Madewell's inconsistency keeps you on your toes - but when they nail it, they deliver pieces that actually make everyday styling easier than fussing with precious luxury items. SKIP ENTIRELY: • High-Neck Lace-Insert Pintuck Top, $128 - Craft store trim • Ruffle-Trim Pointelle Cardigan, $128 - Too flimsy • CloudSoft Drop-Shoulder Sweater, $138 - Matted appearance • CloudSoft Short-Sleeve Sweater Tee, $98 - Matted appearance • Bouclé-Knit Crewneck Sweater, $98 - Artificial looking • Denim Chore Jacket in Rinse Wash, $228 - Rough suede collar • Woven bags - Chaotic and heavy • Button ups in poplin - Cheap buttons GET THE RIGHT VERSION/INSPECT: • Relaxed Bootcut Jeans, $148 - Skip Concho wash (chalk-mark whiskering), get Foundry wash instead • The Shopper Tote - Skip suede (rough, hairy), get grain leather (excellent) • The Brioche Shoulder Bag - Red leather is flawless; warm coffee varies (inspect for veining); olive suede is excellent • The Emilie Slingback Pump, $178 - Get suede, skip leather • The Dolli Glove Loafer, $148 - Suede is safer (hides toe box reinforcement); leather risks visible ridge • The Camren Gathered Bag in Suede - rough suede looks cheap on the shoulder bag, but the mini bag looks cute and deliberate with the same suede • The Organic Wide Cuff Bracelet $68 - excellent at $68, but it's zinc alloy vs Tiffany's $2k sterling silver LTKootd