I'm trying to figure out what size I should order for an AT tropical wool suit jacket and matching pencil skirt, but with size discrepancies, I'm confused! Agh!

I've tried on quite a few items at Ann Taylor Factory, and I have a suit from there in size 00p for the jacket and size 0p for the pants. Based on the Ann Taylor size chart, I should be suffocating in the suit, but the set is practically a perfect fit. My measurements are in my signature. As for skirts, I think I need to size up to 2p, but I'm still pondering on that one.

Anyway, I would love to hear any reviews on what size Ann Taylor suit separates were purchased and how they fit, along with your measurements. I would also like to hear any size comparison reviews between Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Factory, particularly the suit separates. Currently I'm way too busy to head to an AT store for awhile, and the sales ladies there can almost seem like they're stalking you at times, so I'm a little intimidated to return >_>. Thanks so much in advance for any feedback.

I managed to pop into AT today to try things on so I'm going to answer my own question. Hopefully this info can help someone else.

I tried on a wool jacket, not sure the name of it, but it seemed similar to the tropical wool blazer. The 00P fit me well, and if anything, the waist was a little big and the sleeves were a bit too long. I tried on wool pencil skirts in 0P, 2P, 4P, and 0.

The waist on the 0P was perfect, but I got a very exaggerated S-shape. 0 was a little better with a passable waist size, but not much. I wasn't remotely satisfied with my side profile until the 4P, but by then the waist was enormous and the skirt lost its pencil look from the front. Argh.

I absolutely could not get rid of the S-shape entirely with even the 4P, but it's more my physique than the skirt. With a full bottom pulling one way and athletic thighs pulling the other, there wasn't a single AT pencil skirt that fit properly.

I also tried on a bunch of tops. I fit them fine in a range of XXSP to XS, though I wasn't terribly impressed with anything.

Conclusion: AT fit is the same as AT factory fit. My jacket size is 00P. Pencil skirt fit is between 0 and 2P, but overall the AT pencil skirts just don't work out for my body type. To be honest, I'm not impressed with the AT suit fabric quality. It might have gone down with the rising costs of manufacturing clothing. My mom has gotten better quality suits at Macy's for much lower prices.

Thanks for comparison! I don't think I ever tried on AT Factory suiting, so this is really helpful!

You're welcome! I have a suit from there that is passable quality (2009 season), but this year I popped in and found that the suits were cheap, wrinkly, and terrible. It may have been because they were summer suits, but I haven't gone outlet shopping again yet to confirm. Their other things seemed fine overall for an outlet store.