Women over 65 think Talbots is too dowdy

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts)
Posted Apr 2nd 2008 at 1:34PM

Why would anyone think Talbots is "dowdy"?

(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Who do you picture wearing clothes from Talbots? Here at Styledash, we had many opinions -- some of our moms wear at it, some of us secretly love individual items from the store, but most of us thought of it as being for a "grandma-ish" demographic. Apparently, that sentiment is shared by "all the chain's customers." As a matter of fact, even customers who were 65 or older felt that Talbots' styles were made for older women, saying the clothes were "too traditional" and "dowdy."

Would you shop at Talbots after some updates?
What do you mean? I shop there now!	127 (41.0%)
I'd be open to it, but they'd have to make some SERIOUS changes. I don't want to be confused with the Queen of England, you know?	118 (38.1%)
No way. Not my style AT ALL, and I've got a reputation to uphold.	65 (21.0%)

A new chief executive has taken over, and she's determined to turn things around. The plan is to find a way to appeal to their target 35+ age group (not 85+) by making Talbots a more "designer-led retailer." In addition, they are seriously expanding their selection for plus size women, looking into more outlets, and getting rid of the men's and children's businesses.

What do you think? Would you shop at a new, more youthful Talbots?

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Filed under: Fashion, News, Best of the Season
Tags: dowdy, fashion, image, talbots, traditional, women

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READER COMMENTS

(5)Add A Comment

Jonathon Morgan, 4-02-2008, 3:13PM

I think my mom moved beyond Talbots in the late 90s. And she's nowhere near 65.

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M.E. Williams, 4-02-2008, 3:48PM

Their clothes seem to be really nice quality for a chain store, mostly, but yeah... too "rich old lady." (I'd also argue that they're too expensive for how fashion-forward they aren't. Even Casual Corner was more hip, the last time I was in one.)

My mom is almost 53 and, um, still wears Emily Strange tees from Hot Topic, so you know... Talbots is right out.

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Kristen, 4-02-2008, 3:53PM

That makes me want to have lunch with your mom :)

And great point -- yes, quite pricey for not being on trend.

cat, 4-02-2008, 5:59PM

What they need to do is have some plus-sized models so we can see what the clothes would look like in real life. My mom is a huge Talbots fan, back in Boston where they can be sort of formal. I love her a lot, but she is NOT a size 0 like these models. She works the look, but the clothes hang very differently on her!

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dondig, 6-17-2008, 12:48PM

The clothes are obviously made to cover all of the parts that get scary after a certain age when they're not looked after. 3/4 inch sleeves, dresses that hit the calves, and "safe" colors. It makes me laugh, because on many blogs, these are what the older women are asking for on one hand, but they're asking for trendy but not too trendy on the other hand. I'm confused. I'm sure designers are too.

Women don't want to "look like their daughters" or "seem like competing" but their daughters are wearing the cute in-style clothes. How can you avoid looking like them without wearing similar clothes? Is what women desire the same clothes but in a cut that fits their particular size? I have no idea. I'm 44, and I am size 6/8 and do not wory about looking like women younger than me, trying too hard, or competiting (I had no idea dressing had anything to do with competition. WTF?).

There are some things I might wear from Talbots, Forever 21, or Torrid without feeling weird. Clothes are clothes, and I know my style, what's appropriate to my body type and lifestyle, and I go from there. Talbots is fine. Some older women like conservative clothes like that and some younger women do as well. My advice would be for stores to stop catering to age groups when it comes to adult women's clothing and make it more about lifestyles and cuts. That's all that really matters, imho.

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