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?