What do you think of Talbots? - YouLookFab Forum

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What do you think of Talbots?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I'm wondering if you have any knowledge as to the quality and fit of the petite clothing line at Talbots? In looking at their website, their clothes appeal to me 'cause I'm 48 so feel the clothes are "age appropriate" (good grief, I hate that expression!) but also because I've discovered my individual sytle is 80% classic with 20% funky. I like to wear primarily classic clothes but love throwing in an unexpected twist to shake it up a bit.

Shopping

17 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

I do not know about the petite fit but I think from what I have seen, the quality is quite nice. The clothes are sized rather large. I have a hard time finding smaller sizes. I think Talbots has gotten much more stylish lately. I love some of their dress, jacket and coat styles.

MsMary

Veteran

The quality if just fab. I am a petite and love their separates, especially the bottoms. I am constantly frustrated by their dresses, though, because they are cut for pretty pears and I am an inverted triangle. Also, any given garment may or may not be consistent with the sizing chart on the website. But somebody posted recently that you can call customer service and they will tell you the measurements of any specific garment you are interested in, which is awesome.

I love their accessories, too, although they are darned expensive when not on sale.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

MaryK - since I'm a size smaller on top than on the bottom, do you think the dresses would work for me?

Kate

Veteran

They are sized large, the quality seems to be quite good (they have knit shirts that are more substantial than a lot of the other options out there) and they have gotten more fashionable lately. I get a lot of weird looks from the 50+ crowd when I'm in there (and asked if I'm shopping for my mother), but they have some classic pieces that will look good on anyone regardless of their age.

Barbara

Veteran

Talbot's clothing is definitely classic and excellent quality; buy on sale whenever possible. Anything from Talbot's can be easily 'funkified' with your own accessories and styling approach!

sarah

Veteran

The quality is good, and I've found that their petites fit me really well (I'm 5'1"). I mostly buy their jackets and coats - I wear a 4P in their sizes which is the same size I wear in Gap or BR or AT, although sometimes Gap runs larger, I think. Their tops (e.g., tees) are a bit short for me, and in the past I've bought a lot of their pants, too, although not this season. They are definitely "classic", but I've found you can "funkify" them a bit. In fact, I'm wearing a Talbots jacket today. They have great sales - their stuff goes on sale pretty rapidly, so I've made it a habit to peruse their sales rack when I'm at the Mall.

MsMary

Veteran

Shannon, yes! If you are smaller on top than on the bottom, Talbots dresses will be great for you!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

So if I buy some classic pieces and add my own chunky jewellry and a fairly bold handbag, promise me I won't look like a grandma???

Stephanie

Veteran

Sounds like a good recipe if the clothes fit you well, Shannon!

catgirl

Veteran

I think Talbots has amped up their style recently and is not the Main Line/Junior League style it was in the past. The quality is great.

OT, MaryK, I didn't realize you were also an IT. Doesn't it seem that most dresses are cut for pear or hourglass shape?

MsMary

Veteran

Yes! Drives. me. nuts. I have to size up a size or two or three to get dresses to fit on top, and then more often than not they're too big in the hips. Ugh!!

Jonesy

Veteran

Agree with everyone else: their clothes are nice quality, they have really amped up the stylishness lately (though some stores still seem a bit dowdy, especially vs. their website and their lookbooks, IMHO), and their dresses tend to be cut for pears rather than ITs (waves to MaryK and Una).

Beth

Veteran

The quality is quite good, and their sales are usually very good also.

Their style quotient has definitely improved over the last few seasons, but like Jonesy, I've found that the stores are lagging behind the lookbooks. That, and the fact that the cut of most of their items is still very boxy has kept me from doing any real shopping there.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Shannon --

FYI, Deja Pseu of Une femme d'un certain age is a petite (IIRC 5'1), over 50 blogger who features a lot of Talbots items. If she's not reviewing a piece herself her comments will often have someone weighing in on fit/quality.

Pseu is always refining her style, so it's fun to see her (self-defined) classic-with-a-twist outfits (for work and weekend).

http://unefemme.net

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

What Beth said.

I have a Talbot's sweater that I have only worn once, it may become an orphan. It is just too boxy for my taste and does not flatter my figure.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Thanks for all the comments everyone - being new to YLF, I'm overwhelmed with how helpful and insightful everyone is! I've definitely noticed that their web site has more stylish pieces than actually in store so I think it would make sense to try on items in the store to confirm my size (top and bottom) and to see how I generally like the fit (whether too boxy or not) and then shop on line.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The ladies are spot on and welcome to the forum!