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

By: DH

DH — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:31:57 +0000

As a professional who has shopped at ATL and AT for many years, I now have a daughter who is 22.

Just because we’re a little older, doesn’t mean Generation Jones (born between 1975 – 1955) is over weight or wants to dress like an old lady.

I really love many of the styles but, even though I’m only a size 8, they don’t fit properly! There is a lot more Gen Jones’ out there than 20 somethings whose attention span to brand loyalty is zero.

My daughter thinks ATL is not cool and actually prefers Target and looks cute as a button. I just don’t happen to look cute in cheap clothes anymore. Wish I could take a picture and upload it to this thread because most of the women standing in line at the ATL and AT in Dallas, are my age!

Their best years were between 2000 – 20007. How can they not listen when their web site is begging for investors????

Get with it AT.

By: Laura

Laura — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:25:27 +0000

I couldn’t agree more. Ann Taylor’s clothes used to be classy, pretty, and well made. I keep hearing hoopla about how their new style is moving away from frumpy mom clothes. Please! What’s NOT frumpy about the bag-like boring colors and stripes they are now touting? I no longer even bother going there. Fortunately, I still have some nice pieces from the “old” Ann Taylor that still hold up well and, because they’re classic, I’ve been able to wear for several seasons.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:29:57 +0000

Ok so I am glad it’s not just me. It seems that everything I have purchased from the loft starts to fall apart after one washing. I simply can’t afford to purchase disposable clothes. I brought several tops back to the store to show the poor quality and was told that no one else has had a problem. Obviously that is a company lie! I am finding much better quality clothes at whbm. The prices are higher but the quality is far superior and the styles are classy.

By: Elle

Elle — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 15:58:42 +0000

I don’t need the professional clothes to go to work in, I bought them for the special occasions and I loved the v neck T shirts for fall- it once was quality and lasted for years but this year- OMG, one washing and the neck line was warped and turning inside out! I bought a sweater, wore it once and it has a hole in the armpit. I didn’t mind spending the money on the clothes because they were good quality- now it sucks. Where do I find something comparable. I’m not shopping there anymore.

By: liz

liz — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 01:25:21 +0000

I just stumbled upon your website and agree with all of the comments. Today I sent a letter to AT complaining that the silk ruffle on a cotten blouse that discoloured & shrivelled after I had it dry-cleaned for the second time. The dry cleaner said it was due to the quality of the blouse.

This is my second letter to them this year. The first was a complaint (with photos) about fabric on a shirt that separated in one section after it was ironed on low.

It’s incredibly frustrating that AT is no longer synonymous with smart, quality women’s clothing. I don’t know if they are making any money in this economy right now, but if they don’t change soon, they’ll be driving more & more people to shop elsewhere.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:45:44 +0000

Agreed, LOFT clothes are very cheap quality now. As for Ann Taylor . . . I went shopping at AT over the weekend and getting help in the store was nearly impossible as all the sales associates (and I would be surprised if any of them were over 20 years old) grouped around the counter and gossiped instead of offering assistance. Instead, I ordered two things from AT online, then I called the 1-800 because I had a question about the order. Whatever you do. . . . save yourself the time and agony of trying to resolve an issue by calling the 1-800 number!! After being on hold forever and suffering through horrible static/music, I was be connected by someone who couldn’t even answer a simple question!
Ann Taylor, going trendy and pricey on us is one thing . . . but to have sucky customer service to boot is too much!

By: Kat

Kat — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:17:21 +0000

I too am very disappointed in Ann Taylor. I’ve been shopping there since I was 22yrs old. I even worked there pt time for several years. I went from shopping there for ALL of my clothes to only shopping there once or twice a year. Talbots and White House Black Market have stayed very true to their target market with classic quality pieces sprinkled with minimal trendy items such as accessories and/or a shirt or two. I still wear items I bought over 10yr ago! They’re still in good condition and so classic I plan on having them for another 10yrs.

However, in recent years I stopped shopping at AT entirely as they are too trendy and way too pricey. I shop Talbots and WHBM. Loft has also gotten way too cheap with their clothing qualities and their clothing is overpriced. As a previous loyal customer I am extremely disappointed. As a very savvy business woman I am concerned about how they’ve repositioned and rebranded themselves. They have vacated their niche loyal target market for an overcrowded, less classy market of less than quality business/business casual retailers. Even their shoes and purses are now horrible!

I think we should all get together and create a new retailer that would rival the OLD Ann Taylor we all love and miss.

By: Terry

Terry — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:21:50 +0000

I hate the new AT/AT Loft clothes as well. I’m 48 years old, and I’ve always loved Ann Taylor/Ann Taylor Loft b/c they had quality clothes at a reasonable price. But don’t be misled by why AT has changed its style. They are now appealing to the 20-something crowd, i.e., post-college graduates entering into the working world, and their sales have been through the roof in spite of the recession. Also, it is the high price of cotton that has caused them to make “cheesier” clothes. Don’t expect complaints to amount to anything, as much as we hate it, their overhaul and conversion to a younger crowd has saved what was a store on the brink of bankruptcy. Apparently we are s-o-l.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 01:55:17 +0000

This is how businesses lose customers. I ordered a cashmere sweater in pansy, which is a light lilac color, but they sent bright orange instead. I want to quickly deal with their mistake and have the correct color sent. However, the ‘contact us’ form is utterly buried on their website, so I call. First time I’m deliberately disconnected by the vm system, for I pushed ’2′ for customer service. I call back to ‘place an order’, and am told the wait time is ten minutes, and am forced to listen to the most inane music imaginable – of a sort which would not appeal to their target demographic. While on hold I fill out their convoluted exchange form, look again for their comments section online, finally found it, and registered a complaint there. I’m nine months pregnant and do NOT want to deal with companies handling their customers poorly; I can forgive a shipping mistake, but making it difficult and time-consuming for me to receive the product I ordered? How can management so poorly understand their customers? Idiotic. I should be able to keep both sweaters. They should thank us for the free customer feedback.

By: lidia

lidia — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:37:56 +0000

Remember ladies fashion changes with time!!! If you dont like it then just go to another store! I personally love Loft!!!