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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.

BRUSHED JACKET IN SNOW LEOPARD – Petite M / STRAIGHT LEG VELVETEEN PANTS IN BLACK – 8 PETITE

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

TURTLENECK SWEATER DRESS size petite M

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.

CLASSIC JEANS JACKET IN ISLA WASH size petite L

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.

VELOUR FIT AND FLARE MAXI DRESS size 8

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.

SHERPA COAT size petite M / SLIM ANKLE STEP HEM JEANS size 6

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.

CASHMERE V-NECK SWEATER size M / STRAIGHT-LEG VELVETEEN PANTS IN LEOPARD PRINT size 10 petite

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.

STUDDED PUFFER JACKET size petite M / PERFECT TURTLENECK in MIDNIGHT BLUE size petite M /
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

CREWNECK FAIR ISLE CARDIGAN size S / CABLED SWEATER IN BLACK size petite M / VELVETEEN PANTS 8P

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

VELVET SHIRT IN PURPLE SAPPHIRE size S / SLIM ANKLE JEANS IN PEWTER FOIL size 8

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?

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37 Comments

  1. That ‘fit and flare’ dress is half off right now (online). I bought mine before I told you! 😀

  2. I know this reply is a few days late, but we were on a road trip and time online was limited. When I saw you were doing the Talbots feature, I thought to myself “i bet she likes the navy sparkly puffer vest” and not only did you feature it, you bought it! I had bought it about 2 weeks prior, went into the store to make a return and saw it on display……the catalog and online versions don’t do it justice. It’s the perfect touch of sparkle, noticeable but not screaming “look at me!”

    And I agree with the many who say “buy the black velour dress”! I love velour for the holidays and general winter evenings, even at home. Warm, cuddly and comfy and can dress up or down depending on jewelry.

  3. Love the velvet dress!! I tried on the leopard jacket and had high hopes for it, but as a tall girl with a long torso, this was far too short to suit me. It would be perfect on a petite frame!

  4. You looked fabulous in the black velvet dress! No one would ever think you had an inverted triangle shape. You look like an eye popping natural hourglass. That dress was made for you!

  5. Hi Jennifer!
    I’m new to following you and didn’t want this to be the first comment I left, but I didn’t know how else to contact you. The links on this post don’t work for me. I checked back a post and got the same error message, although the links on that post worked previously. This is the error message I get: {“success”:false,”msg”:”unauthorized”,”error”:”unauthorized”}
    Perhaps it’s my phone?

    1. Welcome! I can only assume it is your phone. Have you tried resetting it.

      1. Thanks for the welcome! Sadly, it’s my phone. I only hope this isn’t a sign of its eventual demise… Btw, I’m enjoying your posts, and I loved those gray/black leopard print pants! I am a 2-4 petite in all other brands but Talbots (they usually require a try-on.) I ordered a 6 petite and keeping my fingers crossed.

      2. Good luck, they’re super cute!

  6. All great choices, especially love the black velvet dress on you and the sherpa jacket with toggle closures. Wish there were more physical stores located near me. and in the meantime, increase the loading speed of their website. It takes forever to search!! (just in case someone from Talbots is reading this 🙂