Dressing Room Diaries: Friends and Family Sale Picks at Talbots
The fresh colors at Talbots literally drew me in the door, and since their friends and family sale is on, I wanted to see what’s new so you could save 30% on everything.
If youāre new here, welcome. Dressing room diaries is when I go into a local store for a try-on session so you can see whatās new and how it looks on a woman over 25. For reference, I am 5ā4ā³ and weigh around 140 lbs. I have broad shoulders, straight hips, a long torso, and long arms. I often buy one size larger on top. Youāll see me try on clothes in colors and shapes that may or may not flatter me because I want you to see whatās in the stores and get some styling ideas. I will also tell you what sizes I am wearing to help you understand how things run. Most Talbots garments are available in misses, petite, plus, and plus petite.
This pink and white pullover is in a print called Groovy, which I would tend to agree with :). It reminds me of the “mod” prints we saw so much of back in the 70s. Itās 100% cotton and machine washable. I love the V neckline, but be aware that the horizontal stripe across the hip will widen the look of your hips. Iām wearing it with these Bristol pants that are available in three colors. They are a cotton, Tencel/spandex blend that has a high rise and elastic back waistband which makes them very comfy.
This lace-up striped dress has a definite nautical vibe that’s punctuated with rope ties in the front. Itās a sheath style that skims over the body in super soft cotton with spandex for ease of wear. It also comes in a bright marigold color.
This jean jacket is one size too large for me, so it looks more bulky than it should. I like the vibe of it over this fresh, citrus floral dress. The jacket comes in 6 happy colors, I’m wearing Somerset Peach. This side-tied jersey dress has a fit and flare shape with 7% spandex that’s very slimming.
These jegging crops have a lemon and orange print on a white background. They’re high waisted with a side zip, skinny leg and cropped length. Since Iām wearing a misses they’re not quite as cropped on me, which I prefer. Iām wearing it with this basic cotton crewneck tee that comes in 15 colors. These pima tees are great workhorses in a spring/summer wardrobe.
I couldnāt resist this pretty maxi dress covered with oranges and lemons. Itās not my colors but it’s just so fun. This dress makes me wish I had a garden party to go to wearing a big straw hat and carrying a wicker handbag. Itās a light weight cotton voile that’s fully lined in cotton so it will be quite cool on a hot day.
This 100% linen popover dress has a very relaxed feel with the banded neck and self tie belt. It also comes in two cross-dye colors here that are soft and muted. I see this dress with a straw bag, neutral colored sandals and some raffia earrings.
I like the juxtaposition of this denim shirt with this feminine eyelet skirt. Talbots makes great denim and chambray shirts. This one is a boyfriend style so it’s long and felt too much to tuck in. This skirt is 100% cotton with a cotton lining and I think you could really dress up or down. It has a side, zipper closure and A-line shape that flatters most women.
This a-line skirt has a fun, bright citrus print in a cotton/spandex canvas type fabric with a side zipper. Iām wearing it with this Riviera graphic tee which I probably wouldn’t pair together. This tee would be fun with a pair of white jeans, or solid colored pants. I tossed this open stitch cardigan over it but I would prefer the cardigan over something sleeveless. I don’t like that you can see the sleeves through the open weave of the knit. Talbots makes this handy little cardi in 4 colors which is a great basic for arm coverage.
This 100% linen cardigan comes in five colors and is a great piece for layering in warm weather. Iām wearing the sage brush color because I like the way it goes with these flax linen crops. These wide leg crops come in 3 colors in an easy pull-on style. Youāve seen me share this little tank before. Itās a fun layering piece that could go under so many things because the colors are quite neutral. It has a little bit of a ruffle at the neck for a feminine touch.
This button front shirt is in a very lightweight breathable cotton. I tied it at the waist over these belted crops because you could see the bright color through the top of the pants when I tucked it in. If I wore these items together I would remove the rope belt to cut down on too much detail at the waist. These crops come in three colors in a cotton spandex blend and they have a nice high rise for a modern fit.
This jersey a-line dress comes in pale blue and white or this dark blue and white. It has an A-line shape in a very packable nylon/spandex fabric that would be great to take on vacation or wear with a pair of white tennies for casual days around town. I love the V-neck with the contrasting print. I added the shrug for some arm coverage.
I needed a 6 or 8 in this dress, but there were so many ladies trying them on I couldn’t get my hands on a smaller one. This smocked poplin midi dress comes in this bright Marigold or black in 100% cotton. It has three-quarter sleeves and a fit and flare shape because of the waist smocking.
SOME FUN ACCESSORIES ALSO ON SALE
This is all currently 30% off during Talbots sale plus you can save an additional 20% off your order when you open a Talbots credit card.
Have you seen their newest collection?
Thanks for the great post showing a wide variety of styles available at Talbots during their 30% off Friends & Family sale. My local store did not have the Pink/White stripe dress when I was at the store earlier this week and I would have missed it completely had I not seen it in your post. Ordered it and the Groovy Print sweater tonight after seeing it on you. Thanks again!
That’s one of the reasons I do so much online shopping. Enjoy!
That pretty sundress reminds me of one I had when I was 12. I loved it so much.
I had a similar one too, Kay. I’m pretty sure my mom sewed it for me.
Love the sandals! Can you link them?
I’m wearing these Jack Rogers flats.
The jean jacket should go home with you.
I love Talbot’s and have been shopping there for years. However, I guess I am in the minority because I don’t like the way that linen always looks wrinkled. I have purchased some linen tops from Talbot’s over the last several years and have found that I never want to wear them because they always look rumpled (and this is after ironing). However, the turquoise linen popover is very flattering on you, Jennifer. I also am not a fan of the sundress with lemons (too busy) on it nor the midi dress with smocking – just not a fan of smocking on adult women. The jean jacket and the lace-up striped dress also look very pretty on you , Jennifer. I like the idea of the eyelet skirt but just feel that it is too short for the majority of mature women.
Exquisite post, Jennifer! Vibrant colors to pep us up during the Arizona wilting heat! Plus they are fabulously becoming on you!!!
It’s hot as blazes here too!
Beautiful choices this week at Talbots! You said you are a summer and my coloring and hair are the same as yours. I always thought I was a spring! But peach looks terrible on me now. I think my skin has changed right along with my striped white and silver hair. How can we find out what we have changed into season wise? It is so helpful knowing in ordering clothes online. I am 50 miles from the nearest clothing store up in Colorado Springs! Please help.
I just got my Nordstrom Rack box today!!! Two fedoras and two Madwell tees! Feels like Christmas!
Your season will never change. Assuming you were accurately typed in the first place, you look better in different colors of your pallete as you age.
Just went there the other day for some shirts and a coatigan. I wear primarily black and white and I found some nice tops. Do you think the wide leg pants are here to stay?
Thank you
I think wider legs are here for the foreseeable future.
Jennifer- I thought the citrus jeans looked AMAZING on you and I’m hoping you bought them- what a fun summer look!
I was there last week and selected items for the sale. They shipped them Monday and in my closet Tuesday!
I bought the jean jacket in orange shade, two sleeveless blouses and an A line skirt, and of course black crop chinos. I saved $126 in the FF sale!
Love their colors this spring. There are certain warm colors (golden yellow and orange) that look good on me but are seldom offered, anywhere. And when yellow is offered, itās usually a cool version, more like a lemon yellow. So I have purchased the boyfriend linen shirt and an open-work knitted tank both in the marigold color, and also a pair of the relaxed chinos in orange. I would wear either color with white, and with gold accessories, and in cooler weather would wear the orange pants with navy.
Love all the picks from Talbotās not to mention these were your colors.
The orange and lemons were the best.
I was struck by how different the styles made you look, with outfits and photos just 5 minutes apart. Some outfits were super flattering, some less so, as you’ve noted in the intro paragraph. And I agree with another commenter, that I find the well-above-the-knee length a turnoff — the dresses end up looking too small. Also, adding my standard complaint about Talbots: They offer some plus-sized fashion but do not show the actual item or model it on a plus-sized woman. I order for my mom who’s generally a 1X, and often the item is completely different from the Misses offering — sleeves are longer, bust darts are added, sometimes a weird back seam comes into play, etc.
Loved the styles and colors. Seeing them on you I know what I could or couldnāt wear. Iām 5ā1ā short waisted and also have broad shoulders. Havenāt been to a Talbots in sometime. Donāt have one close by. The maxi dress is so summer and fun looking!
Love the linen wide leg crops! Thanks for doing the diaries. Iām not crazy about all the tropical prints, really reminds me of Lily Pulitzer clothing. But thatās just me. I like bright colors but not a lot of prints, stripes yes, florals no. Have a good weekend.
Wow what gorgeous colors! Everything looked great on you! I especially like the pink nautical dress, really cute. The eyelet white skirt made me think about one I think I might still have.
Pull yours out and style it! It would be great with so many things.
Wow. This is quite a variety of outfits. Is it me, or are none of the links working? Jennifer, you look great in above the knee dresses/skirts.
Refresh your screen perhaps. Anyone else having that issue?
Thanks for doing this try on for us, Jennifer. The jeans jacket in fresh colors and Riviera tee are my faves.
Am I the only one who thinks the way Talbots has added “Sold 100+ times in the last 48 hrs” on some items cheapens the brand? It’s a pressuring tactic that reminds me of the sites that advertise on the sidelines of Facebook.
No, youāre not likely the only one. Itās probably some marketing experts idea.
You looked great it all the outfits! For meā¦too many bright colors so I wouldnāt venture to Talbots this season
What a fun collection of great outfits, I really like Talbots.
I could be happy wearing almost all the outfits , especially the stripped nautical dress, and colourful jean jackets. Just couldnāt wear the puffy yellow dress!
Thanks for a great post.
DiannešØš¦
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Dianne
You really outdid yourself this time with trying on so many outfits! And such fun colors although the linen dress in lavender is the one that most appeals to me. You look so delightful in the fruit sundress; you should buy it – one day an occasion to wear it will pop up!
I do have a luncheon I was thinking about this dress for š
I bought the linen dress in lavender and loved it so much that I went back for the blue! It was incredibly light and comfortable. I thought it looked better on me without the self belt, but it looks great on Jen with the belt! For what itās worth, Iām 5ā8.5 @160 pounds, hourglass and it was comfortable for me in the medium and it just covered my knees.
Love all the colour :)!
Why are so many dresses, skirts length etc, made so short? No matter how nice your legs are it seems that after 50 no one should weāre anything dresses inches above the knee. I feel like it just takes away from the outfit and quite frankly I think it makes the person look a little ridiculous. A hemline just at the knee is so much more flattering. Obviously shorts are the exception. Just my observation and feelings.
I prefer mine longer too which is why I liked the misses length vs the petite versions. Ps- I donāt wear shorts
I agree with Shirley! Plus, the fact that I’m taller than average height also makes this a challenge. Fortunately, I have an excellent tailor who can squeeze every bit of length out of a hem or top of skirt or I can order Tall sizes from the online retailers who offer that option for dresses & skirts. š
A talented tailor is priceless. Lucky you!
Jennifer, I just have to comment on how great you look in all these colors. The peaches and apricot clothes make your skin color glow. You stated that the maxi dress was not in your color scheme but I disagree. You look great in it and it makes your face come alive. Contrast it to the picture of you in the denim shirt. That color makes you look gray. I am no expert but just looking at the pictures in today’s posting I’d say you are a Spring.
I was at Talbots this week and was surprised that they were having a fashion show! That maxi dress was featured. Since I’m more of a Summer I didn’t buy any peach colored clothes but did find a cute striped 3/4 sleeve top in Aquas and blues that looked good on me and just shouts “spring.” It’s been cold and dreary in Michigan, actually started snowing on my way to the store, so this shirt is a real “pick me up.”
I am a true Summer as opposed to light or soft summers so Iām flattered by colors with a bit more saturation. I love my neutrals but am wearing more color now than ever before.
I love how you look when you style clothes with color. They brighten up your face!
I really like all the new items at Talbots. So glad you showed some of them.
Well, as I scrolled through all the beautiful styles and colors, I couldnāt help but smile when it came to the gorgeous linen, sage cardigan and linen crops. This is basically my uniform of comfort and confidence. The soft, feminine print of the tank just adds a subtle touch of color. This is a style that is effortless and allows me to move about without constant adjustments.
Fun start to a busy weekend!
Itās a beautiful look, Jan. Itās so gracious looking to me.
Good Morning, Jennifer Iām so happy with Talbots this spring & summer collections. So much color and great prints, linens and styles. You out did yourself today picking and modeling so many pretty happy clothing.š
Have a most wonderful weekend!
Thank you Pat. This was fun. Thereās so much more I didnāt have time to share!