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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 84 Comments · by

Bargain Friday’s TPS Report: Fabulous Wool Jersey Top

Fashion· The Personal Shopper (TPS)· Wear to Work

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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Fabulous Wool Jersey TopThe big Boden sale is on, and while there are some great deals to be had, it's also “lucky size” territory — so take today's post as more of an example of what you might find at the sale. This wool jersey top looks lovely — great rich colors, interesting neckline, and generally a great top by itself of beneath a blazer or cardigan. I might even try it with a turtleneck beneath it. Was $54, now $36 (very limited sizes and colors left). Fabulous Wool Jersey Top Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line. Disclosures

Sales of note for 9.10.24

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Comments

  1. housecounsel

    Royal blue and black? Are we venturing into eighties territory again?

    FYI I changed my outfit this morning after a text-message conversation with a friend about two recent Corporette topics: print blouses and neutrals with black. I’m in a black pantsuit now, and a silk wrap blouse in a cream-and-black print, Ann Taylor circa 2006. The colored-print blouse had to go.

    • lawyerette

      That’s really too bad IMO. I wear royal blue and black and yesterday for the firm holiday party, a bright red silk button-down shirt and a black wool suit and I think it’s fabulous. I have winter coloring and those combinations suit me. When it’s a modern (not 80s) cut, I really don’t see how you’re venturing into 80s territory. Now if you wear a royal blue suit and red, *maybe* ….

      • Lawgirl

        I defy “The Rules.” All that “wear-color-with-color, black-with-black” stuff is a bunch of hooey, IMHO. Blue and black can be very classy in an updated look.

        • Frump

          If anything, I find ‘black with black’ to be one of the ‘riskiest’ combinations because I find it SO hard to match different blacks reliably. Black has various shades, especially depending on the fabric, and I think one of the surest ways to look dowdy is to wear black with black, without much regard to the shade differentiation. I can’t tell you how many times I see people with distinctly green-based black pants and an inky, deep black shirt, which just looks so off to my eye. I think somebody would look more put together in black + slightly outdated but well paired print than in black + mismatched black.

          • Anon

            I think black with black when they are different blacks looks sophisticated. Anyone familiar with Ad Reinhardt’s black paintings will appreciate the ode.

          • Frump

            Of course there are instances where all black outfits look fabulous (say, with high-end designer pieces or lots of care in choosing the blacks that are going together), but I’m really talking about the more average context here, in which case I think mixing blacks is risky. The vast majority of people I see wearing black on black are doing so without much regard to the quality, shade, and fabric properties of the blacks they are putting together and thus just end up looking sloppy.

          • michelle

            I work in NYC, in large meetings we sometimes laugh at how many of us women are dressed in all black! It is really the norm, though.

          • Anon L

            This! I just ran to Express to get a different top to wear to an event tonight (Express being the only decent store walking distance from my office) because only when I got to my office this morning did I realized that the black-on-black outfit I had originally planned to wear was horribly mismatched!

      • Frump

        I was actually just thinking of what colors to wear with black (I don’t feel very good wearing black bottoms) and came up with the conclusion that jewel tones and rich navy/jewel blue is one of the only colors I actually will feel okay wearing with black.

        • Grump

          I was just going to comment on this but Frump expressed my opinion before I had a chance to – great minds ;)

          I love a jewel tone with black. In fact I only *ever* wear black with jewel tones. One of my favourite outfits involves wearing a black A Line skirt with a ruffled short-sleeve teal silky poly blouse, a thin black patent belt andblack patent heels with some aprkly earrings thrown in. Black on black is a no-no to me.

        • Eponine

          I like black with a jewel tone or another neutral (currently I’m wearing black, gray and olive). Black with a pastel just looks so blah, and black with a bright doesn’t flatter my skin tone.

          • Ru

            I agree, there’s just something off to my eyes when I see black and pastels together.

        • s-p-s

          Agreed…the no-black-with-color rule seems more of a guideline. Definitely applies to brights and pastels, but it looks fine when I wear a deep, rich purple or teal.

    • eplawyer

      I happen to like royal blue and black. I used to worry that I had too much blue (of every shade) in my closet. I have since given in to my blueness. It is the one color that looks reliable good on me regardless of the shade. And it goes with pretty much everything else in my wardrobe (not sure about the purple jacket I just bought at Nordy’s Rack).

      • surrounded by lawyers

        What shade of purple? I wouldn’t rule it out for a non-formal situation…I’ve been finding that a good way to avoid boredom when one owns a bunch of somewhat boring pieces is to do unexpected color combinations.

      • Ru

        Ditto with blue overtaking my closet and how it looks on me. I have to say, finding a royal blue anything in the right fabric sometimes seems impossible. When I do find it, I will victoriously wear it with any color that catches my fancy, tastefully, of course =).

      • anon

        I have a purple coat that I absoltuely love pairing with black. Actually, the only other thing that seems suitable and still neutral is charcoal gray.

      • Emily I

        I have a great 60’s-inspired (but work-appropriate – not “hippie”) dress I wear with a patent black belt, black cardi, black tights, and black shoes. I get lots of compliments. I’m almost disappointed that due to my recent weight loss that it’s getting too baggy!

    • surrounded by lawyers

      It wasn’t me, but I am a HUGE Hax devotee. Her Facebook fan page really takes it to the next level too…

    • Anonymous

      Prudie & Hax have shaped me since high school, happily, and if you love them, you might also love Dan Savage’s ‘Savage Love’ column syndicated in ‘alt’ weeklies (free hipster ‘citypapers’) and online as at The Stanger dot com Savage is theoretically an adult relations specialist, so if you one is put off by frank talk, no-go, but really it’s relationships and living life with intention and ethics, as w our girls Prudie & CH. I love all three, as well as the Corporette sisterhood, and think of the readerships of all as silent sororiety/fraternity of the kind and gentle, while so many scream around in the madding crowd. :)

    • zee

      Carolyn Hax is the *best* – she’s really helped me become a voice of reason when my friends have issues (goodness knows I wouldn’t be able to come up with that stuff on my own). Live chat on WaPo at noon (EST) every Friday, if you don’t already know. Dan Savage is great too.

  5. Marie

    Also a big Hax fan! Her live q&a’s are hard to resist on Friday afternoons. Looking forward to the holiday stories…

  6. anon4this

    Hi ladies, sorry about the early AM threadjack, I’m hoping some of you have some ideas for me….

    I seem to always be in foot pain induced by all of the shoes I wear (except flip flops or running shoes). The issue appears to be that when I put weight on my feet, my little toe turns outward and looks sort of like this: >. The outer part of the > rubs against the shoe and after 5 hours or so I am seeing stars. Obviously the tighter the shoe the more it hurts but I’ve tried wide and double-wide shoes to no avail. They last a little longer without pain but it’s still 5 or maybe 6 hours. I’ve also tried those stretcher things from the cobbler, and they help too, but it’s never enough.

    I had resigned myself to living like this but sometimes the pain is so ridiculous I can’t stand it. Yesterday I really wanted to cut off my little toe :( Short of doing that, or wearing flip flops, or changing into multiple shoes per day (which seems to help somewhat, just the variety), I’m out of ideas. Anyone have any others?

    • Eponine

      I suspect you’re wearing the wrong shoe size, not width. When was the last time you had your feet measured? Go to a higher-end shoe store, preferably one with those foot scanner things, and get measured and analyzed. Or, if it’s really bothering you, see a podiatrist – you could be actually doing damage to your foot, and a podiatrist can help you prevent further damage.

    • E

      See a podiatrist. They specialize in these issues. You could get orthotics or a pad, or another of a million possible fixes. We torture our feet, and a podiatrist may be able to help.

      If they recommend an operation, I would get a second opinion, but it may be the way to go, depending on the situation. But don’t go rushing in to surgery — some pods are pretty aggressive and the data aren’t always there.

      • Footloose Fancyfree

        Sounds like a tailor’s bunion. That’s where you have a bunion on the little toe rather than the big toe, though I think they usually go hand in hand. I just had surgery on both of my feet for regular bunions and it’s a pain in the butt, but not as painful as I thought it would be. The surgery is nothing, the recovery is slow. I don’t think anyone should rush into surgery but if your feet bother you every day of your life, I think a few months of dealing with post-op stuff makes up for a lifetime free of pain.

        • Running again

          I think they also are referred to as “bunionettes.” I used to have similar pain on my left foot all of the time. A few hours standing would sometimes feel like fire. When it got to the point that I was wearing Birkenstocks or tennis shoes whenever I was outside the office, I finally gave in to see a doc. He did the surgery and even though it sounds gruesome to hear about “shaving off” bone, I have to say it was the best thing I’ve ever had done. I’ve been 100 percent pain free since. I just wish I had it done earlier. Recovery in my case wasn’t bad at all–maybe four weeks or so in a special walking shoe. Not even any real pain afterward, if I recall.

          May not be what you need. I know a lot can be done with orthotics and such. But if it is, don’t let the thought of surgery scare you. Seriosuly, it really wasn’t all that bad and has been life changing to be pain free. (I’ve also dropped a ton of weight now that I can go running.)

          • Footloose Fancyfree

            I’m hoping I have the same results! I’m only a few months out from the first surgery and three weeks from the second. Hard to tell how it’ll be but it wasn’t really a choice for me. My feet hurt all day, every day no matter what I wore. They didn’t shave the bone down for me, though, they removed a piece, straightened it and put a titanium screw in.

            It was amazing, though. I only took prescription painkillers the first day and I probably didn’t even have to.

          • spacegeek

            Lord love a duck. I have bunions on both feet. 4 years ago I did the big toe one on my left foot, followed by the little toe side a year later on that same foot. I’d love to do the right foot, but it is my “gas pedal” foot and I’d not be able to drive for 7 weeks while in a cast. (That’s the way my MD does it.)
            The pain was excruciating and horrific. The recovery was long and miserable. But the foot is now my “good” one, and I’m just waiting until my children are a bit older and I’ll do the right foot. I was definitely all worth it.

            I understand they have a way to put pain meds directly into the joints through some pumps now, so that the first few days are not so excruciating. Sign me up.

    • anon4this

      Thank you ladies! I just made an appointment with a podiatrist. My little toes look “normal” when I’m not putting weight on my foot, but as soon as I do they look a lot like a picture of the tailor’s bunion/bunionnette I found online! Thank you for that!! We’ll see what the doc says.

      • Footloose Fancyfree

        Sometimes orthotics (specially made inserts) can do the trick on their own–at least for a few years. I don’t think bunionettes are as bad as bunions (hence the adorable name?).

  7. A

    Any reviews of Boden clothing, as far as quality? I ordered a cardigan from Boden a while back and after wearing it twice, it has a hole in the shoulder. Not a picked thread, or a seam unraveling, but an actual hole. I guess it probably got caught on something? I’m not sure, because that seems like something I’d remember. But it’s $70 down the drain because I don’t think you can sew up a hole in a prominent place.

    I get the Boden catalogs and think clothes look cute but am hesitant to order again. As I said, I might be to blame for this hole, but just curious about what others think of quality.

    • E

      I love Boden, and have had no issues with quality. Nothing is cheap, but I think it holds up really well. Some of my friends order too, and they’ve had the same experience. I will say that for me they hit the middle ground of dressy casual clothes (is that even a thing?) for when I go in to work on weekends or have a fun brunch, etc, rather than true work clothes.

    • CBC

      You might want to try sending it back. Boden is generally pretty good about returns–especially if the problem is that the garment didn’t hold up.

    • AtlantaAttorney

      I’ve had good luck with Boden’s quality. Fit for me is a little unpredictable, but with free shipping, no worry. I’ve found them very fast on processing returns.

    • jcb

      I’ve actually been really surprised at the high quality of pretty much everything I’ve ordered from Boden over the past year (when I discovered them through the comments here), though I did think that their cropped cashmere cardigan was too thin this season. The other 2 sweaters I’d ordered were a good weight, though.

      I’d suggest that you call them and see if you can have your sweater replaced, their customer service seems pretty great to me. Another option – some dry cleaners will reweave holes in sweaters, though you may have to check with a few different places to get a decent price. I can give you a good recommendation if you’re in Chicago!

    • Anon

      Actually have been very impressed by the quality, especially the jersey knits which wear much better than those from other stores, and the sweaters seem to pill less, too. You may have just had a bad item.

  8. janep

    I ordered one of the Boden dresses that was featured here this Spring and I received compliments every time I wore it. I’m bigger on the bottom than top and it was really flattering and forgiving. No quality issues.

  10. chix pix

    I love the Boden catalog, and yesterday’s sale catalog is great. I will stick with the washable catalog items, and for work I buy tops that are not asymmetrical, because these asymmetrical ones doe not generally work under a jacket.

    Has anyone tried a TIDE drycleaner? Read about it and it sounds like a good new approach to dry cleaning….

  11. Quick question

    For those who supervise other people, do you walk to them to talk to them or call them in to speak with you? I’m a relatively new lawyer and most of the people in my firm email or call support staff for things. I on the other hand hate sitting at a desk all day and use it as an opportunity to walk across the hall and speak face to face.

    I worry though that I come across to others as subordinate or uncomfortable in my supervising role because I go to them instead of having them come to me. I don’t think it is blatant but a sub-conscious thing. If I’m super busy, sure I email or call them. But if it is not a rush assignment, I just walk over with it.

    Thoughts?

    • Anon

      I think you are overthinking it. I walk over to my secretary’s/paralegals’/associates’ offices all the time – I started when I was brand new and still do it now (I am pretty senior). If anything, I think it can convey confidence (certainly more than email, which is the wimpy way to ask for anything) and often, it’s a far more effective method of communicating.

      • Anon

        And I’ll add — it’s ultimately your effectiveness that will, or will not, command respect. So do what works, and people will recognize that.

      • SF Bay Associate

        I agree you are overthinking it. Adding a twist, I do sometimes feel badly when I walk over to talk to her/say hi and see that my assistant is in the middle of something . She feels like she has to stop what she’s doing to listen to me (office culture), even though she’s really jammed on doing something for another attorney she supports. I try to always start by saying hi and asking if she’s slammed at the moment or say “wow, you look busy” which gives her a chance to say, “well, yeah, right now” or “oh, no, it just looks worse than it is.” To avoid putting her on the spot, I try to email tasks instead.

        • associate

          Agree with you SF Bay – I’ve been on the other side. One of the people I work for has an unfortunate habit of stopping by my office nearly EVERY time he has a question on something or wants to assign me a task. I have to drop whatever I’m doing and immediately turn my attention to his question/request. It sometimes happens every 30 min to 1 hour and drives me crazy, especially when I’m working on multiple matters at the time and not the matter he is coming in about. I doubt many people do that, but I don’t understand how he doesn’t see that it’s disruptive. I guess it’s good for him but it makes me crazy! I’ve started closing my door when I really need to get work done, but that only partially works.

    • Arachna

      Depends. If you really are uncomfortable supervising and the support staff is more experiences its a somewhat akward relationship because of this etc. then I would switch to email and calls.

      However if you are comfortable supervising and the relationship in general then I don’t think its a problem at all and you should keep going to them – if anything it will help you develop a better relationship with them = better work.

      • Lawgirl

        I think coming to someone’s office to speak to them is a sign of respect (assuming you’re not brow-beating them or harassing them!). I personally hate: “Please come see me,” via phone or email. Who are you, DaddyBear, MommaBear?! Pffftthhh.

        • Anonymous

          I’m a lowly associate and I get this email all the time from one particular partner. But without the “please.”

        • Lyssa

          “Please come see me” without context always makes me think that I’m in trouble or there’s some gravely serious matter that needs to be discussed.

    • Corporate Tool

      My boss just bellows my name out his door. Works for me, but is hard to pull off.

      There is one thing I would suggest against: using the intracompany phones to “buzz” someone. It has the dual disadvantage of putting them on the spot, and being disruptive.

    • Eponine

      I go to them. I like to get up from my desk. If I need something ASAP, though, I don’t hesitate to call and ask a subordinate to come to me.

      I think so long as you feel comfortable asking them to come to you, you’re doing fine as a supervisor. You don’t have to act on every prerogative that comes with your job title.

      • Eponine

        ps – My boss, who is senior senior senior, always comes to me when he needs something, and he always comes to our interns, and everyone in between. And if I need something urgent and I call him and ask him to come to me, he comes, and he does the same for interns and everyone in between. It doesn’t undermine his authority one bit – if anything, it makes him seem more professional to demonstrate that he’s unconcerned with status and title and more concerned with getting the job done.

        • kng

          this. the most senior partner i work for always either comes by to see me or emails me to come see him, i find this so refreshing and respectful- everyone else i work for/with just shoots emails and goes without human contact for so long. this partner also thanks paralegals, library staff, etc. for a job well done so perhaps he just has a better sense of manners.

    • Anon101

      I see no problem coming to the supervisees directly, except that if you are talking to them about a non-urgent project they may put it aside and forget about it since your request is not in writing. Maybe you could come to them to explain the project, and then send a follow up email about what was agreed to and when you would like it done by?

    • Anon

      I also go to my secretary. I never ask her to come see me. I will email or call her with quick requests, especially if I am in the middle of something and don’t want to stop what I am working on. But otherwise I just go to her office.

    • ae

      I always go to people… it’s just more polite. Even if someone reports to me, if I need something, I’m going to get up and walk over or make a phone call/write an email – my staff isn’t at my beck & call.

      My work is meeting-heavy, though, so my staff isn’t always at their desk, so I typically send a “Hey, you around? I was hoping to catch up on X” text/email/BBM (very informal workplace, so texting is frequent) so I’m not roaming the building looking for someone.

  12. Legally Brunette

    I love love love this. Royal blue is probably my favorite color, it looks great with my “winter” coloring. Unfortunately, it was sold out in small sizes weeks ago. Boo.

    • Emily I

      I know I’ve been told this, but how do you decide whether you are a winter or a summer? I generally wear lots of different colors and neutrals without any idea what really looks “best” on me. I’d love to know!

      • Legally Brunette

        I read a similar book. If you have a public library near you, I would check out this book as well as a few others – just type in “personal beauty” or “style” and you should find some helpful reads. Trinny & Suzannah have a book where they talk about coloring as well, but I can’t recall the title.

        I also know that there are color stylists that you can pay to have a comprehensive color analysis done. I would love to do this, but not sure if it’s really necessary because I know that I look really good in jewel tones, terrible in pastels, etc.

        This might help: http://www.style-makeover-hq.com/seasonal-color-analysis.html

      • nonA

        Whenever I see questions like this, all I can think of is Bridget Jones (the book, not the movie), where her mother is always after her to “get her colors done.”

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