Ann Taylor Loft

Full review
I like Ann Taylor Loft because it is one of the only stores that carries petite clothing. For this reason, I started shopping at their local stores. But, the closest Loft location to me closed, so that caused me to start visiting their online store. I was slightly skeptical about shopping at Ann Taylor Loft’s Online Store, simply because I was afraid that returns could be a hassle. In the past 3 years, however, I have made at least 10 purchases from the online store, some of which have been returned, and I have not had any problems. In fact, Ann Taylor Loft’s Online Store is one of the best online stores that I frequent.

Website Offerings

Ann Taylor Loft specializes in women’s clothing. They carry a full line of apparel including outerwear, dresses, shoes and accessories. They specialize in business attire, and you can find great outfits to wear at the office, regardless of whether your workplace is business casual or business formal. They do carry some casual and sportswear, but the selection is not as large as the selection in their other collections.

In the last few years, Ann Taylor Loft added a maternity collection. I have not purchased maternity wear from Ann Taylor Loft, but I have browsed the items from time to time and they look very stylish. At one point, Ann Taylor Loft also offered baby items, but this department is no longer in operation.

Available Sizes

Regarding sizes, they offer a good range starting at 00 and going up to 18. Some items run from XXS to XL. They do not carry Plus sizes. However, as mentioned above, they do carry petite items, and that is very significant to me. In addition, they carry a large selection in petite sizes, as opposed to other stores that carry just a handful of petite items. I have found that most items at Ann Taylor Loft are consistent in size. I now know what size I am at this store, and I no longer feel like I should go into the retail store to try on items prior to purchasing them. I am confident that I can select an item online, and that when it arrives the size should fit me appropriately.

Prices and Quality

Well, Ann Taylor Loft is not cheap. But, you do get what you pay for. This store offers very stylish clothes. They are trendy, but most items are not so trendy that you can only wear them for one season. Particularly if you purchase an Ann Taylor Loft suit jacket or pants, you should be able to wear them for multiple seasons. Therefore, many items are a great value if you plan on adding core pieces to your wardrobe.

The website (and physical stores) also offers frequent sales. New items go on sale quickly, whether it’s a buy one, get one half off sale, or something similar. As the end of a season approaches, all items are marked down significantly. They will typically sell for 50 percent off of their original value, or more. I have purchased dress pants with an original price of $59 for $20.

You can also look online for coupon codes. I have seen 20 percent off codes, which are only available for online purchases. This makes shopping at the Ann Taylor Loft Online Store cheaper than shopping at the physical store locations. Plus, I do tend to peruse the clearance, and the online clearance selection is so much better than the clearance selection at the physical stores. There is a wider variety of clearance items available online, both in terms of styles and sizes. I have walked into the Ann Taylor Loft store looking for a particular item, only to not find it anywhere in the actual store. But, I could easily find that same item with a decent selection of sizes at the online store. They make it so easy to just skip the physical store and to shop online!

In regards to quality, they have come a long way. The business wear is of very good quality. I have purchased some casual sweaters and tops that I was not overly impressed with. But, I am not very impressed with the quality of the clothes at competing stores such as GAP and the Banana Republic. So, I would say the quality is average to above average for the price and style of clothes offered.

The Ordering Process

…is very simple. I have had no problems with any of my orders. Regarding returns, they are accepted at the Ann Taylor Loft store locations. I have made 3 returns to the physical stores, and all were accepted without a problem. My credit card was credited on the spot for the amount of the returns.

Shipping

I recall shipping being a flat $5, but as of today it is now a flat $6. I guess this is yet another testament to the effect of rising gas prices. Still, this is a great rate, especially if you plan to order a large quantity of items. Occasionally, the website will have a free shipping promotion as well.

Shipping speed for my orders has always been about average. My orders have always arrived in about one week’s time, which is pretty good since I never pay for expedited shipping. Apparel items are packed in plastic and arrive neatly folded. Gift cards arrive in a cardboard gift box for no additional charge.

Overall

I cannot afford to shop at Ann Taylor Loft’s Online Store every day, but I will continue to shop there at least 4 times or so throughout the year. If you time your purchases correctly, you can get great sales and a wider selection of items than what you might find at their physical store locations. This store offers stylish, trendy, yet timeless items that are sure to complement your existing wardrobe. I recommend this online store to anyone who is looking for fun women’s apparel.