Dressing Room Diaries: Regrets and Shopping the Collections Early
When I saw this jacket last month… I hesitated to purchase it and now wish I hadn’t. I wanted the pink version which is now sold out everywhere in my size. That’s the thing about collections…once they’re gone, they’re gone. I stopped in Talbots yesterday to see if the ivory with black rang my bell as much as the pink with black and decided it did. While I was there I tried on some of their new 70th-anniversary collection.Â
This blouse caught my eye first. I’m always on the hunt for great white shirts. These crisply pleated cuffs add pizazz to an otherwise classic white shirt. It has just enough spandex to be comfy and move with you, rather than bind.
I’m wearing a petite which puts the waist shaping at the correct spot on me but the sleeves looked too loose and long so I’ve ordered the next size down. In a fitted garment, the shaping can make or break the fit.
These leggings were very cute with the button detailing at the bottom. This pair is too long for me because the buttons sit too low. A petite version would place the buttons right at my ankle bone, where they belong. They fit very well, have a slimming front seam and come in several colors. I especially liked the indigo.
SHOP THE LOOK
I stepped outside my normal color range when I tried this sweater on and discovered I liked it! Beige is a tough color for me but this one is very neutral. Faux fur continues to be popular this winter and this is a way to dabble in it without wearing a full-blown coat. The color is rich and the whole effect is elegant.
I put this jacket back on to verify I’d be happy with the ivory and black color combo. I will…which reminded me to take advantage of collections when they’re first available because the things I like frequently go fast.
I liked this Velveteen Jacket online, but it wasn’t available to try on at the store so I ordered the Frosted Mint and the Midnight Blue, in petite.
Do you shop collections when they first come out?
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
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I shop at Talbots often. If I missed out on an item that I should have bought sooner, I will ask either the store or the catalogue sales associates to do a store search. I figure that surely there must be one item left in my size somewhere in the USA. There have been several times that I have nabbed the last available item, often at the sale price.
P.S. The ivory jacket and black pants look adorable on you!
Go Anne!! Way to chase it down and get it in sale too. I finally found the pink version but it’s one size too small for me.
That sweater with the faux fur collar looks fabulous on you. With the trousers it looks very New York somehow. I know what you mean about beige because I can’t wear all tones of it, but that one sure goes well with your coloring.
Thanks Debbie! I think the chocolate colored faux fur next to my complexion helps the beige work.
I buy a lot of my classic staples at Talbots. This fall I only added a few pieces to my wardrobe — a pair of jeggings in black and in burgundy, a black sweater duster with gold buttons at the wrist (I live in dusters in the winter — love them) and just for fun a T shirt w/a white kitty cat coming out of the breast pocket wearing a striped shirt (a marinière) and a black beret — so cute.
I’m still looking for a plain, black cashmere cardigan that has just the right fit. You do anything w/one of those and I wore out my last one a few years ago. I will keep looking and not settle until I find the “perfect” black cardigan.
I think you chose wisely and you look great in everything.
Cheers, Marie-Thérèse (M-T)
Thanks M-T! They really do have some lovely pieces.
Jennifer, I notice several times you purchased petite clothing. You look tall to me,
Im 5’2′. How tall are you?
That’s the beauty of wearing petites! I was always 5’4″ but my last physical puts me at 5’3 1/2. Needless to say, I’m not thrilled to be shrinking.
I dont suppose you could get it dyed proffessionally?
(I have turned many white outfits pink in my wash – LOL)
Luv your blog
JanLewtas
Australia
I love how you think Janet!! I won’t admit how many things I’ve turned pink in the wash. All the while hoping to get fired from that responsibility. :)xx
I am very middle income and must wait for sales, then usually the larger sizes are gone!
That’s a tough spot Julie. I think that’s why classics make so much sense. You buy the best quality you can afford and wear it for many years.
I like the outfits on you , the cream and black jacket very smart on , the pants with the slightly wider leg look good as well maybe try with a shoe that has a block heel …
By the way your hair looks nice …
Bless you Pam!! I think my hair has stopped shedding but I have many months before it fills back in. A block heel would be fabulous with these!!
I liked everything you tried on in the dressing room diary. I love a crisp white shirt and am always on the look out for one with some detail. I think the ivory & black may turn out to be a more versatile colour than the pink. But, you can always check back occasionally in case of a return in your size. I love Talbots clothing!
You look fabulous in the photo of the ivory & black jacket from Talbots. Your hair and glasses are great. I was at the eye doctor this morning and ordered new glasses. I hope I chose as well as you did. I was texting photos to my husband and my sister and they had VERY different opinions!
The black and white jacket looks very chic on you. I shopped at Talbot’s in August and loved the Paris collection.
Thank you. It is a great collection, Linda. They have some very clever designers.
I like the jacket and that white shirt a lot on you…it is difficult finding petites in Victoria as several of our petite boutiques have closed and I do not like altering pants as they never fit the way a petite one does,.
Looks like you will have some great things to wear this Fall.
That’s too bad about them closing. We petite ladies really need the resources. As you say, just hemming doesn’t fix the fit issue.
The black and white jacket looks really great on you! The white blouse did also, but it is very sheer. Skin and undergarment are very visible. How do you handle that…a pretty camisole or a tank top underneath perhaps? I’m also blonde and if I try on beige, I can hear my mother’s voice…nope! It completely washes me out.
If it’s very see-through I prefer to wear a nude cami. If I wear a white cami, you can see the lines of it and I prefer the focus to be on my top, not my cami:) Thanks Roxanne.
I have been a faithful Talbots customer for over 25 years and love their clothing. Recently bought the same white and black jacket with the button detail leggings. I find the Talbots clothing to be true to size and it’s always something I can rely on when ordering online. The beige sweater with the fur collar (faux of course) is next on my list – it looks great on you! You’re right though – buy it when you see it – the clothing is sold out so quickly!
That’s the sign of a great collection! It’s a very pretty sweater Deborah.
I love that faux fur with the trousers! Looks amazing on you!
Thanks Pam:)
I often wait for a sale and then it’s too late. I’m getting better at buying things I like when I see them. I love that jacket. Very chic.
I’m guilty of that too! I’m glad I was able to snatch this black and ivory one.