Dressing Room Diaries- Summer Skirts and Shorts
Happy Friday, ladies. Today I have a dressing room diary with some summer skirts and shorts from Talbots. This post was getting so long, that I’ve decided to break it up into two and will send the second one either Sunday or Monday.
If youāre new here, welcome. A dressing room diary is when I go into a local store for a try-on session so you can see whatās new and how it looks on a woman over 25. For reference, I am 5ā4ā³ and weigh around 134 lbs with broad shoulders and straight hips. I have a long torso and long 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 whatās 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 plus petite. As always, you can click the red text for more info and to shop the item at no additional cost to you. I want to thank all of you for shopping through my links which helps support my business so I can continue to bring you the content you enjoy.
This is a T by Talbots dress in 100% cotton. It only comes in misses and petite, XS-XL. I am wearing a misses S. This would be cute with some white tennis and a cotton sweater or denim jacket for casual occasions. The side pockets are a winner in my book plus you can snug the drawstring to add shaping.
I didn’t want this dress skin tight so I sized it up to a misses M and love the fit. It’s a rayon/spandex blend with a lot of stretch. You can adjust the belt tie for the fit you like. The petite is about 2″ shorter but it would also make the belt too high for my waist because of my long torso.
This is also a T by Talbots dress in 96% cotton and 4% spandex. This is also not offered in plus sizes yet. The pockets are low on the hip so I expect I could have worn the petite because this dress does not have a defined waist.
Moving on to a few skirts…
This denim skirt is super cute with a band of embroidery at the hem. It’s a cotton, lyocell, polyester, and spandex blend. It hits above the knee with a length of misses 20 1/2″, petite 19 1/2″, plus 22 1/2″. I am wearing a petite, 4. The tee is one of my favorites from Talbots…their 100% Pima cotton v-neck. It comes in 12 colors. I buy one or two fresh white ones every spring because it’s totally opaque and goes with everything in my wardrobe.
I prefer the proportion of a shorter tee with this skirt so I simply twisted the hem in front, threaded it through a front belt loop, and tucked it up underneath. This gives the tee some shaping without having to tuck anything in.
This skirt caught my eye first thing because it’s just so feminine and pretty. It comes in the full range of sizes, YAY! It’s 100% cotton with 100% cotton lining, so has no stretch. The length is misses 20 1/2″, petite 19 1/2″, plus 22 1/2″,Ā plus petite 20 1/2″. I am wearing a misses 4 so it runs true to size (TTS).
The open weave sweater is a fabulous piece for the summer in a cotton/polyester blend. I am wearing a misses S which is snugger than I prefer so I suggest you go up one size for ease. I am not wearing a tank underneath but the website suggests you do, and I agree.
Now for a few shorts-
This Pima cotton tank comes in 12 colors and its modest neckline makes it a perfect layering piece. I’m wearing a misses S which feels miles too long for me so I have the bottom folded under 4″ and would opt for the petite. The chino shorts are a fun seersucker fabric that says “summer”. The inseam is misses and plus 7″, petite 6″. I am wearing a misses 6.
This stars and stripe tee is indigo, red and white. It’s a fun and festive motif that looks perfect for summer and especially, the upcoming 4th of July. I am wearing a misses S. It’s a super soft cotton/modal blend that’s also lightweight.
These are the girlfriend 9″ denim shorts which come in multiple denim washes here. These have a rolled inseam of 9″ misses, 7 1/2″ petite, and 9″ plus. The unrolled inseam is 11 1/2″ misses, 10″ petite, and 11 1/2″ plus. Obviously, you can roll these up or down to whatever length flatters your legs most. I am wearing a misses 4.
These are the 10 1/2″ perfect shorts, but the petite version I’m wearing is actually 9 1/2″. Talbots makes these same shorts in tons of colors and lengths to flatter every woman’s leg. They’re 98% cotton and 2% spandex so they stretch when you move. They hit at the waist and knee, depending on the option you choose. I prefer the misses length on me which gives me that extra inch.
This lace-up sweater has a fun nautical vibe in 4 colors. I am wearing the petite S and think it runs on the small side. It’s a cotton/polyester blend. A few reviews call the lace-up ties tacky, which I completely disagree with! It’s very nice quality, which I have come to expect from Talbots.
Have you updated your tee for summer?
Thanks for reading and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
Love the embroidered denim skirt look on you. It looks young and fresh.
Thanks a another great DRDās. Love the striped dress, wave dress and that adorable blue scallop skirt. So cute an easy to wear.
You look great in all the outfits but the ones mentioned are my favorites.
You look wonderful and you really make these Talbots articles look amazing. I do prefer the shorter tee. ( you created) over the white sweater (proportion?) with that shorter skirt. And you look amazing in shorts!
Loving your blog and learn so much!
Thanks! Proportion is such an important part of making our outfits flattering.
I like the denim shorts and the other pair of white shorts. I feel skirts are too short for our age with wrinkles in the knees. Sweater is not for Arizona, itās to hot to be wearing a sweater. Some evening out a very light loose knit one as a cover up if the AC is blasting on you.
I love all the blue and white! It is very feminine and looks classic summer! The blue skirt with white flowers is my favorite!
I love all the blue and white too!
Whatās group of winners ! You look super in all choices. I would wear any or all of these !
Really liked the pink dress and skirts.
Beautiful clothes. The blue eyelet skirt with white sweater really is my favorite.
Your legs are great. wear the 3-4 inch inseam shorts. If you prefer the longer style, look for a skort, the perfect answer. As for sweaters in summer, come on…..we are getting really high temps even here in Canada. One only needs one item for coverup, maybe a white linen front button shirt or open front long sweater or a shawl .However if you have heavy a.c. conditions, the sweater will work. The striped dress is mis-designed. I would remove the black strip on the bottom, and belt it with a white leather belt to elevate it.
I need a sweater for coastal climates all year round unless… I’m in the deep south or with a place high humidity.
I live in coastal New England, and sweaters are required. Our temp can drop more than 20 degrees from day to evening — and the early evening wind off the water is cold. Even during the day, folks wear sweaters and sweatshirts on the water. Wool sweaters with shorts, anyone?
Lucky you Jennifer to be able to not only be able to wear shorts but to show off your gorgeous legs! Mine have too many veins etc so have to stick to either long pants, longer dresses or midi skirts. Great colours which have given me some ideas of what to wear with what! Looking forward to Part Two!
Nancy
You really look so nice in the shorts and skirts! Great summer look for you!
Thanks Beth
Hi Jennifer!
I enjoy your blog!! šš
Can you address the rise of pants & shorts ā petites vs missy? (i.e. Is the petite rise generally shorter? What is the rise of the pants & shorts you review ?)
It helps to know the inseam, but knowing the rise would also be helpful!
Thank you!
Cheryl
The rise is always shorter in a petite which is why I usually buy regulars because I have a long torso. Talbots does not list the rise on their different sizing. Rise is critical to fit for me so I wish brands would list them more often.
The outfit with the tee that has a Bateau neck looked very nice on you. I like the bateau neck line but they don’t always flatter me
The bateau neckline is not my best either.
Great trick with the belt loop! These are fun summer outfits!
Ditto re the belt loop trick! Perfect!
Love all your outfits today Jennifer! I just prefer their 7 inch shorts. Dresses all are lovely on you.
Happy summer!
The belt-threading – tuck trick is just great — thanks! The shorts look wonderful on you and have helped me decide which one I want — so additional thanks! I’m going to splurge on another sweater as well. I wish Talbots made shorter tees and shirts; even with the petite sizing, I now have to buy them elsewhere, which I wish I didn’t have to do.
All great options. I think I may have to pick up a couple skirts for my summer work wardrobe. I love skirts and casual dresses for the office in the summer months. So cool and easy to wear.
Jennifer, you look great in all these outfits. How do you stay so slim?
I recently lost 8-10 pounds with my latest gallbladder issues which I do not recommend as a weight loss program. On an average day, I eat a protein shake for breakfast, a small salad for lunch, then dinner and I don’t usually snack in between. Snacking is my downfall so I don’t have treats in the house.
Ok, I love every outfit! But those shoes!?! So flattering on you so please tell me where you got them. Thanks Jennifer.
These sandals are very comfy. They’re by Maurgaux here.
You certainly have the legs for shorts and short skirts Jennifer. Is the denim light weight in the denim girl friend shorts? I’m looking for a light weight to the knee length shorts, and those rolled down would probably be a perfect length for me.
It’s not any thinner denim than a regular pair of jeans.
The pink dress is a winner
I really like it too
Gotta love Talbot’s! All so cute on you. It’s really hard to pick a favorite. Can’t wait to see “part two!”
I love Talbots, but sometimes I am unsure of what to try/buy there, but you and I have similar coloring and so this helps.
Your gams are fab, by the way, so love that you show them off in these styles.
Thank you, Ellie
You look in great shape Jennifer. What is your exercise and diet routine? You look like a professional model in these pictures. Thank you for the fashion show. Always enjoy whatever you have to share.
Everything you tried on looks really great on you. I noticed all the dresses are sleeveless which I try to stay away from but I’ve been using light weights so maybe this might be the year for trying some on. I do need to update my tees this season.
Sleeveless does seem to be the most common, so I’m using light weights too š
Hi, Jennifer. After reading today’s post, I am struck by two things: slanted stripes look so much nicer than horizontal stripes on a dress (love that pink striped dress on you), and just a little tuck on a T-shirt can make a huge difference to the proportions of an outfit (that belt loop tuck trick is genius). Thanks for the lessons. As always, visual lessons are the best. Have a great day!
You look great!