Frugal Friday’s TPS Report: Halogen® Knit Bow Top

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Nov. 2024 Update: The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is over for the year, and we don't yet know when the 2025 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale will be. Stay tuned for their Half-Yearly Sale, which usually starts around Dec. 23. (Unfamiliar with the NAS? Check out this page for more info on why it's the best sale of the year.) Sign up for our newsletter to stay on top of all the major workwear sales, or check out our roundup of the latest sales on workwear!

The below content concerns the 2011 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

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


iconThe Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is on — as always, they're marking down new fall merchandise for a limited time; prices rise after August 1.

For today's TPS I like this knit bow top. Love the ruched sleeves, the deepish V, and the fact that it's a knit instead of a blouse. It's available in ivory, black, espresso, magenta, and gunmetal.

The price is currently $37.90 — but it will be $58 after the sale ends. Halogen® Knit Bow Top

Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line.
(L-3)

P.S. I think I'll do a roundup of some of my favorite pieces from the sale for the Weekend Open Thread, so stay tuned!

Sales of note for 2/7/25:

  • Nordstrom – Winter Sale, up to 60% off! 7850 new markdowns for women
  • Ann Taylor – Extra 25% off your $175+ purchase — and $30 of full-price pants and denim
  • Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything + extra 15% off
  • Boden – 15% off new season styles
  • Eloquii – 60% off 100s of styles
  • J.Crew – Extra 50% off all sale styles
  • J.Crew Factory – 40% off everything including new arrivals + extra 20% off $125+
  • Rothy's – Final Few: Up to 40% off last-chance styles
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – 40% off one item + free shipping on $150+

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

88 Comments

  1. I’ve been waiting anxiously for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Can’t wait to see what your favorites are, Kat.

  2. “Love … the fact that it’s a knit instead of a blouse.”

    That makes no sense. A “knit” is a kind of fabric. It is created in a manner different from a “woven” that provides stretch. A “blouse” is a kind of garment that can be made from either a knit or a woven, although wovens are more common.

    This is the second time I’ve read a mistake here about basic fabric terminology. I think the first had to do with “jersey,” which is a type of knit fabric that can be made from different types of fibers, e.g., cotton, and silk.

    1. That it’s made of a knit fabric is why it clings. The photo displays a nice-looking blouse, but viscose rayon can sometimes look and feel cheap in person.

      In general, I prefer natural fibers like cotton, linen, and wool, with only a little synthetic added for stretch if absolutely necessary.

    2. When you read this “mistake”, over an over, do you really not understand what the human people perpetrating the mistake mean with their inartful human language?

      You know what we mean. When a mistake is made enough it ceases to be a mistake. You just sound crabby, not correct.

    3. Chill. Everyone else understood what Kat meant – blouses are normally woven, not knit. This isn’t a sewing blog and no one but you cares about this crap.

  3. I’d really like this. Except it’s “slightly sheer.” Can anyone recommend a non-sheer short sleeved white or off white top/sweater that she has purchased recently?

    1. Check out Loft. They have a number of great white ruffle-front blouses. I purchased one with long, rollable sleeves and a button-front with a ruffle down the placket that I really like.

  4. Sheesh! Everyone knows what she means. I’m usually a little anal-retentive too, but come on.

    1. No, actually if you’re writing about clothes you should be accurate. It leapt out at me.

      1. In addition, lawyers, bankers, etc., tend to be “anal” out of professional necessity and training.

        But this was just wrong. It would be like saying, “I love that it’s a satin instead of a trouser.”

        1. Did you understand what she meant? Were you confused by the contrast between knit (previously referenced as a knit top) and a blouse?

          I’d argue she was accurate (it is knit and is not a blouse), just not precise in her wording (it is a knit top and not a woven blouse). And since this is not a legally binding document whether money is at stake the level of anal-retentive attention to detail is not necessary and a little rude to repeatedly point out. Sometime good enough is good enough, and I think this is one of those cases.

          Sheesh.

          1. I think people need to stop attacking criminal conviction. Was it necessary to point out? No. But is she right? yes. And since it’s a blog about fashion it should be corrected for those who come here to learn.

            I don’t get how the poster’s here adamantly defend a woman they’ve never met who posts a few sentences only a day?

          2. While I don’t agree with CC’s approach above (holy snark, if Kat wants to say she likes this top because it’s a monkey instead of a teacup that’s fine with me), I believe her point is that “blouse” = woman’s shirt, so this is a knit blouse instead of another type of blouse. Blouse itself doesn’t imply or exclude any type of fabric.

          3. I don’t know, most online stores have separate categories for knits and/or tops, which are generally knits, and blouses and/or shirts, which are generally woven. I think it’s a generally accepted usage of the term, to assume blouse implies woven. But that’s just me.

          4. I think of blouses are a shirt that requires buttoning, either up the front or the back, and that are typically woven.

          5. I agree that blouse implies woven, while knit (especially without buttons up the front) would put it more in the sweater range. I would not be thinking of the featured item today if someone started talking about a blouse, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see this noted as a lightweight sweater.

      2. If you don’t respect Kat’s posts because of this, go elsewhere. Or better yet, start your own blog.

  5. Is it just me, or does it look slightly sheer?

    Aside: Going to London for the third time in a month. I love the city, and the shopping, but I seriously wish I’d planned it better in terms of spacing my visits out. First time was work, the second time a family vacation and now a long weekend to meet friends. And it is supposed to be pouring down on Saturday.

    1. The description says it’s sheer and would need something under it. I would think the darker colors would be okay without a camisole, but you would probably need one for the ivory color. I would like something similar that was not sheer. I actually have a knit bow top in ivory from Talbots that was not sheer, but I’ve worn it out and need to replace it. I love knits like this that look dressier than a t-shirt, but are comfortable under a blazer. For some reason blouses (the woven kind, to be precise) seem uncomfortable to me under a blazer or suit jacket.

  6. threadjack:

    I’m a rising 3L who’s hoping to land either a clerkship or a job in a public defender office after graduation. I’ve been looking for a good bag for interviews/work, and I’ve been eyeing the Cole Haan Perry Street Kendra East West Tote (mouthful!). Right now there’s a sale so the bag would only be ~$120 for me… but would it be in poor taste to carry a ~$400 bag to a PD interview or job? I’m also worried about the snakeskin print, given that I’ll probably be in court regularly.

    It’s a nice bag at a great price, but I don’t know if it’s right for me. Advice?

    1. Which color were you thinking of? There are a number of options on Zappos — I think the black or the red/brown would be fine. The ivory and the actual snakeskin print seem a bit much for your basic bag, but I do lean toward the conservative. LOVE Cole Haan, though.

    2. First of all, I love that bag. I don’t have a problem with the fact that it’s a $400 bag at all. You’re getting a good deal, and there’s nothing wrong with that. I would avoid getting the snakeskin, though that might just be a personal preference of mine because I feel like it’s a little “loud” for court.

    3. That’s a beautiful bag and a great deal, but do NOT get the snakeskin one. You should always err on the conservative side if you’re making regular court appearances.

    4. I am a PD and don’t see anything wrong with carrying a nice bag to an interview, even if you had paid full price for it. The nice bag I use for court and for my interview with the PD was a graduation gift from my mother.

      I personally wouldn’t carry snakeskin for court, but that may just be my personal preference.

    5. I’m thinking about buying this bag as well (currently in a clerkship and planning to stay in government). Can I ask where you found it for $120? The cheapest I can find is $218.

      I think all of the colors except the stone snakeskin print would be fine. I love the palomino.

    6. I’m in a very similar place as you, career-wise. I think it is perfectly appropriate. Clients, even (especially?) poor ones, expect you to “look like a lawyer” – carrying a $400 bag is a perfectly appropriate part of that look. I think the price point where us public interest gals have to get wary is closer $1,000+, and even then it depends on the item.

    7. I’m in a public interest job and I carry a $400 bag every day. No one cares so long as it’s not flashy or ostentatious. If you carried a different $400 bag every day – now that might get noticed. Most of the women PI lawyers I know shop sales for designer brands and like to wear nice things that they got at a discount. But honestly it’s also true that many PI lawyers come from money (which is how they afford their careers) so even paying full price wouldn’t be too unusual.

      1. Oh, and I looked at that bag yesterday, the snakeskin print is really subtle. Totally fine.

    8. If anybody knows the value of the bag, they’ll probably think it was a graduation gift. Go for it.

    9. I just finished clerking and am starting with a PD office in the fall. I think the snake is too loud for court, but most of my “good” bags that I currently use retailed at ~$300. (I like a freebie cotton tote on the weekends, what can I say?) I do not come from money (my LRAP is how I afford to do PI), but I do come from careful sale-shoppers.

  7. If I were dressing up as a “sexy secretary” this is exactly what I’d wear. I think it is a little too sheer and way too low cut to be office appropriate.

    1. And just so we’re clear, my comment was not intended to be a knock on secretaries. It’s just that this top looks like it came straight from a “sexy secretary/librarian/etc.” halloween costume.

    2. I think if you have narrow shoulders and/or are small-chested, it could be a good look. But otherwise yeah, definitely halloween costume or uhh stacked female linebacker.

      1. Agreed. I have a small chest, and small upper body in general, this type of shirt is more flattering, but I don’t think it would work as well for those who don’t fit this narrow description.

        1. I’m wearing a similar top today (actually featured on this blog earlier this year – pussyboy top from ASOS, but purchased before it was featured). I’m wearing it under a brown/grey, small-pattern houndtooth suit jacket and the bow is sticking out of the jacket a bit. I think it adds a bit of interesting detail to an otherwise pretty boring suit.

      2. I look all sorts of Joan Harris a la Mad Men in this kind of top…34 H with this NOT such a good look. I love it on others with smaller frames and…erm…boobs.

      3. Yep, it looked fine on my narrow shoulders and small bust, but I have a personal rule against bows. Definitely not sexy secretary on me.

  8. So overwhelmed by the anniversary sale. Other commenters have mentioned that the Halogen Seamed Pencil Skirt (297557) is really fantastic. What does everyone think of the colors that are available? I’d like to get some more color in my fall/winter wardrobe (mainly so my secretary doesn’t tell me every day that I wear too much black and gray) so I’m considering the yellow raisin, dark amethyst, and purple magenta (petite – 296288). Thoughts?

    Also love the Calvin Klein knit sheath dress (356688) and Halogen’s sweater jacket (351060), though the sweater jacket looks like it might be a bit casual.

    1. I just put an order in this morning, which included the dark amethyst skirt. BTW, this runs large (or at least, earlier versions of it did) — I have 10s in other Halogen skirts, and 6s in this one. I was considering the purple magenta, but as it’s only available in petite, I was worried it would be too small. It’s a great skirt, though — I already have it in black and “storm” (at least storm looks to be the same as the grey I have).

      My one thought on the sweater jacket — if you’re large busted, I think it’s going to gape (which is why I didn’t order it), because of where the buttons are located. If that’s not an issue for you, I think it could be a great basic, especially over a more formal blouse with a pencil skirt.

      I usually love Classiques Entier, but wasn’t wowed by the options this time.

      1. RJT, you are so organized to already have ordered!

        Is it just me or does Classiques Entier keep recycling the same look of sweatery jacket with a ruffled lapel? Or maybe I’m just new to the brand and this is their look.

      2. I agree. I have at least four of the skirts from the spring and love them all. Here in Texas, they can be year-round items. The spring’s purple showed as darker on the screen and arrived more like a lilac. Hope the fall’s is indeed darker. With the price, I’ll pull the trigger and return to the local store.

        1. Anyone know what this purple looks like? I’m hoping it’s brighter than it appears on screen.

      3. I agree CE is not impressive this time. A few of the blouses were cute, but I feel like I already have some very similar pieces, probably from them. The prices also haven’t come down as much as I’d like.

    2. I just got it in hot pink ! and love it. It’s a heavy skirt, just fyi, and does run large. I’m usually 6-8 and the 6 is a tiny bit too big (although not too big that I would send it back, possibly if I hadn’t already sent the 8 back though).

    3. I have it in blue (not available online) and I love it. Agree that you should size down at least 1 size if not 2. It’s a thick but slightly stretchy fabric, which is really comfortable.

        1. Was just going to say the same. All very pretty!! Especially like that first dress, though not sure if it would be flattering with my sizable hips.

    4. I am so jealous you could shop Nordie’s sale. I am just staring at the website and making a “wishful” wishlist to drool over.

      1. Isn’t there someone in the US you could ship to, who could then ship to you? My colleague here gets deliveries for her sister in Russia all the time, and she removes the tags and sends them as already-worn to avoid customs tax.

        1. Random – do you know what carrier she uses? I have family in Russia but have not yet mastered the art of shipping stuff to them for a reasonable price.

          1. My family sends things to a Eastern European country cheaply by boat. You can usually do it through ethnic stores.

          2. I’m not sure. Come to think of it, she might just carry it all back on the plane twice a year.

        2. Interesting! I always ask my friends to bring along a couple items with them (in their luggage) but never thought of having them ship clothes.. I’ll give it a try!
          Thanks for the tip

    5. I offered a bit of a recap in the Open Thread, but I saw the sweater jacket in person – a nice, dense knit. It would work in my business casual office. I didn’t care for it on me.

      I agree with RJT, size down at least one size in that Halogen skirt, if not two sizes.

      Nancy P/Shrink – the purple is a nice medium purple color. It isn’t eggplant (darker) but it’s not lilac (lighter). I got it.

    6. Am I the only one that doesn’t like the Halogen knit skirt? Regardless of size, it just does not fit me correctly.

    7. I love this skirt – I have it in silver and moss green from the 1/2 yearly sale. I sized down 1 size and fits beautifully — which is why I have 2. Now I am eyeing the yellow one as well.

  9. So while waiting for HP DH2 to start (which I only saw 2/3 of before the power went out and the people in the theater sent everyone home), I came across this on a blog post (http://bit.ly/qpWfEC). Interesting contraption to say the least. Would anyone ever actually use this at work?

    1. That is awesome! But heck no… can you imagine what would happen if someone walked in on you? (Also planning on HP DH2 this weekend!)

    2. Were you so mad at the theater?? I sure would have been! How are they compensating you for that? Wow. I am going to see it tonight and CAN’T WAIT.

      That Ostrich thing is nuts. I don’t even like to have a sheet over my face because it makes me feel like I’m suffocating. There’s no way I would stick my face inside a pillow. But, I could see laying on top of it and sticking your hands in the little pockets……

      1. I wasn’t mad because it wasn’t really the theater’s fault. And I got a raincheck for each ticket purchased and an additional two free passes, so it worked out in my favor. Some idiots were trying to “start a 1,400 person HP riot” and that’s when I decided it was time to go.

    3. Am I looking at that wrong? Wouldn’t a person suffocate in that thing? Not to mention the 360 degree pillow hair it would give you. I’m thinking that would not work for me, lol.

    4. That is hilarious! I can’t imagine using this in any scenario – I think I would feel suffocated even if I could still breath (though I would think air is somewhat restricted in it?). Gave me a good laugh – thanks!

  10. I prefer it in all of the other colors instead of ivory. Could just be my computer, but the ivory looks slightly sheer.

    1. Also, I was very disappointed with the CE selections. I bought two of the dresses sight unseen and they’re both going back.

      http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/classiques-entier-allsorts-plaid-dress/3172692 is very unflattering

      and

      http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/classiques-entier-majestic-flannel-dress/3172717 is flattering but weird. It’s a heavy fabric, which is nice, but it’s sleeveless, so to wear it in weather-appropriate weather (i.e., winter) you’d have to wear a cardigan, it the dress looks SO WEIRD with a cardigan on (might look better on someone smaller of chest). Also it smells weird.

  11. Good morning ladies. I am a regular poster but anon for this threadjack today.

    We are in the middle of our yearly review process. I am meeting with my boss this afternoon to go over my self assessment, and then next week she will come back with her review of my work and (hopefully) how much my raise will be.

    Several months ago, the other person in my role moved to a new job at our company, and they elected not to backfill her position. The rationale given to me was that there wasn’t really enough work for two people, and that she had been working on projects outside her scope in addition to her regular duties. Okay, I get that. But the amount of work left is a LOT for just one person. So I asked if would get a raise, and was told no (the first time I have ever asked for a raise).

    Since this is the time of year we normally do raises, I want to ask for one, for the first time ever in a review. I have consistently gotten raises throughout the years, but this time I deserve it more than ever. Any suggestions for how to phrase the question? I want to ask for 10%. It sounds like a lot, but last year I got 6% and hadn’t taken on another person’s job.

    Thanks if you made it all the way through. I appreciate any advice you ladies have for me!!

    1. Definitely ask! It sounds like you’ve been doing a 1.5 jobs for the last several months. Point out that you’ve taken on the extra work, are handling it well (I assume), and you think it would be fair it your salary was increased 10% (I’d ask for more if you’re hoping to end up at 10%).

      I got a 5% raise last year even though I work for a very budget-crunched government and we haven’t had raises in 3 years. For a variety of reasons I deserved it. And once I pointed that out, I got it. You can’t win if you don’t play!

      1. PS: In case I wasn’t clear: if I hadn’t asked for that raise, there is no way I would have gotten more money. My superiors had acknowledged my contributions, but would have happily kept paying me the same money. It took me asking to make them do it.

    2. I would write up a very brief document to support my case and ask for 15%, since you got an “automatic” 6% before and are looking for 10%, which seems to me like a reasonable amount. You just really need to be careful with your tone in the discussion, approach it more like an equal with your boss, stay very calm/neutral and don’t come across like you’re whining/complaining. Industry compensation stats would be helpful. “This role at XYZ comparable companies typically pays in the range of $X. Based on your positive feedback on my work in the past year, I believe $X would more accurately reflect my new level of responsibility.”

    1. They were out of stock at my store, so I ordered it. How did you find the sizing ran? I hope I ordered the right size! The va-va-voom factor I think depends on whether you’re built like the fabulous Christina Hendricks (too va-va-voom) or the fabulous Keira Knightly (probably fine).

    2. I own it in black. I’d never wear it to the office. Its way too sexy. But I’m very curvy.

    3. I have one and wear it. It’s comfy and you look dressed up. Can always put a jacket over it for days when you need to tone down the dress. I’m a fan!

    1. Wait, is that to the original shirt in the blog post (too much cleavage) or the black halo jackie dress posted by anon, right above ? I love the jackie dress and don’t think it shows cleavage at all. Assuming it wasn’t “stitched on tight” I think it is a great dress.

      1. My comment was to the original shirt in the blog post. I think the black halo jackie dress is fine cleavage wise but (to me) it looks more dressy cocktail reception or something similar than work (it also looks a little star trek).

  12. To the Secretary who refuses to remove “special” paper from the printer feeder when finished using it: YOU KEEP RUINING MY DOCUMENTS AND WASTING PAPER (and my time). Simply remove the hole-punched/firm letterhead/ 11 x 14 (etc.) paper from the feeder when you’re finished with it! If you have time to look at RV rentals online, you have time to remove the paper.

    Vent over.

  13. Threadjack (which will likely not make sense to most people) — but thanks to everyone who said congrats on my post the other day — I’ve been trying to do work since getting my offer and not check Corporette as much, but I really appreciate it.

    Secondly, @ E — we got a one bedroom near Lincoln Center for $2000/month, which I am pretty stoked about.

  14. Threadjack: does Elie Tahari fit like Theory clothes? Just trying to figure out sizing. Thanks in advance!

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