The announcement of the 2017 Talbots/Oprah initiative. On the front: From the O, the Oprah Magazine Collection for Talbots, the cotton-and-rayon Charming Mixed-Dot cardigan, $89.50 to $99, depending on size, and the canvas-and-leather Mixed-Dot tote, $99, both at Talbots stores and talbots.com.
THE VOLUNTEERS at Dress for Success love me. They have no problem getting nice business suits and other office attire in size 4, but when it comes to size 14 (who am I kidding? I’m in XXL territory), there is less supply and plenty of demand.
I think most of us are familiar with Dress for Success, which helps women who are trying to enter the workforce, often from very difficult circumstances, and counsels them on proper office attire and behavior at a job interview. Dress for Success accepts gently worn clothing and maintains a giant “closet” for its clients to “shop.” It also provides skills support for its clients in an attempt to help them break the cycle of poverty.
Now, for the second year, the Talbots women’s clothing chain has joined forces with Oprah Winfrey’s O Magazine so we can extend help by way of that all-American sport, shopping. O, the Oprah Magazine Collection for Talbots, features seven limited-edition easy-wearing mix-and-match-graphics pieces for the rest of us to buy, with 30% of the net proceeds going to Dress for Success.
Talbots stores will also welcome donors with “nearly new wear-to-work items” March 2 through 5, 2017. In addition, Talbots stores will collect cash donations in stores through April 2 (and online at Dress for Success all the time).
—Nancy McKeon