Hi there, fellow fashion lover! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for clothing brands that make you look and feel your best. I‘ve been a devoted Coldwater Creek customer for years, and I‘m excited to share my experience with this incredible company.
In this in-depth Coldwater Creek review, I‘ll give you the scoop on the brand‘s background, signature styles, and impressive size inclusivity. I‘ll also dish about my personal favorite pieces and share some insights I‘ve gleaned as a longtime follower of the brand. By the end, you‘ll have all the info you need to decide if Coldwater Creek is right for you. Let‘s get started!
What is Coldwater Creek?
First, a quick intro for those of you who aren‘t familiar with Coldwater Creek. This women‘s clothing retailer has been around since 1984, when founders Dennis and Ann Pence started the company as a catalog business out of their Idaho condo. From those humble beginnings, Coldwater Creek grew to a peak of nearly 400 brick-and-mortar stores across the U.S.
The brand became known for its artistically-inspired designs and inclusive sizing. Coldwater Creek offers a full range of sizes from petite to plus, with a focus on flattering silhouettes for every body type. Their aesthetic is classic but never stuffy, with plenty of special details that elevate the look.
Sadly, Coldwater Creek fell on hard times in the mid-2010s and ultimately filed for bankruptcy in 2014. After closing all its stores, the company was purchased by Sycamore Partners Management and relaunched as an online-only retailer.
Fast forward to 2020, and Coldwater Creek faced yet another setback with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The brand shut down its website for several months before reemerging under the ownership of Hong Kong-based Newtimes Group.
The New Coldwater Creek: Better Than Ever
I‘ll admit, I was nervous when I heard about all the upheaval at Coldwater Creek. Would the brand I loved still feel the same? Would the quality hold up? I‘m happy to report that the "new" Coldwater Creek is truly better than ever!
The website relaunch has been smooth and the product selection is exceptional. In fact, I think the merchandising team has done a fantastic job of curating the collection to focus on Coldwater Creek‘s strengths. The assortment feels fresh and modern but still honors the brand‘s signature aesthetic.
Coldwater Creek‘s strength has always been dresses, and this season‘s offerings do not disappoint. I recently ordered the Into the Garden Tiered Maxi Dress and fell in love as soon as I put it on. The floral print is stunning and the tiered skirt is breezy and romantic. Best of all, it has pockets!
{{< figure src="coldwater-creek-maxi-dress.jpg" alt="Woman wearing Into the Garden Tiered Maxi Dress" caption="The Into the Garden dress is even prettier in person!" >}}
I‘m also a big fan of Coldwater Creek‘s pants, especially the Ponte Perfect Holly Pants I scooped up during a recent sale. The ponte fabric is super comfy but looks polished, and I love that they‘re available in short, regular, and tall lengths. Finding pants that are long enough is always a challenge for me (I‘m 5‘9"), so I really appreciate the size inclusivity.
One of the things I love most about Coldwater Creek is the sense of timelessness. Yes, the brand offers plenty of on-trend pieces each season, but the focus is on creating a wardrobe of chic staples you can reach for again and again. Take the Gallup Lodge Sweater Jacket, a perennial bestseller that comes back every year in new colors. It‘s the kind of classic piece that never goes out of style.
Comparing Coldwater Creek to the Competition
Whenever I‘m looking at a clothing brand, I like to consider how it stacks up against similar retailers. In Coldwater Creek‘s case, the closest competitors are probably Chico‘s, Talbots, and Soft Surroundings – all of which target a similar demographic of women over 35 who appreciate a classic aesthetic.
In my experience, Coldwater Creek really stands out when it comes to size inclusivity. While Chico‘s and Talbots both carry some plus sizes, their selections are much more limited. Soft Surroundings doesn‘t offer plus sizes at all. Meanwhile, Coldwater Creek carries its full line in misses, petite, and women‘s sizing up to 3X.
Coldwater Creek also hits a sweet spot in terms of price point. It‘s a step up from bargain retailers in terms of quality, but not as expensive as high-end brands. For example, dresses typically range from around $70 to $150 at Coldwater Creek, compared to $50 to $100 at Talbots and $150 to $300+ at Eileen Fisher.
The Bottom Line: A Brand Worth Rediscovering
To sum it up, I‘m thrilled that Coldwater Creek is back and better than ever. The brand has stayed true to its roots while continuing to evolve and improve. The online shopping experience is seamless, the product selection is strong, and the quality and fit are as excellent as ever.
If you‘re a woman who appreciates classic, high-quality pieces in an inclusive size range, I highly recommend giving Coldwater Creek a try. Don‘t be surprised if you find yourself becoming a loyal customer like me!
One last tip: be sure to sign up for Coldwater Creek‘s email list to stay in the loop about sales and new arrivals. The brand often runs promotions like 30% off sitewide, which is a great opportunity to stock up on staples. Happy shopping!
