Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
We’re liking the looks of this purple jersey dress from Maggy London. We like the ruching at the waist, the 3/4-length sleeves, and the black “buckle” at the waist. We’d wear it with a simple black camisole and some pearls. Was $108, now $43 at Nordstrom. Maggy London Print Jersey Dress
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{ 52 comments… read them below or add one }
I would love to own a work-appropriate dress in such a pretty shade, but I think the buckle cheapens the whole look.
exactly my thought. maybe if the buckle were removable…
Plastic buckles are never good, and look even worse after a wash/dry cleaning.
Agree 100%
Is this to low cut, or appropriate?
The color is pretty, but I don’t think this dress is particularly flattering — it’s not doing much for the model with respect to showing off her shape. As for the v neck, I used to think that was work appropriate but no one at my firm shows any skin it seems like. I wore a cami yesterday underneath a dress and even though I wasn’t showing much skin, I still felt that everyone was looking at my neckline!
I’ve heard from both men and women that camisoles really draw the eye (particularly as they are generally a different color) so even though you are showing less skin, you might be getting as many looks.
For me, camisoles tend to accentuate my cleavage (probably because of the tight compression effect) and so even if more skin is covered, there’s also an enhanced cleavage effect, particularly if you’re looking at me from the side. For this reason I don’t wear them for work (unless i’m wearing them as a hidden base layer). I’m not particularly busty either.
Anon, I used to have that problem (of course, I am particularly busty! ha), but I started buying the line of silk camisoles at Ann Taylor that have no “shelf” bra. The glide over curves beautifully without accentuating anything. And they come in good neutrals that I can wear under many tops (sometimes, even for the extra layer on slightly see-through tops). I think they are a bit overpriced for a cami – not Old Navy prices – but AT is always running a sale these days . . .
I second the Ann Taylor suggestion–their camis seem to work well for me
I don’t buy those sorts of camis anymore because they were insanely uncomfortable and gave me way too much cleavage. There are plenty of varieties out there that do not include a bra, many of which have adjustable straps so you can raise the neckline if necessary. I get most of mine at the Gap and Old Navy’s are decent as well.
That makes a lot of sense, especially when the cami is a different color. I’m not busty either, which is why it surprises me when people look at that area when I’m wearing a cami. Now I know why! Still, the alternative is not wearing a cami and showing that hint of cleavage, which I definitely don’t want to do.
I used to work in a clothing store, and the “camisoles draw the eye” line was my secret weapon in mediating disputes between teenage girls and their mothers. I love that effect, myself. There aren’t many articles of clothing that can make an outfit more attractive AND more modest.
I’d agree that sometimes you still need to watch the cleavage with the shelf-bra camis, particularly if they don’t have adjustable straps. Still, as a not-so-curvy woman, I count anything that enhances my bust (or defines my waist) as a plus. It’s not about sexiness; it’s about working with the figure I’ve got.
I really like this dress and if I had room in my budget right now I’d buy it. I think the v-neck is appropriate if you wear a cami. I wear a lot of tops with that v-neck and camisoles are a staple for me.
I like this dress. It’s not the most flattering for this model’s shape, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t work for women who don’t have model measurements. I am a pear shape and tend to like dresses like this that have more of an empire waist with a little more give in the hip area. I would definitely wear a cami under it. I would consider buying it at this price, but with a long torso I’d worry that the empire part would fall too high on my chest.
The dress would look great with the Cole Haan shoes!
I thought that too, Louise!
Is it really okay to match your dress with your shoes?
I just purchased a Maggy London dress, but I am going to return it. It was the same jersey type material, and way to clingy. All of my business was hanging out. No thanks.
LMAO, Woman of Color. I’ve tried Maggie London dress once and thought the material was thin, flimsy, and yeah, puts all your business out there.. ;-D Jersey material that is really well-done is David Meister, IMHO. Or jersey that lined… (rare)
Got a tip on realityinstyle.com–they have great basics and I just ordered the “Bob” dress–great looking jersey dress–check it out. Runs a bit small so size up.
I’ve never heard of this company/label, so I was a bit stunned to see the nearly $400 price for the dresses in combination than the less-than-impressive web design and photos. I was even more turned off when I clicked on the “press” section and saw that the heading for one of the recent press releases had a glaring typo (“hom” instead of what is presumably supposed to be “home”).
The company claims to be focused on quality and fit (and the “Bob” dress does look cute!), but I’m a bit reluctant to drop big bucks on the merchandise based on what I’ve seen so far. Does anyone else have any experience with these clothes or the company? It looks like it’s brand new.
Just to clarify, I was talking about “reality in style,” not Maggy London!
Emily, Sally of Already Pretty recently reviewed the “Bob” dress. Here’s the link to her site as well as a 45% discount code.
http://apcontestsgiveaways.blogspot.com/2010/02/reality-in-style-discount-and-sizing.html
There is nothing worse than a glaring typo. Our web designer added the press page within the past few days and we have not had a chance to review it. I am so sorry!
I like this very much. The skirt drapes so nicely, good for disguising generous hips. The higher waist is good for people like me who are a little, well, high-waisted. Teeny safety pin carefully and invisibly affixed to the inside to fix the neckline, and voila. As for the concern over camis showing and drawing the eye, well, once you’ve done your best, and have a cami that is high enough, and not too tight, there is a point at which you have to say, ‘look, world, women got boobs. Get over it.’ Any man caught staring down my front gets the severe stink eye, a long, flat dead-eyed stare, face is expressionless. I hold eye contact until he looks away, no matter what our relative status. I establish myself as someone who won’t put up with such nonsense, and it lets him know that if he goes any further in such behaviour, there will be consequences. Works every time.
You go girl.
Loves me some Delta Sierra! Woot, woot!
Finally, someone on this site stands up to this insanity of going to extreme lengths (might as well be Amish) to avoid any revelation of skin or feminine curves. Sometimes the commenters worry way too much on here…
Miss Sierra is consumed with blushes of pleasure, and must retire to the corner to compose herself.
I totally agree. We have boobs. It’s not something to apologize for, so long as we aren’t flaunting them in the workplace. This reminds me of the article that C linked to not too long ago, about how men are visual beings and so women in the workplace should dress very very conservatively. The guys’ quotes were things like “don’t wear pants that are low-waisted enough so that when you bend over they ride down and show what’s underneath”. Or, you could not stare at my butt when I bend over. There’s also that. What, we should wear burkas so as not to be a distraction?
I totally agree that men shouldn’t stare at women when they bend over. And that it shouldn’t be the woman’s responsibility if they do, or to prevent it.
At the same time, no one (male or female) should wear pants that reveal derriere or underwear when they are bending over. I don’t care if your pants are loose or tight. I don’t care if you are at the office, at school, at the playground, at Target. Please don’t wear pants that ride down that much when you bend over. It is possible to find pants of all styles, all levels of loose-ness and tight-ness, that don’t!
It’s just tacky.
Pants on the ground… pants on the ground… lol! Meanwhile, what is up with Blizzard 2010? Hoping I don’t have to sleep in my office tonight. :-(
I’m on the west coast now, but used to live waaaay north, so, good luck with the storm, you guys. Slow down if driving.
ha! obv I m not advocating low riders. I do not flaunt personally. But if I have to get down on the ground and pick up a box, is it my fault that my normal pants ride down a little bit? Is it my fault that the guys in my office might then stare at my slightly exposed underwear? Which obviously I would be uncomfortable with? Seriously, it is our responsibility to manage the men’s impulses at work, beyond not being flagrant? I would never stare at a guy that way. I just hate the sexism that is still out there. I do not stare at men’s butts or whatever at work.
Thread hijack question! I got this dress, but I flipped the top out to make it a cowl neck (and it’s MUCH neater looking now!), what do we think about this at work? (I should mention, I got it for $39, so I’m inspired to keep it!)
http://www1.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi23370&mode=search&backurl=/online/search/searchResults.jsp%3Fquestion%3Dflannel%26trail%3DSRCH%253Aflannel%26pageNum%3D0%26addFacet%3D%26removeFacet%3D
I really like the dress. Totally work appropriate. My only caveat is to avoid keeping things just because of the price. Anytime I keep something I don’t love just because it’s a good price, I never get the value out of it – not even the reduced value.
Gorgeous classic. I’d wear with a nice black cardi or jacket.
Thoughts on this for work (in black)?
http://www1.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi24013&rootCategory=cat70008&catId=cat80018&sortKey=Default§ion=Regular&conceptIdUnderSale=cat70008
I look AWFUL in shirt dresses, but I bet it would be sharp in black!
Love it, and the gray tweed dress on that site. How did you get it for $39??
They had a sale last week where all their sale and clearance were an additional 50% off. And I’m glad y’all like it! I LOVE how I look in it, but I was worried the floppy bits would be a bit “much” … but clearly not – thanks!!
What do people think of this boot? http://www.endless.com/Not-Rated-Womens-Tipsy-Boot/dp/B001SEROEW/ref=dp_sim_3?fromPage=sims&asins=B001SERP1Y,B0029UG17A,B001SEROEW,B001H55GY2,B0018CM3BI&contextTitle=Customers%20who%20bought%20this%20item%20also%20bought...
I hate it. All the decorative buckles just look weird and bulky to me. I’d like it with a single buckle.
It seems like something fun to wear out, but I don’t think it would be a good choice in the workplace. I’d wear them with jeans or a casual skirt, but not with anything professional/dressy. The price is great and I love the blue and gray colors.
If you like it, I love it.
way, way too much for work. Way too much.
I think the gray would be cute with skinny jeans or a skirt, but definitely a casual piece. Just a heads up, I have a pair of Not Rated black patent pumps that I got at DSW for about $15, and they’re so uncomfortable that they’ve been banished to the back of my shoe rack.
Also – how are Target’s sizes? If someone can tell me how they run compared to J Crew that would be very helpful :)
Target has multiple brands and the sizing isn’t really consistent among them. Merona’s sizing is probably comparable to AT/BR. Mossimo (the plain black label) will be comparable to Merona. However, Mossimo Supply Co and Xhileration are juniors brands and will be considerably smaller.
Wow, I need more sleep! I meant Talbot’s, not Target. Sorry ’bout that!
I don’t like wearing camis with dresses because a lot of them end up leaving a line where they end or worse they have a tendency (on me) to roll up around my waist and cause bunching (smaller waist than hips issue I gues). My solution? Take a needle and thread, turn the dress inside out and stitch up the v-neck until you have a more work appropriate neckline. This doesn’t work on every dress but this one looks like the perfect candidate due to the slight overlap of fabric. There is usually a bit of a hem when you turn the dress inside out that you can stitch together. Just make really small stitches so there isn’t any gaping. And when you make your stitches on the hem-like fabric that doesn’t show, you can always rermove the stitching or fix mistakes and no one can tell!
And no, I am not any kind of accomplished seamstress. My sewing skills consist of this little trick and replacing buttons, much to my mother’s disappointment.
I bought this dress and had to return it. It fit nicely from the waist down – very comfortable and flattering – but it made my boobs look huge. I am a 34D but well-proportioned size 6 or 8, but this dress made me look like Joan from “Mad Men.” Not at all office appropriate for “busty” girls, but maybe for smaller-chested women.