I made my very first visit to Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft last weekend. I have always thought of Ann Taylor as a little boring and matronly but I was so wrong. Both AT and ATL were FULL of cute pieces. I wanted to try on so many things but unfortunately I was on a mission, for black boots, and I had to remain focused lol. Next time I at the mall though, ATL is going to be my first stop.
I did end up finding just the boots I was looking for at ATL. I also bought a couple pair of tights to go with my pencils skirts. It was fun experimenting but I am letting the socks with skirts thing go. I am sure you are happy to hear it lmao.
Anyway, when I was checking out I spotted a little ATL look book catalog on the counter. Image that, leaving a catalog out for a customer to take instead of claiming you only have four and they are not good enough to have one. Oops sorry, by gones…
The Look book / style guide has some J.Crew-ish styling. Lots of ruffles, cuffed jeans, and cardigans under jackets. Unlike the recent JC catalog though, the styling is real life wearable. Not completely over worked with ridiculous layer upon layer and incorrectly buttoned sweaters.
Cotton long belted coat, Leather motorcycle jacket,
I don’t see the sweater dress online but I want it! I LOVE the look bottom right.
Chiffon cardi again under Piped blazer (want!)
Autumn rose skirt (looks familiar 
, Ruffle blouse
What do you think of Ann Taylor Loft’s Fall looks? Do you have any ATL in your closet? I’d really love to hear what you think about the quality.
I love ATL! I just bought the chiffon ruffle cardi in purple and a really cozy and soft cardi. They had tons of cute stuff for the fall season this year. I loved the little petal tees, that blue fall coat and the bootcut cords!!
ATL was my first love for mature, "grown up" fashion. Before, I had been strictly shopping at American Eagle, Abercrombie, etc. Anyway, I am still a loyal customer of ATL, and they have done nothing but gotten better over the years. Their looks are so polished yet playful. The quality isn't *quite* as nice as j.crew or banana (although as of late, j.crew seems to be lowering theirs and getting a little closer!) I have a ton of ATL in my closet and all have held up very nicely so far, which is awesome considering their prices are so good. I'd say definitely give them a chance!!!
Oh, and I meant to mention…definitely sign up for their mailing list. I got the style book you featured the other day in the mail, and attached was a 30% off coupon. They send coupons like that all the time, unlike *certain* other stores, ahem.
I thought the same thing myself about ATL, but am glad to see I'm wrong. Those are some cute/modern things you've posted. I look forward to seeing your new boots and tights.
TTYL,
Carole
sasy.com
I adore ATL and I've gotten some great quality pieces from there– timeless and wearable!
I lurk on the ATL website all the time, and I'm freakishly lusting after their superfine corduroy skirt for fall. With sweaters and boots? For sure!
Loving all the purple! I hadn't shopped at ATL for quite a while, mostly because I hate my local mall. This summer I tried them again because of the faux-JC rose tee, and I picked up a few other things as well. One caveat, I purchased two pairs of the same shorts in the same size, and one was 1.5" smaller than the other. Just the kind of thing we have to watch out for everywhere, it seems.
After looking at these photos I will certainly check out ATL again.
I have quite a few pieces from ATL – I think they make decent quality work pieces and also for fun casual wear. One thing to remember is that most everything always always always go on sale if you can hold out. Nothing more frustrating than going in to see the shirt/pant you bought last week; marked down or on sale. I'm going to have to go in now to check out some of these new things you showed. Thanks!
I love ATL too! I haven't been in there for awhile now, but I'm thinking I'm going to need to visit it for those cardigans. I bought a cute sheath dress from there earlier last year and would still rock it if I hadn't… ahem… gotten fat.
I used to work at ATL, and I now work at J.Crew, so maybe I am biased, but I prefer J.Crew by far. I just love the whole aesthetic and appeal of the J.Crew brand. ATL has some good pieces, and the catalog images look cute here, but they have some real crappy things too. Not saying that J.Crew doesn't ever have clunkers, but IMO the good at J.Crew is better than the good at ATL. Also, the overall customer is different…a lot of ATL shoppers were not always concerned about fashion. Just my two cents
Ha! I thought ATL was the gateway shopping store for every girl between the Abercrombie/Holister/Forever21 and the Ladies Who Lunch Dept at Nordstroms. I first shopped at the Loft when I got my first real promotion. I walked in there, and was so thrilled with the clothes. I was 22? 23? LOL It was like heaven. It wasn't old ladyish and it wasn't juniors clothes. Just what I needed. I have shopped there ever since. Years. Scary. Anyways….
I love all my ATL clothes. They are cheap, wearable, durable and cute. The main problem with ATL is that EVERYONE loves it, so if you shop the new stuff right away you get to see yourself coming and going from time to time. But I guess that's not any different than JCrew though either eh? I will say, there were 2 past seasons that were not that great. They are back on track now though.
I've really been liking ATL A LOT lately- I just ordered this little top right here:
Ruffle Trim Blouse with Waist Tie
In the "wineberry" purple color and I can't wait to get it- I'm already imaging it layered under cardis and blazers for fall! ♥
Like AppAgal I got the new catalog, as an expanded version, mailed to me a few weeks ago, along with two coupons for 30% off, one for me and one for a friend (which I gave to a co-worker who was in love with one of the ATL shirts I wore one day).
They have really stepped up their game. One thing i do not like is the limited size run in the store. The mgr at my closest store told me they get in mostly S and M, and that she has told her DM that the L and XL sells out first. She is a larger person so she says if she buys something to stay current, she depletes their stock for customers.
They must be doing something right because I looked everywhere in Tucson and several stores in Phoenix for that rose cardi (your first pic). It sold out online above size XS within a few days, and was gone in the store just as fast.
I have a pink (w/ purple undertones) pencil skirt from Ann Taylor that is several years old, but it looks almost identical to the purple pencil skirt JCrew is currently offering, just more a pink shade. I think that's the only AT I own, but I have poked around in there. I like that they have a petite section in store (boo, jcrew!).
Their stuff is looking fabulous with the stepped up styling! Enough that I wanted to see IRL and when I got there I was disappointed in the things I tried on. Things just seem big. They seem so much nicer and better looking in catalog than in person. Bummer. I am curious about the cowl dress-please post pics if you buy it!
LOVE the ATL placed petal tee — I snatched 2 for $15 each last weekend, what a deal! AT is a bit pricey but the quality and jewel tone colors are gorgeous. And, unlike Jcrew, they have petite sizes in the store for try on — what a novel concept. The long boyfriend merino cardigan is of such good quality and construction, and it doesn't pill like the OTHER brand. I am smitten…
I used to shop at ATL a long time ago, but looking at the pics you posted, it makes me want to pay a visit to ATL soon! I like the brown wooden platform sandals on the cover of the catalog (the 1st pic). I searched online, but couldn't find one. Did you happen to see those sandals at the store?
Please let me know. Thanks!!!
Velvetmoon-I'm sorry, I can't remember if I saw them in store. They look very cute in the pics though.
Thanks for all the ATL feedback ladies!! I will definitely sign up for their mailing list and cross my fingers for a Oct coupon
I happen to love both AT and ATL. The closest one is two and a half hours away, so I do a lot of shopping online. The fit is consistent, so I am confident ordering my regular size. The AT cashmere sweaters and twin sets are great…my closet rivals any college co-ed's from the 50's! Ditto the waiting for a sale and/or coupon. Won't be long.
I tend to buy mostly tees and tank tops from ATL, and I've never been disappointed. I also shop at AT quite a lot for work suits and skirts. I have the Placed Petal tee in Deep Teal — a gorgeous tee! And, just today, the UPS man delivered the Watercolor Floral Graphic Tee in white/black. Since I missed out on J. Crew's rose tee, this is a pretty good alternative for that. Great post, Shannon!
This post led me to check out the ATL site. Thank you! I'm in love with the Rinse Wash Denim Jacket. It's quite girly for a denim jacket, and I'm thinking it'll be great with colored cords. Is anyone familiar with their sizing? My chest measurement is 38" (I know, big, they're not real, lol), so I'm inbetween sizes according to the size chart. M or L? Hmmm.
Hi Anon-I'm sorry I don't know the sizing, But there is a 20% off code PSW20
Let us know what you think of the jacket if you order!
I was in ATL recently and was very impressed with their newest collections! The last two years or so was very blah, but it looks like the brand just got an update!
Shannon: I'd be happy to send you the coupons I received attached to my Fall Lookbook. I won't be using them. I can either email you the online codes or send them in the mail. They expire Oct. 4. Email me at christy.rivers@gmail.com if interested
Appgal-You are so sweet, ty! I don't think I will be able to put them to good use, I'll be gone until the 10th and no shopping before then. But thanks for the offer!
I LOVE the fit of the Ann fit pants. I have never found pants to fit great but these do. I started with beige capris….then have the following in trouser type jeans: white, dark denim, med denim, chambray..I always get them on sale or with a coupon and I also lucked out with some clearance black pants for $9.88!!!! my go-to place for pants! yay. wish more styles came in petites….. never pay full price unless it is a sell out fast item…even with they chambray that had just come in and were GONE fast, I had a 20% coupon. get the card to get the deals
barb
HEY! I did not get the look book with 30% off coupon!!!! not fair!