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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 90 Comments · by

Bargain Friday’s TPS Report: Le Centre Pompidou Skirt

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. Le Centre Pompidou SkirtThis lovely navy skirt is back in stock at ModCloth, where it seems to have many admirers (47 reviews, 4 star average!). It's a nice change from a pencil skirt, but be warned — this skirt can be tricky to pull off with authority since it has such a vintage, almost homemaker vibe. To compensate, I'd pair it with super simple black or navy tights, and either smart flats (a pointed toe is necessary here, I think) or, if it's acceptable at your office, tall black or brown boots. Ladies, how would you style? It's $34 at ModCloth, sizes S-L. Le Centre Pompidou Skirt Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line. (L-2)

Sales of note for 10.10.24

  • Nordstrom – Extra 25% off clearance (through 10/14); there's a lot from reader favorites like Boss, FARM Rio, Marc Fisher LTD, AGL, and more. Plus: free 2-day shipping, and cardmembers earn 6x points per dollar (3X the points on beauty).
  • Ann Taylor – Extra 50% off sale (ends 10/12)
  • Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything plus extra 25% off your $125+ purchase
  • Boden – 10% off new styles with code; free shipping over $75
  • Eloquii – Extra 50% off a lot of sale items, with code
  • J.Crew – 40% off sitewide
  • J.Crew Factory – 50% off entire site, plus extra 25% off orders $150+
  • Lo & Sons – Fall Sale, up to 35% off
  • M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
  • Neiman Marcus – Sale on sale, up to 85% off
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – 50% off 2+ markdowns
  • Target – Circle week, deals on 1000s of items
  • White House Black Market – Buy one, get one – 50% off full price styles

And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

About Kat

Kat Griffin is the founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Corporette. You can read more about her here.

Comments

  1. AnonInAtlanta

    Love it! But I wouldn’t wear it to the office. Perfect for a holiday dinner, though.

  2. houda

    I think this is lovely, very wearable in my office culture. The shape is forgiving for ladies with hips and the price doesn’t hurt. I like it

  4. MPC

    Very cute! Too cute for the office, in fact. If I wore this, I would look about seven years old. But that’s mostly because I’m 23 and short. I’m sure others could pull it off beautifully.

  5. L

    I love this! The fabric does seem summery, though (linen blend, what does that mean?). It could also go with a bright colored sweater for a party.

  6. Lynette

    I really like this. And it looks as though you have the option of removing the belt.

  7. eb

    The length is 20″ – how short is that? Not knee-length? It is super adorable, though.

    For anyone doing BR shopping online this weekend who isn’t on the email list: 30% off code good until 12/5 BRELEPHANT.

    • anon-ny

      I tried this code and it doesn’t work. The 25% promo code I received though for this weekend is BREVENT.

    • Legally Brunette

      I’m 5’5, and knee length for me would be around 24” (meaning, it would just cover my kneecap). 20” is pretty short for me.

  8. Another Sarah

    I actually had this in my cart a few days ago and my checkbook made me chicken out. Yes, I know the skirt is inexpensive…but I just had a ginormous cc bill come in and so I couldn’t justify a skirt I don’t need and won’t wear for awhile. But I still covet it!! :-)

  9. anone

    I could definitely pull this off at my office, and I would style it exactly as Kat suggested.

    Does anyone have experience ordering from ModCloth? I’ve seen some cute stuff from there, but don’t want to take the leap just yet. And what do you ladies think of these items from there:

    http://bit.ly/gmRsby
    http://bit.ly/dOokhH

    • ACE

      I love, love, love both items. However, I would only wear the cardigan on weekends, but that may just be because I’m 29 and often asked if I’m 19, and this would scream little girl on me. Although, as a general rule, I wouldn’t wear anything to work with hearts on it, I think it’s too “girly,” but again this just may be my issue alone.

    • anonawow

      The heart cardigan makes me think the wearer should also be carrying a hello kitty purse. I couldn’t pull it off, but I’m sure some of you could rock it (probably not at the office though).

    • 2L NYC

      I have ordered two dresses from modcloth in the past, and have been quite pleased. The first dress I bought I was a little disappointed (although it did look just like the picture) — because it was reasonably expensive (~$120) and the fabric seemed less substantial than it looked like online. I still wear it a lot though, My second dress was a winner, and I really love wearing it and it also seemed to be very well-made. Their dresses are a little short on me — I am 5’6″/115 and I usually order a small.

      My sister also bought me a pocket watch from there, which I adore. They also send you free gifts with your purchase — cute hairclips, earrings that seem to almost make up for the $7 shipping.

      As for your choices: I love the top — really cute, not so much a fan of the cardigan, it seems like something that wouldn’t look as good on as it does in the picture.

      • anone

        Cool, thanks for the thoughts ladies. I do like the polka dot blouse more than the cardigan, although $88 seems a bit much.

        • My two cents

          I’m not a fan of the blouse because of how sheer it is. You would probably have to wear a cami underneath and that might ruin the look. Love the design though.

  10. anon

    Does anyone have any tips for tying a bow like this? I have a fabric belt I want to use around my waist for an otherwise sack-shaped dress but my bow tying doesn’t look very nice and I’d rather avoid just knotting it.

    • TennADA

      I believe the Brooks Brothers site has instructions for tying a bow tie – the concept would be the same, just with a longer piece of cloth.

  12. annie

    absolutely love it, absolutely wouldn’t wear it to work. i’d probably wear it with a jewel tone top and a bright white jacket.

    seriously considering it, even though i need another navy skirt like i need a hole in my head. way cute, thanks cat!

  13. Legally Brunette

    So glad that you posted something from ModCloth because I recently discovered the site and have been drooling over their clothes. There are a few things that I have found on the site that are work appropriate for my office. How is the quality and the fit?

    • Lawgirl

      Hi Legally Brunette, I have been intrigued about the Modcloth too. So cute and vintage-y, but also potentially one step away from cheap & tacky from a Corporette perspective ;-) They had 50% off entire site + free shipping for Black Friday, so I got a (cough) alot of stuff coming my way. I’ll share feedback, ‘kay?

      • Lawgirl

        Shoot, Legally Brunette – I ordered from Tulle, not Modcloth! http://tulle4us.com/ I guess I’ll pine away some more about Modcloth and wait to hear with the other gals say.. ;-)

        • Legally Brunette

          Thanks Lawgirl. Curious how Tulle works out for you. I tried on a Tulle coat in a boutique the other day and while it looked really cute on the rack, I was not impressed with the quality. I’m hoping you’ll have good luck!!

          • SW

            TJ Maxx had a ton of Tulle coats recently. The quality is not that great (they are a little thin), but they were $30. I wouldn’t pay what they ask in boutiques for them.

    • associate

      I’d also like to know people’s experience with ModCloth and quality. I’ve had my eye on a few pieces via my Shopstyle app, but the prices seem too good to be true…

    • sas

      i’ve bought from modcloth, and my review is: You get what you pay for and they’re a great website. They are fantastic with shipping and returns.

      In terms of you get what you pay for: the $120 dresses I’ve bought from them I love (Bettiepage brand, vintagey, but can work in my office (I don’t do the brooksbrothers look, I take a risk and stand out). However, I’ve also bought a $40 dress that was cheap and horrible looking (but for $40 and if I was 16 I would think it was awesome).

      Accessories came off as cheap so I wouldn’t bother, but then again, what do you expect for a $25 fake gold looking necklace. :)

      Overall, try them out. I like them as a company and website. The quality can vary (which Ithink is apparent as they sell $25 dollar dresses and also $350 dollar dresses).

      Best of luck!

      SOOOOOO UPSET I DIDN’T CHECK THEM OUT ON BLACK FRIDAY THOUGH.

      • Question

        SAS – can you comment on Modcloth sizing? I noticed that they don’t carry a lot of XSs in their tops, only smalls. I don’t know why that is. Do the tops tend to run on the small side already?

        • 2L NYC

          I think that the tops do run on the small side already — although I have only bought dresses, I have always had the small fit me quite well (and I would probably be an extra-small everywhere else…except Forever 21).

  14. Midori

    Anyone have a coupon code for Old Navy they’re not using? I realized this morning my kiddo’s 0-6 month coat is just not cutting it and he needs a bigger one! I have a 25% off coupon, but I know they handed out some 30% and 50% mystery codes today.

  15. Anon

    I think this is really cute. Unfortunately, I have too much booty to wear cute flippy skirts like this. They make me look like a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade float on the bottom. Sad because I actually love this look.

    As for top suggestions, on the right body type I think a ballet-neck long-sleeved tee in a complementary or contrasting color would look great. You’d need to go pretty close-fitting/slim on the top to balance out the volume of the skirt.

  16. LPC

    I’d do as they suggest – as far as ankle booties, tights – but I’d put a marinere on top, maybe in a sweater. And then I couldn’t wear it to the office unless I was in marketing programs:).

  17. chix pix

    My gosh – I can’t see any value to a skirt like this – you might wear it one time – but not in my office.

    I really think the look we are going for this year is somewhat sleek – with a little bit of interest up top around the jacket or sweater. If I am too heavy to be sleek, I am also too heavy to wear a big flared skirt.

    • Anon

      The V-shaped woman, like myself, needs skirts like this (though I wouldn’t wear the bow, and I’d prefer it a little longer and in wool, but I guess that’s why god created seamstresses). Though I can get away with sleek on the bottom because I am so slender there, it looks off-balance because I’m also busty. For my shape, last thing you want is a tight skirt with extra “interest” on top.

    • E

      Who is “we,” exactly? I’m not sure how you define sleek, but I don’t think that’s really what I’m going for.

    • E

      Also, even if you are full of bottom (such as myself) sometimes these floaty little numbers can disguise what’s actually there. A pencil skirt clarifies with sometimes agonizing precision the actual amount of junk in the trunk, where as something with a bit of fullness can leave it to the imagination. That being said, too full can compound the existing shape and make you look horribly out of balance. But I guess I also bristle at the implication that there is only one acceptable silhouette and that everyone needs to endorse it.

  18. Anon

    Or to put it another way — the look we should all be going for this year, and always, is “good.” IMHO, it’s a bad idea to follow trends if they don’t suit your personal style or body type.

  19. Silicon Valley In House

    Threadjack — More on Winter Coats

    I am going to be in Prague at Christmastime and, as a California cold weather wimp, am freaking out a bit about being freezing cold. I have a coupon code for 40% off one item at Lands End through today. I am considering the Luxe (http://www.landsend.com/pp/LuxeDownCoat-80560_212715_59.html?) and the Chevron (http://www.landsend.com/pp/ChevronDownCoat-80424_212608_59.html?). What do you think? I want to be warm, but look somewhat stylish. Is it crazy to get the white?

    TIA

    • Frump

      For Prague, I think yes, it’s crazy to get white. If it’s anything like Russian cities (and I assume it is), your white coat will get dirty very quickly/easily because the cities are bit grimey. Plus it’s hard to find drycleaners period, much less reasonably priced ones. At least it was in my Russian city 2 years go- I guess Prague could be different, but I just think it will be too dirty to keep a white coat looking nice for long.

      • Anonymous

        Prague is very clean. And there are tons of dry cleaners. It’s Europe, not the third world.

        • N

          Was in Prague right after Christmas. Yeah, its Europe, but there’s grimy city snow too. Would avoid white (as I would in NYC). GREAT CITY though!

        • Frump

          Well, Russia is Europe too, and the cities I was in were not very clean. I also didn’t find Paris all that clean when I was there. So… not sure why Europe suddenly = mandatory cleanliness by default.

        • Eponine

          Because there’s no dirt, mud, or grime anywhere in the developed world. Definitely not as a byproduct of all the cars, buses, and trains that signal development. I hear in Chicago and Minneapolis they actually polish the ice so it gleams!

      • JAS

        I think Boston is too dirty for a white or cream coat! I do love the look though. Also, I traveled extensively in central/Eastern Europe (including Prague) during the winter in 2005 and 2007 and I do think that it is pretty grimy. Not dirty like trash on the street, but the air seemed smoggier. Also, the trams get very crowded especially around tourist areas so you will probably need to consider the effect of brushing up against people.

        • JAS

          PS: who wants to worry about drycleaning while on vacation? Assuming yu will be on vacation. Prague is awesome, hope you have fun – definitely try the fried cheese they sell on the street, it’s hot and gooey and helps keep you warm. ;-)

        • cbackson

          Given that a lot more European than American vehicles run on diesel, I’d say that the air definitely is smoggier.

          I think that dense cities (like NYC or Boston in the US, or most large European cities) do just tend to be a grimier environment.

    • anonish

      I would go Luxe – if only for what appears to be the ribbed cuffing on the sleeves.

      And they’re machine washable (except for the fur trim, which is removable), so go ahead and get white. I got a white, down, knee length coat (from the Gap, on sale for $60 – I’m still crowing about that one) and don’t regret it. It will get a bit dingy around the hem and cuffs, but wash it up, and its all good.

      Just be sure to throw a clean sock covered tennis ball in with the coat as you air fluff to break up the wet down and help it dry out and fluff up better.

    • M

      I can’t speak to Prague, but I do love the look of cream-colored coats in the winter. Always seems so chic in a sea of black.

      I had one in a super-soft wool blend a few years ago that came mid-thigh and belted. I got tons of compliments whenever I wore it. It wasn’t a chore to keep clean, but it probably didn’t show as much as something like the one you highlighted might since there was some texture to it.

    • ballerina girl

      Ooh I like the first one–very cute. Looks so warm. I wish I had an excuse to buy something similar. White might be a bit crazy–looks like the kind of material that would get dirty easily.

    • Janie

      I have the Chevron and love it. The pockets are fleece lined, and the hood looks cute :) Order some long underwear (at least the pants), that will help immensely. They aren’t bulky, and you won’t get too hot indoors because the indoor temps will generally be lower. Make sure you have good gloves (preferably leather) and lotion your hands several times a day – my experience has been that people who aren’t used to the cold get chapped hands, fast.

      If you are only going to be there for a week or two, I see no problem with getting the white – it won’t get that dirty that fast. If you were going to be wearing the coat day in/day out, it would be a different story.

      • Janie

        Oh, and the Chevron has ribbed cuffing on the sleeves too, inside the outer sleeve (sorry if I’m not explaining that clearly). This is important and will help keep the wind out!

    • cardiganista

      I have the Luxe and I just ordered my mother the Chevron. Big fan of the Luxe personally – I got it in brown and it is crazy warm (I expect it to last on even the coldest days here – and that is -50 CELSIUS which I am told is -58 Fahrenheit) and decently good looking. But it’s definitely a cold climate winter coat.

      I lived in Prague for 6 months…first of all, it’s not THAT cold…so if you’re buying this coat only to bring there, you may find it’s too much. I’m from Canada, so take it as you will, but when I lived there, I only took my wool coat and uggs and did not wear either a hat or mittens for most of my time there (was there in January, February, March). I was in ecstasy over how warm it was actually!

      But the LE coats (particularly at 40% off) are a great value for what you get and you could keep pulling it out every year you needed to be somewhere cold.

  20. ID.

    Random question- the world is suppose to end in 2012. Bridalplasty debuted late 2010. is it coming early? or is this merely the first step to the end of civilization?

    • Lawgirl

      Random indeed. Who’s under that bridge? Let’s shine some light so that she/he turns to stone! LOL.

      • ID.

        oh no! I post here a lot. haha not a troll I have just been seeing commercials for it and find it just so shockingly awful as a concept. Reality shows don’t usually bother me I just ignore them, but I was reading a review for this one where the contest was to make a puzzle of their dream bodies over their current ones, and the winner got a syringe to go to an injecting party. I just was making the comment it seems like the world is ending. Sorry I guess I should keep my comments to myself!

        • No one should go!

          Share comments! It was obvious you weren’t a troll maybe lawgirl was just sensitive because of the recent trolls.

          • Lawgirl

            Sorry, I’m never a troll attacker, so don’t know why I tried.. I just saw Brideplasty and “end of times” and thought — cuckoo! I didn’t know Brideplasty was a show. Oh dear. I need to know more about pop culture. Was the last one in the world to know who Snookie was and why she thought riding a horse was a great workout for her.., never mind! LOL.

    • Another Sarah

      Eeehhh, this may not be a troll…Bridalplasty is a new show on E!. Seen in a specific light, it could indeed mark the end of civilization as we know it… Although if the world is supposed to end in 2012, I’m really glad I’m having this giant piece of chocolate cake for my mid-morning snack. :-D

      http://www.eonline.com/on/shows/bridalplasty/index.html

    • govvie girl

      No, the end got started in the ’90s with “The Real World” on MTV, then Miss “Plus Eight” Freak sent it careening down a dark tunnel and we have now landed here in Bridal Cosmetic Procedure Hell. I should stop reading that one page in the DC free Metro paper that discusses all this stuff so I could be blissfully ignorant. I do think it’s unfortunate that many of the cool shows that used to be on the Discovery networks have been replaced by these – cheaper to produce or something.

    • Ms. Basil E. Frankweiler

      If this type of show was a sign of the apocalypse we would have all been long gone with the production of The Swan (shown on Fox) in 2004. Same idea without the bridal aspect and they actually called the contestants “ugly ducklings.” But to each her own right?

    • Sad

      This show makes me very sad. All of the contestants are competing for extensive surgery (10 + procedures). All of them are attractive women already — one of them won a beauty pageant for goodness sake!

      I am all for having plastic surgery if you feel extremely self conscious about something and believe that it is undermines your day to day life. I had a nose job several years ago and can say without a doubt it was one of the best decisions I ever made. But 10 + surgeries is pure madness, and shame on E for taking something so beautiful (a wedding) and turning into this nastiness.

      • cbackson

        When it comes to plastic surgery, I think that the key is how it’s contextualized. My dearest friend had a severe underbite as a kid and had it corrected when she was 16 or so. She also had a nose job at the same time. I don’t know what she looked like before the surgery, because I didn’t meet her until afterward, but my understanding is that the underbite issue was to the degree that it was disfiguring and that she had trouble chewing.

        Unfortunately, even though she’s a very pretty girl, she thinks of herself as extremely unattractive, and I think that there’s a sense in which she’s never been able to accept her post-surgery self as “real” – as if she thinks that someday, she’ll be returned to the situation she was in before, when children (and even sometimes adults) would comment on how she looked in public. For a number of reasons (not least the functional ones), it’s good that she had the surgery, but I think that it’ll take some therapy before she’ll ever be able to understand that (i) she doesn’t look that way anymore and (ii) the things that are important about her have nothing to do with how she looks.

  21. RoadWarriorette

    I really like this skirt, and think it could be super cute on the right person with the right pairings. Unfortunately, with my hourglass figure, I am probably not that person….

  22. SS

    I have a similar skirt (but from Club Monaco, and wool). I usually wear it on casual fridays, with a button-front shirt and loafers. I also change out the bow-belt and replace it with a leather belt. Every single time I wear this skirt I get compliments, although, be warned, many of the compliments are people telling me that I look “cute”. I’ll take it!

  23. Carrie

    I like the cut of the skirt, but not with the bow. The bow/cut/fabric/color screams little girl in a sailor outfit to me.

  24. M

    Threadjack re the net-a-porter end of season sale: does anyone know how long it goes on for and how much price movement there is during the sale? i’m on a shopping-ban until our bonus numbers are released (hopefully soon!), but i’m wondering if i will miss out on the sale. . .

  25. Deals?

    Anyone know if Modcloth has discounts from time to time? Wondering if I should buy now or wait….

  26. backtowork

    I may be the only one who absolutely loathes this skirt, and the look. Especially for work. Not good to look this cutesy when you need to project competence and/or authority. Actually, I don’t think I would consider wearing it outside of work, either. It reminds me of some kind of home ec project from the 50’s. Maybe it would look good under a frilly apron?

  27. Elysian

    Love when you focus on off-beat brands. There’s no other good way to learn about something new and off the beaten track!

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