Wednesday’s Workwear Report: Floral-Print Belted Tiered Midi Dress
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Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
I don’t normally gravitate toward a bright floral print for work apparel, but this dress from Karl Lagerfeld Paris is really calling my name. I could totally see myself reaching for this lightweight cotton fabric on a hot summer day and adding a navy blazer once I hit the office.
The belt is removable, so I might do away with it altogether or swap it out for a brown, braided version. For shoes, I’m thinking something like these braided leather flats from Vionic, which skew a bit casual but would fly in most offices I spend time in these days.
The dress is $189 at Nordstrom and comes in sizes 2-14.
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
Anyone know of a loafer very similar to the Sam Edelman Loraine but with a leather lining?
I tried the Lorraine even though it has a synthetic lining and my feet staged a protest. They demand leather lining, not just leather insole inserts. I can trick them in the cooler months by wearing nylons, but in summer I prefer no hosiery.
Gucci.
+1. This is what the Sam Edelman loafers were modeled after. Obv a different price point though.
Alexander Birman is another option at not quite Gucci prices. I will say, if you have the money, the Gucci loafers are worth it and can last forever with a good cobbler.
Tory Burch Eleanor loafers.
M. Gemi
Paul Green. Maybe these: https://www.paulgreenshoes.com/products/daphne-flat-black-leather
Thursday boots has leather lined loafers- on my list to get!
Frye.
Could use words of encouragement from the moms! We have an appointment for my son this afternoon, likely he will need to get tubes. Poor guy has had a ton of ear infections this last year. I know it is a common procedure, but man I am anxious! PS- not my first rodeo with kid surgery, my oldest had a procedure a little over a year ago for something else. I am surprised I am so anxious about all of this.
Aw! I had them around 5 years old and haven’t had an ear infection since! (43 now.)
you’ll be fine! my youngest was very speech delayed and it turned out he couldn’t hear because of fluid in his ears… we got ear tubes in and adenoids out just before his 3rd birthday and he was such a happier guy and made huge strides in speech. the tubes push themselves out and aren’t really a big deal at all.
does your child snore at all? if he does ask the ENT about it. adenoids removal is a common thing to help the ears drain also. my oldest had a 90% obstruction so the adenoids came out, and my youngest didn’t snore at all but wound up having a 70% obstruction – they only checked because i begged them to.
My youngest had them when she was 9 months old. It was super fast and easy – I think she was only away from us for 10 minutes! And it was such a huge relief after back to back ear infections. She was a much happier baby after she got them. It’ll be ok and make life easier for all of you!
My daughter had them when she was about 5 — almost 35 years ago! I vividly remember just SOBBING when she went into the operating room, but it was quick and easy and things were much better post-surgery! Your guy will be fine!
100% this! It sounds like a big deal because it’s “surgery” but the worst part is them taking your kid away and by the time you stop crying they are back. The nurses have seen it all and will help! You got this!
My toddler had them done last month, it was 5 minutes or less, and he hasn’t had an ear infection since and his hearing clearly improved. He was bouncing off the walls that evening.
Side note, I sometimes feel like I *should* feel like a bad mom for not getting anxious and guilty about medical procedures for my son but I just…don’t. For some reason this is an area I get matter-of-fact and “let’s get it done because it will help” even though I’ve been prone to anxiety in other areas. I had at least one friend pretend to be all shocked that I wasn’t anxious.
OP here- I think that’s completely fine! No judgment. I am surprised I feel this way since my oldest had an hour long surgery last year and I know comparatively it was a lot more stressful. I know this surgery will only benefit him (and us! we were constantly running to the pediatrician this last year because of ear infections/on antibiotics), but man…I am just dreading it. Glad to hear the procedure was quick and your toddler is thriving after!!!!
Re lack of anxiety. For me, if my DH is super anxious about the kids, it’s like it gives me the freedom to be matter of fact about it. We definitely tag team it.
I wish my mother had considered them for me. I was eligible and had constant ear infections as a kid. Now as an adult I still have issues with infections after swimming, using earplugs at night, etc. It’s the worst.
My siblings had them and it was such an improvement in quality of life.
My own child really seemed to need them but for whatever reason doctors in our area were loathe to do tubes at that point in time. Looking at all the ear infection angst we went through, I really wish I had pushed harder or gone elsewhere. Thankfully that season is behind us now, at least.
Has anyone tried the nail mask from Manicurist (or similar)?
Best marketing, disappointing results.
Agree. I prefer the Londontown Illuminating Nail Concealer or the Zoya “Naked Manicure” products. For the Zoya I especially like that there is a satin seal product to go over it that will make your nails look truly “my nails but perfect” – it’s a very natural look with the non-glossy satin seal used on top of the tinted product.
Thanks for this rec; I am going to try this.
I’m looking for a very specific type of podcast. I’ve listened to the Slate Culture Gabfest for many years. Like most Slate work, I have a love/hate relationship with it, but I have gotten a lot of good recommendations from it or at least gotten the rundown on the media people are talking about. It’s ending, so I’m looking for something to fill that void -something that looks at a good number of movies/shows/etc. that are interesting with somewhat of a critical eye (not overly negative, but not cheerleading) and talks about a mix of really popular stuff and things that are more under-the-radar but interesting. Any suggestions?
Following with interest – I used to listen more often, but was still sad to hear they’re ending.
Other popculture podcasts I listen to:
– Pop Culture Happy Hour from NPR (tends more towards movies and shows, and has the core hosts together less often)
– We’re Obsessed/ Jam Session from The Ringer (more celebrity gossip/ internet culture than structured segments about topics, but light, and probably my favorite escapist content right now)
– Culture Study Podcast (Anne Helen Petersen is very much ymmv, but I pick and choose my episodes based on the topic/ guest)
– Critics at Large from The New Yorker (I haven’t listened in a while since they first launched and the hosts were still gelling, but this inspired me to look at the recent episodes and I think I’ll pick it back up)
New Yorker’s Critic at Large.
Every Outfit.
Commotion from CBC gets a good mix of movies and pop culture, plus your dose of Canadian content as it is CBC. Slightly biased as the host is an old classmate.
I have an 18 hour drive (over 2 days) coming up and I need an audiobook that will help time go faster. Any recommendations? Recently did the Calamity Club and enjoyed it, also did all the Jojo Moyes books as they’re good as audiobooks. I’m on the library app waitlist for Yesteryear but if that audiobook is worth it I may just buy it on Audible? Did all the Taylor Jenkins Reid (love them). Any recommendations? Something gripping that made you excited to get back in the car after refueling? Thanks!
it’s old, but the audiobook of Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House is good!
Never too early to plan for October listens! Downloaded, thanks :)
I see you’ve called in dead. It has an irreverent take on death. made me laugh out loud.
I read Yesteryear and loved it! no idea about the audiobook.
I enjoyed Yesteryear but it felt like two different books.
when i’m on a long drive i like to switch between a few different books. it helps to have them in different apps entirely so you can do it without too much fussing with your phone. Libby/your library has a great selection of audiobooks, check there first; you may also be able to listen to or buy things from spotify. i’ve also found some ok deals on chirpbooks but you need to know what you’re looking for.
if you like funny romance i do like jennifer crusie books on audiobook, they’re not too explicit and they’re well written. some of the other suggestions that i got here and started but havent’ finished yet include bad blood, dark money, and the one about henrietta lacks.
I loved Strangers on audiobook, Belle Burden narrates it herself. Sat in the driveway listening it was so good.
I am always here for this kind of thing to recommend Good Omens.
Not exactly gripping, but A Confederacy of Dunces is my favorite audiobook for a long road trip.
I really like full cast productions of things. Piranesi was great on audio, A Burning by Megha Mujumdar was fantastic. Memoir might work well, but I’m always bored by memoir.
My favorite audiobook is Secret History by Donna Tartt. She reads it herself and her use of different upper-crust accents really makes it.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. Meryl Streep reads it, and she’s wonderful.
The Dutch House, also by Ann Patchett, is narrated by Tom Hanks, and it is excellent as an audiobook despite the fact that, as with most AP books, not much happens. (I have different standards for audiobooks vs books I am reading.) It’s just fun to listen to Tom Hanks for 6 or so hours.
Is anyone else getting a “page not found” error when trying to post a comment? (let’s see if this posts…)
This dress looks like something my mom wore to church in the 80s. Hard pass.
She gave up the trend early. I think my mom kept wearing it to church well into the late 90s.
I do love a floral print but I was going to say this print and shape reminds me of 1950s housewife. But if someone likes it, wear what makes you happy!
It looks like something I would wear to church now, albeit I am probably old enough to be your mother since I graduated from high school in the 80s. It is not my style but with a navy blazer this would be perfectly office appropriate in many parts of the country.
I just don’t think it is pretty at all.
Oh, digging around on the Rack site reminded me, for the poster wanting good work dresses, that Derek Lam also has great modern pieces. Between him, Jason Wu and Saint and Sofia, I have a great collection that looks more posh than the price point of these pieces.
What’s a good shampoo and conditioner for thick, wavy hair? For reference I like the results I get from the Pureology hydrating line but I hate the menthol. Thanks!
If you can get it at Costco, the big olaplex shampoo and conditioner are very worth it. I also like the living proof line.
Paging the poster looking for alternatives to ribbed tanks – I was just on Gap Factory and they have lots of summery tops in the $15-$30 range. I think a handful of them would fulfill the sleek-but-not-clingy criteria.
Thank you! I will take a look.
Thank you to whoever suggested visiting the Phillips collection in DC. It was walkable from my hotel and was one of my favorite museums I’ve ever been to in the world. It was also practically empty which was shocking to me given the caliber of the art!
How do you and your spouse handle minor holidays like Fathers Day? We’re at an awkward time when most of our generation is married but few of us have kids. There are too many family units involved to coordinate a single event with everyone. But it’s a PITA if both of us try to see his parents and my parents at two separate events.
Calls to parents, nothing other than I give my husband something for being a good dog dad (he does the same for me for Mother’s Day) – both are just ironic and an excuse to spoil the other person.
it sounds like everyone is local? we never really had that problem as our parents dont live in the same place
I don’t have kids, so I don’t celebrate Mother’s Day or Father’s Day for myself/my husband, but I’ll send my parents cards for the holiday and call on the day of. If it’s possible, we’ll do a weekend-long visit for the holiday but we don’t stress out about seeing either of our parents for the holiday.
He doesn’t talk to his father, so FD is my side only; his mom is local so we’ll do something around that day with her if we can; occasionally we will make a trip to see my mom for MD. It’s really just dependent on what we all have going on.
We observe on different days and roughly rotate who’s celebrated on the actual holiday. Like, we’re doing Father’s Day dinner with my dad on Friday.
It helps that the two of us do not care about Valentine’s, Mother’s or Father’s Day so prioritizing our own parent is nbd.
I’m assuming that seeing the parents is important for these minor holidays (if it’s not, go with a phone call or a fun card in the mail). This becomes either a divide up resources so you go to your parents and he goes to his or everyone goes to see one set of parents on the actual day and the other set of parents either the day before or the following weekend. If the true goal is everyone wants to spend time together, then I’d go with the latter. We are all old enough to realize that non-religious holidays can be celebrated in the days around the actual holiday date.
Minor holidays (and honestly birthdays for the older set) may or may not be celebrated on any given year. We celebrate a holiday at the level that is convenient and makes sense for us. This very rarely includes traveling to family events, but my family is very much not a hosting/event family and his is a couple hours travel time away. A call or a text is fine, maybe a letter or flowers or something if you’re a sentimental gifts person. And if you are going to have an event, it definitely doesn’t need to be day of. (This opinion may be colored by having lots of shift work careers in my family, so people are always working holidays.)
I’m in need of shoe inspiration. Workplace is pretty casual: I usually wear jeans, cropped wide-leg pants, the rare skirt or dress. My summer shoes are flat black slingback loafers and gray NB sneakers. Sandals are okay but not my favorite. Are you all wearing anything else with jeans or summery pants?
Ballet flats, always and forever.
I’m wearing the una flats from mgemi a lot this summer. I also default to my Rothy’s Mocs with pants pretty regularly.