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Is Talbots Frumpy? Ways to Add Whimsey to Classic Styles

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Thrifted skirt with print mixing

Is Talbots Frumpy? Ways to Add Whimsey to Classic Styles

Is Talbots frumpy? After exploring the idea that older women CAN shop at the young girl’s store, I thought it only appropriate to think about the older women’s stores. Is Talbots an older woman’s store? The answer is yes if your daughter or granddaughter doesn’t shop there!

Quote of the day: “I have always been more interested in experiment than in accomplishment.” Orson Welles

Lesley gave other opinions of what an old woman’s store is along with how she styled her Talbot’s item. My answer to is Talbots frumpy depends on how you style the items, right? Talbots may be considered to have classic pieces and is not known for trendy items.
Yet the best way to stay modern is to mix things up and add some yin and yang to your looks. So if you have “classic” items, here’s an idea to add a youthful vibe to them.
Make sure to see how Charlotte styled her Talbots too.

Contemplating is Talbots frumpy

Skirt: Jack & Cat- thrifted~~Top: Talbots- thrifted ~~ Shoes: Walking Cradles c/o~~ Bracelet: ~~ Earrings: Charming Charlies~~ Purse: DSW

You Decide: Is Talbots Frumpy?

Both a button-down blouse and the gingham print are classic details. This Talbot’s top was one that I purchased off Poshmark a couple of years ago.
You’ve seen me wear it on the blog before (under the sweater) and even on Instagram. I know I’ve worn it more, but those are the ones that came to mind easily.

Insider tip: Gingham is a wonderful print for wearing with other prints. Because it’s usually a smaller print, it pairs well with larger prints. As a beginner print mixer, try it with another print that has the same colors. BTW, if you think print mixing is too “out there”, I would like to point out that some of Talbot’s looks on their webiste incorporate 2 prints, usually with a leopard accessory.

Gingham tied blouse with tulle

A Blouse Can Be Changed Up

One of my superpowers is to change up a piece and make it work for the outfit or for your mood. Just because this is a button-down shirt, doesn’t mean that’s the only way to wear it.

Insider tip: I’ve shown 10+ no sew ways to change up a boxy t-shirt in the past. Many of those tricks could be used for this blouse. You won’t use these every day, but it’s nice to have them in your box of tricks, so make sure to save the post for when you need it.

What did I do to change this up?
1-I rolled up the sleeves. This blouse even came with the button tab to hold it up. However, you can do this with most sleeves. If it won’t stay, try using a loose hair tie inside the cuff to keep it in place. Notice I said loose–you don’t want to cut off your arm circulation, haha!
2-Creating a tie in the front seems more fun as opposed to tucking it in. I couldn’t have left it loose and hanging because of the flounce of the skirt. And I even showed off a little bit of midriff.

Insider tip: You can tie the front panels, but that tends to create more bulk. Here is a trick (someone else’s post on Instagram) and how I did it, although I also added a clear elastic to make sure it stayed put.

Statement Earrings

Statement earrings are my main form of accessorizing in the summer since it can be way too hot to wear a necklace or scarf. Gone are the days of heavy earrings. I search and buy only the ones that are relatively lightweight nowadays.

Insider tip: If you do have heavier earrings that you still wear, I have a couple of these MagicBax earring lifters that work wonderfully.

Ways to counteract is Talbots frumpy

The Bottoom Half

Is Talbots frumpy? For me, I wanted to make this a whimsical look so that frumpy would not be part of the description. Granted it may not be your style. But let me explain.

I was always a serious kid, student, and dentist. It’s only been since I’ve retired that I can use the term whimsical as part of my style description. You may think that being older and whimsical don’t go hand in hand. And maybe it doesn’t for you. But for me, letting go of some of the “shoulds” has been quite freeing.
Therefore, adding in a mini tulle skirt and tie-dye sneakers was a fun experiment to style this classic blouse.

In all reality, the outfit shouldn’t work. The proportions are half and half with the blouse tied this way. However, I like it, and in the end, that’s the important factor. Many times I will look at the photos and think I could have done something different to make it better.
BUT THIS OUTFIT? It makes me smile.

Details: The skirt was a Goodwill find years ago when we lived in Denver. It’s actually a brand from Target from the children’s section. YES, I shop in the children’s section from time to time. Why not if the clothing fits? Sometimes they have more colorful selections.
These shoes are the Walking Cradles “Orleans” style sneakers. I have 6 different prints in this style because they are comfortable for walking which we do a lot on our exploration days.
AND what you don’t see are my Sheec socks. I wear the low cut for sneakers version with these. In fact, if you look closely, you can see just a tidge of the white Sheec sock peeking out in the corner (it’s a new color sock for Sheec).

Walking Cradles tie dye sneakers

Does This Make My Butt Look Fat?

Do women even say that anymore? I sure hope not. The only reason I brought it up is I was thinking of how much I’ve changed in the past years. This skirt is not one that you would consider “flattering”. It poofs out and you could say it makes my middle look bigger.

My thoughts on that:
1-If my middle looks bigger, then other parts should look smaller. It’s all perspective, right?
2-So what if my middle is bigger. Does that make me a bad person?
3– My goal was to have fun with the outfit because we were going to the Butterfly Wonderland. And looking at butterflies makes you feel like a kid again. So call me a kid at heart!

Insider tip: Remember Perfectly Imperfect? Fun should be part of our vocabulary no matter what age we are!!

Tulle and gingham
Is Talbots frumpy?

Photo credit: Rob Filogomo

My Goal

Thank you for visiting my space on the internet. I like to showcase how it’s never too late to look great for women of any age, size, or working with any budget.
I feel I’m here to help move beyond the fashion rules of yesterday and evolve. Style and clothes are made to give you joy. Not cause us stress because we are worried about what others think.

My hope is that you get ideas and inspiration from Charlotte, Lesley, and myself. It’s not about copying what we wear, but about using what you already have and updating items along the way.
Most of all it’s getting us to think differently and dare I say, have fun?

DID YOU KNOW?

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