Dressing Room Diaries- Talbots Holiday
‘Tis the season for velvet, shine, glitter, and all things dressy. If your lifestyle is uber casual like mine, you may not have many opportunities to get all dressed up in festive finery. That shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the fun stuff, so today’s looks include subtle ways to enjoy party-type details without the party.
If youāre new here, welcome. AĀ dressing room diaryĀ 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 134 lbs. I have broad shoulders with 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 tell you what sizes I am wearing to help you understand how things run.
I tried this dress on in petite first, but the waist seam was too high on my torso, so this regular is a better option for me. This would be great for party season or a nice outfit to wear for dinner out. It’s got a slightly retro vibe in a substantial ponte knit that you could dress way up or dial down depending on your accessories and footwear.
These straight-leg stretch corduroy pants come in ten colors, this is the classic red. They’re super soft, and the 2% spandex makes them very comfy. The cashmere sweater is a crewneck with 3/4 sleeves. I can ordinarily wear a small in their sweaters, but this was snug on me, so I find it runs small. It’s a blend of reds with pink on a black background. The plaid shirt has tiny black polka dots sprinkled on it in a cotton/rayon blend. It would be cute with a black skirt for a casual holiday party.
This quilted velvet jacket has a removable faux fur collar. I’m not sure I like it combined the way I have it here, but the jacket is pretty cute.
Here’s a casual way to wear sequins…down the side of your jeans like a tuxedo stripe! These jeans have a very high waist and full straight legs. The sequins are deep blue, but you could coordinate them with any color. I paired these with this tulle dot sleeve top that could go to a party or the grocery store…why not? It also comes in ivory. The faux fur vest has a drawstring tie at the waist to be snugged up. The fur has a quilting pattern, yet in a small, I found the look bulky.
This skirt also gives me retro vibes, and the color is so fun! I’d pair it with a tiny kitten heel in nude. It would also be fun dressed down with a black turtleneck, black tights, and black shoes. The petite is a full 3″ shorter, which I think would be much better on me.
For those of you who can’t wear wool, this fair isle pullover is a winner. It’s a machine-washable synthetic blend that feels super soft and luxe. I paired it with these straight-leg velveteen pants with a classic 5-pocket jeans styling. The pants come in six colors, I’m wearing black.
This fair isle sweater does contain a small amount of wool and comes in this toffee color or red with pink. I paired it with the same velveteen pants and added this ivory moto jacket. It’s a warm jacket but more like a blazer than a warm coat.
Same sweater as above, this time with a coordinating scarf and Portland pants. These are a 6 petite, and with this slim of a riding pant, I’d personally prefer the 6 misses for the additional length. They come in six colors, this is caramel. Ā There’s also a coordinating hat and gloves to finish the matchy/matchy alpine vibe.
Here are the same sequin side stripe jeans as above, this time paired with a velvet shirt and faux fur vest in the same deep indigo blue as the sequins on the jeans. This shirt also comes in a rich garnet shade that’s stunning. They’re calling this a tunic, but it’s only 1″ longer than their shirts, which isn’t a tunic to me. The faux fur vest is also deep indigo, is fully lined, and has all important (for me) pockets. It’s cuddly and warm but not heavy.
Whether a little or a lot, Talbots is mad for plaid this time of year- here’s what I found
Do you wear festive fabrics for casual wear?
Thanks for reading, and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
I just purchased Talbotsā indigo sequined top and indigo velvet blazer because I just loved the pieces together! But I find myself at a loss as to what to wear with them on the bottom. Any suggestions?
Black or deep blue jeans or I really like their velveteen straight pants. You could also wear them over a nice skirt
Great article and timely for me. I just went to Talbots and dropped over $600 on clothes that actually fit. I’ve just lost 53 lbs since this summer so I have nothing to wear. I am 5 foot 4 inches, 148 lbs and will be the same size as you in a month or so. These are great looks and I’ll try to buy something a bit shiny for the upcoming holidays. Thanks for posting this.
Congratulations on your weight loss, Cynthia. That’s not easy to do.
My favorite piece was the top with sheer tulle sleeves! I found two almost identical pieces at Nordstrom Rack in aubergine and forest green and plan to wear them to death during the holidays! You look so cute in all these looks – wish I could wear Talbots’ items. Every time I order something I end up taking it back, as the fit is just never quite right, and at their price point it really needs to be. Thanks for braving the dressing rooms so we don’t have to!
Thanks for the pointer to the garnet velvet ā I just ordered it, hoping it will be the color (and fit!) Iāve been looking for. I do hate to shop, so especially appreciate your doing all the work š
Love the fire isle sweaters with the velvet pants; both the black and off white. So festive!
All the outfits are so full of Holiday Cheer. š
Love Talbotsās! Everything always looks so nice on you, Jennifer! The taffeta skirt and blouse are perfect for a holiday party. I have a black taffeta skirt from a long time ago, so hopefully I can loosen the waist and wear it again!
That pink skirt and white blouse looks so pretty on you. And I love the ivory outfit on you as well. Actually, you look good in all of them. And that velvet tunic…. may have to get that one. I gave up on Talbot’s several years ago, but they have come a long way and offer way more cute and less matronly clothes. And they fit me well.
Wow so many pretty things…love that white blouse and I ordered that plaid blouse last week. I also love that velvet shirt. I am going to have to give talbots another look!!
That blouse will be great on you
Just purchased the jeans with the sequin stripe. They will work very well dressed down or as up as I get in todayās world. Love your try-ons. They really help you see how they look on a ārealā female.
I love those jeans!! So great for the holidays.
Love the pullover with tulle sleeves matched with a vestā¦would not have thought to wear them together.
Really tempted by the velvet topā¦..
The blue velvet shirt is lovely despite being made from synthetic fibers. (All velvet is man-made.) I like that the buttons blend in, which is not true for the crimson color. I think it would be nice dressed down with faded jeans. I love all the blues but think the caramel (and ivory) color is just perfect on you!
I love the soft colors too
Speaking as a frabricaholic, a lot of velvet, velvet-like, and velour is synthetic, but silk and rayon / silk blend velvets are still made (but at a high price point).
I like all the looks! I am wondering, though, how you decide if the waist seam is too high up for you?
A garment needs to hit right at your waist if it has a waist seam. My long torso needs regular lengths
Love the black dress, definitely would be great for a holiday party.
Love the velvet blouse. Also the black tulle-sleeve blouse with the faux-fur vest & side-stripe jeans. Any way to funk-ify stodgy Ann Taylor is a winner in my book!
I may have to buy that velvet shirt/tunic! It is so versatile. But does anyone else think it strange that the buttons are clear? Those buttons seem wrong to me.
Ooh, I love the black dress with the sequin collar on you – figure flattering! And the white blouse with scallop edge is so elegant.
Love, love, love that velvet blouse. Talbotās was a fav or mine when I worked in ācorporateā America. I need to take another look at them, thanks to your post(s)
Talbots covers it all. Casual to corporate so I think youāll find lots of treasures.
For me, the velveteen, straight leg pants you featured outshine the others. They make a subtle statement without taking away from the top you may be wearing.
I had a similar skirt like the pink taffeta one you modeled. But, I was in the 8th grade, graduating from an one room country school house! Oh my gosh, it seems like another lifetime ago.
Love all your hard work, keeping us current.
What memories! I agree the velveteen are terrific pieces for this time of year.
I agree the velvet blouse is perfect. The cream colored outfit looks great on you. So glad fair isle sweaters are in along with plaids.
This is such a great time of year for them both.
The velvet button tunic is perfect! A great color and so easy to dress up or down.
I think the pink skirt is so pretty and fun. It looks beautiful on you!
Lucinda
Itās really fun
That velvet blouse! That color is perfect on you! And I personally love that itās not black.