Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor, Why Must You Suck So Much?
joy | Apr 14, 2009 | Comments 18
No, I don’t mean the person named Ann Taylor (and I’m sorry if I offended anyone) but I mean the women’s professional clothing store.
You see, I *heart* the concept of Ann Taylor. It’s a store with professional looking clothes that I don’t have to worry about looking nice. Should I mention now that I dislike shopping? And, as a bonus, they carry a size that fits me – so I can pretty much pick up anything in my size and know it will fit.
However, have you been in an Ann Taylor store recently? It. Is. Terrible. I walked into a local one not to long ago (near Wilmington, Delaware, where the store tends to have good stock turnover) and the collection stunk. Most of it looked very casual – as if it belonged at Ann Taylor Loft. And the worst part? I couldn’t figure out where the suits were. What happened to the suits? Isn’t that what Ann Taylor was known for?
And let me not talk about the two pieces I bought before Christmas that had buttons falling off…
It was so bad that I have a gift certificate that I can’t bear to spend just quite yet. Anyone else seen this? I know the chain has been struggling, but really, it’s plunging to almost Gap-like mediocrity.
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Many fashionistas say the suit for working women is dead … It is too dull, too boxy, etc., but a suit is like a uniform, it takes the pain and decision out of getting dressed. That’s very important for any working mom trying to get dressed, get the kids to school, organize a plumber and … You get my drift. We need better suits … funkier suits … mix and match suits. But don’t bash Ann Taylor too much. Their stuff is much better and more affordable than many of their rivals although just recently I think it is off. My message to AnnTaylor.com … Bring back curvy jeans into the stores!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I totally agree. Ann Taylor used to be my sure-thing, always fits, always appropriate store. The dresses there are practically slutty this spring. Not to mention the absolute lack of office wear. It is becoming what Loft used to be. And Loft is becoming like Old Navy… cheap junk. There is no where left to shop for conservative, quality clothes anymore. Unless you want to look like a grandmother at Talbots.
I totally agree. I went to Ann Taylor in July to find a pretty dress for a summer wedding…they had NOTHING!. Some cheap t-shirts and shorts that looked like they were from Old Navy. The only dresses they had were slutty and poorly made…they weren’t even Ann Taylor brand. the store was eerily empty and they had only 2 sales people. Shame on them!
I can’t believe what’s happened.. Where will I should now? I had a 40% off coupon and I coudn’t even find anything to spend it on. The clothes are definitely a cheaper quality.
I am so glad to have run across this. My sentiments exactly! I used to get abvout 80% of my wardrobe from Ann Taylor. I could always find a sweater set, turtleneck, or suit that fit well and was perfectly appropriate for work. I like basic, well-made clothing. Now, the stuff looks cheap to me and there is not a basic piece in sight. I am at a loss!
I just went into the flagship store in midtown NY and found literally ONE style of suit, a one-button long jacket, which doesn’t work for me.
I have no idea where else to buy a suit. Can anyone recommend an alternative for us?!
Totally agree! This new “style director” is turning the quality and design of Ann Taylor into a joke. I wanted to buy a cute top online a month ago — but went into the store to check it out first — only to find out that the flounce fabric on the front was not seemed (and it was already starting to fray in the store!).
Also, their sizing has changed. I called before placing an order online to ensure that a 0P from prior to the new style director would still be a 0P. To my horror, the pants were a good 4+ inches longer. I went into the store thinking that it was just a fluke, and the employees there said it’s not (and she also confided that not many women are happy with the “new” AT).
I too used to buy exclusively from AT (over 90% of my wardrobe) but now have no urge to buy anything AND I’m trying to figure out where the next best place should be. I’ve actually seen better looking/same cheap quality closes from Target this fall. I have a coupon I received for my birthday (aka free money) but I have found nothing to buy!
You know, I just went into Talbots this past week for the first time in years. It reminded me so much of the old Ann Taylor. Granted, they don’t have a whole lot of suiting to choose from, but the two styles were great, and the sweaters, slacks and turtlenecks were really great quality. So Talbots has taken the place of Ann Taylor for me. Wow, such a stupid move for AT to get away from the well-made basics.
I’d always thought Talbots.com was rather old fashioned, but am writing this wearing an extremely nice long skirt bought there recently. Am I getting older, is Talbots getting younger or is Ann Taylor just not as reliable? I still love Ann Taylor curvy jeans (always difficult to get in my local store … a thin, elegant hood) and some of their sweaters.
I agree. I am also miffed with the way they are pushing full priced items. Coupons are good only on full priced items, savings cards are only given on full priced purchases and can only be used on full priced purchases. I used to get some decent deals which made me shop there more. Now they want us to pay more for obviously cheaper items! I have been an avid AT and Loft shopper for years…now I need to find a replacement!
I am unhappy with the changes at Ann Taylor. I used to buy over 90% of my clothes there. Now, not only the quality is down, but their new style is absolutely bad. Nothing fits me anymore (too big sizes) and I found the style being way too edgy, not flattering and bad quality. I go to AT stores wanting to buy something and literally can’t find ONE piece that is good for me. Stores look empty and unkept. I noticed less traffic and women coming out of the store empty handed every time I tried to shop there. It would not surprise me to see the store go under within a year or so. Too bad…It used to be a good store.
Boy am I glad to see this…thought it was just me! 99% of my wardrobe used to be AT…but for the past year, I have barely bought anything in the store. I used to equate AT with classic clothes, kind of like Audrey Hepburn…a timeless elegance. The stuff in the stores today make me cringe…the unlined pants, the unhemmed ruffles and flounces…who wears these things?!!! Like someone said, it is like going to an Old Navy store. Talbots and White House|Black Market suddenly seem very appealing. I thought it was me getting older…but glad so many here say the same thing. I have 2 gift cards I have yet to spend…going on 3 months now! Is anyone listening? Sad to have lost my fave store!
The Jan. 3 post from Dana could have been written by me! I feel exactly the same way. I did an online search to see if anything at AT is going to change in the future, but apparently not. Not only is the merchandise more cheaply made, too weirdly trendy, and overpriced, but the cuts of the garments have been completely changed! I used to be able to buy anything in a size 6 without trying it on… now, the waists in pants and skirts are too big; shoulders in shirts and jackets too small; bust area too big! What kind of woman, exactly, are they designing for now? I’ve had a series of very generous coupons sent to me by AT, but never used them because I couldn’t find anything to buy ~ even at 40 percent off! White House/Black Market is a new discovery of mine: much better quality, better cut for my body type, and great service in the store. The only problem: the limited color palate! But at least it’s not as dowdy as Talbots.
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Like all of you I so miss the old AT, I’ve been a credit card holder of theirs for years. I shop at the flag ship store on Madison which offers more of a selection, and I was utterly appauled when I went in last week looking for some wool slacks and some new suits. Every pair of pants in the store including the wool ones were UNLINED! Who in their right mind wears itchy wool against their skin? Majority of the suit jackets were also unlined. It was JC Penney quality with an inflated price tag. Don’t sleep on Talbots for suits. I got a great “young looking” pencil skirt and jacket that fits beautifully.
Ann Taylor Loft also used to be a good place to find some every day work suits. They used to have at least three or four styles in any given season. And they were decent quality for the price — lined, fitted. I still have at least eight Loft suits in my closet. But they also used to carry quite a bit of staples too for the working woman on a budget. Basic lined trousers, fitted shirts, cardigan sets. The mix of corporate to casual was nice. All that is gone now and replaced with jeans, t-shirts and khaki wear that I could easily get at the Gap or Old Navy. I want my old Loft back!!!
I agree with all the statements made above. 90% of my whole closet comes from either AT or ATL. Now, nothing, I find myself looking at the website weekly to find something I might wear. Before, I would go into the store and have a dozen or so items I would want and force myself to limit. Now, I rec. the coupons and cannot fine anyhting to buy. I hope things change soon. I wonder how they will manage to stay in business. My AT store never has anyone in it anymore.
Hi all! Again I can echo all the above sentiments on the changes that have been going on at AT and ATL. I have been able to find a few things that still carry or resemble the old classic style of AT but not in the huge quantity that I used to find. I do have to say that to spend the inflated prices and to have the garment snag easily, buttons falls or to be of poor quality will not allow those of to hang and wait for things to improve. I would be willing to purchase of your gift cards if anyone is interested…lol! I read all the requests for a suitable replacement but noting really mentioned, please post if someone has found such a place.
I’m so glad I found this site; I first noticed the changes at AT and ATL about a year and a half ago-cheap materials, boring color palates and downright odd frilly things everywhere.
Remember the beautiful patterns AT used to have? The sumptuous coats? Anyway, I actually called the corporate office to complain, they were very nice and told me about the new style director and how they’re going in a different direction etc.Now I have to start from scratch. I got some really nice things from Nordstroms and Victoria’s Secret’s own clothing line(available online only).
I have a feeling that the old AT is gone forever.