ByElizabeth Hours Updated
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Frugal Friday’s Workwear Report: Cap-Sleeve Pointelle Crewneck Sweater

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A woman wearing a short-sleeve brown sweater and white pants

Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.

I came across this pointelle sweater on a recent Target run and thought it was really lovely for the price. The 100% cotton knit feels light, but the pointelle isn’t so delicate that it will get snagged on every piece of jewelry.

I like this chestnut brown color for fall, but it also comes in a pale pink. 

The sweater is $25 at Target and comes in sizes XS-3X. 

64 Comments

  1. I have self-diagnosed with plantar fasciitis (have textbook pain on the soles of my foot near the heel, which is worst in the morning and when I get up to walk).

    Any recs for supportive shoes or sandals that I can try? Are Birkenstocks good for that?

      2. OP, the outer ridge of Birks doesn’t fit the shape of my foot, so you really do have to try stuff on. My suggestion, since you’re not sure what you’re looking for, is to go to a store and try on every possible shoe, hunting for brands that might work. THEN shop online (if you’re an online shopper).

        Because of long bouts with heel pain, I’m strict about shoes I will/won’t buy, and have to bypass many cute styles because all I see is “pain.” I look for shoes with a supportive sole — none of that flat, paper-thin thing you often see with sandals or ballet flats. The shoe has to fit tightly to my foot, preferably with buckles, laces, or velcro. No loose flipflops, mules, loafers, etc. Sometimes a bit of a heel or wedge is good. When I’m dealing with heel pain, I need a sole with arch support or a shoe that can accommodate an insert. The current sneaker trend is a godsend.

        1. Agree on the heel. It’s counter intuitive, but a 1″ heel will put your weight forward off your heel just a bit, which really helps.

        2. Yes to this suggestion but please actually buy in the store that you try the shoes on in? Those stores won’t exist much longer unless we spend money there.

          1. I always go into Best Buy to buy even the smallest electronic item because I want it to exist for my big ticket items.

    2. I would head to REI and try some things on. What counts as a supportive shoe varies from one person to the next since some of us have higher or lower arches at baseline.

      1. The fit point is so true. There are many shoes that receive rave reviews for arch support but provide me with none as my arches are high above the insoles.

        1. I have high arches and tried on every cute pair of sandals in the store before finally trying on the ugly Chacos that fit like a dream!

    3. How do you think you provoked it in the first place? Is it from a modifiable cause you can change like walking surface or particular footwear?

      When I had it, it was from walking barefoot over marble and tile. I started wearing crocs in the house and it resolved. I know if I go barefoot again, it will come back.

      1. I honestly don’t know, but I’m firmly in perimenopause (44) and read that this is a common issue.
        I love walking barefoot, but being more diligent about wearing crocs in the house have not improved my symptoms much. I also hate the plastic feeling in crocs, so TBH I take them off whenever I can.

        1. Vionic slippers might be an upgrade from the crocs if you want something less plasticy.

    5. Birks work with my PF, but some days I need a more squishy sole. No heels.

      I use Crocs as my at home indoor shoe, and those help a lot in the morning and standing/walking doing chores.

      1. I’m bad with slides, so I have a flip flop version of OOFOS, but I think it’s the same idea. I had no idea that moving from a carpeted apartment to a house with wood floors would be so hard on my feet (especially before acquiring rugs!).

    6. i really like zero-raise shoes like xero for this… whenever i have PF pain i wear these for a few days and it’s like my feet are stretching in new and exciting ways just by walking. they’re also the most comfortable shoes i’ve bought in the past 5 years.

      1. I also like Xero for stretching and strengthening my feet. But for walking I really need to be off pavement or hard floors or I need the arch support back.

        My family has issues with high arches that collapse though, so I’m anxious to avoid flat feet (whether from relying too much on arch support or not enough).

    7. For my plantar fasciitis issues, I wore soft footbed Birks (the originals were too hard for me) and Vionic loafers, etc. for work. Eventually, mine went away with babying my feet in good shoes.

    8. Vionic brand is going to be your friend here! Most of my dressy shoes are from them. I also like their sandals and leather sneakers (add my own insoles to provide even more support).
      Adding extra supportive insoles in all sneakers are critical. I really like the PowerStep brand’s Pinnacle line.
      For sandals, I also like Teva a lot as well as Fit Flop and the brand Archies for pool/beach wear. I personally never found Birkenstocks comfortable.
      The most important thing for me is to not go barefoot when I’m at home and to have very supportive shoes to allow my feet to recover. I wear these as my house shoes:
      https://www.vionicshoes.com/rejuvenate-recovery-sandal.html

    9. Go to a podiatrist and get custom orthotics. Changed my life!

      For sandals, birks give me decent support. But for long walking I need my orthotics (can be used in a cute sneaker)

    10. Do not go barefoot at home. Try Oofos slippers or Fulton house shoes. They look ridiculous, but they help a lot. Also try a compression sleeve around that foot/ankle – you can even wear it when you sleep. Finally, the Vibit roller helps *immensely*.

    11. My doc suggested a specific type of heel cup for me. There are different…firmness options? I can insert them in almost any of my shoes and they make a big difference.

  2. Reposting from the Ann Taylor post (which I do love)

    I am looking for a 20 inch pearl necklace for my wedding but not a single strand. I’m most interested in woven, seeded, or station styles. Gold would be the metal color. I see styles that I like online but most are 16 inches and a style that hits well below my collar bone would look best for the dress style. My budget up to 1500 so I know I won’t get the highest quality. Inspo links to follow. Thank you!

          1. Sadly I do not have a local bead shop or the ability to source pearls other than via etsy, I’m jealous you do!

          2. Do you really not have a local bead shop? My mid-sized city has 4. I had no idea they existed though until I actually looked.

      2. I bought something there after it was mentioned here and had a bad experience.

    6. Some of these could easily be extended/shortened via the chain if needed – that may be your best best if you find something you love, but it’s juts a bit short/long! Would be easy for a jeweler to do.

    7. This is a bit off the beaten path but have you looked at costco? Their pearls are way better for the same price than you could get otherwise.

      I’ve seen station necklaces there before, or buying pearls and having them restrung is an option if you can’t find exactly what you want.

  3. I need a new casual hoodie with zip side pockets. My style skews outdoorsy, so it doesn’t need to look super flattering/stylish, but would prefer semi-fitted with looseness in the arms for layering. I used to wear the Patagonia Better Sweater a lot, but the style has changed in recent years and it’s not great anymore. Any other recs for me? I’ve ordered the Kuhl Avaline to try.

    1. I’d try Marine Layer or Faherty, they’re both nicely thick in terms of quality and a bit more sporty/oversized than an Alo or Vuori.

    2. I ordered one from Primary via Nordstrom and it’s very basic, but seems to be good quality so far. Thickness is between a t-shirt and a sweatshirt.

    3. LL Bean has a version of the Better Sweater that works well on my body (I’m too curvy for Patagonia tops, generally.)

      1. +1 I’m not curvy but I have broad shoulders and the LL Bean version has real shoulders vs dolman sleeves on the Patagonia. Also, I found LL Bean (including down jackets here) to be more flattering that REI and Patagonia. I think they’re cut slightly longer and have a more defined shape, narrower waist, etc.

    1. I love it. This is similar to Anthropologie’s Somerset dress and jumpsuit variations. I rent them through nuuly frequently in different colors and patterns. They are not see through at all.

      1. I wanted to love the Somerset dress but the neckline is slightly too low cut on me and then gapes wide enough to see my bra when I’m doing things like leaning over a conference table/reaching for things. The ability to button or unbutton this one was huge!

        3. I got the shorter somerset because i’m short and i just feel like i should have ankle socks and high heeled mary janes on. and possibly a lollipop. i really need to posh it. black cotton.

    2. I really like this! I’ve never ordered from Boden and am on the edge between sizes according to their chart. Would you (or anyone) recommend going for the larger or smaller size? Are returns difficult?

      2. I haven’t had any problems with multiple Boden returns. The reason for those returns is always that the item is too low-cut.

      4. I own a ton of Boden dresses, and sizing varies depending on the dress–for that one, I’d probably go up a size. Returns are super easy–they’ll provide a label, you just have to drop it off. They a little on the slow side to credit, but not much.

        1. Oh, and their stuff tends to be pretty short-waisted. Sometimes I buy the tall sizes to help with that.

    4. Oh this is very pretty. And perfect for the level of work dress I’m always looking for. Doesn’t look like a first year associate, doesn’t need a blazer

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