On a recent visit, we witnessed the miracle first-hand, standing outside a small yurt in the Inner Mongolian grasslands. A herdsman named Ma Xi begins quickly, expertly clipping a goat’s coarser guard hairs. Then, with a rake-like instrument tipped with crochet hooks, he combs the goat’s coat. Soft underhair comes out easily, building up quickly on the long tines. The goat seems to enjoy it.

Combing takes about 20 minutes, after which Ma Xi slowly works the blanket of fleece off the tines and stacks it atop a dozen similar bundles. After the combing is done, these will be baled and trucked to the factory. But to us, this is always the most thrilling part of the process. Maybe because, coming from Dodgeville, we like goats?

Cashmere can come from many places – Turkey, Pakistan, New Zealand, even that organic farm down the road from you – but Mongolian “white cashmere” is considered the finest in the world.

Why is this true? Top-quality cashmere fibers are long, strong and fine. Kashmir goats raised elsewhere are often shorn rather than combed, which results in shorter fibers. Also, warmer climates discourage fleece growth. The cold, windy climate of Mongolia is perfect for producing the longest, loftiest fleece found anywhere.

Once at the factory, the goat fleece is cleaned, dyed, dried, mixed for color consistency and spun into yarn.

Special machinery has been installed for Lands’ End to double the single-ply yarn, since all Lands’ End cashmere is made from the heavier two-ply. This added heft is obvious when we handle several of the finished sweaters. Lands’ End sweaters are also more tightly knit than many on the market, which adds to their weight, softness and durability.

Look at a typical cashmere sweater purchased elsewhere and you’ll notice that it “shows through” under light, while our heftier sweater is opaque and blocks light. More important, it just feels nicer.

You may be the cynical type, and say, “It’s just a sweater…” But to us, as many years as we’ve been in the apparel business, it still feels like a miracle. What else can you say about remarkable goats that live in the harshest climate, yet grow the softest fleece? Or dedicated herdsmen who stay on guard through the longest, coldest nights to ward off the fox and the mountain
eagle?

Maybe most important of all, what other experience in the world of clothing can thrill like your first touch of cashmere?

So experience the miracle, Lands’ End style, and think of the unsung goats who brought it to you.

The post Once A Year, In The Springtime, There’s A Miracle In Mongolia. appeared first on The Lands' End Blog.

“At least 30 years ago my mother purchased a bathrobe from your company. It is her favorite.”

~ Jean

EXPERT CUSTOMERS

Because we use grade “A” Inner Mongolian cashmere, considered the world’s finest, or cashmere sweaters are guaranteed to feel luxurious.

“As a former cashmere product development exec for a very well known, high-end company, I am a VERY critical judge of cashmere products. I’ve been to the mills and farms in Inner Mongolia so I know the best procedures of how it is spun and knitted. I am, needless to say, very picky. So I was skeptical when I ordered both the cardigan and shell…I was blown away by the quality: incredibly soft and smooth with excellent knitting. Even the black, which is the toughest to get soft, was amazing. This is, in all honesty, the best cashmere I have felt and owned for the price.”

– A NYC fan

CUSTOMERS DOWN UNDER

“These jeans have seen mustering, roust-abouting, sheep drenching, cattle droving and many other things and still have a lot of wear left in them yet!”
– Beverly in Australia

REJUVENATED CUSTOMERS

“When I get depressed thinking about the way society is going, I call Lands’ End. It is like talking with your grandmother, and they know the product, are not speaking from a stupid script and actually seem to care.”
– Steve

NEWLYWED CUSTOMERS

“All of the bridesmaids at the wedding I was in this weekend received Lands’ End totes from the bride! I love all the colors!”

BORED CUSTOMERS

“Dear Lands’ End,
I think you make your clothes too well. For those of us that are frugal, we like to buy classic clothes and make them last as long as we can. Unfortunately, the coats you sold us back in 1982 still look good… I can’t bring myself to part with a perfectly good coat…”
–Dee and Bill in VA

Show us what your kids in Iron Knee® pants can do!

VERY ACTIVE SCHOOL UNIFORM CUSTOMERS
“This skort climbs trees and monkey bars.”

HAPPY THEN NOT HAPPY THEN REALLY HAPPY CUSTOMERS
“I have said in the past that the measure of a company is how they react when things go wrong… By that scale, Lands’ End is tops.”

JAZZED CUSTOMERS
“The shirts arrived just before we went on, and were a great hit!”
– Randy

LANDS’ END SHOP GROUPIE CUSTOMERS
“So I went to the Lands¹ End shop at the Sears in Cherry Creek about two weeks ago and went crazy. I bought 4 pairs of your slim fit ankle chinos in different colors, three different colors in the Supima cardigans, several scarves, the purple suede Ashby pumps, and a couple of belts. Since then, I have returned THREE MORE TIMES!!! New pea coat, more footwear and some fleece. I’m a total Land’s End groupie.”
– Robin, CO

CUSTOMERS WHO DON’T CARE TO WAIT
“I’ve been a Lands’ End Customer for a long time, this is the first time I’ve needed Customer Service.

My expectations are high. I’ve been buying quality products from a quality company and have come to expect quality in every way from you. I had sent two items back for exchange. Canada Post shows them delivered, your system hasn’t seen them yet. Robert sorted everything out. He put me first! He’s sending the items out and will put the waiting on your end to find my returned package.

“I was a loyal customer BEFORE I experienced Robert, now I’m a customer for life.”

ANTI-GRAVITY CUSTOMERS
“Thanks for designing such great swimsuits! We’ve put them to the test this summer and they still look great!”
– Kim

We make your favorite swimsuit styles in mastectomy options. They have higher necklines and armholes plus sewn-in soft cups and prosthesis pockets – no uncomfortable underwire! See our latest collection here.

5-KID CUSTOMERS
“As a family with 5 children it is very important that when I shop for clothing I not only look at price but quality. For our family Lands’ End has proven themselves time and time again.”
– Kim in Ohio

CUSTOMERS IN SIBERIA
“My mother, who is residing in Russia, totally fell in love with Lands’ End products.

“She lives in Siberia where it is -30 degrees C in the winter time, and all the dresses, down jackets, and down coats that I bought from you keep her warm and comfy. She said thank you very much, (Bolshoe spasibo).”
– Jason

CUSTOMERS GROWING UP
When I was 11 my mom got me children’s monogrammed sweats, and about 8 pairs of socks. I didn’t think much of it when I got them, but every year those items have been the first things I bring out for winter and the last things stored for summer.

I am turning 24 next month and they still show absolutely no wear and tear. Thank you so much for making such incredible products! When I have children someday, I know where I’ll come.

Thank you!!
– Meghann, NE

PETITE CUSTOMERS
It comes in petite! … I’ve looked a long time and cannot tell you how happy I am to have found this parka. I’ve received many compliments on it. Good old Lands’ End.
– Cynthia, PA

LIFELONG CUSTOMERS
Superb quality along with off-the-charts customer satisfaction and easy return/exchange has earned a lifelong customer!”
– a Michigan customer

ISLAND CUSTOMERS
Long ago, actually in 1980/81, I bought your wonderful jacket, the Squall, as I was living on the big island and would hike to the top of Mauna Loa where it could get cold. Yes, cold is relative but I would start in a rain forest at 1500′ and walk to 13,000′. I would walk through some wonderful scenery and quickly changing climate.

When I came back to the mainland it kept me warm as I acclimatized to San Francisco weather.

Both of these items are still in good condition and I have figured that the only way I will be able to replace them is to burn them and plead insanity.
– Rev. John

4-SON CUSTOMERS
I bought this coat 9 years ago for my oldest son. It was his first winter coat. Probably with a few tears in my eyes, I will put this coat on my youngest son this winter. We have four boys, and they have all worn it for at least one season.
– Anne

SHOVED-AROUND CUSTOMERS
“Lands’ End even replaced my new khaki pants when I told them that they had been ripped when someone accidentally bumped me into a bridge abutment at a crew race in Saratoga Springs! That’s good service!”
– Amy, MA

BURGLARIZED CUSTOMERS
“Our house was robbed and my son’s diaper bag was used to put in the items they had stolen. The bag was super heavy, so we think the folks that robbed us got tired of carrying it, and they threw the bag and contents into the bushes down the block. I want to send a thank you to the appropriate department because when they found our stuff, all of the electronics, the wii, iPad, etc., were still in perfect condition even though it rained and hailed all night long!!”

The post What Kind Of Customers Write To Lands’ End? appeared first on The Lands' End Blog.