Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
We’ve heard great reports on Ann Taylor’s cashmere this season, so this sale is too good to pass up — a variety of colors and sizes, in petites and regular, with lots of cashmere sweaters. Our personal preference is always for the v-neck, and we like this one a lot, as it is not too low, not too high, and has regular-length sleeves. It was $145, now marked $69, with an additional 40% brings it down to $41.40. (Use code SPRING40 to take 40% off a full-priced item while you’re there.) Cashmere V-Neck Sweater
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Clerky
Great pick. Sad that only XL and XXL are left in all colors.
B
The heather grey is available in all sizes.
w
I would definitely buy this if there were any left im my size.!
Rachel
Pretty, but I’m not so sure about that “unfinished roll hem.”
Lawgirl
Dud. All sizes gone except XXL.
A
Somewhat related — have people noticed real uptick in style and quality at Ann Taylor over the last several months? I used to wear a lot of AT in my first job out of college, but then abandoned the brand for the last 7-8 years because it seemed frumpy and low quality (and seemed to have nothing but sweater sets!) But, walking by the other day, I was impressed by some things in the window, went in and ended up getting a really nice long cardigan, skirt, and a fun, bold necklace. And, though I didn’t get one, I noticed that their suits are now made from a wool blend, instead of that horrible “triacetate” synthetic they had for years.
Amber
I’m in love with their new stuff! It seems much better than it was 2-3 years ago (which was when I reached the “grown up clothing” stage).
3L
Ann Taylor is really chic now and has better quality stuff. But the Loft stuff has gotten worse, IMO.
sam
yes, i’ve been LOVING them since september! they got a new designer on board this summer, or thereabouts.
Samantha
Ann Taylor designs have gotten a little ‘younger’ and the prices lower, just as Ann Taylor Loft (ATL) quality has gotten worse (tissue-thin t shirts, poor stitching).
I used to be a die-hard ATL fan about 3 years ago, but in the last few months it’s all AT.
MelD
AT is much better. There are a lot of cute items there now, but unfortunately I am not into the current suiting collection. I was looking for something new and the styles really didn’t do it for me.
I agree completely that Loft has gone ultra casual lately. It’s all about the t-shirts and jeans now with almost nothing that is work appropriate. A few years ago, Loft was great for business casual work clothes and fun, inexpensive summer suits. Now you’re lucky if you can find anything that would work even in a business casual workplace.
Heather
But their suits aren’t lined anymore! This makes a huge difference to me…it just makes the suits look and feel cheaper.
A
JUST FYI – you can’t use the discount code unless the item you are purchasing is full price (which this sweater is not).
Anonymous
I have this sweater in black (and also a turtleneck version); just ordered another in aubergine. The extra 40% off is automatically applied to sale items. Don’t forget to check the ‘final sale’ tab as there are sometimes items under that tab that are not listed under the category tabs. I got a few ruffle front cashmere cardigains for a steal a few weeks ago and winter white in L is still available for aprox. $29.
I like a lot of the new AT stuff for basics. I bought a bunch of suiting (2 jackets, 3 pants (in long lenght), 1 skir, 1 dresst and 1 ruffle jacket all in the same tropical wool) because it’s flattering and great everyday stuff. I traveled from MA to HI with a jacket and skirt in my suitcase; upon arrival the jacket was wrinkled but the wrinkles were gone by the next morning when I had to leave for my meeting. I don’t always like to travel with high end suits (depends where I’m going, I guess) so I was happy to find that these travel well. I wear black suits 3-4 days a week in the office and almost exclusively when travelling. The other days I’ll wear pants (jeans on Fridays) or a skirt with a cashmere sweater… AT has been good to me lately!
Anon
How is the sizing on the turtleneck (compared to J.Crew/Banana) – about the same? I’m about to purchase an aubergine one myself!
Anon
I think most people tend to thing AT sizes run 1-2 sizes larger than Banana.
I agree for trousers and skirts, but not for tops. AT’s cut in skirts and trousers is more suitable for women with hips than the standard Banana cut.
Anonymous
It runs biggish (def bigger than J Crew) but not too big for a casual look… if you know what I mean. The sweater is also pretty long, which I like because I’m tall.
Esquirette
Slight thread-jacking: I was looking through AT’s non-sale items and came across an intriguing suit (jacket/pants/skirt available). Here is the link to the jacket:
http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=23080&defaultColorNameFromCrosell=Dark%20Heather%20Grey
Anyone have any idea what this material might be like? I like the color and texture of it a lot but there’s something about the pants that almost look lounge-wear like and it hard to tell what the cut of the jacket is like due to the model’s posing. Thoughts?
El
I bought and returned that suit – it was not flattering, as much as I tried to convince myself it was. It’s like a ponte knit, and IMO, inappropriate for a suit jacket.
Anonymous
I agree with El… there is something oddly off with this material as a suit. I’m sure someone could pull it off but I know it would sit at the back of my close.
sam
tried it on in the store: it was NOT nice. the pants did indeed look a lot like sweat pants, BUT the waistband and pocket area wasn’t even comfortable. my advice would be to pass.
Delta Sierra
I think your instincts are good. The fabric makes the pants look a bit track-pants-ish. Also, knit pants (unlined, here) and skirts (doesn’t say) (grrr) bag out at seat/knees, or change shape to a greater or lesser extent, as you wear them.
Also, I love today’s sweater.
Claire
I bought this to wear on more casual days and am not sure if I’ll ever wear it as a suit—more likely as separates.
Esquirette
Thanks all! Too bad about the suit.
Sharon
I think AT has done a really great job lately. Their stores and displays look much nicer than they used to. Style but still classic.
Louise
Black cashmere v-necks are still available in petite sizes. It looks like the sweater runs quite long, so petites will still fit me.
BTW, shopping the petite department will often yield more size and color selections. While you may not fit all petites, it’s worth a shot to try some on in various brands.
MelD
AT/ATL petites are usually not that petite. I can’t wear anything like this with a long sleeve (I have long arms) but I am able to wear short sleeve and 3/4 sleeve tops and sweaters with no difficulty. They are all plenty long enough not to show any skin when I sit.
hh
I’m wearing on of those sweaters today! The rolled hem is not much of a problem, but they run very large. I’m wearing an XS, and it’s not tight at all. I’m 5 ft 8, 130 lbs – usually wear sm or medium.
Anon
This is very helpful to know re: sizing – thank you!
MJ
Can anyone comment with regard to pilling on these sweaters? I bought some cashmere from AT about 2 seasons ago and it was altogether unwearable (even with constant defuzzing with a sweater comb and sweater shaver), and of much poorer quality than my cashmere from J. Crew, Brooks and Macy’s. Anyone???? How do these sweaters wear? $50 for cashmere is only a bargain if it holds up more than a few wearings.
Thanks.
Heather
I was JUST about to leave a comment re the pilling. I bought their ruffle front cashmere cardigan last month, and when wearing it the first time, after only a couple of hours, I noticed both elbows had pilled terribly just from periodically using my chair’s arm rest. The sweater is off-white, and the pilling looks horrible.
I was excited to get a great deal on the sweater (marked down from $160 I think to about $35 or $40), but I am incredibly displeased with the pilling. Awful!
Louise
Thanks for this. I’ve decided not to buy the sweater.
Anonymous
Hmmm… I have 3 of the ruffle front cardigains (black, gray and a blue color) and haven’t had *any* issues (and have worn both the black and gray several times). I haven’t had any issues with the (black) t- and v-necks either.
I think that the quality is far better than the recent J Crew Cashmere. I have a few J Crew cashmere cardis that are super heavy (and those were $$$) that have held up great, but the standard cashmere not so much.
mkm
I have to disagree with the reviews of AT’s quality as of late…
Shoes that were made in Italy and sold for $105 TOPS only 4 years ago are now made in China and range between $150 and $200. True, their triacetate is gone, but whereas they used to carry plenty of 100% wool suiting pieces, we’re lucky to see 75% wool, 25% synthetic these days (and unlined, of course, as someone mentioned above) for just about double their prices before this new designer took over.
I gave up when I stopped in for a pair of hose (I know, I know, no one should be buying hose… But I never could get on board with bare legs at work, and worse, bare feet in business attire shoes) and found that the $7.50, long-lasting AT hosiery had jumped to $21 a pair. I’m sorry, new designer, but you didn’t invent the pantyhose!!
I think many of their looks are cute, but can’t rely on AT for quality or price anymore.
Rant over…
Anonymous
I have also been disappointed with AT’s quality and price….especially the unlined suits that aren’t any cheaper than the lined ones were.