ByKat Hours Updated
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Bargain Friday’s TPS Report: Pleat-neck 3/4-sleeve top

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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Banana Republic Pleat-neck 3.4-sleeve topBanana Republic has a great sale through 2/6 — 25% off full-priced items with code BRSUPER25. I like this three-quarter sleeved tee — the colors are lovely (plum wine, pictured, sunbleached blue, as well as your basic white and black) and the 25% off brings the price down to just under $30. Nice! Originally $39.50 at Banana Republic (XS-XL). Banana Republic Pleat-neck 3/4-sleeve top 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 12.3.24 (lots of Cyber Monday deals extended, usually until 12/3 at midnight)

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

154 Comments

  1. For ladies looking for suits, I just got the email that ann taylor is having 30% off a full suit

      1. According to the newspaper on my desk, Filene’s Basement is doing 20% off all their suits this weekend,too. Just FYI :)

        1. thanks! I will have to be very brave to venture there (I’m just not a shopper so stores like that intimidate me) but I’ll add it to my list.

          1. I am a shopper and sometimes stores like Filene’s intimidate me! If you have a friend who is a shopper and you don’t mind shopping with others, you might want to see if she can come with you. I feel like with Filene’s, once you know the specifics of your particular store, it’s much less intimidating. Of course, some of the layout is obvious, but if you shop there often enough, you can really start to know where the items that suit you will be. (i.e. they usually have some great Calvin Klein dresses for $60-$70 that I like to get to wear to work at the Filene’s I go to. I know right where they are and can zero in on them when I go.)

          2. When I was a teen, mall stores intimidated me. Back in the (cough) late 70s (cough), the cool store was called “No Name” and the walls were painted black, sort of like “Hot Topic” now. All the popular and pretty girls shopped there. I was such a nerd that I thought they all laughed at me. Stores like Filene’s were the only place I shopped, so it feels comfortable and familiar.

            Now I take my bad middle-aged self into Hot Topic just to remind myself that it isn’t scary there, and give big cheery smiles and loud hellos to all the cool goth girls who work there. I am still certain they laugh at me, but now I enjoy it :-)

        2. Does Filene’s Basement have a plus size suit section? I might have to venture out this weekend.

          1. It depends, but usually yes.

            Also, at least in the NYC ones, they carry a ton of really discounted Marina Rinaldi stuff, including blazers marked down to less than $100 (often much less). Check the “vault” or designer section — it’s mixed in there, not in the plus size or suit section.

            They also have a ton of designer stuff there, too, from Armani, D&G, Theory, etc. — it’s not in the suit section, but you can often find matching pieces.

          2. Excellent. Thanks! I’m in NYC. Is there one store in the city that is usually better than the others?

          3. @ Jen L

            I am partial to the 14th st store. Make sure you go to both the 5th and 6th floors as they both have stuff.

            I have also found good stuff at the Upper West Side location, but visually it’s a little be less fun. There’s also a Nordstrom Rack by the 14th st location, as well as a DSW.

          4. Thanks so much AIMS! 14th street is the store I was planning to go to anyway, so that works out nicely. I needed to hit up DSW too anyway. Looks like this weekend will not be kind to my checkbook.

    2. Is anyone else annoyed about how when you choose to “view all” on Ann Taylor’s site, it gives you teeny-tiny pictures? I want big pictures, and I want them all on one page. Is that so much to ask for?

      1. CFM beat me to the tip!

        Alhambra, I was thinking about complaining about this very same thing in my post below. I hate having to choose between seeing 9 items at a time or peering up to my computer screen with a magnifying glass. Honestly, I think it has really contributed to my lack of patience doing online shopping at (and therefore purchasing from) Ann Taylor.

        1. Somewhat related: J Crew photos show up really blurry on my laptop – is that just me?

          And yes, I’m super annoyed by that “feature” of Ann Taylor’s website.

  2. For those who are interested, Ann Taylor has a 30% off suits event going on right now — both online and in stores. It looks like maybe all of their suits are included; the selection was pretty good online, and the jackets I clicked through on had all/most sizes left.

  3. I have been very very unimpressed with BR lately. I ordered two tops, a skirt and a necklace recently, and all were subpar. The tops felt super-cheap, the skirt was ill-fitting (how can a skirt be ill-fitting??) and the necklace looked gaudy and tacky. I think they are constantly offering 25% or 30% off and their quality reflects these lower prices.

    I used to think J.Crew and BR were equal, and now I think J.Crew is far superior.

    1. Sadly, I am often disappointed with J. Crew these days as well. My take overall is that their work clothes are still up to par, but their casual clothes, especially knit shirts, have gone way downhill. Unraveling seams, losing shape, pilling, etc.

      1. A small rant about J. Crew, please! The local store frequently rolls up or jams up the sleeves of everything in a very messy, wrinkly way. It just bugs me that I have to unroll the sleeves to see the length, and why do I want to buy a new shirt that someone else has already jammed up the sleeves in an unattractive way? I wouldn’t treat my own clothes this poorly! End rant.

        1. Haha, when I used to work in retail this drove us crazy! We just steamed the damn clothes to get the wrinkles out! Then we wrinkle them, and then have to steam them again when they’re purchased?? Why why why?

        2. That the pictures look some crumpled on the web site has been a deterrent for me. I don’t find the ‘I slept in this last night” look appealing at all.

      2. Agreed. Used to hit JCrew frequently from 99-2007 and quality and sizing was really consistent. Enough so that I could buy without trying on at the store or online. Back then though, I had a lot of friends who wouldn’t shop there because the clothes wouldn’t fit their body type.

        Now their fit, quality, and design style are just terrible. Too much ‘bo-ho chic’ and less ‘preppy east coast basics’. Careful JCrew–this is what happened to Gap/BR in 2002!!

        Isn’t Mickey Drexler gone? Could that have something to do with it?

      3. I bought a long gray merino wool cardigan from J Crew about a month ago, and it has pilled horribly. Darn it.

    2. I think both turned to crap about 2 years ago. the quality of J.crew for the price is abyssmal.

        1. I think most places have become inferior to what they used to be. It’s just a sliding scale.

          1. Agreed!
            Things that used to be great quality and held up for many years now either are discontinued or the same thing from the same store doesn’t survive the first wash.

      2. I stopped taking J.Crew seriously when they started hawking $400 sequined tank tops.

        1. Agree. I remember when JCrew meant good quality at acceptable prices. Now it’s poor quality at ridiculous prices.

    3. I feel like BR has stopped offering work clothes, period. Also they no longer have the curvy-fitting pants I need. And it totally used to be my go-to place . . .

          2. Agreed! And I am someone who used to swear by Lands End. But once Sears took over things started a steep decline into the abyss.

            And they have stopped selling a reasonable amount of business clothes. I bought a favorite blazer there in 2002. They used to have suits and travel suits but now they have cheap cotton crap that isn’t really suitable for going to the market on the weekends.

            I miss the old LE!

        2. The new (as of 2008) president of Lands’ End used to be at Banana Republic. He’s also the one responsible for the Canvas line.

          I wonder if that factors at all.

          1. That might explain why my Canvas cardigans aren’t that bad…maybe there is hope for casual pieces.

    4. I just got 2 blouses that I would also describe as subpar. The workmanship was sloppy at best. Topstitching poorly done, threads hanging off everywhere, basically a rushed, sweatshop looking effort.

      Now after reading comment after comment about how much BR is tanking in quality I should have known better but the reviews on the BR website were mostly very good.

      But after similar comments here about J.Crew also tanking, and that their sizing seems either too small or too big for me, I am reluctant to even try shopping there.

  4. I like this quite a lot. The reviews make it sound like it’s difficult to maintain the pleats at the collar, though, which would be annoying. Tempting though…

  5. I love the look of this shirt, but caution – I got a really cute pleated shirt from Land’s End this fall, and once it went through the wash the pleats were completely misshapen. I was able to iron them mostly back into place, but it doesn’t look nearly as nice as it did new. I am now sticking to pleats only on things that need to be dry cleaned or professionally pressed anyway.

  6. Speaking of suits: Can anyone tell me what “half-lined” means, in the context of pants? I’m thinking of ordering suit from Boden, but the pants are only half-lined. I’ve never seen that before — anyone know what it is?

    Thanks!

    1. Usually that means the lining goes to just above the knee instead of all the way down.

    2. It means the pants are lined halfway down the leg-until about the knee.

      FWIW, I don’t know if you’re planning on getting the jacket as well, but I have the jacket and the dress. I’m actually in the middle of my size-range and I wound up needing to size up (which they suggest for those at the top of the size range). I ordered the pants, but don’t have them in yet. I’m hoping they fit like other Boden pants and I don’t need to size up in those, too!

    3. Oooh, let me know how the suit is if you get it. Boden is one of my top clothing stores and probably too much a percentage of my wardrobe.

      The quality of EVERYTHING i’ve ever bought from there is fantastic. Let me know how the suit is. :)

      Thanks!

      1. I just surfed around Boden for a bit and will be back. I love how you can see what is in stock by size at a glance, as well as searching for just your size. I will have to give them a try.

        Thanks for the info.

    1. Not to speak for Kat, but I think it’s just a hard time of the year to find bargains! I feel like a lot of the winter sales are over/drawing to an end, which results in limited sizes available. And obviously sales on spring clothes haven’t begun yet!

      1. I dunno. There are some amazing sales out there and I see lots of stuff more interesting that this in many colors/sizes & for less than this $30 tee.

        I don’t mean to sound so grumpy. I know you can’t please everyone. Maybe I am just whining because BR quality is so low now that $30 doesn’t even seem like a good deal for them! Sorry. It just seems boring. I have yet to meet a person who has trouble locating a $30 tee on their own.

        1. I haven’t seen any amazing sales lately, so I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree.

          And I know a lot people who are non-shoppers who wouldn’t really go out of their way to try to locate a $30 non-basic tee on their own. They might, however, take the time to click on Corporette or a similar site. So, I guess we know different types of people!

          2. You may have missed the second part of my first comment. Most of the places with big sales now have very limited sizes left. Every time I’ve tried to buy a sale item from one of the stores you just listed during the the past two weeks or so, it’s been unavailable in my size. And Kat caught some flack last week for sometimes listing things that aren’t available in a variety of sizes.

          3. I don’t know, I’ve seen things on sale in a variety of sizes at those places. BR’s quality has gone so far down that even at 25% off, this shirt is no bargain.

          4. I agree with you. I never go looking for t-shirts, but rather wait for someone to recommend them here! That’s how I ended up with the 3 dots (LOVE) and Calson scoop neck tees. There are too many options for me to sift through them all and find ones I like.

          1. I actually did just that recently but no go yet. Not complaining, not my blog, but just FYI.

    2. I actually really like this one and think it could work in situations where a “plain” t-shirt would seem too casual. However, not going to bite because of the terrible awful reviews.

    3. My concern is that these “bargains” are in fact, cheap, and not a bargain at all.

      I am an anal cost per wear person so I immediately shun anything that is clearly poor in quality. There are very few thing I buy to only wear 1 year. I need the best return on my investment I can get.

      Why, well I am not rich, you know. Every dollar counts. Did I mention I live in one of the most expense states in the union in terms of cost of living?

      Okay, I am grumpy too. I am in the process of returning too many things that were supposed to be bargains. Not Kat’s fault at all. I also am on day 5 of the head cold from hell and am just whining.

  8. It’s my birthday month, but I’m on a spending diet (transferring the cost of a tempting item from checking to savings every time I successfully restrain myself) – so here’s a one-time-use BR 15% off code if any of you want it. H3J7RL7HXZ9C Happy Friday!

  9. On the subject of BR, I ordered the Sloan pants based on something I read in the comments a few weeks. They are super flattering, but way too bootylicious for work. I am a size 10 long waisted hourglass, if that helps, and ordered the tall version which is great for 5’10” with heels. I think the fabric is something synthetic or hybrid, but it feels nice sturdy and for $60 (used a 30% off code) makes for some fun weekend pants that aren’t jeans or cords.

    I ordered the wool suiting pants and they were terrible in more ways than I can count. Just weird. The wool pencil skirt was nice’ish, but too short for me. I haven’t bought anything from BR in years, so this was an experiment of sorts.

  10. YAWN. I hate that the vast majority of Friday bargain reports are either tee shirts or some item from Target. Whyyyy?!

  11. I actually really like this shirt. Very cute for the weekends!

    Does anyone know when BR’s Friends & Family sale will start? If I remember correctly, it had one around this time last year.

    1. I also love this top. I have a very similar BR top from a few years ago. The pleats are fine, and stand up great after washing.

    1. Now I’m angry because this doesn’t have sleeves! Whine, whine, whine. Waaahhhh. ;)

    3. I don’t love this top, but there are several other Talbots tops on sale that are gorgeous. Unfortunately, some of them are final sale.

      I’ve been burned before by Talbots’ boxy fit. I have a small waist and Talbot dresses at least made me look boxy. Has the fit changed?

    4. I love that shirt! I tried it on in the store, but they didn’t have the color I wanted in my size. It runs a little small (compared to other Talbots blouses).

  13. Speaking of bargains, does anyone know of any good sales on comfortable shoes for work?

    1. I just went to DSW yesterday and scored a pair of Calvin Klein “Babe” pumps for work for $14! They are my favorites for work, so I was very pleased. Also, I got a pair of cute oxford flats by Enzo Angiolini for $20. Their clearance section was huge. If you have a store nearby, I suggest going to their clearance section and checking it out.

  14. Does anyone have experience with clothes from Lafayette 148–bonus points to someone whose experienced their plus size offerings, but I’ll take any thoughts as to quality. I’ve been eyeing some of their suits on sale, but the sale is still $550. I don’t mind paying that if it’s a good quality suit (which seems impossible for me lately), but I’m wary. I think the pants are unlined, which I still don’t get in pants that are like $350 full price, but I’m coming to understand that’s common. So, anyway, in person experiences with the brand?

    2. Professional, good quality clothes, that you can often find on major sale (they even sell some misc pieces on Sierra Trading Post). The sizing runs very big – the sales people will tell you this. I would call Saks or Nordy’s and ask to speak with the Lafayette 148 rep; I’m sure you will get a lot of info re fit and sizing that way, esp re certain pieces. I’ve also seen some stuff at Loehmann’s.

    3. Second hand experience – my mother bought two pairs of their pants at Nordstroms. She sized up to accomodate hips and had waist nipped in plus hemmed (she wears flats exclusively). The quality is good. If you are near a Nordstroms I believe Lafayette is in their Studio 121 section.

      Regarding unlined pants – I have tried on so many mid-range items lately that were badly lined that I am coming to realize unlined is an asset. Plus a linings wear out before the exterior fabric in my experience.

    4. Sizing runs VERY big. I am usually a 6 or an 8, and I bought a Lafayette 148 dress in a size 2 (and probably could have squeezed into a 0).

      That said, I loooooove the dress and it’s very high quality.

    5. I actually ended up buying (on sale) the Lafayette 148 sheath dress with pockets that Kat featured here several months ago, and I agree with the comments about the quality.

      My guess is that they generally cut their clothes for an hourglass figure, which I am not – more of an inverted triangle than anything else. I got my normal size in the dress but my normal size pants were way too large in a way that sizing down probably wouldn’t have helped – not sure if that’s the kind of feedback you’re looking for. (And FWIW, I think that unlined pants are much more flattering when the cut and fabric are higher quality.)

    6. I’ve found sizing enormous (but I’m super petite). And in general the cuts seem kind of older (I hesitate to say matronly, but somewhat), to me. The look very classic in pics or on the rack, but do nothing for me on. Perhaps, as PP said, they require a curvy figure (which aside from a tush I do not have).

    7. Thanks all. The reviews bode well for my curvy, plus-size figure! I may pull the trigger on a suit. I do have a Nordstrom near me (just in the last couple years so I still forget about it!) and while it doesn’t seem to carry larger sizes in the store, I can check out the quality of the Lafayette pieces. Thanks again!!!

      1. Definitely check out lastcall.com (NM outlet). They tend to have a lot of Lafayette, and a lot more sizes online since I think they pull from all of their stores.

        1. Thanks for the tip. I just discovered lastcall.com and did check them out, but they don’t have any plus sizes.

          This is my same issue with going to Off 5th or to Nordstrom. There just aren’t instore options, unfortunately. :( I can check out quality of pieces there though and then order online, but I can’t try on instore. Also true of most places.

    8. I found a wonderful Lafayette blazer at the Off Saks outlet for $60, which was about 80% off the original price. I agree that sizing is big, but in my experience, it was just one size too big (I’m usually a 4 and bought a size 2).

      Before you spend that much money, considering going to Off Saks, they usually have a good Lafayette selection.

  15. Threadjack- Sorry!

    I am having a lot of trouble finding pants that fit- all the pants I have (AT, BR, J Crew, Mostly) end up with the pockets sort of flaring out at the hips. I am slim, but a bit hippy, if that makes sense (I am a 4 petite but my hips are a good bit wider than my waist). I guess that would make me a pear, but I prefer to think of it as the bottom part of the hourglass :)

    Does anyone have any suggestions? Where to find pants cut a little wider in the hips? Or perhaps pants with no side pockets? Or maybe exercises to slim by big hips?!?

    Thanks for the thoughts- this has been bugging me for a while now and I am at a loss.

    1. I have the same problem! Also petite as well. It’s a minefield out there.

      Some suggestions: the “Julie” curvy fit at AT Loft, at least for casual days; sewing pockets closed so that the seam doesn’t flare out; dress pants with pockets that slant more horizontally. Mine, in the last category, are from Ann Taylor…but they’re old because apparently we just cannot make a straight leg in anything anymore.

      Usually my solution is to wear skirts, gah!

      1. Thanks for the idea- i hadn’t thought about sewing the pockets. I may have to try that!

        And I agree with AT– they are like XOXO from Macy’s junior department these days! I miss the old AT :)

          1. I do that too – keep the seams sewn shut so the pockets don’t stick out. I am also a bottom half of the hourglass. Love that phrase :).

      2. I’m also relatively thin, but hippy. I pretty much always have the front pockets of my pants cut out and sewed up by my tailor. The cutting out part is important too because it lessens the bulk at the hip.

      3. I have the same problem, and I’m petite. I just bought “Jackson” fits (online only) from BR which are a “curvy” cut. They’ll need a bit of tailoring, but not much. I also think the “curvy” fit from AT is reasonable (though enormous in the waist), but I often don’t like their fabric.

        I also recently bought a pair of Paige Black Label pants that I love. I normally never wear non-denim pants b/c they fit me so poorly, but with a little bit of tailoring these are now an almost weekly part of my rotation.

        I should say that I pretty much tailor everything, but the above reflect the best options I’ve seen in a while.

      4. I like the Curvy fit pants at the Gap. They fit my hips without gaping at the waist. The pockets open from the top so don’t stick out. I wish that was the case with other pants!

    2. Try Classiques Entier at Nordstrom. I’m an hourglass with some wider hips and their pants are wonderful, and you can usually always find them on sale for $60 – 90.

      Also try the Halogen line at Nordstrom. My favorite pair of pants are Halogen wide leg trousers that look great on me.

    3. Do you have a good tailor? I am also petite and curvy, lately I’ve been getting the size that fits my hips and having the waist taken in. The tailor takes in not only the waist band, but also a few inches down, to sort of taper the top of the pants in more.

  16. I have to disagree- I like the bargain friday tees. They are great to wear under suits and cardis. Maybe its just what i am in the market for at the moment, but i vote keep it up!

    1. I would agree. These type of shirts are a “must” for my wardrobe and get so much use as layering items due to their pretty colors, interesting necklines, and thin weight. With such frequent wear and washings, they need to get replaced relatively frequently and I don’t want to spend much more than $30 on those types of shirts.

      The neckline on this shirt is perfect for layering by adding some interesting texture. I think I’m even okay with the fact that the pleats disappear after washing because then the look is more soft and drapey, which is something I’m usually drawn to anyways.

      I have a long torso, however, and I’m more concerned with the reviews commenting on the short length. That’s a deal breaker for me – it just puts me in a bad mood if I’m constantly worried about my shirt riding up.

    2. I would disagree with the disagreement ;)

      I have never had trouble finding something like this on my own. In fact, I usually get it for much less and often much better quality (I agree with everyone else that BR just isn’t what it used to be).

      I am all for good basics being posted but Fridays have just become really dull for me. It’s like I really look forward to the Suit of the Week and then almost don’t care to check on Friday’s featured item at all. Honestly, I’d be more interested in a post on good trouser socks (only half kidding — I am always looking for fun trouser socks) . . . .

      1. agreed, this is like a cheap, flimsy bad basic no one wants. Soo many reviews are returns and one star. I can’t believe people on this board think this shirt is a good basic.

        No offense, but I think there are some strong Kat defenders, and will defend the bad just to defend. Which is quite hilarious since they are, what I assume are, anonymous internet posters.

      2. Don’t mind the tees, but I just have to say that your line about trouser socks just brightened up my day.

        I too love fun trouser socks!

      3. This made me laugh too. But I agree! I honestly would appreciate a post on nail polish brands and colors! This is a day-to-day, professional look issue for me, and much more difficult than knit shirt shopping.

        1. Seconded! I want to hear how to rock fun dark colors–I see it done successfully at my work and with clients, but not sure how the ladies are pulling it off (maybe toning down other wardobe items for the week?)

        3. you may want to check out the nail polish blog alllacqueredup.com – i think she does lots of great posts on colors and a few on how to wear more fun colors in professional settings.

      4. Ooh, I just bought some cute trouser socks at Free People — I wish they were online to show you. They are similar to knee-high material, and have little flowers embroidered on. I hesitated because I was worried they border on juvenile, but I have to say that I’m loving them to spice up some of my boring outfits — where only I will notice it.

        1. Those sound great! I actually make it a point to buy juvenile or silly socks, etc, because if no one else is seeing them at work, it makes me feel a little bit less soul-less in my office wear. For example, I am wearing boring dark pants today but my socks have neon peace signs doodled all over them :)

          1. Have you tried joyofsocks dot com? They have a large variety of silly socks (and more restrained ones as well), plus free shipping.

    3. I’m sorry, but this shirt looks cheap and fattening even on the skinny, airburshed model (like the pleats are not rights, can sort of see the outline of her belly button area). With the bad reviews, no thanks.

      I have to think this is boring and not even a bargain.

  17. Hi there. I am a 3L and I am starting to get antsy about not having registered for the bar. However, I can’t find the applications for either MA or NY online (the link for the NY one doesn’t seem to work and the ma bar exam page still has all the info for the feb 2011 bar). I am really paranoid that the applications will take a really long time and require me to gather a lot of information and documents so I want to calm myself down by looking at what’s required…

    Long story short, has anyone been able to access a copy of the applications for either the MA or NY July 2011 bar exam?

    1. I did the MA bar application last year and I think I started in about April. MA is not too complicated (RI was WAY worse), though I’ve heard NY is pretty bad.

      They probably don’t post the application info for the next bar exam until after the February testing. BUT, if you’re really worried about it…I think they require the same documents every testing, so just look at the February applications and you can make a list of the required documents.

      And take a deep breath. Everything will be fine.

    2. NY’s initial application is only available between April 1 and April 31, you must file by the 31. The initial application is very basic (no outside paperwork required!), it’s the post-bar application that is a pain. Start early on your character affidavits etc., but definitely NOT something you need to worry about until after you have taken the bar.

      Deep Breath. It will be hard but you have come this far. Just put in the time to study and you will be fine (I took the bar last July and just got sworn in Monday!). You know how to work hard and study if you’ve made it to your 3L year, just trust yourself to do what you need to do.

      Good luck!

    3. FWIW, when I applied for the VA bar last year, they wanted:
      -original birth certificate (xerox was OK, but if you could get an original, they wanted that one). This took the longest, for some reason, and actually didn’t come until after the filing deadline, after I had requested it 4 months prior.
      -Driving abstract/record from all state’s DMV where you had licenses
      -Letter from school saying that you’re enrolled and in good standing (they had a special name for this, but I don’t remember it)
      -If you had anything in a court case/were arrested/etc, all the papers concerning that
      -Official transcript
      -Fingerprint card (which they sent me)

      I’m sure there was some other things, but I don’t remember them off the top of my head. But there’s a decent list that seems pretty general for you to get started… :-)

      1. Thanks everybody :-). I have moved a LOT in recent years so all of my records are complicated (licenses, addresses, employment) so that’s why I’m freaking out a little. I will definitely look at the Feb applications to see what papers are required – and thanks for reminding me that the bulk of the legwork for NY occurs after the bar.

        1. New York’s initial application was simple. As for the previous address and employment, I found it helpful to compile that information ahead of time. I moved across the country last January and took that opportunity to go through all of my paperwork and find all my old addresses and employment history. I put each into a word document and then when it came time to fill out the character and fitness stuff it was very easy.

          I also highly recommend doing the character and fitness stuff early. I waited to submit mine until after receiving notice that I had passed and I am still waiting to schedule my character and fitness interview. Don’t make the same mistake I did!

          1. Make sure you save a copy for yourself of you bar applications. It makes it much easier when you need to remember stuff later. Also, if MA requires more info up front (NY doesn’t), use your MA app when you fill out NY — it’s easier & you don’t want to have inconsistencies.

            Fun unrelated fact: for the NJ bar app, you have to fill out a million pages and attest that you are not, among other things, a sexual voyeur.

          2. I second doing this character and fitness stuff early. I’m still waiting, and I sent mine like the day after we got results back, though mine has been complicated by my law school taking too long to send in a form and then having to transfer jurisdictions, which I really recommend not doing if at all possible. I was living out of state, which counts as the third department, and then moved back to Queens before my law school form had gotten to the third department, which meant I needed to transfer my application to the 2nd department. For whatever reason, despite the fact you would think the state would have uniform admission requirements, the departments all have different requirements, and 2nd department’s are waaay more burdensome than 3rd department, and on top of that, they’re slow. So in conclusion, try to avoid the 2nd Department if at all possible (It’s Brooklyn & Queens)

        2. Same guest as above. Trust me when I say that RI has one of the most complicated bar applications in the world…its a total pain in the ass. And I got sick right before it was due, delayed doing it, and then panicked.

          That being said, I managed to get it all done in under a week.

          Here are my tips for early preparation that will make you feel better:
          (1) Sit down now and make a list of every place you’ve lived, worked, etc. for the last 10 years (probably too far back, but just to be safe). This means addresses, contact info for bosses at jobs, etc.

          (2) Find out for each state you’ve lived in what is required to request a criminal background check and/or a DMV records. Print out the directions and make note of them somewhere.

          (3) Find out anyone and everyone at your school who is a notary.

          (4) FIND YOUR MPRE SCORE REPORT. Okay, I only put this in big letters because if you’ve lost it (like I thought I had) you need to request a new one. Which takes awhile. So yeah, that’s something you should take care of in advance. :-P

          Then, make sure you don’t have any complications in your applications. You need to start early if you have a criminal history or have ever been dismissed for a job because of misconduct, that sort of thing. Anything that might put “character and fitness” into doubt.

          Otherwise, I think you’re okay to wait awhile before you really start working on your application.

          Good luck! Try to enjoy your last semester of law school and make sure you do tons of fun stuff this spring before true bar misery starts.

          1. OK, just got the “you are posting too fast” message, even though I haven’t posted at all today. Grrrr….

            Anyway, I just wanted to say that while bar apps are definitely a pain, it is really not hard to find a notary. Your bank probably has one, and often those mailing services stores do too (e.g., UPS store, Mailboxes, etc., AIM Mail Center). I have never been charged a fee for it, but that may be because I’ve only had it done at places where I am a regular customer for other services too.

          2. I moved a ton during law school and the years before. But know who had all my addresses? Amazon.com. Every address where I’ve ever lived (since whenever Amazon started).

        3. I found it very helpful to order a copy of my free credit reports, which listed details of addresses I did not recall.

          1. My state required a list of all my debts and creditors so this was super helpful for that too.

    4. NY’s beast application part you have to fill out after you pass the test. The initial application is a 15 minutes joke.

      1. Oh, and dont worry I’m sure when it’s out you’ll hear it around school. But dont fear, all the paperwork isn’t due until you apply to the bar after you find out if you passed or not.

  18. thank you for this shirt! I’ve been looking and looking. The cut is super flattering on me — small bust. I have two light weight sweaters and another shirt I wore to death so I’m ready for more.

  19. Kat: Maybe it’s just me, but I would *love* to see selections from Etsy shops once in a while, rather than All-National-Retailers-All-The-Time.

    2. That would be very nice, but usually etsy sellers have like 2-3 of an item. Not great for a blog with thousands of readers.

      1. This site is just as much about inspiration as it is about consumption. Every reader doesn’t purchase every featured item.

    3. I’d love to see this as well, or else a post on specific Etsy sellers that sell work appropriate clothing. I love the idea of Etsy but am always overwhelmed when I try to find anything on that site.

  20. where in the WORLD can a girl get a navy suit? i have been looking for months for a simple navy skirt suit and nothing has caught my eye. help.

    2. Talbots has one in the seasonless wool. I believe Brooks Brothers has one. That exhausts places I’ve been looking! Maybe Pendleton?

    3. Anne Klein did a separates skirt suit for the winter season. Check at Dillards and Nordstrom?

    4. Sometimes Ann Taylor outlet has them. Keep in mind that Navy is a spring color, so we should be starting to see more navy in stores now.

    5. Tahari at Macys. That’s where my navy blue suit is from, and I like it. It’s poly though, in case you care about that.

      1. Try brooks brothers, or possibly Ann Taylor. I popped into Ann Taylor today and it looks like its officially the time of the year that they’re breaking out the navy/white/khaki color combos. Plus, they’re doing a 30% off suit sale.

  21. Threadjack – has anyone waived in the NY Bar? Is it very painful?
    Thanks!

  22. I’ve decided I’m in the market for thin black and navy belts. Any classic, reasonably-priced recommendations? Thanks!

  23. After all of the recommendations for Talbot’s today I have spent some time on the website and found soem stuff I LOVE that it super cheap, but I have never ordered there before and need some help on sizing. I am normally a pretty solid size 8, sometimes a 6, smaller in jackets (very small bust), no rear end, and thicker in the waist than I’d like to be (wow, put in writing my body sounds pretty bad…I’m not trying to put myself down, but the info seems relevant for sizing). I normally wear a medium in sweaters, but their smalls are supposedly size 6 to 8, which is normally plenty big in the top. Help – if I am getting sweater sets, do I follow their chart and get smalls or go with my normal sizing and get a medium?

    1. I am a little bigger than you right now – 10, sometimes an 8. I would say you can definitely go with a small in any of the sweaters or tops – and if they’re sized with a number, go with a 6 or even a 4…. I wear a small in the sweaters there, without question, and I’ve tried on a couple blouses in a 6 and they were fine. You might even want to look at XS…but its hard to judge on final sale.

    2. Their fit is typically more generous — I wear a S in JCrew Jackies so that the buttons don’t gape, but an XS at Talbot’s. Your body type actually sounds good for Talbot’s — we hourglasses usually complain their clothes are on the boxy side, but that might suit your body type better!

  24. In general, isn’t BR doing a pretty bad job with their web site and their styling of the clothes and the models? The models have sloppy, messy hair dos and poses. The clothes aren’t pressed. I’m not getting inspired to wear their clothes whatsoever. I wear glasses, but what is with the horrible ugly glasses on the models? Are they the in thing or something?

    1. Ugly glasses are the trend right now. I hate it and can’t wait until they’re out again. Seriously. Ugh.

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