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Frugal Friday’s TPS Report: Pinch-pleat top

Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Pinch-pleat topReader D wrote in to recommend this great shell, which, she notes, “has a beautiful neckline that's lovely under suit jackets and cardigans. It falls at just the right length on the hip to wear untucked, but it also long enough to stay tucked in. I bought two colors today: “boudoir,” a pretty ballet pink, and “ivory,” a wear-with-anything soft white that doesn't lean yellow.” I really love the pinch pleat detailing, and the wide straps to the shell — perfect if you're comfortable baring your upper arms at the office. It was $69.50, now marked to $25.49, and available in about 7 colors for regular sizes, petites, plus sizes, and plus size petites. Pinch-pleat top 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 12.5

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

85 Comments

  1. I especially love the wider straps on this. If it were available in the beautiful print shown in one of the alternate views, it would be impossible for me to resist.

    1. You should resist ;)

      I bought this in black and returned it. The top tries to look like silk, but fails. The material looks and feels rather cheap, imo. Also, for some reason, it is impossible to really get all the wrinkles out of it, and it doesn’t quite try to be a “crinkled” top, so the entire effect is a bit odd; kind of like you just didn’t have time to iron. Maybe under a blazer all these flaws aren’t too noticeable, but there are so many better things you can buy . . . .

      1. Agreed. I own two of these tops (the color above and the pale yellow) and may have purchased them online after a glass of wine and didn’t notice that they are not silk. I didn’t return them because I wear them under a blazer or cardigan, but they’re not as nice as I had wished they’d be (spoken as a recently-converted Talbots lover).

      2. FWIW, I also bought this sweater. It looks kind of crappy on the model, but really cute on me (so rare that that happens!) . . .
        It may have the potential to be itchy on its own (metallic items usually do), but I would just wear it with a white tank underneath. Looks great with a black pencil skirt — very summary and fresh, but still a bit more dressed up than a typical cardi, somehow . . . Maybe because it’s sparkly. PS: I got a petite S size even though I am 5’4 because I find petites from Talbots to be much less boxy.

        http://www.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?zoomImage=11121607&id=prdi26490&catId=cat110042&rootCategory=cat90030&sortKey=Default&conceptIdUnderSale=cat90030&section=Sale

      3. Thanks for this AIMS. I was on the verge of buying it myself but I’m going to resist as well.

    2. I bought this knit top
      http://www.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi26579&catId=&rootCategory=&commerceId=&mode=&backurl=/online/search/searchResults.jsp?question=slub knit smocked tank&section=&sortKey=&conceptIdUnderSale=&searchCatPag=&_DARGS=/online/browse/includes/navigation_product_content.jsp

      And I really like it. It’s more or less a t-shirt knit, but with that smocking/ruching down the front, it looks much less casual and is also flattering. FYI I bought it for the full price and don’t regret it, and now it’s about half off.

    1. I just received two of these tops (filler to reach the free shipping limit) and was very disappointed. From the photo I expected a saturated color and was very diappointed. Also, the naterial left a lot to be desired.

      1. I have one in “soft moss” and another in “peach madeleine,” which they don’t seem to have anymore. The colors of mine true to the pictures on the website, and I’ve washed them several times with no fading.

        The material is light, but that’s to be expected with a cotton/modal blend (I have several other items from various places that are similar.) I like the lightness for commuting in the heat. I work in a very casual office, so these are great with a cardigan once I get to work (so I don’t freeze.). I’m not sure if I’d wear them under a suit or not, it would depend on how they look (I haven’t tried it yet.)

    1. I just returned from a trip to Talbots and saw this shirt in person. I didn’t like it at all. The medium looked more like an extra large, and the way the shirt was designed, if you have a large chest, it looks like you are wearing a tent. The fabric was also odd- it looked like it was permanently wrinkled.

      I did, however, pick up a beautiful purple belt that is similar to this one from Banana Republic for $18:

      http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=26510&vid=1&pid=813165&scid=813165022

  4. I have a very similar shirt from Ann Taylor loft that I love (even like that the polyester is machine washable) so I just ordered three of these. A little nervous that it’s final sale only…but sometimes life’s a game of chances. :-P

  5. I’ve never bought anything at Talbots and really like this and TAH’s suggestion. I’m normally a medium at Ann Taylor /BR or an 8 on top. Do you think I should get a medium or a small at Talbots? I’m short (5’3″) so maybe a medium petite is the best option?

    1. Talbots tends to be cut rather boxy/curvy. Most people size down at Talbots unless they’re particularly large of boob or hip.

      1. I’ve actually tried on this top. I usually wear a size 6 top at BR or AT. This blouse is fairly loose-fitting and can gape a little at the neckline, so a small petite was actually somewhat big on me.

    2. I’m 5’1, in most shirts I wear a Petite M at Ann Taylor, but at Talbots it’s either PP (petite petite, XS?) or PS depending on the fabric. I definitely size down over there, but they are cut very similar to AT (room for curves, not straight up and down like Banana).

      1. Thanks for the thoughts — I guess I’ll go for a small then or maybe a petite small.

    3. Size down for sure. I normally wear a S in Ann Taylor/Br/J.Crew, and even the XS at Talbot’s is too big. Talbot’s sizing is similar to Lands’ End sizing, in my experience.

      1. Have to disagree with this — have found, in recent seasons, I take exactly the same size as Talbots as I would elsewhere (i.e. Jcrew, AT) and I am not the least bit curvy. I’m 5’4, and I wear a plain old 4 or small.

          1. Third. Talbots has started making more body-conscious cuts and consequently the sizing has gone down (up?) a little. Down, in that sizes are smaller. Up, in that I have to buy one size larger.

      2. I think Talbots runs true to size in the numbered sizes, but it’s range in straight sizes is greater (goes up to a 16, I think). That means its Medium is going to correspond to higher numbered sizes than a brand that caps out at 12 or 14. You should check the web site for sizing info.

  6. I just wanted to add that this top is machine washable. I own one and I love it. It drapes very well.

  7. I just ordered this last week and it arrived Wednesday. Wore the cream colored one yesterday – I agree that it is an absolutely lovely shade. I’ve been searching for ages for a good white/offwhite shell, and this one is it. I also got it in chartreuse – another color shell I’ve been wanting for ages, as I love the way it looks with navy.

  8. Does anyone else just refuse to wear polyester in the summer (other than the special moisture-wicking workout clothes)? I can’t stand it. It doesn’t breathe at all.

      1. I don’t hate it – I especially like its wrinkle-preventing properties. But I cannot stand to wear it on a hot or humid day.

    2. I prefer it to silk in summer since I know I’m going to have to wash the shirt after every wear. The reality is that in a 120-degree car with black seats, I’m going to sweat profusely no matter what fabric I am wearing.

      1. Yeah, I mean, I assume your car has air conditioning and cools off. Walking blocks and blocks in a humid city or taking the bus is a whole different story.

    3. Yep- I’m sticking to as many natural fibers as possible, especially somewhat looser fitting cuts.

  9. I’m a regular commenter here but anon for this. I just found out that I’m pregnant!

    The husband and I have been trying for a few years and last year I had a miscarriage at 12 weeks. I was beginning to lose hope all over again, but discovered the great news today. With my experience, I don’t want to tell too many people until I’m “in the clear” and out of my first trimester, but I had to tell someone!

    In retrospect, now I know why I cried at a commercial last night…

    1. LOL! Congratulation! Toasting you with coffee and wishing you a safe and happy pregnancy.

    10. Thanks so much, ladies! I’ll refer back to this thread to make me happy when I’m bemoaning the lack of sushi and blue cheese in my diet.

      1. Blue cheese is a no, too?!
        Sometimes I wonder how our mothers managed to carry us to term at all! ;)

        1. It is. I think every week there’s a new “no!” food. It’s a miracle that humanity has survived with all this blue cheese and brie tempting pregnant women for generations.

          1. Well more children died and were born I’ll. Happy? You’d think in a world where millions of women in developing countries die in childbirth due to inadequate prenatal healthcare, wealthy western women would feel happy to have so much money and research spent on allowing them to give birth safely to healthy children in most cases at their least fertile period. Yet it’s more to complain about. I mean listeria causes miscarriage and stillbirth and the poster has just survived a miscarriage by clearly the advice is just patriarchy and stupid, amirite?

        2. Unpasturized cheese is a no (in the U.S.– not so in France, where leafy greens are avoided b/c of e coli). Even though the vast majority of soft cheese available in the U.S. is pasturized, many people are warned to avoid all soft cheeses. Even if you don’t personally buy into a particular prohibition, it’s often easier to avoid eating something in public to skip the harassment from random strangers who feel obligated to comment.

    11. Congrats! I hope you’re who I think you are, because that would make me especially happy.

  10. Just wanted to share – the other day I saw an attorney in (state) court appearing in a shorts suit. The shorts were slightly below the knee, but definitely too short to be called cropped pants. The cut and fabric of the suit, and the rest of her outfit, were perfectly court appropriate. I thought it still looked… odd.

  11. I’m wearing this top in a pink/ivory floral print right now. It’s great because it’s wash and wear. I recommend sizing down.

  12. I’m actually going to hit the Talbots Outlet in Hingham today so I’ll keep an eye out for some of these things. The store is usually hit or miss. Sometimes I end up with lovely sheaths, etc and sometimes I walk away empty-handed.

  13. There is so much great stuff on sale at Talbot’s right now!!! I just ordered three — count ’em, three — really cute blazers! And a shirt. And I had about five other things in my shopping basket until I realized the total was getting a little out of control. Yay!

    By the way, I have always found it difficult to find unique blazers, but Talbot’s really fits the bill. I’m very impressed and hope they all fit.

  15. Final Sale shows up in red letters only in your shopping cart. I haven’t figured out the logic between sale items that are FS and those that are not.

  16. My Talbot’s red hanger sale order is on the way, delivery today or tomorrow!

    My question: Does anyone have experience with Talbot’s denim, the fit and quality? I’ve been on the hunt for quality non-designer jeans in a long length. I used to wear Gap long and lean almost exclusively, but have recently given them up due to quality issues. I was willing to take a gamble for the price, and purchased the following to pairs:

    http://www.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi25100

    http://www.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi25027

    I also got the Sorbonne tweed skirt. I work in a state legislature where the dress is pretty casual when we’re not in session. I think it’s the perfect summer skirt to dress up (blazer, pumps, silk shell) or down (striped 3/4 sleeve tee, belt, wedges).

    http://www.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi26444&mode=search&backurl=%2Fonline%2Fsearch%2FsearchResults.jsp%3Fquestion%3Dsorbonne%26trail%3D%26pageNum%3D0%26addFacet%3DSRCH%253Asorbonne%26removeFacet%3D

    2. About a month ago someone recommended Rock & Republic jeans for the long-legged, so I went out and bought a pair at Nordstrom Rack for $50 – they are great! I used to wear Gap Long and Leans and BR’s long jeans, but hated how they would be fitted and perfect in the morning, and then baggy in the butt by noon. Not a problem with the R&Rs so far (I’ve worn them twice).

      1. I need a 36″ inseam and Rock & Republics are some of my favorites. They fit so well and are always super long. Joe’s Jeans in “Twiggy” fit really well too and have a 36″ inseam, but they are more stretchy so the waist stretches out faster.

    3. I have lots of Talbots denim, and it holds up very well. The jeans you ordered are Signature fit; there are other cuts/fits from Talbots, so you’ll just have to see how these work for you.

  17. PSA for those interested in a Lo & Sons bag : Coupon code from A Cup of Jo

    Bonus for all readers: Get 40% off your order by entering the code ACUPOFJO. Good until July 1st.

    1. Thanks! I just ordered the O.G.! I loved it yesterday, but it was a tad pricey for a bag I wasn’t going to carry everyday. Now it’s a GREAT deal!

  18. For the Talbots shoppers and with apologies if I’ve missed past discussions — can you speak to the sizing of the new line? They have revamped their image so much, and I’m hoping that means they’ve updated their cuts too. Are things seeming generally more tailored there these days?

  19. Eyeliner question for the makeup ladies around here :)
    I’ve been using Sephora’s own-brand liquid liner for the past couple of years and love it. Last night I went to pick up a replacement and noticed that the bottle is different – and this morning I tried it out and they changed the brush! It used to be a more flexible “paintbrush” style that goes on very softly and smoothly and now it’s more like a felt tip marker type. I’ve tried other brands that also use the marker tip and I truly hate it – I could probably get used to it after a while but I find it so awkward and annoying, especially at 7:30 AM. I just switched over the old brush into the new pot for now but does anyone know of a brand that doesn’t use a marker tip and has a softer/more flexible brush?

    1. Mac has liquid liner with the flexible brush. They changed their eyeliner from the felt tip to the brush a few years ago, so I had to switch because I prefer the felt tip! Haha.

  20. I have this in blue. I like the slightly crinkled texture, easy to just let it air dry with no ironing. It does hold on to oil based spots.

  22. Does anyone know the fabric content of this top? For some of us, it makes al difference!

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