Thursday’s Workwear Report: Tie-Neck Sweater
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Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
This tie-neck sweater from Wit & Wisdom looks like a cozy and cute option for fall, and it’s available in petites! A friend recently complained about the dearth of petite-sized tops available for officewear, so it’s been on my radar even more than usual. I like the cable-knit details on the sleeves, and the tie neck gives it a little something extra.
I would wear this with a midi skirt and boots on a chilly day.
The sweater is $84 at Nordstrom and comes in sizes XS-XL and XSP-XLP.
Sales of note for 10/23 (ALSO, friendly PSA – check any NAS or Amazon Prime Day purchases for the return policies…)
- Ann Taylor – 30% off your purchase + $50 off your $200+ purchase
- Brooklinen – Friends & Family – 20% off sitewide and 50% off select bundles
- J.Crew – Up to 40% off select fall styles. Also, donate any gently worn coat in one of their stores and get $25 off your next purchase of $125+.
- J.Crew Factory – 40% off new arrivals + extra 15% off orders of $100+
- M.M.LaFleur – 72 hours only, save 20% on jardigans (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off on other items)
- Nordstrom – 5840+ new markdowns for women, up to 40% off
- Talbots – 50% off one regularly-priced item, 40% off everything else
- Theory – End of season sale is on with extra savings (new prices are marked)
I am not feeling very happy with my fall/winter work wardrobe. I want to create something of a uniform for myself that is very comfortable but still polished. Most days are at my desk and my workplace is on the business casual end. I would like to wear sneakers, pants with stretch (preferably faux buttons and zippers) in straight or bootcut styles, and a sweater or quarter zip on top that doesn’t look frumpy. Am I reaching for the stars here? Do you have any of these items that you like?
I just bought two of the Banana Republic cotton-silk crewneck sweaters. I think I’m going to get a ton of mileage out of them this winter. They look good with both denim and dress pants.
For sneakers, the Ecco Soft 7 in leather is my work-appropriate version.
I can’t help with pants, as I’m also searching!
In case it’s relevant — I bought the black and mauve sweaters. The port red is also gorgeous.
Quince cashmere sweaters are inexpensive and would serve your needs.
Also, Maeve Magic Fabric pants (from Anthro) are stretchy and comfortable.
True. I have 7 of their cashmere cardigans that I wear most days. I wear them buttoned up with an undershirt, or over a collared silk blouse, also with an undershirt, because I’m not willing to launder delicates that frequently.
FWIW I’ve found the quality of Quince cashmere to be terrible– horrible pilling after one or two wears without washing, doesn’t keep its shape if you push your sleeves up (even just to wash your hands!). They sent me a replacement after I left a fair but negative review, and the replacement was exactly as poor quality as the first one. They also removed my review.
Agree, they are dreadful quality and seem more focused on managing their reputation through marketing vs simply improving product quality.
TBH, I think this will look frumpy, or at least very boring, unless the sweater or pants are particularly interesting and your hair and other personal grooming is really well-done. Boring is fine, to be clear, but if that’s not your goal, I’d consider adding a third piece: a belt, collared shirt layered under the sweater, or a scarf, or swapping the sweater for a blazer + shirt combo.
+1. Especially with sneakers I can’t imagine how this will look polished.
If the pants are well-tailored, hemmed to the perfect length for the shoes, and without an elastic waist, the sneakers are current, and the sweater is cut just right, it will look fabulous. Boots would be better.
With elastic-waist pants and a dumpy sweater, it will be frump city.
I wear some version of a button up, sweater and jeans and sneakers most days. Today it’s a stand collar striped button up with a lady jacket with cropped cream colored jeans and some retro Nikes in bright yellow. Yesterday, it was black straight legs and a black turtleneck with a striped charcoal button up peaking out and animal print pumas.
The secret to the formula, for me at least, is a few more interesting pieces. You can see I like fun sneakers. I have utility jeans, barrel jeans and statement pants. I like a stripe on my button ups. The polish comes from great fit and good condition. If the shirts aren’t pressed crisp, if sneakers look worn out or if the sweaters get pills, the whole thing is frump city.
I love both of these outfits!
I like Cole Haan sneakers for work. I buy in person, so I don’t know the names.
My favorite work pants right now are Banana Republic Factory Hayden pants. They pretend to be trousers and have real pockets, but the back waistband is elastic. I wear the wide leg version.
For the top, I think you need short sleeve sweaters and a mix of interesting blazers, or a set of interesting long sleeve sweaters. My blazers are mostly from “nice” resale/thrift stores. I rent sweaters from nuuly so I’m not wearing the same thing all fall and winter.
I like merino wool sweaters. I also love turtlenecks. I love good fall colors like rich browns, reds, purples, and greens. Sometimes blue but most of my bottoms are black so would the tops should not be too dark. I have had good luck with J crew and banana. For higher end I got a really nice one (thrifted) from Vince.
If voluminous bottoms, slim fit tops.
If voluminous tops, fitted bottoms (but straight legs, not skinny).
I like cropped/ankle length pants with sneakers but I don’t know if that’s actually cute or just my eye.
Barrel cut are surprisingly flattering.
Associates interviewing in person at midsize law firms- does anyone greet you in the beginning before your interview or see you off at the end? And specifically at the end of the interview- do you just leave after your interview is finished, or does someone from HR come out and tell you about next steps, etc?
At our mid-sized firm, an interviewing associate would meet the receptionist, who would summon the attorneys interviewing the candidate. The attorneys then interview the candidate, answer any questions about next steps, then escort the candidate to the door to depart.
IME – more in-house than firms now – typically the last interviewer walks you out. Sometimes there is confusion about whether they need to get you back to HR/some other contact, but typically that’s resolved by (1) the interviewer reaching out to HR/etc. or (2) if the drop off to HR happens, it’s usually just “OK, thanks for coming in!” No substantive update because they don’t know how the interview went yet. Basically, I wouldn’t assume a formal “closeout” of the interview with information that day.
In most mid-sized firms I’ve interviewed with, the receptionist will greet you and the last attorney to interview you will take you to the door. You don’t usually meet with HR.
In my current (large) firm, candidates meet with the “associate development coordinator” or whatever her job title is now (I feel like it’s always changing) at the beginning of the interview. I don’t think they also meet at the end.
This sweater also comes in a nice, dark charcoal grey. I think I may order. I think it would look pretty with a skirt *or* pants.
Intriguing! I’ve been looking for a good charcoal sweater.
So cute and not made of itchy wool! If I could pull off ruffles and bows I would definitely buy it.
I need some v comfy v versatile party shoes with a reasonable heel. Thinking silver but flexible. Suggestions?
Wirecutter had an article about comfortable heels yesterday. Not sure if the link will work but here it is:
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/most-comfortable-heels/
The Racer heel they review comes in silver.
Following! I also need a shoe like this
I have these in two colors and VERY comfortable. I wear them to weddings. And I don’t wear heels any more, but these work for me.
https://www.zappos.com/p/womens-cole-haan-josie-block-heel-sandal-65-mm-silver-leather/product/9623691/color/3298?utm_source=google&utm_medium=pla_x&utm_campaign=23709491238&utm_term=_o_60736034&utm_content=_g__w__l_EAIaIQobChMIlM7cqcTflwMVzy1ECB1fWScmEAQYASABEgKXlfD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAADnIwa8O22lEZSb6a-OCg0sNDcTcx&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlM7cqcTflwMVzy1ECB1fWScmEAQYASABEgKXlfD_BwE
Oh good thread. My broken in classic wedding heels just broke.
I have a Naturalizer strappy, block-heel sandal that fits the bill – I’ve worn to multiple weddings (including as a bridesmaid) and they’re super comfortable. The style I have is the Bristol, those appear to be discontinued but the Izzy looks pretty similar.
I would like to buy some jewelry to add a little something to my basic work pieces. I’m not looking for heirloom quality stuff — just a few stylish pieces that I can wear for the next 3-5 years. Any ideas of where to look? I don’t wear large, chunky jewelry, but I still want something that has some presence.
What’s the neckline of an outfit you have in mind? Otherwise stick to earrings. Bracelets get too fussy.
Me, I get the most mileage out of gold rope chains. I have a 2 mm 15 inch, and a 6 mm 30 inch that I sometimes pair with a 30 inch pearl necklace.
I agree with the other commenter. Earrings first. I like bracelets, and necklaces are hardest. I have a 16″ delicate gold chain I wear, but I get the least mileage out of necklaces bc my shirts have all different necklines.
That’s the challenge for me. I feel like I can wear shorter necklaces (< 24") in the summer when I am wearing more open necklines. And for winter when I'm cold, I need a longer necklace (and like that I can put a 24" one over my head vs fiddling with a clasp). If you wear necklaces, please post your tips. I have two necklaces from Jet Set Candy that I love in theory but cannot wear (especially the paper clip link charm holder one — it always looks off balance). Maybe the problem is me.
Paper clip chains look weird on me, too, as does any chain that needs to lay flat.
I prefer mine shorter and higher on the neck, that way it isn’t playing too oddly with my neckline. Re clasps, I get magnet clasps for my shorter chains.
Look at Mejuri for nicer jewelry that’s not ridiculously expensive.
My favorite jewelry comes from museum gift shops.
Find a good bench jeweler where you live and start there. Mine specializes in antique and vintage and that’s always more bang for the buck.
Do you like your robot vacuum? If so, which one do you have? This is not for me, and robot vac vs. no robot vac is not the question; she’s asked for it very specifically, she is hard to buy for, and she’s getting it. Budget is $500. Amazon reviews are making me crazy.
Are these comments ads for robot vacuums? Suspicious.
Roomba, the one which has a storage unit which allows less frequent emptying/refilling (if also a mop). If it’s appropriate, include set up as part of the gift (like if it’s for a parent etc).
Thanks. I’ll look for the highest-capacity Roomba.
Favorite semi-opaque tights that come in control top options? I’m thinking like 40 denier range.
I like Calzedonia’s tights, they have lots of options and have sales frequently. I just re-purchased 3 pairs of black denier 20 (w/o control top) with a buy 2 get 1 free sale. They last a reasonably long time for tights if you are careful with rings and nails.
I have a cotton/merino sweater that is too large and too long (lucky-ish find on clearance). If I wash it, might it shrink a bit (but in a uniform way)? Or are there other tricks to slightly shrinking something on purpose? I have also thought of spritzing with water and putting it into the dryer and checking every 5 minutes or so.
this will not work. it will not shrink uniformly. slouchy can be in if properly styled or sell it on poshmark. and in the kindest way if it doesn’t fit it isn’t a lucky find.
Haha, seconding that this will not work. I just did this (wrongly) over the weekend. And I am definitely old enough to know better.
For people currently in graduate / professional school, how are you managing paying for school now? It is just making up the gap with private loans, maybe with getting a co-signer? I was thinking about going for an other degree and that I could borrow what I haven’t saved or gotten a scholarship for, but now I am not sure how feasible that is. Would be looking at state schools and while tuition is low, cost of living can be high (or high for a FT student).
I went at night FT (program geared to working mid-career professionals) and paid cash as I went. No freaking way was I going to take out loans, had enough of sticker shock for undergrad.
How much in loans are you talking about?
And maybe, what’s *your* cost of living? I think this is pretty stage of life/personal choices (and some school factors). I did a ft master’s degree in a high COL area inexpensively, but living like a broke student (dorms, and then several roommates, cheap school based catastrophic health insurance I couldn’t afford to use, free food from events) – different calculus if you actually need healthcare, want your own apartment, etc
Finding a job at a company that offers tuition reimbursement and doing grad school part time. It takes longer and you won’t have much free time but you won’t end up with a pile of debt.
When I did my graduate degree, I worked for the university I got it from. I took the job despite its low pay for exactly this reason my husband paid for his graduate school with a combination of a merit grant from the graduate school.
, working part time during school at the job he was leaving, his summer (paid) internship, and loans for the rest.
I’m going to be in Boston for a few days next week and have an open day Saturday. Staying near Boston Commons and don’t plan to have a car. I’d love recommendations for restaurants, cafes, shops, and attractions worth seeing. My husband really wants to have seafood, so I’d love the scoop on what’s worth it and what to skip. I haven’t been to Boston since the late 1980s, so I have zero context. TIA!
Enjoy, the weather looks gorgeous next week! You’re close to pretty much everything there. Unfortunately some of the most interesting food in Boston isn’t in the city center, and it’s really not a ‘foodie’ city so maybe adjust expectations accordingly. For seafood Saltie Girl, Atlantic Fish Co. are reliable but $$. Neptune’s in the North End is amazing but doesn’t take reservations so the wait times are long. I love Mama Maria’s if you like Italian. There are a bunch of Tatte and Flour Locations near there, I prefer Flour over Tatte but both are good.
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is my top suggestion if you like art, otherwise the Freedom trail is a great option as it’s self guided/pop-in pop-out.
Neptune Oyster. It’s tiny but you can usually sit at the bar. Great seafood.
Facing down another year of paltry COL raise, a ‘meets expectations’ rating (while my wider department got slashed and burned and I did the work of multiple people), and was just turned down for an internal promotion. Overall it’s worth staying where I am as the job market is so dire but I’m just feeling so beaten down.
Advice? Commiseration? Share your stories of woe! (sorry Shots! Shots! Shots! but my 45 year old system can’t handle you any longer).
I wouldn’t waste my energy getting worked up by the status quo. That’s not a real problem. If you got a performance is bad and about to be fired, that’s a real problem. A middle of the road, normal review where you have a job? Just accept it. If you’re more ambitious than this company, start making a plan.
I disagree. The opportunity cost for lost salary is substantial – millions once the compounding interest of 20 years before OP’s retirement – and it builds up faster than we realize. That’s a very real problem
It’s rough out there!
This is hard to get the tone right but, I do find it helpful to reflect on how absolutely wildly wealthy I am (at about US median) than the vast majority of people who have ever lived. I have colleagues (formerly in international development) whose whole family, to second cousin’s, chipped in to get them through college, and now… their industry doesn’t exist, and all of those relatives who pinned the families’ hopes on them are disappointed. When they talk about food insecurity, they mean literally not enough calories available, not the US definition. They don’t have the option of “oh, if my govt keeps getting more authoritarian, maybe I just move to Canada”.
I am 99% preaching to myself here though, not you. It’s legit to be frustrated (I was laid off, searched madly for over a year, and eventually got a job for a 30% pay cut and a 90 minute commute each way). But I’m also still pretty freaking lucky
Definitely dust off your resume and apply to other jobs! Yes, it’s brutal out there, but it’s easier to find a job when you have a job, and you could end up with a raise at the new place!
In a similar boat – my boss is making up excuse after excuse not to give me a raise she admits I deserve (??) and I just started officially job searching, but I’m very concerned about finding anything thanks to DOGE and AI. Our costs are very high and we just found out our health insurance plan is getting discontinued so they’re about to get higher. I’m having some fun entertaining elaborate quitting fantasies, though.
It’s rough out there, so I understand your pain. I’m a year into a new role after a re-org that has me basically doing 3 people’s jobs. I hate it. But the pickings are slim, and I’m picky, so I’m biding my time.
I have two coping mechanisms: First, I low-key job hunt all the time – I’ve activated my network and do a scan of competitor’s job boards and the dreaded linkedin postings while on remote meetings that I can half-ass. My resume is up to date and I have a calendar reminder to refresh it quarterly. When the right job appears, I’m ready to go.
Second, I am leaning out intentionally. Everyone is aware that the re-org left too much on my plate and few people for me to delegate to, so I extend timelines and underpromise all the time. In my current context, it’s strategically useful for me to do this openly, but that may not be true in your case. Know your office. But the risk of burnout is very real, and I’m just not willing to contribute more than I have to an organization that isn’t rewarding me in kind.
+1. I just posted above about not getting a raise and beginning job searching and should have added that I am also leaning out. I’ll still do excellent work but it will not be above and beyond or at times when it’s inconvenient for me. I will no longer volunteer to lead anything extra or work the occasional weekend to win new work – that is now the domain of the people getting paid $40K-100K more than I am despite us sharing responsibilities.
If you don’t feel up to job searching yet, I’d at least look at roles you’d want to do, check that the comp package is what you’re expecting, and start getting as much relevant experience as you can to help position you to land the roles want in the medium term.
If your company offers tuition reimbursement or other training opportunities, take advantage of it. Go to events such as conferences to expand your network. If you can, volunteer for something useful which aligns with your medium or long term goal.
Do things outside of work which fill your bucket; yoga, walking at lunch time, meeting up with friends, etc.
What do you do to treat yourself when you are going through a tough and stressful time that includes being extremely busy, not wanting to spend a lot of unnecessary money, and and wanting to eat reasonably healthy (for me this includes little to no caffeine)?
Nail polish or lipstick. The classics.
Spending more money on buying ebooks or tv shows so that I have instant access.
Clothes shopping honestly.
More practically things like a cleaning person, meal kit or just general grocery delivery, sending laundry out
My favourite treat is going for a long walk by the water watching all the critters and sunset. It feels so nice to just take an hour for me. I don’t text or check my phone the whole time. Its me, my thoughts, and nature(ish, the river runs right through the city but the path is pretty green).
meal prep service/prepped meals from a healthy source, if you’d otherwise end up cooking or doing unhealthy takeout? Finding time for a special fitness class you might not otherwise make time for? Being very deliberate about carving out time for yourself – e.g., if your role allows, maybe it’s saying “I’m not going to check my email at all on Sunday.”
I splurge on sashimi. It’s pricey but not unhealthy.
Sitting outside *without my phone* with a cup of herbal tea for 10 minutes is a go-to treat for me. Not multitasking (hence the no phone) feels luxurious
I try to squeeze in walks and baths, mostly. A few minutes outdoors particularly helps.
Someone here introduced me to Yasso Greek Yogurt Bars. If you do want a food treat, they’re quite good and much healthier than ice cream. I like the chocolate coated ones.
A care service I would normally do myself, such as a manicure or pedicure. A facial or massage if you’re into that.
A long mountain bike ride, ideally in slightly cold or uncomfortable conditions, so coming home, showering, and getting into bed with a book and my cat feels that much sweeter.
We can debate unnecessary money threshold but – if you really need a pick me up, the LV lip gloss. Good product, indulgent, with Rowan Atkinson levels of packaging when you buy it in store.
Spending time with friends. Buying little treats like a piece of fun make up of hair clip. Upgrade to usual hair care products. Little things that makes things a bit more enjoyable without taking extra time.
For the busiest times, grocery delivery, pre prepped food (there are people who will do your shopping and deliver it prepped so carrots are cut etc).
Throw out clutter to help with a calm environment.
Literally taking a deep breath with yoga/walks/jogs/music/anything that requires deep breaths.
What did you major in in college and why? Do you think it was a good decision long term?
I was talking with some friends whose kids are choosing college majors. Honestly I don’t think it makes a huge difference in the long term given how different peoples careers tend to be, but it is good for kids to keep in mind both their interests and the career options.
I majored in econ, which I liked because I liked math and practical math a lot. I think its been a good basis for how to think about to things and to learn new things.
engineering major and 100% yes. the logic and problem-solving aspects were a great basis for my entirely-unrelated career.
I majored in management after a brief foray into theater arts. Honestly I feel like the theater has been more useful over the years. I still laugh about the “Management Information Systems” class I took ca. 1980 about mainframes vs. desktop workstations. And they were also very high on Japanese “just in time” delivery systems…
I think the job market has changed a lot since we graduated. Now you have to show that you’re super specialized in whatever employer’s niche if you even want a chance of being looked at. IMO that means for kids these days, they’d better choose imminently employable majors; no faffing around in some interesting corner of the liberal arts, etc.
I still err towards hiring people with engineering undergrad and whatever masters they wanted to do. Engineering teaches logical and systems thinking, and seems to produce patient people who can sit with a problem and seek to understand it and work on it.
Of course there are a wide range of engineering disciplines, and the student needs a sufficient level of competence to be admitted and then do well.