Corporette.com

Updated: Nov 1, 2018 79 Comments · by

Wednesday’s TPS Report: Matte jersey belted dress

Fashion· The Personal Shopper (TPS)· Wear to Work | · · ·

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Talbots matte jersey belted dressReader J points us to this Talbots dress, which, as she notes, is “a great, short-sleeved, office-appropriate dress. Since everyone seems to have a hard time finding dresses that aren't sleeveless, I thought you might want to feature it.” We particularly like the jewel tones — dark green and a mallard blue — very very pretty and flattering. (It's also available in black.)  We might swap the belt out for a wider one, but it's a great general dress. It's available at Talbots for $139 (web only) in regulars and petites. Matte jersey belted dress If you've recently seen a great work piece you'd like to recommend to the readers, please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line. Unless you ask otherwise, we'll refer to you by your first initial. (L-0)

Sales of note for 9.30.24

And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

Comments

  2. Clerky

    I LOVE this! Beautiful color and totally appropriate for work. Great pick.

    I have never bought anything from Talbot’s. How does the sizing run? Also, does anyone know whether the dress can be worn without the belt, or is the belt attached?

    • AIMS

      Sizing in regulars is about average, average being a bit bigger than it used to be, say, 6-8 years ago (but comp. to AT, BR, etc.).
      In petites, it’s somewhat smaller usually as they actually make the whole item narrower, not just shorten the sleeves/pants like some manufacturers (though certain items vary & just tend to be looser cut generally).
      I think they have a pretty good return/exchange policy, so you could always order 2 sizes & return one to a store.

    • Cat

      Talbot’s tops tend to be boxier than J.Crew’s or BR’s (so this long-waisted hourglass has, so far, only purchased pants and skirts there).

      4/6 in J.Crew pants = 4 in Talbot’s more modern/slim-fit pants, 2 in skirts. I would probably order the dress in a 2.

    • J

      I’m so excited that my submission was featured!

      At 5’4″, I wear petites at Talbots, and I am a size larger in Talbots Petites than I am in non-petites at BR or Ann Taylor. When I’ve tried the regular sizing, my usual size fits correctly but is too long.

    • Shayna

      I love Talbot’s petites – when I was heavier I loved it because I found them to run larger than most stores’ petites, and about the same as Anne Taylor’s. (What usually was my do-I-need-a-bigger-size determining factor was my chest — I was a 40D at the time, so that was a major issue)

      They have one of the best return policies out there – I know someone who works there and I was told that they take back clothes years later, for cash — much better than most policies

  3. Anon

    I’ve been eyeing this one for a few weeks. I keep passing because I’m worried that the pull-on style (no zip) means it will look like a very expensive tshirt dress. Does anyone own this and can you put my fears to rest, please? :)

    I do wish Talbots was cheaper. I really like their dresses but I’d be happier if they were $79 than $139-149…

    • J

      I have a very similar dress in a different fabric from Talbots and no one would mistake it for casual. I think the fabric will be structured enough that it will look professional.

    • Karen

      Get on their mailing list. They regularly provide 20% coupons. Still not quite your suggested price range, but a big improvement.

    • AnneCatherine

      Yeah, I really like this dress, but I guess I’m a cheapo. $139 for a matte jersey dress (not, for instance, lined wool) seems like a lot to me . . . More disappointment with Talbots than with the pick of this dress for TPS, though. I do think it’s quite pretty. I just wish Talbots had started it at a $90 price point, but, then again, I’d be tempted to buy if that were the case, and now I’m not, so I guess I should be thankful. :)

    • newassociate

      talbots lends well to sale stalking.

      i picked up http://www1.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi23548&rootCategory=cat400043&catId=cat80018&sortKey=Default&section=Outlet&conceptIdUnderSale=cat400043 for $60 when they had an “additional % off sale” promo, which i combined with a code from retailmenot.com. it fit like a paper bag, but it’s at the tailors now getting altered. i am hopeful of finally having a work-appropriate (i’m looking at you j.crew and your super low dresses!) quality black wool dress for a reasonable price.

      for those so inclined, note that the dress is unlined, so i plan to wear a slip. the fabric is nice and thick though.

      • K

        Talbots does have amazing sales. Most of my mom’s wardrobe is from Talbots (not that it’s a mom store, my mom is very well dressed — modern yet classic) and I know she always finds awesome stuff on sale. She’s 5’1″ and has been very pleased by the fit of their petite clothing over the years.

  4. meg

    Why would a wider belt be better with this? And does anyone have an example of one that might look good?

    I love the dress, though. looks easy and comfortable for summer.

    Clerky – I think Talbots tends to run larger than BR/AT, this is mainly because their clothes aren’t as closely fit.

  5. Amber

    The color is beautiful, but I don’t like how this drapes around the stomach area. Would there be any way to keep it from pooching like that?

    • cj

      That was the first thing I noticed as well–coupled with the fact that it also appears pretty snug in the hips. It’s awkward looking, but maybe it’s the model’s pose or even a poor photoshopping job?

      • ChiLaw

        I have this in the blue … and it’s definitely the model’s pose making it look weird. Stand up straight and it’s no problem.

    • jcb

      I was thinking the same thing. If it is tight on her hips, it is not going to be a good scene on mine. Maybe the photog did some unfortunate tailoring. Really pretty color and otherwise I like the cut.

  7. anon

    Love it

    Clerky – Talbots runs large, I order a size down from BR on tops, and several sizes down on pants/skirts (also their skirts are really, really long!)

    Anyone have any good Talbots coupon codes?

  8. housecounsel

    Beautiful color. There is a wonderful shirtdress in the same green, but it’s linen and I’m worried about wrinkles!

  9. Erin

    Hmmm I might have to give this a try…although I must say I have had TERRIBLE luck with Talbots dresses. They all look like a paper bag on me, with lots of extra fabric in random places. It is really bizarre, since I have a very fit and proportionate figure.

  11. Amy

    I love the color of this dress but am not a fan of the black shoes the model is wearing. Would wear black pumps or open toed heels.

  12. MelD

    The color is great, but I don’t like what the dress is doing in the midsection with all that bunching/pooching. I am not even sure a wider belt will help since it’s due to the pleating on the collar.

    @Clerky- Talbot’s has boxy cuts, so they may be harder, if not impossible, for curvier/pear-shaped women to wear. I find that in pants, I can sometimes wear smaller sizes at AT/BR because they have the fits designed for curvier women. With Talbot’s it just seems like the difference is in the rise (high to ultra high) and not in the cut itself. As anon pointed out, the skirts are really long- so going for petite may be a good idea if you aren’t 5’8″ and want something that doesn’t fall below your knee.

    • RR

      I’m curvy and plus size, and Talbots fits me perfectly pretty much every time. I think it’s like anything else. Try some things on and see how they work for you.

    • anon2

      hah — I’m 5’8″ and based on the last skirts I tried on from them (fairly recently), if I were to order this dress I’d def order a petites so it won’t hit below my knee!

      I’m actually considering getting it too…. it’s a really nice work dress, and with sleeves!

      • Shayna

        Sleeves… the holy grail of the shopping experience! (As someone with “hadassah arms” … you know, that extra bit of flab that doesn’t seem to go away no-matter-what – I’m a fan!)

      • RR

        I’m 5’8″ too, but long legs (33 or 34 inch inseam) and short torso. I love the longer lengths in pants and skirts at Talbots! But I buy tops and dresses in petites.

  13. luluaj

    I love this. I told myself no more shopping… but will probably order it today in green.

  14. Law-Less

    Love love love this! And I like the skinny belt. I think a wide belt would look strange with this, however, I do think I would like it better with a contrasting, as opposed to matching belt (maybe metallic or black).

  16. A

    Talbots petites are cut too boxy for me. The sleeves fit- small, fitted- but the torsos are a complete square and too short. Sad, as I just ordered a few work tops that were otherwise lovely, but had to return and won’t be going back. Stuck at BR for the most part on fit.

  17. Woman of Color

    I did not get an opportunity yesterday to say thank you for all of your great advice on my “baby momma” situation. If you asked me about my firm last week, I would probably have cursed them up and down about not yet giving us our start dates. But now I am hoping, wishing, praying for a January deferrment. I just don’t want to deal with all the discussion. It also does not help that I will be the 2nd person of color at the firm (with 100+ attorneys). Either way, I am very exccited about my baby. My husband and I are keeping it under wraps for now (you guys are the only people I have told). Thank you for letting me blab about it (I would love to scream if from the rooftops. It was so hard talking to my mom yetserday and not blurting it out). More info to come . . . .

    • J

      Congratulations :). And keeping it private from all non-anonymous people is probably a good plan. Once you tell one person – even your mom – ten people will know, and then a hundred, and so on.

    • ARinFL

      Congrats. Glad you’re feeling better. I can’t imagine how hard it was not to tell your mom. But I think it’s the right decision right now.

    • RKS

      Two thoughts, then….

      (1) Find a message board out there of moms who are due around the same time as you. BabyCenter, maybe? You will then be able to shout from rooftops, talk to your heart’s content with people who are going through the exact same thing. This is also a decent barometer when wondering if X or Y thing is normal at your current stage of pregnancy.

      (2) As for your mom, think about this. If you were to have a miscarriage, who would you want to talk about it with? I hate to bring this up at a happy time … but been there, done that. That was my guide for who to tell about early-stage pregnancy.

    • AN

      Very happy for you. But once you tell anyone, the world will know in a heartbeat:)

  18. divaliscious11

    Pretty, Pretty dress. Talbots is one of my go to stores for dresses.

    But, just put an offer in on a new house so no shopping for me until its accepted and I close… Might have to take a vaca from this site!

  19. J

    Is anyone else having trouble with comments? Twice I’ve submitted a comment and it didn’t appear at all – no error message, no awaiting moderation. Then, I tried to reply to a comment, and again my reply didn’t appear. but, oddly, the comment I had replied to had also disappeared. I refreshed the page, and it’s still disappeared. It wasn’t inappropriate at all, so I can’t imagine it was censored.

      • Kat

        Sigh… one of the things I have to do when I have some free time is look at different commenting systems. I know some other websites have started using a Disqus thing, or maybe Facebook Connect.

        • dr

          OH please, don’t use/go to Facebook only. Those of us who need to keep internet presence low and identity anonymous are always advised by malpractice attorneys and ethicists in our field to avoid Facebook and other social networking sites. The whole specter of “dual relationships” and so forth is enough to ward me (and colleagues) off, despite “Everyone” being on Facebook. Thanks for considering this, Kat. Don’t know what I’d do without being able to comment or at least ask my own Corporette questions :) see below…

          • Eva

            I don’t really know what Facebook Connect is, but if it’s at all tied in to “normal” facebook, it would be blocked at my firm and probably many other people’s (especially those MBA women you’re trying to woo – law firms may not do as much blocking).

  20. mamiejane

    I’m a big Talbots fan (wearing a gray suit skirt with black and white cardigan today) but have always been annoyed that they don’t make dresses in their women’s or women’s petite sizes. After my shape changed around the age of 50, I find that women’s petite 14 fits me better than a petite 16. I have a couple items in Talbots matte jersey and find the fabric to be heavy and structured enough for the office and even for court with a jacket or cardigan.

    • Eponine

      Oh, that is annoying. I do fine in their straight petite sizes, but I never noticed they don’t carry the full range of styles in plus sizes too. This aggravates me on principle.

    • RR

      They have just in the last year or so started offering dresses in their women’s sizes.

  21. 75

    Talbots’ latest catalog has great clothes for work. I personally would avoid their polyseters, except for pants and suiting.

    Today’s dress – I bought one similar to that last year and in it I look like a bag with a string tied around the middle.

    Also, that shade of green, which I think of as “poison green” or hunter’s green”, is not being worn much this spring, I don’t think. It is more associated with fall or Xmas.

  22. AbbyA

    Finally! A dress that doesn’t require a camisole and isn’t sleeveless. I love this pick.

  23. dr

    Just got these Valda shoes from Pour la Victorie in teal.

    http://www.endless.com/Pour-Victoire-Womens-Valda-Mary/dp/B001U89EF8/180-6889388-2971941?ie=UTF8&suppressRedirect=1

    I do not have any teal in my wardrobe, but they are stylish, comfortable, priced well at Nordie’s Rack, and a pop of color as C advises. I also do not have greens, yellows, oranges, nor browns in my wardrobe as they really make my olive complexion look sallow (at best).

    What colors can I pair with these teal shoes? Of course there’s the obligatory black, black and white, or grey things. Also thought about using purple. I know C loves purple. Can I put them with navy? Can’t imagine with reds or pinks though…all of these mentioned colors are the mainstays of my wardrobe.

    If I pair these with a patterned skirt and solid tops with jackets, what colors ought to be in the print? I know that things don’t have to “match, they just have to go.” Just never tried teal/turquoise before. These smack of true Turkish blue (as the word origin implies) as opposed to anything with green overtones.

    What say you Corporettes? I am not in law, but in a semi-conservative workplace which allows for style and fashion “flair.” I”m also the boss/owner, so I can do what I want to do.

    • dr

      Forgot to mention that Corporette had these as a “splurge” in September of 2009…and I”ve been waiting to find them in person, so to speak. Thanks, C.

      • RR

        I love those shoes. I tried them in the green, and they didn’t work for me, but I still think of them fondly. :)

      • Lawgirl

        @dr – I have them too.. They are cute but mighty bright! LOL. Waiting for the right outfit to sport them with. I think the sassiness cries out for a skirt. In fact, I think they’ll look good with taupe leather skirt I own… Love all the suggestions here.

    • KLo

      You can absolutely wear them with pink, purple, reds, and some of the colors you can’t wear. I bet they’d look great with lighter pinks, wines, rich reddy plummy purples. The best suggestion I’ve got is Google color wheels that go to at least tertiary colors and look at the color combinations. You can go with complementary colors, those that are near your color and other groupings. And great shoes!

    • jcb

      Love the color! This kind of blue can really be dressed up or down. I have some teal-ish funky Chie Mihara shoes that I love and have worn the heck out of. I find that they go with just about anything, though I have ended up not pairing them with bright reds or pinks, just made me feel like a clown. But really, anything else seems to work.

    • Eponine

      I’d like them with brown or with contrasting colors – reds, yellows, or secondary colors with red or yellow. With pink would probably be a bit twee though. Personally I don’t usually mix blue shades with other blue shades or secondary colors with blue unless the shades match exactly, although this might look nice with purple.

      • Lola

        I wouldn’t go with navy (or any other blue), but pairing them with a mostly-black/gray/tan outfit that has one other color would be fine. I second the suggestion to checkout the color wheel. You don’t want colors that are too close together. Colors that are far away on the wheel complement each other more.

        (For example – I’m wearing a coral top, black cardi, and taupe pants today. I’d wear them with this.)

  24. KZ

    for talbot’s sizes, if you’re finding them too boxy/big up top, you might try the petites. I normally wear regular sizes in BR/AT, but find that petites at talbot’s fit me much better (at least for tops and dresses). Obviously this trick only works if you aren’t too tall (I’m 5’6″), but it might be helpful for some.

  26. A.

    I am wearing a dress similar to this today (mine’s from Lands’ End) and it really is very comfortable and flattering. As for Talbots sizing – as someone said upthread, I am a size smaller in the petites than I am in the regular sizing, but regular sizes tend to be too long. I am 5’4″ so if someone is the same height or shorter, I think petites is the way to go, unless you want to get something altered.

    I have a number of Talbots matte jersey pieces and they hold up amazingly well. I have things that are five years old and look practically new. They’re great for travel as well.

  27. Mimi

    Is it not lined? Not very cool (and not flattering!) for such an expensive dress. Description doesn’t mention lining, so I assume it’s not. Can anyone confirm? Thanks.

    • Eponine

      Talbots usually says if their clothing is lined. I’d plan on wearing a slip if you buy this.

  28. afl

    Don’t know if this is true for other sizes, but I tried to order the Petite Medium in the Green and was told it was backordered until February 2011!

    • RR

      They’ve been screwy with backordering this season. Generally, I’ve found that, if it says it’s backordered (even to some screwy date), it will be back in stock in the next month or so. If it’s totally out of stock, it will say so (although I’ve seen at least one item in my wishlist go “out of stock” and come back). I’m not sure why they aren’t tracking better. I think they are victim to making less quantity like most clothing retailers the last 2 years.

  29. Glamour

    Great that a reader recommended the dress! Working girls are amazing…everyone else needs to be informed somehow!! Glamalert.com/glambassador … these girls know what they’re talking about
    xoxo

  30. ERP

    I love this. Style, color, fit, price point, this garment has it all! I tend to purchase versatile work pieces and I can already envision wearing this piece ‘as is’ with a nude round-toe pump; switching out the belt with a thick brown belt w/ brown peep toes and gold accessories; or adding black tights and a blazer for the fall/winter months…I could go on, but I won’t.

    Lovely – good pick, Kat!

  31. Louise

    Everyone seems to really like this one, Kat! And so many Corporetters have said they might buy it that perhaps we should stage a “Wear Your Green Talbots Dress” day so we can recognize each other on the street by our matching matte jersey frocks…

  32. Ru

    I kind of love this dress – I keep coming back to this post to look at the picture, lol. It’s nice that it’s a saturated color but not a very bright green that screams 80’s trend.

  33. housecounsel

    I ordered it! Backordered until mid-May (medium Misses) so Corporette Green Dress day will have to wait.

  34. The Image Expert

    Such a fabulous color — rich and beautiful! The gathers at the collar allows for additional room in the mid-section area, which is a great for fitting gals like me.

Back to Top

About

Work with Corporette®

Serious Stuff

work fashion blog press mentions