Yesterday’s post might have made it sound like I went shopping four days in a row. Which is true. In fact, I did five dressing room try-ons in five different stores over the last five days. All in the name of research, not retail therapy — though my feet might argue otherwise.
Today’s stop is Loft, where I focused on their early fall 2025 arrivals for women 50 and 60+. This particular location was small, so I hit the highlights, and yes, there’s much more online. I like to see how fabrics move, how colors read in real life, and whether something feels worth the price. Photos can make almost anything look good. Fitting room lighting, on the other hand, is a brutally honest friend. Here’s what made the cut, what didn’t, and the maybes I’m still thinking about.
If you’re new here, a try-on is when I visit a store and style their latest collection so readers can see what’s new and get some ideas on how to wear it. I’m 5’4 “, which puts me on the cusp of being petite. I have wide shoulders and straight hips with no obvious curves. Loft carries most items in regular, petite, and some in tall sizes. When I switch from regular to petite at Loft, I always go up one size, so a 6 seems equivalent to an 8P. You can see my other try-ons here.
Puckered Mock Neck & Ponte Pants with a Classic Denim Jacket
This puckered knit fabric is everywhere for fall. The mock neck top works on its own now, but it’s also slim enough to layer under a blazer for a more polished look or under a cardigan when you want a softer edge. The texture keeps it from feeling like just another plain knit top.
The denim trucker jacket is the kind of timeless piece you can throw over almost anything, like jeans and a tee for weekend errands, a cotton midi dress for that in-between weather, or even trousers when you want to break up a more structured outfit.
And then there are the Palmer wide-leg ponte pants, which feel as comfortable as loungewear but look sharp enough for lunch out. Pair them with loafers and a silk blouse for work, or sneakers and a chunky sweater for travel days. I’m standing on my tiptoes here because these have a 30″ inseam, but they also come in petite (27.5″) and tall (33″).
Since I was already in the puckered knit mood, I reached for the same top in a lighter shade to see how it played with Loft’s new neutrals.
Ivory Puckered Top, Wide-Leg Jeans & Sweater Jacket
Same puckered mock neck as before, this time in ivory — a color I love for its ability to brighten the face without screaming “summer.” Paired with the matching ivory wide-leg jeans, it creates a column of color, which naturally elongates and makes you look taller. Even if, like me, you’re standing on your tiptoes to fake the inseam.
The wide-leg jeans fit smoothly through the waist and hip before opening into a proper wide leg. The ivory is a great year-round neutral, though I’d avoid red wine, picnic benches, or cappuccinos without a lid. This store had almost no petites, so these are the regular length…hence the calf workout in the fitting room.
The wide-sleeve sweater jacket instantly reminded me of the Jenni Kayne version that was everywhere last year. It’s relaxed but still refined, the sort of layer you can wear with jeans and loafers for brunch or over slim black pants and boots for dinner. I like that it works just as well for a casual day as it does for a more polished look… simply swap what you wear underneath and your shoes.
From here, I decided to break away from all the neutrals and try something with a bit more punch.
Cotton Blend Boyfriend Shirt & Cropped Wide-Leg Twill Pants in Cool Red
I’ve never met a crisp white shirt I didn’t like, and this one’s no exception. The cotton is lightweight enough to tuck smoothly or knot at the waist without feeling bulky. I consider a white shirt like this, the Swiss army knife of my wardrobe, and style it multiple ways. Try it half-tucked with jeans and flats for casual days, layer it under a sweater when the weather cools, wear it open over a tee, or knot it over a sleeveless dress to make it feel more relaxed.
The Palmer wide-leg cropped pants in twill are a gorgeous, cool-toned red. It’s bold without shouting, and because it’s a cooler red, it plays beautifully with navy, charcoal, soft white, and even blush. They have the same smooth fit through the waist and hip as the ponte version, but the twill gives them more structure. Cropped wide legs can be tricky, but these hit in a flattering spot on the leg, especially if you choose a low-contrast shoe to keep that leg line long.
Versa Ribbed Cardigan & Shell with High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans
Loft’s new Versa line leans polished and minimal, and this cardigan and shell combo is a perfect example. Both pieces are ribbed, which gives them a subtle texture that elevates them above a plain knit. I sized up so they skim the body instead of clinging — a small adjustment that can make a big difference in how comfortable and confident you feel.
The cardigan’s soft sage green is one of those modern neutrals that work year-round and flatter many complexions. It pairs beautifully with navy, ivory, and even a deep burgundy when fall really kicks in. The shell, in a shade Loft calls “white clay,” is a warmer off-white that’s softer against the skin than a bright optic white…perfect under darker jackets or with patterned skirts.
The high-rise wide-leg jeans have a finished hem (a rare treat these days) and a drape that gives them a more refined look than your average denim. They’re fitted at the waist and hip before falling into a full leg, so they balance nicely with shorter tops or tucked-in blouses. Swap sneakers for block-heeled boots and you’ve got an easy transition from weekend to casual dinner.
Faux Suede Moto Jacket & High-Rise Straight-Leg Jeans
It’s almost moto jacket season, and this faux suede version in “deep caper” ( a soft, muted olive) is a beautiful, sophisticated alternative to black. Sadly, it’s one of those shades that drains my complexion faster than a night under fluorescent lighting, but on the right coloring, it’s stunning. Pair it with cream, camel, or burgundy for an elevated fall palette, or with dark denim and ankle boots for an easy everyday outfit.
The straight-leg jeans are a pleasant surprise. I tried the petite length, which hit perfectly without hemming…rare enough to feel like a small victory. They have that sweet spot fit: structured enough to hold their shape, but with just enough stretch for comfort. This wash, “authentic vintage mid,” is the kind you can wear year-round. Dress them up with a silk blouse and loafers, or keep them casual with a striped tee and sneakers. And honestly? I’ve tried jeans that cost four times as much, and these hold their own in both fit and feel.
On the subject of misses:
- This denim jacket has lots of positive reviews, but it looked silly on me, and the front ties seemed awkward and fussy.
- This best-selling top was an odd, boxy fit and looked dated, which seems strange because I’m old. This just goes to show how important it is to honor our personal style.
- I looked like old Mother Hubbard in this dress. Wrong color, shape, and pattern for me.
New Loft pieces I did not see but love the look of:
That’s it for my stop at Loft. It was a small store, but enough to get a sense of what’s coming in for early fall. Some pieces felt like easy wardrobe updates, others… not so much. I’ve got four more store try-ons from this past week to share, each with its own surprises, so we’ll see how they stack up. And if nothing else, at least my calves are getting a workout from all that standing on tiptoe.
Are you a fan of Loft? I used to shop there a lot and need to put it back on my rotation.