Talbots Winter Try On For Women Over 50: Cozy Textures, Surprises, and Real Fit Notes
I popped into Talbots this week thinking I’d take a quick lap, maybe try on one or two things, and head home. Famous last words. Winter pieces were just starting to roll out, and before I knew it, I had an armful of cozy textures, a velvet dress I didn’t expect to like, and a sherpa coat that made me rethink my outerwear plans. Not everything worked, but enough did to make it worth sharing.
Here’s what came into the fitting room with me and how everything actually fit.
Leopard prints are usually warm-toned, so it’s always a pleasant surprise to find them in shades of gray and black. Gray and black versions are simply easier for many cool-toned women to wear because they don’t compete with our natural coloring.
This little bomber-style jacket has a soft brushed finish with snaps up the front and at the cuffs. The vibe is relaxed and sporty, with a fun touch of a ‘look at me’ pattern. I have long arms, so these are a touch too short for me in the petite version, and I’d likely wear a regular S. I’d throw this on with a black sweater dress or even a denim skirt because it adds personality without feeling loud
I’m wearing it with the straight-legged velveteen pants in black. These have the same 5-pocket styling as jeans, which makes them more casual than a trouser style…and actually works better for most of our casual lives. They have spandex in the fabric so they’re comfy to bend, sit, or stretch in, and can be easily dressed up or down. A soft gray sweater would be an easy pairing if black feels too stark
This darling sweater dress features a gray fair isle pattern in shades of charcoal, pale gray, and ivory. The placement of the fair isle sits high enough that it doesn’t widen the torso…something I always look for in patterned knits.
As with all sweater dresses, I suggest sizing up to avoid the sausage casing look. It’s a blend of fibers and has no spandex, but stretches because of the knit. This petite medium fits me perfectly, but I would opt for the petite L for a bit more wiggle room.
I decided to try it with a classic denim jacket and love the combo. Add tights and flat booties, and you’re ready for a casual day! This jacket gives the dress just enough structure without feeling stiff, and a nice balance if your sweater dresses tend to feel too soft or clingy.
Here’s the long dress I was considering for the Lung Cancer Gala Event we are attending. It’s a fit-and-flare silhouette in black velour fabric with godet sections of sheer fabric at the bottom…which helps it swish when you move. Those panels add movement without adding bulk, which is a small gift for those of us who prefer clean lines
It has a back zipper and a truly beautiful shape. Most things can be dressed up or down, but this is pure glam at a great price. This kind of fabric is the perfect backdrop for your sparkly jewelry.
The jeans ankle step hem (where the front is noticeably shorter than the back) is pretty passé for fall 2025, but Talbots has these new ones. Proof that just because your favorite retailer is showing a style, that doesn’t automatically mean it’s a current look. Step hems have been fading for several seasons, and most current denim trends lean more streamlined
I’m wearing them with this cozy and fun sherpa coat with toggle closures. It feels luxuriously soft and hits just below the hip, so it’s petite-friendly even in regular length. This coat also comes in an amazing green! The shorter length keeps it from feeling overwhelming…something many winter coats struggle with on petites.
These straight-leg velveteen pants have been on my short list for weeks. They’re a gray/black leopard print in a luxurious velveteen. This 10P feels a bit loose on me, so I ordered the 8P to see. I’d personally wear it with a soft gray sweater, but here I’m showing it with a vibrant red 100% cashmere V-neck. This pullover comes in eleven shades and is definitely a collectible. The red is a fun contrast, but gray-on-gray would give a softer winter look.
STRAIGHT LEG VELVETEEN PANTS IN BLACK – 8 PETITE
I bought this studded puffer jacket on the spot, but it hasn’t been cool enough here to wear it yet. It’s navy with navy sparkles in lines that look like “drips” all over. I’m still not convinced this is my style, but it’s certainly fun and unique. Sometimes the pieces we’re unsure about end up being the most interesting in our wardrobes
The short sleeves give it a different vibe, and of course, navy is very wearable. I also bought this perfect turtleneck in midnight blue. I have several of these turtlenecks from years past and find them to be valuable workhorses in my cold-weather wardrobe. Midnight blue is one of those quietly elegant colors that plays well with everything
More fun pieces from Talbots
It’s hard to tell in this photo, but these velveteen pants are deep graphite gray. Graphite is a softer alternative to black and works beautifully with cool winter palettes
I’m pairing them with this crewneck fair-isle cardigan in shades of gray, ivory, and black. I would have preferred the petite size, but it appears to be available only online. It doesn’t get more timeless and classic than this style of cardigan. Under it I am wearing a classic cabled pullover in black. It comes in eight colors and is thin enough to layer over a blouse or under a blazer. I’d wear this combo with simple black flats for an easy daytime look
This outfit is perfect for daytime or a casual holiday party at the neighbor’s house. It starts with a velvet button front shirt in a stunning purple. It has a curved shirttail hem that looks nice tucked or untucked. This also comes in black, but the purple is a real showstopper. Cool purples like this are especially flattering on women with silver hair or soft cool coloring
I’m wearing it over these slim ankle jeans in a foil fabric which has a soft gleam. These aren’t over-the-top shiny like faux leather can be, and they have enough stretch to be comfy. The 5-pocket styling brings the formality down, making them perfect for daytime or dressed-up occasions. I’d pair these with a simple black sweater and low booties for an effortless holiday outfit.
What Makes Getting Dressed Easier
Style at this age isn’t just about how things look. It’s about what works for the life you’re living now. A good try-on reveals more than fit. It shows which fabrics feel better, what shapes move with you, and what colors truly suit you today.
That’s especially helpful during the holidays, when life speeds up and comfort matters just as much as polish. A soft velvet shirt, a sweater dress that doesn’t cling, pants that stretch without sagging, are the little details that can make everyday outfits feel more thoughtful without adding effort.
And since casual days tend to outnumber dressy ones this time of year, I’d love to know:
How do you like to dress for your relaxed holiday moments…the errands, the coffee runs, the visits with friends?
Great finds! I love the sweater dress with the jean jacket. Very cool look.
I haven’t been too excited about Talbots lately, but these picks are great. A couple of questions: the sherpa jacket – does the medium fit you well or would you get a smallP (we are similar in size); and the purple shirt – I usually get a petite S but it looks good on you in a regular. Would you recommend a regular or petite. Thanks for a great blog!
The MP fits me well but I assume I could wear the regular small as well.
I enjoyed reading your posts. At my age receiving help shopping means much. I am just learning how to shop online.
Nancy
Hello Jennifer,
You should buy the long dress, you look wonderful in it!
Every year there would be a winter ball for the hospital in Des Moines. Now that hospital is gone. We live in small town Colorado now and have not seen that kind of event in 30 years. Please show us your final choice for the gala. It is fun to see you all dressed to the nines. I love fair isle sweaters and just bought a dark green one even though that color isn’t in my palette. The grey one is and I love it! Great fun choices Jennifer!
I will share but I don’t tend to over dress for dressy events.
You look so good in the blues!
Love the animal print pants.
Thank you Jennifer! I now know what I’m wearing to my sorority’s Christmas brunch. Our sorority colors are purple and lavender. The purple velvet shirt will be perfect. Whew! One less thing to stress about.
Great try on! Thanks for sharing some of the new looks.
Hi Jennifer,
You really rocked that velour fit and flare maxi dress. I hope it went home with you!
First, I have to tell you how much I like your new glasses – very chic! Also loving the knit dress with the denim jacket. It’s such a great, easy look with black tights. But the long black dress is perfect on you! If I had somewhere to wear it this season, I’d snatch it up. Thanks for all these great looks!
Thanks! They’re a fun new look for me.
Love talbots! Such nice looks for fall and winter.
Jennifer you look stunning in the black velour dress! I think it’s a keeper! The short navy jacket and turtleneck are perfect on you also. The colors and fit are made for you! Things fromTalbots have always found a place in my closet over many years .
That DRESS! OMGOSH-how gorgeous! Love everything in this collection, but that dress . . . .
I have to admit, I’m a sucker for holiday dressing. Even when being casual, I love my plaids and reds and greens. A simple red sweater with a festive plaid scarf, or a fun green plaid shirt with jeans and I’m good to go! I probably go a bit overboard with the holiday dressing, but it makes me feel festive and happy. It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Overboard is fun and with life challenging us the was it does, we need to enjoy what we can.
Everything looked really good on you. I have already purchased the leopard print velvet pants and puffer vest. I did have to have the pants shorted even though they are petite. I love the sweater dress on you. My knees are puffy and I’m very self conscious exposing them. Wish it were longer. Talbot petites fits me well and they have good sales. The day I was there the most expensive item was 50% off and everything else was 30% off.
The black dress does look look spectacular on you. I purchase the snow leopard jacket and I really love it !!!!
I love that little jacket. I actually styled it with several items before photographing it with this. It’s pretty versatile.
I have 2 key pieces I wear, a perfectly holiday colored red, green and gray plaid cashmere scarf and a soft red tiered plaid flannel shirt. Both patterns can easily be wore after the holidays but still feel so festive now.
I have two Talbots plaid scarves I bring out every holiday season. They feel so festive.
Jennifer, I hope you buy that black dress because it looks smashing on you! Also, the red sweater brings such a cheery look to your black and gray outfits. Although you usually don’t favor red, I think the color makes you look youthful and vibrant. Enjoy the holidays!
Thanks Bea♥️
Hello!
It’s like you had a great time at Talbots-
It’s one of my favorite places to shop because they still have customer service and ladies that will bring back different sizes and check on you while you are in the dressing room
Since a recent trip to Scotland, I’ve been on a fair isle sweater kick so the gray one you are wearing is really perfect!
Thanks for doing all the light work for us-
I know there had been a recent comment about price of items that you share with us. Maybe one article could feature an expensive brand and then something with a lower price point so we would have a choice.
Just a thought
You look stunning in the velour fit and flare dress and I hope you wear…absolutely gorgeous. Regardless, please share a photo of your final outfit. Talbots is not my “go to” for clothes but that dress!!!, the leopard print jeans, fair isle sweater, and velvet shirt are worth a visit.
Thanks for sharing!