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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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 CINTRA WILSON 
4

Ann Taylor Finally Gets Good

Cintra Wilson finds the retailer infused with sophisticated details, for less

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(Newser) – After a game of fashion musical chairs brought Ann Taylor a new designer, Cintra Wilson decided it was time to reexamine the label—long a "corporate office submissive" look designed to "attract a nice tax attorney husband." She ate her words after checking out the new line (and buying a $175 gray silk-cashmere sweater she'll wear "every second until it dissolves into lint"). The line brings "less clutter and better details," from "the finished seams inside a little faille opera jacket" to "the velvet ribbon inside the waist of a peplum coat," Wilson writes in the New York Times.

The new Ann Taylor strategy comes down to "the honest injection of real quality bang for the buck," she continues, having been pleasantly surprised at finding a Lanvin lookalike silk shell for $70 and a Balenciaga-inspired skirt for $80. Her conclusion: "Ann Taylor’s office-wear may still be 98.9% edge-free, but it is concentrating on the right values: timeless lines and longevity. Other chains would be wise to follow in the plucky working girl’s conservative (yet spike-heeled) footsteps."

You'll have no problem attracting that tax attorney...any man...in this number.
You'll have no problem attracting that tax attorney...any man...in this number.   (AP Photo/Ann Taylor)
This photo released by Ann Taylor shows an outfit from the spring collection at Fashion Week in New York Thursday Sept. 17, 2009.
This photo released by Ann Taylor shows an outfit from the spring collection at Fashion Week in New York Thursday Sept. 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Ann Taylor)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
Models walk the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
Models walk the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
Models walk the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
Models walk the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.
A model walks the runway during the Ann Taylor Fall 2009 'See Now, Wear Now' Runway Show at the New York Public Library - Celeste Bartos Forum on September 17, 2009 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
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4 comments
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Monjubikahn
Oct 22, 09 1:01 PM CDT
Plucky.....I like plucky. Conservative [yet spike -heeled] As I remember The Governor General of Canada wears spike heels on occasion. When visiting the troops she wears battle fatigues. She is commander and chief. Yes the female leaders of the world agree with this. Good job Ann Taylor. Reply
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foodchain11
Oct 22, 09 3:25 PM CDT
I'm going! Reply
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bewilderbeast
Oct 23, 09 8:29 AM CDT
I'd hire all 35 of them. So them clothes really did work, huh? Reply
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stacysaw
Oct 23, 09 11:15 AM CDT
THIS explains why they've cut larger sizes out of their range and are making smaller, tighter fitting things. i used to shop there a lot b/c the sizes were available in nice stuff (i didn't think it was submissive, just classy.) sigh. another one bites the dust. Reply
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