Splurge Monday’s TPS Report: Aquascutum Laural kimono dress
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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. We begin the week in splurge mode, with our most expensive suggestions, and wind our way to Friday, where a less expensive item of clothing might be just what you need to make it to the weekend.
Yowza. The architectural arms… the draped chiffon top… the high wool pencil skirt… le sigh. Today's splurge is the kimono dress from Aquascutum,* available exclusively at Net-a-Porter.com. We love how it's fashion forward, without being inappropriate or in-your-face fashionista. We'd accesorize this baby with high heels — colorful ones in purple or red if you wanted — and perhaps a resin or plastic bangle bracelet, to match or contrast with the shoes, worn high on the forearm. Priced at $1,150. Aquascutum Laural kimono dress
* We were going to make some snide comment about the crazy names those hipster kids are coming up with today — but, color us ignorant: Aquascutum is a “quintessential British” brand that has been around a long, long time. (All this really means is that you and Cary Grant were probably snickering at the same name.)
Sales of note for 5/14/25:
- Nordstrom Rack – Looking for a deal on a Dyson hairdryer? The Rack has several refurbished ones for $199-$240 (instead of $400+) — but they're final sale only.
- Ann Taylor – Suit Yourself! 30% off suiting (ends 5/16) + 25% off your full price purchase (ends 5/18) + extra 60% off sale (ends 5/14)
- Talbots – 40% off all markdowns (ends 5/18) + 30% off dresses, skirts, accessories, and shoes
- Nordstrom – Beauty Deals up to 25% off (ends 5/17)
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything + extra 25% off
- Boden – 10% off new women's styles with code + sale up to 50% off
- Eloquii – Up to 60% off everything + extra 60% off sale + $1 shipping on all orders
- J.Crew – Up to 50% off long-weekend styles + 50% off select swim and coverups
- J.Crew Factory – Extra 50% off clearance + extra 15% off $100+ + extra 20% off $125+
- M.M.LaFleur – Lots of twill suiting on sale! Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off.
- Rothy's – Up to 50% off last-chance styles
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!
Some of our latest threadjacks include:
- is imposter syndrome a real thing?
- talk to me about the estrogen patch for perimenopause
- where did you “learn to clean“?
- how do you travel light with business clothes?
- what do you answer if prospective dates ask you if you “like your job”?
- how gross is it to put spilt jam back in the container?
- how do you know if you're irritable from depression vs irritable from stuff being irritating?
- what are you doing for meals if you don't cook or barely cook?
I can’t help but wonder how much those giant, structured armholes reveal from the side. I’d be worried about a little side-boob action going on.
You gotta find this dress for cheaper!
This is a big YES. The lines and structure remind me a bit of Roland Mouret’s RM collection.
Guess I’ll have to wait until it (or some version of it) shows up on yoox in my size!
what a stunning find…love!
I agree with t – major side boobage action, although the dress is beautiful, sculptural. I don’t think one would be comfortable lifting the arms.
Unless the designer is on top of his game and has an underarm gusset. Actually, lets hope he/she has thought of all things at that price point.
It does seem curious that Aquascutum has never come up here before. They make great suits for men, which also tend to be ‘fashion forward’ yet conservative and classic at the same time.
I have never been sure, then, of whether I never come across Aquascutum for women because I have only been to their boutiques in an area of Mexico City where professional attire is much better stocked for men in general, or whether this tendency is rooted in the brand.
They were most well known for accessories, particularly macintosh coats and leather goods for many years. The brand was revived to be more fashion-forward in the last decade. Before that…it was like a super-upscale version of Talbots–ill-fitting mom pants, but in beautiful fabrics. They do have fantastic sales (as do all Euro brands) in Jan and July. Their Regent Street flagship is a good bet at that time, as the markdowns are fantastic!