Bargain Friday’s TPS Report: J.Crew’s solid three-quarter sleeve stretch shirt
Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
Today's TPS report was suggested by reader S, who writes:
I've been obsessed with this J Crew classic shirt for work … it fits me and my freakishly long torso so well, and they switch in a bunch of new colors every season! They're normally $58, but it seems like they've been rotating which colors go on sale, so I've been able to slowwwly build my collection until I eventually get them all. Perfect under everything and over anything. Also, I've had a few monogrammed and they look so classic and crisp.As luck would have it, they are on sale at the moment, and (depending on color) priced at either $39.99 or $48. N.B.: they come in petites as well. Women's solid three-quarter sleeve stretch shirt Update: A reader suggests we try code EXTRA20, which expires today. If you've recently seen a great work piece you'd like to recommend to the readers, please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line.
Sales of note for 12.5
- Nordstrom – Cyber Monday Deals Extended, up to 60% off thousands of new markdowns — great deals on Natori, Vince, Theory, Boss, Cole Haan, Tory Burch, Rothy's, and Weitzman, as well as gift ideas like Barefoot Dreams and Parachute — Dyson is new to sale, 16-23% off, and 3x points on beauty purchases.
- Ann Taylor – up to 50% off everything
- Banana Republic Factory – up to 50% off everything + extra 25% off
- Design Within Reach – 25% off sitewide (including reader-favorite office chairs Herman Miller Aeron and Sayl!) (sale extended)
- Eloquii – up to 60% off select styles
- J.Crew – 1200 styles from $20
- J.Crew Factory – 50-70% off everything + extra 20% off $100+
- Macy's – Extra 30% off the best brands and 15% off beauty
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off, plus free shipping on everything (and 20% off your first order)
- Steelcase – 25% off sitewide, including reader-favorite office chairs Leap and Gesture (sale extended)
- Talbots – 40% off your entire purchase and free shipping $125+
And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!
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Is it just me, or is anyone else tired of three-quarter sleeve shirts, sweaters, jackets? While I like the look, I don’t my arms to be cold anymore.
Another great shirt is the Piped-Cuff shirt from The Limited. Its on sale right now for $26.70 and I bought it in purple, brown, black and white. I think I might get a few more white ones though because its a great shirt. Fits great and is on the longer side so it won’t come untucked from pants whenever you bend over!
http://www.thelimited.com/detail/piped-cuff-shirt/4521843
Ooh, I like that Limited shirt, Numero10. If you get 2, give this coupon code a try:
$15 off $50 or more
Use The Limited Coupon Code 162 or 321 [Exp. 07/31]
(I found it online; haven’t verified that it works.)
Update: tried the coupon above and it works! Shipping for two was $9.
just as an fyi…limited shirts don’t seem to wash up too well, and as a result you may want to splash out on dry cleaning. to be specific, they tend to shrink just enough to gape across the bust!
I love this shirt as well, and it’s one of the few that (a) fits my also freakishly long torso (too bad I don’t have the legs to match) and (b) fits the bust perfectly – never even the slightest gap. Stock up!
@kate1 – I agree on the 3/4 sleeve issue – I avoid them in winter because no matter how long my gloves are, some icy air finds its way up my coat sleeve. On the other hand, shirts like this one, and lightweight summer sweaters that are 3/4 sleeve are great (bonus warmth without looking too heavy for the season).
Does anyone know of a good dress shirt that is good for long torsos and won’t gape across the chest if you have bigger than a B-cup or be too narrow in the shoulder area? Let’s just say I’ve given up.
Is that Limited shirt meant to be untucked? It doesn’t seem long enough to tuck into a skirt.
Kate1 – I am in partial agreement. I normally don’t care for 3/4 length sleeve shirts. I find them uncomfortable if I have to wear a jacket, I don’t like the length because I feel as though I need to scrunch over my elbows to feel comfortable. And I just don’t think they are all that flattering compared to a well fitting short sleeve shirt or a long sleeve shirt.
Mel-
I have the same problem, too! The JCrew shirt advertised is actually one of the best ones I’ve found. I usually get them in a long (which I can never find on sale!) since I’m 5’9″ and have a long torso. I’m a 34D, and the gaping is minimal in a medium size.
Mel-
They aren’t cheap but Rebecca and Drew make shirts sized with your bra size considered.
http://www.rebeccaanddrew.com
I think Pink does as well
My sister introduced me to that J. Crew shirt this summer and I promptly passed the idea on to my daughter, who started her first post-college corporate job in June. Great when you don’t want to be wearing a jacket in the office.
A co-worker once said that they find JCrew button ups too casual for professional wear. I tend to agree, not that I don’t own two.
Curious, @Cari and any others: what factors would make a button-down blouse too casual for the office?
I tend to rely on them with suiting (haven’t really gotten into shells/camis with suits, as I always feel like I’m in a pajama top or restricted from removing my jacket)… So, long story short, I definitely want to know if I’m inadvertently looking too casual in button-down, collared shirts!
I agree that many of J.Crew’s shirts aren’t office appropriate (many of them are made of very (too) thin cotton, or have loud-ish patterns, occasionally ruffly or otherwise “interesting” seaming, or drawstring/tie at the neck effects that make them better suited for a jeans look.)
Some of theirs have contrasting stitching, which I think is fine for an average day (such as if this blouse had white instead of pink thread) but I wouldn’t wear that look with a suit.
But this shirt, and others that they display next to the suiting in the store, I think are perfect for the office. Plus, several of the fits (this one and Kathryn) have the perfect bust:waist:hip ratio for an hourglass – and are long enough to stay tucked without effort – love.
Awesome — agreed, and many thanks to Cat for a great overview of J.Crew’s offerings! I feel otons better about my suit/blouse choices :)
I would disagree on contrast stitching making a shirt too casual. For instance, most bespoke (Savile Row-type) shirts employ very subtle contrast stitching to denote the thought and style put into the making of the shirt. Thus, if it’s loud, and machine-done, and cheap, yes…too casual.
If you stick with J. Crew’s higher-end shirts (and not too fashion forward), they do have many work-appropriate shirts. I have a ton of shirts from them (some as old as ten years) that still wear nicely.