Dressing Room Diary- Petite Spring Fashion From Talbots
It’s been too long since I was at Talbots, so I popped in to see what’s new. For this try-on session, I stayed on the petite side of the store and found everything fit really well. Most of their garments come in misses, petite, plus, and plus petite.
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 140 lbs. I have broad shoulders, straight hips, a long torso, and long arms. I often buy one size larger on top. You’ll see me try on clothes in colors and shapes that may or may not flatter me because I want you to see what’s 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.
My closest Talbots doesn’t carry much of the Haven line, so I drove further to see a larger selection. It’s still a small showing compared to online, but this cozy cotton cashmere set caught my eye. I love this kind of “athleisure” for days hanging out at home. I can also see it with some sporty metallic sneakers for racing out to the supermarket or post office.
These twill pants are one size too large for me, but I really wanted to show them to you. They’re a nice cotton/modal/spandex blend with a nice drape. The leg is wide but not voluminous. They also come in tan or navy. This butterfly cardigan is part of their collection, with proceeds being donated to Dress For Success through March 19. Butterflies are a symbol of hope and transformation which makes a great tie-in, and it’s also a cheery print for spring! I like wearing cardigans like this, buttoned closed as a top.
I love black and white gingham, and these pants have a great classic fit. These were one size too large for me, so I ordered the 8 petite. Chatham pants fit beautifully in a bi-stretch cotton fabric with a flattering side zip and high rise. Plus and plus petite is here. I paired it with their no-iron, crisp poplin shirt, and girlfriend cardigan for a totally classic look. I’m a fan of the relaxed look of tying the front, but it also tucks nicely. This cotton blend cardigan comes in six colors and has a flattering v-neckline.
I couldn’t resist this green! It’s everywhere this spring and really pops against bright white. This boyfriend shirt is 100% cotton and also comes in an eye-popping blue. I’m styling it with high waist straight-leg jeans that are a fuller-legged straight. I’ve found many retailers are calling their slim, tapered-leg pants “straight,” and it’s misleading. I love the modern shape of these.
I switched things up and tucked the boyfriend shirt into these modern ankle jeans with an on-trend raw hem. (I have finally come to appreciate raw hems, probably just in time for them to go out of style 🙂 These jeans are cotton/polyester/spandex with a rise they say is above the waist. Since Talbots doesn’t give a rise measurement, I can just report that they hit right at my waist, which I find the most flattering on my long torso. This vivid botanical cardigan is super fun and will go with so many colors giving a fun pop of spring delight.
The sales gal at Talbots squealed in delight at this color combination.I have to admit, it’s fun…although tangerine is not one of my best colors. This mixed-stitch cotton sweater comes in four colors with a raglan sleeve. I’m so happy to be finding more raglans and set-in sleeves these days. Dare I hope for the demise of all the dropped shoulders we’ve been served lately?
Here’s the same cardigan tossed over the solid Pima tee in pistachio green. There’s no pistachio in the cardigan, but it coordinates nicely. BTW, cardigans worn over the shoulders are trending for spring. I’ve been doing this for years, but apparently, it’s popular again. This tee is nice and thick in 21 colors to flatter everyone 🌈. These white pants are a cotton/Tencel/spandex blend with “Invisiflex Comfort Waist Technology, ” meaning an elastic waistband in the back. It does make them very comfy and I always blouse my tops over the back anyway. They also come in olive or black.
Another flattering pair of the Chatham pants, this time in a pretty blue and white print. Plus size here. They have a fun slit hem in the rear and back welt pockets. I’m wearing them with this 100% cotton open-stitch cardigan that also comes in black. It’s a substantial knit, but the openness and cotton would keep it very cool in hot weather.
My hunt for dresses has me trying them on at every opportunity. This midi dress is a fit-and-flare shape with elastic at the waist and subtle smocking at the 3/4 sleeve bottom and neckline. It’s very lightweight viscose and is meant to hit just below the knee, which isn’t what I consider a midi length.
This shirred dress is a black and ivory polka dot print with lots of stretch. It’s a fully lined pullover style with shirring at the waist for shaping. This truly is a one-and-done, just-add-earrings type of dress. A necklace might be overkill, and you might not even see it on top of the print. It comes in misses and petite.
This tie detail dress came home with me for Easter and a Seder dinner we have coming up. It’s two gorgeous blues together in a print that, while floral, doesn’t scream flower to me for some reason. I love the tie detail that you can snug to fit your shape. It’s a fit-and-flare pullover style with lots of stretch and is very comfy. I think this would also pack for travel beautifully.
This fit and flare poplin dress ran snugly across the chest, so I suggest you size up. I love how a shirtdress can do double duty worn open over a tank and jeans or pants. This is 100% cotton that will feel cool and look polished in warm weather. I’d probably change out the belt to something like this one or this one, and I would certainly snip off those silly thread guides they put on dresses to hold the belt at your waist.
What colors are you gravitating to this spring?
Jennifer,
You look terrific in all of the outfits! I hope you bought at least one of them.
You look great in all these outfits. It’s nice that Talbots has so much for petites. I am hard-pressed to find clothes there that work for me. Especially Talbots pants don’t work for me as they tend to be too short in the crotch and, since they don’t carry a tall line, the pant lengths don’t work for me either. I am only average height (5’5″) but I guess I carry my height in the legs, because pants with 30″ inseams are always just a bit too short. I particularly love that butterfly cardigan and the fact that it is associated with a charitable cause, and it looks great with those white trousers…even though they’re not your correct size. I haven’t adjusted to the wide-leg look yet, but those look the best I’ve seen. I may order the cardigan in a regular size. I really appreciate your blog posts! Thanks.
Happy St Patrick’s Day.
Wonderful post today.
I want all these great outfits.
Talbots has a newish stand alone store at Park Royal in West Vancouver . Across the street from the old mall. And one in Victoria too. Unfortunately the Oak Ridge store is long gone. I shopped there for 30 years.
I’ve been to the Talbots in Park Royal, and it is lovely.
Great post today featuring Petite styles from Talbots which is one of the few stores that carries a decent selection of Petite size styles in store. I like being able to take a variety of styles and multiple sizes into the dressing room to put outfits together and find the right fit. I am more adventurous trying on new silhouettes in-store because I can see right away if it looks good on me or not.
March is my birthday month so I used my 15% Birthday Discount when they were doing their 25% off Friends&Family promotion with triple points for scheduling an appointment to update my pant wardrobe and fill-in some voids. I bought a lot of the styles you featured!
Love the wide leg pants! Tried them on in-store in denim and bought both the white and indigo denim versions. Because the fit and length were perfect on me, I ordered the twill version all three colors. The 10P white and navy twill were also a perfect fit but the 10P tan were cut slightly smaller and had to be returned. Hate it when fit is inconsistent among colors on the same style and size!
Love their No-iron sleeveless button front shirts and wish Talbots would make them in light blue, pink, and yellow as I need to replace those colors. I wear them year round under knit tops because it’s less bulky.
Loved the Vivid Botanical Charming cardigan and bought it to add interest to a variety of solid color sleeveless dresses and tops I already own. The white open stitch cardigan was only available in Petites in navy in my store so that is the color I purchased.
You looked great in all of the dresses! I especially liked the black & White polka dot and the two shades of blue floral side tie dresses on you. I was very attracted to the fresh looking blue & white striped poplin shirtdress when I saw it in the catalogue so it was the first thing I grabbed to try on in store. It looks a lot better on you than it did on me! The waist was a bit tight and the fuller skirt overwhelmed me so I had to pass on it. Bummer! I checked out your belt recommendations. Both were great looking options but the 1 3/4” straw belt is probably too wide for me. I have several silver belts and they are very versatile. The description states that the silver belt is 1” wide but a reviewer said that it was only 3/8” wide. I will make a point of trying on these belts next time I am in Talbots.
Love all the great colors at Talbots and that green was spectacular on you!
Thank you for a very inspiring post featuring Talbots Petites!
I am still thinking seriously about that green shirt!
Wow I loved all the outfits and they looked great on you. I wouldn’t purchase the gray casual set and being short 5’2” I’m not a fan of wide legs. All the colors scream spring and you look great in those spring colors.
You nailed it choosing outfits. Everything looks great! I’ve been a Talbots fan for years, but haven’t purchased much recently. May have to go hit the mall soon.
Sorry for the typo earlier, I meant to type blouse not sure why auto correct substituted the word (Boyce) :):)!
Jennifer, that jersey side tie dress is so flattering…and love the colours of blue!
After moving back to BC from many years in Calgary, where I enjoyed Talbots there, I am away from mall stores for good. I mentioned earlier that Talbots charges to send to 🇨🇦 , so won’t be a purchaser anymore .
Happy to see you embrace some lovely dresses. You have given me inspiration to look close to home in my local boutiques, though.
Enjoy ☘️and the beginnings of springtime 🌷
Enjoy your beautiful weather! I love BC!
Love the green shirt on you. Happy st. Patrick’s day!
I love all these outfits on you. They fit very nicely. I really like the green. I think that’s the color I’m gravitating to for spring. I miss not having a Talbot’s in my town anymore. I loved the petites there. Happy St. Patrick’s day ☘️
Happy St Patrick’s Day!
I love Talbot’s! I’ve been shopping with them for over 30 years and have been very happy with their quality. I have a cotton cardigan that I’ve had for over 20 years and still wear often.
I agree, they’re timeless and great quality.
Jennifer, so happy to see you buy that tie waisted blue dress!
It looks wonderful on you. I bought a similar style dress from Talbots several years ago, and I absolutely love it – so comfortable and flattering. I really enjoyed your post today. Thank you for trying on all those fabulous clothes!
It’s really a pretty dress
All very lovely!
Thanks for the DRD and showing so many outfits! We’re reading this on St. Paddy’s Day, so the Kelly green is appropriate. The saleswoman should have put you in white pants with the green shirt and orange sweater — a nice look and colors of the Irish flag – LOL. I love the cotton dresses. The nylon-spandex ones have a funny feel to me.
The saleswomen did not choose the clothes, I did. White would have been fun too.
Good morning Jennifer….I love ALL the items from Talbots and do have in my cart already the casual cashmere set; it’s lovely! I can’t seem to find the raw edge jeans. I have a high spam blocker so the link did not work for the jeans (but works for everything else from Talbots; go figure). When I checked Talbots site I didn’t see any raw edge; so hoping you can help me as I love that fit and style. As always; thank you for all your good suggestions and ideas!
Here’s the link https://rstyle.me/+y9gusXqEf6SnDEMvfjMvAQ
Such great choices. Love Talbots!
Talbots clothes don’t fit me well. I have to go up a size to fit my broad shoulders and then the rest of the top/sweater is too large. I also think they are a little bit too preppy for me.
Just ordered the bateau tee in Provence blue and bright green. Love Talbot is tees. Thanks for showing this one.
“Talbot’s” Darn autocorrect. BTW “bateau” becomes “Batman” on autocorrect! Hope I don’tlook like Batman in these tees!
Lol, autocorrect make lots of mistakes.
I love your looks in nearly everything. I’m not a fan of floral dresses typically but do love the stripe dress in blue. Lovely.
Hey Jennifer, I’ve been off the blog for a few weeks recovering from knee replacement surgery. It’s been rough, but I must be getting better because I feel like reading your blog! Thank you for trying on all those petite outfits. You really do look great in them. Love all the Talbots outfits but the plaid pants outfit is my favorite. Also like those Bristol pants and may have to try them. Now with a huge ugly scar going down my leg, I’m going to have to look for midi/maxi dresses and crops for spring/summer. Hope to see some on future blogs!
I’m so glad to hear you’re recovering! I love longer skirts and dresses in the summer so will be sure to show some.
Good morning Jennifer,
I liked everything you put on for us today, especially the dresses. I never see those kind of dresses when I’m shopping for one.
It seems all the hemlines on the pants are shorter this spring. Not sure I like that and I’ll never like the raw unfinished hems. Gross!
Have a good weekend!
I love the black polka dress and the navy floral jersey. I say they look better on you than the models in the catalog. Also, thank you for highlighting petite sizes. Talbots is a place to find a wide variety in petites.
Have a great weekend.
Good morning and Happy Friday Jennifer, todays pics are fantastic. I bought Talbots new Bristol pants in black and white they are super comfortable and soft. Also picked up several pretty flower printed sweaters and Boyce. So many colors to mix and match for a bright look this spring & summer. Have a great weekend😃
THANK YOU Jennifer for the Talbot’s review of some of their spring line. How marvelous, and you looked fabulous in everything. It is wonderful to see the clothing on a real woman and not a model in their catalog. I’m still salivating over all the gorgeous clothing they showed. It’s tough to restrain myself, but I’ll give it the old college try. Again, thank you for the Talbot’s spring line review – this is absolutely my favorite store and a place where everything seems to fit. Their petite’s line works perfectly for me!!!!!!!!!!
I really had fun trying these on. So bright and fun!
LOVE Talbots and you killed it with these outfits!! I also wear a petite and want to Buy EVERYTHING! 🫶🏻
I loved these too!!