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Workwear sales of note for 1.27.23:
- Nordstrom – Dresses, sweaters, boots, and more, up to 60% off! (Kat’s note: I made a massive order a few days ago personally; lots of major markdowns with lucky sizes.)
- Ann Taylor – Extra 50% off all sale styles plus an extra 20% off; $30 off full-price pants, denim, and skirts
- Athleta – 20% off your purchase
- Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything plus extra 15% off $125+
- Bloomingdale’s – Take an extra 50% off all items labeled EXTRA 50% OFF for a total savings of 70-80% (big discounts on Kooples blouses (for work) and Hervé Léger dresses (for play))
- Brooks Brothers – End of season sale, up to 70% off
- Dermstore – Last chance sale (through 1/31) – take an EXTRA 10% off existing markdowns (including the ones 50% off) with code
- Everlane – Up to 70% off
- Hugo Boss – Final reductions: Up to 50% off
- J.Crew – Extra 60% off sale styles
- J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything; extra 60% off clearance
- J.McLaughlin – Extra 40% off sale
- Neiman Marcus – Up to 75% off
- Talbots – Semi-annual Red Door sale! Extra 50% off all markdowns
- Zappos – Winter Clearance! Check out these reader-favorite workwear brands on sale. (Ooh: and new hassle-free returns at select Whole Foods.)
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Sherry
I’m finishing up my graduate degree and just starting to learn more about proper corporate attire. Thank you so much for this incredibly educational blog!
I was wondering about suiting materials. My friends have advised me to avoid polyester and other synthetic materials, saying that they look “cheap”. Personally, I can’t tell the difference, but apparently the discerning eyes at prestigious companies *can* tell the difference. Yet, I notice that a lot of the suits you feature are made of viscose/ polyester/ etc, including the one above.
Can most peers and higher ups in Corporate America really tell the difference? And if so, how much does it matter to them?
NB
I definitely trend toward wool and away from synthetics for suits. When I was first starting out (four or five years ago), I had no problem with a suit from Ann Taylor that was made of synthetics, but over time I realized that they wear poorly and do look cheaper than suits made of natural fabrics. As you become more successful and make more money, I think it makes sense to invest in suits that don’t contain syntethics – plus you’ll get your mnoey’s worth, because you can keep and wear them much longer.
carissa
i find that synthetic blends don’t clean (as in dry cleaning) as well as natural fibers.
nordstrom has another private label – classique entier, that has a higher price point and nicer fabrication.
Karen
It’s true that synthetic fabrics often wear more quickly than wool. But for me, synthetics are the way to go because they are more comfortable, and I find that since my weight fluctuates and styles change, I don’t really want to keep a suit forever anyway. Many of my clothes are a wool/synthetic mix, which gives them a more flattering drape for my figure. Keep in mind that simple black clothes rarely look cheap; for other colors the quality of the fabric is more noticeable.
I think as a junior person, the color, fit and accessories you choose are much more important than whether your clothes are made of synthetics. If your office is business casual, check out the book “Casual Power” which talks about creating a professional image even if you don’t wear a suit.
R
Classiques Entier is definitely worth the investment. I have a suit from ’96 and still wear the jacket with jeans and receive compliments – it’s a fitted navy with a zipper and I love it. Bought another in ’99 and decided to retire it last year but I miss wearing it – gray, with hooks and eyes, but it’s time has passed. Also have suits by Talora that have lasted for years, and one was actually found on sale at Nordstrom.