Bargain Friday’s TPS Report: Metallic Cardigan
Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
We always love a good sweater blazer, and this one from Newport News is no exception. We like the way it has the comfort of a sweater but the authority of a jacket, and we think the gray color gives it a ton of possibilities for outfits. Furthermore, the cable knit detailing on the sleeves and the front looks flattering and interesting. It's $45 at Newport News (formerly $99). Metallic Cardigan
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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!
Some of our latest threadjacks include:
- What to say to friends and family who threaten to not vote?
- What boots do you expect to wear this fall and winter?
- What beauty treatments do you do on a regular basis to look polished?
- Can I skip the annual family event my workplace holds, even if I'm a manager?
- What small steps can I take today to get myself a little more “together” and not feel so frazzled all of the time?
- The oldest daughter is America's social safety net — change my mind…
- What have you lost your taste for as you've aged?
- Tell me about your favorite adventure travels…
ick. i can’t imagine wearing this ever.
I really, really, really like this. It would work well with a pencil skirt on “casual” Friday at my office and then looks cozy enough for weekends.
I have never purchased anything from Newport News. Can anyone speak to the sizing and quality of the clothes?
Quality == poor, treat as disposable. Would not pay $49 for this, never mind the original $99.
double ick. sorry. i can’t imagine wearing this. but, maybe it looks better on a body as opposed to a hanger?
Yikes. I’ve never seen anything like this, and I hope to never see it again.
It’s a “swazer!”
Or as Dillard’s advertised some of their similar garments this year, a “swacket.” Either way, it sounds like slightly vulgar slang term.
I think Newport News clothing isn’t great quality. Not worth the $45, at least.
I think this would make me look very fat.
i agree – not very cute…
I think ths has the potential to be really cute with a white or black boatneck, long chunky necklace, dark jeans and flats. But it feels more “fall” than “spring” to me.
P.S. I’ve been in trial for the last week… Nice to see you guys again. Just won on directed verdict. :)
Agree – but it could be spring with an on-trend peach! And congrats!!
ARinFL – way to go!
This looks waaaaaaay too Grandma for me due to the knit.
I have a dark grey cashmere sweater cut like a blazer from Ann Taylor that does this look much better. It was about double the price on sale, but I’ll have it forever.
I’m grandma-aged and I wouldn’t be caught dead in it. NNews quality is not that great, plus it’s metallic, plus acrylic deteriorates quickly and makes fuzzballs. The cotton in the fiber might help with that, but maybe not. The knitting is quite loose, so I can’t see it holding its shape well. Can’t see the collar sitting properly, either. Sorry, C.
I think it’s the type of thing you can pair with something that’s more outrageous or daring. I love it. Call me crazy, but put this with an almost-too-short/sexy outfit, and it’s just got a sexy librarian thing going on.
sleeves look short, and the end of the garment looks rumply. When people ask what frumpy means.. well, this is it here. I actually think a gray knit cardigan would look more polished than this “blazer.”
I can’t see wearing this with an outfit, but I’d possibly use it as my in-office/just-in-case sweater for those oh-so-frigid days when maintenance has cranked the A/C up way too high. I’m just not sure about Newport News’ quality & don’t know if I’d spend $45 for an in-office/just-in-case sweater though.
talbots is having an additional 40-75% off online outlet, plus the code i found on retailmenot.com : 016324500 got an additional 20% off the entire order and $5 shipping. i picked up the wool v-neck dress (which at $50 now justifies the cost of alterations), a blazer, and a belt. and there are lots of lucky sizes in plus, too.
now THAT’s bargain friday.
awesome! I will check it out! thanks for the info!
I cannot wait to get home (where I left my credit card) and get some summery pants!
Sadly the coupon code is no longer working, though.
I wondered if it was just me. :(
Still a good deal – some $4 camis, a $10 pair of jeans. I’m happy!
I posted about this Ann Taylor sale in last weekend’s thread, when I thought the sale was one day only, but then it seemed to continue all week. I cleaned up! Suit jacket and trousers, two basic white T’s, a more interesting T in lavendar, silk jacket, origami wool sheath dress…of course, I’m broke for the rest of the month once I pay the mortgage.
Every day I come home praying there is an AT box on my porch!
Thanks for the tip – I needed a new pencil skirt and I got one for under $15!! Awesome!
Fellow Corporette-ers, I need your help. I have a Friday interview next week (in academia) so I was going to wear some gray slacks, but wanted a new sweater set – anyone know of any stores that have simple sets available?
Try Lord & Taylor, they often have nice sweater sets and the quality is good. I would also check out some discount stores like Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and Nordstrom Rack.
All my fav sweater sets are from the Ann Taylor outlet.
I have seen some on sale recently in both Ann Taylor Loft and Macy’s.
Thank you for the suggestions!
Talbots has good quality simple twin sets, as well.
I’m really surprised, C. I know you are looking for affordable for some of your commenters, but Newport News is about as cheap quality as it gets. There is no “authority” emanating from this pseudo-jacket whatsoever. You’d get more authority from a nice gray cardigan with cable knit which could be dressed up for the office with pearls, a great scarf, or great accessories and then also worn on the weekends with jeans.
Quite a bit more even on sale, but what’s the verdict on this?
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3060469
I have been eyeing this jacket but I generally don’t look good in belted clothing. I think it’s very, very cute though, and the quality of Classiques clothing is generally excellent.
Wow, super cute – the nordstroms one. If I wasn’t in saving mode right now…
The drab colors just aren’t doing it for me. Maybe it’s Spring fever! There are so many pretty colors on the racks right now; can’t see going for battleship gray.
Oh I hear you on the drab colors. I had a court hearing on Wednesday. I work a light blue suit with a dusky rose top. I just could not wear dark colors one more day. I was the only female attorney who had broken out the Spring colors.
Not a fan of this at all.
Also, I am always a little suspicious of any type of ‘fitted’ cardigan like this as they make me feel like after a few wears they will have stretched and will no longer be fitted.
Huh. I love the way this looks. I think it’s because as a broad-shouldered, angular, 53 year old person who looks good in gray, on me it would hint at hip. IF, and that’s a big if, the materials were high quality.
They aren’t. NN quality is mediocre at best. And their acrylics tend to be very staticky too.
Clients always ask how to wear knits to work. This blazer can look bulky so we recommend a flat knit cardi with a drape neck or ruffle detail, like Vince or J. Crew, for a chic but professional look
http://www.stylemadesimple.net
I shy away from metallic for work. Sometimes just a small touch, or around Christmastime. But I do like sweater jackets.
I took a stroll through Macy’s and I think many of the colors are garish and unflattering. One color I liked for spring at Macy’s is a cherry red.
I love this, particulary for a casual Friday when I imagine wearing it with jeans and a nice t-shirt to work. I often find that I am uncomfortable wearing jeans to work unless I wear a jacket, which then kind of defeats the purpose of casual Fridays (since I don’t wear a jacket the rest of the week, since we are a business casual firm). I’ve ordered it and hope it is cute in person — we’ll see.
I think its super cute in a “I wanted to dress professionally but then the depression hit so now I cling to my ragged gray sweater to keep me warm” kind of way. Its very proletariat, yet structured. I wanted to buy it and then I read the comments and was talked out of it.
If you truly like something, don’t let others talk you out of it. There’s no harm in ordering it and if it doesn’t work out send it back. Not sure if NN charges for returns though.
I personally like the sweater.
Frump city.
Does anyone know when Banana Republic runs its storewide or on-line sales? I’ve got a suite in my on-line shopping cart–it has been there for a few months now, and I am waiting/hoping to receive 30-40% off before I order. Thanks!
BR will be doing their 30% Give/Get promotion starting March 18. Hold off on buying anything until then!
I’m not sure if it’s online only, but I saw they were doing the “Spend $100, get a $25 giftcard” promotion again.
Geez, I didn’t think it was that bad, although the quality and cost would turn me off.
No experience with Newport News. I ordered a leather jacket from Speigel, their sister company, and it was atrocious — stiff, cheap, noisy. Buh-bye!
I kind of like this. One thing I hate about wearing jackets is that they’re never quite as cozy as sweaters. But this obviously won’t be the problem here.
Mega frumpy, I wouldn’t even wear it to lounge around the house.
Wow – very divided opinions! I love it – like a PP said, it could get that sexy librarian thing going on. :)