Thursday’s Workwear Report: Helena Divine Jersey Gathered Tee
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
How pretty is the print on this jersey top from Universal Standard? It’s giving me some Julia Roberts at the polo match in Pretty Woman vibes, but in a slightly more modern way. This would be a great option for wearing under suits and blazers this summer because the cap sleeves still give plenty of coverage if you have to take your jacket off.
If the dot pattern isn’t your thing, it also comes in five solids, including a lipstick red and a beautiful dark green.
The top is $98 at Universal Standard and comes in sizes that are equivalent to standard sizes 00-40.
Looking for more T-shirts with fun but professional prints for 2026? Some classic brands to check include L'Agence, Boden and The Kit. These may be on the more casual side, but also look at Lilly Pulitzer and Sanctuary.
Sales of note for 5/8:
- Nordstrom – Savings event – up to 25% off! Good deals on Veronica Beard, Vince, Reiss (esp. coats), and Boss, as well as Wit & Wisdom and NYDJ
- Ann Taylor – Mother's Day Event: 40% off your purchase. Readers love this popover blouse, and their suiting is also in the sale.
- Boden – 15% off new styles with code
- Express – $39+ summer styles + 25% off everything else
- J.Crew – Up to 50% off swim, dresses, and more
- J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything, and extra 50% off clearance
- Lands' End – 50% off sitewide — lots of ponte dresses come down under $25, and this packable raincoat in gingham is too cute
- Lo & Sons – Mother's Day Sale: Up to 40% off — reader favorites include this laptop tote, this backpack, and this crossbody
- Loft – 50% off your purchase + free shipping, plus 2 for $28 tanks and tees
- MAC – Enjoy 30% off lip products and receive a 4-piece Mother's Day gift with $90
- M.M.LaFleur – Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off.
- Ruti – Take $55 off your purchase with code 55ONUS
- Sephora – Free same-day delivery for Mother's Day with code
- Talbots – 50% off wear-now styles (5/8 only)
- The Outnet – Extra 30% off select styles, including Veronica Beard, Victoria Beckham, and Marni.
- TOCCIN – Use code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off!
- Vivrelle – Looking to own less stuff but still try trends? Use code CORPORETTE for a free month, and borrow high-end designer clothes and bags!
Has anyone read the book Yesteryear? I read it in 3 days and finished last night bc it was a train wreck I couldn’t look away from. I’m not sure I loved it but I have a lot of thoughts. It’s already been optioned for a movie starring Anne Hathaway. That should be interesting.
Yes! I read it, and then picked it for my next book club meeting. It has so many themes that will be interesting for discussion. With you in that I also can’t wait to see the adaptation.
I am number 91 in line for it at the library :(
You do realize you can buy a book and support the author right?
And then donate it to the library!
This is unkind. People have a lot of different reasons for using the library/purchasing books (financial, etc and many do both). Phrasing it more nicely is likely to be a better way to get engagement on a topic
I’m not trying to be nice.
People do things for a lot of reasons, and I fully support library use. That said, if you can afford to support an author, and then donate the book into circulation, do it. I don’t think this is a thing you have to phrase nicely for it to be true.
Reserving and borrowing library books also supports authors.
THIS!
Absolutely not in the same way.
THIS
You do realize you don’t have to say everything that comes into your head, right? I’m sure many people would support that. Love to see others using their local libraries!
You do realize that if you want to have nice things, like books and bookstores, you need to actually buy the books. 100 people sharing a book is just not profitable in the way that selling actual copies is. How about instead of railing against Amazon and the like, you support authors and journalism.
Yes same. Couldn’t put it down not sure I loved it.
Everyone is recommending it to me but the waitlist is really long at my library!
I read it, and found it initially interesting but ultimately overhyped. The characters were so over the top awful that i found it found it a little hard to draw much broader meaning from it (besides the fact that everyone is misogynistic, but that’s not exactly a novel concept).
I felt most of the characters, especially the main character, were pure caricature with no real depth or development.
The other big weakness was the many world-building inconsistencies: the portrayal of an elite college, the (lack of a) religious community, everything was just a bit too far off.
So, great idea, terrible execution.
It reminded me of Yellowface – satire that was just too over the top. It was entertaining but didn’t make any profound points about its subject.
I generally like RF Kuang and I loathed Yellowface. If this is similar I think I’ll pass. A whole book of ‘characters you love to hate’ isn’t a draw for me.
I feel like I’m living in the late 1980s: cropped blouses. A-line skirts ending below the knee. Claw clamps for hair.
I’m waiting for:
huaraches (IDK if they are truly comfy or I just had the easy feet of a child then, but a fond memory)
perms
acid-wash
What I remember was also this strange dichotomy: tons of fabric in clothes. One-piece bathing suits that looked like slingshots, with very narrow and high cut leg openings (do not miss; high wedgie potential and waxing nightmare).
Ha! Hauraches have been my summer shoe for the past two years–wearing a pair right now!
Oh, huaraches are 100% back. Give them a try!
Acid wash is also back! I have a pair, but they’re a very light wash, so the effect is a little more subtle than what I remember from the ’80s.
I even saw someone saying how drop waists are back and woo. They look different than the blousy drop waist dresses of the 80s but I can’t remember ever seeing more than I am right now.
I loathe dropped waists visually. Can’t wait to see the back of this trend.
+1
I bought a trapeze dress. I am a bit concerned that the shape is maybe too avant-garde for suburbia and I just will be taken as a person hiding an abdominal secret. It’s a lot of volume to belt though. Any advice for styling? I didn’t want fabric sticking to me in the summer.
I love that you’re taking the risk and following for tips. I think you just gotta own it.
Same—if it otherwise works for your life, you’re just going to have to prepare yourself to not care what others *might* think. It’s really freeing once you realize that no one (important) cares.
I personally did not wear that style anytime during my childbearing years. Too easy for rumors to get started lol
Key is length — you have to show a lot of leg to make it not look like a sack. Otherwise, style it casually! Sneakers, ponytail. Let it be the easy-breezy dress it’s supposed to be.
(p.s. “abdominal secret” made me laugh)
+1
Yup, I agree with these recs. I love this fun look.
Too much volume is apparently very in right now. I’ve been returning stuff like crazy because that’s not a flattering look for me, but it’s very popular.
I’d wait for a nice hot day, and just wear it — in spite of feeling unsure. Sandals or sneakers for shoes, no need to belt or try to define your waist. You’re going to LOVE how breezy it is!
Don’t try to belt it! Just make sure the rest of your look sells it as a fashion statement (whatever that means for you, the nice bag, the statement eye or lip, etc.).
My birthday is coming up – has anyone bought any necklaces lately that you’re getting a lot of use out of or compliments on (or just that you love)? No real budget but ideally under $2000.
I have a lapis bead necklace that I got it at Faba (on a work trip). It was about $1500. I love it. We had a free trade agreement with Chile at the time so I didn’t have to pay any customs fee when I brought it home. I don’t know whether that’s still true.
A 15 inch rope gold necklace, vintage/second hand. Parlay Jewelry online has some options.
Jane Pope
The Gentlewoman’s Agreement by MLE: https://madebymle.com/products/gentlewomans-agreement-gold-necklace?srsltid=AfmBOopvF93arsoGlzkfIH3F9adVmPNRCFJlSg-YFiUddbCceYW0WT3D&variant=30706860982339
I just bought an initial necklace from Gorjana for myself for my birthday. I get a lot of compliments including a coworker who saw it and went right to the store to buy one.
I used to be a law clerk to a state court trial job and other than the pay (tragically low), it was the best job I ever had (and I love the job I have had for the past 20 years in private practice). Husband is talking about retiring. I’m not there yet. Would going back to be a clerk in the court system (not working for a judge, not even a JD-required job) be something where an older person who wants to stay sharp and get health care be given a shot? I’d clerk again , but those jobs turn over every year (one friend who was a permanent law clerk had his judge retire). I just remember good health care, solid time off, and actually closing for holidays. Also: the pens were so bad I started buying my own at Office Max and we never had enough printer paper.
I worked in courts on and off for a while and absolutely saw people start these kinds of jobs at an older age, but I do think the answer to your question is going to be super-local.
If you were a law clerk, surely you must know what the court clerk’s office is like—even lower pay to handle mind-numbing volumes of paperwork and interact with confused, stressed, and angry members of the public.
Some people don’t mind this kind of work. We all have different strengths.
I think this assessment of the clerk’s office is spot on. Working in the clerk’s office sounds horrible if you’re a lawyer.
In my state, the appellate courts have career staff attorneys who work for the court for 5-30 years, even as judges turn over. In some states, the state appellate courts also have a group of lawyers who do work for all of the judges rather than being assigned to any particular judge, and some if not all of the federal circuit courts do too.
I work in a trial court and yes, many of our clerks are hired later in life — and they are amazing clerks. We also have permanent staff attorney positions, as well as attorneys who create and update forms in our law library. There are a ton of job options at trial courts. Our state court of appeals and supreme court also hire permanent staff attorneys.
In my state, the chief and deputy chief appellate clerks are lawyer positions. I have a friend who did that as her lean-out job for a few years before retirement. It is actually a lot of work but was somewhat less stressful than the jobs she had before (which were high-level government lawyer jobs). Both trial and appellate courts in my state also have staff attorneys, which in some ways are like permanent law clerks. I think it is hard for a lawyer to get a non-lawyer clerk job.
My periods have been abnormal since restarting again post breastfeeding – spotting between cycles, spotting for days before the period itself, things like that. I made an appointment to speak to my doctor about it but I’m a little concerned they’re just going to tell me to get on birth control pills, which are actually contraindicated for me because of blood clot risk anyway. What questions would you ask and what follow up would you push for? Unfortunately I’m very used to being ignored in the women’s health space and I am entering this cynical and defensive.
Are you wanting birth control? Or just for the periods to not be wonky?
We’re all set on BC but I want to make sure there’s nothing wrong that could be overlooked just because I had a baby 18 months ago. Periods restarted 7 months postpartum and were dead normal for three months, then wonky.
FWIW I had weird periods when they restarted after breastfeeding. Things stabilized after about 6 months. I’m not sure how long things have been going on for you. I would ask the doctor if it’s in the bounds of normal, because it sounds like it could be. I would also ask if there are any major bad things it could be and ask them to try to exclude those. I hope all goes well!
That sounds normal. It can take a while for your period to stabilize. What are you thinking is happening you want them to treat?
How old are you?
If you are nearing or over 40, it could be a normal sign of perimenopause. Which is not to say that it’s not annoying or worrying.
37. Stopped breastfeeding one year ago.
Ignore if this isn’t helpful to you, but my period totally regulated when I started Zepbound (1 year pp, right after quitting BFing).
Just one anecdote, but I have 3 kids. My period took a while to regulate after each kid, so I’m assuming this has gone on for a while for you but if not do keep that in mind. Eventually, my period was pretty normal after my first kid. After my second kid it was like…oh my god. It was so, so heavy for a year. I thought I was bleeding out once. Then I got pregnant again with my 3rd, period stopped. It came back after my 3rd baby and it was seriously so crazy- spotting for months, then nothing (i thought i might have even been pregnant again!!!), then two MONSTER periods where I basically bled on and off and through everything for 2 months. Then…back to normal. And normal ever since (youngest is 9).
Mine never did stabilize. Years later, a PA at my PCP’s office finally took me seriously; turns out I had fibroids that had grown to be the size of a grapefruit.
When someone recommends a new podcast how do you listen? Oldest first? Pick and choose?
Pick and choose based on topic.
Pick and choose
Depends on the content type, how much episode history there is, and if there is a through-line.
I guess this must depend on the kind of podcast you listen to, but for me, I always listen to the newest episodes and then if I really like it I might go back and listen to old episodes on topics I’m most interested in. But most of the podcasts I listen to are at least somewhat timely- politics, sports, tv, movies, etc.
Looking for recommendations for a weighted vest for walking. I am short and size XS so I don’t want anything too wide. Unfortunately my local running store does not carry them.
The All in Motion weighted vest from Target works fine on my size 2 frame.
Anyone purchase an outdoor hot tub in recent years and willing to share some wisdom. Our kids are getting older and we’re reclaiming the backyard from kid space to more of an oasis. A recent trip to Costco and a game of chicken with a Costco hot tub has actually turned into a more feasible conversation.
We live in a place with seasons, we’re people who are outdoors probably 364 days/year, husband has extensive experience with chemicals so it wouldn’t be an issue, we have a space for it (on a concrete patio), and we’re not worried about the resale value of our house. Ideally, we could sit out there and chill after the kids go to bed and let the kids join us on post-skiing days. Would install an outdoor shower off to the side of the patio as well.
Hi! Currently in this process and similar situation – once our HS age kids outgrew the swingset we have a lot more backyard. Can’t speak to how much we use it yet, but we’re told that it’s relatively low maintenance. The work outside of buying the hot tub was (1) pouring a cement pad or putting pavers down; (2) adding electricity; and (3) for us, getting permits from our village and HOA.
We purchased a larger (7 person theoretically, but you’d have to REALLY like the other 6 ppl) tub, upper middle level. We are in the Chicago burbs and are spending about $20K on tub and less than $10K on landscaping, electricity, etc. We’re told increase in electric bill should not be substantial, maybe a few hundred dollars per year.
Really appreciate the numbers. We actually did all the pre-work when we did our patio project a number of years ago – we were updating outlets and our contractor suggested that we put in the upgraded electric just in case we wanted to add something (like this) in the future. The part of our patio that this would go on also has an underlayment that we know about and was done to be able to hold this type of weight, so I think we’re good there.
We just bought a house with a hot tub, I like it but I’m not sure I would buy another if we had to replace it. The chemicals can be kind of fussy, and the best way to keep it clean is to shower before and use the same suit every time (without washing) so you’re not inadvertently adding more chemicals. We do use the same suit every time but don’t wash before getting in because we always shower when getting out and that it just too many steps to take on. My husband got frustrated dealing with the chemicals so now we have a monthly hot tub guy, an added expense (but it sounds like you wouldn’t have that!). It is REALLY nice and relaxing to sit there, we try to make it a weekly thing with the kids which they love, and I’m sure after skiing it would be delightful.
The showering thing is something that we considered – hence looking to add an outdoor shower. Thank you for sharing.
We never used ours and they’re a bit of an eyesore. Ended up with rats nesting in it over the winter because it was warm and they destroyed it. We removed and didn’t replace. They’re expensive to keep heated so that’s usually why you don’t use them as much – you have to plan and turn on the heat well ahead of time.
Good things to think of, thank you!
Have you looked into the cost to keep it heated in ski season? And is there a convenient door and restroom nearby?
We’re looking into the overall energy cost which seems to vary quite a bit by model – that’s my husband’s biggest holdup. And yes re: your layout question, we put in a large patio a number of years ago to replace an unused too small deck (thanks to the readers on here who assured me I would not regret going bigger than I thought I needed… You were SO right). There’s already a door and upgraded power and an accessible restroom.
We got one a few years ago! What questions do you have? My kids use it a lot and they’re not even high school age yet. My 5th grader had a “spa and movie night” which included an outdoor movie and a dip in the hot tub on a cool night. We are skiers and often very sore after a long weekend of skiing so we use it a lot in the winter. In the summer, we turn the temp lower and still get a lot of use in the evenings. My husband is a big gym person so will soak in it after a workout several times/week.
We have a walk-out basement with a shower and the hot tub sits right outside there on the patio.
OO! Okay – this is a lot like us. I am a distance runner and… as I get older things just hurt a little more? I’m currently sitting on a tennis ball to work on a tight muscle, hence today’s question timing…
What size did you get – we were thinking a 6 person tub? Are you happy with the brand you have? Any features that you love or would skip next time?
We love ours! We have teens and they love it too. It has helped our house become a house they want to hang with their friends at and I really like that. My husband and I also use it a few times a week either with the kids or by ourselves. We have not noticed a huge increase in our electric bill and we keep it heated all the time (we turn it down if we are going to be on vacation but otherwise it stays at the temp we like all the time.) Our local pool/hot tub store has a subscribe and save program and so we get chemicals delivered through them.
Okay, this is part of what I want. I love our block and we are so lucky that we live in a place where we can let our kids ride bikes with their friends around the neighborhoods. We can’t do a pool because it would mean killing a gorgeous old tree to make it work with our lot… but again – any model and are you happy with it?
And great idea re: Subscribe and save.
How is the quality and fit of Haven clothes? The brand is carried by both Talbots and Ann Taylor.
I’ve lived in my current city for 20 years. About 13 years ago, I got a sinus infection I couldn’t shake. I would up having an septoplasty and then a scar tissue revision. I also started on allergy shots about 5 years ago. Is it possible my body just is out of warranty? The allergy shots don’t seem to make anything better — could my body just not respond to them? They did a lot of prick testing. I feel that I am always going to be drowning in mucus (both nose and coughing up phlegm). I read “Everything is Tuberculosis” and even though I don’t have that, I wished I could just be sent to the seaside because this is low-key bad and exhausting but not so awful as other chronic illnesses. I’m not sure what will ever move the needle and why the science, good doctors, and a compliant patient aren’t getting the job done.
What were the results of your prick-test?
It makes a huge difference to know if you are allergic to dust mites, grass pollen, cat dander, mold spores, etc. It doesn’t help to take action against environmental pollen if the trigger is mold in your HVAC system and dust mites in your carpet and bedding, for instance.
HVAC is new. Pollen, mold, pets. All in the shot formulary. Which we tweaked to up the mold effectiveness.
My body plays poker and just re-raises, it seems.
I have a J Crew Juliette cardigan that I’ve used as a coat in shoulder seasons past. And then kept on inside depending on the A/C situation. Can anyone with one help me style it for 2026? My old Athleta Pranayama has been donated (COVID suit was that + matching leggings).
I have worn my J Crew old school sweater blazers with wide leg jeans and a tucked-in striped tank recently and gotten compliments. The shoes are difficult as I would normally wear loafers in shoulder season, but my particular pair doesn’t look great with wide leg pants. Almond toe flats with a more pointed vamp work better.
Recs for a hotel in Kansas City? I’m going for a weekend for an event in the suburbs, so I’m relatively agnostic on location (downtown vs. plaza). I’ll just be there for solo time at night and before the event would like to stay somewhere nice. I had used Marriott points to stay at the Raphael a while back (and would be happy to return if that’s the best bet), but now I’ve lost status and can be a hotel free agent. TIA!
I stayed at the Raphael recently and it was wonderful. I’d definitely go back.
I’m traveling to Kansas City for a weekend event in the suburbs and would like to stay at a relatively nice hotel in the city. I’m agnostic on location and brand; I’d stayed at the Raphael on the plaza a few years back and would be happy to return if that’s the best bet, but now I’m a hotel free agent and would try something different if there’s a nice one. Any recs appreciated!
Has anyone purchased and liked a pair of cotton poplin pants? The Jcrew and Leset ones are all over my feed but someone called them expensive scrubs and I can’t unsee it. I’d like an option for summer pants that are a bit crisper than linen and poplin sounded perfect but the cuts either seem to be weirdly pajama pant/scrubs adjacent or barrel legs (ugh).