Splurge Monday’s TPS Report: Belted cotton cardigan

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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. matthew williamson belted cotton cardiganHappy Monday! I'm liking the cheerful colors of this belted cotton cardigan from Matthew Williamson. Because the colors aren't exactly conservative, the rest of the outfit has to be — so I'd wear it with gray trousers or a pencil skirt, simple black pumps, and a white silk shell beneath. I like the look of it with a scarf (as it's styled in another of the pictures) , but think it also might look nice accessorized with a long silver chain. It's $595 at Net-a-Porter. Matthew Williamson Belted cotton cardigan 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 2/14/25 (Happy Valentine's Day!):

  • Nordstrom – Winter Sale, up to 60% off! 7850 new markdowns for women
  • Ann Taylor – Up to 40% off your full-price purchase — and extra 60% off sale
  • Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything + 15% off (readers love their suiting as well as their silky shirts like this one)
  • Boden – 15% off new season styles
  • Eloquii – 300+ styles $25 and up
  • J.Crew – 40% of your purchase – prices as marked
  • J.Crew Factory – 50% off entire site and storewide + extra 50% off clearance
  • Rothy's – Final Few: Up to 40% off last-chance styles
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – Flash sale ending soon – markdowns starting from $15, extra 70% off all other markdowns (final sale)

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

64 Comments

  1. Pretty color.
    I am not a huge fan of cardigans that taper (or whatever you want to call the bottom of this one). I think ones that fall straight tend to be much more flattering, and also look sharper for work & other of life’s more formal occasions.
    Do love the turquoise & neon yellow color combo though. Makes me long for spring!

    1. Do you mean the way the main panel of the sweater is gathered as it turns into the ribbing at the bottom? If so, I agree – less sweatshirty if it lays smoothly.

      That said, I love this color, which I think would flatter lots of people, and I like Kat’s styling suggestion. The gathering is just a minor nit.

  2. Happy Monday (sniff). What makes this worth $595? I don’t know Matthew Williamson from a can of paint >:-)

      1. Especially a cotton cardigan.

        That said, I like the color and styling suggestions, and the hint of spring on my freezing cold snow Monday!

      2. Hahaha, this made me laugh really hard for some reason. Love some witty perspective :)

        Though I do really love the cardigan.

    1. This. I love the colour and the styling but $595 for a cardi is out of my (admittedly usually extravagant) budget. I have no problem shelling out this amount for any of the lovely suits (the Donna Karan & Hugo Boss recently featured spring to mind) but not for a cardi.

      However that’s just me:)

    2. The color may be nice, but there is NO WAY I would condone an associate in my frim wearing that on weekday; and certainly not if a client would be able to see her walking in a hallway.

      Why would any body pay $500 for something that looks like it came from Old Navy? Actually, the Old Navy cardies (I hate that term) are more polished looking.

  3. Anyone else have a snow day today? I do and it’s making me anxious. I wish I could sit back and enjoy the slower day, but I forgot to bring home any work with me and I can’t help but think I’m getting behind. Sigh. I love the law. Haha.

  4. I have this same sweater. Will be wearing it today over a short-sleeved t-neck. (Sans belt.) I like it a lot. But I bought it this fall at LL Bean for – as I recall – under $40.00.

  5. These are available everywhere, $20-40 at the NY&Co level (I like it and would buy it at this price range, to wear over jeans) or $70-80 if you want to splurge on nicer material or shaping. If I’m going to buy something at this price level it should look and feel luxe–nice material, styling, fabrication. This simply does not look expensive at all and would be a very casual piece for the price. And who knows how it would hold up after a few washes.

  6. I am in need of a ginormous canvas tote. And I mean really big. I have never really paid much attention to bags, so I’m not sure where to start. Any recs for something that will withstand abuse from my 3 young children? Any particular sites I should be watching? Thanks in advance!

    1. I have an extra large one from llbeans…very sturdy, I got it with extra long handles and a zip top. And my initials monogrammed. It’s super sturdy.

      1. I second the boat n tote recommendation. I love mine, and they last forever. My parents have several from the early 80s that are still going strong.

        In re: today’s suggestion, I love the color combo and will take it as a great way for this very pale woman to wear some yellow (which is normally not good for my particular complexion.)

        1. Boat Tote. Lands End has them on sale.

          Mom has one on her walker instead of the basket because the basket holds so little and falls off easily.

    2. I prefer my Lands End ballistic nylon tote – it cleans more easily than canvas and weighs less. Totally indestructible.

    3. Lands End makes ENORMOUS ones – the XL is truly huge. The L is very big, too big for me to carry to work but big enough to pack for 2-4 nights in. And they’re really high quality. I’ve had mine for years.

    4. Thanks ladies for the recommendations and reviews. The LL Bean and Lands End totes are exactly what I’m looking for – now I just have to choose.

      1. One more thought: opt for the zip-top. I got a large one from my firm some time back and love, love, love it. The zip helps keep it together. You can leave it open for everyday stuff but if you are actually tossing it around or packing in the car, the option to zip so stuff doesn’t dump out is totally worth it.

        1. Responding to myself — I just noticed there’s a custom version of the Boat n Tote — you can adjust color, size, length of handles, pocket or not, zip top or not, etc.

  7. Threadjack – all you NYC Corporettes, please advise.

    I am thinking about going to a one day continuing ed. meeting at the A.J.Lerner Hall (Columbia University) in April. Now then, as I am traveling far, it means a two day hotel stay to manage the airflights. The company doing the meeting suggests the following:

    New Yorker Hotel
    Beacon Hotel
    On the Avenue Hotel
    Hudson Hotel

    they say all are a 10-15 minute ride on subway train 1 … then a walk from the 116th St/columbia University stop.

    Any thoughts about the hotels? Expensive, even with group rates. This trip could cost me well over 1K for one day and one day’s worth of ceus … I need 20 hours/year, but this would be a chance to be in NYC for W, Th (meeting), and maybe 1/2 day F.

    Worth it? How’s the walk etc. Is there anything/any good shopping near by? You all talk about local shops, so here’s another chance to help out. Oh yeah, as a child (prior to 7 yo) I lived in Flatbush with my Grandparents. Not that it helps me now :)

    The meeting isn’t steller, but New York in springtime?

    Thanks for your considered thoughts. Oh yes, as an independent, sole proprietor, all of the costs for this proposed jaunt basically come out of my pocket … we’ve all had threads about budgeting and this would break any resolution of any kind :)

    1. Hm, I’ve never stayed in a hotel in NYC, so don’t really know… Columbia is really easily accessible on the subway though so you can maybe branch out even more with the hotels, as long as you stay close to the 1/2/3/ or a/c. The 1/2/3 in particular is probably the most frequent line in the subway system.

      As to whether 1K for a trip to NYC is worth it – only you can really answer that. Regarding local shops – here’s my favorite boutique on the upper west side: http://www.purdygirlnyc.com/ Pricey though (dresses around $150 – $200). Other than that I pretty much just shop at the chains, which are everywhere. Soho is good for little local boutiques, but avoid Broadway in Soho b/c those stores are overrun by tourists.

      The main shopping areas in NYC are (as far as I remember):

      – Soho – Broadway south of Houston (as mentioned, really touristy)
      – 5th ave between 14th and 23rd (known mostly only to locals, but slightly fewer stores – I usually shop here)
      – 5th ave between Rockerfeller Center and Central Park (high-end stores with the occasional Ann Taylor/GAP/Banana Republic)
      – Madison Avenue, not sure of the street boundaries – boutiques, smaller stores, probably more high-end
      – 34th street between 7th and 5th avenue – Macy’s and a few other stores
      – Columbus Ave around Museum of Natural History – a few of the large chains, several nice boutiques

      I should make a Google Map of these – have typed this out so many times to so many people by now :)

    2. If you post on the New York City forum on http://www.tripadvisor.com, the destination experts will give you the nitty gritty rundown on the hotels and tell you whether you’re getting a good deal, or whether there’s an equally convenient hotel that will be a lot less expensive. Post with exact dates and rates you’ve been quoted. They’re super helpful.

    3. I used to live on the Upper West Side. I’d recommend that area if you need to be going to Columbia. There’s a hotel on Broadway in the 70s called Hotel Belleclaire that you might want to check out. I had friends stay there several times when they came to visit. It’s very basic, but in a charming, Old New York kind of way, with small rooms and an old elevator but clean and comfortable rooms. The rates are in the low 100s, I believe.

      The UWS in general would be a good place to stay. Very easy ride on the 1-2-3 train to Columbia. Tons of shopping, especially in the lower areas (70s and 80s), amazing bagels at H&H, Lincoln Center, Central Park… ah I’m getting nostalgic!

    4. Agree that you could stay anywhere near the 1/2/3 or a/c line & get to Columbia with ease.
      I am on the opposite end of the city (downtown) & it wouldn’t be more than 30 min. on the express for me to get to Columbia.
      For shopping, I will just add that some of the chains stock different stuff & might be worth checking out (e.g., the H&M on 5th and 51st is vastly superior, imo, than most). The Filene’s Basement on 14th st. (union sq.) frequently has a lot of designer items; for that matter so does the Filene’s Basement on Broadway on the Upper West Side.
      If you go to the one in Union Sq., check out the Nordstrom Rack, a block away; there’s also a Forever 21 and a DSW there, if you’re into either of those. From there it’s an easywalk to either Soho (but agree that it’s very overrun with tourists) or up lower Fifth Avenue which has some cute shopping (though a lot of chains: JCrew, etc.). There’s an Anthropologie in either direction (17th and 5th, or West Broadway around Broome/Spring).
      If you stay on the Upper West — near the Filene’s Basement on Broadway, there’s also a Lohmann’s, another great discount mecca; Harry’s Shoes & Tip Top Shoes on Broadway in the 70s — 2 great old school shoe purveyors, lots of great hard to find brands, comfort shoes & boots; some cute boutiques on Amsterdam in the high 70s/low 80s; also on Columbus across from the museum of Nat. History & thereabouts.
      If you have the energy, you can go to Century 21 downtown; there’s also one in Brooklyn. It opens early and gets crowded and messy fast, so if you’re going to do it, I would say go first thing in the am. And make sure to go to their shoe dept (it’s easy to miss because it’s a bit separate from rest of the store).

      Tons of great food on the Upper West, as well. If you’re going to be by Columbia, Kitchenette on Amsterdam has great all day breakfast/brunch (not a long walk); Hungarian Pastry Shop on Amsterdam and 111th is a local favorite. If you have a break, take a walk to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine — you don’t have to be even remotely religious to appreciate how stunning it is; the place is magical. It’s also the largest cathedral in the world (mostly because they never actually finish building it, it seems).

      Anyway, can’t say if you should make the trip, but hope the above helps if you do.

    5. If you do come to NYC, bring a pair of shoes that you can really walk in. So much of the city’s charm is in the random things that catch your eye while you’re walking vs. taking the subway/bus/cab. If you’re into accessories, fabric, sewing, super formal attire or just plain sparkly stuff, I’d suggest strolling around the Fashion District. I typically amble around 6th Ave from 36th to 40th Streets and Broadway from 18th to 32nd Street.

    6. I agree with others – Columbia is very accessible by subway and if you’re going to have to navigate the subway anyway (which isn’t much of a big deal), no reason to stick to the recommended hotels unless the group rates are excellent.

      I recently offered up my living room couch to a friend touring/interviewing with a grad program at Columbia (I live near the 4/5/6) and that was no problem for him. Do you have any friends in the city? Pretty much anywhere would be okay for your purposes, I’d think, and many of us are used to hosting friends since the hotel prices around here are really nuts (and with the bedbug issues of late).

    7. If you don’t mind a long subway ride, you can get hotels for much, much cheaper if you are willing to stay outside of Manhattan. My parents came to visit me last week and stayed in a nice, brand new Holiday Inn in Long Island City in Queens, which is near where I live, for under $100 a night. It’s two subway stops from manhattan, though it’s going to be considerably longer (probably like 45 minutes) to columbia because you’ll have to transfer. The neighborhood doesn’t look fabulous, but really it’s perfectly fine–LIC is undergoing revitalization, and as long as you don’t wander too far afield, it’s fine. If you just need a place to sleep at night, I’d recommend it. It all depends on how willing you are to take a long subway ride in exchange for a decent price.

    8. this may be a bit late but I would suggest using hotwire to find a hotel if you are willing to travel by subway a bit. While you don’t know the actual hotel before you buy, you usually know the general area where it is located and the number of stars. I have friends who do this and consistently get good rates in the $100-150 range for 3 1/2 to 4 star hotels. I wouldn’t go lower than 3 1/2 stars because there could be a significant drop off in quality. I booked a room for family once this way and ended up paying about $100/night for the Embassy Suites downtown at Christmas. Pretty remarkable.

    9. Oh thanks for all the great insider information. I am surely going to check out hotels further away, not that I know which boroughs to explore. The last time I was in NYC in the 1980s, the cabbies would not take me to my old home in Brooklyn. Through Corporette, I can tell that the city’s really changed … and BKLYN can be “the place” again…

      As always, we Corporettes are a world of advice and ideas. Many, many thanks.

  8. When I wore that (similar) cardigan today, I did belt it after all. I had a sort of fabric sash belt that matches the cardi, so I tied that on (t-neck underneath in a contrast color). I overlapped the two fronts of the sweater. It looked very “kimono”. I saw an Asian client and I think I looked just right. So thank you, Kat.

    1. This idea of wearing a kimono style sweater and looking just right for an Asian client seems off to me. When I meet Asian clients, I wear suits. Same as any other client.

  9. I do not like this, nor could I wear this to work. Does any one really think this is suitable for work attire? I sure do not.

    1. Not everyone has the same work environment. It would be totally fine at my work, although I’d never pay $600 for a cardigan.

    2. I wouldn’t wear it to work either. It would be fine if it was the same color combo in a more classic cut or the same cut in a more conservative color, but the cut and color together feel too casual for my (business casual) office. Or maybe it’s just too casual for my personal style in the workplace. Either way, I would probably save it for the weekend.

  10. So glad the site is back up!

    As others have mentioned, $600 for a cardi is a lot. But I love the color combo in the picture, and I think the styling suggestions are spot on. It makes me excited to try my teal/turquoise tops with a pop of yellow. Thanks!!

      1. Haha, me too! I was SO UPSET yesterday over corporette not loading that I got around to punching out some key items that I was just *dreading*.

  11. Meh. Not worth $595, let alone $50.

    I see these sorts of styles everywhere and they’re kind of too trendy for my taste. I’ll stick with classic cardigans.

  12. I have a teal with yellow outfit which I love. It is a summer skirt and top. I once wore it to work and felt that the color combination was very inappropriate in the workplace.

  13. Went through serious withdrawal today with the site down. :) Glad to see that it is back up and running!

  14. The brand Design History has this kind of sweater mastered. I see them for $20-$40 at Nordstrom Rack (marked down from $150 or so) all the time. I just got a nice one yesterday.

  15. $595 for a cotton sweater? I don’t know that I’d pay that much even for cashmere.

  16. When I saw the photo I honestly thought this was a weight loss promo and the model had a tape measure around her waist. Not a fan.

  17. Really? $600. No. Colors ok, interesting maybe, but look = generally bad to begin with.

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