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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 91 Comments · by

Splurge Monday’s TPS Report: Vionnet Wool-crepe dress

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. Vionnet Wool-crepe dressApparently, this morning I am channeling Rachel Zoe, because upon seeing this dress my first response was: “I'm dying!” LOVE the gray and black monochrome look, love the not-quite-a-grid grid, love the silk trim, and love that it's otherwise wool-crepe. Gorgeous. Hang on to your hats, ladies: it's $2,875 at Net-a-Porter.com. Vionnet Wool-crepe dress Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line. (L-0)

Sales of note for 9.30.24

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

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Comments

  1. Sharon

    Gorgeous with the right styling — “meh” with the wrong styling. For some reason I start thinking Anthropologie when I see this and I don’t know why.

  2. E2

    I’m kind of liking the print, but the “sleeves” (and the whole upper area) look off to me somehow.

    Hijack (sorry so early in the thread):

    I’ve been talking to a recruiter who contacted me on Friday morning telling me a certain firm was interested in meeting with me and asking for my availability. I responded Friday afternoon with dates, but I misspelled his name (think Brian instead of Bryan, but a different name – and we had discussed his spelling the prior day when he gave me his e-mail address over the phone). I just noticed the error now. Do I write back now apologizing? Do I wait until he contacts me again and write back at that points with something like “yes, Wednesday still works well. By the way, I apologize for spelling your name incorrectly in my last message.” Thoughts?

    • E

      I’d say you’re OK leaving it til the next exchange – as a recruiter he must deal with tons of e-mails and be very used to this sort of thing. Plus, even when we’re fully aware of something being the wrong spelling our typing fingers can run away with themselves.

      I speak as somebody who has a name that nobody can spell. It’s common in literature but doesn’t have intuitive spelling. It would be kind of annoying to receive an e-mail when I’d already told somebody the spelling, but wouldn’t really diminish goodwill.

      Back on topic: I adore the dress! The not-quite-grid pattern, as Kat describes it, is perfect for updating a classic.

    • myohmy

      Meh. TBH with a commonly misspelled name, it happens to me all the time and I barely notice it, and don’t usually correct people. If he does correct you outwardly (I usually just make sure I don’t forget to sign off with my correctly spelled name on my emails, but if he were to say something like, ‘Actually, it’s spelled Bryan’) I’d apologize, but otherwise, just make sure to spell his name correctly in further communication but no need to draw attention to it.

    • jcb

      Are you talking about your email to the recruiter or to the firm? If to the recruiter, I really wouldn’t worry about it. I doubt he cares.

    • Anon, a mouse!

      I’d wait, but make sure you spell his name correctly from now on. I have an easily misspelled name and when I’ve told someone how to spell it but they consistently spell it wrong, I assume they’re just a jerk who can’t be bothered. If it happens once or twice, I assume they were just typing fast.

    • E2

      Thanks for the advice, all! I waited until my next natural message to him and briefly apologized.

      I know recruiters aren’t the person you really need to impress, but I liked the sound of a few of the positions this guy is working to fill so I really want to make sure he does what he can to get me in the door for interviews.

  3. Lynette

    Very nice. I also like the Vionnet wool & cashmere coat and the cardigan.

  5. AIMS

    Not sure if this is a computer issue & would not be a problem in person, but the white trim looks like a slip peaking out to me.
    I do love the pattern, though. Just wouldn’t want to have someone at work getting the slip impression the way I did from the pic!

    • Shayna

      I had the same thought! Wish they had left that off… Price/wool fabric aside, it’s a beautiful print and I like the sleeves, just not a fan of the white strip

    • AN

      Yes, the white spoils it for me. Cannot afford it but it’s a great office dress.

  6. Moira

    I agree with E2 that the top looks off. It seems kind of sloppy in that regard, and I would bet that it doesn’t looks great on women with larger busts/broader shoulders for that reason. Too boxy, maybe?

    I am one of those women, and I have found that, annoyingly, Shoshanna dresses often suffer that same flaw. You would think that a designer who makes tops that fit larger-chested women would make tops that flatter them, as well, but I’ve found the work to be sub par on most of the occasions that I’ve ordered her clothing. I think this is because of how the fabric resolves at the shoulders, more than anything.

  7. L

    I really like the styling with the cardigan. The sleeves do look “off” in the pic but I think it is the hand on hip that is throwing things off, plus she is sticking one hip out so it looks a little odd.

  8. Clerky

    It’s ok, but I too don’t like the white hem at the bottom, it does look like slip that is peeking out.

    Thread hijack about the Nordstrom anniversary sale — I had family in town this weekend and thus could not make it the Nordstrom store this weekend. I did, however, buy a bunch of clothes online. Are the offerings in the store different from online? Is it still worth it for me to check out the store? I suspect that a lot of the inventory is gone by now…. :(

    • dr

      There are different things in store and on line. For example, I found (and bought) a CE black suit in store – stunning, but not on line at all. Still worth looking at the store – even if you are looking at leftovers on sales racks. IMO.

      • Clerky

        dr — I think I may have bought the same CE black suit! :) I bought it during the presale and I don’t see it online either. Was it a black wool suit and the jacket had a little bit of ruching?

        Thanks everyone for the feedback. I’ll try going to the store today or tomorrow.

        • dr

          Clerky – “my” suit has double lapels *underneath each other) and the skirt is what sold me. It has the look of a belt with a nice buckle, but the “belt” is actually sewn to the waistband, so the zipper goes through it. Nice hand of fabric and a bit shimmery it seems. Hope you love yours as much as mine…and that you find more in store. Enjoy.

          • dr

            Clerky – just got home and checked my sales slip…the suit is referred to as “shadow speckles” and does not come up in the search box on nordie’s website ;) just in case you want to follow other folks’ suggestions and ask for something in particular.

    • dee

      The store offerings are different – there are some things that are only offered online, and some things that are only in the store. Also, some things sold out in your size online may be available in the store. I think it’s worth it, there was a lot of stock and I would anticipate a lot of returns (I returned half the stuff I pre-sold – wrong sizes, didn’t end up fitting right).

    • MelD

      It’s worth it. I got the sweater featured on Friday’s TPS report and saw a lot of colors that weren’t available online even at the beginning of the sale. My store was actually putting out a fresh stock of sweaters as I was shopping Saturday morning. Unlike the other sales that are getting rid of last season’s merchandise, this sale is meant more as an introduction of the new fall styles.

  9. A.M.

    I agree, the sleeves look a bit weird, and the white could look like a slip gaff but the pattern is gorgeous. It strikes me that it would camouflage any bits or bumps that are less than flattering.
    And now for the hijack:
    I tend to get pit sweat, a lot. I am a sweaty person, and am constantly finding myself passing up on super cute tops/dresses or doing the pit squeeze all day to avoid baring my wet marks.
    Anyone ever try Sweat Guards? It makes sense to me, but I’d worry that they were obvious under fabric, didn’t work that well, fell out, etc. Advice would be great.
    Also has anyone found a particular fabric/designer/trick that avoids sweat marks? Even in a well ACed office when I’m cool I have this issue.
    Thanks!

    • L

      Have you tried Certain Dri? I found that it was v effective for avoiding sweat if used over time (and not just after shaving!). I have also heard good things about botox for excessive sweat. Haven’t used dress shields in a really long time tough, sorry.

      • Anon

        CertainDri works pretty well, it has definitely helped me, but it won’t stop you from sweating entirely, so I will definitely still have days where I get the dreaded sweat patches. But I do recommend it. I use it every night before bed (it definitely doesn’t provide 72 hour protection, lol), and I don’t use it if I’ve shaved within the last 4 to 6 hours, because it stings like mad (it sometimes stings even if I haven’t shaved, but if I’ve shaved it is WAY worse).

        • E

          Sounds exactly like Anhydrol, something in Ireland my doctor recommended. Seconded about not shaving! The sting was so intense I couldn’t get to sleep until I’d got up and scrubbed it all off – but then I didn’t sweat for two days or so. Absolute magic.

    • anon

      Ask your dr. There’s prescription stuff you can use — I did for a year or so, and have never had that problem since. Can’t believe I waited so long.

    • spacegeek

      I really like garment guards. I have them in many of my jackets so that I can wear sleeveless shells underneath and not feel as though I have to dry clean as often. Also good for sweaters and blouses. I don’t wear as many blouses these days, and if the fabric is really thin they aren’t great. But still they do a good job for a variety of clothing, and they are not expensive. Search on garment guards.

      • B

        What are sweat guards/garment guards, exactly? Are they thick? Do they stick on to the jacket? Do they harm the jacket in any way? Are they reusable? I have heard about them here and there on this forum and I think I need them. I end up wearing t-shirts under my sleeveless shells to avoid sweating on my suit jackets, but then I can’t take the jacket off all day.

        I don’t sweat profusely, but I do sweat more than I would like. I am absolutely against anti-perspirant, though, for health reasons and because it never seemed to stop me from sweating any more than plain deoderant, so products like CertainDri are out for me.

    • Anon, a mouse!

      If you switch to a clinical-strength deodorant, make sure it doesn’t discolor your shirts. I’d recommend trying it out on the weekend with shirts you don’t care about. Every deodorant will work differently with the Ph balance of each person’s sweat, but I find that clear deodorants tend to turn my shirts brown.

      • AIMS

        PSA — I just saw an ad I am actually rather psyched about, though I have to admit I haven’t used Lady Speed Stick in years (mostly because they now seem to be made exclusively in strange teen-targetting scents like ‘super sparkly pear’ or ‘vanilla apricot’) . . . anyway, they came out w/a new deodorant that supposedly is much less likely to turn the armpits on your white shirts yellow. I forget what’s its called but the packaging makes pretty clear what it is.

        I hope it works! This is one of my biggest pet peeves & the reason I loathe to spend more that $15 on a white top. If anyone has tried it, please share your experience.

        • CC

          Omg. If this actually works, then you have just changed my life. I don’t even buy white shirts anymore because I got so sick of the pits turning yellow. I’m gonna check this out.

        • TAH

          I’ve actually been using this Lady Speed Stick for about 6 weeks now. I haven’t noticed any yellowing on my white or light-colored shirts, so I think it just may work! FYI…it comes in “normal” scents…I think mine is powder scented.

          • MelD

            Thanks for the info. I must be immature because I hate the “normal” scents. They tend to give me a headache, so I prefer ones that at least attempt to smell like something I’d find in nature.

    • SJ

      I had terrible sweating problems until I started using Drysol (I think there’s a generic by a different name that’s cheaper). It’s prescription only in the U.S., but way more effective than CertainDri if that doesn’t work for you. It is really the most freeing feeling in the world not to have to worry about it anymore – now if only it worked on my feet!

      • rising 3L

        I use it too! Although I really only had to use it for about a year and now I never really have to use it anymore! I touch up here and there every six months or so but I sort of feel like this taught by body that it didn’t need to sweat in freezing cold offices too! I still sweat if I workout but all of the inappropriate sweating is gone! soooo freeing!

      • A.M.

        This sounds great! Will definitely check it out. I’m not in an area where I have a regular doctor until September, but I will be visiting my hometown early August.
        Thanks, to everyone!
        P.S. I tried clinical strength OTC… Nothing. I was applying it before I went to bed every night for ages and I didn’t notice a difference. I did get a bacterial infection for my troubles, though. (looked like razor burn but was actually my sweat glands being clogged by the deo, I had to get a prescription anti-bac and stop wearing deo for a week to clear it). Hope that doesn’t mean stuff like Drysol or CertainDri will have the same result.

      • ULL

        I just started Drysol a few months ago (mine’s the generic–I think it’s called Hypercare). It’s really helped with sweating, but just be aware that it’s not a deodorant and you can get lulled into a false sense of B.O. security because you aren’t sweating, if that makes sense. I.e., I thought if I wasn’t sweating, the odor would go away too and I didn’t need to do all the annoying things to avoid those problems. It didn’t go away, and I still needed to do crazy things like never let my arms touch my side so they can “breathe.”

    • BigLaw Refugee

      I tried some dress shields that were supposed to stay on with sticky stuff, and some other ones that had elastic to go over the arms and tiny safety pins. The first fell out and the second were uncomfortable.

      I like the idea of using them with suits, though – you could just get some of the ones that are intended to be pinned, and sew it into the lining of the jacket. Periodically take them out, wash them and stitch back in. The concept of shields that you put in for each wearing just hasn’t worked for me, though.

      I also really like Certain Dri, but my sweaters and dresses do still get smelly over time, and dry-cleaning doesn’t get the smell out. I’d love to have a good sweat guard type thing to prolong their life.

  10. A

    Re: Anniversary Sale — There is more in the store, but I thought they got most of the stand out pieces on line. For example, there was an amazing draped zig zag patterned cardigan that was available in stores and on line, but some basics, e.g., cute t shirts, nice bras, etc., that seemed to be in store only. Depends on what you need. My guess is that they still have a lot of basics in stock.

  12. 75

    Oh, no, never, never. I love Op Art, but not necessarily on the body. Where would you wear it – and what would you be saying about yourself by wearing it? What is the hairdo and makeup that goes with this? It’s a radical look which is out of place in most parts of the U.S. I think it is a great look for trendy restaurants in Providence, RI….if Providence can afford it! We do not dress that way in NYC or in San Francisco.

    • Makeup Junkie

      Radical? It’s kind of boxy and probably looks good on tall, willowy-figured women, but it wouldn’t look out of place in SF (I don’t live in NYC so I couldn’t say).
      I think a woman would wear an updo, a slash of red lipstick, a thin swipe of gray eyeliner, and some peeptoe pumps. I’d skip the black hose the model is wearing. This could be worn to work.

    • Shayna

      I didn’t find this radical, and I’m in a fairly affluent but conservative North East suburban area… if it was a flourescent color or featured a deep v in the front, back, or both – or a high slit that’s where it would be too “radical” for my area… and it’s black and grey! Though the white strip as mentioned above is a definite penalty item, without it, and without a much lower price point, it would be fine in my area

      • Shayna

        Oops, typo — I meant, with the grey and black coloring, and without the white strip and high price, it would be great — and the price may not be an issue for some, though it is for me.

    • E

      I’m quite floored by this reaction. It’s a traditional shape (assuming that near-sleeveless is OK for the situation), as traditional as a dress can get in colouring, and has a simple, if arresting, pattern.

    • nonA

      I think you would have to have the right “magic proportions” up top for it to fit well, but assuming you do (or can tailor the dress to make it so), I don’t see anything “radical” about this dress … I certainly don’t think anyone wearing it would be saying anything about themselves other than that they can afford a $3,000 dress.

    • Lynette

      75, I realize that you have your own personal level of taste/style, but I don’t think that you can make such sweeping generalizations for all working women across the US–or in the world for that matter.

    • MelD

      How is this radical? If it were fluorescent pink and orange, possibly, but there is nothing unusual about the style, colors, or pattern on the dress. It isn’t anything near what I would consider to be trendy. I think it would work in almost any workplace under a blazer/cardigan and would probably be a bit too boring for a night out in the town.

      • CFM

        75 also thought the floral jcrew skirt was completely inappropriate for georgia o’keefe reasons

  13. Jill

    Ugh. Sorry, C, normally I love your splurge picks. But this one isn’t doing it for me. Looks like a home ec project gone wrong.

  15. Anon, a mouse!

    I love this, but can’t imagine how I’d style it for work. I would, however, love to style it with knee-high boots and maybe an electric purple belt for a party. The party I throw to celebrate winning the lottery, perhaps.

    • nonA

      I think with a black cardigan, sheer hose and black heels, it could work for a casual Friday or in a business-casual but trendy office.

      • Anon, a mouse!

        I just don’t think a cardigan would work well with the neckline, which is my favorite part of the dress.

  16. Small one

    I have lost about 8 pounds over the last year since I got off the pill. I’m happy with the weight loss but the downside is that my b*st size has gone down as well. Several wrap dresses and tops that I once wore no longer fit because the b*st area is so baggy. I’m now down to barely a 32B.

    Any recommendations for those of you ladies on the smaller side? I’m looking for info on very padded bras (I love my VS one but would like info on other brands as well) and maybe even those gel inserts that Trinny & Suzannah talk about in their book. Thanks!

    • Sadie

      I was a 32A – small enough that a lot of VS lines didn’t come in my size! I thought Calvin Klein bras were great for push-up bras. I also had a couple of Wacoal bras that I liked – not so much for the push-up but they were really comfortable.

      I suggest going to somewhere like Nordstrom, where a salesperson will give you a lot of suggestions, or going to a small boutique where the bras might be more expensive but you’ll definitely get one or two that fit and look great. Once you find some brands you like (and which make quality bras in the smaller sizes) it’s much easier to find new bras. Good luck!

      • JM

        I second the suggestion for Calvin Klein bras. You can also try “petite bras” (The Little Bra Company comes to mind – not affiliated with the company at all). I’ve never tried gel inserts but I would imagine that they would move around and be uncomfortable. I would also probably be paranoid that they’d fall out.

    • Anon

      I realize this won’t be at all helpful to you if the real issue is missing the larger/fuller bust size, but why not getting the bust taken in on your dresses/tops? Depending on how many you have, it might be more economical than new bras (and less chance you’ll bring the wrong bra for the dress when packing for vacation, taking work clothes to the gym for post-workout, etc).

    • Kaye

      I’d just get new bras if I were you. When I had a B cup I definitely appreciated the padding, and bras with padding built in work a lot better than loose gel inserts.

    • Small one

      Thanks for the feedback. I tried Nordstrom and I really liked their personal service, but they really did not have many padded bras and certainly nothing as padded as VS.

      I would rather not tailor my dresses at this point, but it’s something to consider long term

      • Kaye

        I think the recommendations of “go to Nordstrom, get professionally fitted” are great for larger-chested women who need more support. But for people like us (I’m somewhere between B and C – closer to C now due to weight gain), I think VS is better – agree that it’s hard to find good padded bras in department stores.
        And the size options are just not that many – try on a smaller band with a larger cup size just to be sure, but really there are not that many variations that could possibly fit us, so the professional fitting part seems less important.

      • Anon

        I don’t think ANY brands are as padded as VS. I’ve tried Calvin Klein, Wacoal and many others at Macys and Nordstroms and I was completely underwhelmed. I buy basic bras from gap, and stick to VS for the “enhancements”.

    • Small one

      Ha ha, no. But I wrote it like that because I wanted to make sure that my message wouldn’t get stuck in the “moderation” mode because of that word.

  19. Fresh

    Above my pay grade, but just gorgeous. Although I’d get my tailor to take that sad little white strip off it. Apart from my not liking the way it looks, it would get tatty very quickly.

  20. surrounded by lawyers

    Total non-sequitur: last night I wasted 2 hours and $22 on a Rembrandt teeth-whitening kit. I had tried some strips from Crest before that, also with zero results. Has anybody found a whitening system that actually works, short of getting it done professionally? If so, what was it and where did you get it?

    (FWIW I don’t have that extreme a teeth-staining lifestyle here–one shot of espresso daily, and that’s not going to change! I do prefer white wine over red. Yet still my travails.)

    • jcb

      I realize that this isn’t a drugstore solution, but the dentist can make you reusable whitening trays for fairly cheap – I don’t remember how much I paid exactly (it was a while back), but I know it was much less than the laser whitening treatment (zoom? something like that?) which does seem to last longer but is far more intense (made my teeth ache for days).

    • Anon, a mouse!

      I found that using a whitening toothpaste every day is much more effective over the long term than those strips. I tried Crest White Strips and they worked ok, but I’ve been using a whitening toothpaste for a couple years now and I can see a difference from old pictures to today. I don’t recommend a particular brand – I think I most often buy Colgate but I usually get whatever’s on sale.

      • M

        My aunt is a dentist, so I have no idea how much it costs, but she made me up some trays with professional grade whitening paste to use at home. After 5 days my teeth were ridic.

        Also, she said that for any whitening (even drug store types) to start right after you’ve had a good teeth cleaning, as that helps with effectiveness.

    • ULL

      I use “tres white” trays (picture an accent in “tres,” I don’t know how to type it!). I like them because I only have to do one top & bottom tray for an hour, and it lasts 6 months. I don’t think they’re very expensive either (I haven’t paid for mine, so I’m not sure). I have a family member in dentistry, so I can try all the different stuff. My teeth were too sensitive for the full-on professional trays with gel you squirt in yourself, but like someone mentioned, those are a little bit stronger option.

  21. 75

    My intended career was fashion design, but I ended up in law. So I atone by following all of the Paris, New York, and Italian collections on line season by season and then seeing how the less expensive designers quickly “bump them off”. (You can’t imagine how fast). Today’s dress is a bumpoff of a very extreme style that was shown a couple of weeks ago in Paris – can’t remember which designer – in which the top was even more squared off and the neckline was even higher and extended up over the lower face. because I have done a lot of dressmaking, I can infer the cut of the clothing item from the picture. Trust me, this dress is extreme.

    • Delta Sierra

      The term is “knock-offs”. Not that that undermines your credibility at all.

  22. Amy

    This dress is in the August Vogue on Deborah Roberts, in a feature about what different women wear to work (answer: stuff that I could never afford in a million years, but anyway). I have to say, in the magazine it looks great – they cinched it with a skinny hot-pink patent belt and Deborah is wearing some great shoes with it. I am the kind of person who would much rather take a trip to Hawaii with $3,000 rather than spend that same amount on a dress, but I think this could be a great work dress for those who like and can afford it. The print doesn’t look half as “op art” in the magazine as it does in the above photo.

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