Splurge Monday’s TPS Report: Aquascutum Laural kimono dress
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 12.5
- Nordstrom – Cyber Monday Deals Extended, up to 60% off thousands of new markdowns — great deals on Natori, Vince, Theory, Boss, Cole Haan, Tory Burch, Rothy's, and Weitzman, as well as gift ideas like Barefoot Dreams and Parachute — Dyson is new to sale, 16-23% off, and 3x points on beauty purchases.
- Ann Taylor – up to 50% off everything
- Banana Republic Factory – up to 50% off everything + extra 25% off
- Design Within Reach – 25% off sitewide (including reader-favorite office chairs Herman Miller Aeron and Sayl!) (sale extended)
- Eloquii – up to 60% off select styles
- J.Crew – 1200 styles from $20
- J.Crew Factory – 50-70% off everything + extra 20% off $100+
- Macy's – Extra 30% off the best brands and 15% off beauty
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off, plus free shipping on everything (and 20% off your first order)
- Steelcase – 25% off sitewide, including reader-favorite office chairs Leap and Gesture (sale extended)
- Talbots – 40% off your entire purchase and free shipping $125+
And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!
Some of our latest threadjacks include:
- What to say to friends and family who threaten to not vote?
- What boots do you expect to wear this fall and winter?
- What beauty treatments do you do on a regular basis to look polished?
- Can I skip the annual family event my workplace holds, even if I'm a manager?
- What small steps can I take today to get myself a little more “together” and not feel so frazzled all of the time?
- The oldest daughter is America's social safety net — change my mind…
- What have you lost your taste for as you've aged?
- Tell me about your favorite adventure travels…
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!