Wednesday’s Workwear Report: Winetasting Jennings Jacket
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Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
Oooh, I’m really into this slightly elongated blazer from Pomander Place for this fall. I love the slightly boxy silhouette, the textured tweed, and functional pockets for a perfect office look.
I’m leaning towards the wine color, but it’s available in six other colorways (usually a good indicator that lots of folks are liking it). If I were feeling a little spicy, I might grab the leopard print.
The jacket is $148 at Tuckernuck and comes in sizes XXS-XXXL.
Sales of note for 8/14:
- Ann Mashburn – Seasonal sale, up to 50% off – we just included them in our updated Top 10 Brands for Comfortable Heels!
- Ann Taylor – 25% off all suiting! Also, extra 60% off clearance — readers love this blouse and I always love the variety of colors/textures for this jacket (it's a great separate)
- Anthropologie – Extra 40% off sale!
- The Fold – Up to 50% off, further markdowns (new lines added)
- J.Crew – Up to 30% off
- J.Crew Factory – 40-60% off sitewide, extra 60% off clearance
- J.McLaughlin – Summer sale, up to 50% off
- Lilysilk – Anniversary sale, save up to 70%
- Me & Em – Sale! Up to 60% off (new lines just added, exclusively online)
- M.M.LaFleur – 20% off pants (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off on other items)
- Nordstrom Rack – Clearance, new markdowns up to 75% off! Nice selection of Vince, Veronica Beard, Reiss and Rag & Bone, a ton of affordable work dresses from Calvin Klein, Maggy London, Eliza J, and Donna Morgan
- Saks Fifth Avenue – Take 25% off one item (ends Mon)! Great selection of Veronica Beard, L'Agence, Vince, and more.
- Talbots – End of season clearance, 60% off all markdowns. $24.99 pants and jeans
- Theory – End of season sale is on! Love all the colors their best-selling sweater tee comes in, and some colors are on sale.
- Tory Burch – Private sale, ends 8/19!
Good morning! Is anyone here hypermobile? How did your diagnosis change your exercise routine (or life in general)? I think I am but not sure I’m EDS, debating whether I should seek an actual diagnosis.
I was diagnosed a few years ago on accident. Hasn’t really changed my exercise too much other than I’ve learned not to over extend my joints and I have added some physio type stabilization exercises in. As for life changes it has allowed me access to a very cool team of specialists and geneticists at my local research hospital and my medical care has improved a lot, I’m no longer the annoying complaining lady, they actually look into my issues! The specific team is referral only and doesn’t have a website so without diagnosis I wouldn’t even know they exist.
How can this many people possibly have this TikTok disease
I am not the OP but *wow* this is dismissive. I know a woman who spent twenty years trying to figure out what was wrong with her; finally, an ER nurse whom she “knew” via an online community recommended getting tested for EDS.
I am hypermobile but not EDS-level hypermobile. It has profoundly affected my running; I’m unusually injury prone.
Hate to say it, but yeah.
WTF two people with this insane ableist take.
Oh please. EDS has a spectrum from being slightly hypermobile in a non-disruptive way to having joints constantly come out of place and needing mobility devices to reduce pain and injury risk during everyday activities. Raising awareness for an under-researched condition that primarily affects women (!!) is a good thing.
There’s a link to ADHD and ASD, so that is kind of a lot of people right there, some of whom you may find annoying whether or not they’re also hypermobile.
But eating disorder and deconditioning can weaken connective tissue and loosen joints, COVID can damage connective tissue, undiagnosed rheumatological conditions can damage connective tissue (diagnostic delay of seven years from symptom onset is not unusual, and that leaves people with a lot of time to try to self diagnose and self treat!).
Yes, I have to be very careful with exercises that are hard on my weak joints (knees for me – almost no jumping). I have also reluctantly accepted that weight training (slowly, low reps but high weights with perfect form) are really, really important for reinforcing my cruddy joints. I had a private trainer for a few months to get clear on form and it was worth every penny.
I’ve had EDS/POTS/MCAS my whole life, with a diagnosis it’s something that I can understand and treat vs. just shrugging and going ‘guess my body is doing something weird again’. I danced as a kid and all the uber flexible girls are now facing the reality of how those loose joints degrade as you age, it’s not fun.
The effortlessly flexible ex-dancer to EDS pipeline is real.
+1 million for strength training with enough weight and proper form! I am not hypermobile but have knee issues, and strengthening all the surrounding muscles is essential to preventing pain and injury.
Yes, I am hypermobile. It’s not a diagnosis.
I haven’t identified any benefit to seeking a clinical diagnosis of hEDS or joint hypermobility syndrome. I believe that people currently diagnosed have a mix of underlying conditions. There’s also a tremendous amount of stigma in healthcare, enough I’ve been told it’s probably better not to have this diagnosis on your chart at least in my area healthcare systems. If something hurts, go see a good PT, right? They’ll see that you are hypermobile and take this into consideration. If you need support garments or ergonomic devices, insurance often doesn’t cover those anyway, or if it does, it will cover them for a more specific issue.
Genetic testing was worth it to me though since I tested positive for a completely different genetic condition that causes hypermobility (social media would have you believe it’s always some kind of EDS: it really is not). I also have a few autoimmune conditions, including GI conditions which led to deficiencies in zinc and folate, which is terrible for connective tissue, but which is also treatable. I honestly feel that I might be in bad shape if I’d been clinically diagnosed with hEDS or hypermobility syndrome and then everything was chalked up to that.
I have hypermobility. I first learned the term from a hand specialist doctor who I was seeing for carpal tunnel. Up until then I just thought everyone could extend their joints as far as I could. Mine isn’t to the level of EDS. You might mention it to your personal trainer if you have one, your yoga teacher, etc. It affects my yoga practice in that sometimes certain poses don’t give me the full stretch that others might experience and it also helps me do some poses more easily. It also makes me more prone to hand injury due to computer work and I have a specially fitted thumb brace to help with that.
Love that jacket, decided to see if it’s on Poshmark. Snagged it for $65! Love secondhand shopping.
I need a distraction so, what’s on your shopping list for your closet right now?
My list is part needs replacements, and part better solutions for where I’ve been making do with what I have:
replacement walking sneakers with arch support
a cardigan thats not cropped, not chunky knit, in cotton or a cotton blend, no collar, no pockets, and that’s not red, chocolate brown, grey, or black
hiking or cargo style pants for fall and winter that I could layer leggings or tights under. nice but not a need to have of adjustable waist or pant cuffs
a not frumpy fleece or quilted vest (I end up in my puffer vest on wfh days sometimes in the winter and want something not so….puffy)
New loafers to replace a too-loved pair.
same! 2 pair please~ one cordovon, one black.
looking for recomendations. must be able to walk a mile in them please.
budget up to $300 per pair
My Cole Haan loafers took forever to break in, but now I love them. I wore them yesterday, in fact.
Miz Mooz are my faves and are comfortable right out of the gate. Only the styles with the more structured, firm soles; not the softer, flexible rubber soles.
I also like Sam Edelman and Born, although they are less reliable.
For comparison, no Cole Haan shoe has ever fit my foot shape.
Mgemi is running a sale now, I’d look there. The Una line is shockingly comfortable. I ordered another pair of Una flats and a soft loafer for fall.
Meermin! I got a pair recently based on a recommendation from Derek Guy. I had to figure out the sizing a bit (is UK-based). But OMG not much more than Bass $ for staggeringly better quality (and a DUST BAG). Apparently the are good enough to resole vs just toss?
I also have a pair of Solovairs, also a Derek Guy recommendation, again with the UK sizing to figure out. Quality. I have really high arches / insteps and I think that my feet fit a hair better into the Meermins but both are such good shoes.
I have duck feet and the Sam Edelman Lorraine’s did not fit my feet at all and I had wear issues with the finish wearing off the toe area shockingly easily (even though I have other SE shoes that have worked well for my feet).
I have duck feet and cannot wear anything from Sam Edelman. I also thought the quality was not great for the price.
A cocktail dress for two different work galas that even though they are called galas aren’t formal attire and have to be plus size and not too dowdy but also more work than play since I’m representing my company.
I needed linen pants, but I just bought some from Modern Citizen and Banana Republic that fit the bill. I had posted here a few days ago about it, and I think the Banana Republic buy was based on a comment here, so thanks!
I realize I need some nicer work stops with said pants.
I just bought a work dress from a TJ Maxx like store.
I need to buy a light lace-ish sweater that I can wear on dresses. An AC sweater if you will.
I really need to start thinking about fall wardrobe instead of summer wardrobe so this thread should be good.
I need a walking sneaker and a fashion sneaker – both of my pairs are collapsing at the soles, and I’d quite like a light autumn jacket but I ordered two crop trenches and both had mutton arms!
Ooh, look at Gap Factory for good lightweight fall jackets. I have this one (different color) from a previous year and wear it a lot during the transitional seasons. I’d love to find one in olive green.
https://www.gapfactory.com/browse/product.do?pid=1172456011&vid=1&pcid=1050905&cid=1050905#pdp-page-content
I kind of want this one for fall.
https://www.gapfactory.com/browse/product.do?pid=1177945011&vid=1&pcid=1050905&cid=1050905#pdp-page-content
I ordered a cute cropped plaid trench, in cotton even, from the Gap and I was so disappointed by how … bulbous… the arms were. Not cute.
I am obsessed with finding a cropped, but not too cropped, plaid jacket in cotton. I hate synthetic coats, I get too hot. If it’s raining, I’ll use an umbrella so I don’t need something waterproof.
My wardrobe hole is sleek-not-chunky, black suede loafers that will accommodate a wide foot and I welcome all suggestions.
Ha, there are some parallels in our lists!
The perfect navy blue sweater that isn’t fitted. Cozy without being sloppy. Not cropped. Rollneck would be nice. Can’t stand wool blends, so I realize I might be asking for a unicorn.
A couple more sweaters for work that have enough room in the arms to accommodate a shirt underneath. Again, not cropped, not sloppy, but with ease.
A fun blazer for fall. I’m looking at a plaid one from Liverpool.
OP, look at Patagonia’s Micro D half-zip for a good fleece! I bought a pinkish mauve color last spring and wore it all the time.
For your first item, have you tried the J. Crew 2025 rollneck in cotton? It is just on the border of “sloppy” but is really cute and comfy.
It is on my list to check out. I could do “border of sloppy” as long as it’s not actual sloppy. I like that it’s cotton. How heavy is it?
The weight is right in the Goldilocks zone. Substantial without being too heavy.
Marine Layer might be a good place for the sweater, or Faherty. Prices are higher than JCrew but quality is 90’s level.
Hadn’t thought about that, but good suggestion!
Love this. I just bought some oxblood modernish ballet flats from jcrew that I’m looking forward to wearing. I’m also looking for new jeans (the worst quest ever) to wear with flats to work. Need higher waist, a sizable or tailor able waist to thigh ratio and like a boot cut or subtle flare.
I love casual fall clothes so much — it is completely my vibe — and yet what is the point of buying more when I’m in workwear 4 days a week? It makes me sad. I’m trying to lean into subtle fall touches for work instead.
My impossible-to-find items are
Dress pants in cotton, cotton blend, or lined wool that are sleek and fitted at the top and flare gently into a trouser leg, without patch pockets, and in non-black neutrals like olive, gray, and navy. Basically the J. Crew linen Carolina pant in other natural fibers without the dumb patch pockets that they put on the non-linen versions.
Shoes in narrow widths that are actually in stock. Margaux, how do you expect to sell shoes and make money if all of your shoes are perpetually sold out?
An interesting but not over-the-top dress somewhere between c-tail and black tie in formality to wear to the symphony and the opera, where patrons’ attire runs the gamut from hiking clothes to evening gowns with real furs. Preferably not black because I am a musician and whenever I wear black as an audience member I inevitably get teased by every fellow musician I run into (“I didn’t know you were performing tonight, tee hee.”).
Stay with me here, but channel your inner 1993 girl. Remember the oversized cardigan that the character Allison wore? I want that.
I’ll be in Italy in September and would love any restaurant recommendations in Rome, Cortona, and Venice (and whether you need advance reservations)! Looking for breakfast, lunch, or dinner suggestions. Thank you.
Venice – La Palanca (on Giudecca, super easy to get to as right next to the vaporetto stop). FWIW we had consistently better quality meals for the price on Giudecca than “mainland” Venice, though I can’t remember the names of the other places we went over there!
Rome – Testaccio neighborhood for similar price-quality, esp. the pasta stall at Testaccio market.
oh, and traveling as a couple, for these types of spots we usually messaged ahead while there – they’re not like ‘res open 3 weeks out and if you don’t book on the dot you’re SOL’ type spots.
These are a couple years old but from my neighbor who grew up in padova and whose brother lives in Venice my brother in law who lives in Venice.
https://www.barbacani.com/
https://www.facebook.com/AiPromessiSposi
https://www.osteriabancogiro.it/
https://www.ristorantelocal.com/it/home
https://www.cortescontave.com/
http://www.boccadorovenezia.it/
https://www.facebook.com/alveciomarangon/
ttps://www.osterianicestellato.com/ t
I was just in Rome this summer! Hostaria Romana is my favorite. I’ve been going for decades (yikes) and the food is consistently amazing, but do note that some of the waiters can be quite brusque. They only accept reservations by phone, I would definitely reserve. Testaccio Market is great but a bit of a schlep from the center city, so we didn’t make it out there this time.
New to me spots we enjoyed:
-Ristorante da Cesare–great for seafood. We were there on a Sunday and it wasn’t too busy, but they take reservations online so why not make one to avoid issues.
-I Supplì dei Coronari–more of a casual grab and go type situation although they do serve alcohol and have a few seats.
-Mercato Trionfale–perfect for a quick lunch after the Vatican Museums. They don’t have as many food stalls as some of the other Roman markets, but it was a great spot to wander and browse, and shockingly non-touristy for the location. Either pick up cheese, fruit, snacks, etc., or we had genuinely fantastic pasta and tiramisu at La Casina Del Caffè.
Buon viaggio!
Recently I’ve started to get an error on this site really frequently that says request header fields too large. Does anyone else get this – when I search on it it tells me to clear cookies which I do and it works and then I just get it immediately again the next time.
Sparse eyebrow ladies – what products are you using? I loved the peel off tint Maybelline Brow Tattoo, but I think it’s discontinued.
Anastasia brow pomade
Thrive. Best stuff ever.
Does anyone have suggestions for a spring break (last week of March) destination for three families with 7 boys between 8 and 16? International is good. We went to Costa Rica last time and like to stay in a big house together. Swimming is a must. We like eating well and liked bringing in a chef. Some culture would be great but with our crew it would be more hiking up a pyramid than 6 hours in the louvre . During our wine fueled brainstorming session we thought a villa in Tuscany would be great and then remembered it’s too cold then. Would love to hear recommendations or advice!
Central America does sound like a good fit – Belize for combo of snorkeling / diving, swimming, and inland adventures (cave tubing)?
I feel like the islands in the Caribbean are perfect for this. My kid went on an eco-adventure tour in Puerto Rico in middle school with her school and had a blast and it seemed to the beginning of her wanting to work in environmental science.
Also, if you have a Scouts connection, Family Camping in or near Sea Base?
How do I break up with someone who I’ve been seeing for multiple months who is very sweet and nice but…also boring? We are not a long term match and I’ve let it go on too long because there was nothing objectively wrong but…I just can’t.
I am on a 10-week cycle of salon appts to cover my grays with semi-permanent color and am frustrated with the expense. Has anyone successfully switched to Madison Reed’s semi-permanent option? Is it salon grade? All feedback welcome!
I have not, but that’s what my sister uses, and I think her hair always looks great and shiny.
I used Madison Reed for a couple of years during and after lockdown. It is by far the best at-home color available. It comes out darker than pictured so go a shade or two lighter than the photos would suggest. I found that it faded more quickly and a bit more orange than salon color.
You will have much more success applying the color at the roots if you get the bowl and brush. The application process is tedious.
I had this weird flashback today about when I lived in DC during the DC sniper time (right after 9/11 and IIRC right around the anthrax mailings). And how a bunch of us who went by places where the shootings had been were thinking of just buying bullet proof vests and how maybe they’d help and maybe they weren’t enough and then deciding to just take our chances. Pumping gas behind tarps. Not going to that Home Depot. Life is just so strange. That was a long time ago but that feeling came back and hit hard.
I was in college in DC at that time and I agree it was a weird time. Maybe it was my youthful casual attitude by my parents were worried and I wasn’t. We were all told to “walk in a zigzag” but that was just ridiculous advice. Later on when I was living the the area I do remember distinguishing between Home Depots and other stores related to the sniper, but not to avoid them.
I remember! I used to zigzag my walk in parking lots. It was actually a really stressful time. I think I was only 19 and a college kid.
i was a senior in high school then in the DMV. it was awful. fall sports were canceled. we had to be called to the carpool lane one by one like we were kindergarteners.
I was about 30, I remember doing the zigzag walk and just trying to move through parking lots quickly. One of the shootings happened at a gas station I used regularly, so that was weird. I also remember sort of lying across the front seat of my car while the gas pumped so I wouldn’t be visible.
It was a very weird time.
I have thick, straight hair and my current Revlon dryer might be dying. Is the Dyson Air Wrap worth it? Are there other options that you recommend? I only heat-dry a couple times a week but the promise of something faster and lighter is appealing.
Has anyone set up Trump accounts for their children? Pros/cons?
Are there any accounts on insta that show real college dorm rooms from the 90s? I feel like my kids get fed SEC girl dorm nonsense and I want them to at least see 90s dorms that went with grunge, flannel, and land-line phones.
shop for me please. i’m in my BIL’s wedding in mid october in westchester, NY and I need a dress for the rehearsal dinner, which will be at a restaurant. where i live it will likely still be 90 degrees then, and i don’t really know fall fashion. i am low 40s, 5ft 4 inches, ~135/140lbs, a very short torso and a bit of a belly from having two kids. looking for a dress + shoes. would love to stay under 300 for the dress.