The Recessionista Reviews Jodi Arnold’s Collection for The Limited. Simply Amazing!

This morning I took a little trip out to The Limited to see Jodi Arnold’s new collection for the chain.  I had not been to The Limited in years.  Not because I don’t like their clothes, I do.  I just don’t wear the professional suits and dresses they are known for into the office anymore.  Times have changed, and some days, I am working at home from the computer wearing my best sweat suit or jeans and a t-shirt.  So, I haven’t thought I needed to stop into The Limited for “the real sale” as their old jingle advertised.   Jodi Arnold bought me in, and what a wonderful surprise.  Her collection is quite simply amazing, and not just because of the price point, but because of the quality and the handwork on each piece.  I have long admired the designer’s work.  Her trademark touches include embellishments with beads, embroidery or applique, beautiful detail around the neckline to highlight your face and lovely prints.  All these touches have been incorporated into her Jodi Arnold for The Limited collection at a reasonable price point.  The most amazing thing about this collection is how well-made it is.  The garments are not made of purely synthethic materials (polyester) with hems that are just serged with a zig zag stitch as some of the “budget lines” are.  The sizing is Misses, not Juniors and the size range is from 0 to 14.  The beading and sequin detail on the tops is hand sewn.  I had the opportunity to meet Jodi Arnold in Los Angeles and talk to her about her The Limited collection.   She told me she was very pleased to work with The Limited and that team at The Limited was wonderful to collaborate with.  That team work definitely comes through in the garments.  According to Jodi, she delivered her designs to The Limited and they were able to source them through their large network of suppliers to bring the overall price down.  Best of all, her designs are carried by all The Limited stores, in all markets, not just a select few. The super soft tops in the Jodi Arnold for The Limited collection are made of Modal fabric.  This is a fabric that draps beautifully and is supersoft.  It is also resistant to fading and shrinkage, which is good news for shoppers who want to make their designer investment last.   I bought the two tops picture below, and I love the feel of them. My friend Maggie who worked for both Calvin Klein and Michael Kors inspected them and confirmed that the embellishments around the neckline were stitched by hand.

I had the opportunity to talk to The Limited store manager, Jessica Hartnett at the Redondo Beach store. She told me, “We’re very excited to have Jodi Arnold’s designs in the store.  Some visitors don’t know her work, but when they see the clothes, they fall in love.” Jessica tells me new pieces are due into The Limited stores in April.  I asked her what the top seller from the collection was.  She told me that the Embroidered Print dress is the one most customers are taken with.  Its easy to see why.  This little dress is a subtle charcoal gray color with accents of red applique around the neckline, and a red print above the hemline.  The  neckline accents are an asymmetrical scroll of chiffon swirling above a scoop neck.  Delicate pleating around the waist ensures a slimming fit.  Take a look, and see for yourself.  This one is a steal, particularly since it is made of 70% silk and 30% linen.  This can go from the office to an evening out.  With just a touch of linen, this will breathe well for spring and summer wear, without turning into a wrinkled mess.

Other pieces in the collection that are standouts for the beautiful sparkle they bring to the wearer are the Sequined One Shoulder dress and the Flutter Sleeve romper.  I’m not a big fan of the one piece romper but the Jodi Arnold one is very well done with delicate flutter short sleeves, cute buttons with little loops instead of button holes and a comfortable drawstring waist.  There are shorts in the collection now, with pants coming soon. Definitely try on Jodi’s pants, because at The Limited if you like the pants, and you buy one pair , you will get $25.00 off the 2nd pant. If you are a  credit card holder at The Limited, you get free hemming on your pants if they need shortening.  There are other savings available at The Limited too that you can use to save on the Jodi Arnold collection. If you open a credit card account at The Limited, then you save 15%. You also receive Virtual Dollars with a purchase, so I will get savings off my next purchase at The Limited with a coupon I received today when I purchased.  The Virtual Dollars coupon is good for $25.00 off another purchase of $50.00 or more at The Limited on the dates on the coupon. More savings on future purchases are available if you take the survey mentioned on your sales receipt.  I see more Jodi Arnold for The Limited in my future.

The last thing I love about Jodi Arnold for The Limited is that the pieces can actually compliment the pieces from Jodi Arnold NY that I own because there are commonalities in the color palettes.  I have some investment pieces from Jodi Arnold NY, like my Currant Colored Knit Wrap (below) that will go very nicely with my new  The Limited collection  lavender beading medley top.  

Bottom line, Jodi Arnold for The Limited is a great designer at a great price.  You won’t see pieces of this quality from a big box retailer.  If you haven’t stopped into The Limited in a while, you should check it out. I say that because I think when something good is offered to consumers at a reasonable price point, consumers need to send a message to the store that we like this and want more of this.  I wish more consumers had done that with the Celia Birtwell collection from Express.  That is what I call the “power of the purse.”  I don’t need more garments with serge stitched zig-zag crooked hems in my closet, made of polyester puckering at every seam priced at only $9.99.   What I think we all want is more stylish garments, that flatter us and don’t send us into debt.   Jodi Arnold for The Limited fits the bill.

If you’re interested in learning more about this collection, check out The Limited’s five city tour with Jodi.  When I talked to Jodi she told me,” I really like meeting my customers.”  At her recent sale in Los Angeles, she spent time welcoming buyers and talking to them about their style and their color choices.  She takes all the feedback and preferences of her buyers into account when putting together her designs.  I wish more designers would go out on the road and talk to the ladies who actually buy and wear their clothes.   If you live in DC, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas or St. Louis, you’re invited to meet the designer and receive some special savings.  Savings, a word we love at  The Recessionista!