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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 84 Comments · by

Splurge Monday’s TPS Report: ‘Gabrielle’ Wool Crepe Jacket

Fashion· The Personal Shopper (TPS)· Wear to Work

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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Milly 'Gabrielle' Wool Crepe JacketHappy Monday! We're liking this ivory wool crepe jacket from Milly — the contrast trim strikes us as interesting and flattering against a variety of complexions, and the collarless jacket seems chic. We particularly love it with the chain link silk shell, as pictured. The jacket is $525 at Nordstrom (available for preorder). Milly ‘Gabrielle' Wool Crepe Jacket 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 9.10.24

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Kat Griffin is the founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Corporette. You can read more about her here.

Comments

  1. LawyrChk

    For the taller/long-waisted corporettes: where do you buy tailored or sheath dresses? I’m 5’8″ and long-waisted, and I can’t seem to find anything in the stores that doesn’t start the hip seaming about 3″ too short (leaving an awkward bunch of fabric above my hip bones). Can this be fixed by a tailor without spending too much?
    I love wearing dresses to work, but the shopping is really frustrating right now!

    Thanks in advance!

    • wow

      5’9″ here: I don’t wear the tailored dresses for this reason. I prefer an empire waist that is flexible and also allows for my hips.

    • Southern Belle

      I have the same issues…I have had good luck with the sheath dresses that Ann Taylor has online available in tall. Also, I have had other dresses tailored rather reasonably, but I would caution you to be very specific and clear in your expectations when you have the dress on at the shop because I have found that while I think the seams hit me at awkward places, it may not be as noticeable to everyone else.

  2. Suze

    I loove this jacket (and the fact that ‘splurge’ pricing is not so far out that I would never be able to actually consider making the investment)! And I like the shell, although the miniskirt is NSFW, at least where I work. But I imagine a longer black pencil skirt or nice black wool trousers (or even red ones, like somebody was talking about recently) would be nice.

    Great selection, Kat!

  3. AIMS

    I think this jacket *could* look fun worn with something really unexpected (like a short skirt or cool jeans); worn to work with something sensible, though, it would make me feel like my grandmother.

  6. wow

    I think wearing this jacket with a work appropriate pants or skirt would border on the old lady/grandma look. It seems it would only be cute and young looking with either a miniskirt (as shown) or jeans. Otherwise, you’re one step away from old lady in the office look.

  8. RR

    I love this jacket, even including the slightly “old lady” vibe. I think it would look gorgeous with a black pencil skirt or black trousers, and a slightly chunky/fun black necklace could make it look young. Although I don’t think it’s per se “frumpy.” I really like it.

  9. N

    It feels kind of Emily Gilmore to me. The outfit underneath is kind of cute and age-appropriate, but the jacket looks like the model borrowed it from someone much older.

  10. L

    I like the jacket! I hate those chains on the skirt though, looks very 80s in a bad way, but it would look nice with a plain pencil skirt.

  11. Parisienne

    I usually like a modified Chanel look, but too me this is too blatant. The color contrast is too great. For example, the actual Chanel line has recently centered on black and white with small touches of robin’s egg blue. That seems to work better with the crisp lines than red/black/ white, so harsh.

  12. M

    I don’t think it has an “old lady look”. This is a great jacket. I would wear it with shift black dress – knee length, classic black pumps – low heels, Chanel red or black replica bag and would feel chic and professional.

  13. MPC

    I love this! Hoping that enough people think it is too old-lady so there will be one left in my size by the time it goes on sale!

    As someone who still gets carded at R-rated movies, I try to put a little old-lady style in my work wardrobe. My face is young enough for it to look cheeky, but I definitely get taken more seriously when I wear pieces like this. I would wear it over a black sheath dress with black pumps, or red ones if I were feeling particularly daring.

  14. Anon

    I think the shape might be nice but the color combination is very distracting. Don’t like the harsh (and unoriginal) color combination at all and I think that is the component that makes it look aging. Looks a little “4th of July” (I think it’s black but if it were navy…).

  15. Another Laura

    Public service announcement: Brooks Brothers is having a wardrobe event (for both men and women) until 9-22-10. $200 off $800 purchase, $100 off $500 purchase and $50 off $300 purchase. No coupon required in store. Coupon FA10WWE for online purchases. Enjoy.

  17. J

    I graduated from law school and May, and I just began working for a state court in a large city. Dress is formal. I must be in a suit if i am in court. On the days that I am working on cases I have also been wearing suits and I have the jacket hanging in case I need to put it on. There are only 3 other women attorneys in the office, some days they wear jackets with slacks/skirts. Where can I find jackets that are work appropriate for someone in their mid-20s but also reasonably priced? Thanks!

    • AIMS

      Honestly, my advice would be to shop the sales & maybe take a day to just go to a good outlet mall, if you can (but do some research first — look for stores that sell things like blazers, suits, etc.).

      It’s hard to find good basics and you’re better off buying relatively good quality, simple pieces so that you can mix & match with ease. Go to BR & Jcrew & other stores and try on their jackets — see if they work for you & what size you are in their suits. Sign up for their emails & pay attention to when they’re having a big sale. For example, Jcrew often has an extra 30% off final sales — so a jacket marked down to $150 becomes $100 — which is a good price for a nice, wool basic. You could go the cheaper route at places like NY&Co or H&M or Express — but too much of it is just not good, and it’s hard to know what is appropriate when you’re just starting out.
      Depending on where you live, you may also try some nicer consignment shops — but that can be very hit or miss, so I wouldn’t make that my exclusive means of accumulating a professional wardrobe.

    • K

      I would also consider braving Black Friday. My first few years of work I managed to get some insane steals at Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, etc. There is also an outlet mall about an hour from me and I made out pretty well at the Brooks Brothers outlet one Black Friday.

      I used to think I would NEVER be one of those people who went anywhere near a store on those days but the deals proved too good to pass up.

    • KM

      I’ve always had luck at consignment shops, especially for things like blazers (and I’m in my mid-20s). I think that Loft also has some great “fun” blazers that are work appropriate and White House Black Market sometimes has cute ones as well. Both stores always have amazing sale racks too. I also second the outlet mall suggestion if you’ve got a Saturday, I just scored a Theory suit at the Las Vegas outlets a couple of weeks ago for $170.

    • Mille

      Ebay. Know your sizes in different brands and do a search. Also outlet stores (I’ve picked up Pendleton jackets for $20) and Nordstrom Rack.

      I am plus-sized, and my go-to store (Lands End) has stopped carrying suits (still crying over that one), but hopefully will still have jackets and blazers as separates. Nordstrom usually has nice jackets and suits, and I sometimes find things at Talbots and Jones New York.

      • Working 3L

        I get lots of jackets at Nordstrom Rack. 3 of my favorite blazers are from there.

    • city lights

      Hate these colors! The same colors are on the Nazi flag: red, black, and white. To me, bad juju, and even if it wasn’t, unflattering colors.

  19. Amy

    Threadjack:
    So, for those watching Mad Men and who saw last night’s episode. What did you think about the way Peggy and Joan, respectively, handled the men’s behavior in the office? Do you think Joan had a point when she told Peggy in the elevator that she had mishandled the situation? How would you handle it now, if you were experiencing the same kind of inappropriate behavior in your office?

    • Shayna

      I’m definitely more like Peggy – I don’t know which of them was right – and I fail to see how Joan was handling it – but I know that in the same situation I would have been direct like Peggy.

    • Lynette

      You have to take into consideration the time frame that the show is set in. Things were just starting to change for women in the workplace. Joan was going about things the “old” way, by having dinner with a man who was on another account. Peggy did things the “new” way, by using her power directly.

      If you are in a position to hire or fire, why wouldn’t you terminate someone who is behaving inapproriately in the work place?

    • AIMS

      I think Joan had a good point as far as Joan was concerned– it did not look great for Joan to have Peggy fight her battles; and it can often create a perception problem in an office when you have women on one side of any given issue & men on the other. I don’t think it’s as bad for Peggy though. Don was right — she needed to get her respect, and that was the way to do it.
      I did think that it was an interesting contrast from the way Peggy handled the sexist, insulting art director situation (where she got naked in the hotel room and challenged him to keep making his little coments).

  20. Angeleno

    this seems very East Coast to me, something a wealthy older woman would wear to lunch. But without those stockings

  21. Office misfit

    Threadjack — need your help — I have to decline an invitation to participate in an extracurricular activity at work, primarily because it doesn’t fit with my personal beliefs and practices. By way of analogy, think NCAA betting pool for someone who strictly doesn’t gamble for religious reasons. I don’t want to be a pill, so how do I opt out without sounding uptight and possibly judgmental. Is there a lighthearted way to do this? I also don’t want to leave it open ended such that they try to coax me into participating.

    • EG

      If it is some type of gambling, I usually just say that I have terrible luck at these things, always lose, so if I am going to throw money away I would rather do it at the mall.

      For many things, if you say thank you but I am not very good at that / don’t enjoy it, and don’t want to ruin your fun, people will respect it and move on.

    • Shayna

      I would think a simple “I don’t do XYZ for religious/personal reasons” would suffice…

      But – something to consider – is there a chance that this same group cold put together a different activity in the future that you would want to participate in? You may not want to be so firm if that is the case…

      • Kaye

        I agree with the other posters – I wouldn’t say it’s for religious/personal reasons. It makes people feel like they have to walk on eggshells around you.
        Just say that it’s not something you enjoy.

    • MPC

      Can you not just say, “Sorry, I won’t be joining,” and leave it at that? If pushed further, you might simply say that it’s not something you want to do, and change the subject. Since the activity is optional, there’s probably no need to discuss your personal beliefs about it if you don’t want to.

      • AIMS

        I think the less said the better. Even if you frame it as your issue, people may walk away feeling judged (not fair but also something to consider).

        I would say something like “Thanks, but I think I’ll pass. Best of luck, though!” If appropriate, you may want to make a little joke like “Oh, I’d be terrible at gambling — for the sake of my bank acount, if nothing else, I’d better stay away!”

    • AlliJ

      In similar circumstances I have two pat responses: “Thanks but my grandfather would rise up out of his grave to haunt me if I did X” and “Thanks but I have to look my minister in the eye on Sunday so I better not.” I feel like that makes it my issue rather than implying I have a moral problem with what my co-workers are doing.

      • Shayna

        I think that remark a/b your minister makes it more clear that you have a moral problem w/ your colleagues’ activity, not less.

      • wow

        Does this go over well? I would not appreciate hearing either of those things. That makes it sound like the invitation was for something you find truly scandalous, if both Grandpa and Minister would clearly disapprove. (i.e. it very much makes it sound like you have a moral problem with what your co-workers are doing).

        • v

          I feel like tone would make a big difference here. Said light heartedly with a smile in person would be one thing; just sent over e-mail with no context, entirely different.

          I did encounter a situation where the moral judgment was really explicit. When I started my clerkship (in a city where I didn’t know anyone), the clerks sent out a few “anyone interested in happy hour?” and “how about poker?” e-mails to the law clerk e-mail list. We got castigated by a permanent clerk who was furious to have to read about our “drinking and gambling” at work. That definitely did not endear her to anyone (not that I think she cared).

      • anano

        Agree with Shayna and wow. Especially that second comment about your minister seems pretty rude. To me, it very much implies that you are somehow morally superior to the person whose invitation you are declining.

        I would just say no thank you. If the invitor presses the issue, you could just say that you have a “conflict.” This will likely be interpreted as having a scheduling conflict, even if what you mean is that you have a moral conflict. If they still press for details, then I would just say “sorry, it’s personal.”

    • SuzyQ

      My group at a former employer all participated in an “American Idol” pool which I did not want to join (in part because I don’t have a working TV), so I just shrugged off and said that I’ll pass on it, as if it were just a lunch invitation. I didn’t go into specific reasons and they did not try to talk me into it. But later, they did not invite me to join their “Biggest Loser Contest” either, mercifully. I think that if not joining these “extracurriculars” at work has a way of isolating you and/or making you feel like you can’t just be yourself when you’re at work, you may want to re-evaluate whether it’s the right place for you. I’m so glad I don’t work at that company anymore!

      • Office misfit

        This is exactly analogous to your American Idol pool. There is sooo much hype about it too. I wish it were just a lunch invitation, of course I’d go. Thanks, all, it makes me feel better just to know I’m not the only one who finds themselves in this type of situation. I don’t have a problem saying no, I just don’t want it to give the wrong impression (e.g., standoffish). Unfortunately, everyone is well meaning, but almost all of the activities tend not to suit me, as I have to get home to get the kids, can’t take an afternoon off to play golf, can’t go out for drinks after work, don’t want to participate in certain activities per above, etc. If I were to be the planner, well… trip to the zoo anyone? or board game night at home?

        • Eponine

          Can I suggest that you should plan an activity? You don’t want to be seen as anti-social or, well, as the office misfit. Perhaps you could take the lead on planning a happy hour, a brown bag lunch discussion on an interesting topic,a baby or wedding shower for a coworker, or even a family-friendly weekend activity like hiking or a picnic? It’s important to build camaraderie and be seen as a team player.

          • Kaye

            Or just try to plan ahead and make it to drinks after work at least once. I think even going on a small number of office outings makes a big difference in not being perceived as the odd one out.

          • Anon

            Agree with Kaye. Try to make it to a couple of the office after-hours events. I don’t drink but when I worked for one company the popular after work hangout was a brew house. I used to go and get a ginger ale and hang out with my co-workers. It can really make a difference in your working relationships.

        • Blonde Lawyer

          I would encourage you then to stretch your boundaries just a bit. Maybe get a sitter one day so you can go out for drinks after work. Even if you don’t drink, just get a tonic and hang for a bit. You don’t have to do it often but once in awhile you have to play the game to stay in the game.

          As far as your religious beliefs in this situation, inquire a little more about what is at stake. In previous jobs you didn’t pay in or win money it was just bragging rights or someone bought you lunch if you won. If it is monetary based could you not pay in and not win but still do the stats just to see where you end up? Someone at my old job did this with a super bowl pool.

          I’m not saying don’t be true to yourself but figure out what things you can waiver on and still fit in at work. Board game night at home might be a blast if you invite a few other moms or dads and have them bring the kids! Just show an effort that you want to be part of the club (even if you don’t want to be part of the club.)

        • K

          I agree with the people who suggested the less said the better. People have to drop the subject if you don’t have anything to go on. If you want to still seem like a team-player, say something like “I can’t participate, but maybe another time.”

    • legalicious07

      I think you could safely do either of the following:

      1) Be straightforward and say why you don’t join in: “I’m going to have to decline for religious/personal reasons. But definitely let me know the next time we’re all getting together.”

      2) Be more vague about why you don’t join in: “I’ll pass this time. But definitely let me know the next time we’re all getting together.”

    • kjf

      I’m surprised with the large population of attorneys on this blog that an office pool seems to be so commonplace. These are totally taboo in our office.

      • SuzyQ

        Well, in my case, I was working in-house and my group consisted of mostly non-lawyers. I don’t remember what the pool was like for American Idol, but the Biggest Loser contest required everyone to chip in $100 and was a contest to see who would lose the highest percentage of their weigh in a span of maybe 4 months. Another group at my company regularly did an office pool for the Powerball, which I think is more akin to actual gambling. I don’t think any lawyers at law firms would do these things – it’s a big generalization I realize but law firm lawyers don’t waste as much time on group activities, in part because they have to bill their time. That’s why I prefer working at a firm.

        • atty

          My firm did both of these things (Biggest Loser and Powerball), both attorneys and staff.

    • Eponine

      I think a simple “sorry, but I am not able to participate will suffice.” If they seem offended that you declined and if you’re comfortable disclosing, then say “you probably know that I’m X religion, and actually members of X religion don’t participate in this activity. I hope you have a great time though and let me know how it goes!” So long as you don’t come off as preachy or judgy (i.e. suggesting that they shouldn’t be engaging in the activity either) no one should take offense.

      • Eponine

        Put the end quote in the wrong place… obviously you shouldn’t include the words “will suffice”. :)

    • 1 more year...

      On the off-chance it’s drinking-related: I have a dear friend who I respect deeply. He has discovered that the side of him that comes out when he drinks is not a side of him he wishes to share with coworkers. Though he’s never done AA, he has simply said “I’m in recovery” when asked, and everyone I know has respected him the more for it.

      • anon

        I would NOT say that if it is not true.

        Even if it were true, I would still be very hesitant. Fair or not, people that hear of it (which thanks to gossip could be anybody at your company, including your boss) may be less likely to put you in positions of great responsiblity or send the hard–and most stressful–projects your way for fear you won’t be stable. Not everyone believes alcoholism is a disease. Unfortunately, I think many people don’t share your view of respecting the person more. They’re likely to question what led to the need for a recovery program and think there is possible a trainwreck underneath just waiting to come through.

        • another anon

          I agree, but not necessarily for that reason. I think if someone doesn’t drink, for whatever reason, others should respect that decision. I cannot drink because I am allergic and I prefer to just order something non-alcoholic and not really mention it. It almost always comes up every time I go out with someone new, and I find it so tedious having to explain myself every. single. time. Then people go on to tell me I’m just intolerant and if I drink more, I’d get over it, as if I don’t know the difference between mere intolerance and an allergy.

      • Amy H.

        Unfortunately, this won’t work if you have any overlap in your social circles such that a few of the work people you’re telling that you’re in recovery are some of the same people that will also be attending a friend’s dinner party or brunch where they’ll see with your glass of wine or Bloody Mary or whatever the next weekend. Unless you really have given up drinking altogether.

  22. Anonymous

    I would feel incredibly judged by someone who told me “I can’t do what you are doing because I need to look my minister in the eye on Sunday.” Yikes! I think a simple “I can’t for religious reasons” is far more appropriate, but I don’t think you have to give that much information and can just politely decline if you’d prefer.

  23. Lola

    Ladies, I have made an incredible discovery. For you children of the 80s: It’s a blog outlining the fashion of the character Claudia (the artsy one) from the Babysitter’s Club books. http://www.whatclaudiawore.com/

    (I’m not affiliated with this blog in way, just found out about it, and it’s soaking up a lot of my Monday.)

    • lk

      Awesome. Can’t check at work but looking forward to a fun evening distraction … I lived and breathed babysitters club books, right before I discovered sweet valley high … sigh, memories …

  24. Housecounsel

    I’m feeling an old lady vibe, too. I wonder if the old lady vibe is more apparent/more of a concern to those of us who are closer to “old lady” than a first-year. Maybe a twentysomething could pull it off and look retro or Chanelly, but on a forty-year-old it might just look old? Interested to know what others think.

    I have a friend who says the same of animal-print accessories. She tells me not to wear even high-end touches of animal print (think a clutch) because she thinks they scream “classy executive in her early fifties.”

    • AIMS

      I’m 29. I think this jacket could look cute on someone in their 20s or early 30s but not paired with serious work clothes. It would be (at least for me) a bit too borderline playing dress up/”I borrowed this from my mom’s closet. ” (I’m sure exceptions exist for people way better at styling this than me . . . and if that’s you, please take no offense).

      On someone in their 40’s/50s though, with sexy black heels and a perfect black sheath it could look fierce, assuming all else was perfectly in place — but it could also look like “president of the rotary club” . . . So only you can know how you’ll feel in it.

      As for the leopard, I read somewhere that animal print is good for when you’re “young” and when you’re “old” but not so much for the in-between. I said something to this effect here once, though, and I think it didn’t go over too well — so my opinion is do what makes you happy, but if you’re thinking about how it’s not for you when you do wear it, you won’t want to wear it, so what’s the point?

    • AD

      Yup, I totally agree – at least in terms of this jacket. I think as styled above or in a similar fashion (like with the cool jeans that AIMS references), it’s clearly an ironic take on a classic that only a fairly young woman can pull off. Styled conservatively, it would look like grandma going to church.

      I am iffy on animal print accesories though. I think on occasion it can be pulled off if done well. Chiffon scarves, no; clutches are a distinct maybe. I think the rest of the outfit would be critical in pushing a 40-something one way or the other.

      • MPC

        I think there’s some space between ironic and conservative here– if the model were wearing slim-cut black suiting pants, for instance, the look would be more youthful and still work-appropriate.

        I think hairstyle plays a role, too. My hair is short– shorter than the model’s– so when I wear conservative clothing, (I hope) it doesn’t necessarily read as a “conservative” look.

        Then again, this might be youthful folly on my part… when my mother was my age, she wore a black satin harem-pants jumpsuit to a formal military function!

    • surrounded by lawyers

      Oops–my comment below was intended as a reply to this post.

      • Suze

        Ow. I really liked this at first and now all the comments about ‘church lady’/rotary prez (I think I kinda ‘see’ it :-/) are making me depressed….even more so when I thought about the kind of leopard-y cardigan I got a while back to wear with black sheath. Are you sure those of us between 45-55 can’t wear an occasional tasteful/subdued animal print accent?

        • Ms B

          @ Suze — In my view, it’s all in how you style it. Leopard cardi with sheath with chunky black necklace, cool shoes, and maybe a skinny belt reads one way, while leopard cardi with sheath with pearls and Ferragamo bow pumps reads another way. The same goes for this jacket.

          I am definitely in the “in between” age range and I have one or two Chanel -style jackets that I put with my boot skirts in the winter for a “New England preppy” kind of vibe or with wide-legged pants, a solid shell, heels and a chunky brooch for a more modern look. I also have a silk knit leopard three-quarter sleeve sweater that I throw under a russet belted jacket with black wide-legged pants and pointy pumps and I think the subtle bit of animal print makes the outfit pop.

          Just avoid the Edith Prickley look . . .

          • Suze

            Thanks Ms B! I feel better now. Was about to crawl in my closet with a bunch of sackcloth and ashes (and ugly sensible shoes) and just give up on fashion :). Your suggestions were nice, and I love the sound of that leopard sweater!

        • Eponine

          “Are you sure those of us between 45-55 can’t wear an occasional tasteful/subdued animal print accent?”

          I think you should wear it with your jeggings. Seriously? There’s no age limit on animal prints and anyone who suggests otherwise is absurd.

          • Suze

            I heart you Eponine!! Now that you mention it, the cardi would go well with my jeggings. And…drum roll for animal prints…I wore the jeggings last weekend with a lovely pair of leopard ballet flats – went great with a black tunicky top over a silky cami. I felt fierce, and DH said I looked hot. So, there you go :). Thanks again!

  25. surrounded by lawyers

    I’m in my late twenties, though often thought younger, and I’d still be concerned about the old lady effect if I wore this. I’ll also say that in the past 8 years or so, as I was slowly learning what/what not to wear, on the occasions when I accidentally went too old the effect was really, really hideous. Not retro or anything else positive. At least on me.

  26. Mille

    This jacket reminds me of a majorette or a marching band uniform– I couldn’t pull it off. Maybe with jeans where it wouldn’t be the main focus of my outfit.

  27. RG

    So I happened to be wearing a very similarly styled BCBG jacket today (though in darker navy and black). I wore it with a just-below-the-knee black pencil skirt, a metallic gray shell with some draping, bronze pumps, and a long necklace. I agree that a jacket like this can look frumpy, but I also think pairing it with modern pieces makes it look professional and put-together but still understated.

    FWIW, I chose this for an informational lunch interview for possibly my dream employer today…though it ended up getting rescheduled, sigh. Now I need to come up with another outfit for later this week!

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