Splurge Monday’s Workwear Report: Candelo Wool Cotton Blend Jacket
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Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
I hate paying for shipping, especially international shipping, but this jacket from The Fold London is making me lose my resolve. The blouson sleeves are so chic, and the slightly boxy fit looks both elegant and effortless. I could see myself wearing this with trousers, denim, midi skirts, or just about anything else in my closet.
The ivory color is a wool blend, but it also comes in navy in a “sculpt knit” that looks equally gorgeous.
The jacket is $365 at The Fold London and comes in sizes XS-XL.
Sales of note for 6/12:
- Another Tomorrow – Seasonal sale, 50% off select styles
- Ann Taylor – Last day 6/12: Extra 60% off sale! Readers love this blouse and I always love the variety of colors/textures for this jacket (it's a great separate)
- Athleta – 40% off tees, dresses, tanks, linen, and swim
- AYR – Ooh, good sale section — but lots on final sale. Readers love (LOVE) these comfy work pants and these jeans.
- Bare Necessities – Semi-annual sale, up to 60% off, plus get an additional 40% off clearance swim. Readers have sung the praises of these cooling pajamas and their bra-sized swimwear
- Boden – 15% off new women's wear styles with code
- Glossier – 20-25% off almost everything (including subscriptions!)
- J.Crew – 50% off tops, dresses, skirts and more
- J.Crew Factory – Extra 50% off clearance + extra 20% off 3+ styles
- Jenni Kayne – Semi-annual warehouse sale
- Loft – 50% off everything + free shipping
- M.M.LaFleur– This weekend only, 25% off jardigans (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off on other items)
- Nordstrom – 6900+ new markdowns added – nice selection from Boss, Vince, Veronica Beard, Theory, Beyond Yoga, and Zella
- Nordstrom Rack – Clearance, new arrivals up to 75% off! 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 – Tons of markdowns, extra 60% off 2+, 50% off one
Paying for shipping doesn’t bother me. Someone has to pay for it.
Agreed.
We pay for it either way: included or broken down so you can see the postage cost.
So many stores bake shipping in the product list prices that for stores that don’t, it feels like getting to checkout for a hotel when the nightly rate jumps because of one-off fees.
It may not be logical but I prefer either free shipping over a certain dollar limit, or actual shipping costs for items that total less than that. Not flat rate domestic shipping when it costs as much as the item itself; I will abandon my cart in that case.
Agreed. It’s especially bad when you’re Canadian (like me). It’s outrageous when a company will charge a flat $35USD rate for shipping to Canada when I know it doesn’t actually cost that much!
+1
I no longer go for free shipping/returns as a positive.
If stores still carried stuff in their actual store, I would agree with you. But most brands do not have consistent sizing, and especially not across brands. I never know if something is going to fit or if I would like it. And I’m not willing to pay for shipping just to try something on, when the store refuses to carry half their products at the physical locations.
I’ve grown frustrated with receiving obvious seconds. I don’t know if department stores that no longer carry all sizes really put out on their shelves pants with misaligned pockets or asymmetric necklines, but I know they will mail them to people.
+1 – Especially because stores almost always refuse to carry plus sizes in stores. If you as a business don’t want to pay for the floor space in a store to cater to plus size customers, you had better be willing to bite the bullet and pay for all the shipping and returns costs, and I’m going to feel zero guilt about buying lots to try on and returning what I dont like and what doesn’t fit me.
FYI – there is a AAA ad with audio that overrides my browser’s mute settings playing this morning.
I’m not typically a sports person (but Im a former New Yorker and the scenes out of NYC on Saturday night show both what makes nyc so special and the amazing ability of something bringing people from
all walks of life, who likely have next to nothing in common, together. also, that main player from the Spurs has beyond terrible sportsmanship. Congrats to any Knicks fins!
Also a former NY’er and as such I changed my work travel this week to get out a day early and avoid the parade route. Very, very excited for the Knicks fans but trying to get a taxi on Thursday with half of the financial district locked down would have been a nightmare.
They also set five buses on fire and a teenager was shot.
They burned five school buses too…
I know. That’s not how we used to roll.
OTOH, I know NYC schools are still going, but why were school buses there at that time of day on a Saturday night?
To transport spectators to the World Cup. Quite ironic that sports fans ruined an experience for other sports fans.
Really? They set fire to a bus.
All of them? Each and every person celebrating set fire to a bus? Do you actually think that OP was endorsing the burning of a school bus?
I remember numerous sports all championships with rioting in the early 2000s. I don’t get it and think it’s stupid, but It’s nothing new.
* sportball championships
Nods from University of Michigan in the 1990s
Anyone else watching the World Cup? And seeing the amazing national formal team outfits? Go and have a look at the Democratic Republic of Congo suits! They are fantastic.
My favorite part of the world cup is all the social media posts of local towns celebrating foreign visitors and foreign visitors enjoying stereotypical US foods. The Kansas state band learning the Algerian national anthem and the Jayhawk cheering on the team made me teary.
I live in Lawrence Kansas. I have two nieces who were in the KU marching Jayhawks when they were in school. I am so proud of how our community has opened its arms and hearts to Algeria. Check out the social media posts about the crop mural with the Algerian flag on the KU campus.
They aren’t joking about Algerian kit and T-shirts being all over town right now. It is amazing to see just how much we have adopted the fennec foxes as our team.
I am truly amused by the social media post about Scots visitors discovering tailgating. That is one of those quintessentially American sports traditions that you just can’t explain to someone. It must be experienced.
Ahhh, I love this. Way to go, Jawhawks.
Signed,
A neighbor to the north
LOL, that should say Jayhawks.
This European had to google tailgating, heh.
Not a tradition here, but we don’t have that kind of car culture.
Those suits were incredible! I don’t care about football, but quite enjoy the cheer of it. Scotland was supposed to have a public holiday for its appearance but only certain councils and the government gave it, so I’m salty. Could have used a day off.
My favourite world cup was 2014 – a friend didn’t have a TV (refusal to own TVs – truly one of our more academic annoying traits). We volunteered to let her 12 year old nephew come over to watch – we ended up getting super into it. He’d give us all the backstories of the teams and players.
Their suits were indeed awesome-giving Wakanda/Black Panther vibes. I’m also loving the visitors discovering American food/culture videos.
And in other sporting news–GO CANES! For feel-good videos, everyone please go watch the video of Seth Jarvis’s buddies celebrating with him.
My son has just moved to NC and works with a bunch of rabid Canes fans, so, naturally, he is also now a rabid Canes fan. It’s so fun to see Southern cities rally around a hockey team.
Are we still wearing cross bodies? Looking at the nylon one at Quince for a big trip next year in Asia.
what! who are these “we” people??
wear what you need to be comfortable traveling. I just cannot with the whole “on trend” and “dated”
end of rant.
Why do you read a fashion blog then?
Haha, I agree. Such a hive mind here, sometimes. I wear a cross body bag and do not care if anyone else does.
I am, especially when travelling. But the choice more about function than fashion. I like not having to adjust as shoulder strap or be worried about it slipping in crowded areas.
they’re not as ‘trendy’ as they were awhile back but they are a practical classic. I vastly prefer a style with a zip-top as opposed to a flap for ease of one-handed access, though. Flaps always feel like they’re in the way of my hand or view when trying to fish something out!
Yes
Yes, especially for travel.
I got a great crossbody for my recent trip to Italy. I will be the first to admit it’s not super fashionable but it held everything I needed including a small water bottle and was so convenient when out and about: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DN8FTWPW?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1&psc=1
They are not trendy the way they were a few years ago, but they are not so out of date that anyone will notice and they are so incredibly practical for travel that half of the tourists will be wearing one. The ones from Quince are perfect because you will not be investing a lot of money on the backside of the trend.
Fun fact – I had a Disney themed one from the 1990s (back when we wore them around our waists and called them fanny packs) and my (much) younger siblings laughed at me for being dorky. One of their tween daughters just called to ask if she can borrow it for an upcoming Disney trip because it is “vintage” (and yes I do still have it and yes I feel very old).
Love this pick! I can see this working as a nice, modern blazer alternative for a lot of trousers (and maybe a few skirts or dresses too). I ordered it, thanks!
Psa for anyone else looking at it, it’s on pre-order now for shipping next month. At least for me in Canada.
My 10-year-old leather wallet from the Coach Outlet bit the dust. I want to replace it with something durable. My wallet gets thrown in my gym bag and moved between purses on a regular basis. Where should I look for something that will hold 10 or so cards and some cash? I don’t want it so small it will get lost in the bottom of my gym bag, and I don’t want the cardholder to be too tight. I don’t like fighting to get one in or out. Ideally, it has some type of compartmentalization. Should I look for something made of Canvas? What are some brands I should check out that will have what I am looking for in the $100 range?
I’ve actually been very happy with my leather wallet from Quince. It is holding up great, and the organization is exactly what I want from a wallet.
Lo & Sons
I’ve had good luck at Fossil.
Going to Montreal for the first time this summer. Traveling with elementary and middle school kids. Recs for great cafes, museums with broad appeal, and any other can’t-miss stops would be much appreciated. Hotel is near the Golden Square Mile.
climbing Mont Royal for beautiful views
the Biodome was a really fun stop even for adults.
Our kids loved the Biodome!
My son loved the Museum of Archaeology and History and the Biodome. We also all had a great morning at the Marche Atwater, trying a ton of stuff and eventually putting together a wonderful lunch. Some of our favorite sit-down meals were Fleur et Cadeaux and Damas for dinner, and Olive et Gourmando and La Banquise for lunch.
La Beignerie. I still think about the apple fritter I had (multiple mornings) when I was there for work.
These are my favourite donuts in the whole wide world. Though personally I’m a Boston cream gal.
Juilette et chocolat for intense desserts.
Get bagels at Saint-Viateur (if you’ve never had a Montreal bagel before, you’re in for a treat – so much better than traditional/NY bagels) and smoked meat sandwiches at Schwartz’s Deli.
following, I’m taking my 8 year old for fall break.
The plateau for cute houses, bagels, crepes, cafes and second-hand shops.
Lots of mj smoke, so if any of your party is sensitive to smoke, some areas can be unpleasant, downtown in particular.
A few months ago, I went through the unexpected break-up of a multi-decade relationship. Think I lost him to a constellation of mid-life issues including covert male depression. I’m trying to focus on my life and find a way to thrive alone… so far have been exercising and training outside a great deal. I’d love any of your advice, including self-help, fiction, non-fiction books to read, other ways to shift focus to myself and away from ruminating on him. Any small joyful things to buy, routines to establish, cheerful fashion, other advice would be incredibly welcome!
I offer this with a lot of caveats, but you may enjoy reading Untamed by Glennon Doyle. There’s some good stuff in there about transitions and starting over.
Is there anything you haven’t been doing because you knew your former partner wouldn’t have been into it? Start there! If it were me, I would be leaning hard into decorating my home with things that I love (but most men would not, like lavender paint and bed sheets).
I recommend against reading Glennon Doyle. She is insufferable.
I would focus on doing the things you love or have always wanted to try–yoga, adult ballet, Pilates, running, martial arts, choir…
+1 Op left her relationship and has the courage to start over. Doyle stayed in her crummy marriage until someone better, who was also married btw, came along. Then she made a career of calling herself brave for doing it. Doyle never, ever thrived alone or even tried. Doyle could learn more from op than the other way around.
Another book recommendation: 50 is the New Fifty by Suzanne Braun Levine
Are you into travel?
Yes! Any specific ideas that involve water – swimming, sailing, etc. and good food would be welcome, especially in the Sep-Oct timeframe.
get thee to the Med – Sept & Oct are stunning in southern Europe.
+1 to Southern Italy or elsewhere-Salerno is a great way to get to Amalfi and very friendly conversations with local folks especially if you speak a bit of Italian. I loved visiting Barbados as well.
+1. Greece was gorgeous when we went one October. If you need to stay in the country, New England in the fall is famous for a reason.
I went through a really horrible, unwanted (by me) divorce a few years ago. First thing I did was buy new sheets (I kept the house as he was moving into a college dorm. He was 34, so I never worked that out.). I then bought a green dress (ex did not like me to wear green). I purged everything that I didn’t like or that was too painful to look at, freeing up space for what I did like.
I would have things you look forward to on your daily life – good skin care, maybe a manicure, getting coffee at new places. Have a friend from out of town come stay for a couple of days. Learn some new recipes.
You sound really positive and I’m sure things will get better and better! In terms of books, I don’t know what kind you like, but I was an English major and went back and read a lot of Dickens after my divorce. It’s pretty absorbing and definitely puts you in a very different world.
Go out and find your people. When I left my marriage it took me awhile (still smarting at the UU church that was so unfriendly) but I landed in my local Rotary Club and they’re still my tribe, 13 years later. Whether it’s a service club, exercise class, music class, volunteer activity, or whatever, find something where you will be with the same people on a regular basis and can build you social life back up.
I had kind of a bummer of the weekend. I went to a winery Friday night with a big group of friends to enjoy some live music — usually something I enjoy a lot. By 8:30 p.m., I was ready to go, and I did. I was worn out, overstimulated by people and music, and not having a great time. I didn’t have much to drink, but the amount I had made me tired and cranky.
I felt really low-energy for the rest of the weekend. I don’t know why. The weather was beautiful, and I feel like I squandered it away doing chores and trying to rest. There have been times in the past couple of months when I’ve wondered if I have some low-level depression going on, and this weekend is a good example of why. I am not sad, but a lot of things don’t sound (or feel) fun or enjoyable.
I’m on an SSRI already. I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow for an annual checkup. Should I say anything, and if so, what?
Yes, tell your doctor exactly this.
My husband was on the same SSRI for many years and it just was not effective anymore. He was very, very depressed, though he didn’t think of himself that way. Thankfully he sought the assistance of a psychiatrist, transitioned to another med, and now he’s doing amazing! So much more engaged with life. Starting new hobbies, more present at home.
Yeah SSRIs aren’t usually expected to just work forever (antidepressant tachyphylaxis or “poop out” is real).
Definitely talk to your doctor about it, and if you’re not at an age where you usually get blood tests done, ask to check things like thyroid, vitamin D, etc. (I’m not a medical professional – those are just things I think of as being related to low energy, so ymmv.) Also, don’t be too hard on yourself. I’ve always been somewhat prone to episodic depression, and one important lesson I’ve learned is just to feel what I feel and know it will pass. This was a bummer of a weekend, and maybe a bummer of a month. But there will be other beautiful weekends with fun winery trips, and you haven’t squandered anything.
How old are you? This may be clinical depression, or it may be burnout, or it may be just one of those weekends, or it may be hormonal depression (as I call it)–a brain chemistry issue (but you are already on SSRIs) or a hormone imbalance issue. If you’re already on SSRIs, and you’re in the age range, ask them about starting low-level HRT (NOT birth control pills). It might help. I’m not on SSRIs but realized that I had been getting more and more depressed in the way you describe, but it was linked to my cycle.
And I’m not trying to downplay how you felt at all, but also, sometimes I just get the blahs like that. And it passes. You could have already been overtired/stressed and not realized it. Even if we’re not depressed, we’re not necessarily going to be happy/content/excited/feeling our best 100% of the time.
45. I don’t think burnout, nor peri, is helping matters. The tricky part is that I’ve had a hysterectomy but kept my ovaries, so there’s still hormonal stuff happening but I don’t have a cycle to track.
Are you me!? Also 45, also had a hysterectomy and kept ovaries. Starting HRT made a HUGE difference for me. It’s hard for us because we lose the ability to monitor cycles to see if things are changing, so our ovaries can be acting up behind the scenes. Definitely inquire if it’s an option for you; it made me feel like myself again!
To me that sounds more like just a touch of a bug that’s imperceptible in your normal routine, but the wine and oberstimulation had you exhausted and feeling like crap. I’d treat it like a light cold (rest, hydrate, walking or other very light movement) before jumping to an escalation of your depression symptoms, but you know your own body best.
Second this. Sounded like “coming down with something” to me.
Yes, I’d mention it, but also it’s ok for things that used to be fun to now be ‘too much’ as you get older, IMHO.
Like, I used to go out with friends at 10pm. Uh, that’s bedtime and the thought of going to a crowded bar with loud live music gives me almost a pre-emptive headache. That’s ok.
+1. And also, for me at least, alcohol impacts me way, way more than it used to now that I am in my early 40s. So you might have been suffering from a bit of a hangover too, even though you didn’t drink that much.
If going home at 8:30 is depression, then I guess I’m depressed. I’m a day person, that sounds like hell.
OP here, and this is just one example! I am more of a daytime person than a nighttime person, and that’s only become more true with age. But, I still want to be able to go out once in awhile and actually enjoy it. And this isn’t the only thing I’m not enjoying much at the moment.
Seriously. You were tired and not having fun so you went home. Why do you have to make it a bigger deal than that?
Do you typically socialize and drink on Fridays? I have much less energy on Fridays than I do on Saturdays and find that socializing, being in loud places, and drinking will takes a lot more out of me on a Friday than it would on a Saturday. Sometimes to the extent that I’ll want to stay in for the rest of the weekend. Wine also messes with my sleep more than other types of alcohol. Obviously I don’t decline all Friday plans, but I if given the option I try to do things on Saturdays and recharge on Fridays. Generally leads to a much nicer weekend overall for me.
OP here, and you might be onto something. I also prefer Saturday nights to Friday nights, but I try to make exceptions for special events that are tied to a specific date. Now that you mention it, wine does make me feel different than, say, having a beer.
Are you sure you weren’t hungover on Saturday (and even Sunday tbh)? I see that you said you’re 45. I am a couple years younger than you, and I can end up with a hangover after one drink sometimes depending on what else I eat or drink on that particular day. And unfortunately wine is often the worst culprit…
Also, FWIW, I do not think leaving a Friday evening activity at 830pm is indicative of depression. I can’t remember the last time I have been out later than that on a Friday!
I’m in my 50s, but for the past few years I’ve found that while I don’t get hungover, if I drink several times a week, even just one drink at a time, I feel kind of down for several days afterwards.
Sometimes it’s worth it and I know the downness will pass, but I try to look at how many opportunities there might be to consume alcohol during the week and figure out how to moderate my intake.
But also, I was out with friends Saturday and spent Sunday completely on my own just puttering around and cleaning and I was very, very happy to do that!
I think this was your body telling you you needed a big rest weekend. I need that sometimes for what appears to be no reason, but I have accepted that if my body feels like it needs it then I do it, schedule permitting.
I grew up calling and then adapted to e-mails and texting. I wrote letters to older relatives (which was cool, because they often wrote back with perfect penmanship). I have an adult nephew. I haven’t seen him in a while because we’re in different time zones and his parents had an inferno of a protracted divorce where dad was in and out of the house reconciling in the years after COVID. His parents no longer talk to any of us. I do remember him at xmas and birthdays. He has had a rocky life, but managed to finish college and get a good job. BUT. He keeps texting me, wanting to set up a time to talk. Why do I have this immediate reaction of alarm, texting back “Is everything OK? Let me check my calendar” or wondering if he is going to ask for money (given his parents, I sort of feel that this is coming at some point, perhaps put up to it by them “ask your aunt if she will help pay for your wedding”). I think I hate people burying the lede: if you have something that I need to say, just call and tell me or text it to me. If you want to catch up, just say that. If you’re not saying or doing any of that, then I figure it’s bad-but-weird or just otherwise not a really chummy chat. Yes? No? IDK what to make of this but it is the second time and IDK if it is just youth or him or he has a messed up family and is still learning how to deal with distant relatives.
I would just call him, you’re inventing a lot here. And if he asks for money, you’re allowed to say no.
Exactly. Just see what he wants. If he asks for money, and you don’t want to give it to him, just say no.
I guess I would call at lunch if it’s a “is this a good company to apply to” level thing vs maybe call when I need some time for something grave (his mom is about to lose the house, his younger sibling is in big trouble, etc.).
I have to have a call with a relative soon, but will probably broach with “I am having an outpatient surgery and wanted to discuss if you’d be OK with being listed as an emergency contact and what my DNR preferences are, etc.; happy ti discuss what what’s a good time for you” so that they are not trying to do anything that might be upsetting while driving or at a swim meet.
This isn’t a business meeting. A family member doesn’t have to provide a detailed agenda. He’s asking for a time to talk so he isn’t catching OP in the middle of something. He’s being polite, OP is being weird. Tell him a time that works or just call him. He doesn’t need to “learn” anything.
You’re being really weird. He’s your nephew and wants to talk. Just call him.
Gently, your communication preferences seem rather rigid and oddly atypical.
+1. Just call him.
You have this immediate reaction of alarm because you’re not managing your anxiety and are massively overthinking this. Rather than simply taking action by setting up a time to talk and getting a grip on yourself, you’re perseverating on this and weirdly blaming your nephew for what you perceive to be bad behaviors which are not actually wrong, just different from how you’d handle it.
+1. Are you ever going to treat your anxiety?
the last half of your post is doing nothing but borrowing trouble. It is normal to say “hey do you have time to chat” to someone you haven’t talked to in awhile… or honestly someone you talk to all the time. Calling out of the blue is what would be odd here!
I get an unexpected call and never assume it’s for a good reason. So if I am calling out of the blue to catch up, I will say that on the voice mail or just send a text (randomly thought of XYZ from college this week and it reminded me to give you a call to catch up).
Otherwise, my experience is that random people reach out when they have joined some MLM or are trying to sell me something. My people would know not to bother me with this (and I’d just politely decline), but it’s the realm out from that that doesn’t tend to reach out casually. The fantastic out of the blue messages to get are “Coming to your city and we are staying at X Hotel; when can you meet for dinner?”
this is your 20-something nephew, not a random, if you are the OP? Worst case is he asks you for something that you’re unwilling to give him, and you say “I’m sorry but I can’t help with that.” Best case is he wants to catch up or ask you for some advice. Just… talk to him.
and please don’t leave voicemails. Just text if they don’t pick up. The only people who leave voicemails are telemarketing scams and medical offices!
Maybe there are two kinds of relatives:
Those who are always a delight, even if distance or other things mean that you really never see them but at weddings or funerals or on social media.
Those who only interact with you to ask you for something.
If you’re this worried about it, can you not just text back and say, hey any particular topic? I want to make sure I set aside enough time. I agree you are massively over thinking this, but you can use your words as well as expecting him to.
I find a lot of ppl these days think its rude or intrusive to cold call someone. He wants to talk to you for whatever reason and hes just trying to be respectful by setting up a time that works for you.
+1
A 20-something college educated nephew who wants to keep in touch with you seems like a nice occurrence, not something to spiral in alarm about. You said this is the second time he’s asked to talk. What did he talk about the first time? Or did you not actually connect with him and he’s trying again?
I’m not sure you actually have adapted to texting, tbh. It seems really weird to text a family member that you have to check your calendar before talking to them. Just tell him you are free after 6pm, and maybe ask for some context so you don’t spend the day panicking needlessly.
yeah, normal response would be “love to – anything urgent? otherwise tomorrow night after work would be great!”
Yeah, we have 20-something nieces and nephews and when they ask to chat, it’s because they want to come and stay for a weekend. They are lovely kids so we’re always happy to have them. I secretly also want them to have a healthy, respectful, loving relationship modelled for them, b/c I’m not sure they’re getting it at home, based on how their parents speak to/about each other in front of us.
Anyone want to vicariously shop for me for a dress for beach photos? Technically these are sort of delayed engagement photos so white would work but really any color is fine. Would love a short sleeve/something to cover the arms. Size 14, and looking for some seemingly white whale dress that’s not overly form fitting but not so flowy as to look pregnant.
When you submit a job application on the organization’s website, do you expect to get an automated e-mail confirming receipt? The website indicated that my application was submitted but I haven’t gotten an e-mail. Debating whether to contact HR to confirm receipt or to resubmit.
No
No
When you submit a job application on the organization’s website, do you expect to get an automated e-mail confirming receipt? The website indicated that my application was submitted but I haven’t gotten an e-mail. Debating whether to contact HR to confirm receipt or to resubmit.
i need a new show. i like everything from law & order and the pitt to sweet magnolias. any suggestions?
have you seen Rooster? I thought that was really good
We really enjoyed Slow Horses.
+1 SO GOOD
That’s what we’re watching right now, love it so far.
Ponies on Peac-ck is a lot of fun
Widow’s Bay on Apple is both genuinely scary and completely hilarious. We are loving it.
Loved Dept Q recently.