Ann Taylor Fall for Work: Jewel Tones & Fun Textures

Peplum top, exotic block heels, floral top, tweed skirt (sold out but jacket here) thanks to Ann Taylor

Silk Camp Shirt in "Rich Verdigris" (recent purchase, review coming soon)

A while back, I got to peek at Ann Taylor's fall collection and pick out some favorites to try on. It was hard to choose, but I went with a vibrant color family and fabrics that were fun variations on familiar textures

I wasn't ready for this, but opaque tights season is already upon us here in New England. To get the most out of cold-weather work clothes, I look for items that pair just as well with bare legs as they do with dark hosiery. I am loving jewel tones for that precise reason, and the teal blue hues from Ann Taylor this fall do not disappoint.

Go-to fall polish: Revlon "Vixen" (stays good for years) 

The texture of this skirt is listed as "tweed," but in-person is a thick yarn-knit that seems more like boucle. It has a soft feel to it like felted wool, and the blend of colors are beautiful.

The sizing is generous, and I took it in for a perfect pencil fit. The way the waistband and seams are designed made the alterations rather easy. There is a side zipper and a seam down the back center, so I took it in along that back center seam and reattached the elastic waistband. This skirt also has a matching jacket that has rave reviews online, but I haven't tried it on personally.

I've always been an advocate of AT's perfect pumps for work, and was interested in trying a block-heeled version. I picked these for the midnight navy color (many readers ask if navy can be work with black - some may not like to, but I do it often) and added interest with wood + snake textures. These have the same fit, cushioning and leather upper as pp's from past years, but -as many reviewers noticed- now have rubber soles instead of leather soles. After wearing these for a bit, dare I say the sturdy heels make them even more comfortable than pp's?

This navy peplum top did not work out for me, but I wanted to mention it for any longer-torso'd readers. As is, the waistline falls a few inches below my natural waist (I have it belted up in these photos), and would look better on someone taller. I am also trying on one size up (XSP) from my normal size, so the intended style may be more fitted. The material is a comfy lightweight ponte that does not wrinkle easily.

Last but not least, I ordered this teal top recently as part of my silk blouse trials. The fit is blousy and I would remove the mid-sleeve button, but overall not a bad contender in the grand scheme of petite silk options. I actually ordered 3 different styles from Ann Taylor's current line and took photos to review in a few days.

Readers - Have you tried on any of these pieces? Which combination here is your favorite?