Let's Talk - Tal

Let's talk Tal as in Talbots. I'll warn you. I'm wordy today.

For the record, I've always checked out the offerings at Talbots. In the past I tried to steer my mom there because she's very petite, but I found that I liked the styles more than she did. Even though I liked some things, I agree w/everyone who has said that Talbots reads as older. So I can't say even 5% of my clothes are from the store. I have some thong sandals that have lasted for eternity now. I recently got some things during a great sale this summer. I will definitely check out the outlet now that I have an idea of what works for me or not. And going back to last year -- I really loved this brocade jacket. I will admit that peer perception in the blogosphere influenced me and I ended up returning it. I wish I had been secure enough to like Talbots and the jacket, without caring what people thought. I go in and out of being secure in my style and that was a weaker moment, perhaps.

I am really enjoying the redesigned Talbots. The last time I went into the store, one of the SAs who recognizes me stopped me to let me know that there would be some exciting new merchandise coming. She was practically breathless and she told me they had just watched a cool video. She said, you are going to die. Die? Fo' reels? It sounded extreme. I mean, I was standing right there w/her in Talbots. Well, I got pretty pumped when I saw this video (mind your speakers). The SA may have been talking about that. The song in the video reminds me of one of my anthems, How Ya Like Me Now. I'm not in marketing, btw, but who the heck is doing their videos and other marketing copy. I really love it. The store vibe hasn't caught up w/their newer designs, but they are trying w/the in-store music, which I like a lot. Hip beats, not nesc recognizable lyrics or recognizable artist. I call it vacation music because I can float away in my mind and not be bound by memories of high school (thanks, Loft, kinda not, for the 80s music) or feel that I should recognize that latest Disney singer, but I don't. I won't sit up here and say I'm a complete Talbots convert. After all, during my last visit I saw the requisite white haired husband who fell asleep in the chair while his beloved shopped. Our napper of the day had a cane & everything. (slaps knee, mine not his).  It's almost like a record scratching in a song that's trying to groove. I felt bad for his wife who was very sad that she couldn't find anything. Sister, I know what it's like to feel deserted by a friend...errr...retailer. And I have to say, it feels like a mashup with a much older woman holding something up to herself in the mirror and I come along to do the same. It's a funny picture. Little does she know I'm not quiiiiite as far from her in age as she thinks and more conservative than my hair & clothes give off. I've felt like I'm eavesdropping when I read Talbots Facebook page, watching their customers adapt to the change or feel deserted. So I've been thinking about their company specifically and in the abstract, over the past few weeks, if not longer.

The video uses words such as re-imagine, refresh, reinvigorate, redirection, re-envision, and reaffirm. I like that I haven't seen the word sassy yet. That would make me cringe. But back to the vid. I know many of the classic Talbots customers already feel deserted by the new style direction and that video may seem to be another indication that they have been spurned. From their perspective. At first I thought, oh well, too bad for the customer. They'll have to look elsewhere. Talbots must adapt or become a dinosaur. They already closed Talbots Kids. I got over the too bad idea and decided that the customer shouldn't feel spurned. In my eyes, Talbots has set forth a call to action. They haven't said buh-bye, cya later. Uh uhn. Talbots is challenging you/me/us to be better. As in, We dare you to be better because we know you've already been doing it with fitness and your overall health. Now turn it up w/the clothes if you haven't already. And if you haven't, we'll show you how. I guess for me this goes deeper than a retailer's clothing redesign. We have had discussions, shall we say, in G'household about what I'm wearing. G Money wonders why I'm getting 'dressed up' to...I dunno, run errands. I've come to realize that anything that's not jeans is dressed up in California. Well, what the heck am I saving all of my beautiful clothes for? Surely not the funeral. I want to be in them as much as I can while I'm good & alive. My cousin & I have discussed this quite a bit as she goes thru similar conversations w/her husband. The men don't get it. Actually, rapper Drake gets it, and tells us about it in his song Fancy (fixed link). -- Oh, OH! Yes, Gigi is writing a post about Talbots and connected a rap song to it. Mmmm hmmm. Oh yes, I did. I'm a jazz , ambient & house person. My rap is limited to the 80s, but I have definitely adopted Fancy as one of my anthems. If you choose to listen to the song, focus on the lyrics if the music doesn't suit you. Drake gets it.
  
I guess in short I want to be fabulous. Not I want to be on a reality show fabulous. Not to be flashy fabulous. Just feel fabulous and feel like I look fabulous. It doesn't mean throwing on a ton of rhinestone jewelry or wearing a short miniskirt. It means feeling good in the cut of clothing I'm in, whether I have an extra 10 lbs on my frame or not. When my cousin & I talk, we ask what the other is wearing or has recently worn. It's nice to feel appreciated, have someone to geek out on fashion with (looking at you, readers) and also to be encouraged to look my best. I really appreciate my cousin saying, It's ok to be great. And I'm going to be great right alongside you, even if I'm in another state. 

Dude, I know. Long. I can't help it. I'm fired up as of late when I think about (banned retailer here). In short, I've always had my own style that was a mix of retailers & vintage stores. I've also always felt strongly about making sure my money goes to companies that appreciate my business. Somewhere along the way I've let both of these slide a bit. Not too long ago I overhauled my wardrobe and dressed head-to-toe in one retailer, with pride. I also played retail roulette with said company. I still love them, but I'll be rethinking these facts. Thanks, Tal, for challenging me to think outside my box. In multiple ways.

What do you think about the 'new' Talbots? What about the role of clothing in your life? Obviously it's of some importance if you're here. Are you as expressive, fashion forward or just plain fabulous as you want to be in how you dress? Or do you keep it repressed? Or maybe you never really thought about it...


Chime in...
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Yes, Talbots has sponsored a couple of giveaways here. I have received this dress, 2 pairs pairs of jeans and a bracelet (recently gave away to a reader) for hosting the giveaways. I haven't been in touch w/Talbots since the most recent contest and I've never discussed the redesign with anyone at the company. These are my views and they're not compensating me financially or in product.