Ann Taylor

I often wondered what the difference was between Ann Taylor and Loft (which used to be called Ann Taylor Loft, run by the same company) and now I know. Ann Taylor is the dressier version of Loft. Some people say that Loft is hipper and younger, but I found the opposite. The blouses I tried on at Loft all had very boxy cuts, which made me look larger. The Ann Taylor ones were more tailored and gave me a proper waist, and therefore I looked smaller in that area.
I happened to come in during their year-​end clearance sale and was able to score some tops for $ 15-​$ 20 each. Their pants all seemed to be too short for my frame, but I didn’t try on every pair in the store, either.
Unlike Loft, Ann Taylor has no teacher discount :(but for me, the better fit is worth paying a few more dollars.

When I came here I received no attention on a near-​empty salesfloor. I was shopping for about fifteen minutes and I had a load of clothes to try on, yet no one asked if they could start a room for me. Interestingly, after trying on clothes for 20 minutes with no one checking on me, I was stopped by someone who only asked if I would like to sign up for the store credit card. Ugh.
While checking out at the register, I brought out two gift cards. I receive Ann Taylor gift cards twice a year from my mom. I told the salesperson that I don’t remember the amounts on the cards, but to please use whatever is left on the cards, if anything, towards my purchase. Well, she could not for the life of her figure out how much was on the cards. She spent about fifteen minutes swiping them again and again, then calling several times on the phone to try and sort it out. I was patient, as I was not in any hurry. The salesgirl then had to confer with two other girls, one of whom I assume was the manager, who acted extremely hostile towards me. It is still extremely unclear as to why, but the girl who I assume is the manager placed her hands squarely on the counter, leaned over it, and glared at me for about five seconds. She really gave me the stinkeye and said,“Well, there must be nothing on the card then.” Later, she turned around and glared at me a second time. WTF?
Their incompetence, and outward hostility (as opposed to, say, providing customer service or just acting like normal humans with manners) makes the entire Ann Taylor brand look bad. Someone from corporate may want to check into that. The La Jolla Westfield location has never had a problem telling me how much is on a gift card before, even if the amount is zero. I would expect no less from any Ann Taylor location. The gross incompetence wouldn’t have been enough to encourage me to Unilocal my experience there, however. What really did it was the terrible attitude. These people need to step up their customer service. This store does not come close to what I expect from Ann Taylor.
Even before this incident, I had already asked my mom to stop sending me gift cards to Ann Taylor for Christmas and birthdays as she usually does. I can get petites that are just as good or better at Banana Republic or J Crew (and Anthropologie now too).

Giant spider in the fitting rooms! Eek!
Eh. Nice clothes for a steep price. Their 80 percent off sale is great, though, if you happen to be in the right place at the right time. I got a green peacoat there for 20 dollars that I get constant compliments on.

This Ann Taylor store in Fashion Valley treated me well. I found all my work clothes for my new job. The girls working there on the evening of 9÷26÷2011 went above and beyond to help me. I didn’t feel rushed, they were honest about which pieces looked good and which did not, they did not push me to buy a lot and they were patient with me the whole two hours I was there.
They held my items while I headed to another store to pick up my hold. It was past 9pm and I could not return to their store by their closing time. At the time I was paying at Keils store, they were nice enough to call for me and let Ann Taylor I was on my way.
They let me in and helped me save over $ 200.00 on my total purchase. They wrapped and hung everything properly and did it with a smile at 9:30pm.

Look, I LOVE the clothes at Ann Taylor, but I was very disappointed with how I was treated at this location a couple days ago.
So I’m 19 and I walk in in (Ann Taylor) my jeans and flip flops and a t-​shirt and I maybe wasn’t dressed to perfection that day… but that’s definitely not a valid reason to treat me any differently than any other customer. Not once was I asked how I was doing, if they could help me find anything, or if they could start me a room, ect. The only other two customers (middle aged in business attire) were asked all these things and more. The ageism they displayed couldn’t have been anymore more clear.
Anyway, I ended up buying a couple of things despite any help or recognition from the employees… Once the woman at the counter saw how much I spent she completely changed her attitude towards me. Unbelievable.
The clothes at Ann Taylor have never done me wrong so I will be going back, but not to this location.
I was taught to treat/​judge people based on their actions, not by their age, gender, race, ect. It’s unfortunate the adult women working that day weren’t brought up the same way.

Compared to the other Ann Taylor stores I go to (Horton Plaza/​San Ysidro Outlets) this one really is fairly disappointing. You’d think that Fashion Valley has a lot of higher end stuff so they would also step up their game to keep up with the surrounding shops, guess not.
I find stuff I like in here but there is something missing about thing place. The size for one is way too small and makes it difficult to navigate with all the other women and come on, in the Petite section your racks of clothes are tall enough for my vertically fortunate husband to casually browse through!
The older lady helping in the fitting room (who bounced to the register) yesterday was very pushy and not very sincere with her advice to other ladies trying things on.
However, I am impressed with their shoe selections, just if they’d ever get marked down! Holy moly!
I’ll keep trying and not give up but I wouldn’t make a special trip down here to find something.

I know Ann Taylor is pricey but for petite size suits, clothes and dress pants I’ll find it at AT. Quality clothes, right fit and sometimes I don”t have to worry about the needlework part.
I bought a suit for me (margo and audrey) and a dress for my graduating cousin. I can’t complain about the price it was reasonable and lots to choose from. The Black & White feature of the month audrey pants and a white margo top with a bit of cool blue blouse caught dragon’s eyes.
60% ongoing sale right now at Ann Taylor, service is always excellent and very friendly staff.