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Bargain Friday’s TPS Report: Mock-Neck Sweater

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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Untitled pictureReader T writes in, raving about this sweater. As she writes:
I'm sure that there are many out there who will turn their nose up at Express, but I have had always had good luck with their sweaters, including this mock turtleneck. I like the three quarter sleeve, the button detail on the sleeves, and it comes in such a variety of pretty colors. The fit is snug, but very flattering. I have the black one right now and am tempted to buy the Windsor blue, especially because they're on sale now for $23.
We're not that into mock-necks (not that flattering on us personally) but if we were, this looks like a great mock-neck — and for $23, it's hard to go wrong. We love the Windsor blue (pictured). Mock-Neck Sweater 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. Unless you ask otherwise, we'll refer to you by your first initial. (L-0)

Sales of note for 3/15/25:

  • Nordstrom – Spring sale, up to 50% off
  • Ann Taylor – 40% off everything + free shipping
  • Banana Republic Factory – 40% off everything + extra 20% off
  • Eloquii – 50% off select styles + extra 50% off sale
  • J.Crew – Extra 30% off women's styles + spring break styles on sale
  • J.Crew Factory – 40% off everything + extra 20% off 3 styles + 50% off clearance
  • M.M.LaFleur – Friends and family sale, 20% off with code; use code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – 40% off 1 item + 30% off everything else (includes markdowns, already 25% off)

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

25 Comments

  1. Express – I have 2 sweaters I purchased last year, and wore heavily. This season they look a bit tired, so I layer them under other items. But they’re more stylish than a lot of things out there, and for $23, all you need is 1 season!

  2. I don’t like the idea of buying clothes that I believe will only last one season, even if they are a bargain. In this economy, I am pinching my pennies, using coupons for groceries, and trying not to buy things just because they are on sale. Aside from that, this sweater appears to be one that I would have to order a size up and might not be long enough in the torso (or might ride up to my waist and require lots of tugging to make it stay put). Just my thoughts…

    1. I agree – I’d rather buy one $100 sweater that will last for years and years (and hold up well) than several disposable ones.

      1. Yes, but I find that half the time when I do that, it only lasts 1-2 years anyway. And half the time when I pick up a $20 item I think will only get me a season, it manages to stick around longer. Does this not happen to you?

        1. Absolutely, Eva! So often, I’m surprised when my inexpensive items become reliable staples and pricier items fall apart. When it’s hard to predict the quality of clothing, you might as well err on the side of inexpensive, so that you can be delighted if the clothes last for many seasons, or at least not devastated if they don’t.

        2. It happens ALL the time to me Eva. I have Forever 21 pieces that have outlasted much pricier pieces in my closet!

        1. Oh sorry about that- there was some browser glitch. I know I’ve spent more on sweaters recently that pilled just as quickly or even faster than $25 sweaters I got at Express 5-6 years ago. The reality is that the quality has gone down in a lot of those mid-priced stores that would sell the $100 stores, so these days I’d rather just get something inexpensive at Target or another lower priced store. I find that many times my Target sweaters and shirts end up lasting 2-3 seasons, but if they don’t I don’t get as annoyed.

    2. I have pretty much rejected the rule of thumb that my wardrobe must consist of solely “investment” pieces. My closet contains a happy of mix of high and low end items.

  3. I find that in order for sweaters to last, let’s say, 7 years, I have to spend at least $225. That said, $25 for one year is a bargain. Express does have some cheap chic.

  4. Am I the only one that thinks this is WAY too tight for work? You don’t want to be the office “Joan”! Yes, it’s a pretty color, but I don’t want people assessing my shape (and I have a good figure!).

    2. Even though I feel like it’s pretty difficult to hide one’s shape without wearing bags…I see what you mean with regard to this top. I like this sweater, but I would wear it with a scarf loosely draped around my neck/chest. I do this with turtlenecks sometimes, and I think it looks fine, although I am not particularly busty so maybe it wouldn’t be appropriate for everyone.

      1. I definitely don’t think that a woman needs to hide her shape in a baggy, shapeless top to be office-appropriate. But generally speaking, I think that if the top is tight enough that bra cups are visible from the front, bra straps are visible from the back, or you can see the styling of the top of the pants (click on above photo to see what I mean), then it is too tight for work.

      2. I’m going to respectfully disagree. We are women, after all. We have breasts. By now every one should have gotten the memo. This sweater is completely covered, even has short sleeves, high neck. Maybe for busty women it pushes the limits – given the American cultural focus. But for those of us with broad shoulders and small busts, if the guys can’t keep their eyes off our chest then that’s their issue. And I’m really big on conservative dressing. As in I own no two-tone shoes…

  5. This looks worth a try. Great colors! I’d size up, since I don’t like that tight a fit. Fabrics I’m not sure about, I machine wash but then air dry them, makes them last a lot longer. Also, clothes I no longer use go to one of the many thrift shops/charitable organizations out there. In my town, the Assistance League does excellent work, including working with women re-entering the work force to put together interview outfits.

  6. I’m the one who sent this to C originally. It is snug but it’s not tight on me. My bra cups aren’t visible or anything like that. Granted, I am also relatively small busted, so there is less danger that this would come off as looking “Joan-ish” a la Mad Men.

  7. This is not too tight for work, and I love the look of the little belt over the sweater. These Express sweaters sometimes last a long, long time, and are always good for layering even when they get a little tired.

  8. This sweater is Nylon/Rayon/Spandex. Not a single natural fiber in it!
    Every fiber of my being tells me not to buy it heh heh.
    All right, I know, that was sad.

  10. Hate the little belt, but sweater is cute…however, the fabric content makes me think that it might be too scratchy for work.

  11. While this may be form fitting- I don’t find this inappropriately “tight” at all. I always keep in mind that how a particular item is styled for a catalog shoot is not always indicative of how the clothing is going to work on my body. If I like the general shape and style, then I am always willing to give it a try. While I have a general idea of my regular sizing, if I find that something is snug, I have no problem going up a size to see if it gives me the shilouette that I’m looking for; if it doesn’t, I either leave the item at the store or return it.

    That said, I like this sweater very much- I might hit up Express this weekend.

  12. In my mind, mock turtlenecks scream grandma. This one might scream curvy grandma with reading glasses on a chain resting on shelf-like bosoms.

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