Dressng Room Diaries- Prints at Talbots
Happy Tuesday ladies. I have a small dressing room diaries for you today featuring some new prints at Talbots. If you’re new here, welcome. A dressing room diary is when I go into a local store for a try-on session so you can see what’s new and how it looks on a woman over 25.
For reference, I am 5’4″ and weigh around 138 lbs with broad shoulders and straight hips. I have a long torso and arms so I often buy one size larger on top. I try on clothes in colors and shapes that may or may not flatter me so you can see what’s in the stores and get some styling ideas. I tell you what sizes I am wearing to help you understand how things run.
Most Talbots garments come in misses, petite, plus, and petite plus. As always, you can click the red text for more info and to shop the item at no additional cost to you.
This 100% cotton voile midi dress has a large abstract, paisley print. Its fit-and-flare shape has a feminine feel that’s just plain pretty. It’s fully lined with 100% cotton so no need for polyester slips in hot weather, which is always a win/win in my book. I am wearing a four petite which is skin tight on me so I would say that it runs true to size and I’d be better in a six.
Many ladies don’t like to wear sleeveless, so I tried it with a couple of different sweaters. In the middle is an open stitch cotton/modal shrug. It comes in 5 colors, this is slightly darker than the aqua in the dress print, but I like that it stops at the waist so it doesn’t visually destroy the shape of the dress. I’m wearing the small. On the right is a linen girlfriend cardigan in a petite medium. The color is an exact match for the aqua in the dress but it looks shapeless and obscures the lines of the dress. It’s a great sweater in 3 colors, I just don’t like it with this dress.
This ruffle trim denim shell is the best seller at Talbots so I was anxious to try it on. This feels more like chambray than denim to me because it’s very lightweight. It’s 100% cotton with a straight fit that hits at the hip. I’m wearing a petite medium that fits well, so it runs true to size. This would also be cute with so many things this summer.
On the left, I’m wearing the washed linen wide-leg pants with a drawstring waist. I’m wearing the flax in petite small so they run a bit large but the look is supposed to be loose. They come in 3 colors. On the right, I’m wearing these stovepipe jeans that fit beautifully. They have a high rise and are fitted through the hip with a straight leg in a cropped length. I’m wearing a 4 petite which has a 22 1/2″ inseam. The misses have a 26″ inseam.
This bateau neck tee comes in 24 colors so it’s clearly a customer favorite! I love the lightweight Pima cotton and 3/4 sleeves. I am wearing a petite medium that fits well so they run TTS. This cotton voile maxi skirt has summer fun written all over it. I wish I’d had it for my trips to Mexico and Hawaii. It has 100% cotton linen so will allow for great airflow in sweltering weather. I am wearing a petite small which is 35″ long. The misses will be 37″ long.
MORE PRINTS AT TALBOTS
This gingham ruffled blouse caught my attention because I love the fabric and the pattern. It’s selling out pretty quickly because this misses medium was the closest size I could find to try on… and it’s way too large. The misses measure 28″ so it’s long enough to wear as a tunic over leggings or skinny pants. It looks rather voluminous over straight-legged jeans so I tucked it in and much prefer the proportion for me.
Here are the same wide-leg linen pants I showed above, this time in tranquil blue in petite small. Did I mention how much I adore pockets in pants? The 3-dimensional stems on this sweater are green, but they coordinated beautifully with the blue of the pants. This ivory sweater with buttercup yellow flowers looks so perfect for spring with these clear blue pants. I am wearing a small sweater.
You already know where I’m going with this combo…with loose-fitting pants, it’s best to have a top that shows some of your shape. These pants have a comfy, Invisaflex waistband in the back but I still prefer to cover them so I tied the shirt just below my waist. They’re 100% linen. and come in 5 colors. The tropical print shirt is also a customer favorite because they were virtually sold out. I got my hands on this petite large and actually like this loose fit. The print has so many soft colors with it, I see it coordinating with tons of other things.
Linen isn’t every woman’s cup of tea but I adore it when the temperatures soar. I’ve come to terms with the wrinkles and see them as a sign of quality 🙂
Are you a fan of linen?
Thanks for reading and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
I’ve been looking for a dress from Talbot’s for a while. I’m self conscious about sleeveless although I don’t think my arms are too wrinkly. I’m 5’2″ and worry that maxi and a long-ish midi would “wear me” and me not wear it. Pants are my comfort level but I do need a dress. Another problem. Looking at other stores, it seems like most everything this year has puff sleeves – not my favorite. I had a simple black maxi dress that I sent to Goodwill because I’d had it for so long and now I wish I still had it!
I’ll be very happy to see the puff sleeve trend fade away. Depending on how dressy you need, JJill is an option and Eileen Fisher has some non-puff options
Never ever in my business life in DC would I wear any clothing that wrinkled. Now that I’ve retired and moved south, I LOVE linen! Living here in N. Palm Beach County Florida with a summer and spring climate year round, we need breathable and natural fabrics that are easy to wear and do not constrict. At least, that is for us over 45 crowd 🙂 (celebrities and socialites excepted). I live with the wrinkles linen presents and will press if going to a special occasion (not that the pressing does any good once I sit down for awhile). I’d venture to say 1/2 of my wardrobe now going on at the (oh my gosh unbelievable) age of 67, is a linen or a linen/cotton, linen/silk or linen/rayon (or derivatives) fabrics. While I enjoy some of Talbot’s clothing, I find sizing very inconsistent. I must go physically into their stores (which I dislike and is frustrating) as items online and as Jennifer shares, are often out of stock online due to popularity (sigh). As for the DRD, Jennifer, I see a great disparity on the fit of the tie waist linen wide leg pants. Both are the same size yet the fit and look differs drastically. Love the fit of the flax, dislike the baggy impression of the blue. Neither looked good on me at Talbots but fit is so personal.
That dress would be so cute with a pair of light coloured wedge sandals. It’s very flattering on you. I hope you bought the colourful skirt! There is always another vacation to Mexico, or elsewhere. Pair it with a sleeveless top and you could wear it anywhere – the beach, around the resort, walks through town, dinner out…So pretty!
Over all the looks, especially the blue paisley..look forward every day to your posts.
There have been lots of comments of deteriorating quality at many vendors. These pieces seem to be well made from what Jennifer says, and they look really pretty and comfy. I love that Talbots are lining linen and cotton. I think the lining helps with the shape and maybe prevent wrinkling. Having said that, unless I have a lapful of really creased linen in my linen pants, I don’t mind wrinkles too much.
On the quality issue, one thing I have noticed at Talbots, J. Crew, and others is the fault is often in the weave, not in the cut of the garment. Looking closely at the pink gingham check, you can see where one of the vertical lines just gets off track. It’s back on track later, but it produces a wavy look to the shirt that shouldn’t be there. I’m picky about this — yeah, yeah, a little OCD …LOL
Jennifer as always you look cute in it all! I shop Talbot’s frequently ( and have for many years). They seem to run hot or cold for me on what they offer season to season. But this season they had a lot of pretty things. I bought the tropical blouse you said you got too. I need to find your reel you did on IG on ways to tie that up with wide leg pants.
A suggestion I have that’s a Talbot’s classic for year round is the relaxed chino. It can be long pant or roll up some for casual. I wear all year here even in hot GA. Thank you for your daily inspiration and ideas!!
Chino’s are fabulous!!
Love this! I am wondering if you would consider a blog of summer dresses. For some reason I’m mad about dresses this summer since they seem so much cooler than even shorts!
I went to Talbots but didn’t have any luck but then I found some at Talbots online and have ordered two to see how they look. I also tried on a swing dress this weekend. Actually, I spilled wine on what I was wearing, and my host give me one to wear. I was surprised at how much I liked it and that it wasn’t frumpy or too much material on me.
Have you ever worn one?
Maggie
I have not but it sounds like a fun style. I will see what I can put together for you.
I second that! I’d love to see more summer dresses.
Finally clothes with lots of color for women my age. Will definitely try. Thanks so much for sharing,these outfits look fabulous on you!
Thanks, Norma, I’m so glad you like them.
Can’t say I’m crazy about that printed skirt with the ruffle going on…bit too much. Dress was better but still busy….think would look better with different shoes. Know that’s what you were wearing when you arrived at store.
Love the printed shirt tied at waist…just enough!
You’re right! I’d wear it with a paler sandal, possibly a soft metallic.
The ruffle trim sleeveless top looks very good on you with the shorter pants.
Thank you Jennifer for showing such lovely things. I love the skirt might have to get that. I did buy the parrot pareo to go with the Indian ink swimsuit and l am loving that for summer. Take care and happy week:)
Really like all the colors you are wearing in this post. I love the stovepipe jeans and embroidered sweater the best. I like linen bet the wrinkles always bother me.
I do like linen and I love the icy blue color of the linen cardigan with the paisley maxi dress… in a perfect world the shrug would be offered in that color.
I agree! I hope they make more colors in that shrug. It’s perfect for so many outfits.
I’ve just purchased the linen full pant in blue! Several tops caught my eye so hit those too using their generous discount! (Neglected to order the pant in petite and just took them to be hemmed. I’m only 5 ft 3- what was I thinking?)
Enjoying thus springtime shopping!
Lol! Seamstresses are invaluable.
I love your ideas with linen. I looked in my closet; I have so many knits that are looking tired right now. I like the patterned skirts and the gingham looks so fresh. BTW…You look great in those sleeveless dresses. Thanks so much for your tips. Will give Talbots a try this week.
I was at Talbots a few days ago and tried on the pants with the Invisaflex waistband. It is comfortable. The chambray ones came home with me but are still in the bag. They may go back. I am having trouble deciding what to wear with them to get the proportion right–the included belt doesn’t do anything positive for me. I’m glad you showed them with the knotted shirt. But, for me, it all may be trying too hard, especially for summer.
I love linen, wrinkles and all.
Thanks for showing a great example of how pieces should go together, not match. The blue linen trousers with the ivory sweater/floral detail looks just terrific!
When I saw your post today, I thought “ I surely wish that this had been yesterday when Talbots had that online flash sale!”. However, I really do not ‘NEED’ anything! However, seeing you model items definitely gives me ideas…as well as wants! I do appreciate the fact that Talbots has so many petites which short little me wears. But their petites also often sale quickly, and I’m a wait- for- a – sale person.
I wish it had come out last week but my gallbladder intervened :). They have frequent sales so hold tight.
I am wondering what others think—being short, 5’2”, I am skeptical about wearing midi length dresses. I think they look great on tall, slender people but not on short women.
I think it depends on where it hits your leg and the proportion.
I am also 5’2″ and feel I look best in a simple slim sheath dress at or above the knee. Tall, thin, young women can carry off volume more successfully, IMO.
I was watching an online video last night that talked about cutting oneself horizontally. Hemlines, contrast at the waist (tucked in top of a different color, belts), pocket flaps.. Marie-Anne claimed that chopping oneself up adds weight visually.
Marianne – I am 5’3″ but my petite is mainly from waist down. I never wear midi length dresses. That length makes me look even shorter than I am and heavy, and cuts my leg right at the heavy part of the calf. I do wear maxi dresses – the long continuous column helps create the illusion of height. For now, I just will wait out this current midi length craze.
I’m 5′ 2.5″ and love sheath dresses at knee or fit-and-flare at just below knee. I do have a couple of midi dresses, though that I like and wear. I’m not sure whether this might be true for you or not, but I think it’s the volume of material (rather than the length) of some of the midis and maxis that makes them so difficult for us petites to wear. Just a thought …
I really am a fan of linen – but I can’t understand why they make so many linen shirts with long sleeves! The fabric is so cool & comfortable for steamy weather but long sleeves defeat the purpose. The patterned skirts you’re showing are gorgeous.
I wear long sleeves in summer to keep the sun off my arms. A long-sleeved shirt takes the place of a cardigan or jacket.
I simply roll my linen sleeves. In fact, I roll all my sleeves because I’m short 🙂