Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
Happy hump day! 
Nordstrom has tons of further reductions on … well, everything. Today we’re liking this cute pinstripe blazer. We like the interesting fold details on the collar, as well as the ruching on the back. Haaate the skirt it came with, though (pictured) — we would wear it with black trousers or a sheath dress instead. (Seriously, check out the “from the back” picture on Nordstrom — the ruffles form an off-center box.) The blazer by itself is $129 (was $265), still available in sizes 0 through 10. L.A.M.B. Pinstripe Stretch Cotton Blazer
If you’ve recently seen a great work piece you’d like to recommend to the readers, please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line. Unless you ask otherwise, we’ll refer to you by your first initial.
(L-2)
Technorati Tags: blazers, L.A.M.B., pinstripes, ruffles
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{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m super lame and dislike anything with embellishments. I don’t even like the ruching in the back of the blazer. Is there something wrong with me? My excuse is working in government, though. It’s all about boring.
Yeah. This ain’t doin’ it for me.
I personally think big embellishments are hard to pull off unless you are super, super skinny. They add bulki.
OMG this looks like a wrinkled mess to me
The blazer is ok, but kind of ‘meh’ on its own. It doesn’t look like it fits model very well, but maybe that’s just the picture. But THAT SKIRT–quite possibly the worst thing ever. Besides the ugliness, can you imagine sitting on that all day?!
I like the model’s haircut.
Me too!
gag, you weren’t kidding about the skirt!!
Oh, so you get kickbacks from Nordstrom! Was wondering why you hearted them so very much.
C also notes her “haaate”red of the matching skirt. It’s clear that she is genuinely recommending things that she, well, recommends. It’s nice that she’s giving us full disclosure re: her arrangements with retailers. I don’t think that it’s particularly appropriate to imply that her picks are biased based on these arrangments, especially given her full disclosure.
It may be nice, but its also mandated by the FTC. See, e.g., http://www.amnavigator.com/blog/2009/11/30/ftc-on-guidelines-affiliate-disclosures-compliance/
Don’t think I did imply that the picks themselves are influenced; rather that the site the picks are linked to *might* be. Which I doubt most readers would care about one way or the other.
:) Nordstrom also has a “Wear to Work” section of the site that makes it far too easy for me on the mornings when I’m feeling lazy.
I must say, I’m shocked that more blogs aren’t disclosing the affiliate links. I expected massive changes on 12/1. As readers (if you care about this — I wouldn’t/don’t as a reader), there are other ways to tell an affiliate link — such as if you hold your mouse over the product and the URL that pops up (before you click) looks funny. Such as, you expect to be taken to Nordstrom and instead the ridiculously long URL looks like it’s taking you to something like “http://www.kzyhk” or “clickserve.com” or “link-synergy.com” or whatnot. Or anything with a user ID in it (like an Amazon ID.) Almost everything in ShopItToMe, for example, or ShopStyle.
Ha, mystery revealed. I had been sort of positing that you might be from the Pacific Northwest (and thus would have an abiding attachment to Nordstrom.)
And I completely agree re: more blog disclosures, I had also expected big changes yesterday! Looks like there’s going to have to be some whip cracking . . .
I always think embellishments, etc. make things look trendy.
Fine for when its in style – but very noticeable the next year.
So I am always careful to really like something with embellishments and
realize the shelf-life might be shorter then I like.
I also think embellishments make clothing items more memorable, and therefore reduces the frequency with which I can wear them without my coworkers noticing that I’m always wearing the same few outfits :)
Also, the sleeves look really short. This might work for petites, but not others?
That skirt made me laugh out loud at my desk – not the reaction you want others to have to your wardrobe! The jacket is OK style-wise, but looks a little cheap when you click on the close-up.
I have an Ann Taylor Loft pin stripe skirt from a few years back that has a flounce at the hem….it lies flat when you are not moving and fans out a little when you walk. To me, it is conservative with a twist… this skirt, however, is crazy: what a rock star would wear in a rock opera if her character was an attorney.
I would totally go to that rock opera.
Ha -amazing – that skirt looks like a Project Runway episode. Maybe you could do a weekly feature on the *worst*thing you’ve found? :)
Agreed. Worst thing of the week. I’m still amazed that 1) someone designed that skirt and 2) a buyer at Nordies ordered it.
Can you post more suits/jackets that are available in plus sizes (over size 14)? I’m a size 114- but need an 18 in jackets and it’s hard to find nice ones, and I hear from larger women (over size 20 up to size 28-30 and beyond) that it’s next to impossible to find quality suits in larger plus sizes.
Not sure what happened there – I wanted to say I’m a size 14-16.
What a great recommendation! Quality, non-frumpy, work-appropriate clothes in plus sizes are few and far between. Suggestions are always appreciated!
Ladies, if it helps, I love Talbots. They have truly beautiful, classic pieces that come in plus sizes and actually make me look and feel great. I’ve also had luck at Macy’s/Nordstrom, and the best fitting suit I ever bought was Anne Klein (the only suit I’ve ever bought that fit perfectly without tailoring – AND it was a Corporette Suit of the Week suggestion!)
I would also love to see more things on the plus size of the spectrum. Things that are available in plus size are almost always available in misses sizing as well, so it’s not going to exclude anyone to do more suggestions that aren’t in the XS/below size 6 only category.
I agree. I’m an 18-20. I have found that Nordstroms usually has at least 1 good thing each season, and Macy’s occasionally might have something. I have had good luck with Smartbargains and Overstock- they sometimes have the Women’s lines of Ann Klien and Tahari . Perhaps we should be tipping Corporette off when we see something, because she’s not looking in those sizes for herself!
Yeah, I have gotten a few things at Macy’s and Talbot’s but I find it really hard to find an actual suit where both pieces are intended to go together. I’m in the weird in-between range where the smallest women’s sizes tend to be too big (because a 14W is larger than a regular 14) but the largest regular size is often too small on certain parts of my body. I never feel like I find anything that works- so I’d love it if someone could tip Corporette off so she can feature items that work!
Oh, and Lane Bryant has gone from relatively reliable for basics to complete crap – cheaply-made wannabe trendy items with higher prices.
Talbots’ suiting is exclusively separates, so it should be easy to order a misses’ jacket with a woman’s pant for example and end up with a coherent outfit. I generally need a larger size pant/skirt than I do jacket.
Agreed with whoever said Lane Bryant is a hot mess lately. I did find a great pair of trouser jeans there a couple months ago, but I would really not consider it for anything for work at this point (except maybe Spanx/tights/undergarments).
Gotta give a plug for Coldwater Creek. They carry many items all the way through their size range of petites – misses – womens. The end result is that if your top and bottom halves are wildly different, you still have chance of getting a matching outfit – e.g., larger sized petite jacket matched with smaller sized women’s pants. Yes, some of their stuff is casual, and more of it is resort-ey, but they do have work appropriate clothes.
They often have combinations of discounts plus free shipping on their website and will take returns at their brick and mortar stores.
I just got a great suit from Overstock.com – Anne Klein – that I had sent to Corporette to be featured. It’s $112 for three pieces, jacket, pants and silk shell. Here it is:
http://www.overstock.com/Clothing-Shoes/Anne-Klein-Womens-Plus-Size-3-piece-Pant-Suit/4300259/product.html
Overstock’s been carrying more plus size stuff lately – if you search “plus size” from the homepage, it will take you into the online plus boutique.
The other places I get good work attire:
- Smartbargains periodically has stuff but it’s very hit or miss. I got some decent Jones New York and Anne Klein suits there last year; they have almost nothing right now.
- Anne Klein and Jones New York both have direct-to-consumer sites now and they carry plus-size workwear.
- Barrie Pace (barriepace.com) is a good place to look – the selection is limited but they periodically have sales where you can get 70-80% off clearance, so very nice designer clothes go down to about $40-$60 for a blazer, slightly less for pants.
- I also like Talbots. I signed up for their Red Rewards and just got a certificate in the mail for $25 off any purchase over $25. It’s very worth it if you buy from them a few times a year.
I dislike the quality and trendy styling at Lane Bryant. Their workwear has not held up for me in the past and styles get dated too fast. Catherines.com is geared towards a MUCH older customer but sometimes they have decent Larry Levine suit separates.
Hope this helps! I wear an 18 (down from a 22 last year so at least that’s positive :) and it is really hard to find good suits that will last, but don’t also look like something my Grandma wore to church.
I was looking at that suit on Overstock today. Is “Granite/Slate” black and dark grey? Are the pants long enough with heels (or with enough of a hem to let down)?
It’s a black-and-gray herringbone but it is so subtle I had to get up and look closely at it to figure that out. The color just looks like a very dark charcoal gray from a distance, by which I mean a few feet. The fabric has a great “hand” and will not show wrinkles or soil easily, I don’t think. The blouse is nice too although I probably won’t wear it to work with the suit, it’s more a “date night” piece for me.
As for the length on the pants – I am 5′5″ and will have to get them altered shorter, I always do with Anne Klein, even though I generally wear 2″ or higher heels with my suits. I am going to say it’s at least a 32″ inseam and the hem does have some “let-down” room. I am really pleased with this suit and think it’s a great value – three quality, wearable pieces for $112. Overstock does have a returns policy (I don’t know others’ experiences with it but they’ve never hassled me before) so you can always ship it back if you don’t like it once you get it.
Oooh, Overstock, great tip!
I have Talbot’s Red Rewards too, but my local Talbot’s doesn’t have plus sizes, and their sizing is kind of wonky on me anyway. But I hope I am getting a $25 gift cert too!
that skirt made me LOL too! then I saw that it’s from Gwen Stefani’s line, so it kinda made sense. I like a little something different, some embellishment every now and then so things don’t get too boring.
I not only love the blazer
Not only do I love the blazer but I love the whole outfit! What a great work look – thanks so much for posting!
I could and would wear the skirt to work if it only had the side ruffles, but I just can’t deal with what’s going on in the back.
This whole suit is an abomination. I LOL’ed at the back too, imagine what the men in your office would think walking behind you in the hallway!
I mostly just can’t figure out the asymmetry of the ruffle. That is truly puzzling to me. I think the guys walking behind you would think you had your skirt on wrong!
Seeing the skirt instantly reminded me of the ruffles on the butt of little girl baby clothes – you know, those bottoms you use to cover the diaper with (I don’t have kids so I have no idea what they are called)! Not exactly the image I want to portray at work!
My first thought on seeing that skirty: the ruffles would be a frame around the rear, making it look either ginormous on someone who’s got a larger rear or just plain big on a generally thin person. ICK.