Floral pin alert - YouLookFab Forum

I was in Ann Taylor Outlet yesterday and they had oversized floral pins on sale - two colors, black and purple - around $16. I don't see them online so this may be outlet-only.

I'm not sure this is my look, but since accessories don't count towards my budget, I bought the purple one thinking I will give it a try. It was quite funny, however. The sales clerk, as she was ringing up my purchase, asked me "what are you going to DO with this?" So I held it up to the lapel of my jacket. She replied, "Oh." With this look on her face as if she'd sucked on lemons. Clearly, she didn't like this idea!!!

Then she mumbled something about thinking it was meant to be worn in your hair? Obviously my hair is too short for that. I did offer that it could also be attached to a long necklace. She screwed up her face again.

Then her sales instincts kicked back in, and she tried to get me to buy the black one too. LOL.

The pin doesn't have the polka dots like Angie's ...
http://youlookfab.com/2009/04/.....loral-pin/

... but it's about the same size.

I'll experiment and post pics one of these days... I am hoping that the clerk just didn't like this idea in general - not just *on me.* I do have this fear I'm too short to pull this off. But I'm going to give it a whirl!

17 years ago

shana

Veteran

Oh Shiny, I have been looking for a purple flower pin. Was it a dark purple? I bought a cropped wool jacket recently at a thrift store - my first time trying thrifting in ages. Just when I was ready to give up and walk out, I found this cute jacket that looks very similar to the J Crew Astrid jacket. Mine is a dark purple/plum color and I thought a floral pin would be just the thing to sort of perk it up (it definitely is lacking something). I have been on the lookout every since. H&M had some recently in a couple of different colors but not purple and I did see on on the F21 website that would be perfect but I couldn't find it in the store. Please post a picture of yours when you get a chance!

shiny

Yes, it's a dark purple!! It matches my AT ombre purple scarf - do you remember that one? I will post when I get a chance.

I also bought this adorable pink and fuschia tweed 3/4 length jacket that was on the clearance rack. I just couldn't resist it. I'm trying to add more colorful jackets. And a crisp white shirt. (Yes, I already have one, but the fabric is too heavy for warmer months and sometimes it doesn't layer very well).

I also tried on this black shirt dress that was *this* close to perfection... but no cigar. Alas, the size 0p was a smidge too tight width-wise (while perfect lengthwise) and the 2p fit perfectly width-wise but was all wrong length-wise. Story of my life. But if anyone is looking for this item, get on over to the AT Outlet!! Only caveat: the belt is positioned fairly high. Good for those of us who have waists just under the rib cage. It's a really really cute shirt dress.... and long enough to hit at the knee. If it had worked out, I may have hemmed it shorter to wear with skinnies.

Chris

Active Member

I love ATL outlet for finding bargains.
Your story is similar to an encounter I had recently - at TJMaxx I noticed a bunch of floral pins locked in jewelry showcase.
I asked to see a few and the clerk asked me what I was going to do with them. She didn't get it either.
I ended up with a black pin (the other colors were odd) but later on same trip found a great fuschcia at Kohl's.

At ATL outlet, I would expect sales team to be a little better educated on accessories.

Can't wait to see your real life version of wearing the pin.

Kari

I am envious! We don't have an ATL outlet in our state.

The purple and black floral pins sound cute! I picked up a white floral pin at ATL a month ago but am still trying to figure out how to wear it best.

taylor

AT factory outlets are part of the AT family, however the clothes are made for the outlets exclusivley by an outlet factory, they are not AT/loft quality not do they get our past season or overstock items...they are outlet clothes only and outlet quality , that might be the reason for the lack of better expierienced sales help.

Ooops typo...experienced..

Thanks Taylor, I was wondering about that. It does seem to me that the outlet carries totally different items than my local AT store, and the quality isn't quite as good. Still fun to shop there - some good bargains!

P.s. I wore the floral pin all day yesterday.... but you'll have to wait until tomorrow when I post my weekly outfits.

Yes, I have definitely noticed the difference in quality at the AT outlets and regular stores. I don't think it always used to be that way - I remember years ago seeing regular AT merchandise (but in very small quantities) at some of the outlets. My local outlet mall just opened up a LOFT outlet not too long ago.

Our outlet is mixed - some stuff is obviously made for them but they get small lots of "regular" merch.
Even the specially made stuff is nice sometimes though - just watch for deals and markdowns.

As you all will notice there is no ATFactory outlet online. I believe the newer Loft outlets are the same deal...factory produced only for the outlets.

But you are so right Shiny fun to shop, and still find deals...your pin for instance!!

Kristen

(website)

I shop at AT Factory all the time; their curvy pants are a lot better and more plentiful than those at AT and ATL. They also have more turnover for tops, so I can go a couple of times a season and find new things. ATF was a lifesaver when I was heavier because it was one of the few nice stores I could go to and actually try on the size 18s. All the others I had to order online and take my chances.

Like most outlet stores, the merchandise is made for the outlet specifically; this is the same situation for Gap, Coach, Brooks Brothers, Banana Republic, and a host of others. I think ATF is probably closer in quality to ATL that the main AT, although I think it caters to an older crowd than ATL. The prices are always better, too. To me, it's just one more store to shop at, with an entirely different selection of colors, cuts and materials than either of the other AT brands. (We don't have an ATL Loft Factory outlet around here, or I would shop there too.)

I actually think the BR and the Couch outlets are miles lower in quality to the main stores, but ATF, Gap, and even J. Crew are not significantly different than their counterparts. IMO.

Good to know, Kristen. I've wondered about the difference in quality & merchandise. I haven't been up to the AT factory in years since it is very out of the way for me.

Why the heck has mainstream AT phased out their "curvy" cut of pants? They are SO darn hard to find and really fit me best! Next time I need a pair of jeans, maybe I'll try out the Ann Taylor Factory instead.

LisaP

I have a couple of floral pins (one is squined and beaded--all monochromatic, though). One "different" thing I like to do with them is wear one on my wrist as a bracelet. I just pin it onto a "nicer" crocheted ponytail holder in a coordinating shade. For example, one of my floral pins is a deep purple, and I pin it onto a medium brown crocheted ponytail holder (around 1/2 inch thickness). Sort of a modern wrist corsage!

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