A matching set may seem a little intimidating at first, but having coordinating pieces in your closet can in fact give you great versatility and unparalleled style. I’ve teamed up with Talbots to share with you three ways to wear one of their beautiful matching sets for spring. Right now through March 11, Talbots is having their Spring Style Event and you’ll get 25% off your entire purchase.
How to Shop Here: To shop the items I feature, just click on the words in the captions of photos, the highlighted words in my text or the images in the shopping widgets I sometimes include. When you shop through my links I potentially earn a commission on your purchases, but at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting my work here by shopping my links. Items that have been gifted to me by the associated brand are indicated with “c/o”.
I know many of my readers love shopping Talbots as much as I do for their modern classic style. And we all appreciate that they carry a wide range of sizes, as well as petite, plus, plus petite and misses fits. Be sure to join their Classic Awards program so that you can accumulate points toward bonuses for future purchases. And Talbots frequently offers early deals for Classic Awards members, too.
The Matching Set
In tomorrow’s YouTube video I’m sharing helpful tips for wearing prints this spring. It can be a little tricky to wear them and not look frumpy or older than you really are. But you can wear this beautiful matching set from Talbots with confidence. The ivory flowers on the black background look contemporary, elegant and balanced.
Watch for me to share this matching set again in tomorrow’s video. It’s a beautiful example of how to wear a print head to toe and look polished and sophisticated. The twill button front top and the wide leg pull on pants both fit true to size; I’m wearing my usual misses medium. The pieces are soft, flowy and very comfortable.
Style Tip: Be sure to tuck your top in a matching set like this for a little definition. Otherwise you risk looking like you are swimming in the print. These wide leg pull on pants feature an elasticized waistband in the back and a flat front with a pretty tie. So they make it easy to gently tuck the top.
Notice the wide leg pull on pants are long enough for me to wear with a heel. I’m 5’8″ and wearing the misses fit. But you’ll see I can also wear them with a flat sandal. I’ve accessorized with strappy heels from my closet, but these strappy suede sandals from Talbots would give you a similar look. They also come in black and gold.
Matching Set Deconstructed
Now let’s deconstruct that matching set for additional looks. This kind of versatility makes a matching set the perfect option for a spring getaway.
First I’ve topped the wide leg pull on pants with a black ribbed polo sweater for a sophisticated casual outfit. I’d wear this outfit for a day of shopping or touring.
The call the top a “sweater,” but the 72% Viscose, 28% Polyester blend fabric feels very soft and lightweight. I’m wearing the same ribbed polo in poppy pink as I write up this post, and it also comes in red pepper and white. You probably could wear any of those colors here for a different variation on this theme.
I’ve worn black vachetta leather sandals with this outfit, but you could swap in fashionable sneakers (like these at Talbots) for an even more casual look and all day comfort.
If there’s a chill, top the look with a jean jacket for a little contrast. I love the pairing of blue denim with black, but a white jacket would work here, too.
Here’s another way to deconstruct the matching set. This time I’ve worn the black and ivory print twill button front top with my ivory mid rise stovepipe jeans. I’d wear this outfit to brunch or lunch with friends.
I’ve accessorized the look with contemporary gold earrings.
The mid rise stovepipe jeans jean true to size, but the fit is a little loose. I’m wearing my usual misses 10. I have lost a little weight, but these ivory jeans definitely fit a little roomier than the same jeans in blue. That said, I actually like the looser fit for an ivory or white jean. These are a nice dense ivory denim, and they’re very comfortable.
For all three looks I’ve carried the bamboo handle woven leather tote. The quality of this bag is pretty amazing. It’s one of the most luxurious bags I’ve ever found at Talbots, one I’ll use for years. The bamboo handles add a nice point of interest without distracting from the elegance of these looks.
By the way, while these two pieces do create a matching set, they are sold separately. But that really just adds to their versatility. I encourage you to check out the other matching sets you can create with coordinating pieces from Talbots HERE. And remember, right now Talbots is having their Spring Style Event. You’ll get 25% off your entire purchase.
Shop the Post:
You can shop the look through the links in the copy above or through the shopping widget below. Sale prices are not always reflected in the widget, so click through to get pricing info. Remember, if you purchase anything through these links I potentially earn a commission, but at no cost to you. Thank you for shopping through Dressed for My Day. I am grateful!
Don’t Miss a Post:
If you like what you’re seeing here at Dressed for My Day, I invite you to subscribe to my email list. You can receive an email each time I post (about 6 times weekly) or just on Saturdays. You choose! But you’ll also receive the password to open up all the subscriber freebies I offer. You can subscribe HERE.
Blessed for My Day
Sometimes we search for satisfaction in all the wrong places. In our efforts to feel loved, secure, significant and purposeful, we run to people, activities, substances and rituals to fill our cups. But even if we find a little satisfaction in those places, they will never completely meet our needs. And they can also turn out to be dangerous traps that lead to addictions, co-dependencies and bad habits.
But there is One who can meet our every need in a healthy and truly fulfilling way. The Lord invites us to come to Him with our hungry souls so that He can give us that which will truly satisfy. If you’ve been frustrated because your relationships, achievements or work have not been as satisfying as you hoped, I’d like to suggest that you stop holding out your empty cup to those things. Run instead to your Heavenly Father who waits to meet your every need in a rich and satisfying way.
You there! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;
And you who have no money come, buy and eat.
Come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without cost.
Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And delight yourself in abundance. ~ Isaiah 55:1-2
I’d love to hear your thoughts. 😊
Great article and pertinent info as I’m trying to build a wardrobe where I use what I purchase in more than one way. I needed this clarity. thanks again!
Wonderful. Thanks for letting me know that it was helpful.
I always feel like I’m wearing pajamas when I attempt a matched set. This is a beautiful set, and I like how you have deconstructed it to make it more wearable. I so enjoy DFMD.
Your blog posts are always helpful in some manner. The detailed info you provide is one of the reasons I follow you. The Blessed for My Day is often just what my heart and mind need. It is waters for my thirsty soul.
I usually do not wear a print in pants – as I think it brings more attention to my backside than I want!
I love the matching set from Talbots. I am trying to buy less black though. Too much black in my past. Blue is my favorite color now. Wish the set was in another color.
Linda I too am trying to get away from black and I looked high and low at Nordstrom, Macy for blue set like this one. Anyone else have any luck?
Love this set and all the ways you’ve styled the pieces. I’m not really a fan at f the athletic sets that are everywhere but this “set” is more me. Great looks! 😍
Kay – This post is so timely and useful. I purchased a matched set on sale from Soft Surroundings a few years ago, but hadn’t been happy with the look. Your tip on ensuring waist definition was just what I needed to not look like I was swimming in the bold print. Although I can add a belt, I still prefer the deconstructed look to tone my set down. Now I may take it on my upcoming 4-day cruise in Puget Sound. Thank you Kay for your positive outlook and faith-based perspectives. And a belated Happy Birthday – mine was a few days later – the big 7-0.
I love matching sets, but don’t own one in a print yet. Reminds me back in the 90’s I had the cutest set with a little vest. You lokk adorable in this one!
I think the two pieces look nice together on you. I’m a pear shape and I don’t think it would work for me. I think the separates outfit would be better for my body type.
Hi Kay,
In the past, I have not been a huge fan of matching sets for myself, I like how you styled them in different ways. I need to reconsider this type of outfit!
I really liked the matching set on you, but I just don’t think that it would work for me. It’s just too much print and not my style.
You are so right about tucking the top in! I noticed another blogger who was illustrating the matching set concept, but didn’t tuck the top. I couldn’t find her waist, and the’fit just was overwhelming to her body. I so appreciate your well-thought advice!
This matching set looks good on you. Styling with the sandals and tucking the top keep it from looking like pajamas. The pieces worn separately are even better, especially the blouse. Print pants are always trickier to style for me. The bag is a great touch with the bamboo handle picking up the color of the sandals. It makes for a very classy outfit.
I love the idea of a matching set, and the print is lovely on you. I think I can still style a solid matching set with the tips you have shown. It’s just that my figure–a very very pear–looks best when a dark solid bottom allows the top half to “do the talking.”
Love this outfit and the versatility demonstrated. Great for traveling. Did you say what size you bought.
Thanks!
I have the medium.
Looks great with the denim jacket.
When I first viewed this matched set on the Talbots website, my reaction was a definite “No”. But you look classy in this outfit and I think I need to try it myself. I think the black background does give it a more elevated look.
I love the printed matching set! At first I thought it was a jumpsuit. But much more practical for bathroom trips this way! LOL
You look so classy and current. Your hair looks great that length with the bangs, I especially like the black and white matching set.
I really liked all the different looks you showed with this matching set. On you, wearing the top and the pants together looked great – but I felt like I was wearing a pair of pajamas. Did anyone else feel this way? I did buy the top and think it will be great for travel and summer.
Thanks for showing how to change up the look with a smaller wardrobe!
I’m so glad you showed this set. I’ve ordered it for myself. All 3 versions are great outfits. My closet contains black pants, white ankle jeans and a denim jacket. This matching set will be put to good use.
I love matching sets, but patterned sets like the one shown remind me of pj’s ! I really do like the pieces paired with solid colors. Just my preference..
It’s amazing how differently this outfit looks when the top is tucked in, emphasizing the waist! Using the separate pieces with other items extends the wearability.
Talbots is now my favorite store to shop at since Christopher and Banks is no longer at our mall. I prefer to try on items before I buy them. This is my favorite set that is featured in the new catalog. I just might snag it if I can get there before the 25% off sale ends.
Cute and so versatile! Thank you for showing all the possibilities
I love the idea of multiple uses and outfits.