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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 104 Comments · by

Bargain Friday’s TPS Report: Ponte Tab Waist Dress – Black

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. Merona has yet another great little work dress (with good ratings from those who've purchased it). We like the elbow-length sleeves, which can be great if you don't like exposing your upper arms, and we like the button details on the sleeves and empire waist. It's available in black (pictured), blue, red, and a deep plum burgundy. Nice! It's $24.99 at Target.com in sizes XS-XXL. Merona® Women's Ponte Tab Waist Dress – Black Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line. (L-5)

Sales of note for 9.30.24

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

About Kat

Kat Griffin is the founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Corporette. You can read more about her here.

Comments

  1. myohmy

    I have this dress! It was available last fall. It’s cute but the buttons, if you have a small ribcage/waist are a bit far apart – I haven’t thought it’s worth it to tailor a $20 dress yet, or I would move them. The length is good, hits my knee I’m about 5’5″) and I definitely sized down and the small is still a bit loose in fit, except for the shoulders which are snugger.

    But overall, it’s cute! I always wonder what to wear it with in the fall – opaque tights? What color?

    • divaliscious11

      Depending on where you work, I’d wear opaque tights and a cute flat. But if it hits your knee at 5’5″ – it will be too short – for work anyway – on anyone 5’7″ and over

      • MelD

        I don’t think you can judge based solely on height. I am 5’5″ and it never fails that a dress that is obscenely short on me is perfect on my 5’8″ sister because she has a very short waist and I have a very long waist. My guess is that this dress would be perfect on her and horrible on me.

        • Kandis

          This. I got this dress last year as well, and it hits me JUST above the knee. I’m 6’3″ with a 38-40″ inseam. You may just have to try it and see.

      • myohmy

        I’m also extraordinarily short waisted/long legged, so I may not be the best barometer – I’m 8 shaped, and it does fall nicely against curves (a little Mad Men, without the overt sexiness) , especially if I get the waist nipped in a bit.

    • D

      I have it too. I am a classic hourglass and it’s very flattering. The fabric is comforable and wrinkle-resistant. It’s a great go-to when you’re not sure how dressy or casual an event will be – it can go both ways.

      Definitely worth the investment.

      For work, I usually wear it with opaque tights or “off black” nylons (Nordstrom) and heels (black/red or silver)

      • myohmy

        I have the dress in black and I feel like wearing it with black opaque tights it makes it too somber, so I’m on the hunt for some dark gray opaque tights – dark dark gray, though, not the medium gray that seems rather in for tights but makes me look ridiculous.

        • C2

          I have the dress in black and I feel like wearing it with black opaque tights it makes it too somber, so I’m on the hunt for some dark gray opaque tights – dark dark gray, though, not the medium gray that seems rather in for tights but makes me look ridiculous.

          • myohmy

            Yeah the first set (I think because I’m not white) looks VERY odd on my legs. I *adore* the second pair though, I’m just wondering if they would be too… too, with brown skin underneath since I can’t quite tell their opacity from the picture.

          • C2

            I was hoping that those first tights might just have been coming up light on my screen since they’re called “dark grey”, but I think you’re right that they probably aren’t dark enough to be universally flattering. I have olive skin, and I totally agree that lighter grey tights, especially when translucent, make me look weird and sickly.

            I just ordered the second pair through the Give-and-Get special, so I’ll report back on the opacity.

  2. ceb

    I wanted so much for this dress to work, but it just didn’t flatter my curvy figure.

    • Lyssa

      That’s funny; I was thinking looking at it that it wouldn’t flatter my decidedly not curvy figure, but would probably work well on a curvier one. Maybe that means that I should check it out.

    • TX Fifth Yr Attny

      ceb – Can you elaborate a little, please? I was thinking about ordering this dress but I am curvy and busty, and your comment makes me want to know more (though at $25, it wouldn’t be a big deal to take the plunge). Does the waist hit at the wrong spot? Tell me more, please!

      • ceb

        I am busty and hippy with a (comparatively) smaller waist. It was fine in the arm and bust area, but the fabric pulled at the hip/rear area and was too loose at the waist. However, I will say the following:
        1) This is a dress style they have carried for about a year, and I tried it on about 6 months ago.
        2) I find that Merona’s sizing is inconsistent
        3) It is only $25.
        For the above reasons, it might be worth it to go ahead and order it.

  3. AEK

    Anyone else following or participating in boycotting or withdrawing investment from Target for making a political donation to “MN Forward,” and thus to Tom Emmer in the Minnesota governor’s race? Target has apologized for its indirect support of the anti-gay candidate, but it hasn’t withdrawn its donation or made an equal donation to a pro-gay-rights candidate.

    Here’s a link if anyone is interested. Am curious about what you all think of political boycotts like this.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/18/AR2010081806759_pf.html

    • Ohsoanonforthis

      I think political boycotts in general are somewhat ridiculous unless the individual in question researches EVERY company they patronize in order to suss out whether or not the politics of that tire manufacturer/pasta company/grocery store are in line with his/her own. Otherwise it just strikes me as jumping on a bandwagon.

    • nonA

      I’ve thought about this pretty hard but I’m not sure that boycotting Target for this particular activity is actually the right thing to do, at least for me… Target was NOT directly supporting an anti-gay rights stance – its not like it was donating direclty to the Prop 8 campaign – and actually has a pretty good record on the issue and is far better on that, and many other social issues, than its competitors who are theoretically benefiting from the boycott, especially Wal-Mart.

      Almost every big corporation makes donations to big-business funds, and those in turn support largely Republican candidates who, in this political environment, are probably also against gay marriage or other rights. I can’t promise that I’ve researched every business I frequent on the issue, and short of doing that I can’t say that switching my business from Target to someone else won’t be funding similar or even far more objectionable (to me) activities.

      While I think Target should make a donation to a pro-gay rights organization, and it seems like the obvious PR move, I’m not going to boycott them for this alone – I think its far more important to support them for the other things they do, such as same-sex benefits and other issues.

      • JJ

        Business more often than not tailor their donations to whichever political party is in power at the time. They don’t make routine donations to purely Republican causes (although I know your original comment said that corporations donate to big-business funds, I’m more addressing the belief that corps only donate to Republicans) and in fact, places like Costco are known for overwhelmingly donating to Democratic politicians.

        All that aside, unless some company is obviously doing something I viscerally disagree with, I don’t have the time or the desire to research every shopping decision I make to ensure that I only promote corporations that support my given causes. I understand this may be important to other people, but not me.

      • Experienced

        Y’all have pretty strong opinions about how other people should spend their money. Why do we all feel it is so necessary to impose opinions on everyone else? I’d vote in favor of keeping this blog politics-free -aren’t there enough political/issue blogs out there?

    • Lincoln

      Target gave money because it wanted to lower its taxes. Yes they should have researched where the money would end up better, but Target, sponsors the Twin Cities gay pride parade, offers benefits to same sex couples and tries to walk the walk when it comes to gay rights issues. Give them a break.

    • Anonymous

      My guess is they’re gaining as many customers as they lost, and that very few people really care either way.

    • AS

      I am boycotting Target. I know that my dollars won’t spur Target to change its mind, but it’s the only way that I can “speak” to a megacorporation like Target. If they don’t like gays and/or like conservative causes, then I can spend my liberal dollars elsewhere, thanks.

      • NY

        ….but they do like gay causes. Not many companies give benefits to same sex partner but Target does, I think that shows their intention more than a donation that ended up in the wrong place.

      • nonA

        Where? And I’m not trying to be snarky – I’m honestly curious as to what competitor has a better record.

        • Thalia

          Believe it or, Costco is better. Better record on taking care of their employees too.

          • nonA

            I had never head that before today and have now seen that in several places today – love learning something new!

    • Another Sarah

      While I completely support people who do participate in political boycotts, I usually don’t participate in them. And in this case, it’s almost a catch-22. Boycott Target, whose political money ended up in an anti-gay candidate’s coffers. So then go shop at Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club, whose Vice-President physically signed an anti-gay-marriage/civil union petition himself? I guess you can shop at Costco, but only if you’re pro-Israel? I can barely keep my shopping list straight, much less where I’m supposed to shop based on political convictions. :-)

      • Target Shopper

        I think this donation story/boycott has got out of hand. Target supports gay rights more than any other retail outlet, except maybe Ikea (which doesn’t sell dresses).
        I’ve written an angry letter to the Board of Directors, and Target has discussed the matter in the media very frankly (they’re supporting a pro-business candidate). I am pretty satisfied with their response.

    • A.M.

      This reminds me of a Target boycott a few years ago.
      Everyone remember that ridiculous ‘freedom fries’ period? When people boycotted ‘everything’ from France because they were vocally against the invasion of Iraq. It ‘came out’ that Target is in fact a French company and I guess people started boycotting.

      • A.M.

        Just to clarify, I don’t think this is as equally ridiculous by any means. I am not boycotting but I am very much pro gay-marriage.

    • Amy

      My husband and I discussed it because we do most of our household-type shopping at Target. If we choose to boycott Target, we would have to shop at Wal-Mart (which has its own very complicated and checkered history of problems), Whole Foods (which would be extremely expensive for us, in addition to the fact that the CEO came out against health care reform) or KMart (which has also had wage and racial discrimination claims, in addition to issues related to selling firearms). Ultimately, we decided that while we support the spirit of the boycott at Target, and we have donated to anti-Proposition 8 initiatives in California, Target is the best of a selection of bad options. We don’t have a locally-owned and operated place that sells cleaning supplies and toilet paper; it’s all chain stores, and all the chains have issues. I am looking into possibly going through Soap.com or Drugstore.com for some things but honestly haven’t had time to research it much. When we run out of toilet paper, we kind of need it immediately, you know? I think the answer for us is – we vocally support gay marriage and donate to the cause, and condemn Target for what they did. But we probably will continue to shop there, for some things.

        • Amy

          They’re past issues, but I had a real problem with it when they only stopped selling ammunition after Michael Moore embarrassed them in Bowling for Columbine. Prior to that, despite multiple incidents of selling ammunition and weapons to minors, the mentally ill, and people with felony convictions, they had refused to do anything or accept responsibility. They no longer sell weapons or ammo but that decision had more to do with liability, and public embarrassment, than a desire to do the right thing for their communities.

          • kcaco

            Amy – Not sure if you’ll ever revisit this thread but I did want to thank you for your explanation!

    • Anon

      This is a non-issue for me!
      I will continue to shop at Target. You have to consider that there are people out there who want equal rights for gays- but not want the definition of marriage to be extended to include same sex union.

      To be clear, I am all for equal right to inherit self earned property, all spousal benefits/rights like say in health decisions etc.

      • v

        Uh, I think we know that some people don’t want gay marriage regardless of their other beliefs about gay rights. That doesn’t mean we think that’s an ethical or tolerable position.

  4. J

    So nice, C posted it twice. I picked up one in brown last fall (on C’s recommendation) and it is great. The fabric is a bit thick, so it is more forgiving than some of the other Merona dress I’ve tried on. It translates well to the weekend too – with dark tights and tall boots for fall.

    • anon-ny

      I bought the brown one when it was featured last fall as well and I love it although it is a bit shorter than I usually wear to work but with flats on a Friday or with tights on the weekend I don’t think it is problematic (heels just exaggerate the shorter length). Oh, and I’m 5’9″ so that makes a difference on the length issue.
      My only complaint about the dress is that it is difficult to put a cardigan or jacket over the sleeves since the fabric is thicker (which I like) and the hardware and folded detail makes it bulky. My fix in the fall I layer it with a shirt underneath but in the summer it has been difficult to add a light sweater for a/c.
      Oh, I guess another very minor issue is I would prefer the buttons to be gold rather than silver since I generally prefer to pair gold jewelry with brown but that is just my personal preference. Overall I recommend the dress.

      • M

        what kind of shirt works for layering under this dress? I bought it last year, too, and have had trouble finding a shirt that looks right under it. long-sleeve? 3/4? button-down?

        • Jay

          I wouldn’t think you’d need to wear something under this. If it’s too low, I’ve just safety-pinned collars along the V to make them high-enough–done right, no one can tell.

    • s

      i was thinking that it looked like something recommended awhile back! kat, you should be proud, you have some dedicated followers!

    • Samantha

      That was my first thought! I remember Corporette posting this exact dress some time ago. Guess I’m not the only one. :)

      • legalicious07

        I bought this when previously recommended, too! I got it in black, and I got a plainer version (minus buttons) in brown. I’ve worn them each a few times. I probably wouldn’t buy more of them (as I’m going for quality over quantity now), but they have both served me well.

  5. 75

    Interesting to hear that about Target – would not necessarily boycott, but I want to be aware. Used to boycott Wal-mart for the usual reasons, but more lately go there – so tempting for automotive, some toys, some food and clothes.

    When dresses are being offered for under $25., you’ve gotta wonder who is at the weaving and sewing end on another continent suffering from rock bottom pay. The best answer is probably to buy fewer, better quality, items that don’t get replaced so frequently.

    • nonA

      Yes, if they are actually made somewhere else – but a lot of the time, they are made in the same factory or under the same conditions, and the difference in price is just the “brand name” and bigger profit.

      • MelD

        Exactly. When I look at the labels of my brand name clothes, they are made in the same places as the cheap Target stuff. I don’t imagine a huge difference in factory conditions in the same country just because I’m paying $400 instead of $20.

    • Anonymous

      I think you may be conflating two issues here (although I think that both are important).

      If you’re worried about exploitation of workers in developing countries, try to buy from companies with better employment practices. More expensive prices on this end do not necessarily mean that the workers on the other end are being paid more.

      The advice to buy fewer, higher quality pieces and avoid disposable “fast fashion” goes more to environmental impacts.

  7. zee

    I adore target dresses. They fit well and last a surprisingly long time given the price. I must add this to my collection! I also worry about the donation to MN forward, but I have decided it’s not sustainable to boycott everything I have a problem with. At least they have benefits for employees and pay a much higher wage than walmart.

  8. Kristin B.

    I too bought the brown in the fall on C’s rec. At 5’8, I find the dress (along w/most Target “work” dresses) just a bit short. As other commenters have said, with flats, it’s fine. May pick up another in black!

  10. Lawgirl

    Thanks @ JR. Checking out Ruelala (a very bad habit lately!).

    Merona Dress: I saw this exact dress on a gal in our office this week, and it made her look busty (and she’s not really). Something about that high band right under the boobs. I like waistbands at my, uh, waist. Pass.

    • Blonde (and busty) Lawyer

      I know your comment was intended to be informative and I appreciate that. I have a general comment not directed at you. I hate when people decry an outfit because it is busty. If it doesn’t show cleavage, isn’t skin tight, etc., then it shouldn’t be considered in appropriate. Those of us who have D’s or larger can’t really stop the fact that we look busty. We ARE busty. I don’t try to flaunt it but I don’t go to ridiculous measures to hide it either. We are all beautiful in all our shapes and sizes.

      • surrounded by lawyers

        A great contribution, I think. No one should have to feel like her body, in itself, is inappropriate. You dress within reason, and beyond that, it is what it is!

        I appreciate this because it helps me feel a bit better about getting catcalled on my walk to work. I haven’t done anything wrong, and past a point there’s really nothing we can do about how we are perceived.

      • Anonymous

        I doubt she meant that there was something wrong with being busty. I read the comment as fitting advice, as some women may not want to look even larger, or some do want to look larger. Kind of like a pencil skirt makes my curvy hip bones look even curvier. Some ladies might like that, I personally do not.

    • Samantha

      Yes, I think it would work at my office (no suits but business attire) if everything else were toned down. It doesn’t seem to look like cheetah unless you look closely. Looks more like a dot pattern (maybe it looks different in person).

    • E

      I agree with Samantha — keep everything else low key and you’ll be fine. I’d also make sure that it’s not too tight and va-va-voomy, as animal print can get into not so professional territory pretty quickly, but this is pretty low key to begin with. I say, go for it!

    • ES

      Ann Taylor has one out that looks similar but has extra flounce at the back, in order to make it more va-va-voom-y (I know there’s a name for it, can’t think of). This looks mild in comparison. Go for it!

  12. JessC

    Oh, they make it in petites too! Seeing as a I went on a bit of an outlet shopping spree very recently, I don’t think I can justify even a $25 dress…

  13. Anon (too)

    Apologies for the threadjack. I have a new secretary (I am in BigLaw in the West) and today she is wearing….stretched out faded cotton tank top, faded cargo pant capris, and flip flops. I am speechless. Surely I need to say SOMETHING but where does one start? Our department is somewhat casual and I don’t usually wear suits on Fridays but today I’m super-casual in slacks, blouse, jewelry and a cardigan. Anyone have suggestions on how to tell her her clothes are inappropriate but not to seem like a witch?

    • K

      Seconding the request for HR to talk to her. Since she’s YOUR secty, you will be the one who feels the brunt of her displeasure (pique, resentment, embarrassment, whatevs) if you are the one who tells her to get her butt in gear, clothing-wise. Then, when she shows up in something appropriate, be sure to compliment her.

    • Blonde Lawyer

      She is new so you can say it really bluntly and still innocently. Hey x, even though we are casual on Fridays, we are still business casual. We ask that everyone wear something that they would be fine meeting a client in. Don’t be embarassed since I’m sure you didn’t know. Casual can be so confusing. Generally we don’t wear flip flops here or capris. Don’t worry about today but know for next week.”

    • A.M.

      As I’m not in law, but have been in secretary positions before, the only advice I can give is from the perspective of the assistant.
      If HR told me I would be mortified, and probably think multiple people had said something. If my boss pulled me aside and said something like what Blonde Lawyer recommended I would still be embarrassed but not as concerned that the whole office thought I looked like a train wreck.
      Try to do it later in the day as well, so she doesn’t feel self-conscious all day.

      • Anon (too)

        Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll talk with her and use Blonde Lawyer’s excellent script, closer to the end of the day.

        • D

          Agreed. We just had to do this with a secretary who seemed to own nothing but sleeveless blouses and tiny miniskirts.

    • ERP

      Anon (too) – I would wait until as late in the day as possible. You don’t want your assistant to feel uncomfortable in her own skin for the whole day.

    • Anonymous

      I don’t think you need to tell HR if it’s the first time and she’s fairly new. That’s passive aggressive, and it could end up in her employment file. Just pull her aside and privately review the dress code with her, if you have a written one; if you don’t have a written dress code, just say that you realized you hadn’t discussed professional attire expectations with her when she started and that her outfit today reminded you to have the discussion. Be very specific because she obviously doesn’t pick up on things like this on her own (some people just don’t).

      • E

        I think you also have to evaluate whether she needs correction or mentoring. Has she worked in a professional environment in the past? Is she young? Does she do good work? She may literally not know what’s appropriate, and gentle correction could help her for the rest of her budding career. OTOH, if you get the sense that her lack of appropriate wardrobe is symptomatic of her work ethic or attention to detail, maybe it’s time to get HR involved earlier rather than later.

        • stc

          I wasn’t sure if she was OP’s new secretary or a new secretary in general…might make a difference. If she was another associate/partner’s secretary, is there a possibility of checking in with them to see if this is par for the course?

  14. Suze

    Okay, dunno about the dress (and am tapped out anyway, even for $25), but about boycotting Target because of a dumb donation to a bad org/bad candidate – when Target offers same sex benefits, sponsors gay pride events, and generally stays ‘out of trouble’ re treatment of emplyees, etc., more than many of its competitors – wow. Sort of summing up Amy and Another Sarah’s points, where CAN we ‘politically correctly’ buy cleaning supplies, kidwear, home basics, sporting goods, some clothes, etc. for reasonable prices? At some point, I run out of time to worry about some of this – I just need to go get my stuff, ideally in one place, and be done with it. Sheesh!

    • Louise

      In a way, it is worse that Target chose to make this donation because of their otherwise good record. Kind of like catching your BFF making a snarky comment about your partner behind your back. It feels like betrayal.

      I was at the Twin Cities Pride festival, and enjoyed Target’s fake tattoo booth. Free rainbow tats in the shape of Target’s logo! So fun! So supportive! Look, a corporation that really GETS it!

      The news of their donation to a blatantly anti-gay politician was a slap in the face. When I feel betrayed, I withdraw. Sorry, Target, we can’t be friends any more.

      If you aren’t personally invested in this topic, then your reaction may of course be different. But for some of us, a boycott is the only thing we can do with integrity.

      • Suze

        Oh, Louise, yes, I know (spoken wearily/cheerily, not meanly)… I haven’t bought anything at Target since I heard about this…and I was right there (*sad*) with you when you went last weekend and had to leave w/o buying what you otherwise might have but for the donation nonsense. Notwithstanding feeling ‘tapped out’ right now, I probably would have hopped on this dress (and maybe another) just for price/wearability, but really I felt conflicted.

        I am – not directly personally, but by way of many friends and close family members – invested in making sure that gay people, gay couples and gay parents are treated the same as any others. I just get frustrated when it seems like there is noplace in corporate America that you can (hopefully conveniently/economically, or at least reasonably so) spend a dollar for sort of basic stuff without some portion of it likely going to an ‘objectionable’ place, you know?

      • anon

        She didn’t say anything that would require her to “chill.” What is it with the posters here lately? Jeez.

  16. Carrie

    I like that dress, but I really hate those buttons. They look a little Raggedy Anne to me.

  17. atty

    Does anyone know if the Gap 30% Give and Get works on sale items? I know it doesn’t work online. Thanks.

  18. lk

    Nice little secret for anyone living in Minneapolis – Target donates all of its samples and excess inventory to a thrift-store in town, brand new. This dress was selling there for $8 a year ago – I bought it in several colors. I also have about 20 pencil skirts ($6 a piece), blouses, button down shirts, and jackets. Sure, it’s not top quality – but its new, practically free, and it does fine to ‘fill in’ my wardrobe for matching with nicer pieces from Nordstrom, etc.

    • KKL

      LK,

      If you don’t mind revealing your secret Target source, this Minneapolis dweller would love to know where to score some cheap duds. Thanks!

    • UnSub

      And be sure to check the clearance racks at Target too. Today I am wearing a dress that I got on clearance for $7.99. So far I’ve gotten 5 compliments both in office and on the street.

    • EE

      Yes, please share! I know The Hope Chest for Breast Cancer (there’s one in Orono and one in St. Paul, and it’s a great cause!) gets donations of excess inventory from different stores, so I’ve gotten some great new clothes for super cheap. But I don’t know if they get stuff from Target.

    • lk

      It’s in the basement of the salvation army off of N. Washington and 10th. Upstairs is a regular Salvation Army – downstairs, all brand new Target donations. Not the prettiest store, but screaming deals. Also have new shoes, housewares.

  19. buttercup

    I bought this dress when it was featured the first time, and I got tons of compliments on it! I would say it runs big, so size down. But on me (5’3, shortish legs), it’s the perfect length — and fits well over my big hips!

    Also, I handwash it, and a year (and multiple washes later), this one still bleeds like WOAH.

  20. Heather

    I want to like this dress, but it looks like it could be mistaken for a maternity dress. I just don’t want that to worry about.

  21. AccountingNerd

    I’m 5″3, so I ordered the petites Small. It came yesterday and I was so disappointed when I tried it on! It is a cute dress, but way too short! It came a few inches above my knees, which is especially too short when I sit down. Way too much leg for the office, in my opinion. I’m returning it, but I’m going to order the regular Small, not petites. I’m hoping it will be an inch or two longer.

    • Jay

      Agree with the above. I’m 5’5″ and rather short-waisted. I have quite a few Merona dresses, all in small, all fine in length and fit. I ordered this one and it arrived today–it must be at least 1/2″, if not more, shorter than my other Merona dresses. It is still work appropriate for me, but I’ll be wearing flats with it and probably saving it for Fridays; it shows just a little more above-the-knee leg than I like for a regular workday.

      I also had ordered the Merona twist-front dress in Burgundy. Lovely color, but it runs even shorter (and tighter) than this one. That one is likely going back.

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