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Updated: Oct 30, 2018 38 Comments · by

Grab Your BFF and Get to Ann Taylor: The Friends and Family Sale is On

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ann taylor friends and family sale This post is sponsored by Ann Taylor, but written by your regular friendly blogger Kat.

Ann Taylor's Friends and Family sale is ending TONIGHT, with the entire site being 40% off with code FRIENDS40 until then. Sales are so much fun to shop with friends, and I'd love to hear what the Corporette community has bought already, is still considering buying, and is going back for more! I'm absolutely loving the patterns and textures I'm seeing, all amidst the classic shapes we know and love from Ann Taylor. Some of my favorites are below — but which are your favorites? 

Bold Patterns for Work

Bold patterns are a lux, sophisticated way to inject a ton of personality to your workwear. Pair them with neutrals to play it safe, or try mixing patterns and textures to have a bit of fun. Some of my favorites from the sale:
ann taylor patterns

Above: dress / skirt / dress / blouse

  • Modern Geo Tie Waist Dress – I love this one for work and beyond! To make the dress more versatile, don't forget that you can always top it with a slim cut merino sweater in navy to wear it just as a skirt; you can also layer it with a thin navy turtleneck beneath it for winter. The dress is $159 full price, available in regular and petites, and sizes 00-14; in the sale it comes to $95.
  • Colorblock Pencil Skirt – The slanted color block pattern here is amazing — classic but interesting at the same time. White and navy are the obvious things to pair it with,  but I'd also urge you to try it with a pale blue. The skirt is $89 full price, avilaalbe in regular, petite, and tall sizes 00-18, and comes down to $53 in the sale.
  • Diagonal Stripe Wrap Dress – Wow, I love this. It usually drives me batty when patterns don't line up just so, but it looks intentional and artsy here — and the flattering, feminine colors somehow remind me of a tie. The dress is available in regular and petite sizes 00-14, and it's $98 full price, but comes to $58 in the sale. (There are actually a TON of great patterned wrap dresses if you're looking, and this particular pattern also comes in a silky wrap blouse.)
  • Bird Ruffle Sleeve Top – While ruffles and birds aren't for everyone, I think this top shows that you can still “put a bird on it” and be professional — love the way the pattern just looks abstract at a difference, and the unusual mix of pale peach and a brighter, almost fuschia-like pink in the pattern — interesting and great. The highly-rated top is $79.50, but comes down to $47.70 in the sale — it's available in regular and petite sizes XS-XL.

Sophiticated Textures

Texture is a fabulous way to elevate your wardrobe — depending on how textured a fabric is, it can almost read as a pattern — but it's far easier to mix and match pieces and colors without sticking to neutrals. Ann Taylor's new collection showcases a ton of great textures; some of my favorites include:

ann taylor texture

Pictured: blouse / shell / blouse / blazer

  • Pleated Tie Neck Blouse – The pleated tie neck really elevates this piece — I love the idea of it paired with a really delicate earring or a pendant necklace. It's available in sizes XXS-XXL for $79.50 in black and “golden chartreuse,” but during the sale it comes to $47. If you prefer a more boho look, this blouse is similar.
  • Textured Peplum Shell – This textured peplum shell is everything. It's still soft and easy to wear, but the texture makes it that much more lux. It's available in chestnut and black in sizes XXS-XXL, regular and petite, and (what what?!) comes down to $35 in the sale. (Similar, but in navy: this textured fit and flare dress.)
  • Lacy Peplum Top – I go back and forth on lace for the office, but I don't think there's anything boudoir about this lacy top, and I love the texture the lace adds. It's available in navy and white for $98 full price in sizes 00-18, but comes down to $59 in the sale. (Two similar pieces, both sleeveless: this lace peplum top in navy and “rosebud blush”, and this lace front shell in white and mauve quartz.)
  • Crosshatch Tweed Suiting – I went back and forth about which picture to show of this suit because all of the pieces are so. dang. good — the flounce dress! the ankle pants! the pencil skirt! the peplum jacket! I love them all, either as separates or as a suit. They're $89-$179 full price, but come down to $53-$107 in the sale.

Classic Shapes

Obviously, we all go to Ann for the classic shapes and styles, and they are still delivering. I didn't intend to pick everything in reds and burgundies — and a lot of these come in multiple colors — but you'll find that burgundy can be a really versatile color, particularly from August through February, whether paired with pale blues, brighter reds and oranges, or basic neutrals like navy, black, white and beige.

ann taylor classics

Pictured: dress / top / dress / shell

  • 3/4 Sleeve Wrap Dress – It's so hard to go wrong with a wrap dress, particularly with 3/4 sleeves. I love the “rosy plum” color shown here — wear it with black, navy, white, beige, light blue, pale pink, bright red or orange… the possibilities are endless. The dress is $98 full price, available in regular, petite and tall sizes 00-18, but during the sale it comes to $58. (Love that it's machine washable, too.)
  • Ballet Neck Top – This close fitting jersey shirt strikes me as the perfect thing to layer beneath suits — the double banding at the ballet neck top adds just enough interest. It's available in regular and petite sizes XXS-XXL in “tawny port” (pictured), black and white, and in the sale it comes down to $29.60.
  • Belted Flare Dress – I love the looser, drapey sleeves on this belted flare dress, as well as the feminine way they've styled the belt — perfect. It's available in red and navy, in regular and petite sizes 0-14, for $85 (coming down to $51 in the sale).
  • Ruched Shell – This ruched shell is an amazing piece if you prefer going sleeveless beneath your blazers and cardigans — I love the way it's body conscious and flattering yet also forgiving. It's available exclusively online in five different colors, in regular and petite sizes XXS-XXL, for $39.50 full price — it comes to $24ish in the sale.

Ladies, what have you already gotten at the sale? What are you drooling over, or eager to see if they have new patterns or colors available? (Ann Taylor's next collection hits the site next week — check it out!) 

About Kat

Kat Griffin is the founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Corporette. You can read more about her here.

Comments

  1. Vacation

    Any recs for resorts/hotels for a vacation somewhere warm in early March within a 4 hour flight of the northeastern US? Current contenders are Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, or Bermuda, but I am open to other spots. A place that caters to couples would be great, and it could be all inclusive or a la carte. Husband wants to sit on the beach and drink,I like a mix of that and sightseeing. Would like to keep it under $4k total for 4-5 nights, but we have not really discussed budget yet.

    • Anonymous

      Bermuda is great for sightseeing but may be a little cold for the beach in March – probably mid 60s. That may be ok for you but if you prefer a little warmer you may want to head further south. I’m not sure on proces that time of year but if you do decide to go with Bermuda the Fairmont Southampton is very nice.

      • Anonymous

        Yeah, Bermuda is not that far south… I think the latitude is roughly equivalent with North Carolina so it’s not that warm. My vote would be PR if you want to do sightseeing besides relaxing on the beach and snorkeling.

  2. Anonymous

    Has anyone tried the crosshatch suiting? It looks awesome, but I really don’t need another suit…

    • Deep End

      Same here. I picked 4 suits and unfortunately only 1 could have promo applied. Better for my wallet!

    • Cc

      Not that it’s very original but I’ve been cc on here for about 6 years if you don’t mind picking something else!

      • Cece85

        Other “CC” here. No problem! Im a new reader/poster. Happy to relinquish to a senior site poster :)

    • Wordy

      I had to put in the code twice — it took initially, and then when I got the payment page, it was wiped out (not buying crosshatch suit, but everything else in my cart went back to full price). When I put it in a second time, it took.

  4. Simplify

    AT has been my go-to lately because they have petites. I’ve tried that runched shell and it was not very flattering. It bagged at the bust in a weird way. I also got the side runched shell and that was much better.

  5. Anonymous

    I don’t like the quality of AT or Loft and I think all these clothes look very 70s. No thanks.

    • anon

      Agreed. AT’s quality has gone so far downhill that it isn’t even worth looking at this sale. These clothes do actually look very cheap and very 70s. Add to that AT’s poor customer service, and…No Thanks.

    • Anonymous

      I was going to ask if their quality has gotten any better.

      :( Such a shame. Their clothes fit me so well and I like so much of their designs. It’s just not worth it for something that will wear out in a couple of months. Nearly all my wardrobe was AT/Loft 10-15 years ago, but now I don’t have any except for a few ‘vintage’ items.

  6. PatsyStone

    I’m wearing the rosy plumb wrap dress today, it fits like my other AT wrap dresses, great colors, love it. I ordered the bird ruffle sleeve top yesterday after receiving its look-alike, the spotted ruffle sleeve top, last week. It may be my favorite blouse of all time- super flattering, great details, and the sleeves totally work. Lots of compliments. I have a hard time finding blouses that are not too low cut and sleeves that don’t make me question the thickness of my arms. Yaaaay.

  7. Anonymous

    How would this ruched shell work under a suit? It seems to be about the same length as a jacket, so cannot be worn untucked; but the ruching will interfere with the line if you tuck it in. Thoughts?

  8. Wildkitten

    I just broke up with Mr. Kitten (bf of 5 years).

    I don’t think I am going to get any work done at work today.

    • Cat

      Sorry to hear that, WK. Even if it’s the right decision (which — sounds like it was, based on your recent posts about your relationship), it still sucks to suffer through.

    • LAJen

      Aw, sending hugs. I have been there, and it’s so tough. I don’t think anyone would expect you to get work done today. Can you take off early and go somewhere that’s centering/calming for you?

    • Sydney Bristow

      So sorry WK. Sounds like you’re having a really rough year. Take care of yourself.

      • nutella

        Late to the party, but very sorry to hear this, WK. I know you’ve been going through some tough times, but hoping the best is yet to come for you – especially with your new job/new location. Hugs

    • Wendy

      Sending you hugs and positive thoughts WK. It sounds like you made a difficult but right decision. Going the the gym is a good way to work your way through the first day of this change in your life. And remember men are like buses – there will be another one along in a few minutes.

  11. Kay

    I ordered quite a few things during AT anniversary sale not too long ago. Everything (jacket, pants, shell, and 2 blouses) went back except one top. Maybe it’s just me – but the sizing was all sorts of wrong. Pants were way too long and major backgap. Shirts were just too large and boxy. I wear a lot of AT clothes, so I was super bummed.

  12. Mary Claire

    I’m excitedly waiting for my order to come! I got the Skyler suede pumps in pink, Tropic Wrap Dress, Bezel Crystal Pendant, and a few tshirts and cardigans.
    I don’t know enough about quality to complain – it seems good enough for me and the stuff actually fits.
    I don’t have the Bird Ruffle Sleeve Top but I have that same style in a different (solid) color and it’s one of my favorite tops.

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