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Dressing Room Diaries – Casual Luxe

Happy Friday ladies. I have a small dressing room diaries for you today. It’s limited because of the amount of time I could spend at the store before I headed over to pick up my grandson #priorities:). To be honest, there were so many outstanding things to try on, I will be heading back next week.

If you’re new here, welcome! DRD is when I go into a store and try on new merchandise so you can see how it looks on a woman over 25 who wears a size larger than zero. My hair gets trashed and the lighting is poor which makes the images grainy but you’ll get the idea of how things look.

For reference, I am 5’4″ and weigh 147 pounds. I have wide shoulders and straight hips with very little waist definition. I have a long torso, long arms, and a high rise. I can wear petite or regular and choose depending on the fit I’m looking for. Today I am in Talbots which carries most items in regular, petite, plus, and plus petite.

jennifer connolly in talbots dressing room wearing blue polka dot sweater and black velveteen jeans
SHOP – CASHMERE SWEATER / VELVETEEN ANKLE PANTS on sale

I love, love, love this cashmere sweater! It’s super soft and I’m a huge fan of polka dots. I’m wearing a petite M, which fits perfectly so it runs TTS. It’s hard to see, but the sleeves have a row of tiny buttons running along the side at the cuff. It’s also available in red with pink polka dots. I’m wearing it with the Hampshire Velvet Pants which fit like a dream! They have a higher waist, modern straight leg, and built-in stretch for comfort. I’m wearing an 8 petite which fits well, so they also run TTS.

sparkly sweater and velvet pants worn by jennifer connolly in Talbots dressing room
SHOP – FOIL DOT SHIRT / MERINO LUREX SWEATER / VELVET PANTS on sale

This is their Perfect Shirt in a gold foil dot. I love this shirt and own several in various solid colors. I’m wearing an 8 regular because I have long arms and need the extra length. It does run TTS. The sweater has a slight metallic thread running through which makes it fun for the holidays. I’m wearing a medium P which fits well so it runs TTS. You can see the dot of the shirt through the sweater so I wouldn’t wear these together.

jennifer of a well styled life wearing bluen sweater grey bl;azer and blue jeans in Talbots dressing room
SHOP – TWEED COTTON MOCK NECK SWEATER on sale / MODERN ANKLE JEANS ON SALE / SHETLAND BLAZER WITH FAUX FUR COLLAR

I couldn’t resist this classic blazer with the removable faux fur collar. It looks so luxe and elegant I thought it would be fun with jeans! These are the modern ankle in Ocean Wash. I’m wearing an 8 petite and quite like the length. They’ll be great with flats and booties. The cotton sweater has a nice tweed texture and button at the mock neckline. I’m wearing a medium P and it fits well so runs TTS.

jennifer of a well styled life wearing snowflake sweater and grey corduroy pants in talbots dressing room
SHOP / COTTON TURTLENECK / SNOWFLAKE SWEATER on sale / STRAIGHT CORDUROY PANTS in DUSK GREY

These are the same straight corduroy pants I shared here. I love the fit of these pants with their nice high-rise and built-in stretch. I’m wearing an 8 petite and they run TTS. This super-soft snowflake sweater is gorgeous! It’s also really comfy and perfect for the season. I’m wearing a petite M. They show it with this diamond print skirt which looks adorable. The long sleeve cotton turtleneck under the sweater has a loose neck and is a great layering piece that runs TTS.

fashion blogger jennifer of a well styled life wearing sweater dress from Talbots
SHOP – BUTTON DETAIL SWEATER DRESS

That white smoosh you see down the front of me is a mirror smudge. Proof of how very careful Talbots is being about sanitizing each dressing room between customers!  Anywho…this is a really nice cotton-blend sweater dress with a button-up split neck. I’m wearing a medium petite which still looks longer on me than they show on the website. Sweater dresses are really growing on me and I think this would be great with tights and flats or knee boots. You can close the button’s up to create a cowl neck. I’m wearing the royal blue tweed and it also comes in this pretty frosty mint color.

talbots leggings on jennifer of a well styled life
SHOP – SOHO PONTE LEGGINGS

And finally these leggings. I’m seldom bowled over by how perfect a garment is…but these leggings are amazing! The fabric is substantial, holds everything in place and they fit like a dream. These Soho leggings are in a different fabric that doesn’t hold a candle to these. Each Soho seems to have a different fabric blend so check the content because I am only raving about these.

Will you dress differently this holiday season?

53 Comments

  1. Love, love, love Talbots jeggings. I think I have 6 pair and I just ordered a 7th. I checked to see if they had the jeggings in velvet, but they only have them in the modern ankle–which I also have a pair of, but I prefer the jeggings. So I’m going to have to think about whether I want them or not, but they certainly look beautiful on you. I also liked the snowflake sweater and that it’s a bit longer. And the jacket with the fur collar looks fun!

  2. That polka dot sweat looks fab on you, as did everything else but the sweater was my fave! Can you tell me about your shoes?

  3. Thank you Jennifer for taking time to show us some fall favorites. I know I’m a little late but I’ve just had a chance to read your post. I absolutely love everything you have shared with exception for the sweater dress. I feel I don’t have the body type to pull off any sweater dress. I’m in love with all the sweaters and the blouses especially with polka dots! Thanks again and can’t wait for more dressing room diaries!

  4. I’m sorry, Jennifer, but that fur collar makes you look bulky on top. It broadens the shoulders, so it would be great on a pear shape. Not so much on your particular shape. Don’t be seduced by the fur!

    1. I do dressing room diaries for my readers to see what is available, not to shop for myself. If you are a pear shape, go for the fur!

    2. I disagree with Laura about the fur collar blazer. I f anything, the collar makes hips and legs look more petite, and paired with that beautiful sweater it adds dimension and class! The cut of the blazer is also very slimming. Looks great on you!

  5. Talbots and J Jill are my go to stores. I patronize Talbots’ outlet stores and J Jill online. Lovely outfits this time around.

  6. Loved all the styles with exception on the dress.
    Love the jacket with flex fur collar and the gray pants with the snowflake sweater. I think I want it all (no dress).
    Thanks for being a great model.

  7. First of all, so kind of you Jennifer to make a quick pit-stop to model. Secondly; do like everything on you particularly the sweater with polka dots as IMHO definitely your colour. As to the velvet pants, I do have a question and am wondering though described as a velvet (normally a plush nap) are they more of a velveteen which I’ll describe as something between that of a velvet and a corduroy without any wale. (Thank you!)
    P.S.: I wish I could reach in my computer screen and touch them …. lol! Have been searching for two years for a plain black pair of velveteen ones to wear with a Chanel style jacket and would like to avoid having to return, as live in Canada.

    1. If I may reply, I have tried the “velvet” pants on and they are velveteen with a short nap.

      1. With much appreciation Terry for your input as sounds exactly what I’ve been looking for both in style and fabric. ☺

      2. Ordered! Thank you again (ladies) as mission finally accomplished after searching for two years since as I couldn’t even find the fabric to make them …. ☺.

      3. You’re right! I meant to mean to mention that. Thank you Terry.

  8. Talbots is the perfect brand for you – classic and polished. You look fantastic in all the outfits! The snowflake sweater and velvet pants are such a fun outfit for the winter season. Thank you for another terrific Dressing Room Diaries!

  9. Those grey slacks caught my eye. I would pair them with the blazer, minus the faux fur detail, which looks like it would irritate my neck. I would not buy the cashmere sweaters because I find I tire of prints, and prefer solid colors in investment pieces like cashmere.
    I still don’t like the shorter pant length on me so am glad you are modeling longer length versions.
    As for dressing for the holidays… we are kind of taking a break from holidays this year. Other priorities.

  10. Love all the outfits. Especially the one with the blazer with the faux fur collar. The blue sweater looks smashing on you, that is your color!! Have a wonderful weekend 😀😀

  11. Pamela Over 50 Feeling 40 says:

    Love these selections today…particularly that jacket…how fun is that. I am going to check out the velveteen pants! Keep Smiling, Jennifer! I will see you tomorrow for Would You Wear It!

  12. Sue henry says:

    Hope you bought the blue sweater. You looked amazing in it.
    Because I live in Canada and I love Jjill would you ever do a segment with their store? Even if we are completely different figures, I am tall, narrow shoulders but I can visualize well. I will not be traveling anywhere this year and miss shopping. I love Nordstroms too.
    I thoroughly enjoyed your outfits and comments. Thank you and enjoy your visit with your grandson.

    1. Elizabeth says:

      I second the request for a JJill style segment!

      1. Third the request💕

    2. I have done DRD from J.Jill and will do another soon! I saw some wonderful pieces on my last peek through their catalog.

  13. All those outfits, except the dress, look outstanding on you. But that blue polka dot sweater is the best of the best! Hope you went home with it.

  14. Everything looks terrific on you. I am always uncertain of which style of pant leg to buy, but the straight leg jeans and pants look good on you. I will give them a try,

    1. Straight legs are very popular again this fall and pretty flattering.

  15. I’m loving every outfit except for the dress. I’m just not a dress person, and that goes especially in the cooler months. In my view, Talbots has really stepped up their style game. In the past I rarely looked at their site or stepped into their store, but now I find I have several pieces in my closet!

  16. I have lots of dresses in my closet and wear dresses often on holidays. However, with covid lifestyle restrictions, dresses just don’t work for me. I wouldn’t wear a dress around the house now and I wouldn’t wear it to go out for our limited activities. I have a navy knit dress that I wore so much that I had been on the lookout for a replacement. That won’t happen now.

  17. Good morning, Jennifer!

    Long time reader, first time poster here. 🙂

    Thank you for doing the try-on sessions for us! The first outfit looks especially lovely on you!

    The only thing is – the Talbot’s sizing. I wear size 8-10 on top and size 12 on the bottom in a multitude of brands including Land’s End, Uniqlo, Banana Republic, etc. I find Talbot’s sizing to be widely off. A size 12 Talbot’s dress hangs on me like a giant sack. I had to go down to size 6, which even with my pear shape and wider hips than shoulders was a bit roomy. A size 12 skirt barely held on to my hips. The tops are better – I find them larger than similar from Banana Republic, although BR has been doing vanity sizing in the last few years also. I now have a size 6 skirt from, which is not any smaller than my size 12 skirt from years ago.

    1. Sizing between brands is a nightmare! There is no consistency anywhere. Hopefully, I can make things a bit easier by sharing the sizes I am wearing. If brands just gave us the actual garment measurements we would have a much easier time.

  18. I adore the blazer with the faux fur and would wear that for ever. The blue sweater with the dots is gorgeous on you, sort of makes you glow and fits perfectly. I do like the grey sweater and pants as well as the blue cotton tweed sweater. All in all a wonderful DRD. Thanks for taking the time for us.

  19. My favorite today is the blazer with the blue sweater and blue jeans. The way you styled that jacket is so much better than the way that Talbots styled it on their website. Talbots should enlist your styling expertise!

  20. Love everything! I personally prefer my sweaters to be V neck or show some of my collar bone due to being a bit more endowed. I find those style make my upper body more slim lined. I am petite in other areas 5’3, 137. I too wear a Petite 8 in most of Talbots clothes. Did you choose the same size for the Ponte leggings? Also you seem to have a similar body shape as mine, do you have any trouble with popping gaps on button up blouses. That seems to be a major issue for me.

  21. Oh, Jennifer, please buy that blue polka dot sweater and black velveteen pants. That outfit is perfect on you! My second favorite outfit is the gray pants and snowflake sweater. I must confess I have been buying lots of items from Talbots lately. My plans for this home-alone-with-my-husband holiday is to dress casually but dress well. Lately I have taken to wearing clothes at home that I usually reserve for going out. So I think I will continue that trend this holiday season.

  22. Jennifer,
    I recently found your blog and enjoy your posts very
    much. We’re about the same size and Talbots is one of my favorite stores. You look great in everything you featured. I especially love the blue dot cashmere sweater with the velveteen pants and the gray snowflake sweater and corduroy pants. I may need to go shopping!

  23. I’ve been looking at sweater dresses. I need to try on the blue one you are wearing. It looks great on you. I like the color and the collar. Thanks for doing this.

  24. Hi Jennifer, I hope you bought the blue sweater & velveteen slacks; that outfit looks like it was made for you.
    Also, I just want to say Thank You. This morning’s post is a positive respite from the news about all the animosity our country is experiencing. A welcome break!!

    1. I totally agree on both accounts. You are a knockout in that blue sweater and black pants

      1. You need the blue sweater and black pant outfit. It’s perfect for a quiet but merry holiday season.

    2. Love dressing room diaries! I just received a Talbot’s catalog so will be checking out these cute sweaters. Everything looks great on you especially the snowflake sweater, hope you took that home!

    3. I’m so glad you enjoy coming to AWSL! I love having you here.
      We can read the news anywhere. Here, we can chat with like-minded women and relax.

  25. Linda Gaertner says:

    Not crazy about the dress but love everything else. I have shopped Talbots for years. Their cloths are classic but never edgy. For some they want edgy too.

    1. I think we can add a touch of edgy by how we style the classics

  26. oh that dress is so pretty, and looks so nice on you.

  27. I love Talbots but can only afford sale prices. I am happy they have petite plus sizes even though it is online only.

    1. They’re having a lot of sales these days which I’ll continued to share for you

  28. Paulette Levy says:

    Talbits clothes have been wonderful these past months. I’ve gotten sweaters, great plaid shirts with a bit of glitter woven in, a flyaway cardigan in a great flattering blue (you featured this sweater and plaid shirt a few weeks back) plus leggings. I love everything! Great quality! As always you look terrific in these newer selections!

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