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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 59 Comments · by

Bargain Friday’s TPS Report: Looped Trim 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. Loft Looped Trim TopHappy Friday! We just got this top from Ann Taylor Loft, and are liking it — it's a wide scoop that doesn't feel quite so wide because of the looped trim, and the cotton has a nice weight to it — not tissue thin, not too heavy. It comes in a ton of colors, too — we also like the blue, pictured, but also look for it in light blue, pink, dark green, and black and white. It's $34.50, exclusively online at Ann Taylor Loft. Looped Trim Top (L-0)

Sales of note for 9.10.24

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Comments

  1. Clerky

    I have seen this top and it is cute, but two issues:

    1) AT Loft sizing is completely off and WAY too big. An XS looks like a medium these days. I can’t find any top there that is fitted.

    2) This shirt (and many ATL shirts) have cap sleeves, which I find unflattering on most women.

    Pretty color though.

    • lk

      Really? I like cap sleeves on women with narrow shoulders and/or pear shapes. I think they can balance out a triangle shaped body with a little width at the top. That said, doesn’t this violate the “no visible upper arms” rule?

    • Shayna

      I think the sizing is supposed to be vanity sizing — the theory is that if you are normally a medium, and you’re fitting comfortably into their size small, then you’re more likely to buy the shirt (let’s face it, when we look good in a smaller size than we thought we were, it feels good!)

      I like the color as well, and the sleeves don’t bother me unless they’re obviously tight around your arm, which is not flattering… My only question is whether the trim is so wide that my bra strap might peek through (which would so not work for me)

      • AIMS

        I disagree on the vanity sizing. It might sell a few more shirts, etc., initially but ultimately it will hurt business b/c a) when it’s so disperate across the various manufacturers, and even within a particular manufacturer, people will be more reluctant to order online, and b) when size 0/2 becomes a new ideal, fitting into a size 6 stops having the same cache that it used to (I am thinking of those Sweet Valley High books here that all began by describing Jessica & Elizabeth as “perfect size 6 figures” — god, I was a lame kid ;) )

        Anyway, sorry – rant over. Just had to pipe in as vanity sizing is a huge pet peeve for me. The idea that people could be so easily manipulated, and/or that manufacturers think so, just makes me sad.

        • lulu

          Another problem with vanity sizing is that it can create major problems for people who are small. I am comfortably a 4-6 now, but a couple of years ago when I was doing a lot of distance running I could not find clothes that fit. I was swimming in size 0s much of the time and it was a source of much frustration. And I will note that I was not that small.

          There’s a lot of frustration on this blog about things not being made for people above a size 16, but it can be just as hard for people who are thin. Yes, if you are thin you can get things taken in, but it is a lot more expensive.

          • Clerky

            Completely agree, Lulu. I am not a true XS but the XS at ATL is huge on me, and it’s annoying. I would much, much rather wear something that looked on good on me, regardless of whether it was a XS or a M.

          • v

            This sounds like an argument for stores to make a wider variety of sizes period rather than against “vanity sizing” per se. Statistically speaking, of course, more women are sized out of stores because the clothes are too small rather than too large. But it’s not a competition and everyone deserves to be able to find lovely clothes that fit.

          • Lee

            I agree with you v that stores should provide a wider variety of sizes as a general proposition and I see your point about the statistics regarding who is sized out more frequently. The problem with vanity sizing, however, is that the current size scale has a built-in floor: XS or 0. Once stores start to excessively adjust sizing for vanity reasons, that “floor” size gets larger and larger and they have to either go towards the XXS or 00 route, not make smaller sizes, or readjust sizing yet again. All of those options are problematic, to me at least.

          • 1L NYC

            Yes, this is very aggravating. It also makes those of us in school have to buy things in the dreaded juniors section, because at AT I would be the erstwhile XXS, at Banana Republic a 00 and at J.Crew a 0 (when I’m lucky). Also, note to anyone else — buying the petite size doesn’t actually work when you are not petite!

        • Shayna

          Wow – I definitely am flashing back to those Sweet Valley High books – glad I wasn’t the only girl latching onto that as the ideal — that and their blond hair! ;-)

          I agree — I didn’t mean to endorse the concept, only to say that it was intentional. I hate, absolutely, loathe, how difficult it is to order clothing for women online – a size 6 in one brand can be a size 2 or a size 10 in another… and petite size clothing is a whole other ball game… why does my wanting shorter sleeves equal wanting a tighter torso to manufacturers?? (obviously I have my own issues here!)

        • v

          On the other hand, size 14 and 16 women who would otherwise be totally sized out of most stores can now shop in them. But by all means, let’s continue to weep for the plight of the size 6 who now has less cachet or something.

        • v

          Oh, actually you do make an interesting point on the “idea that people could be so easily manipulated.” I agree with you on that one and it’s why I loathe the term “vanity sizing” which puts all the blame on women for being “shallow.” I don’t know if the practice is based on solid statistical evidence related to behavior or if it’s just a flawed assumption stores make. But if it is based on actual behavior, I think the reason for it is because we place so much emphasis as a society on what size women wear (the aforementioned “perfect size 6”) as if it’s somehow a reflection of self-worth – it’s not vanity sizing, it’s terror sizing. Anyway, if we can decouple size from morality/worthiness/etc., the whole problem will probably solve itself. Stores won’t manipulate sizes to get at sales and perhaps we can actually get sizes based on real measurements like inches or something like that. That seems like the best way to address it instead of in-group fighting that seems to me to be telling women they don’t deserve to fit into clothes from their favorite store because they’re not a “real” size 16 or whatnot, as if such a thing exists.

          • Shayna

            I’m always so jealous of men when I hear these conversations — wouldn’t it be great to go in and buy a XX inch waist pant with a YZ inseam and be done with it??

      • KZ

        i really, really hate vanity sizing. Why can’t we just have clothes in true sizes and have stores carry a wider range of sizes that will fit everyone? I think the spectrum of sizes of the american shopper is much broader than in the past, to the point where it makes economic sense to have sizes on both ends of the spectrum.

        Really I’m just annoyed that I basically can’t buy things online if it’s not a brand I’ve bought before because I have no clue how it will fit.

  2. Law-Less

    It’s funny, this top is very similar to the white cut-out top that Kat posted a couple of weeks ago, but I like this one so much more! It has a much more modern feel and shape compared to the other one. I do however think that some of the lighter colors have a faded look which would not really be office appropriate, but better for weekend casual wear (I’m looking at you green shirt). Good choice Kat!

    • LMo

      Agreed. I hated the pirate one one posted a few weeks ago, but this is really cute.

  3. RZS

    Does anyone have this in white? I am always on the lookout for cute white shirts that are not see-through.

  5. Legally Brunette

    Also, if anyone wants to buy anything from Talbots, it’s 20% off on all items before 4/26 with this code:

    923106601

  6. Ru

    i love blue clothes.

    thread hijack: i need slim fit/skinny (but not super tight) tan/off white colored pants. i’m in nyc and i need these pants tomorrow for a formal event, so i’m very hesitant to go the khaki route. any ideas of where i should go to find said pants? i was thinking of these but i’m not sure if the store will carry it in the color i need it in: http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=6731&vid=1&pid=760825

    help!!!

    • RKS

      Call the store and ask. They may be able to search for it for you, find it in the BR in the next town or whatever. That way, you’re saving yourself a trip. I haven’t done this with BR but have with Lord & Taylor, Macy’s, etc.

    • dee

      Theory makes some nice pants, I would check them out. Much higher price point, though. You can find them at Saks, which is having a friends and family sale right now – 20% off everything.

      • 3L

        Rampage is a junior’s brand – notice how the sizes are odd in the link. It is cheap, pills and I would not recommend anyone wear it to work. It’s worse than Express.

        • Shayna

          Oh dear — sorry about that! I did miss the sizes (I was in the women’s section when I searched so it didn’t occur to me that juniors would pop up) — that and the description made it sounds like it was professional wear.

    • Ru

      Thanks for the tips! I’ll definitely be calling in and reserving the items if possible.

    • KH

      Look at the Talbots suit that someone proposed buying yesterday. The pants got a lot of negative reaction precisely because they were side zip, no waist and slim fit, but they might be exactly what you need today.

  7. Sara

    For the friends discount online through Sunday, you only need to use the code “Friends,” if you don’t want to deal with the barcode numbers…

  8. Amber

    I really like shirts like this in theory, but I find that the detailing around the neck usually doesn’t hold up well. Any way to keep it looking nice?

    • Shayna

      Try air drying them (get a drying rack – if you’re short on space for it, set it up in the bathtub) – keeps the colors longer, reduces shrinking, pilling, etc.

      • Amber

        I do air dry almost all my clothes to avoid shrinking and fading, but on shirts with cutouts or fancy detailing around the neck, it seems like the detail part gets all wrinkly and mashed up.

        • MelD

          I usually do a low heat air fluff on my clothes for about 10-20 minutes to help get the wrinkles out. It doesn’t really shrink them since the heat is so minimal but it helps a lot in keeping everything from looking disreputable like they do if they go straight to air drying.

        • Shayna

          I hate to say it, but iron… it’s the only way I’ve ever gotten trim back to lying nice and flat…

  10. EM

    Thread hijack: Follow up email help, please!

    I just found out I didn’t get my dream job. Bummer. However, at a networking event this week I “accidently” bumped into the director of the department. As with most networking events, she said she would love to talk to me at a later date to talk about opportunities in the field and invited me to email her. (She had no idea, presumably, that I was one of the hundreds who applied for the job in her department.) I’m staring at her business card and can’t think of a single thing to say. Any advice?

    • AIMS

      Just write ASAP that you really enjoyed talking to her at the event, you know her time is extremely valuable but you’d would love to take her up on the follow up offer b/c you’re really super into whatever it is that her dept does & maybe add something about “i’ve been doing x & y, but love your advice on what else i should do to get into this field/position/etc. . . . ”

      Obviously, if there’s anything specific you can mention from your conversation, add that to the e-mail.

      Good luck!

  11. KLo

    AHH! Awaiting moderation!! (So I’m trying again, sorry if this duplicates)
    Does anybody have experience in court in Savannah? I may be going to visit a judge next month and I want to make sure I’m appropriately dressed in case she introduces me to prosecutors, defense attorneys, anyone who might be willing to hire a rising 3L after I pass the bar …

    • KZ

      what kind of visit? A you’re a good family friend so I thought I’d stop by visit, or a visit in some professional capacity? I work on the you can never go wrong with a suit if it’s the latter.

      • KLo

        Umm … a my dad sat in her courtroom for a few hours, got invited back, chatted and he offered to help her daughter and she offered to help me and has since invited me to visit kind of visit. So not a job interview, but not a family friend. I was planning on suits, but I go to school in a further west Deep South area, and … yea. I’ve seen sundresses and strappy date sandals in federal court. So if it’s that kind of casual in Savannah as well, I don’t want to be the stuffy stranger in navy blue, grey and black skirt suits when they’re all in hot pink florals. Does that make sense?

    • anonymous

      why not? my tees from ATL have held up relatively well, and 34.50 isn’t that much for one that’s more than a basic tee.

  13. Allison Berlin

    Going back to the cap sleeves – here’s my take: A tight cap sleeve is good for slim arms but a loose cap will work on any body. Just avoid a puff cap sleeve which is too young looking.

    • AEK

      In my observation, cap sleeves do for the arms what tea-length skirts and capri pants can do for the legs (depending on inseam): they end at what can be the broadest part of the arm or leg, and therefore accentuate the width. I avoid cap sleeves like the plague because, even when they are not tight, they really accentuate the size of my somewhat thick upper arms. Even sleeveless looks nicer.

      • anonymous

        hm, i disagree only to the extent that you say sleeveless would look better than some sleeve. but I think sleeveless only looks good on people with perfect arms, which are few and far between (and not including me..)

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