From a fashion buying background, this is all SO interesting.

I occasionally shop with clients in Talbots, and when we do - we do very well. Their petites section is really good and the fit is accesptional for my curvy petite ladies. We mix up Talbots stuff with more modern items and it works like a charm. Look at how well Sarah on the forum does this!!

I would not ignore Talbots if you liked them in the past. Each season a retailer has a chance to renew itself because buyers and merchandise managers change - which is always reflected in the assortment

And Dana cracks me up.

I looked over the new catalog last night. I agree with April that it is very uninspiring and a step backwards for the brand. I had very much liked the more modern and trendy direction (reflected in that link to 2010) of their classics and had become a new and happy customer. I am disappointed both in their return back to a more staid, safe, classic style and also to think of this brand/company not being solvent in the future.

Angie, thanks for reminding us that each new season can also bring around another positive renewal for a retailer. I won't write them off.

I have regularly shopped at Talbots for a long time because of their petite selection; however, at my last visit, nothing I tried on seemed to fit right. I placed a large order online at the beginning of this season, & returned everything.

I'm glad to read what Angie posted & know that I don't have to give up hope regarding them. BTW, their corporate customer service is outstanding!

It is too bad! Just when I thought there was hope for them to have some decent stuff!

I find that their stuff runs too pear-shaped for me in general, though.

still laughing Ironkurtin.... the solution one company here in aust did to deal with the traditional and new customer was to create 2 'brands' so that the style we liked from my era are cut a little more accommodating for rounding and softening out. Does anyone else have the issue that as soon as companies do this they lose shape? Sure I have the tummy from the round side of town now, but doesnt mean I need to live in a sack, have sloping shoulders in my shirts etc etc... the shapes just go totally nowhere... sigh...

So the stores that cater to aging Baby Boomers -- and their bodies! -- are running into problems. This does not bode well for my fat arms and sagging boobs.

I have always found Talbot's as a hit or miss place to shop. Although, I am pretty much that way with every store. I hate shopping and before the internet was a strict calalog shopper. I ordered shoes from Talbot's from their catalogs then because they had narrows.When the internet started, I switched from the catalog. Their clothing has always screamed 'old lady' to me. As far a J. Jill, goes, I loved their clothing prior to the Talbot's purchase. I have not purchased anything since.

Well I thought it was just me! I LOVED their stuff from a the past few seasons, but I was looking online last night and I kept thinking "if this is what it looks like on their model, it's going to look simply AWFUL on me!!"

I'm bummed. I'm about to turn 40 and favour a classic look, but I find it hard to find things that are not-too-young and not-too-old. Talbots 2010 collections were perfect!

I don't know. I have gotten rave reviews on some of my WiWs where 90% of what I had on was from Talbots (I never buy their shoes as they are not comfortable to me).

But then I am very curvy, and they seem to cut for this.

J.Crew looks awful on me, but they cut for a slim rectangle.

I haven't been interested in anything in Talbots for the past two years, and I used to be pretty regular there.

That said, my mom was a Talbots customer if there ever was one, and she hasn't liked it either. So if they are trying to go back to their former fan base, they are failing at that also.

Talbot's quality has fallen off dramatically. I buy for quality and I stopped buying there over a year ago.

I also want to add how their constant sales infuriated me. I would buy an item thinking I got a great deal and then find out that it was 30 percent cheaper just two days later. It got so that I absolutely hated buying anything there because I knew the frustration I would feel when it was even more on sale a few days later. I admit their sales staff always made up the difference, but why should I have to keep dropping in their store every few days just to see what their sales were.

One last comment. I am tall and I frequently check out items in a store and then buy "talls" online. I was in their store over a year ago looking at their white jeans. I was checking to see how sheer the fabric was and if I liked it or not. A sales clerk came up to me and asked if she could help me. I was rude. All I said was that I was looking at the fabric. She sneered at me and said "I would have to just get over it if I didn't like the sheerness." I was flabbergast and I decided that I didn't have to get over anything. I would buy my white jeans from another merchandiser. Haven't been back since.