Talbots Early Summer Try-On
I haven’t been inside a Talbots for many weeks, so I decided it was time to see what’s new. The summer collections are always smaller because brands assume we already have what we need… but here’s what I found.
Talbots carries most items in regular, petite, plus, and plus-petite sizes. I’m 5’4″ and hover on the cusp of petite sizing. I have broad shoulders and very few curves. You can see my other try-ons here.
This pretty blue-and-white Seersucker Dress jumped right into my hand the moment I walked into the store. In fact, what I saw most women purchasing was dresses. This one is 100% cotton with a 100% cotton lining (good job, Talbots!) and a fit-and-flare shape that flatters your figure. This one is a regular length of 48.5″, the petite is 45″, and the plus is 50.25″. The v-neckline is modest, and its bra-friendly straps provide plenty of coverage.
This Organic Linen Shirtdress looks right up my alley, in an easy-to-wear, polished style with short sleeves and hits at the knee. The deep indigo would look fresh with a straw bag and white accents all summer long. I think I need this dress.
This vibrant red Cinched Waist Poplin Shirtdress looks like a fabulous summer option that will keep you cool. It’s a fit and flare shape with on-seam pockets in a 100% cotton. It would be fun with this Hobo Wicker Basket and some stappy sandals or tennies.
Talbots brings back its Short Sleeve Jean Jacket every summer. This year it’s in 5 colors, including a not-to-be-missed red. It’s a cotton/Lyocell blend, which makes it softer than 100% cotton. It hits just above the hip, so it would go nicely over a T-shirt, dress, or shorts.
I paired it with this customer favorite Chatham Slim Ankle Pant, which fits like a dream. The side zipper means a smooth front and no bulging under your tops. They are a bi-stretch cotton blend with lots of “give”, so they’re comfortable and polished looking.
I tied the pieces together with this Liberty Striped Tank in shades of indigo, red, and white to pair with everything this summer. The gentle rib gives it some shape without clinging to your torso.
More stripes from Talbots
This Ribbed Scooped Tee has the same soft ribbing as the tank top above. The rib elevates the fabric beyond a plain tee and adds more substance. It’s 95% cotton with 5% spandex, so it’s very soft against the skin. It also comes in indigo and white.
I paired it with these Heritage Twill Everyday Chinos in white. They’re a nice weight cotton, just kissed with enough spandex so they’re comfy to sit in. The cuff can be rolled up like this or down for these inseams: Rolled: Misses: 27″; Petite: 24 1/2″; Plus: 27″; Plus Petite: 24 1/2″; Unrolled: Misses: 30″; Petite: 27 1/2″; Plus: 30″; Plus Petite: 27 1/2″. These also come in 4 other colors. If you like them without the cuffs, they have a cropped version here.
This Botanical Print Poncho is a lightweight cotton and silk blend that could be tossed over a tank with jeans or over a dress for an summer event.
I love the modest length of Talbots’ Out and About Skort. If you’re not comfortable wearing shorter shorts, you certainly don’t want a skimpy skort. These come in 2 colors and are 17″ long in regular.
Are you a fan of the patriotic colors this season, or do you steer towards the neutrals?
You really need to reconsider red as a color for you. You look marvelous in it! I purchased the short red jacked in white last year but wasn’t sure about it. Well, it’s the jacket I reach for most often. I wear a red, white and blue “fireworks” pin with it (pin from Talbots two years ago). I LOVE seeing so much RWB for the summer and especially for this summer – 250 year birthday. WOW!
That seersucker dress is adorable!
You look amazing in the red cropped jacket!
Thanks!
Like others have mentioned, I really like that short-sleeved red jacket on you.
To my eye, it appears to be a slightly tomato-red, a warm red rather than a cool blue-red. Is that the color you see or is the lighting off?
It does have a slightly warm cast to it but not too much. It depends what color it was put next to.
Oh my! Don’t you look fabulous in red Jennifer! It really lights you up in a fun and lively way, so hope that red jacket came home with you. Also, appreciate seeing what the length of the dresses look like on someone of your height in comparison to the models on the Talbot’s website.
Some of those models are so tall! I laugh when I compare the length on them compared to me.
That seersucker dress looks so cool and fresh. I love seersucker fabrics in summer. I have seersucker sheets and they are great for hot nights.
I purchased the Linen Tunics because they had such lovely colors. The linen is heavy, so it will wrinkle, but they feel so good on in the heat, and they have long enough sleeves and good neckline for sun coverage. The sunny yellow is my favorite followed by the coral.
I look terrible in a blue-red so I don’t ever wear that color. Not into the RWB patriotic theme. I have a couple of nice scarves that I wear with crisp white shirt and jeans if there is a patriotic festive event.
Seersucker sheets sound amazing!! Where did you get yours?
I bought my first set from Cuddledown, which appears to currently have a striped seersucker pattern available
Then I found them at Vermont Country Store, although they are currently sold out. They first had them in some nice stripes and white. I hope they will bring them back again.
They take a bit to get used to as the bottom sheet, but they have a great ability to feel very light and disburse heat very well. I don’t use the pillowcases, as I prefer a silk or percale smooth pillowcaese
Thank you so much! I’ll check them out.
You look terrific in the red jacket! Love the patriotic colors ! I appreciate your blog and find inspiration from your showroom try-ons! Can’t wait for the next one.
Absolutely not a fan of patriotic colors. Avoid at all costs. Too bad, too. I bought a silk scarf because I loved the motif and its mostly red, white and blue.
I have never been a fan of “patriotic” colors in my wardrobe. Prefer various shades of blue (e.g., denim, french, navy, turquoise), white, coral, teal).
I love the patriotic vibe! You looked great in those colors and outfits. You are a beautiful inspiration. I like Talbots as well. Thank you for sharing. I’ve been following for several years and look forward to the posts. I just turned 60 in 2026, retired and revamped my closet with your help.
Congratulations on your retirement!
Jennifer, the combination of the red shirt-jacket, the striped tee and the white Chatham pants really makes you shine. Such a nice look on you.
Thanks Lisa
Jennifer,
You’ve mentioned you don’t wear red a lot, but please reconsider! You look AMAZING in the red denim jacket.
Thanks Cindy
I have to say your hair looks absolutlely fabulous! Whatever you are doing, keep it up.
I’ve been struggling more with my thinning hair. I keep going shorter hoping it will look fuller, but alas, no luck.
Time to try something new.
Thank you! Mine is still thinning from my latest Thyroid med adjustment so I’m skipping the layers hoping to make it look less see-through.
Absolutely love the red jacket on you. Red is definitely one of your colors or should be.
If they are only treating you with T4 containing meds its likely you are not converting T4 to the usable form T3. You might ask for a T4 and T3 level on labs. T4 should sit at the middle or just slightly above middle in the range of that test and T3 should be very near the top of its range. Check out the book Stop the Thyroid madness or their website and discuss it with your naturopath.
I seem to remember an earlier post that you don’t do red but the red jacket and your lipstick really pops!
I am going for more “patriotic” colors this year, I guess the spirit of the 250th celebrations has gotten to me. I have plenty of navy, ivory, white basics and numerous striped tops, so I am looking mainly at red, and purchased the red short sleeve jacket you featured. It’s so soft! Other Talbots pieces I purchased in this theme include a pair of cropped 5 pocket jeans in a faded red; a red printed scarf; a striped midi skirt (with pockets!) and the fun red/white/blue raffia earrings.
Sounds so fun Sheila!
>>and a fit-and-flare shape that flatters your figure
Fit and flare is the absolute worst shape for me, and for any other apple-shaped woman! Retailers have latched onto this shape as being “universally flattering,” but for me and millions of others, it’s a disaster. (On you, it is beautiful.)
A lot of apple shapes assume fit-and-flare is a hard no, and honestly, that’s fair. Most versions are. But if the flare starts at the hip rather than the waist, it actually works really well. It skims the midsection and adds movement where you want it. The category isn’t the issue. It’s where the flare begins.
Jennifer,
This hairstyle looks great on you !
Those are some cute finds! Sometimes Talbots get it so right and others No. ha! They really have very little for me in store since my size is op in jeans and PP in blouse/tops. Start in 2P in store. I do love they make things more current and fashion forward now, All your finds look wonderful and ribbing on your tops I have read make you look firmer! That’s always nice. I have bought 2 skort outfits also already and really glad they are back!
Your size must make it almost impossible to shop in a store. Luckily online seems to offer more options for you.
I loved seeing you in colours. It brings light and a healthy glow to your face.