Cute things at Talbot's - YouLookFab Forum

I hit Talbot's yesterday -- I haven't bought anything there in years, partly because the store nearest me no longer carries petites. I was pleasantly surprised.

I was on the hunt for work-appropriate tops & toppers that could be worn with either black ponte knit pants or jeans (skinnies, boot cuts, white denim, etc). For work sometimes I need to be dressier (customer meetings) but a lot of the time I need to just hit the "smart casual" mark with nice jeans, heels, nicer top, optional topper, jewelry, done.

The challenge right now is my weight is up just enough that if I size up to fit my width, the vertical proportions are totally off for 5' me, and no, I have zero time right now for alterations. Drives me nuts when the top is too long (shortening my legs), and tucking just makes me look even more bulky in the mid-section. I've been pretty crabby about this. It seems to me that Talbot's has tweaked their fit model -- I recall Talbot's clothes tending to be more for a slim build. Not so this time. The fit was just what I was looking for!

I got a seasonless wool jacket in navy that fits me impeccably. Not a single alteration necessary! Unfortunately the pants did not fit, but the navy is a match to my AT navy sheath dress, so now I can make that a suit, for those occasions I need a suit.

I got this Diamond Cross Hatch Popover blouse which nicely skims over the belly, hits exactly right on length for 5-foot me, and has fitted slim sleeves for a more tailored, not sloppy-baggy look:
http://www.talbots.com/online/.....&N=10...=

Gingham Checks Shirt - fits impeccably with no gaping, just the right length, tailored fit. And soft as can be! Rather than starchy. There is contrast black striping inside the collar and at the cuffs. The smaller check works better for petite me than a buffalo check. Cute cute cute! http://www.talbots.com/online/.....&N=10...=

Animal Print Nantucket Shirt - this one is even more tailored, yet magically works. It's also shorter in length, so I can see this working great with boot cuts, or tucked in, or with a skirt. I think it'll also work beautifully under a sheath dress. The photo doesn't do it justice - the blue is more of a cobalt. The pattern was intimidating on the hanger, but since it was on sale, I gave it a try, and fell in love... http://www.talbots.com/online/.....&N=10...

Paisley & Vines Top - those who know me, know how much I oh-so-love paisley!! I could not resist. I also love the shape of this one, as it thoroughly disguises my apple belly, without looking like a maternity top. This is a knit and will work for my more casual work meetings. I tried it on with the navy suit jacket and that looked cute too. http://www.talbots.com/online/.....&N=10...

Favorite purchase... and what drew me into the store in the first place:

Medallion sweater - the pattern is absolutely gorgeous. I just decluttered all my patterned cardigans, and it's like the universe gifted me this find instead. It looks so cute with boyfriend jeans or with the navy blazer over it. I think it'll be absolutely adorable under my navy sheath this fall. And once again, the fit is impeccable -- skims the body, no belly bulges in sight, not tight, but not loose either. http://www.talbots.com/online/.....&N=10...

Yes.... lots of pattern. I love patterned tops.

What do you think of my haul?

Anyone else check out Talbot's recently?

9 years ago

BethT

Active Member

I posted a question about Talbot's a few weeks ago because I had just wandered in for the first time in about forever. Loved their styles and the fit! My work needs sound a lot like yours and I found some great casual pieces to add to my wardrobe. And like you, I love patterned tops!

I am on a purchasing freeze at the moment, but actually have a need for jeans, so I'm hitting their little open house party tonight and may try on a few pair. If they are perfect, I'll allow myself to purchase.

abc

Veteran

Squee! So happy for you. Off to check the items now. I have had good luck at talbots too. And thistle will be tickled to hear of your recent finds I am sure

carter

Wow. Great looking tops! I am so very glad the medallion sweater is wool, so it won't work for me;-). Love it!

Alassë

I tried on a few items from their fall lineup. The Berkshire plaid a-line skirt, corduroy a-line skirt, & pima cotton graphic stripes crewneck tee are all excellent pieces. (The Berkshire plaid is a size larger than the corduroy, so size down.) The fit on their v-neck sweater was a bit odd - wide through bust and torso, normal at hem and sleeves.

donnat

Very nice haul. I think you will get alot of mix and matching out of those pieces.

Anonymous

Nice things, great colors. You're going to have fun wearing these!

I just read on the NYTimes that Talbot's has been sold to another company. We'll have to watch and see if and how this affects their styles.

Suz

(website)

Sounds like a very successful trip! Good for you for leaving no retail stone unturned.

Linda

I have always liked Talbot's quality, but sometimes think that their styles sometimes miss the mark. Not this year! They really knocked it out of the park this year with style! I had a 25% off coupon, so I bought a cute knit dress and a striped tee shirt dress. I plan on buying a few more Audrey cashmere sweaters when the weather gets cooler.

I know that Angie said that she recommends that her curvy clients shop there. I tend to be quite the opposite, especially after losing 10 pounds after an illness last winter. I find that their size 2 petite fits me perfectly!

Cerinda

Oooh, coveting that paisley! Great haul.

shiny

Linda, their size 4p fits me perfectly. Their pants would fit me too, if I wasn't such a PCOS/nearly menopausal lately (after an ER trip this summer for a ruptured ovarian cyst, I finally discovered the reason for my ever-fluctuating apple belly).

I adore their Audrey cashmere sweaters and so wanted that to work, but the neckline wasn't a good one for me. I will live vicariously through you.

Agree about their styles often missing the mark in the past. Also their colors don't usually work for me. They can be too bright / clear, whereas I look better in murkier tones. Or too orange (they have a lot right now perfect for those who are Autumns). However this season they had some options that work for me.

Meanwhile LOFT has hit the mark for me when it comes to jeans. Whereas their Fall clothes are a miss -- the colors aren't right on me.

Beth Ann

Thanks for the report from the front, Shiny! Good to know about the changes in fit. I always said their fit model was a Junior Leager --- a slim rectangle who has just a Bloody Mary for lunch after her tennis game at the club. Hey! That celery counts as a vegetable!

If their fit is more generous, the structured lines could work for me. I even tried their plus sizes, but those were too big.

Love the black and white top, particularly. Every item is a clear keeper!

greycat6

Like many of you, Talbots used to be one of my favorite stores but have fallen off their fan list. Your choices are making me want to check them out again. Love you picks and can't wait to see you style them!

barbaraq

I used to love Talbot's too. But then their quality fell off, and it seemed they couldn't decide who their competitors were - J Crew, Chicos or J Jill. They also closed the two stores that were a reasonable distance from me. I still get their catalogs and I, too, was very impressed by their fall offerings. Maybe I will have to grit my teeth and drive to Bellevue...

unfrumped

Good job!
I usually get a few things at Talbots each year. Some of their fabrics are very good and hard to find similar at other retailers.
I've been getting P sizes in some tops myself not because I'm a true P, but in order to size them for a bit of fluidity without ending up with too much length.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Paisley JUST FOR YOU.

Thistle

Woohoo! So glad you found some fab pieces. :D.

retailgirl

I have been a Talbots customer since 1982. ( I actually met Nancy Talbot in the early 80's at a manufacturers showroom when I was a buyer! I was thrilled. ) I don't think their quality is where it used to be, but it's still good for the most part. I love that they have long length pants, and most of my basic work pants, as well as my casual pants, come from talbots. If I were to lose my whole wardrobe, my first stop to replenish would be talbots. But I am a tall rectangle with long arms and I always have to alter their jackets...waist in, sleeves down, if possible. But I did love the things in the last catalog! That camel hair blazer is beautiful. Great suiting options for corporate types. And I always like the dresses.

Karie

Sounds like you got some great items! I was just there last week and bought a pair of cream colored corduroys and a polka dot top. Last spring I found two beautiful fit and flare dresses there.

Murph11

Talbots runs hot & cold with me, but couldn't resist this wrinkle resistant navy polka dot blouse last week. Fits to a T.

Talbots

The Perfect Long-Sleeve Shirt - Fun Dot Print

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Top Pick

Nice haul!

I bought some things from Talbots last year that I'm very happy with. I ordered this and am expecting it to arrive any day now:

http://www.talbots.com/online/.....&N=42...

I love the print and couldn't resist. I think they have some nice offerings, but this is the only thing I'm going to buy because I simply don't need anything and am forcing myself to be pickier about what I bring home.

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