Splurge Monday’s TPS Report: Ralph Lauren Sweater

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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Limited-Edition Ralph Lauren for OprahThis sweater may look familiar to you — it was one of Oprah's favorite things. I'm not normally an Oprah watcher, but I did TiVo her “final favorite thing” episode a few weeks ago — and apparently this particular cashmere sweater has made her list enough times that Ralph Lauren created a limited-edition color just for Oprah. I like the stand collar, the V neck, the cable knit, and of course the cashmere — it's $498 at Neiman Marcus. Limited-Edition Ralph Lauren for Oprah Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line. Disclosures

Sales of note for 2/7/25:

  • Nordstrom – Winter Sale, up to 60% off! 7850 new markdowns for women
  • Ann Taylor – Extra 25% off your $175+ purchase — and $30 of full-price pants and denim
  • Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything + extra 15% off
  • Boden – 15% off new season styles
  • Eloquii – 60% off 100s of styles
  • J.Crew – Extra 50% off all sale styles
  • J.Crew Factory – 40% off everything including new arrivals + extra 20% off $125+
  • Rothy's – Final Few: Up to 40% off last-chance styles
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – 40% off one item + free shipping on $150+

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

107 Comments

  1. Does anyone else find quality of Ralph Lauren to be hit-or-miss? I’ve had a few Lauren sweaters that began to pill on about the 3rd wearing.

    1. I think it depends on the label — RL has various “brands” and the quality among them is pretty varied (I just bought a set of RL “University” sheets and, man, are they awful!).
      Within the brands, I have found some hit or miss items in the lower end iterations, but the higher stuff has been fairly consistent high quality for me. But, I must admit I have not bought much RL clothing in recent years.

      1. I agree. The label actually doesn’t tell you much–it seems that their stuff really runs the gamut. The same goes for sizing as well, in my experience: you really can’t predict what size you’ll be in RL. I had some gift difficulties along these lines with a RL men’s coat yesterday, alas.

  2. I like it! I have a RL cashmere sweater that I got at a consignment store – orig price $400, my price $60. Woohoo! It still had the original tags on it. Holding up well so far.

    I also just purchased, and am wearing, some spanx tight-end tights. I really like them – nice and thick with a good control top, without being overly tight. I am 5.8 with long legs and got the size C.

    1. Thanks for the info on the tights, I am thinking of getting some! I was really curious about the sizing, with their size chart I should get a B, but I usually size up for all my other tights… I hate the crotch halfway down your thighs problem… thoughts anyone?

      1. With Spanx, I think that the sizing depends on the effect you want. If you want to maximize the “shaping” effect, I find that you should go with the size on the size chart. If you just want a pair of good tights and don’t care so much about the shaping, then size up. I’m 5’8″ and 145, which I think is near the border for the size chart for B/C. I’m wearing a pair of Cs today, which are comfortable and warm; however, with some skirts that are just a bit snug I’ll wear the Bs (not super comfortable, but I fit into the skirt this way at least). I’ve never had the problem where the tights just won’t pull up all the way even when I size down.

        1. I never size down – I am the same size as poster above (on border) and can’t wear the smaller size bc they won’t pull up the way.

        2. M is right – if you want the really slimming effect, get the accurate size. But I often wear a size up, and the effect is mostly still there. It still smooths everything out, and it’s MUCH more comfortable.

      2. I am 150, 5’6 and always get the C’s in Spanx tights/hose but if I was any taller, I’d get the D…they pull up just enough in the crotch but if I’m not careful to kind of shimmy them up, I will get a hole in the gusset if that makes sense, I assume from the pulling.

  3. Yes, Kristine, I’ve noticed the same thing. My worst RL experience: I bought a pair of wool tweed pants a couple years ago that pilled horribly every time they brushed against anything and developed actual holes in the butt and thighs after just a few wearings. Apparently the fabric touching against the fabric of my office chair was enough to break down the fibers. I’ve *never* had that happen with any other pair of pants. I also avoid their tees and polos as they tend to shrink in length.

  4. I’m sure that sweater is very soft, but just looking at the picture makes me itch. I think I have a thing about sweaters with collars, especially pullovers with collars. if someone gave me that for a present, I would wear it, but I would put the collar down and stitch it in place. I also don’t like cable except for kids. Cable makes a sweater heavy.

  5. Remember when everyone had one of those RL sweaters with an American flag on it? I never had one, but I suddenly got nostalgic for those….

    1. I keep thinking of polo jeans … practically a uniform at my high school :) I wasn’t even aware of the higher end label at the time, but now, when I see “Ralph Lauren” I think of my high school clothes, and its never a brand I think to even look at when I’m shopping for work clothes.

  6. Is this pale pink the limited-edition color? While I can see it being lovely on Oprah, I think it makes this model look naked. Does anyone wear a top that is the exact same color as her skin?

  7. To all the ladies from the last several weeks who were worried about their youthful appearances and searching for a way to age themselves visually?

    This is it.

    1. Hilarious @i’m nobody. I think the oatmeal (?) color gives it the Grandma vibe. Even if Oprah loves it ;-) That said, I do not and will not EVER pop a collar again. That part of the 80s needs to stay buried. Speaking of which, I was watching Full House with my 11 year old (yes, it’s popular with the young crowd) and was shocked at the hair and outfits. SHOCKED. LOL.

      1. LOL! I remember very well spending hours trying desparately to get my bangs teased up to look just like DJ Tanner’s. Oh, how many cans of Aqua Net I went through!

      2. Ha! I ran across an episode recently too and was most amused by the laugh track — ex: when Jesse would “passionately” kiss Becky and the “audience” would let out an extended wooooooooooooo. Brought me right back to elementary school :)

        1. ROFLMAO! I know, so funny to watch it now with my daughter. You are transplanted back in time. The laugh track. The corn 80’s/90’s sitcom dialogue and pacing. Guess acid washed pants hiked up to your chin, with a belt, shirt tucked in (of course!). Rugby shirts.. I could go on and on. I think I’ll watch the Cosby Show too, for some laughs.

          1. Those laugh tracks are SO annoying.

            Have you ever watched the reruns of ALF? I used to love that show in the 80s, but my sensibilities must have changed, because it just seems really stupid now.

      3. I was wondering if I was the only one who has vowed NEVER to pop a collar again. Just looking at this makes me think Jersey shore guido guys with double poppped collars (i’m from Jersey, it happens often).

        LOLZ

    2. This.

      I was given as a gift a polo shirt style cable knit RL sweater. (To be fair, the gifter knew of my love for cables/sweaters/the colour it was in). It made me look about 70. I think you have to be really well dressed otherwise to pull the sweater that looks like a shirt style off.

    3. I think it was Clinton Kelly who said “The only women who look good in thick, cabled Ralph Lauren sweaters are the Ralph Lauren models wearing them.”

      So I usually go with that.

  8. I think the style of the collar on this makes it look more preppy-weekend than office.

    Tips needed: I will be working on my first deal for a business-formal client soon. Because I haven’t needed to wear a suit regularly ever, I only had one good one (black, three piece, J.Crew). I just ordered a gray three piece from J.Crew to supplement (thumbs up for the stretch wool being on sale). I would prefer not to buy cheap suits to fill in (since I really just don’t want to be seen in a cheap suit) or additional pricier suits (since this deal will only last a few months). So, I’m looking for advice on how to style these two suits differently enough throughout the week so it’s not (super) obvious that I’m wearing the same ones!

    1. I would try to squeeze a shift dress in somewhere in the week, with a blazer over it if necessary (some business-formal is more formal than others… my office is biz-formal, but I can do shift dresses with cardigans). I would also consider wearing a tweed or other blazer with the pants or skirt one day. Otherwise, changing up jewelry, shoes, and shirts is generally enough to get through a week. Think of it this way — most of the men you’ll be sitting around the table with will probably also be wearing the same two suits all week, too.

      1. I second the recommendation on a dress/cardigan to wear in the middle of the week & break up the suit use. A good dress with a nicely styled cardigan, pulled together with a skinny belt and great heels, can be a very sharp in-office business formal look, and will cost you less than another suit.

        1. I love dresses and they are a staple of my business-casual negotiations wardrobe, so if I can get away with a sheath + cardigan / blazer, that will help out a lot. I’ll see how others interpret the dress code first, though. Fortunately, it is a local deal so I won’t be stuck trying to pack for the variety of possibilities!

    2. Don’t wear the same top and bottom pieces two days in a row, but don’t obviously alternate black and gray every single day either. So, e.g., Black pants, gray pants, gray skirt, black skirt… Try not to be super predictable.

      When I did this for a summer internship, it also helped to make separate piles of shirts that looked “best” with each particular suit, otherwise everything tends to blend together. A lot of the time shirts can go with either suit, so I would use those to “fill in” a suit that didn’t have many other shirts available. Also, if you are doing this for a while and won’t have much time to dry clean between wearings, be extra, extra careful about taking the suit off and hanging it up as soon as you get home, so they always look fresh.

      1. @Cat – For my money, I’d get a variety nice, silk blouses to change the look of the suits — ruffles or plain, jewel colored, cream, prints/solids, with bows/without bows, long sleeves, sleeveless, etc. Check out Ann Taylor. Others may suggest cotton/spandex button down blouses (Brooks Brothers, etc), but I think silk offers more variety and looks less mannish. Oh, and you MUST get some bumpin’ shoes that accent the blouses (not necessarily matchy-match). Totally changes your look. Another acccessory to consider is a nice purse, but mine stay under my desk until it’s quitting time, but ymmv on that one…

    3. Honestly, I would also suggest springing for a few more suits. Hit up a Filene’s/TJ Maxx/Off 5th/Rack and buy a couple relatively inexpensive but still decent quality sets to let you mix it up a bit. You will be sick of the suits very soon, and your limited wardrobe gives you no room for spills, popped hems, etc. Wearing them every day like that will be really hard on the suits and it is possible they may not survive the experience.

      I work at a business-dress firm, and I mix up my expensive J.Crew/BB/Theory-level suits with Tahari, Semantiks, Ellen Tracy and other brands that I have bought for <$100 at discount stores. It gives me some much-needed variety and helps extend the life of my nicer suits.

      1. Is wearing a jacket 2x a week and each of the bottom pieces 1x (2x max) really hard on a suit? Not asking to be snarky, I just have no idea — I will just be sitting in a conference room, not running around with binders and file boxes and the like. I wear other work pants 1x a week without incident and I’m not typically a spiller (knock wood) or otherwise hard on clothes, so I’m curious.

        Unfortunately I don’t really have access to the discount stores — have you had any luck with those brands at the regular dept stores (Nordstrom, Bloomie’s, Neiman’s?)

        1. I’m hard on clothes – but for me, I try to wear the bottom 1/2s of my suits no more than once every other week, so I can minimize wear and the number of dry-cleaning trips (which, no matter how good your dry-cleaner, slowly breaks down clothes).

          I don’t buy those brands at the regular stores because I know I can usually find them for 1/2 price or so. There are good sales available online too – they regularly have Tahari on Rue La La, for instance.

          1. To clarify – I try to wear, for instance, brown suit with skirt one week, brown suit with pants the next week. 4 three-piece suits (with business casual Friday) would be my absolute minimum, although I have more than that at this point.

        2. try Overstock.com, they sometimes have great deals on Tahari and Tahari ASL… I totally second the idea that you will get good and sick of those two suits. When I started my first job (business dress), my wardrobe consisted of: two matched suits, a skirt/blazer combo, two additional blazers that went with the skirt suits, and a shift dress that went with one of the blazers, and I think that got me through almost a whole year. No way could I have done even a summer with two suits.

        3. hmm… good point about needing to fit in dry cleaning somewhere. I may wait to see what the negotiations schedule looks like (since it is a local deal, I don’t have to worry about packing at least!) — if it turns out to be a meeting-week then drafting-week type routine, I may be able to get by with what I have. Otherwise, it sounds like one more suit is probably a good idea (well, either that, or losing the 10 lbs I gained since I bought an interview suit as a 1L…)

          1. You didn’t say if you were moving into a suit-only gig permanently, or you were just looking for tips for a short amount of time you’ll need to be in a suit. (Just this deal? How long does a “deal” take?)

            If you just have to be in a suit for a week or so, then you can probably get away with the two you have, if you mix them up with different tops. Try different textures, shells v. button-downs v. thin sweaters, scarves, different jewelry.

            If you’re going to be wearing a suit every day for the foreseeable future, then yes, you’ll need more than 2.

            Nordstrom carries at least some of the Tahari lines, and Macy’s has great deals online for suits. (Someone posted recently one that was on sale for $60. Thanks to whoever that was, I bought it!)

          2. Lola – the deal will last a few months, but not all of it will be face-to-face with the client (therefore, no suit necessary for some of it, and probably 2 weeks straight at closing time). Hence the attempt to get out of buying unnecessary suits :)

            I know some women at my firm that wear a suit every day even though we are business casual, so I don’t really have an example of varying a formal look with accessories vs. the suit itself. Thanks all for the ideas!

    4. A three piece suit is two separate outfits – jacket, pants and top; jacket, skirt and top. So you’ve already got four different outfits. Just vary the top every day (presumably you have 5 tops that work under a suit, but if not, then rotate two or three) and repeat the jacket/bottom combo from Monday or Tuesday on Friday when no one will remember anyway.

  9. Does anyone have suggestions for great shoes/boots that don’t slide on the ice? I’m battling hip/si joint pain and slid on the ice today – youch! Looking to replace my old winter shoes ASAP. Not worried about looking professional at this point … just looking to stay upright and pain free!
    Thanks –

    1. Given that you aren’t worried about looking professional, I would invest in some good hiking boots with serious tread. These are my go-to shoes in seriously icy conditions and I’ve never slipped.

      Obviously change when you get to work :)

    2. I have Merrill black boots from LL Bean that are about Ugg height but have a waterproof fake suede outer. I never slip in them and if you forget your shoes one day they are not the worst things to have peaking out of pants. I would never intentionally wear them as work shoes but it has happened once and I think I pulled it off. The only downside is they are not made for tucking in pants.

      Actually, I’m also the poster that wrote about back in law school observing a hearing in a snow storm and the judge commenting I was “one of the few with common sense to dress for the weather.” I had worn my snow boots and carried heels but there was no place to stash the boots so I just wore them and kept the heels in my purse.

    3. I take most winter boots to the cobble & he puts non-slip treads on them so I can walk on ice, worry free.

      Otherwise, just look for good rubber soles w/treads. Clarks, Canadienne, even Totes all make good snow boots for this purpose.

    4. Do a search for “ice grips.” . They’re things you can add slip onto to your shoes for traction. Different companies make them. My dad swears by the pair I bought him a few years ago. I honestly get thanked every time he has been out shoveling the snow.

      1. I second yaktrax. I’ve been using them for the last 2 winters, and they are a rear-end saver if, like me, you’re prone to slipping and falling.

      2. I wear them all winter, and love how secure I feel walking in them. I’m sure they’ve prevented injuries. I keep them strapped on a pair of boots because they are hard to get on and off.

      3. how have i never heard of these traction things before? i spend all winter taking mincing steps when i’m outside because afraid of slipping. i will be investing in a pair or two forthwith, for sure! great tips, everyone!

    5. I have a pair of winter boots made by Colombia with thick rubber tread on the bottom that are great on ice. They are also super warm and waterproof. When I commuted, I had to walk and the sidewalks were often covered in ice/snow/melted snow-slush and these boots were great.

    6. Hiking boots are great to wear in the winter if you aren’t worried about style. Investing in a good pair is worth it. Merrills are great.

      I needed some that I could wear to court (if necessary) and not fall down. I decided on these: http://www.zappos.com/roper-chunk-boot-brown. I wear them with slacks, so no one ever sees the top. (But I giggle to myself about the top of them.) They’re waterproof and the traction is excellent.

    7. A few years ago I displaced my pelvis (and in the process managed to damage my knee and back too), since then if there’s snow or ice on the ground I wear my hiking boots and change footwear once I arrive. It really isn’t a big deal, and as I have a plain black leather pair I can get away with them under pants if need be.

  10. Oh, ladies who wanted to know about my Vicky’s Secret sweater dresses… Came today, and I love them ALL. I got a small and they fit great. (By way of reference, I’m a mom of 2, Everywoman — size 6 in some “parts”, size 4 in others, and I’ll leave it at that…). Colors are nice and vibrant, but not as saturated as they appear online. Online, they also looked woolier (sp?) and coarser than IRL. They’re actually pretty acrylic-ly feeling & looking, and I can hardly feel the wool at all. (I’d sworn off acrylic sweaters since the 90s, but my snobbery couldn’t get the best of me anymore). Here are few links– trying to skirt Kat’s spam blocker, so just a few of the hits are listed..
    http://bit.ly/ea7xix (teal)
    http://bit.ly/f5y80S (cilantro)
    http://bit.ly/dTktPO (red, on sale now for $29!! – Super cute, not childlike at all IRL).

    Happy shopping!

      1. Me, too! I have an idea as to why but still find it odd since VS has so much clothing in addition to what they’re trying to block!

    1. Thanks for the update, Lawgirl! I’m really tempted by the Marled Sweaterdress (your first link) and knowing the small fits your size 4-6 body helps me choose a size. Choosing a color will be the hard part!

  11. For those of you who work in an office with an office-supported giving program (for us, it is United Way) –

    Do you feel that it is truly “optional”, or is it somewhat required to contribute?

    1. For our office, it is definitely “optional” in name only. The United Way gives lots of publicity for firms with a high percentage of participation (where I live at least; it is a little different in every city), so our pressure is not so much for specific $ amounts but just for making a contribution of some point. It irks me b/c I’m not a fan of the organization, but its not worth fighting about for the annual $50 I pony up.

    2. At my last job (working for the court), I opted out and saw no problem with it (I have an issue with United Way, and try to avoid them.) Of course, I guess it depends on the employer.

    3. Just wondering what the controversy is with United Way. I’d love for you to elaborate.

      1. From what I’ve heard and seen, UW is a middleman and overly bureaucratic. It’s better to give directly to the non-profits in the UW umbrella and let them choose how to use their funds versus having to go through the funding process. I give a small amount to UW (through work) but prefer to give to non-profits I’ve researched and where I’ve volunteered time. From having worked at non-profits, I know this is the ideal way to support them as long as you’ve done your research and know they’re legit.

        1. Forgot to mention, there’s a rumor they have a very large overhead. I haven’t personally researched this, but it’s a reason some of my colleagues refuse to donate to them (especially after seeing their regional HQ).

        2. I completely agree with your analysis. UW is only a middleman. If you believe in a charity, why not give to it directly so that you are directly supporting its work with your full contribution. I have opted out of UW at work but have felt the pressure to participate. In my opinion, that is completely wrong.

      2. Some consider them hostile to gay rights because they contribute to organizations that do not accept gay members or provide services to gay clients…e.g., Boy Scouts, Salvation Army.

      3. They also support pro-life Catholic family service organizations but do not support planned parenthood or any other pro-choice orgs.

    4. I once worked at a bank where we were pressured to donate to the United Way, even though ther was a scandal surrounding the organization at the time.
      I had no problem declining but some of my co-workers donated and felt resentful. So I suppose you should do what makes you comfortable, if that’s donating or not.

      1. My dad’s agency (education/public) was very into trying to get 100% of folks to donate to United Way. My dad had (has) a big issue with the fact they give $ to boy scouts of america, given their anti-gay stance. There was definitely some pressure on him, but bless him-he held his ground. It’s funny to me because he is such a get along kind of guy, but he felt strongly on that one.

    5. It probably depends on your department. We have the United Way as well and it seems like few people in my department contribute because they have problems with the organization. I think other agencies are much more gung-ho about it than mine is, thank goodness.

  12. Thread hijack: Does anybody wear non-leather boots in the winter? I have always been persnickety about the boots that I wear but have been having a difficult time finding leather boots this winter. It seems that many of my “go-to” brands are offering synthetic boots while their entire line of shoes is made of leather. My concern about synthetic boots is whether they will hold up to my Colorado winters (slush, road salt, snow) and how to polish them if/when they do scuff. Any help?

    1. I have the opposite problem — I try to find non-leather, but leather is all I find. What are your go-to brands?
      As for the how to care — I would take to your cobbler & ask him to weather treat in whatever way he deems appropriate. I would guess that there are a couple of basic steps he can take that will help, regardless of material, e.g., re-inforce the soles, etc.

        1. I have only found *leather*, for the most part. You can search for non-leather, however, at endless & a few other sites.

      1. I just got some non-leather boots from easy spirit that I really like. I didn’t notice they were non-leather until after I bought them, they are so convincing. Can’s speak yet to how well they hold up, but they were only about $50 so not the end of the world if they don’t last long..

      2. I just bought a pair of non leather boots from Aerosole. In fact, I think all their boots are non leather this year except one pair (which is only half leather along the sides and some stretchy fabric material in the back). I bought mine in store but I think they are having a 20% off online sale (which might have ended 17 minutes ago, depending on what timezone they’re in…)

    2. I agree that this year there seems to be an awful lot of synthetic boots out there. I only wear leather because I am afraid of sweatiness with synthetic boots or shoes. Of course, this is based on a bad experience in the 1990s, so maybe synthetics are better now? I’d love to know, because Liz Claiborne had a very cute pair of ankle boots, but they were synthetic so I didn’t buy.

      I think brands like Clarks, Miz Mooz, Dansko, Rockport, Kenneth Cole (+/- Reaction), some other I can’t think of now, do have a decent selection of leather. It would be nice if online shoe sites would let one search by leather/synthetic.

      1. This. I hate to be a snob about this, but if I’m gonna drop $100+ on a pair of boots, it better be good quality. I’ve literally seen hundreds of pairs of knee-high synthetic boots, and only a couple pairs of real leather (and they were from cole haan, stuart weitzman, and kate spade, so not cheap).
        Also, I’d really prefer something in the mid-calf range with a dressy heel, but alas, no luck–think I’ll be waiting until next winter on finding a pair like that)

    3. Check the polish bottles – most of them work on synthetic, too. And you don’t have to condition synthetic boots like you do with leather. They may even hold up better than the leather ones you have.

  13. Threadjack:

    I just passed the bar and have entered the billable hours year. I wanted to ask the more experienced ladies here about how important it is to hit the ground running (and getting started in general). Since it’s the holidays, things are slow, and I’m already panicking about hitting my hourly goal. So….I guess I’m just wondering whether my panic is reasonable or unreasonable at this point so early in the year.

    Any advice would be appreciated!

    1. Used to be that if you were a first year at a big firm, your firm would have a policy on hours – eg softer targets, lower minimums, etc. – so that you wouldn’t have to worry. With the economy the way it’s been now, though, I am not sure that all firms have kept those policies. You might ask a more senior associate (if you have an assigned mentor, or if there is someone you get along with) if the firm has a policy about first years’ hours. Also see, if you have exhausted all the avenues for asking about billable work, if there are any pro bono projects you could take on, or nonbillable department stuff, etc.

      If you are at a small firm, though, there are no rules – some firms are very strict on hours and some are really loose. Just depends on the firm.

    2. Thanks for the advice! I guess I should add that I work at a relatively small firm, and our billable year JUST started (Dec. 1), so I guess I’m just wondering whether I should really be panicking yet since the other young associates seem to just accept that December is really slow.

      1. Don’t panic. At my current firm things pick up in the spring and the associates almost always catch up on any hours they may be missing. While it would be nice to have steady billable weeks all year long, that never seems to happen in BigLaw. I sometimes struggle to bill 10 hours a week and then when a large transaction comes along I bill 60 for weeks and weeks.

      2. don’t panic now. Put in the effort to get work but enjoy what may be your only slow December (depending on practice group). This is said as a senior associate at a firm with a Dec 31 year end who dreams of one year (just one!) having a slow December.

    3. Please try not to panic. My hours have ranged from 150-ish to 250-ish per month and I hit 2,300. It may help you to do the math, i.e., if my goal is 1,950 hours then I need about 160 hours a month. However, if I don’t bill at all one month, I still only need 177 hours in the other 11 months.

      1. Wow. This made me feel a lot better. Thanks! My minimum is 1900, and looking at it like that, well, it doesn’t seem so bad.

    4. Thanks everyone! I feel a lot better already. *deep breath*

      Corporette to the rescue again! :-)

  14. Threadjack:

    Yesterday I bought a gorgeous red pashmina. I wore it with a white shirt and now the shirt is red. I’m not too worried about the shirt in particular since I was planning to retire it soon anyway, but how can I prevent this from happening to other white shirts? And can I wash the pashmina in a machine or must I handwash it? (it has silk in it)

    Thanks in advance!

    1. I wash mine in a garment bag with woolite on delicate. Make sure you lay flat to dry (and iron). Washing will likely make it softer which is a nice benefit!

    2. You may have to wash it multiple times to get all of the excess dye out, and even then, I would be nervous about wearing it with something white that you actually cared about. And yes, because of the silk, I would hand wash only. If it were me, I would just return it and find a different red pashmina. I know you said it’s gorgeous, but it sounds like this is just a solid red pashmina, and that’s not something that is particularly difficult to find, especially at this time of year.

    3. i handwash mine with woolite, but I bet if you have a washer with a good delicate setting, it would be ok in one of those lingerie bags.

    4. I have a red pashmina that still bleeds red after hand-washing it three or four times. Red dye is supposedly the worst for bleeding. If you wash it in the machine with cold water on gentle, it shouldn’t hurt the shawl, but be careful about putting anything other than red items in with it.

  15. Hello ladies, sorry for the threadjack. Do you think it is at all possible to find a black dress that is appropriate for a work office party AND a rehearsal dinner the day before New Years Eve? One option I’ve been considering is this dress:
    http://canvas.landsend.com/pp/PleatedDress~216075_-1.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::BLA&cm_mmc=Affiliate-_-DEEPLINK-_-TXT-_-xxxx&af_id=linkshare
    But I would also appreciate any additional suggestionis. I’m pear shaped with a tiny waist, so I love dresses that accentuate the waist and float away from the hips (or are at least not too clingy). Can anyone help a lady out?
    p.s. my office is very casual, but half the women wear dresses to the party (the other half wear nice pants and a blouse or equivalent). I’m in the dress wearing half!

    1. At the suggestion of my mother in law, I got my office party dress and a dress for a conservative wedding at Dress Barn. They have a lot of high neck line, nipped waist but otherwise not too tight dresses. I ran into one the other day and saw lots of fun holiday dresses. I bet you could find one there.

    2. The first place I thought to check was White House Black Market. After a quick search there, I came up with these options that I think fit your criteria. I’m sure you can find other options elsewhere, but just to give you some ideas…

      http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=59&pageId=1&productId=570010208&viewAll=&prd=Illusion+Tank+Dress&subCatId=&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=13&catId=cat210002&cat=Dresses++Skirts&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=4&size=

      http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=59&pageId=2&productId=570007051&viewAll=&prd=Strapless+Ruched+SatinRose+Dress&subCatId=&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=5&catId=cat210002&cat=Dresses++Skirts&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=4&size=

      Personally, I’d probably wear a red cardigan (preferably with the rhinestone buttons that Ann Taylor and others have carried in the past) for the office party, and then chunky gold tone jewelry for NYE rehearsal dinner.

      1. Ooh, I LOVE that first WHBM dress. Love it. I think that is exactly what I was looking for. I hope it fits me well!

      2. p.s. thanks for the styling suggestions as well. I also love to envision the styling of clothing as well!

        1. Oh, good! I’m glad I could help. I love missions to find things like this for my family and friends. :)

      1. BB is gorgeous. Screams “expensive & high quality* from the color, fabric, and drape. <3

    3. I love the dress you picked at Lands End, and I think it would be great for both occasions. :)

      And I may even order it myself…

    4. I love this one from Target. http://bit.ly/fDnpnl There is also a herringbone and purple. I have the black and would not hesitate to wear a pair of plain black pumps for work and then change into say a pair of leopard booties to go out in the evening. Plus it’s only $30.

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