Chico’s Early Fall 2025 Try-On: Fit, Fabric, and Honest Favorites
Last week I tried Chico’s early fall pieces in two different stores, and the experiences couldn’t have been more different. In the first, a salesperson swooped in, convinced she knew exactly what I’d love, and promptly filled my room with things I’d never wear. At the second, the associate barely glanced up from her paper before pointing me to a dressing room.
Between the two, I’ll take the hands-off approach any day. I’d rather browse than be talked into something unflattering, ill-fitting, or simply not my style. Too often, women are steered by salespeople who are projecting their own taste instead of respecting yours. That’s why I share these try-ons—to show you what’s new without pretending everything works. I won’t photograph myself looking frumpy, tartish, or downright unstylish…at least not on purpose.
I think its so important to realize this – whether it is the salesperson you encounter, your best friend, or even what is first up on the website. You really have to use your intuition, and not be talked into something because it happens to be “in style,” “on trend,” or what works for someone else. Because unless they are a trained professional, its unlikely they know what is right for you. So, trust your gut, and have fun out there.
Now, let’s get to the clothes… I’ve broken this post into two parts– you’ll see the second half tomorrow.
I’m not sure if this midi denim skirt is meant to channel the western look that’s trending for fall, but it could certainly be styled that way. It’s a light, flowy denim made from Tencel that moves with you and doesn’t have the usual stiffness of cotton denim skirts. It’s quite long, which I like and it would go over boots nicely this fall/winter.
I tucked this black Henley shirt into the skirt to show the shape, but obviously, you could leave it untucked. If you do a tuck or a half tuck, I would add a belt because the belt loops will show and look weird. The shirt is a knit cotton/modal blend and also comes in spruce…which I’m loving for fall.
I would style this skirt with a simple knit black turtleneck, black knee-high suede boots, and big silver earrings.
I shared this outfit in this fall color trend post, but would like to add some fit, color, and sizing notes here. This suede moto jacket is in the trending mushroom color and is just lovely. I know it looks more like a tobacco color, but that is because of the lighting. It’s softly distressed and made from faux suede, not cowhide. I wish brands would make that clear in their titles, as it can be confusing. And since it’s polyester, it can be machine-washed. The snaps and zipper are bronze-ish, so they blend into the fabric well.
Underneath, I am wearing the microfiber tank they carry every season in colors to coordinate with the rest of their collection. I always size up in these, or they look shrink-wrapped on my body…not a great look at 69, (which I’m turning very soon). The Juliet straight leg ankle pants are a pull-on style in regular with a 27″ inseam.
The petite has a 25″ inseam, and the tall is 30″. If it were a toss-up between Juliet vs Brigitte pants, I would have a hard time choosing because they both look slimming and have a smoothing waistband. This tank and pant are both in darkest spruce.
This jacket would pair nicely with a sweater dress, which would compliment the faux suede with the extra texture.
This No-Iron Stretch Sateen shirt is also labeled a mushroom color, but it’s not as gray as the color Pantene talks about for fall. The fabric is described as sateen, but I didn’t notice much sheen, just a smooth no-iron finish. The shirt-tail hem looks nice tucked or untucked. I often leave them untucket. This shirt comes in 4 other colors and has full-length sleeves, which I am very happy to see.
The pull-on jeggings are in a color called Rocky Mountain, and they also come in black or Rose Smoke. These legs aren’t as skintight as some jeggings, which is a nice change. They have plenty of stretch, which makes them comfy.
Many of these pieces are already marked down, so I assume even newer pieces are on their way.
Last not but not least, I’m sharing an outfit I wore today — a day of working, hanging around the house, and running some errands. This black summer dress has been on a regular rotation for me this summer- its easy to wear, the shape adds some interest, and its microfiber so it doesn’t wrinkle. I’ve worn it all summer sometimes dressed down with a flat sandal, and sometimes dressed up–for dinner out.
What kind of sales person approach do you prefer– someone pushy or more uninterested? Do you like to shop on your own, or do you like assistance? Let me know in the comments, and see you tomorrow for Part 2.
Say hello and let me go!!!! If I need extended help, I will ask.
I have health issues that make it difficult to walk or stand comfortably. In the last couple of years, I’ve taken to picking up several things I like and are typically my style. Pay for everything, bring the items home and try them on when I’m feeling as if I can. Sometimes I keep everything, but, if not, I return them. Get a credit on my account or grab a different size and make it an even exchange. I’m much older, and shopping is more of a necessity than a fun outing now. But, I still want a few new things every now and then.
I really like the pine green pants on you. Such a pretty color. I find that if I don’t look “wealthy” when I walk into a clothing store I am ignored. I find the more well dressed “wealthy looking” people get more attention. Even when I go into a deli if I am not the right ethnicity I am ignored.
So true!
I usually like to be left alone when shopping, but just had the opposite experience at Athletica. I was unfamiliar with workout clothes, and the salesperson was perfect. She educated me on their products and suggested items suitable for me – not body hugging. Couldn’t be happier.
That’s awesome. I like to compliment salespeople who give me helpful service.
My preference is to pretty much be left alone. As long as I am greeted, I know where to find a salesperson when I’m ready. My Talbots store seems to hit just the right mix of “helping.” The big department stores…sometimes good luck finding someone except to checkout.
Agreed!!
I like to be greeted upon arrival, and asked if I need any help. That’s just good salesperson/store etiquette, customer service! Then take their cue from that.
Please check on me when I’m in the dressing room. My pet peeve is to need a different size, and to have to get redressed to find it! I still love an in person shopping experience!
The Chico near me, asks if I need a dressing room , and checks to see if I need another size. They pretty much let people look around on their own, but are there if you need help. I don’t see any pressure from sales people in my area. I guess it deepens on the city you live in. Maybe business is slow, and they may be pressured to sell. So many stores are going online now.
Online saves store a lot of money so that’s the wave of the future.
I like Chico’s, but our store always seems to have at least one sales person that would sell you a potato sack as a dress and try to convince you how good you look…I always learn to avoid that person (the way too pushy person) and sometimes it means not to linger in the store unfortunately. It happened just yesterday……bummer.
On another note, brown seems to be “the fall color” and I have a few things that I like but its not my best color……can you do a post on how to deal with that brown sweater or jacket to make it more appealing 🙂 🙂 Thanks
I’d add a flattering blouse underneath and pop the collar over sweater or jacket lapel. You could also add a flattering colored scarf at your neck.
As an older woman, I appreciate being greeted by a salesperson instead of being ignored. I am very fortunate to have Talbots, Chico’s and J.Jill in the same shopping area near me. The women who work there are ready to help when I need it. They will check on me when I am in a dressing room to see if I need any help.
I do like to be greeted when entering a store, especially a small one. That said, I do not like to have unsolicited garments foisted on me. For one thing, I don’t like a crowded dressing room. They may look at me as a generic old lady, but the fact is I am an artist who knows my best colors and a former model and fashion consultant who knows my best silhouettes and styles. A check in to see if I need another size is appreciated ( and rare these days) but apart from that, leave me to my own devices!
My ideal sales person will greet me at the door and start a fitting room for me once I have several pieces to try on. Then, I love when they check in on me to see if I need a different size. I hate having to get dressed and grab my purse to leave the fitting room just to get another size!
Agreed!
My standard reply is “thank you, but I’m just browsing”.
That’s mine too
Good Morning Jennifer. I love your thoughts about sales personnel personalities and motives. I share the same: browse and then seek out help for questions. I think my most common question is “what are people wearing with this?”. My Chicos used to be very bad about loading me up with as much they could fit in the dressing room. Plus, if you tried something on they had brought, would tag team me with swooning compliments (even if I looked ridiculous). The exclamations of “Connie come over and look how cute she looks” was laughable but most of all annoying, insulting, and off-putting. Thankfully I have a couple of sales associates at Nordstrom that will flat out tell me if it’s wrong. Those ladies are priceless.
The nicest retail store I have visited recently is Loft. It was clean and organized. The sales rep asked if I needed help then left me alone to browse. She took all the garments I had in my arms to a fitting room. When I was ready to begin trying on my selections I entered the spacious dressing room and there were all my tops folded neatly on the bench and the items on hangers were of course hanging on the rack. I was so impressed. She came back later and asked if I needed different sizes on anything. She was so incredibly helpful. It was a terrific experience.
That’s perfect
I definitely like to be left alone when I shop – although once I am in a dressing room, I appreciate the help of a salesperson. Frequently I need to try on different sizes and It is helpful to find someone to locate those sizes. You look great in all shades of brown!
I much prefer the hands off approach – a nice greeting when entering and helpful answers to questions is great too.
I like a balance between the two salespeople you mentioned and have experienced it best at Chico’s as well as a local shop in my area. I prefer the salespeople to meet, greet and be available in the wings for questions and to get my dressing room ready with my choices. After the initial choices some will likely need a different color or size. To me one of the luxurious values of shopping in these stores is that I’ve always had salespeople available to save me the hassle of leaving the dressing room to switch out for the changes I need to make confident choices. I don’t encourage a lot of chitter chatter but I’m always friendly and polite because I might be the only customer that walks through the door that day without a chip on their shoulder or a bad attitude to pass around. I like the feeling of being honestly welcomed by salespeople rather than survived through. It almost always pays off in outstanding service.
I do appreciate a quick check on sizing while in the dressing room too.
I prefer the non-pushy sales staff for sure, I prefer to take my time and not be steered into a purchase I may not have made otherwise. I have experienced both of these sales staff in my local Chico’s as well, but it’s not just isolated to that particular store.
I’m with you…give me an uninterested salesperson over one who “helps” with styles not for me. It’s really a waste of time for both of us. I appreciate your honesty. I recently found your blog and find it refreshing. Thank you.
Welcome Bonnie!
p.s…. I’d also rather shop alone, primarily for the reasons you mention, being swayed by friends or sales people’s opinions. Been there, done that and bought things that have never been worn🙁