Bargain Friday’s TPS Report: Metallic Cardigan

by C on 03/12/2010 · 53 comments

in Fashion, The Personal Shopper (TPS), Wear to Work

Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.

We always love a good sweater blazer, and this one from Newport News is no exception. We like the way it has the comfort of a sweater but the authority of a jacket, and we think the gray color gives it a ton of possibilities for outfits. Furthermore, the cable knit detailing on the sleeves and the front looks flattering and interesting.  It’s $45 at Newport News (formerly $99). Metallic Cardigan

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-0)

{ 52 comments… read them below or add one }

meg March 12, 2010 at 10:57 am

ick. i can’t imagine wearing this ever.

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dcm58 March 12, 2010 at 10:58 am

I really, really, really like this. It would work well with a pencil skirt on “casual” Friday at my office and then looks cozy enough for weekends.

I have never purchased anything from Newport News. Can anyone speak to the sizing and quality of the clothes?

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RKS March 12, 2010 at 1:40 pm

Quality == poor, treat as disposable. Would not pay $49 for this, never mind the original $99.

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angeinT.O. March 12, 2010 at 11:16 am

double ick. sorry. i can’t imagine wearing this. but, maybe it looks better on a body as opposed to a hanger?

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Erin March 12, 2010 at 11:18 am

Yikes. I’ve never seen anything like this, and I hope to never see it again.

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Radu March 12, 2010 at 11:27 am

It’s a “swazer!”

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A. March 12, 2010 at 12:55 pm

Or as Dillard’s advertised some of their similar garments this year, a “swacket.” Either way, it sounds like slightly vulgar slang term.

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meg March 12, 2010 at 11:28 am

I think Newport News clothing isn’t great quality. Not worth the $45, at least.

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Eva March 12, 2010 at 11:42 am

I think this would make me look very fat.

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erin March 12, 2010 at 11:48 am

i agree – not very cute…

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ARinFL March 12, 2010 at 12:09 pm

I think ths has the potential to be really cute with a white or black boatneck, long chunky necklace, dark jeans and flats. But it feels more “fall” than “spring” to me.

P.S. I’ve been in trial for the last week… Nice to see you guys again. Just won on directed verdict. :)

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KLo March 12, 2010 at 12:19 pm

Agree – but it could be spring with an on-trend peach! And congrats!!

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D March 12, 2010 at 12:11 pm

ARinFL – way to go!

This looks waaaaaaay too Grandma for me due to the knit.

I have a dark grey cashmere sweater cut like a blazer from Ann Taylor that does this look much better. It was about double the price on sale, but I’ll have it forever.

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Delta Sierra March 12, 2010 at 1:39 pm

I’m grandma-aged and I wouldn’t be caught dead in it. NNews quality is not that great, plus it’s metallic, plus acrylic deteriorates quickly and makes fuzzballs. The cotton in the fiber might help with that, but maybe not. The knitting is quite loose, so I can’t see it holding its shape well. Can’t see the collar sitting properly, either. Sorry, C.

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TallTexGrl March 12, 2010 at 12:12 pm

I think it’s the type of thing you can pair with something that’s more outrageous or daring. I love it. Call me crazy, but put this with an almost-too-short/sexy outfit, and it’s just got a sexy librarian thing going on.

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JF March 12, 2010 at 12:12 pm

sleeves look short, and the end of the garment looks rumply. When people ask what frumpy means.. well, this is it here. I actually think a gray knit cardigan would look more polished than this “blazer.”

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JD Chic March 12, 2010 at 12:16 pm

I can’t see wearing this with an outfit, but I’d possibly use it as my in-office/just-in-case sweater for those oh-so-frigid days when maintenance has cranked the A/C up way too high. I’m just not sure about Newport News’ quality & don’t know if I’d spend $45 for an in-office/just-in-case sweater though.

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newassociate March 12, 2010 at 12:16 pm

talbots is having an additional 40-75% off online outlet, plus the code i found on retailmenot.com : 016324500 got an additional 20% off the entire order and $5 shipping. i picked up the wool v-neck dress (which at $50 now justifies the cost of alterations), a blazer, and a belt. and there are lots of lucky sizes in plus, too.

now THAT’s bargain friday.

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Radu March 12, 2010 at 1:25 pm

awesome! I will check it out! thanks for the info!

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Erin March 12, 2010 at 3:33 pm

I cannot wait to get home (where I left my credit card) and get some summery pants!

Sadly the coupon code is no longer working, though.

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R March 12, 2010 at 4:03 pm

I wondered if it was just me. :(

Still a good deal – some $4 camis, a $10 pair of jeans. I’m happy!

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sun March 12, 2010 at 10:36 pm

I posted about this Ann Taylor sale in last weekend’s thread, when I thought the sale was one day only, but then it seemed to continue all week. I cleaned up! Suit jacket and trousers, two basic white T’s, a more interesting T in lavendar, silk jacket, origami wool sheath dress…of course, I’m broke for the rest of the month once I pay the mortgage.

Every day I come home praying there is an AT box on my porch!

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A. March 15, 2010 at 12:29 am

Thanks for the tip – I needed a new pencil skirt and I got one for under $15!! Awesome!

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Angie March 12, 2010 at 12:20 pm

Fellow Corporette-ers, I need your help. I have a Friday interview next week (in academia) so I was going to wear some gray slacks, but wanted a new sweater set – anyone know of any stores that have simple sets available?

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Legally Brunette March 12, 2010 at 12:28 pm

Try Lord & Taylor, they often have nice sweater sets and the quality is good. I would also check out some discount stores like Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and Nordstrom Rack.

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ARinFL March 12, 2010 at 12:32 pm

All my fav sweater sets are from the Ann Taylor outlet.

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Erin March 12, 2010 at 1:07 pm

I have seen some on sale recently in both Ann Taylor Loft and Macy’s.

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Angie March 12, 2010 at 1:45 pm

Thank you for the suggestions!

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Lizbet March 12, 2010 at 2:06 pm

Talbots has good quality simple twin sets, as well.

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Sharon March 12, 2010 at 12:21 pm

I’m really surprised, C. I know you are looking for affordable for some of your commenters, but Newport News is about as cheap quality as it gets. There is no “authority” emanating from this pseudo-jacket whatsoever. You’d get more authority from a nice gray cardigan with cable knit which could be dressed up for the office with pearls, a great scarf, or great accessories and then also worn on the weekends with jeans.

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bella March 12, 2010 at 12:21 pm

Quite a bit more even on sale, but what’s the verdict on this?
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3060469

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Clerky March 12, 2010 at 12:29 pm

I have been eyeing this jacket but I generally don’t look good in belted clothing. I think it’s very, very cute though, and the quality of Classiques clothing is generally excellent.

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Meg March 12, 2010 at 1:04 pm

Wow, super cute – the nordstroms one. If I wasn’t in saving mode right now…

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Jill March 12, 2010 at 12:36 pm

The drab colors just aren’t doing it for me. Maybe it’s Spring fever! There are so many pretty colors on the racks right now; can’t see going for battleship gray.

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eplawyer March 12, 2010 at 1:02 pm

Oh I hear you on the drab colors. I had a court hearing on Wednesday. I work a light blue suit with a dusky rose top. I just could not wear dark colors one more day. I was the only female attorney who had broken out the Spring colors.

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Elle Woods March 12, 2010 at 12:57 pm

Not a fan of this at all.

Also, I am always a little suspicious of any type of ‘fitted’ cardigan like this as they make me feel like after a few wears they will have stretched and will no longer be fitted.

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LPC March 12, 2010 at 1:04 pm

Huh. I love the way this looks. I think it’s because as a broad-shouldered, angular, 53 year old person who looks good in gray, on me it would hint at hip. IF, and that’s a big if, the materials were high quality.

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JS March 12, 2010 at 2:07 pm

They aren’t. NN quality is mediocre at best. And their acrylics tend to be very staticky too.

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stylemadesimple March 12, 2010 at 1:17 pm

Clients always ask how to wear knits to work. This blazer can look bulky so we recommend a flat knit cardi with a drape neck or ruffle detail, like Vince or J. Crew, for a chic but professional look

http://www.stylemadesimple.net

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75 March 12, 2010 at 1:18 pm

I shy away from metallic for work. Sometimes just a small touch, or around Christmastime. But I do like sweater jackets.

I took a stroll through Macy’s and I think many of the colors are garish and unflattering. One color I liked for spring at Macy’s is a cherry red.

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Peg March 12, 2010 at 1:23 pm

I love this, particulary for a casual Friday when I imagine wearing it with jeans and a nice t-shirt to work. I often find that I am uncomfortable wearing jeans to work unless I wear a jacket, which then kind of defeats the purpose of casual Fridays (since I don’t wear a jacket the rest of the week, since we are a business casual firm). I’ve ordered it and hope it is cute in person — we’ll see.

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Heather March 12, 2010 at 1:45 pm

I think its super cute in a “I wanted to dress professionally but then the depression hit so now I cling to my ragged gray sweater to keep me warm” kind of way. Its very proletariat, yet structured. I wanted to buy it and then I read the comments and was talked out of it.

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Lynette March 12, 2010 at 2:33 pm

If you truly like something, don’t let others talk you out of it. There’s no harm in ordering it and if it doesn’t work out send it back. Not sure if NN charges for returns though.

I personally like the sweater.

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Anna March 12, 2010 at 2:03 pm

Frump city.

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Radu March 12, 2010 at 2:06 pm

Does anyone know when Banana Republic runs its storewide or on-line sales? I’ve got a suite in my on-line shopping cart–it has been there for a few months now, and I am waiting/hoping to receive 30-40% off before I order. Thanks!

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Alexia March 13, 2010 at 11:58 am

BR will be doing their 30% Give/Get promotion starting March 18. Hold off on buying anything until then!

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A March 13, 2010 at 2:19 pm

I’m not sure if it’s online only, but I saw they were doing the “Spend $100, get a $25 giftcard” promotion again.

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R March 12, 2010 at 3:27 pm

Geez, I didn’t think it was that bad, although the quality and cost would turn me off.

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Lawgirl March 12, 2010 at 4:18 pm

No experience with Newport News. I ordered a leather jacket from Speigel, their sister company, and it was atrocious — stiff, cheap, noisy. Buh-bye!

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Liz March 13, 2010 at 12:26 am

I kind of like this. One thing I hate about wearing jackets is that they’re never quite as cozy as sweaters. But this obviously won’t be the problem here.

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Cess March 13, 2010 at 7:58 am

Mega frumpy, I wouldn’t even wear it to lounge around the house.

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Y March 14, 2010 at 6:57 pm

Wow – very divided opinions! I love it – like a PP said, it could get that sexy librarian thing going on. :)

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