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Coffee Break – Code Pumps

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Seychelles - Code (Burgundy Patent) - FootwearIt fees like a good cordovan/burgundy pump can be impossible to find — but it's a great basic color to have in your wardrobe because it's one of the few colors that everyone agrees goes with navy. I like these 3″ pumps from Seychelles, which look like a classic anyway — sure enough Zappos has them in burgundy, black patent, and “pewter snake;” 6pm has them in “whiskey” brown and black, Endless has them in a gray, and Amazon has them in most colors plus a teal and a red. Prices range from $35.98 to $90 (full-price). Seychelles – Code (Burgundy Patent) – Footwear (L-6)

Sales of note for 3/21/25:

  • Nordstrom – Spring sale, up to 50% off: Free People, AllSaints, AG, and more
  • Ann Taylor – 25% off suiting + 25% off tops & sweaters + extra 50% off sale
  • Banana Republic Factory – 40% off everything + extra 20% off
  • Eloquii – $39+ dresses & jumpsuits + up to 50% off everything else
  • J.Crew – 25% off select linen & cashmere + up to 50% off select styles + extra 40% off sale
  • J.Crew Factory – Friends & Family Sale: Extra 15% off your purchase + extra 50% off clearance + 50-60% off spring faves
  • M.M.LaFleur – Flash Sale: Get the Ultimate Jardigan for $198 on sale; use code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – Buy 1 get 1 50% off everything, includes markdowns

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

60 Comments

    1. No help to offer but I love the suit and I love the description: “Wear it to meetings, glam up the pencil skirt with Emerson Killer Heels and some eyeliner, mess up the hair a little and lean against the staircase–honey I’m home.”

      1. really small as compared to what brands? the sizing chart looks like it would run TTS, but your comment makes me think otherwise. happy to hear the quality is good–i’ve been stalking that site for awhile now!!

        1. I measured and followed the sizing chart. It said I would be between a 4 and a 6, which seemed small since I am usually an 8. I ordered the 6 and it didn’t fit at all.

  2. Hey Ladies – I just passed my test and received my Project Management Professional certification! I am so happy that all my studying paid off.

    Hope you all are having a great day too.

    1. Congratulations! I got mine in March and it was a huge relief to pass especially since I work full-time and was doing my MBA full-time. I thought the exam questions were easier than Rita’s questions. I celebrated with a trip to Nordstrom and a nice Tory Burch straw handbag. Now I have to keep up w/ PDUs.

    1. I have (and adore) these in black, though this color combo looks to be more fun. Hands down the most comfortable pair of shoes I own (probably my favorite, too), and I love love love them. They reportedly work for both narrow and wide feet.
      http://bit.ly/pG2HpI

      1. I like a lot of the flats I see on Modcloth. Other Modcloth shoes are bizarre beyond belief, so it’s really a hit or miss, but the hits have been great.

  5. These are really pretty. Wish my knee didn’t ache if I wore a heel that high.

    Switching gears: Anyone else notice that Nordstrom now has prices below the Anniversary Sale prices on some items that were on sale then? I noticed it today for some Classique Entier Atelier items I splurged on then–they’re even cheaper now than during that sale, but they aren’t even marked as on sale. Maybe I like the least popular items they’re now trying to clear out?

    1. They are cheaper now, but still marked as full price? That is weird. A couple of years ago, I figured out that about six weeks after the Anny Sale, the items that are still around start going on markdown, but those would be marked as sale, not full price. I now use the Anny Sale to snap up designer items that won’t get restocked, like my Burberry zip jacket (looooooooove, sold out in 3 hours on the first day). Anything that’s a house brand, like CE/CEA will probably get restocked, so it can be worth waiting for the markdowns.

      1. I just looked through the items I bought at the Anniversary Sale and saw that one of them is now 50% off, and is being sold at a lower price than I bought it. I just called customer service and got a price adjustment. When you buy from Nordstrom it’s a good idea to check back periodically to see if the price has fallen since your purchase.

        1. Okay – I see that this is the case for me as well. But I purchased mine at the anniversary sale nearly five weeks ago! grrrrr. too late for price adjustment, but a bit miffed that I bought these tops when I could have waited.

          1. If it’s too late for a price adjustment and I haven’t worn the item, I’ve rebought and returned the original order.

          2. I have never heard of a time limitation on a price adjustment at Nordstrom. I bought a Nanette Lepore skirt two months ago, saw that it is now $50 cheaper, and use their “live help” function online to get a price adjustment. I think it’s worth asking again.

  7. These look really nice, but I’ve been burned too often by pretty pictures/less nice products. Anyone have them?, and if so, can you comment on the color (on my screen, the featured pair look more brown than cordovan/burgundy) and the comfort? (they look comfy)

    1. I have these in the teal leather (not patent). Have a few other Seychelles pairs. I’ve always been impressed with the quality (especially when the shoes are occasionally marked to less than below $40) and while I can’t comment on how true-to-life the color is on these, but I haven’t had any surprises yet.

      Also – Seychelles are some of the most comfortable shoes I own…including several pairs of Cole Haan Nike Airs pumps.

    2. I really like Seychelles quality–good leather and finishing. They tend towards higher heels than I can wear for long periods, but they are so pretty!
      I too have found they are a bit narrow through the toebox.

  8. PSA- don’t know if it’s been mentioned elsewhere, apologies if so, but Kate Spade is having an online “sample sale” today and has some really good mark downs. Beware, though, the discounts are so good that I found myself buying a large, bright orange handbag, which I will either be thrilled with myself for doing, or completely mystified.

    The joys of shopping :)

    1. I almost bought that one. I had three bags in my “shopping bag” and 2 others i was coveting. I was able to narrow it to two bags — a bright blue (almost a baby blue) and a black and white big polka dot. I figure if they dont wind up working for what I want, my sisters in law will get good christmas gifts!

    3. I clicked through the Sample Sale and then found a bag that I had hesitated and missed out buying in the regular sale section magically reappeared. This time I bought it (free shipping, but final sale on regular sale items), and I can’t wait until it arrives!

  9. I was just informed by one of the office assistants that the head partner at my small law firm told her we was “worried” because business has slowed down so markedly in the last year. Then he said we “should be fine for now” with no more elaboration. I’m the newest associate in this very small office. Freak out a bit now and start looking or wait until annual reviews in October…?

    1. It never hurts to do some market research (aka find out how hard/easy it will be for you to find a new job that is appropriate). Plus, you might feel better if you are “in action” (aka looking at listings and networking) than if you are just sitting and ruminating.

      1. I think that may be what I have to do, so I don’t sit around and worry for the next two months…

        1. Exactly! Proactive (useful) but not manic (pointless.)

          Also, consider your cashflow? No blithe spending, perhaps reduce auto savings or auto retirement amounts temporarily to get more cushion in your liquid account, if you consider it practical. Goin from something to nothing is a hug blow but you have some warning to prepare.

          And hopefully, likely, it’ll be alright in the end anyhow.

    2. Also consider asking a partner directly rather than taking it from an office assistant. Messages can get garbled as they move through the multiple-voice mill.
      But I agree–consider belt-tightening and prepare for the worst, while hoping for the best!

  10. Somehow I have ended up as the “rational” go-between for my mother and her sister. Love them both, but this is getting exhausting. Being as objective as possible, I usually agree with my aunt, which doesn’t help matters. Neither did the hurricane, which made half my family lose power (but at least not their lives or homes).

    Grrrr. Not really looking for advice, just wanted to vent. I wish they’d stop assuming the other one was “doing it on purpose”. They’re both just being themselves, unconsciously.

    1. HA, I feel your pain. My mom loves to complain about how “difficult” her little sister is. I obviously love my mom, but honestly out of the two of them, the “difficult” one is NOT my aunt!

      I can’t even sympathize because I don’t even have a sister, just the one kid brother, and we’ve always been super close. I’m pretty sure that I will never be calling my children to complain about my “difficult” brother who once again insisted on baking the Thanksgiving sweet potato casserole without checking to see if I might want to bring it this year….

    2. Oh, I feel your pain, though I generally don’t end up having to be a go-between so much as a ventee and calmer-downer. Most recently, my mom was complaining that her sister was talking so much my mom couldn’t get a word in edgewise – HA!!! At that one I had to laugh!

  11. I have these shoes in red. They run about 1/2 size small so size up. I also love Seychelles designs but don’t love the quality, unfortunately. I have had issues with losing heel caps very quickly with this brand.

  12. Oh I wish I could wear pumps. I must have a narrow heel but the rest of my food is wide. Pumps turn into Cinderella shoes for me unless I buy them so tight that I can’t walk for five minutes. I tried heel cushions and insoles without luck. Anything that is not strapped to my feet will stay behind at some point.
    Any tips?
    I try to find mary janes with slim straps, but maybe there is a trick I haven’t tried, yet. I love pumps and really want to wear them.

      1. Try Antonio Melani/Gianni Bini (Dillard’s house brands). They’re fairly roomy in the toebox but narrow in the heel. I met one woman who said they were the only brands of shoes she could wear without the strap. I can wear Cole Haan too, but find that CH shoes require more breaking in.

    2. I don’t know if you’re still checking replies but I have the same problem and find that I can buy the shoes in half a size up then use heel grips. Enough room for the toes, and no slip!

  13. I have these and they are lovely, but they literally smell like barnyard animals! I thought it was just a temporary smell when I bought them, but it is persistent! (I promise it’s not my feet!)

    2. I have one pair of Me Too shoes like that. Glad to know I am not the only one experiencing this odd shoe odor issue.

    4. I have a pair of Steve Madden pumps that have the same issue. Is it synthetic patent leather that makes that smell? Or is the the glue used? It is super stinky, whatever it is…

      1. Wow I literally googled this issue bc my Steve Madden platform nude pumps that I got at Nordie’s has the weirdest and strongest odor and it’s definitely the shoes, not my feet. I can’t even put them in a closet bc they make everything else smell! I don’t have the box or receipt anymore, and I’d hate to throw them away bc they’re super cute and I’ve only worn them 3 times, but does anyone have any suggestions besides putting them in my freezer with my food (ick!)? I’ve tried putting baking soda inside, but I think it’s the synthetic leather like someone mentioned?

  15. Threadjack – I went to Macys to get some new foundation this afternoon and must have had my mind on other things because I wandered up to the Laura Mercier counter instead of the MAC counter. I decided to try the Laura Mercier Moisture Supreme Foundation, and may I just say WOW! It’s exactly the amount of coverage and the amount of dewiness that I wanted, and the color – Blush Ivory – is great for me. It also feels really good on my skin – I can just tell it’s there, but it’s not too heavy. I just might be a convert.

  16. The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business class of 2013 is partnering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan to raise money for six wishes for children with life threatening medical conditions right here in Michigan- and we have less than 48 hours to complete this challenge!

    The average wish costs $7,500. My section’s goal is raise enough for one wish to be fulfilled by Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 6 pm! An individual may give no more than $100; however, any contribution would be greatly appreciated and goes to a worthwhile cause! 100% of your donation will go toward fulfilling a wish for a child in Michigan. For additional information and to donate please visit http://friends.wish.org/022-000/page/Ross%2520Impact-Challenge/Section–5.htm

    For more information on the Make-A-Wish Foundation, please visit http://www.wish.org.

  17. Well, to chime in on those mentioning the new colors in “The” halogen seamed pencil skirt from Nordie’s … just saw it in their ad on p 41 of September’s “Real Simple.” Their tag line for the campaign is “Think Less Buttoned-Up It’s a New 9 to 5.” The turquoise skirt, brown loose bow tie ls blouse, , grown trench w/o blet, and herribone (black) hosiery. Ta da.

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