OK, before I go spend some big bucks - are they worth it? Specifically I am looking at their pants, which are pricey, but I can imagine they hold up well? Any experience? Also, how do they fit a mom-sized"curvy" body? Which fit do you find works best? I am looking for some dressy black pants to hold onto forever. What is the difference between the store and the Loft? Get the feeling the Loft is cheaper, but why? Do they generally have big Black Friday sales that I should wait for? Do you find their sales staff helpful?

TIA!

I'm not sure about the difference between the stores.
My experience with both stores has been really great!!!! I had about 3-4 pairs of work pants I had bought there and they lasted me like 5 years!!!! When I quit working in January this past year I even handed those pants on down to a co-worker.

I say go for it!!!!! Especially if you want a pair that will last you a long long time. Though, I will say that all of the ones I had were Dry Clean only. I did not know if that matters or not.

Their tops were nice and held up well, but the pants were better in my mind.

As far as curvy figures.........they fit much better than some company pants I felt. I have wide hips and a narrow waist (usually, I preg w/ # 2 now!).

Worth whatever you pay as they are classic and LAST!
Loft is less expensive, but I have been happy with what I have bought.
I am tightwad queen of my friends and only buy on sale so it figures I would know last night they had a 70% off (clearance ) sale...maybe check thoise racks.

Yup, the pants I am looking at are in the $70-80 range which absolutely kills me, but I have looked EVERYWHERE and they seem to have the best selection, and they are all lined, which is also hard to find. Bummer about dry cleaning, but hey, what are you going to do?!! They also have petite sizes which I need. I also need an honest salesperson - who will tell me honestly if my a@@ looks huge or if I should try another fit... Do they have price protection - so if I buy it now and it goes on sale Black Fri. I can get the difference back? As you all know just by being part of this site, paying full retail goes against everything I stand for, but I am getting desperate.

Thanks so much for your help!

but I think they do so like 10 days...????... call and ask to be sure! They will answer and you don't have to let them know who is asking if it emberasses you!

If you can afford to wait to buy them, do it when they offer reward bucks. If you spend $100, you get $50 to spend later on another $100 purchase.

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Their clothing is very good quality, I have had dresses, pants, and tops from there and they lasted several years. I don't get to go there anymore, we don't have one close to us, but my sister shops their sales all the time! I just love Ann Taylor.

They have some nice things...I would never buy anything full price though, I don't think it's worth that. They have decent sales that are frequent. LOFT is also fine, but again, I'd never buy anything full price. But that's me! LOFT items can be lesser quality, just depends on the item...it's just a lower end variety of Ann Taylor line.

I actually prefer Talbot's over Ann Taylor hands down for quality and customer service. Talbot's also has fabulous sales. I find Ann Taylor runs small for me on some items and sometimes their 'petite' is too short for me...but at Talbot's it's perfect. It really just varies person to person. It's too bad that woman's clothing isn't sized consistently!

As far as the ladies helping you out at the store, I don't think that is really store specific. It just depends on your personality and the people in the store...sometimes you really click with someone and then sometimes, you just can't find anyone that you can work with.

Good luck!

Good points ladies and thanks for your help! I'll let you know how I make out!

Thanks, Kim!! This was the deal they had going on, so my $79 pants & top earned my $50 for use later, so not so bad after all. And they fit!! Yahoo!!!