Well, I may be convinced to check it out after all. Modern classic about sums up my fashion persona, I think. I still am looking to bring some of my own edge but would love to add some quality base pieces to my wardrobe. Thanks for the review, Angie.

This was a great experience and I am very happy that Angie chose me to accompany her. I was very surprised at the items that I found and the quality as Angie stated is amazing. I believe that the pieces that I purchased will last me for years and are a great addition to my wardrobe. I would have never thought of shopping at Talbots, however their selections are very good for “smart” casual attire, which is usually how I dress and it will be a place that I will add to my list of stores that I peruse when I am looking for classic items for my wardrobe.

Phoebe

It’s fun to see you at work, Angie! Phoebes dresses are lovely, and quite tempting. I also love the red bag. Pretty, pretty!

Thank you for the very informative review – I will be taking a look at Talbots for some better jackets, coats, pants and skirts. This looks to be a great place to find good quality wardrobe foundation items. Love the cream/black jacket on Phoebe!

i tried talbots for the first itme during labor day sales because they have larger sizes and ended up returning everything — the quality of the fabric was fine, but the clothes made me look square literally and figuratively. i was disappointed, because i could really use another work pants/skirts option other than ann taylor, now that ann taylor loft and jones new york have gone downmarket.

Ohh. I have just seen the catalog and it’s lovely! I wish they had a store in Europe!

You ladies look absolutely fab in your Talbot picks! Phoebe – that red dress looks amazing on you! It looks great with your beautiful hair and skin color. Angie – I’m loving the red satchel and I also really like the mustard color top on you. Perfect! I’ve never walked in to Talbots before because the clothing look very “matronly” for a 20-something year old. But thanks to your review, I know that a) they are “modernizing” their look and b) their sizes run a bit larger – which is always a challenge for me in other stores. Those pieces would look great at my corporate office environement.

Thanks for the wonderful review! Next time I pass by a Talbots, I’ll make sure to take a peek inside

Thank you for this informative post, Angie. I love the dresses that Phoebe is wearing in the photos. Like you, most of even their smallest sizes have been too big in some area for me…usually bust or hips. I suspect they are made for curvier women, but will try again. Last spring they had some day dresses I wanted but couldn’t get to fit.
The picture Phoebe in the black cord with pendant reminded to to let you know that my favorite of your suggestions last spring for summer has been the casual necklace. I bought a leather cord and a couple of beautiful glass pendants. I already had several pendants of stones set in silver and a silver leaf form. That cord with one of the pendants has been on my neck almost daily.

Wow I want to be born with Phoebe’s hair in my next life. Both of you look so lovely!

Modern classic is far from my personal style, but as you say, it’s all in how you wear it. I still get stuff from BR and J Crew (though never full price..) and it works for me. I think at 25 I’d still feel a bit weird shopping there, but if they had something I was looking for, I definitely wouldn’t reject it. How is it price wise? What other stores would you compare it to?

How fun! Angie, I love it when we get to see you in action.

I do hope that along with their new style, Talbot’s considers adding some smaller sizes. Next time I’m in U Village, I’ll stop by their store and check it out.

Wonderful post, Angie. You and Phoebe look great, and it looks like you both got wonderful items to enjoy this season.

I saw Talbot’s Fall catalog after a Forum member posted a link to it. I was really impressed with the classic yet refreshed styles. They are on my list of stores to visit when I finally do my Fall shopping spree in a few weeks (I am a late bloomer).

Wow, what a great post! And a genius marketing strategy on Talbot’s part! I’m completely intrigued and your gorgeous photo journalism makes me want to see what Talbots has to offer. You and Phoebe look great!

Talbots has a plus size line too, right? Any input on that? Are the clothes the same quality and style?

This was a great piece, Angie. Thanks for the good information. Phoebe, if you don’t mind a question directed at you, I’d like to ask you about your (lovely) hair. I, too, have curly hair that’s a similar length as yours, but I have problems with frizz. Your pretty hair shows no signs of frizz at all! Is there a special product or technique you use? Thanks!

These are beautiful pictures. The colors are beautiful! Thankyou for sharing your day at Talbots. I will check it out when I can. I am interested in great quality pieces with the features that women in their 50’s are looking for such as longer hemlines and mature looking sleeves and necklines.
I have never set foot in a Talbots and I think it is because I was always under the impression they made petite sizes only. This may be just the place I have been wanting to go because I am getting tired of seeing cute dresses that I would wear if only the hem was longer. At 55 I don’t want to wear dresses with hems above the knee.

I’ve been SUPER impressed with the overhauled Talbots offerings. Glad to hear they’re keeping up that momentum!

Back in my Court days I used to get suits at Talbots because they fit well, were classic and well-made. This post is really timely because I’ve wanted to add some timeless clothes to my wardrobe and have been perusing the site. (Still trying to decide which style I want from the Haberdashery shirts.) Thank you for giving us this glimpse into your experience! Everyone could use a little Modern Classic in their wardrobes!

Good news!

I read that they were having serious financial difficulties, hopefully this will bring them around.

Of course I have a little lambswool sweater that buttons up the front, circa late 70’s I thrifted back in the 90’s. It’s a treasure.

Talbots? hmm… I wouldn’t have thought of shopping there, so thanks for this post, Angie. Lovely Phoebe is on my bus and we have seen each other at the beach as well, I had no idea she was a ylfer

I’ve shopped Talbots for a long time because I prefer to spend my “investment” money on 100% wool skirts and jackets. I like the gabardine and tropical weight.
Although their sales are so good, if you can wait and chance it, it’s not really investment prices by that time. I had noticed a drop in quality over the last few years and I actually wrote them a letter about it so I am personally taking full credit for their return to quality this fall. I have noticed the changes and have been very glad.

For Johanna, yes Talbots bordered on insolvency this fall but they got an infusion of capital from an investor and it looks like they’re going to weather it. I was worried too.

I like the looks in the catalog, but I also have problems with even the smallest sizes in many stores being too big, either all over, or just in the bust/hip areas, so I’ll probably take a pass on trying Talbots, despite the attractive catalog. Thanks for the size info. I think in a past post you mentioned Mango as having smaller cuts. I located my nearest Mango location and will be checking it out soon.

what a fun post Angie! thank you for all the pics of you and Phoebe. So fun to see you both! One of the biggest things I have learned from you is to leave no retail stone unturned and here is another example. It helps if we open our minds to the possibilities out there!

BTW, i am loving the clothes we shopped for together. Get lots of compliments too! thank you!

That’s where that dress has been hiding! Been looking for that for ages. Very flattering and like you’ve said with the right accessories, can go anywhere! It’s delightful to see what you do and hear what you’re saying – I’ll surely give Talbot’s another look!

Phoebe you look absolutely stunning in those dresses! And I love that yellow sweater on you Angie. Thanks for such a wonderful account of your shopping day (I know this kind of detailed report is a lot of hard work, and I really appreciate you sharing this with us!!). The pictures are gorgeous, and now I’m even more curious about the new Talbots collection.

Thanks for sharing Angie. Their website has some lovely things on it. I’m especially drawn to the cardigans. The clothes are probably all too big on me though, and a bit out of my price range.

Thanks Angie for the reviews. I pop into Talbots from time to time but have rarely made any purchases except for jewelry. Although they do carry petites, I have found the cuts to be a little boxy on me. I will be interested to see their new fall line.

Oooh, Pheobe looks out of sight in that red dress. I actually went to Talbots for the first time in more than 20 years this summer, only because I saw it mentioned on this blog. Ended up buying a useful wrap dress as well as a linen shirt and straw hat. Wouldn’t say it is top-notch quality, but certainly no worse than JCrew.

Talbot’s will be a must on shopping trip this weekend. Love the bag. Went to the website today and there is a cardigan I really want to look at.

Ann Taylor also seems to be re-positioning its clothes to attract a younger, more modern/less conservative shopper, according to some advertising I received from them in the mail recently. Did anyone else receive it? Angie, I would love to hear your take on their new look/vision.

As someone who loves the modern classic, updated preppy look, I’ve always had great luck with Talbots. The clothes are generally well made and fit me well with little alterations needed. The only problem I run into is pant length. At 5′10″, their standard 32″ length is too short, so I mainly stick to dresses, shirts, skirts and sweaters.

For those of you who live in the Seattle area, there is a Talbots outlet store in Lynnwood. It’s a real outlet store — all the leftover merchandise from the PNW goes to the store where it’s sold for really great prices. I’ve gotten skirts originally marked $200 for less than $25. If you like a bargin, this is the place to go!

You ladies look Beautiful …and are haveing a good time!!!

Talbots is located right before AT, so I am often am lured in by their pretty windows and beautiful new fall stuff before I go to AT. I really am quite impressed with Talbots, but I own nothing from them, like you Angie it is sadly all too big:(

Wow Angie, both you and Phoebe look gorgeous and you both also scored amazing pieces! I am drooling over your red bag and her black&white jacket.

I always enjoy these ‘real life’ types of posts from you and I really appreciate them since I know how much work they take to prepare.

I have honestly never shopped at Talbots, but i will check it out now, at least for accessories. I suspect I will have the same size issues as you do.

What a fabulous post! It looks like you two had a good time, and found some amazing things!! I particularly love that brown wrap dress Phoebe is wearing! Nice!!

I’m heading straight to the Talbots web site to check it out!

love,
m!

A, I haven’t received anything from Ann Taylor, but I’ve been seeing their ads on tons of bus stops saying something like “Ann is tired of being all work and no play.” I haven’t gone into an Ann Taylor lately, and I’m curious to see what changes they’re making.

I loved Talbots up until about 3 years ago, when they went super-preppy and too casual (where ARE their suits, anyway?), so I was excited to see they were changing their image yet again.

But I am heartbroken: I went to a Talbots last night to try on that delicious yellow tie sweater that you are wearing in the photos, Angie — and it’s the wrong yellow for my skin tone! The lime-y citron doesn’t work for me, alas. The cut and fit of the sweater was lovely, too, but none of the colors were as interesting as the yellow.

Thanks for the compliments, ladies.

Yes Marianna, Talbots does nice plus size merchandize. You should check it out.

Sarah, Tanya, Taylor and Gina, if you wear a size zero at Banana Republic or Express, you won’t fit into the regular or petite merchandise at Talbots. I was able to make the petite tops fit because they looked alright roomy, AND I pushed the sleeves up and kept the length for skirts. But there is always the option of accessories

A, I have lots to say about Ann Taylor’s new look merchandise. I’m very impressed.

Maya, Talbots is priced like Ann Taylor and Banana Republic.

Kristen, Talbots suiting is impeccable, but it’s only carried in few stores. Sorry my yellow top did not work out for you. It’s a fairly acidic shade I guess.

Here’s an interesting obituary of Talbots founder Nancy Talbot, who died a couple of weeks ago at 89: http://tinyurl.com/nthua2

The chain’s most famous customer was former First Lady Barbara Bush, and I confess that sums up the store’s lack of appeal for me: too conservative, horsey, and boxy. But I do like the way the new catalog was styled, and I’ll check out the merch the next time I’m in S.F.

I always thought Talbots was for very conservative older women so I have never shopped there, but will certainly go in and browse around next time. I love Phoebe’s dresses! They are stylish and look very comfortable as well. From the way Angie is taking up the hem on the red one, it looks like they run long too, which would be great for me. Most “knee length” skirts and dresses I come across are several inches too short on me.

I am a plus-size, petite “modern classic” and I really like Talbots. I purchased the black-and-cream plaid jacket from the photos. It fits as if it was tailored for me; I get many compliments!

Totally agree that the petite pants lengths at Talbots are just a little too short. I hope as they update their look they incorporate the newer, longer hem lengths!

My mom shops almost exclusively at Talbots and she has the most chic, colorful, imaginative, age-appropriate wardrobe I’ve ever seen. People are always surprised when she says she shops there because of the unique way she mixes and matches, and accessorizes –never looks stuffy. I hope they don’t change the sizing, as this is what my mom loves the most!

Oh wow. I agree totally – I always used to bypass Talbots, thinking that the clothes were geared towards women 20-30 years older than I am, but they seem to have a much wider market. I love the jacket that Phoebe ended up with, and the colors are beautiful! I may have to pop into Talbots next time I’m at the mall to check it out.

Kudos to the Seattle store for actually allowing photographs inside! They turned out beautifully. (Greg’s work, I assume?)

I want to comment on how fun it is to see Phoebe in pictures with Angie. What a gorgeous shopping duo you are. You look like you are having so much fun together and you are both so beautiful.

I just purchased a Talbots black pencil skirt — totally ponte. Very comfy and chic. Will be super versatile. Can’t wait for it to arrive and put it into rotation. I’ll have to take some pictures and post! Love the look you put together with the scarf, Angie. Very current and yet still tailored. Gorgeous.

Great shopping report, thanks to you and your stylish friend! Who would have thought – I at least have never stepped into a Talbots but it sounds like it has more to offer than I expected.