Happy weekend! I purchased several things from Talbots and Ann Taylor this week, and I had them expedited to me so I could share them with you. Right now at Talbots you can get 25% off sitewide. Ann Taylor is only offering 40% off select fall pants and jackets right now, but I got 40% off everything earlier in the week. So watch for future sales.
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It’s been a while since I’ve done a real try-on session post like this one, so let’s review a few basics.
Size Information
I’m 5’8 and running around 160 pounds these days. I generally wear 10s right now and generally an 8 in Talbots jeans and coats. My shape is hourglass and my proportions are even. I’m 59 years old and my driver’s license number is… Oh, no, I can stop there. Ha!
Keep in mind that these photos were taken in my hallway after a long, hard day. The hair is a mess and makeup was fading. Just buying myself a little grace. Hehehe!
Let’s get started!
cotton button-front shirt in fascinating floral + straight leg jeans in Florence wash
I love that Talbots’ button-up shirts have gotten a little lighter and a little roomier in the upper arms. Ahem. This cotton button-front shirt in fascinating floral fits so nicely true to size. I’m wearing a medium. I love the colors in this particular shirt. You’ll see why in a minute.
Like I said, these photos were taken just after I got home from shopping yesterday. I purchased this in the store and brought it home and put it on to show you. Obviously it needs to be ironed, but it’s a lovely shirt.
I’m wearing the straight leg jeans in Florence wash in a size 8, so I’d say they run true to size. I tried a 10, but the one they had in the store was miss-sized; it was actually much smaller than the 8. I love that these dark blue jeans have navy stitching, so they have a little dressier look than the others. Obviously they are a slim straight leg silhouette, but they do have more relaxed leg styles, too. I liked the high waist relaxed jeans in Huron wash and they fit true to size, too. But I was looking for something with minimal fading and distressing, so I opted for these.
cable knit zip collar sweater in green fern
Here’s one of the reasons I love the colors in the print shirt. It works beautifully with this cable knit zip collar sweater in green fern. Definitely SIZE DOWN in this very stretchy cable knit zip collar sweater. It’s also quite lightweight, but still very warm.
The cable knit zip collar sweater it is a very loose weave, so keep that in mind. At first I was put off by that, but then I decided it might be a good thing. It’s 68% Acrylic, 17% Nylon, 12% Polyester, 3% Spandex, so a good option if you have sensitivities to wool or cashmere.
That’s just another photo of the same outfit above, but I wanted to point out the Tish Chelsea boots in cognac. These are from a few years ago, but they have the Tish Chelsea boots in cognac again this year, as well as the black. This year they do have a higher shaft, but I think that’s a good thing. They’ll work with more jean lengths really nicely. Mine run true to size, but I haven’t tried on this year’s version. I LOVE my Tish Chelsea boots and wear them frequently in fall through winter.
I couldn’t resist getting the cable knit zip collar sweater in teal ocean as well because it also works nicely with the cotton button-front shirt in fascinating floral. Originally I’d received this sweater in the cranberry red, but I’d gotten the medium and definitely had to return it. Not only was it too roomy, but it was very long on me, too. Anyhow, they didn’t have the cranberry red in the store. It is a stunning color, however, so I may reorder. I just don’t know about having three of the same sweaters. Hmm.
I wanted you to see the cable knit zip collar sweater styled without a shirt underneath, too. So while it is a loose weave, the cable knit zip collar sweater does work fine without a shirt below.
And here it is in teal ocean up close with the cotton button-front shirt in fascinating floral underneath. I love how the two combine.
Alright, let’s move beyond this one sweater. Oh, but I do want to mention that the sweater comes in other great colors, and the harvest pumpkin orange was stunning.
boucle cardigan in dark walnut (TTS)
Next I’m wearing the boucle cardigan in dark walnut over the same straight leg jeans. I like this cardigan so much more than I expected to.
The boucle cardigan is a nice weight, quite stretchy, but still holds its form nicely. It can be worn alone (maybe with a tank underneath?) or over other things. I was a little surprised that it has such substantial shoulder pads, but it turns out that they really help the sweater look a little more feminine in my estimation. They build up the shoulders a bit so it’s not so boxy and the waist looks smaller.
I received the Laura tassel loafers in burnished leather in a collaboration last month. Once I sized up 1/2 size they fit really nicely and comfortably.
ribbed mockneck sweater in dark walnut // quilted barn jacket in spectacular animal
Unfortunately this is the only photo I have of the quilted barn jacket in spectacular animal for some reason. I hadn’t originally ordered it, but fell in love with it in the store. I think it will look so nice with black, brown or even red tops and sweaters. It would also look great with orange, but I don’t wear that color.
Sorry for the price tag there. Ha! The quilted barn jacket fits true to size, and I like that it zips and snaps. It also has functional side slit pockets on the vertical, which I really love. Nice weight, too.
ribbed mockneck sweater in dark walnut // stretch corduroy straight leg pants in almond buff
Next I’m showing the ribbed mockneck sweater in dark walnut (worn above under the jacket) with the stretch corduroy straight leg pants in almond buff. The sweater fits true to size, comes in five other shades and is 55% Cotton, 25% Lenzing ™ Ecovero ™ Viscose, 15% Nylon, 5% Merino Wool. I don’t generally wear really long sweaters, but I think this one works okay for me. All the ribbing and detailing helps keep it from looking like a big sack on me. I love the color and it feels really nice.
I love the almond buff color of these stretch corduroy straight leg pants. I’ve been a fan of Talbots’ stretch corduroy straight leg pants for years and I’ve had lots of them. But it seems like they never have gotten “camel” quite right in my opinion. Actually the store manager agreed with me that in the past their “camel” shades have been hard to coordinate with. But this one is perfection. It’s a true neutral camel without any orange undertones. They fit me very comfortably in a size 10, which is what I usually get in Talbots’ cords.
classic shetland blazer in berry
I really love the classic shetland blazer in berry. It does come in a nice camel, too, which would make a great classic addition to any closet. But this berry color is just lovely. I wish they had more pieces in their collection in this shade, but this seems to be it. And I especially wish they had a top of some kind to wear under it (besides the smocked popover they show with it; I can’t wear their popovers). So for now I’m showing it with my Frank & Eileen Joedy boyfriend button-up shirt.
I do frequently wear a size in 8 in jackets at Talbots, and that’s what I’m wearing in this one. Sometimes, because I have wide shoulders and thick arms, I wear a 10 in blazers. But I generally do wear an 8 at Talbots and at Veronica Beard. So maybe go with the smaller of two sizes if you waffle back and forth like I do.
I doubt I’ll wear it buttoned up like this, but I wanted you to see the classic shetland blazer fully buttoned, just so you’d know. And below I’m standing so that you can get a good look at the jacket head-on.
The classic shetland blazer is available in misses, petite, plus and plus petite sizing in both color options. Nice. Next we’re going to start transitioning into some Ann Taylor clothes as I share the classic shetland blazer with a tie neck cap sleeve top in pink dust.
tie neck cap sleeve top in pink dust // classic shetland blazer in berry
Unfortunately I didn’t think to take a photo of the tie neck cap sleeve top alone, but you can check it out on the website. Just like the title implies, it has a small cap sleeve and it is fully lined. I think this pink dust color works nicely with the berry blazer.
Lana slim pant in faux suede pure chocolate // ribbed crew neck cardigan in pink dust
I had high hopes for these Lana slim pants in faux suede. The pure chocolate shade is truly lovely and so on trend. But I usually wear a curvy fit in Ann Taylor’s Lana slim pant, and they don’t offer this one in those sizes. The Lana slim pant fits in my usual 10, but they are not as roomy in the hip and thigh as I’d like. So I’ll return these, but I can highly recommend them. They have a nice stretch and can be so versatile.
The ribbed crew neck cardigan in pink dust is a beautiful sweater, but it is thicker than I’d hoped for. Because it’s 76% Polyester, 22% Nylon, 2% Spandex it has some nice stretch, but it’s also quite hefty and a little boxy for my taste. If you are cold natured or live somewhere that it gets really cold (or in you office, say), this could be a great addition to your wardrobe. But it’s just a little too warm for me.
The mini-houndstooth kitten heel slingback pumps I’m wearing above are also new from Ann Taylor. They are beautiful and the slingback kitten heel is so on trend. Alas, they run tight on my foot. I debated on whether that is simply because my right foot is a little swollen, but I don’t think that’s the reason. Both shoes feel uncomfortably tight. So definitely size up.
turtleneck elbow sleeve sweater tee // quilted suede jacket in dark chocolate
I had ordered this turtleneck elbow sleeve sweater tee thinking it would work nicely under blazers for fall. Unfortunately it is too close to my skin tone. The color does absolutely nothing for me, at least nothing positive. Ha! And the sleeves are definitely snugger on me than they are on the model. Well, nothing unusual about that!
But the turtleneck elbow sleeve sweater tee does come in other nice colors and neutrals, so I wanted you to see it and know about it. And, for lack of anything else to wear with it at the moment, I put it on under the Talbots quilted suede jacket in dark chocolate below.
This quilted suede jacket in dark chocolate is just as pretty as I hoped it might be. It’s a rich, chocolate suede and features elevated dome snaps up the front. The fit is nice true to size; I’m wearing a medium. The sleeves are a little long, but I think they look modern rolled up once or you could probably have them altered from the shoulder.
However, it is very pricey, even at 25% off. So I would only keep it if I thought it would be a jacket I’d enjoy for the rest of my life and would work really well in my wardrobe. I’m not sure I can say that with certainty, so right now it is in the bag for returns. Of course the photo above does not look great at all because I HATE that camel top on me. But with a rich red underneath? Or maybe even a nice turquoise? I don’t know.
geo stitch sweater jacket in rose magenta
And my final item is this geo stitch sweater jacket from Ann Taylor. This sweater is 52% Cotton, 35% Acrylic, 11% Polyester, 2% Other Fiber, so it has some stretch but feels like cotton. It’s a nice weight, fairly thick. I didn’t have time to try it with something under it and unbuttoned.
I’m wearing a medium and it fits nicely. I think it’s a pretty pop of color. But I’m not sure if I’m keeping it or not.
Well, that’s what I purchased from Ann Taylor and Talbots. Unfortunately most of the Ann Taylor order is going back. I did order these beautiful leather boots in light almond, but the shaft is too narrow for me. I have thick calves. And this flare sleeve mock neck sweater in pure chocolate is still on the way here.
Oh, and at Talbots I also got in this wool blend coat, but decided the colors in the campfire plaid don’t work with my wardrobe. It’s a luxurious coat, however. And I got these socks and these in dark walnut. I’m looking forward to styling those.
Let me know if you have any questions. Have a great weekend!
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Blessed for My Day
We cannot expect everyone to understand the faith we have in God. There are going to be times in life when we know we can move forward…or not…based on our trust in the Lord. We will know in our spirits that He has instructed and He will provide. We will see assurance in God’s Word that He can be trusted in this particular area of life. And we will receive confirmation from Him that He will be with us as we obey and trust Him. BUT others will doubt our convictions.
Do not be dismayed when those who do not have faith in God challenge yours. Do not let them cause your own faith to waver. Stand firm. Run back to the promises you have in His Word. Surround yourself with other people of faith. And cling to Him in trust.
And Rabshakeh said to them, “Say now to Hezekiah, ‘This is what the great king, the king of Assyria says: “What is this confidence that you have? ~ Isaiah 36:4
Hi Kay, sorry for the duplicate message, not sure if my first comment went through.
I truly like the outfits from Talbots, colors and style looks fabulous on you. Just my opinion, but,
I feel Talbots gives a more sophisticated look.
Have a nice weekend and I look forward to your YouTube wednesdays🥰
Thanks for the photos, Kay, I never know what to do with a shirt collar when I add a blazer. Yours looks great tucked inside the blazer collar.
Hahaha! Me, too! But I felt like this worked. 😊
So glad to hear you didn’t fracture your ankle. I twisted my ankle going to a funeral August 12 thinking I had just twisted it, In 3 days later I was into the foot doctor. I have a Fibular Evolution fracture. Ended up in a boot for 4 weeks and last week he put on a ankle brace And that is for 3 weeks total. I hope that will be it and everything will be Good. Liked your try on session, you showing how they all look with the jeans. Didn’t see anything I had to have or needed. This is good, since I’ve already bought some pieces for fall
Loved your Talbots try on! I’m not close to a store, so it’s extremely helpful to see the clothing modeled and especially get feedback.
I’m crossing my fingers that there will be a bigger discount before the quilted barn jacket in spectacular animal sells out. That coat looks gorgeous on you! Can you tell me if there is a difference in how the slim ankle jeans fit compared to the straight leg jeans?
Based on the online reviews I would have passed on the cable knit zip collar sweater; but after seeing you modeling it I’m adding it to my cart.
I wear the same size in both of those jean silhouettes. The ankle jeans are just a little tapered at the ankle and of course end at the ankle. Otherwise they fit similarly. I’ll have to check those reviews on the sweater. Initially I would have left a negative review, but once I got the right size I really like the sweaters.
You must be exhausted after all these try ones. Fun for us to see tho. My question is about the camel sweater you didn’t like. Would you have liked a lighter camel or darker? Neutrals can be tricky.
For me it probably should be a little darker. Or maybe just not have the yellow undertones this one had. It’s a pretty top and would work well for a lot of women I’m sure. It just turned out it didn’t look good on me at all.
Loved he Talbots clothing. Talbots is my place to go for fit and quality!
Lovely outfits Kay!
Are shirt jackets still trending?
Indeed they do seem to be. But I’ve decided I won’t be wearing them. I’ve tried several times now. And I love the idea and how they look on others. But, surprisingly, they just feel too masculine on me. I say that’s odd because I like other menswear inspired pieces, but I just don’t feel very womanly in those at all. And I really think it’s more of a feeling than they way I actually look in them, too.
I think you had that same color jacket in corduroy -like the shetland one a few years ago.
It was very similar, a little darker almost wine. But yes I did. ❤️
Loved your Talbots and Ann Taylor try on . Those Florence jeans are beautiful , and that fascinating floral blouse how beautiful and you are so spot on it goes equally beautifully with the green half zip sweater as it does with the ocean blue. Both those sweaters look gorgeous worn alone too . Your cognac Chelsea Boots gorgeous ❤️. You really suit that walnut boucle cardigan it looks quite Chanel on you . Your cherry blazer that colour really ‘Pops’ on you Kay . The Pink Dust and Chocolate suede pants combo are gorgeous , its just a shame like you say the cardigan is a little boxy , but you so suit that colour combination , and those checked sling back kitten heels sooooo gorgeous ❤️And yes you suit that ‘pop’ of colour of the rose magenta .
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts. I’m definitely liking the colors of the season.
This post was interesting to me from a color perspective as well as content. How all these widely varying colors interacted with your coloring was fascinating. IMHO the blue half zip sweater and blouse complemented your light hair and bright eyes perfectly. Also liked the green sweater with blouse, berry jacket with white shirt and even the bright pink sweater on you. Enjoyed the variety of outfits! There was certainly something for everyone!
Lovely! Yeah I had originally decided I would limit my fall/winter color palette to blue, red and pink, and not wear green this year. But now I’ve decided to welcome the green. I have green eyes, after all, so it makes sense.
The teal shirt and coordinating zip sweater are fabulous. I wanted to thank you so much for sharing your presentation and educating us on the 2 plus 2 style of dressing. I have used that combination a few times, and it definitely works to make my outfit much more current. It seems to be the ideal formula to both enjoy new trends and yet feel comfortable in wearing my classic pieces.
Exactly. Thanks for letting me know that you’re enjoying using that formula. I really appreciate the feedback. 🥰
You went to a lot of effort, thank you! You mentioned one of the outfits being too warm. It’s likely that it’s the materials used. There are no natural fabrics and the synthetics do not breathe.
Unfortunately, even many natural garments are lined with polyester.
I want to give a recommendation for the black faux leather A-line skirt from Talbots. I’m 67 and wear an 8 and this skirt is adorable. It is a good quality, a beautiful fit, and a great price point. At 5’8”, it sits right above my knee, which is where I wanted it. I’ll pair it with black tights and boots. I bought the cream sweater it is shown with.
Thanks so much, Christine. I know you’ll enjoy it! Sounds great.
I enjoyed your try-on haul, especially from Talbot’s. I’ve been shopping from them for over thirty years and have really been pleased with their quality. I have some items I’ve had nearly all that time, and when my grandmother passed away, I inherited some of her clothes from Talbot’s. I thought those denim jeans were very flattering on you. I’ll have to check those out for myself. They have so many things I’m loving for fall!
My 27 year old daughter told me cardigans are out of style-except for the really long ones. Is this just for her age group? Is she wrong?
Loved BFMD
Thanks!
I think it’s just a little misinformation. I’m seeing a lot of cardigans from very up-to-date and fashion forward brands. I think the key is knowing how to style them. Instead of wearing something fussy or printed underneath, maybe opt for just a classic solid tee with a modern neckline. I’ll share more about how to style them soon.
I love these outfits and didn’t think I would Ever Like the Leaf green half zip sweater until you styled it with the blue shirt-/ really really cute. I have a dark denim shirt which will give me a similar look. The teal is wonderful too. Now I love the Lady jackets, but mature women should Never wear the 4 pocket style, especially with top pockets, with flaps and buttons. It let’s like nipples and creates a larger looking breast area.
My biggest problem is shoes. I can’t wear any shoes without rubber soles, I am recovering from a knee replacement and my legs are not strong enough ever to wear kitten heels. It is sad, but perhaps it is temporary. I love your blogs and your style coincides with my own. Thank you, it is hard work.