Review: Ann Taylor Stripes and Cashmere

Outfits|January 4, 2013
AnnTaylorStripesandCashmereReview03-2
Striped Crepe Button Down Blouse – xXSP

Likes:  Navy and white stripes? Yes please.  I’ve been wanting a blouse like this to replace my cheapie Fashion Q one that is already falling apart on me. I like that the stripes all line up and it’s nice quality for a polyester blouse. I prefer this blouse tucked in with a pencil skirt. I also like the size of the stripes – not too thin or thick and everything seems proportional.  Although the arms are long, the width of the sleeves are decent.  I usually wear my button-up shirts cuffed up so sleeve length isn’t a deal breaker for me.
AnnTaylorStripesandCashmereReview05-2
{here is what it looks like un-tucked}
Dislikes: The arms are super long and the blouse is still a bit wide. It’s hard to get a perfect tuck because the fabric is so slick. I found myself re-adjusting just to get it to lay perfectly.
Verdict: Keeping – got it for $39 during the 50% off full price item promotion
ATStripedBlouse-2
I had to order extra items as filler to get free shipping (which is really annoying). I wish Ann Taylor would do at least free shipping above $50 to save me from having to do returns. The one good thing about it is that there are rare occasions where the item ends up fitting or I end up wanting to keep it.  This striped tipped jacket reminds me of my J.Crew maritime blazer. I wanted to compare the fit and thickness and Ann Taylor wins!
ATStripedTippedJacket-2
Likes: This is very similar to the J.Crew maritime blazer. Its more of a sweater feel  than a jacket. The stripes are a bit thicker and the material is more structured compared to the J.Crew version which was a bit flimsy.  The fit is nicer than the maritime blazer.

AnnTaylorStripedTippedJacket
Dislikes: The sleeves are long on me but I cuffed them up once and it worked just fine. I don’t like the two front pockets- them seem awkward or is it just me? I wonder if they can be removed.  (I was too lazy to change so excuse the outfit above.)


Verdict: Keeping and selling my J.Crew version  – got it for $49

AnnTaylorCashmereVneck-2
Likes: I was pretty impressed with the cashmere sweater. The arms are slim but slightly too long. The overall fit is decent and I can see it layered with a collared shirt.  I like the color of the skirt but that was about it.

Dislikes: The skirt is a definite no go for me. The A-line silhouette looks horrible from the side and back view. The waist is big and has to sit lower on my hips to fit. It seemed very cheap and wrinkle prone. The cashmere sweater is still too expensive even though I got it on sale for around $80. I’ll wait to see if it goes on further sale.

Verdict: Returning both
Have you picked up anything recently at Ann Taylor?

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  1. Just wondering what you do to keep the bottoms of your CL’s so pristine! Mine were quite scratched after just one wear outside. What’s your secret?

    Reply

  2. Just wondering what you do to keep the bottoms of your CL's so pristine! Mine were quite scratched after just one wear outside. What's your secret?

    Reply

  3. Happy new year Annie! I like the striped blouse and jacket on you. I am laughing because I bought the striped sweater jacket too as well as the modern denim jeans in yellow fiz. think the AT version is much nicer. than the J Crew jacket (which I have too). I bought a bunch of items from AT 50% off–I bought the crepe scalloped hem top in lemon fizz to wear under the sweater jacket and I also bought the cross hatch print jacket….what’s your opinion on the cross hatch print jacket? It fits me but I can’t decide if it’s “too busy”—thoughts? They market the jacket with 3/4 sleeves but the sleeves just look short on me , not 3/4…..Here’s the link..

    http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/AT-Apparel/AT-Jackets/Cross-Hatch-Print-Jacket/296061?colorExplode=false&skuId=12838974&catid=cata000017&productPageType=fullPriceProducts&defaultColor=1067

    Reply

    • LOL Hi Steph! Happy New Year! I’m not a fan of the busy print on that blazer. Plus I think you may get sick of it after awhile? I agree- the AT striped jacket is much better than the J.Crew maritime blazer..how funny we both have it. Hehehe I will be selling mine:)

      Reply

      • Hi Annie! Yes, I think I am going to sell my J Crew one too this spring! I love stripes. I returned the jacket-thanks for helping me decide–I thought I would get sick of it too and it was too busy of a print. I like the striped blazer with orange or yellow under it to give a nice pop of color. I am itching for spring and winter just started in Chicago……

        Reply

  4. Happy new year Annie! I like the striped blouse and jacket on you. I am laughing because I bought the striped sweater jacket too as well as the modern denim jeans in yellow fiz. think the AT version is much nicer. than the J Crew jacket (which I have too). I bought a bunch of items from AT 50% off–I bought the crepe scalloped hem top in lemon fizz to wear under the sweater jacket and I also bought the cross hatch print jacket….what's your opinion on the cross hatch print jacket? It fits me but I can't decide if it's "too busy"—thoughts? They market the jacket with 3/4 sleeves but the sleeves just look short on me , not 3/4…..Here's the link..

    http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/AT-Apparel/AT-Jackets/Cross-Hatch-Print-Jacket/296061?colorExplode=false&skuId=12838974&catid=cata000017&productPageType=fullPriceProducts&defaultColor=1067

    Reply

  5. The front bottoms are very scratched! I have get all of mine re-soled soon. I do wipe off the bottoms and store them in the dust bag and box after each use- maybe that helps? 🙂

    Reply

  6. LOL Hi Steph! Happy New Year! I'm not a fan of the busy print on that blazer. Plus I think you may get sick of it after awhile? I agree- the AT striped jacket is much better than the J.Crew maritime blazer..how funny we both have it. Hehehe I will be selling mine:)

    Reply

  9. Hi Annie! Yes, I think I am going to sell my J Crew one too this spring! I love stripes. I returned the jacket-thanks for helping me decide–I thought I would get sick of it too and it was too busy of a print. I like the striped blazer with orange or yellow under it to give a nice pop of color. I am itching for spring and winter just started in Chicago……

    Reply