Frugal Friday’s Workwear Report: Ruffle Short-Sleeve Sheath Dress
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Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
We are moments away from fall (sartorially speaking, at least), so I was feeling pretty excited when this short-sleeved dress from Maggy London came across my screen.
Wear this gorgeous berry-toned number with bare arms while the weather is still warm and add a camel or gray blazer when things get a little chillier. It does say that it’s machine washable, but I would put it in a delicates bag to avoid too much snagging or twisting.
The dress is $49.97-$54.97 at Nordstrom Rack and comes in sizes 0-16. It also comes in three other colors.
Sales of note for 8/28:
- Ann Taylor – End of summer sale, last call — extra 70% off all sale, new markdowns added.
- CVS – Epic beauty sale, $10 off when you spend $30 (Walmart is having its “Beauty Event” as well right now!)
- The Fold – Up to 50% off, further markdowns
- J.Crew – Last chance summer styles on sale
- J.Crew Factory – 40% off new arrivals, extra 15% of $100+ orders
- J.McLaughlin – Extra 40% off sale
- Lilysilk – Anniversary sale, save up to 70%
- Me & Em – Sale! Up to 60% off (new lines just added, exclusively online)
- M.M.LaFleur – Labor Day Sale Event, save sitewide! (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
- Talbots – End of summer clearance, 70% off markdowns, including lots of colors of the reader favorite cardigan!
- Theory – End of season sale is on!
I feel like jcrew had a version of this once upon a time, and I bought it and felt ridiculous. But I’m not really a ruffle kind of person, I now know.
I think the ruffles are SO cute but this would be an office dress, unfortunately my office (and every office I’ve had prior) is basically the arctic tundra and ruffles don’t fit under a jacket, cardigan, etc.
They totally did! I remember that too. I never bought it because my work is more informal but I always thought it looked so chic.
JCF had a great lined sleeveless version of this. IMO this is the right amount of office ruffle.
This is the right amount of ruffle for the office and I have colleagues who would look fantastic in it… but it took me so long to understand that I’m not a ruffle person at all, and I need structured, sharp work clothes. (Think petite office ninja armor. I need to look sufficiently intimidating to manage people.)
Picture framing Q. I understand that museum glass is what I want to avoid reflections. Do I have to get a framer to build a frame and add this as my glass type? Or do I just go with a basic frame from Michaels and take it to a glass store to swap out the glass? I have some items for a room with windows and this is one room where I think that splurging on fancy glass makes sense but I’ve never done this before.
I’ve never heard of taking it to a glass store to save money, but this might work and save some money. Be prepared for major sticker shock if you go to a professional framer — custom framing is just really expensive (but potentially worthwhile for something you really care about). Just having a regular frame with regular glass is far, far cheaper. It’s up to you what you want to pay for all this.
Take the whole thing to a framer if you’re looking to do something nice.
It’s been a while, but when I stuff framed at a Michael’s type place, I could specify non-glare glass.
If it’s already framed and already has glass, you could try one of the anti-reflective sprays or even a film and see if that’s good enough or not.
Can you say more about this? Specific products to recommend or avoid or anything? We have something that’s so large that museum glass is prohibitively expensive, but it’s in a location where glare is a real problem and I think we’d be up for trying a spray or film, especially if someone has something that’s worked well for them.
Framers offer different types of glass, including low glare. Even, I think, Michael’s.
If anyone needs a good podcast for a long drive, I really like Des Linden and Kara Goucher’s Nobody Asked Us. I’m not a runner and still find listening to two women runners talk about running and other things. For years now. My neuroma makes me a hiker and a walker who runs in short bursts in tennis and it is just great and they are delightful.
They are the best.
On that note, anyone have any podcast recs for outdoorsy moms? I love the topic of identity and taking risk in motherhood. Not a runner but may give this one a try too!
This one? Kara has a son.
I’m the camping parent and my kids are in scouts and I’m not aware of anything in point. I like the first aid ones but they are all by dudes (still great though). There are a lot of mom podcasts and I have never loved any.
Ordinary Sherpa. I think they stopped creating content now that their kids are grown but there’s an entire back catalogue. She spent a year on the road with her kids and podcasted the entire journey.
I see so many great looking Maggie London dresses online, but I excitedly ordered a bunch to try on for an event earlier this summer, and found them to be cheaply made and very small. Like I’d have to size up at least two sizes, which I think was related to the cheaply made part. Is this typical of the brand, or did I have really bad luck with that batch? I think of Maggie London as being decent – it’s been around for awhile, right?
Cheaply made how? We’re the seams surged? patterns not matched? not cut on grain?
Tipping question! My waxer used to work at a studio owned by someone else, but she’s since moved on to having her own suite. So essentially she’s gone from working for someone else to her own shop. Does that mean I stop tipping? I used to always tip 20% but now that she’s moved to her own shop, she’s raised her prices. With tip I’m paying $12 more – not a huge burden but it’s still more than I used to pay. I’m not going to stop seeing her over $12/month but also I’m thinking maybe I either scale back my tip or tip less. Thoughts?
I would tip.
What does your company do for work anniversary milestones?
I have a catolgue I can pick from, unfortunately a giftcard or cash option isnt available.
If I didn’t already have the same Bissel vacuum model, it would be my top pick. Instead my top contenders are (weigh in if you can give a review!):
Dyson supersonic travel dryer
Brother computerized sewing and quilting machine (XR9550)
Ninja Dual Brew
Swarvoski bracelet
(I dont need more blankets, perfume, bluetooth speakers, or cookware. I also dont have an outdoor space so no edge trimmers, lawn sets mowers. Airfyers and pressure cooker would gather dust with my slowcooker as well.)
How did you know your partner was the one? Any particular moment stand out? Mine was when he showed up for the tough times instead of hiding (or even partying) and waiting for it to be over like my ex. Often times he’d created the problem to begin with.
I need to bribe myself to do something I don’t want to do. Is it ridiculous that this works, yes, but brains are silly sometimes and I’d rather have the series of tasks done.
It needs to be a physical thing. Something I can pine after, and then be pleased to posses. Something a little fancy or luxurious and under $150.
Please tempt me with ideas!
My husband used to be athletic fit. Now that he is 65 he has a belly so dressier long sleeve shirts that fit his waist are large in the shoulders. Is there a JJill brand for men that accommodates the pooch? He really needs some shirts for dinner or a show. Not too bright but more colorful or fun pattern than a man would wear to the office. Brand recs please!