As they put their summer line into their semi-annual sale, Talbots.com brings in a new collection for fall, including many selections in their Woman and Woman Petite sizes.
As anyone who has read this blog for more than 2 minutes knows, Talbots.com is one of Francesca’s favorite places to shop. Talbots clothing is always feminine, high-quality, classy, classic, and their Woman Petite section means that Francesca has a prayer of finding an outfit (or four, or forty) which actually fit well.
However, Francesca is a bit torn about advising our dear readers to shop the new collection. Oh, please do not think that Francesca thinks the new clothing is anything other than superfantastic. How can it not be? Just look at this wonderful double twill wool dress jacket
and matching pencil skirt
and this yummy faux-shearling jacket for the cold winter days:
Are they not divine?
No, the issue is that at Talbots one gets what one pays for. That is, the clothing are beautiful and high quality, and also pricey.
Francesca is a big fan of their sales, and an even bigger fan of their online outlet. Of course, the new items are far, far away from being on sale, and even further from going into the outlet section.
So, Francesca’s feeling is this: The savvy shopper should look at the new collection, and ask the following two questions about any item she wishes to buy:
1 – If this item, in this size and color, becomes unavailable later, will I be very sorry I didn’t buy it?
2- Do I need it right away? Can I not wait 6-8 months in the hope that it will still be available then, because I have important occasion to wear it before then?
If the answer to either question is “yes,” then buy at full price! But if the answer to both is “no,” then go ahead and wait, in hopes that your item will go on sale and won’t become “out of stock” before you get to it. Meanwhile, by all means peruse the sale and outlet sections and shop away.
With love for both Talbots and for our readers’ budgets,
xoxo, Francesca
Sigh. Talbots. I love Talbots. I love their clothes. Yes, my 14 yr old daughter tells me I have no style, but I’m learning to embrace my fuddyduddliness (fuddydudditude?) I love their dressing rooms (large, with bench & good lighting). I love their helpful saleswomen coming to offer me different sizes. I love their sales. I love that faux shearling jacket.
Sadly, I already had a major Talbots splurge buying two fall suits (which I do need for a new job) and now I see no shopping until 2008.
Comment by Linn — October 14, 2007 @ 2:56 pm
Thanks for the reminder about Talbot’s outlet store! I just bought an Italian Twill linen and cotton blend suit with a matching shirt for under $100 – a steal considering that the jacket alone retailed at $202.
Keep those discounts and shopping tips coming!
Comment by Karen B. — October 14, 2007 @ 6:43 pm
Another lover (mostly) of Talbot’s here. The times I have paid full price I’ve rarely regretted it, because a) usually my size sells out before they go on sale, and b) most of their clothes are so timeless that I wear them for several seasons. It’s funny, a lot of people tend to think of Talbot’s as being fuddy-duddy, but my Talbot’s items are the ones that garner the most compliments.
Comment by deja pseu — October 14, 2007 @ 7:50 pm
Francesca, you are so right. It truly is important to ask yourself, “Will I lie in bed for the next three months regretting not buying that cute orange and pink silk sundress for only $12 at that resale shop in Boston as opposed to buying it and possibly thinking, ‘Oh heck, it was only $12?'”
It’s always better to err on the side of, “I wish I hadn’t bought that” instead of, “I’ll never have that chance again.” Remorse is better than regret.
Comment by class-factotum — October 15, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
I’ve been a Talbots cardholder since 1992, when I was wearing straight sizes mostly. I always, however, find good items at their semi-annual sales, mainly wool crepe basic suiting pieces.
Comment by OCCaliAKA — October 15, 2007 @ 8:32 pm
The best way to find out about sales and events, other than having a charge, is by signing up for email notification. The semi-annual sales are in the summer and holiday time (6 months apart), the mid-season sales are in spring and fall (again about 6 months apart). So, you can reasonably assume there is going to be some sort of sale every three months. With the email, you’ll also find out about each markdown!
Plus, Talbots has the best return policy around–no time limit! If you see that special item in your size and there aren’t many left, and you can’t make up your mind, just buy it! Take it home, try it on (clothes always look different once you get them home, must be that horrible mall lighting) and then decide if it is a must have. You can always return it!
Happy shopping ladies!
Comment by wantstoshop — October 16, 2007 @ 8:36 am
Ditto what Linn said; and like deja pseu I get the most compliments on my Talbot’s clothes. The “classic” look suits me, and the petite women’s sizes fit me which is half the battle.
I’m so pleased with the quality of the clothing. This past summer they had white pants with tan pocket linings so they wouldn’t show so much – great attention to detail. I was so impressed, I wrote them a letter. Also, I bought a scarf there the other day and the tags were secured to it with just a couple of stitches so they could be easily removed without damaging the fabric (I love them for that).
Comment by Carol — October 16, 2007 @ 8:39 am
I love Talbot’s too, and get loads of compliments on their stuff. I’m also lucky enough to have several Talbot’s stores in driving distance — and I’ve found that their in-store semi-annual sales and sales racks have stuff that’s not on sale online! So get out there and shop in person too, if you can. They’re also very sweet about calling around to another store if they don’t have your size in stock.
Comment by Suzanne — October 21, 2007 @ 3:05 am
My sister used to work for Talbot’s. On a shoppimg to her favorite consignment shop, we got into a major fight over Talbot’s boiled wool jackets. I left with a beautiful, barely used jacket for $7.00 (I think they retail for $100.00)! She got a slightly nicer one for $10.00. That was 2 years ago and I STILL love it! Good for anything from blue jeans to casual dresses. A lot of big girls sell at consignment stores after they drop a size.
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