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Why are Walmart's clothes so good right now?
Do you know that feeling of trying to find something, only to discover it's been right under your nose the whole time? It's a feeling that begs the question: Have you noticed lately how dang good Walmart's clothes are right now? As in, you might want to consider going out of your way specifically to stop by your local supercenter to try on a few things in-person. They're that good.
Free Assembly Women's Button Front Cotton Midi Dress
Free Assembly Sleeveless Tie Shoulder Midi Dress
Free Assembly Women's Ruffle Neck Midi Dress
Scoop Women's Midi Denim Shirt Dress
Scoop Faux Leather Maxi Shirtdress
Scoop Women's Puff Sleeve Ruched Dress
Free Assembly Women's Puff Shoulder Cargo Jumpsuit
Free Assembly Women’s Button Front Boxy Cotton Tunic Shirt
Free Assembly Men's Modern Barn Jacket
Free Assembly Men’s Polo Sweater
Free Assembly Women's Cropped Utility Jacket
Free Assembly Women's Quilted Parachute Jacket
Free Assembly Women's Quilted Cocoon Jacket
Free Assembly Women's Wide Leg High Rise Pintuck Jeans
Free Assembly Women's Paperbag Waist Mini Skirt
Free Assembly Women’s Pleated Midi Skirt
Madden NYC Women's Embroidered Tall Western Boots, Sizes 6-11
Time and Tru Women's Slingback Pump Heels
Scoop Women's Faux Leather Buckle Slingback Flats
Time and Tru Women's Ashlyn Shoulder Handbag
Time and Tru Women's Pleated Puffy Hair Headband, Red
Maybe the fall clothes just look especially nice this year is because it's been one very hot American summer — much of the U.S. staggered through weeks of record-breaking heat this year — and the arrival of sweater weather is a very welcome relief. Or maybe we all just really love fall clothes more than spring and summer ones. (After all, you rarely hear someone say they love shorts and tank-top weather, but many people can't wait to pull out their sweaters, coats and scarves).
Or, and perhaps a more plausible theory, is that Walmart's in-house apparel brands have actually been better lately.
In fact, there is some strong evidence for that theory. In early 2021 Walmart brought on high-end fashion designer Brandon Maxwell as Creative Director to oversee two of the company's in-house elevated fashion brands, Free Assembly and Scoop. Free Assembly was launched in 2020 and showcases elevated and modern fashion essentials with an eye toward thoughtful, simple design. Scoop, on the other hand, was a boutique fashion chain that began in New York City in 1996 that billed itself as “the ultimate closet." In 2019 Walmart revived the defunct label and began repositioning it as a private fashion brand.
Maxwell, born and raised in Longview, Texas, is perhaps best known for his youthful, beautiful and timeless red-carpet gowns and award-winning runway designs, outfitting celebrities such as Cate Blanchett and Lady Gaga.
"Working with Walmart has long been a dream of mine," Maxwell told Walmart back in 2021. "Like many people across the country who live in a small town, Walmart was the destination for everything where I grew up in Texas, including clothing."
Many of the current designs from Free Assembly and Scoop build on timeless silhouettes with a nod toward more stylish trends for fall and back-to-school season: Denim-on-denim in the form of a button-front cotton midi dress; a $40 quilted jacket that looks like something you'd find at Everlane; buckled slingbacks that look quite similar to a triple-digit pair from Ganni. These aren't just pieces to buy when you're on a budget, they're pieces to buy because you really want to wear them.
Take a look below at the fall fashion pieces at Walmart that are worth browsing.
You've heard of the chore jacket, but let us introduce you to the chore dress — a sort of utilitarian chic that's tough enough for everyday wear and stylish for dressier occasions. Available in sizes XS-XXL.
Editor's Note: The indigo wash, pictured, has sold out, but the dress is still available in the olive colorway.
This tie shoulder midi dress is designed with flattering tie sleeves, comfortable fluttering tiered skirt and is available in sizes XS to 2X. It's on sale for just $5 now, too.
A 100% cotton dress that's as stylish as it is versatile, available in sizes XS-XXL.
Designed to look like denim separates, this dress will have you seeing denim on denim. Break up the look with an eye-catching leather belt. Available in sizes XS-XXL.
A faux leather maxi shirtdress that's pulled together enough for work, but also playful enough for dinner or drinks. Get it in sizes XS to 2X.
A flattering, ruched dress that's slimming and tummy hiding. Available in sizes XS-XL.
A comfortable and stylish look for daycare runs, grocery shopping, trips to the park with the little ones, and much, much more. Available in sizes XS-XXL
We've never met a striped button-down we didn't like. This one comes in a flattering summer-to-autumn green shade in a flattering-on-all boxy fit that'll layer nicely under oversized sweaters. Available in sizes XS-XXL.
A more affordable lookalike to the classic British Barbour countryside jacket, available in sizes S-3XL.
A stylish polo that's just as acceptable for the office as it is for a weekend party. Available in sizes S-3XL.
This buffalo plaid cropped utility jacket is the very definition of fall fashion. It's now currently on sale for about $10 off, just in time for autumn. Available in sizes XS to 2X.
For when a longline coat just isn't the vibe. Available in sizes XS to XXL.
Editor's Note: The burnt sienna colorway, pictured, has sold out, but the jacket is available in three other colorways including olive, navy and black.
The perfect autumnal jacket that's warm but not too heavy. Available in sizes XS to XXL.
The perfect pair of casual jeans, designed with a slimming front seam with a retro-inspired pintuck. Find them in sizes 0 to 20.
The perfect paperbag waist skirt to wear with oversized tops. Available in sizes S to XXL.
Editor's note: Most sizes are, unfortunately, sold out. Check out other Free Assembly skirts here.
The pleated midi skirt, a weekday essential. This one comes with tiny retro-inspired dots. Available in sizes XS to XXL.
A mid-shin height Western boot that looks just as good with mini dresses as it does with midi skirts. Available in sizes 6 to 11.
A pretty convincing lookalike for the tan and black goatskin slingbacks made famous by Chanel. Available in sizes 7 to 11.
Editor's note: The camel and black shade is now sold out, but the black-on-black colorway is still available.
Another convincing dupe, these ones look similar to the Ganni buckle slingbacks everyone is talking about. Available in sizes 6 to 11.
A lightweight shoulder bag that's big enough to hold your essentials. Choose from black, tan or red.
Puffy headbands aren't back — they were never gone. Get this one in red or white faux leather.
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