Ann Taylor vs. LOFT vs. LOFT Outlet vs. Factory: Differences, Sizing, Quality & Price 2025
History of Ann Taylor Brand
Richard Liebeskind, the founder of Ann Taylor, opened his first Ann Taylor store in New Haven, Connecticut in 1954. "Ann Taylor" was the name of a best-selling dress at Liebeskind's father's store. Both the best-selling dress and the name Ann Taylor were given by the father to his son, Richard Liebeskind, for good luck. Liebeskind decided to go with the name Ann Taylor because Ann was considered a very New England name, and Taylor evoked the image of tailored clothing. The name supposedly created the ideal identity of classic women's apparel.
Ann Inc. is an American group of specialty apparel retail chain stores for women. The company headquartered in New York City and currently operates as a subsidiary of Ascena Retail Group. The stores offer classic styled suits, separates, dresses, shoes and accessories. The brand is marketed under five divisions: Ann Taylor, Loft, Lou & Grey, Ann Taylor Factory, and Loft Outlet.
Ann Taylor vs. LOFT: What is the difference between the Loft and Ann Taylor?
1. Brand
Ann Taylor:
Ann Taylor is a US chain of clothing stores for women. Clothing is targeted for fashion forward career women. Ann Taylor was founded in 1954. As it evolved over the years, the company expanded to include spinoff brands like Ann Taylor Loft - later renamed just LOFT - to diversify its customer base and appeal to younger professional women seeking to upgrade their wardrobes.
LOFT:
Loft, originally Ann Taylor Loft, was established in 1996 as an extension of the original Ann Taylor brand, offers more relaxed fashions for work and home, in the "moderate" priced category. With more than 500 stores and nearly 20 years in business, LOFT is one of the leading women's clothing retailers across North America.
2. Prices
Ann Taylor: $8- $298
LOFT: $6.99-$199
Money Saving Tip: If you like online shopping, don't forget to sign up at Extrabux!(What is Extrabux) , then you can enjoy up to 30+% cashback on your purchase from Extrabux! Sign-Up Bonus: Free to join it & get $20 welcome bonus! Student Benefits:As long as you are a student at school, you can get a free whole year long VIP Card worth $199.
3. Style
Ann Taylor:
Since growing from a regional New England chain to an iconic North American brand, the Ann Taylor label continues to embody and celebrate the spirit, heritage, and confidence of American women leading the lives they love.
It's a relatively expensive brand and has a much sleeker product line as compared to other specialty retailers. Ann Taylor has a specific target market of affluent female buyers in the age group of 25-50 years, which justifies its small presence (in terms of stores) in the U.S.
LOFT:
The selection provided at Loft initially was a more casual replica to that of the regular Ann Taylor, however has developed into its own brand, and now is known as a casual lifestyle brand. Loft also offers maternity clothing.
From blouses and cardigans to dresses, pants and jeans, LOFT creates modern, feminine and versatile clothing for a wide range of women. Season after season, LOFT serves up everyday essentials, attainable trends, and must-own accessories, including rompers, ponte pants, maxi skirts, wrap dresses, coatigans, scarves, jewelry and more. LOFT offers expanded size collections such as petite, tall, maternity and swim.
4. Quality
Ann Taylor:
AnnTaylor is a premier American specialty apparel retailer for the professional woman. Over the company's fifty year heritage they have become a well-known resource for quality suits, separates, dresses, shoes, and accessories. Ann Taylor's items are more dressy and professional, and also much more expensive than Loft.
LOFT:
Loft is a sub-brand of chain clothing retailer Ann Taylor and offers upper market casual styles for men and women. Their clothes are primarily manufactured in China, with other locations including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam and related countries. Also carefully crafted, undeniably feminine and ultra-wearable pieces that are about the vibe as much as they are about details.
5. Ann Taylor vs Loft sizing
Are Ann Taylor and LOFT sizes the same? In my experience, the Loft's clothing in general runs a little smaller than Ann Taylor's. I get the same size from both stores, but the Loft's fit is a little tighter on me than AT's. I tried on at AT recently and found the clothes to run smaller than Loft sizes.
6. Where to buy Ann Taylor and Loft the cheapest? sign up at Extrabux first!
anntaylor.com (3-4% cashback)
loft.com (1.5-2% cashback)
vestiairecollective.com (7.5-9% cashback,second-hand items)
LOFT Outlet vs. Ann Taylor Factory
1. What's Outlet and Factory store
Ann Taylor Factory store and LOFT Outlet keep goods that are latest and they come directly from the warehouse, they are generally priced at the retail price unless there is some discount or something going on. Factory and Outlet store carry a mixture of last season's styles along with items made specifically for the outlet.
Additionally, they offer products in the “affordable luxury” segment, designed specifically under the LOFT Outlet and Ann Taylor Factory labels. There are 139 Loft Outlets and 98 Ann Taylor Factory stores in the United States.
2. Prices
Items in outlet and factory stores are usually up to 50% off. There are many styles cheap than retail store of Ann Taylor and LOFT.
3. Style
Ann Taylor Factory focuses exclusively on professional attire for women, offering them wear-now and wear-to-work fashion at affordable prices.
LOFT Outlet focuses on women's casual attire including casual separates, dresses, tops, weekend wear, shoes and accessories. Together, they encompass the entire range of Ann's product offerings.
4. Quality
Outlet-specific merchandise is often of lower quality than goods sold at non-outlet retail locations and online store. Factory outlets sell products made specifically for outlet outlets. While these items look like regular stores and have the same name, they are generally made from cheaper or less functional fabrics than their full-price counterparts.
loft.com
Conclusion
Ann Taylor vs. Loft
Ann Taylor is a premier American specialty apparel retailer for the professional woman. LOFT carry a more youthful look and more casual styles, while the Ann Taylor stores cater more to professionals and business. Both divisions sell suits, separates, dresses, shoes, and accessories designed for professional women. Also, there usually is a nice selection of petite sizes at both stores.
Loft is also more affordable. Loft is always having sales, many that are 50% off select items. So when a brand new item comes in that you have to have, but you don't want to pay full price, wait it out.
Ann Taylor Factory vs. LOFT Outlet
Most of Ann's merchandise fall under the "better" and "moderate" price category, implying that they are relatively expensive and cater to more affluent customers. However, LOFT Outlet and Ann Taylor Factory stores reach out to a larger customer base due to price discounts.
Ann's strong brand recognition and "affordable luxury" tag create a strong appeal. But with relatively fewer promotions in its full priced stores, Ann risks losing out to its competitors. However, LOFT Outlet and Ann Taylor Factory stores can help the retailer stay competitive.
Value-conscious customers of Ann Taylor retail stores will find some of the same popular styles at discounted prices at LOFT Outlets and Ann Taylor Factory stores. Shoppers can expect to find past seasons' merchandise and "affordable luxury" products manufactured specifically for the factory outlet stores.
I'm sure you have found your answers! Sign up at Extrabux, then you can enjoy up to 5% cashback on your order!
Read More:
Michael Kors vs. Fossil vs. Emporio Armani Watches: Which is Best for Style?
Fossil Outlet vs. Retail: Differences, Quality & Price 2025
Under Armour (UA) Outlet vs. Retail Store: Differences, Quality & Price 2025
Nike Factory vs. Nike Outlet vs. Nike Retail Store: Differences, Quality & Price 2025
Gucci Outlet vs. Gucci Retail: Differences, Quality & Price 2025
Goyard St Louis vs. Louis Vuitton Neverfull vs. Longchamp Tote: Which Will Stand the Test of Time?
Coach vs Tory Burch vs MCM Bag: Which Brand Is The Best? (History, Quality, Price & Design)
CHANEL vs. Louis Vuitton vs. Gucci Bags: Which Brand Is The Best? (History, Design, Quality & Price)
Gucci vs. Louis Vuitton vs. YSL Wallet: Which is the Best to Invest in 2025?
Extrabux is an international cashback shopping site, offering up to 30% cashback from 10,000+ Stores!
24S, SSENSE, MATCHESFASHION.COM, Shopbop, NET-A-PORTER, FARFETCH, YOOX, Eastbay, End Clothing, Macys, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks OFF 5TH, Bergdorf Goodman, Selfridges, Bloomingdales, Coggles, Harrods, Kohl's, Urban Outfitters, ASOS, Missguided, etc.
Join to get $20 welcome bonus now! (How does Welcome Bonus work?)
Recommendation
-
Is Turkish Airlines Good for International Flights?
-
10 Best & Stylish Winter Coats for Women on NET-A-PORTER in 2025
-
Top & Best 12 Sneaker Apps/Websites for Raffles, Releases & Restocks in 2025
-
7 Best Gift Card Exchange Sites - Buy, Sell and Trade Discount Gift Card Safely and Instanly!
-
Top 9 Professional Skincare Brands for Licensed Estheticians 2025