Splurge Tuesday’s Workwear Report: Embellished Crop Jacket
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Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
Summer is officially here, sartorially speaking, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to pass on a gorgeous tweed-y blazer like this one from Favorite Daughter. The slightly cropped length is perfect for wearing over dresses and the pink tweed will look great with summer pastels and neutrals. I would wear this with a light gray or maybe even a white sheath dress for a formal but still summer-y look.
The jacket is $348 at Nordstrom and comes in sizes XS-XL.
Looking for something similar? Ann Taylor has a number of cropped tweed jackets.
Sales of note for 5/26:
- Nordstrom – The Half-Yearly Sale has started! See our roundup here. Good deals on Veronica Beard, Vince, Reiss (esp. coats), as well as Wit & Wisdom and NYDJ
- Ann Taylor – 25% off + 30% off sale items
- Aurate – 25% off with code (ends 5/26)
- Bare Necessities – Up to 40% off, including tons of bra-sized swimwear (also, 10 panties for $10)
- Boden – 15% off new women's wear styles with code
- Express – Mega Sale, 40% off everything!
- J.Crew – 40% off your purchase and 50% off swim
- J.Crew Factory – Extra 70% off clearance + 50-70% off everything else
- Loft – 50% off one item
- Mango – 30% off everything, and free shipping with $260+
- M.M.LaFleur – Memorial Day Sale, up to 70% off this weekend only! (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off)
- M.Gemi – Memorial Day sale, prices up to 60% off
- Nordstrom Rack – Clear the Rack! Nice selection of Vince, Veronica Beard, Reiss and Rag & Bone, a ton of affordable work basics from Calvin Klein and dresses from Maggy London, Eliza J, and Donna Morgan
- Talbots – $29.50 sunny must-haves
- Theory – 25% off sitewide (see our notes here)
Oh, the early 00s are back. Jacket as outermost layer, making things awkward at TSA lines? Check and check. Slingbacks are already here. Skirt suits to follow?
I love this, is it really back? I felt like a ‘supermodel at an airport’ in this look, back in the day.
I would love it if skirt suits came back. Except that I finally gave all mine away last year!!
Reposting a question from Thursday with a bit more context. I have an interview later this week and trying to think how I frame this.
I could use advice on spinning a layoff / job restructuring in an interview, especially when still sort of employed.
Background: my role was eliminated in March and asked to fulfill a project through the end of May, after months of uncertainty and knowing my role was likely going away. My prior role was a senior leadership role with a large team, but as part of my role being eliminated, my team was spread out across the company and I’ve been kept around as an individual contributor. This week I learned the vendor I’ve been doing the project for wants to keep me on for 3 additional months.
I’ve been interviewing but to date have been employed so it’s truthful when I say I’m still there and I’m looking because my company has been restructuring and the industry isn’t doing well. As of next week I won’t be employed there, but I’ll be a contractor and still gainfully employed.
I don’t want to fail an employment verification check but I also don’t want to add a new role to my resume when it’s likely to be short. I also don’t want to change my title or have a “contractor” role on my resume as it’s not at the caliber of my current role or what I’d be interviewing for.
I don’t understand why you wouldn’t just use the correct dates and positions. If anything, being kept on as a contractor after a layoff shows how necessary you really are, and the whole story perfectly explains why you are looking for a job and that it is not your fault.
This was my thought, too.
Just say what’s actually happening succinctly. You don’t need to spin it, this is a common situation. “Was a senior X leading Y, division eliminated, staying as contractor during transition, seeking full time role.”
Agree. OP, you are overthinking this. State the reality cleanly without trying to spin it. Attempting to frame it as anything else is makes it weird and likely to raise flags.
+1. This is the way. It is a totally fine/normal explanation.
Yes, this is it. Totally understandable.
Used a bad word
Just say what’s actually happening succinctly. You don’t need to spin it, this is a common situation. “Was a senior X leading Y, division eliminated, staying as contractor during tr@nsition, seeking full time role.”
I think the advice that you got last week was great.
Can you post your best sangria recipes (with red whine)? Also, how do you serve? I have a punch bowl and punch cups that I’d love to use. Otherwise, it’s a pitcher and either tall margarita glasses or the short glasses I use for Old Fashioneds. The pitcher isn’t that big, so maybe a punch bowl will hold it better? I want to try something new this summer.
I usually make mine with white whine! :) But it’s really whatever you feel – strawberries, honeydew/watermelon, mango, peaches, oranges – the juicier ones tend to break down nicely and flavor everything. I put them in a big container and use a potato masher and then pour wine over for a day or half day. Then when it’s ready to serve pour in a sparkling wine. Keep tasting to ensure proportions. Highballs, lowballs or wine glasses but I’m usually making for a crowd so it’s solo cups! Punch bowl would be cute.
Do you need to add sugar? I feel like something in sangria has made it slightly sweet but IDK if that is adding some sort of liquor / rum / bourbon or just sugar. I’d rather it be not high-test but do want a rich / deep flavor vs just notes of sugar (like a good margarita made with juice vs bad mix from a vat).
Not necessarily for sangria, but for some of my punch recipes I like to boil cinnamon sticks, cloves, lemon rind for an hour or so with water, add a bit of honey, and use that as my sweetener, maybe with some applicable juices, depending on what I’m making.
My sangria recipe has Cointreau and sugar, but I leave out the sugar.
Add brandy, not sugar.
In my state, we have state-run ABC stores that seem to sell mainly big bottles of cheap vodka. Is there a spirit actually named “brandy” somewhere on the shelves? I don’t think I’ve ever looked for it before, but I would for a good sangria as an outcome. What do I need to look for and stay away from.
This is going to be a fun summer.
Brandy is distilled wine. If you ever read a Regency romance, the men are always enjoying brandy after dinner while the women have tea in the drawing room.
Yes, brandy and vodka are two distinctly different products.
I’m feel that I am familiar with brandy from folklore and also homemade fruit brandy sold to tourists at farmstands. Maybe it’s like port though, which I like.
Nice brandy is usually Cognac, but there are other kinds. It’s definitely not vodka.
Brandy actually exists.
Sometimes I drink it to settle my stomach.
Oh, I know that vodka and brandy are different spirits. Our local drinkers are who they stock shelves for and it seems to be so heavy on the vodka and cheap volume stuff for serious alcoholics, that I am not sure what else they stock. And because it’s state-run, it’s not like there is a “nice” liquor store where I can talk to someone about things somewhere else.
There’s no way your ABC just sells big bottles of cheap vodka. I promise they sell brandy. Also, it’s okay to ask the people who work there about it, even though they work for the state.
I’d make something else, sangria is gross and very retro in a bad way at this point.
Thanks for your very specific and unique to mostly you viewpoint.
No, there are others that agree with 10.01
And? I think bagged salad is gross, so what?
There’s always that highly toxic person who loves to trash something someone else likes for no reason at all. Word to the wise, don’t be that person.
Why is it toxic to point out that something expensive and labor intensive is unlikely to be appreciated by the crowd OP probably wants to please?
Maybe you don’t like wine; maybe you don’t like brandy; maybe you don’t like fruit soaked in wine. Those are all fine.
For those who do, sangria is good so long as each component is good.
I think of sangria as a crowd pleaser. Love it in the summer.
Agree it’s gross. Too much sugar and it either destroys a decent bottle of wine or the base wine is just bad liquor. It’s jungle juice masquerading as a cocktail.
OMG, give it a rest. This thread isn’t for you, clearly.
I love sangria 🙈
This is silly. I can’t stand sangria, but lots of people love it. I also dislike fruitiness and juiciness in wine, which lots of people appreciate. This is “people have different tastes” 101.
If you make it in a punch bowl, use a batch recipe. You get into issues of dilution, stirring, what can be added early and what should be added later on, chilling it, etc.
I don’t have a sangria recipe, but I have an alternative suggestion for summer wine: tinto de verano (literally, summer red wine). It’s a Spanish drink that’s red wine (usually a Tempranillo or Garnacha) with a soda water (usually lemon or lime flavored). I just make it with Sprite. Mix equal parts red wine with Sprite over ice, add a lemon slice for garnish if you’re feeling fancy, done.
I love Fresca. I wonder which wine (etc.) it pairs with.
It’s niche, but I will throw a few orange slides, a couple of star anise, and a cinnamon stick into a pitcher or an outdoor glass dispenser. Chill for 2-8 hours (optional to add cognac, Cointreau, or dark rum. Use a decent medium red (nothing too robust). Add a splash of sparkling water when you’re ready to serve.
Planning a milestone anniversary trip early fall and thinking of Korea (have never been) vs Thailand (multiple times to Bangkok but not beyond). Thoughts, tips, anecdotes welcome!
I’ve been to both (well only to Seoul in Korea, been to many different places in Thailand). TBH neither place screams milestone anniversary to me. What are you interested in doing? The beaches in Thailand are pretty terrible compared to beaches in Hawaii, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. There’s massive overtourism and a lot of trash.
I haven’t been but my friend found some nice beaches in South Korea. Japan is also an option.
Yes Jeju Island is supposed to be nice. I have no doubt that Thailand’s beaches used to be really nice but overtourism has just destroyed them.
You’ve seen one city in South Korea. Please. Jeju is so romantic.
Personally my favorite place is Japan.
OK, women ages 45+ … where are you buying your swimwear? I went to the pool on Sunday and realized that mine no longer provides enough support in the chest and stomach area. Size 14-16. I typically wear tankinis. (I’m a pear with a long torso. Finding a one-piece that fits everywhere is literally impossible. I’ve tried.)
Sporty two piece with rashguard
Sorry realized you said where, not what. Lands End is my go-to.
OP here. I’ve considered this option. My issue with rashguards is that they really cling to bellies that are softer. :(
La Blanca has one with very supportive cups – twist front shirred one piece, Island Goddess. Someone mentioned Gottex last week, shirred peasant one piece. Both should come in a tankini top too.
I bought a Boden long-length suit and really like it. I bought one of their long sleeved versions for sun protection.
Year after year, I find it nearly impossible to find a sporty swimsuit that is practical and comfortable AND that doesn’t have those stupid removable pads that slide around, get bunched up, and make the top take longer to dry. Why is it so hard for manufacturers to include a thin sewn-in lining for headlight coverage?
I prefer tankinis as well and don’t find one pieces very comfortable. Some brands I’ve liked:
La Blanca
Sunsets
Birdsong
I have something in my Gottex cart and they seem to have some cute options. I was also eyeing a Next by Athena suit this weekend but didn’t pull the trigger.
I used to like Athleta but their tankinis got shorter and their quality has gone downhill. Similar comment for Lands End, they used to have cute stuff but now it seems to be for grandmas and they don’t seem to have a lot of sizes in stock.
OP here. Athleta used to be my go-to, but they’ve changed their styles a lot and I don’t like them anymore. I’ve tried on Lands End suits a couple of times. They made my figure look even more matronly than it already does. I don’t know a nicer way to say it! I have a Jantzen tankini that I like, but I wish they came in more fun solid colors! I may look at La Blanca for that.
I am a little younger than you, but optimize for sun protection and then comfort for laps. I hated trying to find something attractive when I was younger and it’s freeing to mostly do away with this requirement.
My solution is swim shorts or leggings from Land’s End, a sport bikini top from Tyr or Speedo, and a high neck rash guard with thumb holes if I’m swimming when the UV index is high.
Pear here. I like Gottex and Tommy Bahama. You can often find Gottex on sale at RueLaLa.
For extra support in the chest and stomach area, I like LandsEnd SlenderSuit line. You can filter for long torso.
We’re moving and need to get curtains installed (on a budget) in advance for a few awkward spots that don’t already have any blinds. The trickiest one is the very wide sliding door in the master bedroom that needs a blackout curtain. I can’t seem to find two panels that are wide enough, but then three would be far too wide. Any recommendations for me for stores to check out that could accommodate this? I didn’t do a fully exhaustive search but Pottery Barn and West Elm, plus a random local place, didn’t have the right widths online. Definitely need effective black out too.
You will get much better blackout coverage with more fabric.
Personally, I have four standard-sized panels on a double-width sliding door. This doesn’t look stretched-thin when closed, and there isn’t an awkward split trying to figure out where to divide the third panel around the support bracket in the middle of the rod.
Are you able to move all four fully out of the way when you want to let light in?
I’d do the three panels — or four. If the door placement allows, you can also extend your curtain rod way past sides of the door — that gives space on either side of the doors for the curtains to hang.
I saw Paige Wassel recommend these track curtains, and I used two of the 60″ wide panels for a very large window in my last apartment. I’m a HUGE fan– they are actually blackout, glide easily on the curtain track, and look much nicer than the price would suggest. I’m afraid the amazn link will get stuck in mod, so I’ll post that as a separate comment, but you can also search the very lengthy product name:
“Vision Home Natural Pinch Pleated Full Blackout Curtains Linen Blended Room Darkening Window Curtains 90 inch for Living Room Bedroom Thermal Insulated Pinch Pleat Drapes with Hooks 1 Panel 60″Wx90″L”
Link to the curtains: https://a.co/d/0ald3Apw
and the rod I used: https://a.co/d/0fJnm4Ow
Custom sized panels from Two Pages with the desired black-out level? Still expensive but I’ve found that these look considerably nicer than the Target / Ikea level and wind up costing less than Ballard, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel for similar coverage.
You can get custom size panels, even from retailers like pottery barn. You’ll be limited in choice if you go that route, but if you want whiteish or neutral curtains, you can custom order by width or length. https://www.potterybarn.com/products/custom-emery-linen-cotton-rod-pocket-blackout-curtain-white/
If you want to spend as little as possible, I’d get IKEA curtains and customize the widths with their iron-on hem tape.
Use 4 panels from whatever retailer. I can attest that the PB cotton velvet blackout panels are very effective (and also, as someone else noted, can be ordered in custom sizes), and RH has a twill blackout that will suck all of the light out of the room. (It will also suck all of the money out of your bank account unless you find them on FBMP. But, having found them, I believe they would be worth it at full price.) The key is going to be mounting high and maybe a little wide since you’ll be moving them out of the way. With most of these brands, you also have options about the way you mount, and I would use rings in this case, since they make it easier to shove the curtains aside.
Those of you who have excessive sweat either under the arms or with your feet, how are you handling, and if you see a medical professional, what type? Derm? My (young adult) daughter was home over the weekend and is suffering through both, but not with any products or medical intervention, but bringing changes of socks, or tops, etc. I’d love to point her in a direction to get real help and would love to hear of any IRL experiences from this board to get her started. We can and will google, but hearing from you all is very persuasive!
I can’t help with the feet but certain dri deoderant applied at night helps a lot with underarms.
Secret Clinical Strength for underarms plus the Lume unscented antiperspirant cream with aluminum for other areas. Apply at night.
You can do botox in your armpits to help with this. I know someone who did it.
Underarm Botox for hyperhydrosis. This has been lifechanging for me. There are a few stops on the treatment pathway before this – a heavy duty anti perspirant, medication that dries you out but can also cause dry mouth/eyes, and then the Botox. I went from sweating fully through a lined wool suit every day to zero sweat unless exercising.
No medical advice, but you can try terry cotton insoles (removable and washable) for the feet. Pedag has decent ones. My office mate has hyperhidrosis and these have prolonged the life of many of her shoes. It is possible that what you described might be treatable, but it also might be something your daughter learns to live with.
I got prescription drysol from my dermatologist in high school. certain dri also made a difference. (Don’t use together!) You have to follow instructions and be cautious bc you can get very irritated but very effective
If you go to a dermatologist, there’s an RX called Qbreza that stop sweating. There are mixed reviews online but I love it. I get lots of irritation with drysol and certain-dri that make those super annoying to use (certain dri gives me something like a chemical burn). The wipes are way cheaper than botox (botox is like $800-$900 quarterly because it’s so many units), I get the wipes for $50/30 day supply. I find the towelettes are very large so I cut them into thirds and store in an airtight container and apply every other day.
Has anyone ever had a BI-RADs 4 mammogram (that turned out to be something that looked like DCIS but when biopsied was not cancer) go back to being a BI-RADS 0 or 1 in following years? I usually go in the summer (so scheduling now) and last year it found up being a bit of an adventure.
FWIW, if you need an MRI-guided biopsy, I was able to find a med school professor explaining how it went on YouTube and it was really helpful for me to watch as mental prep for what was coming. Everything is on YouTube now.
In 2026, is it unreasonable to interpret an “onsite” job as providing some flexibility and possible opportunity to work from home 1-2x a week? I applied to a job that is about a 50-minute one-way commute. I can come in multiple days a week and any day that is needed, but I don’t want to come in 5 days a week each and every week. This came up in recruiter screen, and recruiter acted like I did a bait and switch. This is for a senior level attorney role.
Not unreasonable. A 50-minute one-way commute every single day is insanity for a lawyer in 2025 when VPNs, Zoom, and shared online workspaces exist. It can and should be the working assumption that those jobs are hybrid unless explicitly stated to be “mandatory in-office five days a week,” which is your sign to run far, far away. I’ve never met a company with mandatory 5 days RTO that also respected me as a person.
I feel like it’s unreasonable to expect but it’s a reasonable ask re flexibility, especially after an making a strong initial effort to be in-office to ramp up and meet people.
If the culture is in-office, one group getting flex privileges often doesn’t go over well on a company level. Different companies are IMO very different.
Reasonable to ask. But the answer may be butt in seat culture and I wouldn’t expect that to change for you.
+1
Even if they say they’ll make an exception for you, it’ll hugely stymied your growth at the company of everyone end is butter in seats (with a SAHW to boot)
+1 – also one day a week might be reasonable but 2 is pushing it a lot.