What to Buy at

Our What to Buy at series continues with a roundup of some incredibly wearable, size-inclusive pieces from one of our favorite retailers, Banana Republic.

I’m posting this today because it’s the last day of their Friends and Family Sale. Use code BRFAMILY and get 50% off the prices below. Sale ends tonight at midnight. 

But first, a quick note. The world looks different this morning than it did last Monday. I’m taking an optimistic view that, even though the next few weeks will feel unusual, we’ll get back to normal quickly, hopefully with a gentler attitude towards each other, a better appreciation for hand washing, and, for some, more toilet paper than they will ever need in their lifetime. 

Our content is not going to change much. The Wardrobe Challenge (see Week 1 here) was long planned for this month, and I can’t think of a better way to spend unplanned time at home than getting organized. I’ll be active in our Facebook group, posting videos and chatting with members daily.

Stay tuned for daily posts designed to help you feel your best, casual and work-from-home outfit ideas, a few extra beauty posts, all with a balanced mix of price points. 

My county outside of Philadelphia is locked down for the next two weeks. My kids are doing their school work virtually, everything is closed and canceled.

I want this site to be a daily break for all of us, myself included, because we need self-care and distraction now more than ever. This will remain a positive, news-free outlet. 

And now, back to Banana Republic 

What to Buy at Banana Republic 

Shorts, $69.50  |  Sheer Sleeve Top, $44.50  |  Button Sweater, $98.50  |  Floral Dress, $129  |  Floral Top, $74.50  |  Cargo Pants, $69.50  |  Ruched Top, $59.50  |  Utility Jacket, $129  |  Earrings, $38  |  Utility Shirt, $79.50  |  Boxy T-Shirt, $49.50

Banana Republic has long been a favorite. Their mix of easy to wear pieces, for work and weekend, along with their full size range (including petite and plus) is hard not to love. In many ways, they are one of the rare retailers that grew up with their target market, always evolving but never steering too far away from what makes them work. 

Earlier this month, during my regular trip to the mall to check out options, I strolled through BR and realized, it’s not the easiest store to shop. I’m finding, more and more, that I can see things so much better online. 

That said, their staff was friendly and helpful, without being overwhelming – always a plus. 

So let’s talk what to focus on. There’s no category I would tell you to avoid. Right now there are some awesome options for the season ahead. 

Shorts, $69.50 (on sale $35)

These are “fashion” shorts, meaning, you’re not wearing these to your kids soccer game. Instead, I’d take them on vacation. They are high-waisted with a self belt, so you should tuck your top in. They may not be fore everyone, but if you can pull them off, they are chic and at a great price. I pick up a pair for my birthday trip to Greece! 

Available in regular and petite from a 0 – 20. 

Sheer Sleeve Top, $44.50 

I love this top, available in black, white, navy and what they are calling “Tuscan Sun.” The sleeves are sheer but not see-through, so it’s perfect for a date night or vacation top. Available in XXS – XXL 

Button Sweater, $98.50 (on sale $50)

This button sleeve sweater is adorable, and just the thing to wear with a pair of casual shorts or ankle length pants. They are calling it “cropped” but it’s not, it just sits at your hip. Perfect to pair with a higher-waisted bottom. 

Available in regular and petite from a XXS – XXL 

Floral Dress, $129 (on sale $65)

This floral dress is so sweet. My favorite print is the blue and white (above). Wear it to a bridal or baby shower, graduation party, or keep it as a date night option with a pair of wedges for those times you don’t want to wear your jeans … again. 

Floral Top, $74.50 (on sale $38)

If you need a few extra tops to pair with pants or skirts for work consider this one. You don’t need to add anything to finish it. It’s great for those hot, mid-summer days when you have to get dressed for work, but don’t want to add layers. 

Available in regular and tall, XXS – XXL 

Cargo Pants, $69.50 (on sale $35)

I’m going to do a post this week on work-from-home outfits, and cargo joggers are part of it. They are better than leggings, feel a little more elevated, but still super comfortable. I like them with a white tee and denim jacket. These are marked down to $35 with the discount code, and come in XXS – XXL.

Ruched Top, $59.50 (on sale $30)

I use to have many clients who worked in hospitals in various capacities. So they needed to be dressed everyday, but often had to add some kind of lab coat over their outfit. Tops like this were perfect for them because it is simple, with enough detail that make it professional, and you could still top it with a coat.  This one comes in black and coral in XXS – XXL and is under $30 with the discount. 

Utility Jacket, $129 (on sale $65)

A utility jacket is an absolute timeless classic for a casual wardrobe. I’m featuring it in “peach” above because it’s fresh and cheerful, but I would buy the olive green. You can wear it with jeans, throw it over a pair of sweats, or a simple cotton dress. This one comes in at $65, available in regular and petite, from an XXS – XXL. 

Earrings, $38 (on sale $20)

For something different, yet practical, these are gorgeous, easy to wear and under $20.  They were the first things I added to my cart. 

Utility Shirt, $79.50 (on sale $40)

Another wear-with-anything top, this beauty works for the office, weekends and anything in between. It’s available in three colors, and comes in regular, petite and tall in XXS – XXL. 

Boxy T-Shirt, $49.50 (on sale $25) 

Finally, I scooped this cozy top up in black and white for these work-at-home days. Just wear it with jeans and a crisp pair of sneakers. It’s also great for travel, so once we’re all back out and about, you can wear this on a travel day, and arrive at your destination still looking pulled together. Available in five colors, in regular and petite, XXS – XXL. 

Handkerchief-Hem Wrap Dress, $159 (on sale $80)

Dress, $159

I picked this wrap dress up for myself for a warmer weather date night. It’s too easy for me to wear jeans, so having a handful of dresses I can throw on allows me to quickly get out of the house, and feel like I’m wearing something than my usual go-tos. 

This looks great with a denim jacket and the faux leather moto we featured last month. 

It’s available in regular, tall, petite from a size 0 – 20. 

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Our Content is Inspired by Our Readers

Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers. 

Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist View Postand wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail. 

Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.

If you enjoy our content and would like to help us grow, please consider following on Instagram and join our Private Facebook Group to access more advice and exclusive in-depth conversations with other like-minded women.

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Inspired by a conversation in our Private Facebook Group, we’re continuing our What to Buy at series with a roundup from Talbots.

Talbots is tricky. It has a very specific look, so the advice holds here as it does for other retailers we feature: avoid mannequin shopping.

Mannequin shopping: walking into a store and buying an entire outfit off the display.

So why is mannequin shopping a no-no? Stores like Talbot’s, Ann Taylor, LOFT, J.Crew, etc. all adhere to a certain look. It’s what makes them popular, and reliable. But you run the risk of looking like the BRAND and not YOURSELF when you wear them head-to-toe. 

Since our goal is to help you create a chic and modern wardrobe, on a regular person budget, these posts are designed to highlight the best options that will add value to your closet. 

Basically, it’s what I would put in your fitting room if we were shopping together. 

Style

A lot of what you’ll see at Talbots online and in stores could be considered frumpy. 

The majority of their prints and color selections lack sophistication, so avoid them. Also, some of their cuts are a bit dated. 

That said, they offer a solid selection of basics, like bottoms, dresses, or button-downs. And, as you’ll see below, a few gems that will elevate your style.

Below are my top picks of Talbots new arrivals, a combination of classic pieces with a little bit of a twist. 

Sizing and Fit

Where Talbots doesn’t get credit is in their long standing commitment to size inclusiveness. They have been offering full size scales for years. So almost every item is available in missy, petite, plus and plus petite. 

Regarding fit, they run full depending on where you typically shop. For example, if you wear an 8 in J.Crew, you are probably a 6 in Talbots. 

What to Buy a Talbots

 

Barbour Jacket, $380  |  Leopard Dress, $129  |  Eyelet Top, $109  |  Gingham Top, $70  |  Strap Sandals, $149  |  Plaid Blazer, $189  |  Tweed Jacket, $189  |  Suit Jacket, $239 and Pants, $159  |  Cover Up, $104 

Barbour Jacket

If you have followed me for any length of time you know I love a Barbour. Whether it’s a lightweight barn jacket or a quilted vest they are the epitome of high quality, casual chic outerwear. 

They created a line of jackets exclusively for Talbots and they are gorgeous. This classic trench has a pretty plaid lining, a detachable hood and is waterproof.

Leopard Dress

For leopard print to work in a dress it has to be less in your face and more subtle.  Otherwise, you’ll look like Janice from Friends. 

This dress hits all the right notes. It has an elegant yet modern cut, and perfect pattern. What’s great about it is you can wear it to work with a simple pair of pumps, or pack it for a trip with a flat sandal or a dressed up sneaker. 

Eyelet Top

I bought this white eyelet top for myself to pair with slim navy ankle pants. It’s an ideal occasion top, something you can throw on to grab a drink with friends mid-week, or go to any social event when you don’t want to wear what you wore all day in the office. 

It’s available in missy, petite, plus and plus petite. 

Gingham Top

I follow Reese Witherspoon on Instagram (she’s delightful) and is forever in crisp gingham shirts. If button downs are in your wheel house, Talbots has nice ones for under $100. 

Pair it with your favorite jeans. It looks great with dark denim and provides a preppy contrast with a distressed pair. Of course, it’s perfect with a pair of white jeans too. 

Twist Strap Sandals

Block heel sandals are the best. They are comfortable, and give a casual vibe, which most of us want in the warmer months. They work with everything from shorts to dresses, and the real beauty of them is their comfort. 

I’m featuring them in “rattan” but they are also available in black, pale blue, yellow and a gorgeous navy. 

Plaid Blazer

 

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🎉Happy Friday!! I featured this blazer on Monday when I rounded up my top picks at Talbots. . Talbots isn’t always my style but it also doesn’t get the credit it deserves for its size inclusiveness. . They’ve offered ALL sizes for a long time. . So I picked up this classic plaid blazer that mixes tan and navy to create pretty much the perfect piece to pair with jeans. . I toned it done with distressed jeans and suede flats. But wearing a dark wash straight jeans make these Friday office ready. . ☝🏼for outfit details follow the link in my profile and click “Shop my Outfits” and to see my Talbots picks click “Visit the Blog” 💕💕

A post shared by The Well Dressed Life (@thewelldressedlife) on Feb 28, 2020 at 5:03pm PST

I LOVE this blazer so, so much! Spring usually means pastels and florals, so this navy plaid is a breath of fresh air. The length will be too long for skirts, so stick with pants. Keep it fresh and not frumpy by pairing it with straight or slim fitting bottoms. 

Available in missy, petite, plus and plus petite. 

 

Tweed Jacket

Need a fresh jacket for the office? This blue tweed may be it. Another size inclusive option, that will work with black and navy, or denim, it’s a classic you’ll wear season after season. 

Suit Jacket and Pants

We have a suit guide scheduled in March, but I had to share this gorgeous, designer looking blue suit. It’s modern, slimming and updated.

I just don’t like that the model is wearing it with loafers. I would pair it with a sleeker shoe, whether it’s a high pump or a kitten heel, they would be more elegant options. 

Related: The Most Comfortable Heels for Work 

Cover Up

If you are headed out for spring break or any warm-weather vacation, you might need to freshen up your cover-ups. Maybe it’s me, but all the cover-ups I find show an astonishing amount of skin. Like, what’s the point?

I like one in a pretty pattern, in a tunic style so I can comfortably walk through a hotel lobby or have a quick lunch and feel like I’m appropriate. 

An exception to their dated prints is this fresh pink embroidered option that is perfect for poolside lounging. 

 

Our readership inspires all of our posts and is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers. 

Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail. 

Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.

If you enjoy our content and would like to help us grow, please consider following on Instagramand join our Private Facebook Group to access more advice and exclusive in-depth conversations with other like-minded women.

What to Buy At is a bi-monthly series, where I stop by a popular, mainstream retailer and round up the pieces worth picking up. Today, I’m focusing on Ann Taylor.

Many of us grew up with Ann Taylor. For me, after college, it was aspirational, and except for a few sale pieces, I couldn’t afford anything. A few years later, I found the bridesmaids dresses for my wedding hanging in their window. They were a gorgeous black strapless gown with a white lace overlay on the bodice that my friends to this day swear they wore more than once.

But after that, they got a little boring, matronly even. Everything was too matchy-matchy, the fit was off for a while and nothing seemed special.

When I was a stylist they were never on my go-to list. It’s only been over the last few years that I’ve noticed a defenite shift in their styling.

The challenge with Ann Taylor (and stores like Talbots, J.Crew, Banana Republic etc) is that you don’t want to wear them head to toe. Instead, you want to find the hidden gems, the pieces that look like you picked them up at a small boutique, and then incorporate them with other better basics in your wardrobe to create a more layered look with personality. 

So that’s what we’re going to do today, highlight the must haves and since it’s Presidents Day weekend – most of these are on sale. Use the code WEARIT for 40% off the marked price. 

Before we jump in, a note on sizing.  All of the items below are available in Missy and Petite. AT is a fantastic petite resource. They also have a solid collection of Tall sizes. For plus, they go up to a XXL or an 18 in most of these categories. 

What to Buy At: Ann Taylor 

 

Trench, $198  |  Pencil Skirt, $98  |  Tweed Jacket, $178  |  Dress, $149  |  Scarf, $60  |  Top, $60  |  Pumps, $128

There is a lot to pick from right now, but I narrowed it down to my top seven pieces. 

First up, this two-toned trench – good LORD do I love this. It’s the definition of classic with a twist, I really can’t justify another coat, but someone needs this. 

Keeping with the trench coat theme, this high waisted pencil skirt is utterly adorable. It comes in a classic khaki or the cayenne color above in missy, petite and tall. The trick to wearing it is to pair it with a top you can comfortably tuck in, like this simple bubble sleeve blouse (above in white). 

This is a fantastic everyday work blouse, that goes with skirts, trousers and jeans, tucked in or out, layer under a long cardigan or add a long necklace and wear on its own. Also available in black, in missy and petite. With the discount code it’s around $35 so grab both if it works for your budget. 

Related: What to Buy at H&M

Also making my heart sing is this double breasted tweed jacket. It’s limited in sizes, probably because the length is longer that usual, so you can wear it comfortably with a slim lined pant – maybe even your faux leather leggings?! 

Next up, this sweet dress, available in missy, petite and tall. With spring holidays around the corner, this is a modest, yet modern option. I would wear it with black tights and boots, either ankle or knee high depending on your proportions. 

I added this scarf at the last minute. It combines so many fresh colors but is grounded in black, so it’s super versatile. You could wear a black column, throw on your new trench and tie the scarf around your neck for an instantly polished, easy to run around town outfit. 

Last, but not least, these tortoiseshell heels are heels are the slingback version of my pumps (above). They are surprisingly comfortable and work with virtually everything, especially if you have a wardrobe full of neutrals. 

Be sure to let me know what you pick up and any other stores you want to see featured in this series!

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Our content is not sponsored or paid for by brands or retailers in any way. 

Recommendations are based on personal experience and my time working with women as a stylist and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. Some links are affiliate links, which means if you purchase via our site, we receive a small commission.

If you enjoy our content and would like to help us grow, please consider following on Instagram  and join our Private Facebook Group to access more advice and exclusive in-depth conversations with other like-minded women.

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