Ann Taylor Spring Try-On: Easy Pieces That Look Polished but Not Fussy
We’ve been talking lately about finding spring styles that don’t rely on exuberant flounces or puffed sleeves, so I popped into Ann Taylor for a try-on to see what they have in store. It’s a relief to see they aren’t going overboard this season.
While I prefer a cleaner look, I know my readers lean into a variety of styles. Regardless of your preference, it’s refreshing to see a collection that isn’t trying to swallow us whole with its volume. I generally stick to their weekend line for my casual lifestyle, but I often find some great pieces in the career-oriented section too.
Ann Taylor carries most things in sizes XXS-XXL. The petite section at my local store was too small to stock much, so please ignore the fit proportions in these photos…I’m working with what was on the rack, not the perfect hemline. I am 5’4″ with broad shoulders and very few curves. You can see my other try-ons here.
This Ann Cardigan is an Anne Taylor staple they’ve been carrying for years. It has a relaxed fit, but fits nicely in the correct size. It comes in twelve colors this season, and I’m wearing Rose Veil. I’m wearing it over a square-neck tank in the same shade for a “sweater set” vibe. The tank top has bra-friendly straps and comes in ten colors. It’s a double-layer tank which helps camouflage any lumps and bumps.
This black linen skirt has pretty 3-dimensional flowers along the waistband and up the front seam. It’s linen and viscose with 100% cotton lining, so it’ll breathe in the hot weather. There is a coordinating tank with flowers along the top if you want to make it look like a dress.
This sweater tee runs a bit small, so I sized up to a large. It’s the same winter white as the shorts, and I paired them together to elongate my look. The shirt comes in ten other colors and is a great layering piece.
These linen-blend shorts came home with me, and I’ll likely style them similarly to what you see above. They’re fully lined and styled with belt loops, slash pockets in front, and besom pockets in the back. They have 2% spandex, which will help reduce wrinkling and give a little ease.
Polka dots are everywhere this spring, possibly as a nod to Diane Keaton. This black-and-white linen dress is a standout. It’s lightweight with gently flared sleeves, on-seam pockets, and a clean back zipper. This is a striking way to wear the print if you’re feeling adventurous.
More Polka Dots
I’ve styled this weekend shirt jacket with wide-leg crops and slim jeans. It’s an easy third piece with enough structure to pull an outfit together, but the drop shoulder keeps it relaxed. The wide-leg crop jeans are a cotton-spandex blend with a high-rise. The slim jeans are performance denim with slim legs that don’t cross the line into skinny. I’m wearing petite in both.
Which look do you prefer?
A few more things I spotted online:
These fun palazzo pants have an easy pull-on style with an elastic waist. They are 100% cotton and are lined in a cotton blend. They come in regular and petite sizes XXS-XXL. They show them here with kitten heel thongs (ouch!), but I think these would be nice with a gauzy white shirt and low-profile sneakers like these.
This Ann Taylor Weekend shirtdress is crisp, breezy, and easy to wear. The blue and white stripe feels fresh, while the pleats define the waist without clinging. I also love the 100% cotton fabric and on-seam pockets.
This cotton jacket has just enough spandex to give when you move, but it will hold its shape. It’s a nice alternative to a denim jacket. It has a striped lining that shows when you fold up the cuffs and button them in place.
I came away encouraged by this Ann Taylor try-on. There were plenty of easy spring pieces that felt polished without requiring complicated styling, which is exactly where I like my wardrobe to live these days.
A few pieces stood out for real life, especially the linen-blend shorts, cotton layers, relaxed jackets, and that striped shirtdress with pockets.
What are you leaning toward this spring?
You nailed it! Every single outfit looked amazing on you!
Three years ago when the puffy sleeve look was introduced, I really hated it and did not buy it then. Now that it has been around for some time, I am actually in love with it. I have 3 or 4 puffy sleeve tops in my closet! Just shows that Someone somewhere will like a certain style! (I also have a lot of other styles. I especially like v neck tops!)
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The weekend shirt jacket with the slim jeans is a great look on you and I love the linen mix shorts too… glad you took them home.
Love the yellow and white striped pant outfit. I would have never thought to add the black framed sunglasses, black purse and black sandals. I love everything about this outfit. Summer class!
Your shorter hair length is so attractive!!! Love it.
Thank you! I’m really enjoying it.
Love the pink and black outfit! That would be the only way I could wear black. Like you Jennifer, I have little pink but am adding some this season. I liked the white top and wide leg pants with the blue green jacket. You look great in slim jeans but the other outfit was more polished. I don’t wear dresses but the striped dress is attractive. I loved the off white shorts and top on you. Great for hot summer outings. When it hits 100+ you will find me in shorts and a gauze top.
I’m a bit fan of gauze too Sydney.
I Love the pink and black on you! The outfit is lovely, and it also complements your coloring.
Just have a question..
What do you do to your hair to make it straight and show off the cut? Whatever it is, it looks great!
Pat🌺
My hair likes to be straight but I quickly use a flat iron to smooth it out.
I love polka dots and always have, since I was four years old. I’m thrilled to see them having another moment.
Thanks for the fashion show! I has shorts with a pleated front in the 90s! Looks like they are making a comeback. As we know fashion is cyclical.
Hope everyone has a good weekend.
They’re back! Happy Friday Nancy.
I love and appreciate seeing classics. Trendy pieces have their place, but classics are tried and true. When I complete questionnaires for Nordstrom, I lament how so few of their advertisements include upscale classics. Thank you for showcasing them.
My pleasure. I love uniqueness but the bulk of my wardrobe are classic pieces.
I just wanted to let you know how fun and young you looked in the weekend shirt jacket & slim jeans. Something about the color combo & playful vibe really hit it out of the park for me.
Thank you!
Jennifer, that weekend shirt jacket with blue jeans is such a great, youthful look for you! I hope you bought that outfit. I also like the blue striped dress with pockets. I used to buy a lot of clothes at Ann Taylor when I was working. Now that I am retired, I think I will return to look at their casual clothes.
Their casual section is smaller but a great option.
I reallly like your hair this length with the bob style! It looks great and healthy.
Thank you!
Happy Friday, Jennifer. I love your recommendations and enjoy reading your blog. I want to buy the sweater brush from Amazon that you said was terrific. Could you reply with the name of the brush. Thanks so much. 😊
It’s called Gleener and it’s more like a comb with different heads.
I love those pieces! You look perfectly put together! We only have an Ann Taylor Factory now since Ann Taylor moved out of the mall area. It can be hit or miss. I got 2 scalloped edged short sleeve and scalloped hem cardigan style tops that button up the front. One pink and khaki striped and one solid pink. They are thinner than a regular sweater but thin is good in Mississippi when it gets hot. I love that jacket that is almost aqua. That midi dress is very cute with stripes and cinched waist. I bought one yesterday at Loft …..they ordered since XXSP was not in store and almost sold out. MIne is shorter but I like around knee length since extra petite. What do you wear alot of in summer…….jeans cropped or linen or dresses? Just curious.
If it’s very hot, I wear linen and am loving skirts lately. I’ve never liked crops on me unless they’re almost full length because I have short legs. If I’m in Vancouver and it’s not blistering I wear cotton pants and jeans. Shorts are not my style but I bought this pair to try.
As a not- very-slender petite I am always looking forward finding slenderising outfits, and I found the two pictures side by side of the weekend shirt jacket very interesting. They show how a v neck and a darker jacket than the central clothes help, and also how the straight leg versus the wider leg also help. So interesting to compare the different styles. Joan Cullen. ( I am in the Uk, but have a son in San Francisco, so looking forward to shopping on my Autumn visit!)
Proportions are so important!
That pink is gorgeous on you! I so miss having an actual AT store in my state. Looks like they have gone back to their roots though I don’t know about the quality. I am itching for color this spring, though these aren’t my colors. So far there is not much for a winter to buy, but usually as we get into summer there are brighter colors and true white. I’ve leaned to be patient. Really don’t need more black or navy at this point!
I could not resist that pink with black. It’s funny by my wardrobe has virtually no pink, and yet love how pretty it is. I think a lot of us are looking forward to more color.
Thank you for Ann Taylor, not on my radar, but now it is!
Love the Linen frock!
Your Hair looks great!
Thanks Gail.