Bargain Friday’s TPS Report: Dialogue Elbow Sleeve Ballet Neck Ponte Knit Dress
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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
Sales of note for 9/4 (Happy Labor Day — see our big roundup!)
- Nordstrom – End of season clearance, up to 50% off
- Anine Bing – Archive sale, up to 70% off select styles, online only
- Ann Taylor – 30% off you purchase, including new arrivals – $50 off when you spend $200. Readers love this easycare blouse and this blazer that makes a great separate.
- Anthropologie – 40% off sale! The reader favorite wide leg pants are on sale for as low as $86, including the pants I posted last week!
- Athleta – Up to 60% off + extra 30% off sale; readers love these pants
- AYR – Archive sale, up to 60% off
- Boden – 20% off everything – readers love these dresses, and their double-layer line of tees
- CVS – Epic beauty sale, $10 off when you spend $30 (Walmart is having its “Beauty Event” as well right now!)
- Design Within Reach – the semiannual sale, 25% off everything! (readers love the Herman Miller Aeron and Sayl!)
- The Fold – 20% off, limited time only
- J.Crew – 40% off your purchase
- J.Crew Factory – 50% off all stores and sitewide, PLUS extra 20% off orders over $125
- J.McLaughlin – Extra 40% off sale (ending soon)
- Lilysilk – Anniversary sale, save up to 70% (ending soon)
- 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 – Thru September 7: Extra 25% off clearance! 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
- Sarah Flint – 20% off sitewide
- Talbots – Ends 9/4: 25-40% off wear-now styles
- Theory – End of season sale is on!
- Veronica Beard – Extra 20% off sale styles with code
And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!
Some of our latest threadjacks include:

This is a cute dress, but it is waitlisted in all of the sizes except for the plus sizes.
Adorable, but the smaller sizes are all waitlisted…Le sigh.
I even watched the QVC video. I agree with the salesperson that this dress is very Jackie O-ish.
None of the reviews indicate how well it comes out of the wash — does anyone know?
Depending on the fabric, some knit dresses get stretched out in the butt area as the day goes on and then just look weird. Anyone have any experience with this fabric?
Ponte holds its shape. It can be hot, and it may pill rather quickly.
At that price, wear it for a few months and if it gets saggy toss it.
I’m short (under 5’4″). It looks like it may be a little long for people like me — can anyone attest to whether this is too long for the “petite” catergory? (I’m not sure if I’d want to pay to have a $40 dress tailored.)
I’m short too, and think it looks too long as well. But still, if you pay to have it shortened its what, a $50 dress? Still seems like a good value.
I’m 5’5″ and the dress hits me right below the knee.
Does anyone have a reasonably priced tailor in NYC? Mine is ~$45 for dress shortening and ~$35 for skirt shortening. I would love to find someone willing to do this for about $15 (I’d use my regular guy for especially nice / expensive pieces still). Am I being too cheap?
Eva, just don’t go in midtown. Really anywhere else is cheaper. Depends on the neighborhood, but generally a bit further uptown (and not one of the “organic” dry cleaners) is better.
I did a little research a while ago but haven’t followed up to make sure these places exist and try them (nor can I remember where I found the recommendations) – but Orchard Street Tailors at Orchard & Rivngton, and Amy’s Cleaners at 7th & B, are places that I read somwhere were cheap and decent. If you go, please email me at kemnyc@gmail.com and let me know how your experience was.
Thanks!
Karen
I used to live in Park Slope Brooklyn and there were good tailors for the prices you are hoping for, depending on the place. Probably too far if you live uptown, but you could save up pieces and make an afternoon out of it, visit cafes, parks etc. I live in Seattle now and found the same thing- my high-end neighborhood’s are wayyy overpriced, so I go to a place a friend recommended near my office and the Asian district who is amazing and inexpensive. It’s worth it as it adds up over time because I need to get everything shortened.
I own this dress! The photo doesn’t do it justice–it has a slightly empire, banded waist, and beautifully tucked pockets. So comfortable to wear, too, because of the flattering length and the breathable ponte knit. And it’s a steal at $40. Strongly recommended!
Thanks for the tailoring recs, all! I have a new Brooks Brothers skirt bought on huge clearance ($30, down from $150 or so) that’s an inch or two too long, but I was reluctant to spend $35 shortening it.
love it – of course it’s great to get investment pieces but you can’t go wrong with the above or this BB Dakota dress. Tried it on, for $70 it’s a steal!
see it here: http://www.what2wearwhere.com/blog/post/2009/09/21/-BB-Dakota.aspx