Happy Friday! It is indeed the day I normally share my own daily outfits. But I haven’t gotten out much this week, and I’ve pretty much been wearing my loungewear and simple jeans outfits you’ve seen time and again. So I got out to the mall yesterday and did a pretty thorough try-on session at Ann Taylor. They’ve got some good deals going on right now, and they have some beautiful new arrivals, perfect for transitioning into spring…if you’re so lucky!
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”.
They didn’t have any signage yesterday in my Ann Taylor indicating which pieces were included in their “40% off full price items” and which weren’t. While they are including New Arrivals in that offer, the Preview items are exempted. And wouldn’t you know it? I tried on a lot of the Preview items. And then other items are just 25% off instead of the 40%. Pretty confusing! I’ll do my best to let you know the situation of each item as we go through the try-on.
Just so you’ll know: I’m 5’8″ and about 160 pounds. I have an hourglass shape and even proportions. I generally wear a size 10 misses or a medium, and that’s what I’m wearing in all of these photos. I wore my Valentina sneakers to the mall ( so I could get in a walk while I was there!) and carried along my neutral colored loafers and slingback pumps.
The Ann Taylor Try-On Session
Right now at Ann Taylor you’ll get an extra 60% off in their annual sale. They’re also offering 40% off full-price items, but there are exclusions. Some items are marked 25% off. And they have Preview items that are not discounted at all. Of course my eye was drawn to the Previews. Ha!
The relaxed sweater shown above is a cotton and polyester blend. I think the color is much prettier in person than on their website. It would make a great staple piece in your winter/spring transitional wardrobe. I love this trouser jean for a truly modern vibe. It fits so nicely and has a good high waistline. Keep in mind I’m 5’8″ and am wearing sneakers with about a 1 1/2″ platform. They’re a soft denim with a nice drape.
Below I’m wearing a cashmere ribbed turtleneck sweater in camel. It’s a close fitting sweater, but not tight. From the photo on the website I can see that it is indeed supposed to be a close fit. I found it comfortable, but definitely more streamlined than my other cashmere sweaters. It’s also a thicker, more substantial cashmere than most of mine. For pairing with wide-leg trousers, this is a great choice. It also comes in other colors and the prices are different depending on the shade. Also, this camel color is marked final sale, but the price is great.
The seamed barrel ankle pants shown above are one of my favorite things that I tried on. They fit beautifully true to size and feel so good. They have a slight barrel shape, which was hard to show well in a photo. The barrel silhouette is VERY in style this year, and I’m here for it. I think it actually gives a very flattering shape, especially if paired with a close fitting top and worn with shoes that expose some ankle.
The floral slip skirt is a nice slip skirt with a wider width than many. It has an elasticized flat waistband and fits nicely true to size. It does have a burgundy background that doesn’t really show up in the photos.
The colorblock wide-leg jeans below are a fun choice. Combining denims like this is very on trend. They fit true to size, but they’re not especially long. I’m wearing them with my flats, so I couldn’t wear any kind of heel with them. They’re 25% off.
I always try to try on a variety of things for these posts so you can see how different silhouettes from the store fit. I thought this toile blouson popover was a fun option that you could dress up or down. It is a soft, thin fabric, so I’d probably wear a cami underneath. It’s 25% off.
At Ann Taylor they had the colorblock wide-leg jeans hanging with this striped denim sweater jacket, so I decided to try them on that way. I do think it creates a nice denim on denim look. But there are other ways you could style this unique striped denim sweater jacket. It’s a super soft cotton/polyester blend, and a very unique, fun piece to work with.
Below I’m wearing the ivory trouser jean. It’s a really nice option if you’re looking for a white jean that isn’t true white. Such a nice item to have for spring. It’s 40% off.
I loved the striped Henley top above. It fits nicely true to size and feels very light on the skin. It’s a Preview item, so it’s not marked down. But it’s a decent price. I think this tee would look great under a denim jacket or with true white as well as blue denim, too. And it actually looked really good with the camel colored wide leg pant shown below, too.
The wide leg pant is on sale and you get an extra 60% off. They’ve already marked the price with the discount. It is very comfortable for a sporty vibe. It does come in other colors, too.
Stripes are set to be all the rage again this spring and summer. So I plan on filling my wardrobe with several at least. This striped sweater tee is a very nice option. You can dress it up or down, and I like the softly fitted waistband. It’s a cotton/polyester blend. I’ve also shown the striped sweater tee with the quilted bomber jacket. It is an oversized fit for a very casual vibe. But quilted jackets like this are very in style right now, and it’s a great basic.
Above I’m wearing a striped textured sweater jacket with those same seamed barrel ankle pants, but this time in toasted oat. (I’m definitely buying one of these pairs of seamed barrel ankle pants; I just don’t know which of the four colors I’ll get.) You could definitely dress this striped textured sweater jacket up more with dressier slacks or a skirt. and it would work nicely with jeans, too. I’m definitely thinking about purchasing this striped textured sweater jacket, too.
The striped oversized shirt, shown above under the bomber jacket and below without, is a great option for a button-up with a little personality. Yes, it’s oversized, but not extremely.
So that’s a wrap! It always feels like I’m trying on SO MANY CLOTHES. In fact, the fitting room was crammed full. But when I load up these blog posts it looks like I don’t have nearly enough to share with you. Ha! But let’s just wrap it up by saying that everything I tried on did fit true to size. And I’ve noticed that Ann Taylor, which has lately been focused almost exclusively on dressier, career clothes, has returned to offering more casual clothes, too. Check out their Weekend Collection for beautiful, elevated casual clothes. That’s what most of these items were from. And they do have some good deals available among those items.
Let me know if you have any questions. Have a great day!
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
Have you ever sat with some friends or family members and complained about “all the things?” Ha! I know I have. We’ve talked round and round the subject at hand and shared our disdain and contrary opinions. We’ve found comfort and even been energized by our common criticism of the topic. For a little while, at least.
But I’ve noticed that, while collective complaining may feel satisfying for a spell, eventually the sour tone of our conversation begins to feel more disgusting than delightful. There’s a good reason for that. God calls us to be a people who are different from the world, blameless and innocent of worldly chatter. And one of those differences is that we are not to be complainers, grumblers. When we choose to turn the conversation back to more pleasant topics instead of participating in criticism and complaining, we are like a light, reflecting the glory of God. And more often than not, we can help others avoid that sour feeling that comes after a complaint session, too.
Do all things without complaining or arguments; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding firmly the word of life, so that on the day of Christ I can take pride because I did not run in vain nor labor in vain. ~ Philippians 2:14-16
I haven’t shopped at Ann Taylor in several years. I am glad that they are having more casual clothes now! Looks like I need to shop there again. Thanks!
The barrel pants look nice on you Kay, but for someone my height 5’1 115lbs I just look like a barrel. Since I am petite I would love for you to address that subject sometimes. Keep up the good work that you do to help us ladies!
Hi Julie and I agree. I love following Kay, admire her hard work and try to soak in all her knowledge. I am also petite and follow Style With Serena who is petite which helps me at least try pieces I thought I could never look good in!
I do think the barrel Jean or pant is a little difficult for a petite to wear. One of the keys is that they really need to show some ankle. I’ve heard stylists who are petites say they struggle with them.
What a great Blessed for My Day. Definitely gives me some food for thought. Great try on session also. Makes me want an office job! I am a nurse so I am in scrubs or probably what you consider very casual clothing. Here in Colorado my life is casual and outdoorsy. But I enjoy reading and looking at your outfits. You have an excellent blog and YouTube channel. Thanks for your work! I especially like the striped sweaters.
A very well-spoken “Blessed for my Day”!! I’d never processed this in my own mind, but reading what you wrote, I realized how often I have experienced this very thing! And you’re right… you come away with that feeling of “disgust” instead of “delight”! But I had never fully processed the “why” of all that!! Thank you for your helpful insights!! To know….. is to avoid and/or correct!!!
Such a good reminder in your Blessed for my Day. I’ve been fighting a virus since Dec. 31 st and been discouraged and been complaining too much for sure. I had thought of this verse a few days ago and guess I needed it again. lol
You found some nice items on your shopping trip. Could you share what you brought home?
Hi Kathy, I’m sorry you’ve not been well. I hope you feel much improved soon. I didn’t buy anything yesterday because I needed to make it quick. But I’m going to order the cropped length barrel pants, just not sure which color. I love those. And I’ll also order that striped cardigan for sure. The cashmere sweater is tempting because it’s such a nice substantial weight and a great price.
I love all the things you showed us today. You look so stylish and modern in all of them. So pretty! Thank you for a great post!
You looked terrific in everything today1 I love how you put everything together, too. It looks like I need to give Ann Taylor another try. I haven’t shopped there since I retired and didn’t realize how many casual items they now carry.
Enjoyed seeing these different outfit combinations. I bet the ladie’s jacket, has denim, will go fast.
I used to be a big complainer until I got into the scriptures and came to the verse above. You’re so right. Now if I listen to complaining it can drain me. I like the first outfit and all the stripe sweaters. I can’t get into barrel pants or jeans. I used to shop a lot at Ann Taylor factory when I worked in an office. The clothes now seem too career oriented. That’s why I like the sister store Loft for more casual clothes. Maybe I will check out Ann Taylor for casual clothes this spring.
Hi Kay
I really enjoy your informative posts and ideas.
This comment is nothing to do with clothes but what you said about taking Christmas decorations down!
In the UK it is considered unlucky to have your decorations still on display after 12th night so everyone takes theirs down by the 5th of January. I didn’t realise this wasn’t done worldwide until I read your post! Keep up the good work. Jane
I usually have them down before now and I think most other people do too.
I really liked the stiped textured sweater jacket with the tan in it. Would look nice with my Southhampton pants in the tan color from last year. Would like to see you model it with 2 or 3 outfits. Thanks