Frugal Friday’s Workwear Report: Ponte Pencil Skirt
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Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
I love using a long weekend for a closet purge. In my most recent cleanout, I discovered that some of my favorite basics needed a bit of a refresh after many years of dedicated service. If you’re looking for wardrobe workhorses on a budget, Nordstrom Rack is your girl.
This ponte pencil skirt isn’t going to be the most exciting thing in your closet, but you’ll be glad to have it when you need an outfit that looks professional and put-together. (For the OG readers, I dare say that it reminds me a bit of The Skirt from days of yore.)
The skirt is $24.87 at Nordstrom Rack and comes in sizes XS-XL.
Sales of note for 5/15:
- Nordstrom – 3800+ items in “new markdowns” — I kind of wonder if they've started marking down stuff for their Half-Yearly sale that usually starts the week before Memorial Day. Good deals on Veronica Beard, Vince, Reiss (esp. coats), as well as Wit & Wisdom and NYDJ
- Alexis Bittar – Vault sale! 100s of re-issued archival styles up to 70% off, plus 25% off all full-price styles too
- Ann Taylor – Extra 40% off sale
- Boden – Up to 50% off with new styles added
- J.Crew – 40% off your purchase and 50% off dresses
- J.Crew Factory – Extra 50% off clearance + extra 20% off orders over $125
- Lands' End – Up to 60% off sitewide + extra 60% off sale and clearance
- Loft – 50% off your purchase, and 5/15 only: take 60% off the LOFT Versa collection
- Mango – Weekend exclusive, 30% off everything, and free shipping with $260+
- M.M.LaFleur – Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off
- Supergoop – 20% off sitewide + free Glow Stick (also, free shipping with $50+)
- Talbots – Extra 40% +15% off all markdowns, plus Summer Fridays One Day Sale (5/15), $19.50 pocket tees and $29.50 relaxed chino shorts.
- Theory – 25% off sitewide
- TOCCIN – 30% off select items with code! (You can't stack codes, but on full price items try 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!
Does anyone know if Ayr denim ever throws discount codes besides email signup? Or anywhere to buy rather than their website?
FWIW, I paid full price and they are the best jeans I have ever owned. I have the secret sauce in good mood.
They very very rarely do discount codes, but I just checked my emails and the last one I have from them was for 10% off so no different. They do good sales though so maybe check that.
Long shot but has anyone had to have asbestos removed from ductwork? Did you replace the all the ducts or just ones with confirmed asbestos? Our heads are spinning between obviously fake reviews for local companies and local rumors that HVAC companies upsell and R3ddit being snarky. Not sure how to approach this job anymore.
Oh, and quick clarification that we can’t just let it be because the HVAC guys won’t go down in the crawl space to do some other work until it’s addressed. Anyone been through a recent remodel or reno with any advice?
It’s been a long time since we had to do this remediation and the only advice I can offer is to see if your state offers any suggestions as to contractors. This was 20+ years ago, but I do remember our state had a page of information on remediation and even offered up the name of companies who did it, and we used one of them. What a PITA this process is, but the peace of mind in knowing it was gone was worth it in the end. Good luck to you!
We are in a state where asbestos removal is highly regulated. You need to get a service certified to do this work. And remove everything you can get to.
I need a last minute gift for my nephew and his fiancee, who I’ll see this weekend. Nothing elaborate, but just something to mark the occasion that I don’t need to order from Etsy! They just moved in together and purchased a house, but I want to mark the engagement more so than the house. All ideas welcome – thinking a budget of up to $75.
Ice bucket
I was given several ice buckets and used zero of them.
To pile on, I am a fancy person who uses lots of silver, the good china, entertain frequently and all that and never have I ever used the ice bucket I got as a wedding gift. It is pretty and sits on the bar cart. I’m pretty good at repurposing things too and this just isn’t one of those items. If you want this category, a good cocktail shaker is a better call.
Pretty flutes and a bottle of champagne?
Spend the money to get better champagne. They will wind up with too much glassware.
This little Vietri bud vase is so elegant and comes packaged nicely in a box. I have it in clear, but it also comes in some lovely colors.
https://www.macys.com/shop/product/vietri-hibiscus-glass-bud-vase?ID=5798571
Have a question for the skin care junkies among us. A few months ago, I started using a body lotion with retinol in it once or twice a week (yes I was definitely influenced by SM on this). Now that warm weather is here, I typically would start using a gradual skin tanner to warm up my ghostly arms and legs, but am wondering, is the retinol just going to undo what I hope to accomplish with the gradual skin tanner? If retinol promotes skin “turnover”, is it just going to help shed the layer that the gradual tanner is working on??
If you wanted to look, not necessarily “old money” but upper class or chic what are the main do’s and don’ts? I am trying to upgrade my overall vibe.
No logos? no patterns? stripes yes polka dots no? I am so confused.
Thanks.
Where are you starting from?
What is your current vibe and body type? It has to match the look you’re going for or it will just look like a costume.
Also where are you spending the most time? Is this vibe upgrade for work or weekends?
I hate to sound like Hannibal Lechter, but don’t wear cheap shoes.
This doesn’t mean that you have to wear expensive shoes.
I saw someone last week at a more formal event wearing leather shoes where the finish was flaking off. I’m guessing he was starting out and couldn’t afford better shoes, but you want something that is neutral vs memorable.
The easiest answer, knowing nothing else about you, is moisturize, stick to solid colors, don’t show too much skin, when in doubt, go up a size, have glossy hair, keep your nails from being a focal point, don’t show your toes unless they are ready for prime time. Re mannerisms, avoid filler words—be silent when thinking, avoid ummm, whaaat?, uhh. Shut your mouth and breathe through your nose. Check your posture—farmers walks can help, brush and floss regularly so you can smile easily at people, if you choose to.
Have your clothes be clean and in good repair. I see so many younger women in longer pants and the hems are just dragging on the ground. Fine if that is how you want to be on a weekend (but seriously though with bar bathroom sludge?), but that’s not a good look for work pants. If it’s raining or at all wet on the sidewalks, it’s just a rough look.
Tailoring and grooming are typically more important than the actual clothes (which do matter, too, obviously). Also, jewelry that is real or a very very good fake.
I was recently at a conference and the tailoring and fit mattered so much more than the level of formality.
I have a tan 3-season lined wool pencil skirt from Banana that I wear the heck out of now that 90s minimalism is back. I wish they had not sold out of my size in other neutrals.
I can’t do a knit pencil skirt to save my life.
What would be your ideal hotel staycation itinerary for 2 or 3 days?
I’m in the Chicago area and thinking about scheduling a staycation- getting a hotel and taking a break from the day to day for a couple nights. Ideally doing something touristy, some shopping, middle of the afternoon coffee or wine breaks, some people watching etc…
My summer is bookended with flights for family trips. I’m not feeling up for an international trip this year.
I love the architecture boat tour.
I am trying to be a better desk snacker. Like healthier choices, less sugar, etc. I bought some walnuts. OMFG I won’t have to worry about over-eating because these things are so damn bitter. Who eats these? Do they taste good to some of you? Maybe in a salad they wouldn’t be so awful but solo they are not delightful. Still: a few of these may tide me over until I can get lunch.
I had had peanuts and had run out, but dislike having peanut breath at work and was trying other things.
This was hilarious to me. See about getting some dark chocolate chips to mix in with them. At least you know you don’t care for walnuts!