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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. I feel like Old Navy has these every season, and every season they call to me — the fun colors, the classic styling… I particularly like this purple (“purple jewel”) and a sprucey green (“green spire”) — there's also a lovely dark-blue-not-quite-navy color, along with basics like black, white, and gray. The cardigan was $29.50, now $17.50, sizes XS-XXL. Old Navy Womens Cable-Knit Cardigans 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 9.16.24
- Nordstrom – Summer Sale, save up to 60%
- Ann Taylor – Extra 30% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – 15% off new styles
- Eloquii – Extra 50% off sale
- J.Crew – 30% off wear-now styles
- J.Crew Factory – (ends 9/16 PM): 40% off everything + extra 70% off sale with code
- Lo & Sons – Warehouse sale, up to 70% off
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – Extra 25% off all tops + markdowns
- Target – Car-seat trade-in event through 9/28 — bring in an old car seat to get a 20% discount on other baby/toddler stuff.
- White House Black Market – 40% off select styles
Some of our latest posts here at Corporette…
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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…
RR
I really like the look of these cardigans. I have a similar one from Eddie Bauer from 8 years ago that still gets a ton of wear. I’m hesitating because I’ve been so disappointed in Old Navy’s quality in recent years. Floppy, misshapen Ts that stretch out and look horrible. Pants that fit weird and are so low cut that they are indecent. It’s just completely hit and miss. Any real world reviews from people who own this one or have seen it in person?
RR
I think the online reviews answered my question re: the stretching out. Shame because it’s a beautiful sweater.
mamabear
I popped over to order it and saw the reviews, too. Runs large, stretches out of shape during wearing, and leaves fuzz balls everywhere. No thanks!
K
Well, you guys saved me the time from even clicking over….so thanks! :)
MJ
Ditto.
Allison
I agree with you RR, Old Navy’s stuff looks great online but in the store the fabric is thin, scratchy, and things are poorly cut. Their quality has really decreased over the last couple years.
Janie
I agree… I remember in high school so many of my clothes came from there and they lasted at least 2-3 years of heavy wear. Now I sometimes see cute j.crew-like things there but am always disappointed at the quality.
Bonnie
Ditto. The only clothing I buy there now is stuff to hang around the house in. I was pleasantly surprised by their velour pants and hoodies this year. They made the pants a little higher and you can’t beat them for $8.
SS
For whatever reason, I really dislike cable knit sweaters. Anyone else? There might be something wrong with me
TKA
Me, too. But maybe we are the minority!
Louise
I’ll join that minority. Cabling makes sweaters look just a little too casual to me. I’ve been stalking cashmere sweaters on eBay and a lovely blue one came up at a great price. When I clicked a close up of the photo, it had cabling and I was immediately turned off. I never really noticed that about myself before. It does seem odd, doesn’t it?
Lynnet
Me too! They always seem kind of frumpy to me. It’s weird, because I love cable knit everything else.
AIMS
I agree. Wearing one now & feel frump-tastic. I have 2 (a vest & a cardi) and both make me feel incredibly “blah” whenever I wear them.
naijamodel
Yeah, I’m wearing a cable hoodie right now. It’s warm, but I almost never wear it cos cable creates these weird lumps and bumps on me.
Eponine
Me eleventy.
char
Threadjack: I have been dating a man for 2 months and we just exchanged Christmas gifts. I had told him that I didn’t want us to make a big thing over gifts, given our brief involvement. You can imagine how mortified I was when he presented me with something super thoughtful that I had wanted for a while…and that cost quite a bit more than I spent on him. While this man does make more than me, I feel really embarrassed. What should I do here? I can’t return his gift because it was personalized.
Thanks in advance…sigh.
Target Shopper
just roll with it. He obviously really likes you!
Janie
I agree. I think he knew what he was doing and did it to show you how much he likes you rather than to get something of value in return.
Louise
If you had been dating 2 weeks, I’d be concerned. But 2 months is long enough for him to get a pretty good sense of who you are. I think it is very sweet and romantic! Count your lucky stars. We’re all rooting for you!
Divaliscious11
So I realized things were really serious with my now husband when he did something similar. Not because it was expensive, but because I’d mentioned wanting it in passing, several months before, and not only had he been listening, but he remembered.
Sounds like your guy is thoughtful and attentive…. enjoy it!
No guilt – I bet it made him feel awesome to give you something he knew you really wanted. Alas, my husband doesn’t hit as many home runs on gifts 10 years later, but now he doesn’t care if I exchange….
eaopm3
My future husband told me he got me Christmas gift from Cabela’s. I’m concerned, to say the least. Sometimes, he gets confused about who a gift benefits. Like the time he got me lingerie for my birthday. And the time he bought me a Wii Fit that I hadn’t asked for… I hope he didn’t get me anything that requires ammo.
Bless his heart.
eaopm3
Got “my” Christmas gift, that should say. This week needs to be over. AFTER I go proof read everything I just wrote for work…
Anon
Ha! I would love a gift that requires ammo :)
Ses
I hear you. When mine gave me lingerie, I WISHED I had something that required ammo to respond with.
Rachel
Hilarious! (I’m also familiar with the feeling…) Thanks for the laugh – I needed it this week!
Bonnie
When I saw the all caps, I thought you were Ellen for a second.
Ses
Phooey. ;-)
Emily I
I just got my husband’s Christmas present – lingerie for me to wear. I prefer warm and sensible flannel pj’s, so I know he’ll appreciate the gift, as long as I wear it!
Lawgirl
If hubby buys me silk robes, chemises, and the like, we’re in business. I haven’t seen the Frederick’s type scratch, hideous stuff in years, so we’re making progress! :-D
Janie
I have some amazing slippers from Cabela’s, so there’s hope yet!
Ann
Yes, I agree with Divaliscious. My husband did something similar – after we had been dating about two months, he bought me an expensive-for-him-at-the-time vintage watch as a surprise present after I had admired it in an antique jewelry store. I was totally taken aback and had no way of buying him something comparable, as I was even poorer than he was at the time. My sweet Grandma, when she saw it, told me “in my day, if a beau gave you a watch, it meant the next present was going to be a ring.” I laughed it off, because we were both pretty young and had only been dating for about five minutes, but it turned out to be the case.
Not saying that is necessarily what is going to happen in your case or you should overanalyze the situation, or be weirded out trying to figure out his motives. That is pretty critical, actually – don’t act like your speculating about his motives. :) But do be grateful, say how much you enjoy the gift, and then use it in good grace. I am sure he did it because he wants you to be happy, and if you are happy with it, showing it will be payback enough.
Ellen
When I was in college, 3 guys all gave me jewelery and I was not even sleeping with any one of them. It was strictley casual. So you should NOT feel guilty if you take his gift because HE obviousely likes you alot. If he didn’t he would be getting cheap gifts from CVS.
My sister did not even get a gift from her boyfriend and they WERE sleeping together. Go figure.
Be gratful that your b/f thinks enough of you to get you something decent. And if your still together at Valentine’s day, you can give him something special. Use your imagination. I do and when I do, my Alan loves it.
Anon
So, your sister was sleeping with her boyfriend and didn’t even get a GIFT? That probably means she will NEVER get a RING from him.
:)
AD
Phooey! No RING?
Preggo Angie
Sad confession: I actually used the word “phooey” this morning when I realized I didn’t wash the sweater I wanted to wear! I think it’s a combo of it circling around my head lately and me trying to clean up my language as Kiddo #1 is picking up more and more words.
K
I hope it was GOOD jewelry, not CHEAP stuff.
fresh jd
If you ask me, this is exactly the way it should be. You should be happy, not embarrassed…sounds like he’s into you!
JessC
What you’ve described tells me (1) since he makes more than you, he may have a different idea (price-wise) of what it means to “not make a deal” about gifts, (2) he’s very thoughtful and listens to you, and (3) he probably enjoys gift-giving and making people he gives gifts to happy.
There’s nothing about the above that you should be embarrased about.
Certainly don’t return his gift. Personally, I’m one of those people who really enjoys giving gifts and would find it hurtful/insulting if someone did this.
If it still really bothers you, I would suggest doing something nice for him not connected to the holidays. Take him out to a nice restaurant (or cook him a nice dinner), do a go-out-of-your-way favor for him, or get him a “just because” gift that you think he might like or that reminds you of him.
Eponine
He’s obviously kind, thoughtful, considerate, and really into you. You should thank him wholeheartedly. I doubt he’s comparing the cost of your present to his or that he cares at all.
char
Thank you to everyone who replied!
I am going to take some deep breaths and enjoy:)
Buzzkill
One time I got an ex a Red Sox baseball cap for Christmas. I thought we had agreed not to make a big deal of it… he apparently remembered the conversation differently, and got me a pair of diamond earrings.
We broke up shortly after.
stc
I’m not a huge fan of cable knit, especially in cotton. I feel like they stretch out and across me in an unflattering way.
Target Shopper
I read the reviews too and decided against it! Plus, anything synthetic makes me really itchy.
Any other recommendations for low-ish priced 100% cardigans like this one? I’d like to spend under $40, but I’d pay more if it were going to last a while.
Louise
You left out a word…are you looking for 100% cotton, or 100% wool?
AIMS
Talbots is having their big red hanger sale. Tons of cute cardigan (and other items) super-marked down.
Only $4 more & vastly superior (if you ask me ;)). Pima cotton, tons of colors & sizes. I have a similar one from Talbots in red & wear it a lot, esp. in the summer. The color doesn’t fade at all, which I really like.
http://www.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi25228&rootCategory=cat90030&catId=cat110042&sortKey=Default§ion=Sale&conceptIdUnderSale=cat90030
For anyone who like the Jcrew Jackie cardi, there’s also this — not 100% cotton but it’s very nice quality materials, IMO. Tons of sizes left & only $22.
http://www.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi25039&rootCategory=cat90030&catId=cat110042&sortKey=Default§ion=Sale&conceptIdUnderSale=cat90030
Bonnie
There are some great items included in the sale. The website says that final sale items cannot be returned and I can’t figure out if all sale items count as final sale. Thoughts?
AIMS
Usually, they tell you when an item becomes final sale. From what I recall, the sale items get further and further reduced & when they get to a certain price, they become final sale. They usually say something like all prices ending in X are final sale. It doesn’t say that now, but if you’re ordering, I would just call customer service & ask.
K
Look at Lands End for something called their “feel good cardigan” — 100% cotton, very soft, no substanial pilling. It was probably $59 to start with but should be on sale now (plus add’l discounts?). I would go find it for you, but then would get sucked into LE, only to emerge 45 min later…. I don’t work for LE, but if they wanted to hire me….. :)
Anoner
Feel Good at Lands End isn’t 100% cotton, FYI – the split is 55% cotton/25% nylon/20% wool. But, very soft. And warm. If only they made the sleeves longer….sigh.
AD
Have you checked the Caslon cardigans at Nordstroms? There’s a good variety of both basic and adorned versions in a number of colors. I bought a black one with a flower appliques on the shoulder in the fall based on the recommendation of someone here. The material is soft and has a nice drape, and the prices are good – there are a number on sale now in the $30 range.
Target Shopper
Oops yes I did mean 100% cotton
Thanks for the recs!
RK
Target Shopper – I am a fan of Ann Taylor and Land’s End for straightforward cardigans. Wearing a no-fuss black AT cardigan right now – 100% cotton, was on sale when I bought it, came in around $30. I have done well with the 100% cotton as well as 100% cashmere sweaters from LE.
chix pix
Threadjack – has anyone had experience with state government dress codes? I am representing a lovely very young state government clerical employee who deals with the public and repeatedly gets sent home for dress code “violations” – the code is very complicated and it is hard to judge whether or not she is “violating” – she doesn’t have much money and her clothes are cheap – a guy would not be subjected to this nonsense. This person is slim but voluptuous – I can’t be there to see her at work but I suspect things she wears look “sexy” even when very ordinary.
Any thoughts?
rg
I don’t know if this helps, but having worked in state and federal government, I’d say the dress codes are pretty similar. Pretty standard, conservative, professional dress. Details depend on the agency and position.
somewherecold
I think that it depends on the location of the office. Since the employee interacts with the public, what looks/is professional may have to due with what people generally wear in the area, so a city may be different from a more suburban/rural area and what might be risque/fashionable in a city is risque/inappropriate in a more conservative area.
Also, inappropriate dress can convey to members of the public that their issues are not being taken seriously, etc., so that may be part of the concern.
Ann
We have both state and federal government clients and the dress code is pretty relaxed in the agencies we work with, which mostly handle environmental/Interior issues. Lots of khakis, polo shirts (on both men and women), button-downs, etc. I will say that in all of our clients’ offices the dress mainly seems to be the casual side of conservative, everyone is pretty covered-up and no one dresses “flashy.” I also will say that the people we work with tend to be on the more conservative side with everything – business-wise, politically, etc. If your client is dressing flashily, that may be bringing more attention to her than she normally would warrant. It also might be a case where what she’s wearing is making people think she doesn’t care about fitting into the office culture, which is important. Or the people she works with could be jerks. :)
Rachel
I have a similar problem dressing a similar body type – unless you stick to ’50s homemaker garb (which is still hourglass), everything you try on that fits looks “suggestive” and everything that’s not suggestive seems frumpy. Everyone recommends tailoring, which does help a lot, but when you can’t afford that – I’d recommend a place like JCPennys. Their Woolworth’s pants have some good basic styles for about $20 each that were a lifesaver back in law school and some of them are still going strong and look good on the hourglass figure. Neutral colors like black and gray/brown. Avoid the button down shirts unless you can find an exact color match in a shell to wear under them. A lot of drapey structured and lined tops to wear under the blazers. And then I just swore by blazers over everything – I avoided the too-tapered ones and bought a size up or left them unbuttoned. And I maxed out the conservative accessories – very structured work bag in black, leather strap non-“blingy” Lucien Piccard, boring Blackberry, pearl stud earrings or tiny silver hoops, pale pink nails, kitten heel shoes in black black black (I’m tall, and don’t own many heels). Everyone outside of work calls it an “old lady” wardrobe, but I get less flack from the handsy higher-ups and have less trouble with bosses assuming I accidentally happened to utter something smart – rather than actually knowing what I was doing. So it’s working for me.
If I were being singled out like your friend is, though, I’d also be job searching every spare moment.
Rachel
Also, JCP has great coupons for $10 off of any purchase of $10 or more, so you can grab some good pants/tops/blazers for very little if you sign up to their mailing list. She might also find some great items (made of stiffer, stronger, lined fabric) at the local Junior League thrift store – they seem to be a great source for higher quality, albeit slightly used, items at bargain basement prices, if she’s okay with 2nd hand clothes.
Anon
When I was an intern in a state government agency, I noticed most of the secretaries/receptionists dressed pretty conservatively, but also rather casual. Like jeans and a T shirt for some. No one seemed to care, except I remember the higher-ups getting upset at one receptionist who seriously wore what looked like clothes she would go clubbing in–like spaghetti strap tank tops, really tight, low jeans, very short skirts, very low cut shirts, etc. I think someone finally told her something about it. But besides her, the range was dress pants and button down shirts or sweaters to jeans and a polo or t-shirt. Back then, my entire closet basically came from Express, LOL.
mew
I’m probably no help, because the code at my State Agency is very loosey-goosey. But generally, unless you’re dealing with public, clean and covered is about the extent of the code. Our clerical workers are mostly in jeans and t-shirts.
But my Agency is very techincal, so lot of folks end up in the field where jeans are appropriate.
Ellen
These sweaters make me look FAT. Last year, Alan gave me a red SWEATER and I looked like Santa Claus. Hideous!!!
I gave it away to the Salvation ARMY and the guy there said he would wear it.
Can you IMAGINE?
Anyways, I want a SILK sweater that has blue and white HORIZONTEL stripes.
Does anyone know where I can buy one? Alan swears he will NEVER by me clothes again.
I don’t care as long as he gets me a RING.
kellyn
What, no mention that he is BALD?
Merry Christmas, Elan. You’re a wonderful gift to all of us Corporette readers :)
K
Kellyn: I don’t think Alan is BALD, it it Ellen’s BOSS who is BALD and has BAD BREATH. Please, try to keep facts STRAIGHT. :)
kellyn
Haha well, it SEEMS I have my facts WRONG again.
PHOOEY.
Anon in DC
I am still looking for the hidden messages in the CAPITALIZED words.
FAT SWEATER ARMY IMAGINE SILK HORIZONTAL NEVER RING
R.S.
“Ellen” is not real. This is a character/troll who comments on tons of legal blogs, and has always formatted his/her comments this way.
S/he was banned from commenting on the ABA’s online articles and blog posts a little over a year ago. I had not realized until today that “Ellen” had discovered Corporette.
S/he can be amusing at first, but her comments will inevitabley become completely innane. Furthermore since “Ellen” is not a legitmate individual who wants to contribute honest impressions to the Corporette community, and is merely doing this for kicks, I think Kat should keep a very careful eye on these posts.
Kat and all of the readers here have great community going, with lots of sincere honest advice for professional women, and I hate to see it ruined by trolls who have run out of other blogs to invade.
Anon for this
R.S., I am a regular commenter here and a lawyer, and I have no problem with the crap that “Ellen” posts. It’s harmless, silly, and yes, a troll. But guess what? It’s not spam, and it’s not offensive. Once we start banning commenters because their posts are not “honest impressions” or productive contributions, it’s a slippery slope to a place where I wouldn’t be interested in participating. I realize that free speech rights do not apply to blogs, but I think it’s silly to decide to block someone because they annoy you or because their posts offend some nebulous standard that you’ve conceived for this blog’s commenters.
kellyn
Oh, see, I now look forward to the little oasis of silliness that Ellen provides in my otherwise mundane day. I love reading this blog and have gotten some amazing and caring advice from it, but sometimes we just need some PHOOEY in our days.
R.S.
I agree, and I’m not suggesting that Kat should ban “Ellen” (not yet, anyway). However, it’s also a slipperly slope from having one or two “novelty commenters” to having a blog that’s become so innundated with trolls and their shennanigans that no one wants to read the comments or contribute anything insightful anymore (e.g. does anyone read the comments on Above the Law anymore?).
I say this only because Corporette is one of the few blogs where trolls have not taken over, and where I still actively read the comments because their quality is very good and resourceful.
Anon
I think HORIZONTAL stripes will just make your BODICE look bigger, dear Ellen…
Ru
Priceless…
Anon
And then her BOSS who is BALD and has BAD BREATH will just STARE at her all day!
eaopm3
I’m just going to pretend you are real, except ignore all of the annoying stuff.
http://www.bluefly.com/Haute-Hippie-navy-striped-silk-cotton-v-neck-tunic-sweater/cat20188/309217801/detail.fly?referer=ca_froogle&cm_mmc=ca_froogle-_-na-_-womens_sweaters-_-309217801&PROMO=promo970009&mr:trackingCode=45946FCD-A5BA-DF11-98FF-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA
Here’s the sweater you requested.
AD
Love it – kudos to you, eaopm3!
Did you pass up this one because maybe Alan couldn’t AFFORD it?
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446385609&afsrc=1&site_refer=GGLBASE001&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=ParentItem0451143222130
Anone
The belt on that dress is crazy awesome.
eaopm3
Haha, I didn’t even see that one when I googled it. However, that might be a little too RISQUE for Ellen’s BALD BAD BREATH BOSS. Lol.
Nonny
Hee hee, BALD BAD BREATH BOSS. Love it.
Ru
Beautiful dress!
Anon
Merry Christmas, TrollBoy.
EggNog?
eg
You are cracking me up! MERRY CHRISTMAS to Kat, all Corprettes and Elan and her BALD BAD BREATH BOSS.
Bonnie
Maybe you can wear those CORSETS Alan gave you underneath.
kellyn
ON her bodice?
Bonnie
Underneath the SWEATER so she doesn’t look FAT like Santa Claus.
Anonymous
But what about the TEDDY? If she can’t wear it with the sweater, then FOOEY.
MC
This whole thread makes me smile :)
Anon
Threadjack: The partners in our small regional office all purchase massage gifts for the associates. Do I need to write hand-written thank you cards to each partner, or is an email sufficient? Thanks!
eaopm3
I think thank you notes should be handwritten. It can be short and sweet, though.
SuzyQ
Group gifts are a little different. I received a group gift from my department before my baby was born and I thought it was fine to send a mass e-mail to the group to say thanks.
Eponine
Group gifts are a little different. I received a group gift from my department before my baby was born and I thought it was fine to send a mass e-mail to the group to say thanks.
Anon
Threadjack: The partners in our small regional office all purchased massage gift cards for the associates. Do I need to write hand-written thank you cards to each partner, or is an email sufficient? Thanks!
anon for now...
Threadjack follow-up:
This is a follow-up post to yesterday. I am a science PhD trying to leave research and getting a little frustrated for not finding permanent employment (though I currently have, and have had, some interesting temporary positions). Thanks to everyone with helpful responses!
I wanted to ask a follow-up. A couple of posters mentioned going into management consulting. I have considered this many times, but the lifestyle keeps holding me back. I basically lived out of a suitcase in grad school, and being several years older I’m just not sure my body, or my marriage, any longer can handle the heavy travel most of the major consulting firms say is normal. Also, I’m getting older and my husband and I are looking to start a family soon…but I’ve been told by some that consulting is absolutely not compatible with being a mom.
But, in the hopes of getting a wider swath of responses, can other corporettes tell me more about their management consulting experiences? Are their firms with lighter travel loads (I think I could maybe handle up to 25%, though firms that tend to work locally would be preferred…I’m in a large West Coast metro area)? Any management consultants who were/are parents as an associate?
Also, thanks for the tip on LinkedIn. I do have a reasonably complete profile, but I like the idea of looking at firms I’m interested in and matching my profile more closely.
Anon in NY
I suggested the Big 4 (I work for one of them), and for managers/directors (especially those on partner track) its pretty common to spend 25-30% of your hours on travel. That doesn’t take into account where your clients are though – on the west cost if you work in a division dealing with entertainment/media/etc. you may very likely spend the majority of your time within 1-2 hours from home. So, it does vary.
That being said, the flexibility of the Big 4 in terms of telecommuting is pretty fabulous. And they all tend to have excellent maternity policies in hopes of continuing to attract women and talent straight out of school. You may just need to be honest with yourself about your career goals vs. kids – most women tend to either be well on their way to partner before having kids or make a decision to take a less senior role for a few years.
SuzyQ
I can’t speak on management consulting since I’ve never done it before, but other jobs that come to mind include think tanks (like the Rand Corporation), non-profits or foundations (like the Gates Foundation), teaching, or working as a science writer for a journal or science magazine. I also know a fair amount of ppl who left research to become patent lawyers but that would require 3 more years of education and possibly the patent bar exam. Good luck to you.
lawyerette
Actually to be a patent agent you only need to take the patent bar (which you can take without being a lawyer if you studied certain fields, mostly in science/engineering). So if the idea of writing patenta applications and “conversing” (via mail) with the patent office thrills you, it’s a pretty good gig, no need to go to law school.
Anon
That I did NOT know. Thanks.
Eponine
Do you want to stay on the West Coast? Government contractors would love you if you are interested in moving to DC.
Lynnet
Threadjack: Any suggestions for nice menswear stores in DC? I’m running short on time and trying to think of a present for my brother. It would need to be somewhere close to downtown (I think, I’m not really familiar with the DC landscape, but I know he lives near the Navy Yards) because he doesn’t have a car and bikes everywhere. I can only spend $50 or so. He says that most of the time his work is pretty casual, but he has to wear a suit one or two days a week.
Eponine
I’d suggest going to Filene’s Basement (on Connecticut Ave or on F St). The one on Connecticut Ave has had a lot of really nice menswear marked down significantly. There’s also a Johnson and Murphy and a Brooks Brothers within a block of that Filene’s.
Bonnie
I like the men’s department at the Lord and Taylor in Friendship Heights.
Divaliscious11
Or you could do Nordstrom, its just a couple metro stops over in Pentagon City, VA.
Lynnet
Thanks for all of the suggestions, everyone! I’ll check out all of those places and see if I can get gift certificates over the internet. (Yes, I’m seriously behind)
Lola
I have a brother in the DC area and always forget to get him a gift certificate to that men’s shaving salon in Union Station. It’s probably too late now, but in case anyone else is still looking. I’m always fascinated by that place when I see it.
eg
opps typo *Corporettes*, Phooey!
eg
I thought you ladies might like this link. http://lawandthemultiverse.com/
M in CA
I just discovered this yesterday! I love it. eg, We must be getting the same ABA e-newsletter. :)
Jill
Different pricepoint, but I wanted to recommend a beautiful cardigan that I recently ordered from Pure Collection:
http://www.us.purecollection.com/products-Ruffle-Edge-Cashmere-Cardigan_LK-049.htm
I purchased the midnight blue, and I could not be more pleased with the quality and fit. The cardigan has a jacket sort of look to it, which I really like for work.
I also bought two silk blouses (a short-sleeved silver tie-neck and long-sleeved navy button up). They are lovely as well, although not as distinctive as the cardigan. This company is new to me and I’ve found their customer service to be first-rate. The winter sale has just begun, so items are marked down up to 60%.
D
The blue is a gorgeous color. I’m a little tired of ruffles, but I would def. go for this cardigan if it were in my price range
K
Very cute. Good link — I’ve not seen them before.
Chix Pix
Coming back to this very young client of mine – this writen dress code is for just this one agency – not for the whole state. It seems very confusing – certain sandals are okay, other sandals are not, for example. This young person is about to lose her job over this and similar issues, and I am perplexed as to how to advise her. No, she can’t opt to jusg quit – in this locale there are very few good-payng jobs for people of modest education other than the state.
Who has perchance dealt with a written state agency dress code???
CFM
Ive never dealt with the dress code, but can’t she just play it safe? Like no sandals? It is for sure more boring but if she is that interested in keeping the job, couldn’t she do a button up, skirt/pants, flats and a blazer or sweater everyday?
Jay
Agreed–if she’s having trouble with sandals, just never wear sandals. Khakis and polos from JCP are not expensive and I can’t imagine she would look inappropriate. Could you perhaps ask her to think about her outfit before leaving for work–if it’s the same outfit she’d wear to go dancing or to a bar, she shouldn’t wear it to work. If she’d wear it to church (or to tea with the mayor or whatever you think would get “formal” across to her), it’s likely fine. Or something? It sounds like she does not have good ideas about “event appropriate outfits” so maybe thinking in extremes would help? I think you’ve written about this client here before, and I really commend your efforts to help her!
Lizzie
I love the look and color of this cardigan (or is it, per their slightly creepy commercials a “party cardi?”), but Old Navy typically just isn’t cut to suit me. It’s a little boxy through the waist.
chix pix
I am not the mother of this employee, I am her lawyer. No, she has no money for a new wardrobe – she is the mother of two and has a mortgage. I am concerned with the legalities of what hasalready happened to her, not with reforming her taste or character. Obviously, she could dress differently. I see on the internet that some states have uniform rules for their agency dress codes. No pun intended. The state I am in apparently lets each agency go off on its own with dress code rulemaking. This whole issue is interesting, as it implicates the First Amendment and also relates to Title VII. In the past, I have only gotten involvedlegally in dress codes established for kids by public schools. Incidentally, this employee has the highest statistics for accuracy out of seventy-five people who all hold the same agency job.
Jay
You don’t have to get all defensive. It sounds like your client needs a mother more than a lawyer if she has all those responsibilities yet still can’t figure out how to dress herself in an appropriate way.
chix pix
Jay, your comment is thought provoking for me. This client strikes me as being very intelligent. I think she does know how to dress herself in an appropriate way, but for her age (25) not for the ages of her co-workers, mostly way over 40. The workplace is kind of gritty lookng, in an industrial, area. It is not suggestive of a classy wrdrobe. I am familiar with the building, as it serves the general public. There is a “working class” in America, and some of it, fortunately, still WORKS, despite the recession. I think that the person I am representing could fairly be called a member of the “working class”.