Dressing Room Diary with Talbots Summer Collection
Earlier this week, I popped in for a dressing room diary with Talbots’ summer collection. I was immediately drawn to the colors and shapes that make hot days easier to navigate. Breezy fabrics are all over the store, and ladies were shopping their hearts out. It also helps that everything is marked down.
A dressing room diary is when I go into a local store for a try-on session to show you what’s new and how it looks on a woman over 25. For reference, I am 5’4″ and weigh around 145 lbs. I have broad shoulders, straight hips, a long torso, and long arms. I often wear one size larger on top. I mention what size I’m wearing to help you understand how things run. Most Talbots garments are available in misses, petite, plus, and plus petite.
These pieces are both too large for me and look a bit sloppy. The sizes were limited in my store because they were selling like hotcakes. Everyone seems to have gotten the cotton gauze memo for summer and is appreciating ones made from organic fibers. Haven Well Within features organic cotton gauze with an elevated feel.
This gauze top and pants are available in this white, plus a pale olive and dusty charcoal. These pants have a drawstring waist and side seam pockets. The white is semi-sheer, but that’s typical of white gauze and the other colors are opaque. I would need a small in this top and likely an XS in the pants (remember…I have straight hips, a flat backside and wide shoulders). Sadly, neither comes in petite, which I would also benefit from.
These wide-leg gauze pants also have side seam pockets and a wide elastic waistband with no drawstring. They do come in petite which is a much better length for me. These pants come in this rich blue, plus indigo and desert rose, which is so pretty. The gauze shirt is selling out fast! It has classic details and could be styled with so many things. I like them as a set, but both pieces are super versatile in a summer wardrobe.
This cotton gauze dress is also from Haven Well Within and the most glorious soft Aqua color that they call Thunder. Who comes up with these names? ‘Sea’ or ‘Breeze’, I could understand but ‘Thunder’ sounds serious and dark. Oh well…this dress has long side slits and a removable waist tie you could omit if you want it flowy. I love that this pale color is opaque so you could skip a slip for ultimate coolness on a hot day. This also comes in Vetiver, which is a soft, muted sage green. It’s sizes are XS-XL, which equates to sizes 0-22.
I topped it on the right with an airy V-neck cardigan in an open pointelle knit in a mid-weight cotton blend. This cardi comes in 4 colors and has lots of 5-star reviews on the website. I love that it’s short enough to wear over a dress and not obliterate the dresses shape or totally hide your figure.
This pretty linen maxi dress caught my attention because the colors are soft yet bright, and the shape is very flattering. It’s a linen cotton blend with 100% cotton lining…way to go, Talbots! I will never understand why brands make an item in a breathable fabric and then line it with a synthetic that doesn’t breathe. The body is peach and the pattern has all the colors of a flower garden. I’m wearing this v-neck sweater in ‘Lime’ over my shoulders. It’s 100% cotton and comes in 7 colors. This cardigan would be perfect over it, but my store did not have it
I’m pretty sure I tried this dress on for you before, but it’s so pretty it bears repeating :). This white and bright pink print is elegant and festive at the same time. The fabric is 100% cotton with 100% cotton lining. The bodice is fitted and waist defining with a fit and flare shape that’s very flattering. The belt is the same print as the straps which ties the print together nicely.
This outfit is a colossal fail in my opinion. The skirt is a fit and flare shape, but the fabric is pleated into the waistband which adds more bulk around the hips than when it’s an A-line shape. I like the look of denim jackets over dressier pieces but this one looks too long and ‘heavy’ for this skirt. I’d prefer this skirt with a soft linen shirt, a blouse, a tee, or even a lightweight sweater.
MORE NEW PIECES FROM TALBOTS SUMMER COLLECTION
I did try on several other things but they’re either not on the website yet, or sold out. I’ll keep an eye out and share when I find them.
Do you wear summer dresses?
I just love the peach maxi dress for a tropical vaca, and the red pink? one for summer meals out!
I love the white gauze outfit as well as the rich blue one. But size wise, I can’t wear Talbots anymore since my waist is bigger but the rest is still slim. Plus I’m a true petite in height. So will search other brands and stores for similar designs in gauze. You looked great in your selections today, except the skirt and jeans jacket. A navy blue or even a white short semi fitted top without the jacket would be my choice.
J Jill has lots of petites
Love J Jill’s wide variety of sizes and sometimes need their petite sizes and other times their regular misses sizes. This often depends on where I want the pants or dresses to hit on my legs.
I love gauze and love that aqua maxi from Haven. We are similar in size. How did you find the fit. It looks nice on you but you have it belted. Did you find it too voluminous without the belt? it looks so cool and breezy. I’m thinking of ordering it but I would hem it a few inches.
It is an a-line shape but not voluminous. I probably would skip the belt myself.
I love dresses in spring and summer. They are easy to wear and I don’t have to worry about putting together an outfit. I wear a variety from striped linen, plain linen, polished cotton, midi and just below knee length. Last counted 22 dresses in the wardrobe (yikes) For a dressier version I like the Alquema smash dresses which have a nice sleeve length just below the elbow. I, did however, last summer buy a couple of longer skirts, a wrap around navy and white floral and a sage green pleated – both hit above the ankles. Jennifer – you looked fab in the blue gauze trousers and marching top. Such a great colour on you.
I hope to add more lgihtweight dresses to my wardrobe too
These fabrics look beautiful. I can’t wear these voluminous skirts and dresses but I think they are pretty. I really like the white cardigan. Thanks for doing these great try ons!
I am waiting for dresses to come back knee length again. I am 79, 5′ .5″ and thin so would love wearing dresses! But now I stick with my older ones or wear pants and a pretty top rather than a dress. Bring back knee length! Also, as I am older, I wear a sweater over a summer sleeveless dress or any top.
Love the beautiful Talbots outfits especially the blue check sweater!
I would love to wear summer dresses. However, at 5’2” the long ones are too long. They overwhelm me just at I think they do you. The short ones are too short for me at my age 75+ and figure.
Love the dresses. I agree with you, the skirt and denim jacket just don’t work. Seeing outfits on a real person makes such a difference and really helps to know what styles may or may not look good on me. Seeing a photo shopped photo of a model is often misleading! Thanks for all the hard work you put in to your blog
I love the summer dresses but I wish the manufacturers would make them with short sleeves (or even cap sleeves). I’ve grown self-conscious about my upper arms and find a sleeve is more flattering.
Clare
I know you’re not alone about that! Designers just won’t for some weird reason.
I just love the tropical print linen maxi dress. It looks so comfy to wear and just plain fun!
Lots of their clothes had such a ‘fun’ vibe this time.
Actually, like the fit of the white gauze top and pants outfit on you!
I agree with you, gauze material outfits seem to really be “in” lately. I recently purchased a pair of navy gauze pants along with two gauze tops so that I can mix and match for different outfits. Thank you for all you do with your website!
I sort of do too. Perfect for casual days. I’d need to just hem the pants a bit or wear a wedge sandal.
Talbots has been selling some really wonderful summer pieces this year. Really every year. I love their lined with cotton summer dresses and it’s the only way I could wear a lined garment in the summer! My one quibble with Talbots is that they don’t have a tall option. Their regular knee length dresses are usually 36-38 inches long, which at 5’8 is above the knee standing and an uncomfortable mini when sitting! It’s been disappointing since I started shopping at Talbots in my 30s and now at 50, it seems worse? It’s such a pity and judging from the comments on the Talbots site, I’m far from alone on this! They do often have lovely midi length dress though. I’m also far from alone in absolutely loving gauze fabric pieces this summer! It’s incredibly light and comfortable!
I’ve seen those comments too. I wonder if they’ll add more talks to their size range.
Hi, Jennifer: In addition to Talbot’s not having enough selection in Tall, I thought to add my two cents, also. Talbot’s used to have Woman sizes in regular and petite and they were for us that are full-figured. One wonders why they’ve downsized that area considering that there’s an entire Baby Boomer generation out here who are now older and full-figured after going through that dread of dreads called Menopause. Just sayin’!
I hear you! I think corporations make these kind of decisions for financial reasons. It’s a shame but the & is there bottom line.