Comments on: Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor, Why Must You Suck So Much?

By: Mindy

Mindy — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 05:15:03 +0000

Just as many of those who posted above I used to be an avid shopper of both Ann Taylor and the Loft. Up until about two years ago 99.9% of my clothing was from one of the two stores. I am very sad that their style is changing. There is not a single thing I would wear in their latest ad that I was sent. I used to browse the store periodically hoping to find that they had changed their style. Now I don’t even bother going in. I was lost for almost a year and didn’t buy any clothes but I tried some new stores, tried on a lot of clothing and found that The Limited is my best choice right now. The quality isn’t quite what Ann Taylor was but it is close. They do have some styles that are more trendy but I can usually find some nice pieces to add to my wardrobe. I had heard that Talbot’s was changing so I will have to go and check it out!

By: dotingmom

dotingmom — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 21:24:33 +0000

I used to be an avid Loft shopper. Loved their slacks! If I had on an outfit, anyone who knew me knew where it came from. Did I mention I am a former Loft associate as well? My sentiments from both sides is that the quality of the clothing has truly deteriorated, especially the tops. There are some tops on the line this year, where the concept is really adorable; however, one wear and you’ve wasted your money. I purchased a really cute tank (the asymettrical rosette tank), love the look of it, but as it was on my body, the very first time, it lost its shape. I have another tank with a chain detail. Wore it once and as it was on me, one of the chains came off. Not happy. In speaking with one of The Loft Sales Leads, she confirmed that the pants and tops have been of poor quality. She stated shoes and handbags have improved. Funny, someone mentioned how they push full price items. Loft associates receive 50% off on full price items, 20% off of sales itesms. However, if there is a promotion where the entire store, including final sale items are at a reduced price as well, associates can not get the discount that the rest of the world gets! Why? They really don’t want us purchasign final sale items. How dumb? The Loft is concerned about a few things-pushing credit cards and meeting their daily quota. Those things take precidence over producing quality clothing.

By: Inez Jaworowski

Inez Jaworowski — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:12:54 +0000

Accomplishment.

By: Sue

Sue — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:14:08 +0000

p.s.

I also noticed the cut of the pants that are too low. I like low-rise pants, but they cut them ridiculously low. For one thing, it has the unflattering illusion of really flattening your rear end, and another, even my low-rise panties from Victoria’s Secret that are meant to be worn with low-rise pants are a higher rise and peek over the top of the Ann Taylor & Loft pants! Check out Victoria’s Secret. They have nice pants in a variety of fits. I am a small size, and only they have size 0 pants that consistently fit (Christie fit only). I am sure everyone can find the particular fit that suits their body type. The only problem is, I can’t wear their suit jackets, which are too big, even in a size 0.

By: Sue

Sue — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:06:26 +0000

Wow, good to see that I am not the only one who noticed the dive taken by AT and Loft. I have noticed the decline for a couple of years now. The vast majority of my clothes used to come from Victoria’s Secret and AT/Loft. Even Loft used to have nice office wear and elegant casual clothing. Now, Loft is strictly ultra casual, nothing special. You might as well save your money and shop at Walmart or Target for your clothes. At least if the zipper broke the first time you wore it, you didn’t spend a lot of money on it. But you know what? Nothing I’ve bought at Walmart ever had the zipper break on me, or the hem unravel the first time I wore it, like they did from Loft. Even the higher-priced AT has low quality crap. So not worth it.

I’ve found some things I like at AT Factory Store. The clothes there are actually specially made for the Factory Store, and I’ve found pretty decent stuff, like a silk blend sweater, even nice suits. I was just there this weekend. I passed by the Loft in the same mall, and it was half empty, with bare walls. It looked like it was going out of business, although there were no signs saying so. I didn’t go in. I stopped even wasting time going in there last year.

Way to run a business into the ground.

By: Rose

Rose — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:04:19 +0000

Wow – I have to agree, I am so glad that I found this site as I also thought I was the only one feeling this way about AT and ATL. I used to shop there so much they knew my name but I haven’t bought one thing from Ann Taylor in more than a year. I need some new suits and have found myself carefully shopping at the Limited and Banana Republic – two stores I don’t really like but they are the only ones with decent stuff that I can afford. I want to know who is buying these really short shorts from the Loft. Big mistake Ann Taylor. I also miss you!

By: Dana

Dana — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:22:53 +0000

Julie, I would love to! Lord knows I have plenty of opinions when it comes to fashion. Should I email you or you contact me?

By: julie

julie — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 22:51:33 +0000

good tips. Thanks. Makes me feel less guilty and old for liking Talbots more, and AT less.

Dana, maybe you should vent more fully by writing a few fashion reports for MomstoWork on career dressing for working women and moms? Seriously …

By: Dana

Dana — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:21:55 +0000

Did some digging….the reason why Talbot’s is looking more and more like the old AT….Michael Smaldone, the Senior VP of design for Talbots WAS the SVP of design for AT.

By: Dana

Dana — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 21:03:44 +0000

I bought my first suit at AT in 1985 and have been shopping there ever since. But I agree that the new designer has forsaken AT’s roots and is going too trendy and too young. Ruffles everywhere…not everyone can wear them, esp if you are busty. Pants that are cut too large and to low in the waist. Everytime I bend over I have to hike my pants up. And dont get me started on the “tissue tees”. So lightweight that you have to wear (buy) two. And the shoes that used to be made in Brazil are now made in China.
I hate to say it but I have been gradually buying more and more things from Talbots. The website has their Fall 2010 lookbook under the “Pearls of Wisdom” tab and you would swear you were looking at the old AT. Beautiful fabrics, everything is lined (unlike the new AT) and not anywhere near as dowdy as Talbots used to be. If you’re looking for the old AT and prefer to dress like Jackie O or Audrey Hepburn in classic well made pieces instead of see through tees and pants that show your bum, check it out.
Oh! and dont get me started on the company that AT uses for their credit card. AWFUL! No customer service whatsoever.