In the trend-driven world of women's fashion, The Talbots is a 'head-to-toe' constant. Although it flirted with hipper styles, the purveyor of women's apparel, shoes and accessories has returned to its hallmark designs in a bid to right its struggling business. Talbots runs about 600 stores in some 45 US states and Canada. The chain specializes in selling mostly private-label, classically-styled apparel, accessories, and shoes to women ages 35 and older. The company also sells through more than a dozen catalogs and its website. Talbots is owned by the private equity firm Sycamore Partners, the owner of teen retailer Hot Topic and the Jones Group.