Talbots 40% Off Promo: My Picks

I haven't done a post on Talbots in a very long time. That's because I completely lost any interest in the brand during the last Fall and Winter, they seemed to have gone back to their grandma style (and also, to be honest, I didn't recognize myself in the models).
But the last Catalog was different, I found myself browsing it much more than the last JCrew catalogs and I was interested in seeing IRL quite a few items.
As you probably know they had a 30% off full-price online promo at the beginning of the week but I wasn't motivated enough to pay the shipping just to try things on (as their sizing can be a hit or miss for me), so I went quickly to a store hoping that if I found something worth it they would price-match the online price. Well no, they didn't but it is for the best since they are starting today a new promo (in-store only this time) for 40% off one fp item (and I think 30% off the entire purchase, I have to double check).
Anyway, I took pics of a few items that were on my "must see IRL" list and I might go back to get one of these during this promo. I didn't have a lot of time so I tried only things I was interested in for myself (except for one that I tried for the fun).

Let's start with the Sailor-stripe halter dress. This dress is a big seller and I can see why. It is very well made and flattering, plus who doesn't like some thin blue stripes. In my opinion this fits like last year Cecelia dress from JCrew. It doesn't look like it in the pics but there is a LOT of fabric in the skirt portion (it is fully lined in cotton), like in the Cecelia. However, it felt very good on and made me want to swirl. The top portion is a real racerback, so what bra wear with it might be a problem and it might accentuate your shoulders. Usually I am a P in dresses and skirts at Talbots but they didn't have a petite size to try on, this is the regular 2. I think the 2P would have been perfect, the regular P was just a touch too long on me and not fitted enough in the bust (but still weareable):

I was surprised at how much I liked this dress on; however, I am not sure how much wear I would get out of this, it seems a bit too dressy for me to wear just for school runs and I don't need another dress that needs some kind of occasion. But I might reconsider if I find a 2P during this promo.
In reality my first choice and the reason why I made the trek to the store was the Sailor-stripe godet skirt. This skirt reminded me of my yellow JCrew pleated skirt with the grommets which is a summer favorite of mine and I see myself wearing it a lot in the summer. I tried both the 2 regular and the 2P. The 2R was a bit too long (it was midi-length on me) and looked a bit dowdy but was flowing more nicely through the hips than the 2P:

The 2P for some strange reasons felt a bit looser in the waist than the 2R (normally it should be the opposite) and was a lot shorter, hitting me slightly above the knee. What I didn't like was that the pleats started a bit more abruptly at mid-thigh, like in a flutter-hem skirt. I don't know if you can see it in the pics below:

Still, I like this skirt, it is very summery and I see myslf wearing it in my daily life. I think that the 0P would have been perfect in the waist but maybe a bit too short (in any case it doesn't come in 0P, apparently).

The next one is a dress that I tried only because it was very Madmen and it's a fun "optical print" and I thought that some of you would like it. It's the Oval-dot dress. Typically this kind of dress with a sheath top and a full skirt doesn't look good on me (they make me look heavier than I am) and this is no exception. This is the 2P:

My last two picks are two tops. The first is the Audrey-collar top that you have already seen in the pics with the godet skirt but deserves its own pics. This top is poly but it is beautiful (it reminds me of a similar top at Kate Spade). I was interested in the navy (because it is perfect to wear with my JCrew big-dot skirt) but it seems to be a store-only color and they were out of both the 2P and the 2 regular. I tried the 2P in the pink flambe which is a beautiful bright pink (a bit like the bright dahlia but brighter). I would have loved to compare with a 2 (the 2P seemed a bit boxy) but I didn't have the time:

I will buy the navy for sure if I find it in a store during the promo. Note that the natural color is much creamier than in the online pic (it's more like a vanilla).

Last, the golden-button caught my eye because it is very Tory Burch-esque, with the golden buttons and the nautical details (like a little rope that is used to close the key-hole). It is very crisp-looking, especially in the white. However, the 2P was pulling a bit at my chest an the 2 regular was overall too big in the body (first pic is the 2P, second and third pics is the 2R). I might get it with the promo though (which size do you think looks better?):

That's all. Are you eyeing something at Talbots? Do you like any of these picks? Are you planning to take advantage of this promo (if you subscribe to their emails you should receive it)? Please share!