I just walked by a Talbots near me. Back in the ‘80’s and ‘90’s I bought work clothes there, but it seems as if the younger people have moved on ( I can see why).
Talbots is still the go to store for my 85 year old petite mom
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Yes, but it seems like it’s mostly older women who still shop there. I don’t think they are getting younger customers.
I posted on the Dressing Young thread that since SteinMart closed (boo!), Talbots is my go-to (when I buy clothes, which is very rarely now in retirement). Classic, well-made clothing never goes out of style the way trendy fashion does. Throughout my adult/business life, Talbots has always been in my mix. I’m petite, and their clothes fit me perfectly without tailoring which is why I keep going back. I like a crisp, clean-line, pulled-together look, but I do agree that some of their inventory leans almost comically preppy/stuffy=old. I can easily shop around that.
We were their “young” customers once. 
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Our Talbots was a very large store, actually had a whole section devoted to petites…which I loved.
Well…over half of that store is being converted to a middle eastern restaurant (not a bad thing) and this is in a suburban area with lots of professional folks shopping.
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I think it’s like Men’s Warehouse and Jos A Bank going broke.
It’s not a formal world anymore, especially in the business world. Maybe in a pocket (like NYC) but not by and large around the country, which is why there’s been so many bankruptcies and or contractions of these type businesses.
My wife used to shop at Ann Taylor Loft, which might have been similar. She hasn’t gone forever but I just looked on line and it’s still there. But Ann Taylor might be another brand not as prominent today?
Ann Taylor and Loft have separated into 2 stores (both with factory versions of the stores). I shop at both for myself and my daughter. There are not many stores that have the business casual clothes that my daughter wears for work, but these two do (I have grown so tired of being in a store and picking up a lovely winter sweater only to release that it is cropped and doesn’t cover your belly.)
I though both Men’s Warehouse and Jos A Banks were kaput (after a hostile merger), but there are a few Men’s Warehouse locations near me.
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We have both in our mall - literally on top of each other (Jos A Bank on 2nd and Mens Warehouse on first) - but the merger came because the dress clothes market imploded - but it didn’t save them financially.
We are long past the days of George Zimmer and “I Guarantee it”.