Dressing Room Diaries – New February Arrivals at Talbots

Happy Friday, ladies. Spring collections are trickling into the stores and I’m always anxious to see which colors the brands focus on. Talbots is going with bright and tossing in some classic neutrals. Their clothes are always fun to try on.

If you’re new here, welcome. Dressing room diaries are when I go into a store 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 138 lbs. I have an inverted triangle body shape with broad shoulders and straight hips. I have a long torso, long arms, and very few curves. I often wear one size larger on top than the bottom. I try on clothes that don’t fit me and are not my best shape and color so that you can see what’s new in the store and get some styling ideas.

As always, you can click the red text for more info and to shop the item at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting my business.

This first picture is so you can all have the same laugh that I did in the dressing room. Wrong shape, the wrong size and there’s no fixing this combo on me. I have slim hips and these pants are not intended to look balloon-shaped but they are too large and too long. My broad shoulders are not flattered by this ‘puff’ shoulder, but man oh man, do I love the cheery color.

This classic, no-iron striped shirt has a reverse stripe on the inside placket in front and the inside of the cuffs. Since I always fold my sleeves back and pop my color, this adds a dash of fun to a classic shirt. I paired it with this non-padded, quilted vest that comes in 4 colors. I’m wearing navy which is a great neutral for spring.

See also- How to Pop Your Collar and Keep it Up

White jeans are less forgiving than  darker colors and being snug, is not what I want these days so I was thrilled to come across these barely boot cut in white. I have two blue washed in these jeans and love that they cover the top of my shoe but don’t flare!

The relaxed chinos are bright and more bright so I paired them with a sweater in the same shade. I am wearing a 6 petite which sits below the natural waist and that calls for a sweater over it on my long torso. The chinos come with folded-up hems which look more casual so I’m also showing them unfolded. These come in 11 colors in the full range of Talbots sizing.

The sweater comes in 5 colors, I’m wearing aquamarine. The puff shoulder isn’t great on me but is fabulous to widen the look of narrow shoulders. The shawl-collared cardigan is a deep indigo and also comes in cream or aquamarine, which would be a striking addition to this combination.

 

Talbots cotton tees are a nice substantial weight and mine have held up for hours. You can’t tell here, but they are also opaque which I love! I am wearing a small in indigo blue. The shaker knit cardigan is described as having a bishop sleeve and if it does it’s so subtle you can’t tell. It comes in 6 great brights and neutrals in their full range of sizes. I am wearing a misses small so it runs TTS. I am wearing tranquil blue which is bright and cheery.

Here, I just popped their classic jean jacket over the aquamarine chinos and sweater. I love the freshness of this look.  I am wearing a misses medium which is the size I prefer in a denim jacket. It does have spandex, but I like mine to be extra roomy for ease of movement so I size up.

Same relaxed chinos as above, this time in punch pink. Wowza is this color fun! I love pairing black with pink so added the classic crew neck tee and topped it with a sweater jacket. The blazer background is ivory which is too muted to hold its own against the bright pink with black and looks unbalanced. I’d love this with jeans and a more muted shirt, tee, or sweater. The stripe was so dark, I couldn’t tell if it was navy or black. In cases like this, does it matter? Nope, not to me.

These are the same twill joggers I tried on in white in the first picture but this is a small petite and wow, what a difference. I don’t generally prefer shorter pants, but this style is intended to be this way and you really can’t change that. They run loose through the seat and thighs so I suggest you size down.

The abstract floral sweater is in shades of aquamarine, aqua, navy, white, and what appears to be black. It will coordinate with so many things from this latest collection and has a very upbeat vibe. I am wearing misses small, and it runs true to size.

Then I went to my other local Talbots and tried on these-

Their classic white no-iron shirt which I have been wearing for years. I am wearing an 8 petite and the sleeves are too short for my long arms so I always opt for the misses in these but they do run true to size. The pants are Talbot’s always popular, Chatham ankle pants which come in 6 colors, I’m wearing Cyan Blue. They have a slightly higher waist this season which I personally love, and the side zip which prevents lumps and bumps in the tummy area. The curvy fit version is here.

I topped this look with a 100% cotton tunic in the same Cyan blue. It comes in 6 colors, which will coordinate with their other new pants etc. I am wearing a petite medium, so it does run long and so it would work beautifully over leggings.

See also –The Modern Way To Wear Leggings After 50

 

These chino’s come right to the waist and fit like a dream. I really loved these ones for those of us with long torso’s or who want maximum muffin top control. The fabric is an oxford, menswear type. This is the only color and fabric they’re made in so far (fingers crossed they make more options). I am wearing the petite 6 and it fits perfectly so it runs true to size.

I could not resist pairing it with this sunny, yellow striped shirt. The cuffs and placket of this shirt have color coordinated polka dots! It’s 100% cotton but not labeled no-iron. It also comes in a navy option. I am wearing a petite medium and it runs totally true to size. This striped sweater is one of the cheeriest things I’ve had on in many months. Needless to say, it will go with everything, plus it’s soft, cozy, and flattering. I am wearing a medium petite and the arms are a great length.

This pullover was calling for more color so I topped it with this quilted vest in Punch Pink. Then I added these high-waist straight jeans in size 6 petite. The curvy version here. These are on the shortlist for me this spring too because I’m not feeling the love for skinny or tight-leg, white jeans.

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

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