Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
With fall so nearly here, we’re eager to start wearing our twinset shells on top of our blouses for more of a collegiate look. It’s a great way to deal with gaping buttons, and to dampen an otherwise loud print. We’d rock it with a suit and a brightly-colored printed blouse, or for a layered look with a blazer and trousers (or a pencil skirt) made out of different fabrics. This sweater shell (which does come with a matching cardigan, for another classic fall look) is $26.50 at New York & Co. New York & Company Women’s City Style Ribbed Sweater Shell – Black
If you’ve recently seen a great work piece you’d like to recommend to the readers, please e-mail [email protected] with “TPS” in the subject line. Unless you ask otherwise, we’ll refer to you by your first initial.
Jenny
09/11/2009 at 10:22 amDoes anyone have experience with the quality at NY&CO? It looks like they have some really cute designs right now, but I’m afraid the knits and delicate items will fall apart after the first wash.
Mel
09/11/2009 at 10:35 amI stopped buying anything from NY&CO about 2 years ago because of the quality issues. They either seem to become faded/discolored or fall apart within a few washes. The sweaters don’t hold up at all. If you want something cheap/cute, I think Target is a better bet.
J
09/11/2009 at 10:29 amI’m a huge fan of the sweater vest/shell over button down look. I find that it’s perfect for keeping me warm but not overheated in the office.
It’s also the only time that I can stand to wear any of my old button downs from the era prior to discovering the no-iron wrinkle resistant Brooks Brothers button downs. The most-hated wrinkles all occur underneath the vest/shell.
I never thought about trying out bolder patterned or colored button downs under a vest, but I very much like the idea. Great tip, C!
I haven’t been to a NY&Co for probably 10 years, so I’m not sure about the quality.
ESB
09/11/2009 at 10:42 amI’ve never purchased a sweater at NY&Co., but I have never had quality problems with their blazers or any other tops. If you sign up for their email list, nearly every week they will email a coupon for $25 off $75 purchases.
Woman of Color
09/11/2009 at 10:49 amSome great deals can be found online at NY&CO. I usually only purchase certain pieces from there like blazers and belts. I often receive compliments on the jackets that I get from there. I once purchased a lime colored blazer for $7.99, and it has held up very well. Their cardigans are also often a steal. Never pay full price for anything though, as the item is guaranteed to go on sale. I have had an issue with buttons, but those are easy to fix. I generally dry clean anything that I like to hold on to for a bit (at least for the first year). So that preserves the item a little longer.
K
09/11/2009 at 11:42 amI love the sweater vest/shell over button down look, but I can’t seem to make it work for me – the shirt always bunches and wrinkles underneath and makes the vest wrinkle oddly and look unattractive. I don’t wear button-downs at all, generally, for the same reasons – I just can’t get them to stay tucked in and smooth. Is there anything I can do to make them work for me?
Ashley
09/11/2009 at 5:10 pmK – I tend to purchase the bodysuit button downs to eliminate this problem. There are often good deals at victoriassecret.com. I love them because I never have to worry about them untucking or anything.
K
09/11/2009 at 8:05 pmOh, good idea! Thanks for the tip – I’ll check them out.
Jay
09/11/2009 at 12:02 pmI used to shop at NY&Co all the time–even dating back to when it was Lerner’s and then Lerner New York. I kind of forgot about the store since there aren’t any b&m ones near me–thanks for the reminder to check them out online!
Re: quality–I remember it being completely comparable to clothes from places like Express.
Delta Sierra
09/11/2009 at 1:04 pmK – me too with the the lumpy vest, the self-untucking shirt. Very annoying. Nothing more unprofessional than fiddling with your clothes all day. I stick to lightweight sweaters.
LA
09/11/2009 at 2:44 pmThanks everyone for the tips. So do you tuck in the blouse or leave it out below the hem of the sweater shell? Leaving the blouse out seems a bit casual. I own only maybe 2 sweater vests and my twin set shells are crew or nearly crew necks (so wouldn’t work over a blouse), though I do have one that might work. Hmmmm… something to try on and see.
J
09/11/2009 at 3:13 pmI tuck in the blouse. I think that the look works especially well with a pencil skirt, but that might just be because I like pencil skirts in general.
Erin
09/12/2009 at 1:01 pmI get away with leaving the blouse untucked by adding a nice belt at my natural waist. Nobody at my conservative office has said anything to me about it (although a male colleague of mine has been told to tuck in his untucked shirt). A belt really seems to add polish to an otherwise casual look.
moremadder
09/11/2009 at 2:51 pmAnyone think this is too low cut for work? I do wear shirts this lowcut to work, but sometimes think I shouldn’t.
I do think less “endowed” women like this model can get away with more. But still, leaning over a partner’s desk to look at edits on a brief …
b
09/11/2009 at 6:15 pmYes, I think it is too low cut for work regardless of bra size. Also too tight (could you even fit a button down under it w/o stretching out the sweater?)
Mama JD
09/11/2009 at 4:10 pm@moremadder, I know what you mean. I am a little on the busty side for my petite frame and I have the same issues with selecting my tops. I would not wear this top alone for that very reason, but I would consider wearing it over a button-down shirt for a different look.
Kathryn
09/11/2009 at 6:57 pmDon’t you think the sweater vest look is a bit too school-girlish?
If you get cold, wear a cami underneath. If you have gaps, either buy a bigger blouse or wear a cami and unbutton, or my fave, wear a scarf as an ascot.
SM
09/11/2009 at 9:19 pmI love sweater vests over blouses, but only ones which have a high V or a crew neck. I think something with a scoop neck ends up looking cheap and even trashy. I always tuck in the button down underneath; thin button down shirts often lie better beneath the vest, though I do love a crisp oxford button down under a navy vest.
I think the look requires a very well-tailored slim-fitting shirt and and a very slim vest to avoid looking bulky or shapeless. My problem is finding slim-enough vests for my narrow torso and flat chest; I end up looking like a man if the sweater is loose.
Liz
09/12/2009 at 8:42 pmDoes anyone have a suggestion for where to get a nice sweater vest? I love the style, but haven’t seen many in stores.
Meredith
09/14/2009 at 12:25 pmThe Limited has some nice sweater vests this season. Good quality fabric and nice fit.
SM
09/12/2009 at 9:10 pmLiz:
I like J Crew best for cashmere shells”
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/sweaters/jcrewcashmere/PRDOVR~19243/19243.jsp
Brooks Brothers has several varieties in silk blends and cashmere.
amanda heard
09/14/2013 at 4:17 pmI use to shop there religiously but 2 years ago or so the quality of their clothes went way down hill. They upgraded their store appearance but down graded their clothes. I still have pants that I got there 3 years ago however 4 months ago bought pants and they already fell apart. So i spend my check at their competition. Never shopping there again.