Lands’ End extends custom fitting to include dress shirts, twill pants

Five months after coming under the umbrella of Sears, Roebuck and Co., Lands’ End Tuesday expanded its state-of-the-art Lands’ End Custom service for custom-fitting apparel to include dress shirts and tailored twill pants, Lands’ End tells InternetRetailer.com.

“In a simple process that takes just a few minutes, customers choose the features they want, input some key measurements, answer a few questions and then confirm the order,” a spokeswoman says.

She adds that the custom shirts are made with Lands’ End features such as several collar styles, bowling-ball-material buttons, long tails and extra room in the shoulders. The tailored twills feature dressier-than-usual belt loops and taped pocket seams for a smoother touch.

Lands’ End launched its custom-fitting service last fall, starting with men’s and women’s chinos. Early this year it extended the service to include jeans.

The expansion of the service to dress shirts and tailored twills should ease the fears of some observers who have expressed concern that Lands’ End could lose its merchandising edge under the large arm of Sears. Among those expressing concern is former Lands’ End Vice Chairman Bill Ferry, now a consultant to small e-retailers. “I’m afraid that Sears could put a monkey wrench into Lands’ End,” he tells InternetRetailer.com. “The strength of the Lands’ End brand is in standing for quality, value, service and innovation, and that’s at risk in the current environment.”