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Dressing Room Diaries in Ann Taylor

I haven’t been to my local Ann Taylor for longer than I can remember. The Nordstrom that anchored that mall closed its doors a few months ago, as have many other small retailers. As I walk the mall, I see store after store with paper over the windows. On this trip, I spotted 6 empty stores just on the wing of the mall that my Ann Taylor is located. It’s sad and a bit creepy. Anywho…on to dressing room diaries and what’s new for spring 2021 at Ann Taylor.

woman wearing pink tweed blazer and winde leg denim jeans in dressing room

 

If you’re new here, welcome! DRD is when I go into stores and try on new merchandise so you can see how it looks on a woman over 25. For reference, I am 5’4″ and weigh around 136lbs. I have broad shoulders and straight hips with very few curves. I’m an inverted triangle silhouette. I have long arms and torso so I alternate between regular and petite to get the proper fit.

 

blonde woman taking dressing room selfie in toile blouse and jeans at ann taylor
WEARING – TOILE  TIE-NECK TOP –  HIGH-RISE WIDE-LEG JEANSPLATFORM WEDGE SANDALS

This blouse has a pretty, romantic toile pattern and smocking at the waist and elbow-length sleeves. It’s available in regular and petite, sizes XXS-XXL. I’m wearing a regular medium which is the right length for my long torso but a tiny bit large. I like it larger on me because it’s more drapey. I’ve never been drawn to feminine shapes but this one is really pretty.

You will see these jeans often throughout this try-on because they were still unpacking boxes so my options were limited at the time. These have a very high rise and wide hem. They’re available in regular and petite, 00-18. Above, I am wearing a 4 regular so the run TTS.

 

woman showing difference between proportion between tucked and untucked shirt
WEARING –  MIXED MEDIA BLOUSE   –  WIDE-LEG JEANS

Here is the petite version of the wide-leg jeans with a mixed media floral blouse. I’m showing it tucked and untucked to show how it changes the proportion of my legs. I know many ladies don’t like to tuck tops in but even a half-tuck will elongate the look of your legs.

I’ve come to love AT’s mixed media tops because they have a woven front and sleeves, with a stretch, knit back. The print is the same front and back. It’s available in regular and petite sizes XXS-XXL. I’m wearing a petite small which is too tight across the shoulders and chest so it runs TTS.

 

side by side picture showing cropped and uncropped wide leg jean shapes from spring 2021 collection at ann taylor
SIZE 4 REGULAR LENGTH                                                                                                        SIZE 6 PETITE VERSION

Now, with the top tucked in on both the regular and petite, notice the difference a few inches can make in the proportion of a garment. I’m 5’4″ so should theoretically look best in the petite. I prefer the regular length on me because they make my legs look longer. These are intended to be cropped but I prefer them full length. It’s your choice ladies. If you want to shop in the tall department to get a longer sleeve or skirt, have at it. If you have a short torso and long legs you may do better in the petite department.

 

woman wearing botanical sweater and wide leg jeans in changing room
WEARING – FOLIAGE RELAXED SWEATER TEE  –  CORSET HIGH-WAIST STRAIGHT JEANS

This sweater tee has a boatneck, elbow-length sleeves, and dropped shoulders. There are side slits and the back is a bit longer than the front. The dropped shoulders and boat neckline make my shoulders look wider than they are. This shape would flatter a woman with narrow shoulders. It’s available in regular and petite sizes XXS-XXL I’m wearing a regular small so it runs TTS.  It has a very pale blue background with green leaves.

These straight jeans have a 13 1/2 ” rise so they’re not for everyone. They’re available in regular and petite sizes 00-18. I have a long torso and love high rise so these work for me. I’m wearing a 6 petite. They’re meant to hit above the ankle.

 

blonde woman trying on sweater and jeans from spring 2021 ann taylor
WEARING –  LINEN BLEND OPEN CARDIGAN  –  FLORAL BLOUSE  –  STRAIGHT JEANS

These are the same straight jeans as above, this time in 4 regular. This linen blend cardigan is a great piece for spring and summer. It comes in winter white or black, regular and petite sizes XXS-XXL. I’m wearing a regular in small so it runs TTS.

 

woman taking selfie in mirror wearing green polka dot skirt
WEARING –  SEASONLESS SWEATER  –  DOT SKIRT

The store was loaded with skirts in all shapes, lengths, and colors imaginable. This skirt has a paper bag waist so if you do tuck things in you’d have a pretty edge at the top. It comes in regular and petite, sizes 00-18. The skirt has stitched down pleats over the hips, is fully lined, and is machine washable. I’m wearing a 6 petite but it’s a bit snug around the waist so I suggest you size up.

This sweater is a classic crew neck pullover in a lightweight rayon blend. It comes in this black or white, regular or petite sizes XXS-XL. I’m wearing a petite small which is a bit snug so I would size up.

 

 

mirror selfie of blonde woman wearing pink blazer and beige jeans at ann taylor
WEARING – FRINGE TWEED BLAZER  –  WIDE LEG JEANS IN ECRU

This fringe tweed blazer stole my heart the moment I put it on. AT makes this Newbury blazer in lots of fabrics and colors but this hibiscus color is amazing! It’s available in regular and petite sizes 00-12. I’m wearing a regular 6. I love the shorter length which looks great over jeans.

These are the same wide-leg jeans as above, this time in ecru. They also come in “romantic rouge” and “washed lavender” colors. I’m wearing the 4 regular.

 

woman wearing varigated cardigan and wide leg jeans in dressing room mirror
WEARING –  OMBRE  CARDIGAN

This 100% cotton sweater is ribbed with side slits and an oversized, relaxed feel. I love these graduated ombre colors on tops. It’s heavy-weight cotton so has some heft to it. It’s available in regular and petite sizes XXS-XXL. I’m wearing a petite small and because of my long torso would go with a regular to be more slouchy.

Interesting tidbit…when my kids were in high school, I got a part-time job working at a local Ann Taylor. Needless to say, no money was ever brought home and because I spent way more than I made. I did have a wonderful wardrobe tho…

Thanks for reading ladies and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.

MORE FROM ANN TAYLOR

 

 

38 Comments

  1. Everything always looks good on you Jennifer. I love high rise jeans. I think they fit in well with my classic look preferences. I also prefer straight and flared legs the best. Skinny legs in my opinion are figure flattering only on women with perfect leg shapes.

  2. Pat from Wisconsin says:

    These posts are so fun, AND they save me time, effort, trial and error, and money! I do have two issues that I would like to see addressed if you are willing: gappy neck tops and “the hump.” A lot of older women weigh more now than they did before, so have to size up in tops. But when you size up to fit your middle, everything else is also bigger, including the neck opening (and the sleeves, but that’s another issue). I call those t-shirts and tops gappy neck tops. I do not think they are flattering, but then neither is a tight top. I’m 5’2″ and normally a medium to large, depending on the cut. When I have to size up to a large, the neck opening is too wide. So I have to wear a vest, top, scarf, or jacket. And I don’t want to do that in summer. I look for size medium (which fits in the shoulders) swing or boxy tops or those with gathers in the back or at least mixed media, but they can be hard to find. The other problem is “the hump.” (My husband laughs when I call it that, since I don’t have a hump.) I’m talking about what happens with boatneck tops in particular. That pad of fat across the back shoulder area is highlighted. So even women without humps, if you look at them from the side, have a hump. So I avoid boatneck tops. Have you found any workarounds for these things? Thanks so much for all you do!

  3. Nope, nope, nope to wide leg large cuff cropped flare anything like it jeans or pants. Just not going there. The tops are too similar to what I already have in my closet, and the last time I saw a woman wear a blazer where we live was when we bought our house nine years ago. I’m discouraged about the “new” fashions we are seeing.

    1. There’s a fashion look for every woman. I happen to love the look, but each woman is different. What style clothes do you like?

  4. love the wide leg jeans on you i have bought some and love them more comfortable and flattering than skinny jeans

  5. My favorite is the black sweater top on you, in both the skirt and pants.
    My daughter is critical of my pants because they sag in the buttocks and thigh areas. Can you suggest high waisted, straight leg, non cropped pants that would fit my 5ft 4in body?

    1. It sounds like you may have a shape like mine. Look for styles described as slim through hip and thigh. Buy to fit your waist and have hips altered to slim in for you. Alterations like this are very simple, affordable and make all the difference in the world.

  6. I couldn’t get excited about anything except the black sweater and dot skirt. It is going to take me a long time to get used to the wide leg jeans. Though I know they would be really comfortable.

  7. You look wonderful in the skirt! I am no fan of the hi rise pants. I am not sure if it’s because the fly placket is higher and the seam below pulls in but they often look like the wearer has a camel toe! No matter how well they fit..I have noticed this in ads for hi rise jeans as well. Not a look I aspire to. My feeling is the hi rise will hang around for a year or two because it’s novel to the young and then, like the cold shoulder tops that were all over the place a couple years ago and are nowhere now, the hi rise will move on. I know a few women who are stockpiling mid rise straight leg jeans which are the most flattering fit for most. At 5’1 with curves wide leg pants regardless of rise are not for me but look great on you. Also I can’t with the platform shoes. Been there done that..forty years ago.

  8. Katelyn K says:

    Jennifer, you look so cute and slender in the AT wide leg high rise jeans with the cuff and the feminine blue and white blouse. The combo are flattering and have you appearing taller in the regular length. My favorite jeans and pants this year are palazzo and wide leg styles. I found Citizens of Humanity Flavie and Annina jean styles have the ideal fit and flare for my 5’4″ height and 140lb curvy figure but wouldn’t hesitate to purchase these two AT wide leg styles.

    I also adore that green with white and black dots skirts on you as well. Would truly like to know the actual waist and hip measurements as the website offers only generic sizing and all the local AT stores shut down permanently closed so cannot visit to try on. Dearly wish to have this skirt before they sell out 🙂

    Never ceases to amaze me how same height, same weight yet different body shape can affect fit, drape and the sizing of clothing.

    Cheers!

    1. I recommend you phone customer service for the measurements. It’s the best way to get accurate sizing. Good luck! As a side note, since it’s a skirt, I’d go up in size to be sure the waist fits because that’s the most important

  9. Love the wide leg pants and that pretty blue color with the pink jacket. I’m on the fence about buying the jacket because I can’t wear it until next year, it’s hot here on the coast, and next year they have another pretty pink color I will love. Do you think color dates a piece?

    1. Don’t care for the fringe jacket look. I like wide leg pants, on YOU because you have no hips! I HAVE hips and they make me happier! I like your choice of colors for tops. Very springy!

  10. Barb from Canada says:

    You look wonderful in the pink blazer and I would order it in a heartbeat except I live in Canada and the shipping costs are too exorbitant and I am looking to enjoy crossing the border soon? Keep showing us your tryons, really enjoy the selection.

  11. I thought you looked nice in all the outfits today. I especially liked the skirt on you. Maybe because that look is one of my summer go tos.

  12. I’m also an inverted triangle and was recently at the Ann Taylor store a couple of weeks ago and purchased a couple of the items you are wearing! The jeans were similar although the waist was a bit different. All of the outfits you put together look great, but the one that strikes me the most is the black sweater and the polka dot skirt. It looks great on you!.

  13. Elizabeth says:

    You do a very nice job of detailing the pieces you are wearing, it is very helpful in determining if it would work for me or what size I might want to try. I appreciate it that! Thank you!

  14. Paulette Levy says:

    Unfortunately for me I cannot embrace these wider leg pants, cropped or longer. Neither look good on me.
    I prefer your (and my) straight leg, jeggings or even leggings if of higher quality fabric. I guess it’s just my preference.
    I liked the 3/4 sleeve printed top, the cardis too! And that cute skirt with black top…..adorable!
    Thank you for sharing and again, showing what the possibilities are!

    1. The possibilities are endless so I’m hopeful I can help ladies narrow things down.

  15. Good morning!
    I loved all the tops! I used to love AT. Sadly we don’t have it in Canada, also our Loft has closed😢. I really loved the pink little jacket on you. The wide leg pants are not for me. You are looking so slim & positively tiny! The wide leg jeans don’t do you any favours.
    The pink with the white cardigan looks so nice.

  16. Linda Henderson says:

    My favorite was the foliage sweater. It looked so good on you.

  17. I feel that by the time we reach a certain age, we all have developed a style that reflects our life journey. For whatever reason, certain styles just don’t work well for me but can look amazing on others. It took me awhile to love the slim jean cut and I’ve always been fond of the straight cut. I don’t see me ever wearing a skinny jean or leggings. Now the wide leg jeans fall into a grey area. It may work but I hesitate to invest in anything that may get passed over and later donated.
    The more basic and simple I can keep my wardrobe, the easier it is to get out the door!

  18. I’m not a fan of the wide leg because I’m so short but did like the straight leg. The beautiful tops looked lovely on you ❤️

  19. Loved you in the skirt with the black sweater. Would love to find an Ann Taylor just to try on clothes. Thank you so much for showcasing these pretty things.

  20. Thanks for the Ann Taylor try-ons. To me, the wide leg, wide hem jeans seem to shorten your legs, so since I’m shorter than you, I think I’ll pass on this style. That hibiscus jacket makes me smile, what a happy color !

  21. I guess I’m in the minority here, but I LOVE the wide leg jeans! I’m 5’5” with broad shoulders, and a short waist, and with the high rise and full length pant, I feel it makes me look taller (crop or ankle length don’t work for me) of course, the top has to be a shorter length to pull this off.

    1. I like them too🤗

  22. I’m generally a fan of wide leg pants but oddly enough (☺) I think I’d prefer those in the ‘jean’ style to hit about mid calf due to their fit in the waistband/abdomen. Do like the straight leg jean and the tweed blazer. The latter though I’d hesitate to wash but why, why would they put the buttons on it, that they did? Yes, I’d be changing them … lol! As for the other items, I could see them working in someone else’s wardrobe but currently not in mine.
    Always appreciating your time and effort Jennifer and am hoping that the USA/Cdn. border will soon open up so at least I can do some ordering vie your links as our stores are still closed and overall processing fees are outrageous for intl. orders. -Brenda-

    1. I sure hope that border opens soon too!

  23. The wide leg look is not for me, nor is the wide cuff…At 5’2″ I would just look like a bolt of fabric. This is one fashion trend I will not be jumping on. I do like the straight jeans.

  24. I love the beautiful tops. I’m a big fan of toile patterns, but don’t like smocked waists. I actually think the cropped wide leg pants look better on you than the longer length which seems too baggy. However, I have to agree that the wide leg pants probably work better on tall women and slimmer styles (but not skinny, please!) look better on most of us. The skirt is very cute although I have no idea what a paper bag waist is. I need more education regarding fashion terms!
    Thanks to you, I am now tucking or half tucking my tops for the first time in years.

    1. I’m so glad you are trying the tuck. It’s a game changer for so many figures.

  25. I agree about the wide leg. It seems too overwhelming. I prefer straight. All the outfits are very cute and would be easy to wear. I especially liked the variety of tops. I’ll have to check out Ann Taylor. I always felt they catered more to the working woman, but it seems like they are featuring more casual items now.

  26. The ecru straight leg makes you look taller and the ecru wide leg also look great but the blue color wide legs do not flatter shorter figures. The tops were fun, I stick to solids for versatility. It is already very warm in South Carolina so jackets are gone.

  27. You look nice in all the outfits. My prefer the straight leg jeans. I am not a fan of the wide leg. I do not like the wide leg and the hem. I wonder what others think.

  28. Love the dot skirt on you – length, shape, colours are all so flattering on you. I hope you bought it!

    1. I’ve noticed been a big skirt wearer but it’s occurring to that they’re a nice option I’ve overlooked 🤗

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