Meet the New Ann Taylor
Filed under: Fashion, Designers & Brands
Ann Taylor has a whole new look. Photo courtesy of Ann Taylor
And as your style grew and evolved, well, Ann Taylor, kind of stayed, well, the same.
Hold onto your navy and whites, because the brand just relaunched in stores and online. Gone are the stodgy separates, replaced by sleek and sophisticated looks that are modern with a capital "M."
"We've continued with the classics of Ann Taylor, but have updated it to make it more modern and elegant," Style DIrector Kristin Rawson told StyleList. "We're stylizing our current customer and are looking to attract new customers."
The company says the inspiration comes from the Ann Taylor archives dating back to 1954. Consequently, there are vintage-y references in the company's slim skirts, great jackets (including a boyfriend silhouette and a long "lady" coat), several Michelle Obama-worthy sheaths and textures like tweed and bouclé.
Style with class. Photo courtesy of Ann Taylor.
In addition, the design of the accessories, shoes and bags has been brought in-house and is reflective of the collection's new look. "We want our customer to be gorgeous and vibrant."
The company is even taking the plunge and having a runway show on September 17, during New York's Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.
Touted as its first, "See now, wear now runway show," the company is definitely trying to maximize its exposure by inviting, "celebrities, top magazine editors and even some of our customers," Rawson said.
Ann Taylor might not be dressing us only for interviews anymore, but in this economy it's still important to interview well. Here are some tips if you're on the job hunt.
Roxane 9-04-2009 @ 1:23PM
Anne, it's not the designs, its the little, itty, bitty sizes you make that have stopped me from shopping in your store.
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DC transplant 9-07-2009 @ 7:54AM
Actually, their sizes tend to run a size big. A 4 fits like a 6 in other stores.
Jasmine 9-07-2009 @ 9:29AM
Roxane I couldn't agree more! At one time I was a size 4 and loooooved Ann Taylor, flash forward 10 years and I'm a size 12 so no more (*sigh) Ann Taylor for me.
JT 9-07-2009 @ 10:15AM
Lots of Anne in my closet but too short for my age 63 thanks
Lara 9-07-2009 @ 6:28AM
Don't you just love these paid ads disguised as 'news' articles? I have to wonder if AOL really thinks its readers are stupid enough to not recognize these ads for what they are. In magazines, when ads are made to look like articles, they must put the word 'Adverstisement' at the top of the page. This should be a requirement for AOL too.
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SouthernGal 9-07-2009 @ 8:14AM
Listen, Roxanne, before you continue bashing AT... I'm celebrating my 5th year as a PROUD associate of ATLOFT and I can tell you as well as MANY other women can, that the company sells just as much in sizes 10-16!!!! When I started in 2003, I wore a "small" size 6 and since 2006 I've been a a "medium" size 10 and have never had a problem outfitting the average woman!
IF you can only find sizes 00-4 in our store(s) then go online and order your correct size or ask us to do a stylefinder!!!!
There are ways to do it.
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Marietta 9-07-2009 @ 8:35AM
Hi to Southern Gal: I am full-figured size 16 and I could not find anything in my size at AT when I got a gift cert in my Christmas grab-bag. I like "stodgy separates"; it works for my career. I also happen to need separates as I wear 2 sizes (one size on top, another size on bottom). Why then would I want AT to change? This isn't "bashing" - this is a consumer advising that they don't need AT to change. When you at at store, keep your eye on the 1) amount of size 16's you receive from delivery as opposed to # of size sixes and 2) the number of size 14-16 you sell off as opposed to # of size 4-6 and see what sizes you are left with a the end of the season. To us 16's, it appears that all the smaller sizes are remaining. Is this because AT only gets 1 size 16 in each outfit? Or, do the larger sizes sell out first? I personally would like AT stores to reach up to size 18 as historically, Misses sizes always ran from 4-18. As an aside, SouthernGal, I found your response to Roxanne to be "tart" and "abrasive", not at all your intention, I am sure, but if you said that to me in person at the store, I'd be darned sure Never to shop AT anymore.
Denise 9-07-2009 @ 9:16AM
Southerngal I think Roxanne was simply making a statement, you seem to be the one who is upset with all of your caps and exclamation points.
I have to say that recently I have been able to find a few tops at AT that fit and I love AT style, but most stores, not just AT, don't really size their clothes to fit larger women. The cut on their larger sizes is really weird - they think if you need any size larger than a 10 you are shaped like a box.
I happen to needed larger sizes because I'm 6ft tall and am proportionally bigger all over than a 5' 5" woman. The shoulders in jackets and button up tops are never broad enough for my shoulders and yet there is enough fabric for me to be swimming in around my torso. Many designers/stores seem to think large size = obese woman. Sleeve length is also frustrating, and I'm not talking long sleeves I gave up on that ages ago. I'm talking about 3/4 sleeves and the length on larger sizes from shoulder to elbow (and many times the width of the opening or the whole sleeve tube.) Again I can be swimming in the garment, but the sleeves are like a tourniquet.
I would love it if designers simply took the time and care to make their larger sizes fit as proportionately well as they do their smaller sizes.
Lastly, in all fairness Southerngal most stores did not start to carry sizes larger than a 12 or 14 until recent years. If AT is coming around more power to them, there are a bunch of us out here that can't wait to find clothes that fit.
Jo 9-07-2009 @ 11:34AM
Ann Taylor stopped selling size 16 in their stores months ago, and size 14 is almost non-existant. Furthermore, people like going to a store, try clothes on and buy them. Nobody wants a hassle over a pair of pants (Order it online, wait for it to arrive, try it on, it doesn't fit nicely, send it back, pick another one.That vicious circle can go on forever. And the ladies who shop at Ann Taylor don't have time to waste playing tag with a pair of pants.)
ATL Girl 9-07-2009 @ 12:55PM
I totally agree-- I work at Ann Taylor Loft Outlet and we have people of all shapes, sizes and ages coming in and leaving with more than enough for their wardrobe!! We have so many styles of jeans to fit every woman it is hard for us to keep them all straight! We carry from 00P to 16 (which is really an 18 in other stores) so please stop in and let us help you to find your favorite items in your size! We aim to please!
TERRIE 9-07-2009 @ 8:38AM
I have always liked AT clothes but must everything have a Michelle Obama twist to it. This is not a great and stylish woman. The media has made her that way.
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gale 9-07-2009 @ 12:12PM
are you jealous that your style is not known os "Terrish"? Don't be a hater.
Teresa 9-07-2009 @ 8:48AM
I appreciate what the company is trying to do, but I’m still disappointed. I've seen these looks already at other stores. If your company is going to make a fresh start, come out with something we don't already have in our closets. Modernizing the 40’s and 50’s would be better then following an already established trend.
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jt hunt 9-07-2009 @ 1:11PM
I would never consider Michelle Obama a fashion plate--she looks awkward and terrible in everything she wears. She has the weirdest body and shape I'd ever seen on a human. I doubt she'd ever fit into AT.
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grow up 9-07-2009 @ 9:23AM
The article is about Ann Taylor not Michele Obama. Nobody wants to hear your negativity or venting.
Alicia 9-07-2009 @ 12:41PM
jt.hunt and other Michelle Haters..... Michelle Obama is the First Lady of the United Ststes of America. To inject your obvious disdain for her into this public conversation is disrespectful and rude. Stop hating.
Back to the subject at hand... I admire AT for reinventing their look... (some other retailers/designers should take note). I saw a glimpse of the new AT "look" in the September issue of Bazaar. NICE!
SouthernGal 9-07-2009 @ 9:24AM
I wrote an explanation just now for all of my previous comments to submit but deleted it since it has become quite obvious that none of you care enough to hear an associate's side of the story.
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Denise 9-07-2009 @ 10:21AM
We're willing to listen Southerngal - you just need to speak with respect and not come across as yelling.
I don't think you meant to come across that way.
We also understand that you are saying that we can go on line to order our size if we can't find it in the store, and that you are willing to help us try to find AT styles that will fit us.
chris 9-07-2009 @ 9:32AM
I have been a fan of AT and ATL for the past 3 years since loosing quite a bit of weight. I normally purchase 16p or XL on-line. Why? Because the stores don't carry those sizes in-store. I love the new look but the pricing is too high given our current economic status. Now, I rarely buy full-price but wait for promotions and look on ebay. I have their credit card but the interest rate is very high. I look often and keep my eye on key pieces for a drop in price.
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rednanette 9-07-2009 @ 9:33AM
I'm a petite NYC girl and I love AT style. I can't say enough good things about AT & the Loft. They always have my size and I buy 95% of my work clothes there.
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