go with them seem to hit at the lower end of my ribs (well, that's an exaggeration) but they aren't long enough. I can't even buy pants there. I'm only 5'7" but I swear if I were 5'5" everything would fit me perfectly there.

 

[m&m's mom]

I completely agree on the CC disappointment. I have ordered so many things over the years and been unhappy when I get it.
Now there are 3 stores, about to be 4, in the Dallas area so I am just going to go in person. I am 5' 4" and I like their stuff because they have so much in petities, but when I get it I look like a dwarf in it.

 

[Christine]

I completely agree on the CC disappointment. I have ordered so many things over the years and been unhappy when I get it.
Now there are 3 stores, about to be 4, in the Dallas area so I am just going to go in person. I am 5' 4" and I like their stuff because they have so much in petities, but when I get it I look like a dwarf in it.

The one thing I tried on yesterday definitely made me look matronly. Cut for someone with a very thick waist.

 

[malibuconlee]

I'm short, so don't have the problem with things being not long enough, but I bought all of my office attire, and still buy my church clothing at Petite Sophisticate, and like their Annex stores even better. They're part of the Casual Corner group. Casual Corner for regular sizes and August Max for the plus sizes.

I got their credit card the first time I was stocking up on work clothing. Worth it for the $50 I saved. Then I paid the bill off in full when it came. I still use it because they give you 5% off your purchase EACH time you buy from them. Again, ALWAYS pay it off in full when you get the bill, the interest rates are sky high if you don't.

 

[keenercam]

The one catalog I order from consistently is j.jill. I LOVE the quality of the clothing and the fit. They are generous in their fit, too. I have worn their clothes through five sizes as I lost weight, and I keep buying them as I need smaller sizes.

 

[Christine]

I'm short, so don't have the problem with things being not long enough, but I bought all of my office attire, and still buy my church clothing at Petite Sophisticate, and like their Annex stores even better. They're part of the Casual Corner group. Casual Corner for regular sizes and August Max for the plus sizes.

I got their credit card the first time I was stocking up on work clothing. Worth it for the $50 I saved. Then I paid the bill off in full when it came. I still use it because they give you 5% off your purchase EACH time you buy from them. Again, ALWAYS pay it off in full when you get the bill, the interest rates are sky high if you don't.

They've gone out of business here. I got two suits at the Casual Corner Annex last year. Now they are gone. Even Petite Sophisticate.

 

[Christine]

The one catalog I order from consistently is j.jill. I LOVE the quality of the clothing and the fit. They are generous in their fit, too. I have worn their clothes through five sizes as I lost weight, and I keep buying them as I need smaller sizes.

We have a j.jill store here and their stuff is not fitted enough for me. I agree they have nice stuff but I just don't look good in baggy clothes. I am not "skinny" but long limbed and non-muscular. Baggy clothes just kind of swallow me.

 

[OhMari]

I ordered a blue, with white tank dress and it looked beautiful in the book. The dress hung on me really wierd. I had to go to a wedding, so I had to wear it. Luckily I ordered a white knot sweater. Everyone kept telling me to take of the sweater, but the dress just hung so wrong around my neck.

I have ordered so many things from Coldwater Creek too and just end up sending it back. I have a store near me, but they stopped carrying size 16/18.

And Kohl's-if you want to dress like Daisy F. or whatever her name is, be my guess. I used to work there and I couldn't believe the ugly clothes in there. My grandma would of loved this store if she was here today.

 

[MsLeFever]

Thanks for the coldwater heads up! I am tempted to buy from them each and everytime I get a catalog and now I'll be able to pitch it without feeling left out!

 

[Buckalew11]

I buy most of my clothes at Christopher and Banks. No catalog though. Which is a good thing because I'd want to order every day. It is a smaller store in our mall so it isn't so overwhelming. Their clothes are consistent (I wear a medium in everything) in sizing and everything seems to wash up nice. Easy to mix and match and you don;t have to break the bank to buy clothes there. Always a sale going on in the back of the store and always a new selection (almost weekly). I have begged them to open a store in our mall (I have to go to Knoxville) but they haven't done it yet (which may be a good thing! LOL)

Good luck finding clothes. I struggled with it for years and finally found a store I like.

 

[missypie]

OP, I hear ya. I drooled over the clothes in the catalogue, but never ordered anything. Then, a CC store opened about 45 minutes from my house. I was so excited...I went one Saturday morning and was stunned about the quality of the clothes. I could not believe that they were the same clothes that were pictured in the catalogue. I didn't buy a thing. Whoever does their photography sure does a good job for them!