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We really like this black and white combo suit from Semantiks, available at Nordstrom. The piping on the jacket is interesting without being distracting, and the cut of the suit is feminine without being frou-frou. The Semantiks Mélange Jacket is $138, and the Semantiks ‘Moonlit’ Mélange Trousers are $88. There’s a coordinating Semantiks ‘Moonlit’ Mélange Pencil Skirt, also, priced at $68.
Workwear sales of note for 12.1.23
Our favorites are in bold!
- Nordstrom – Limited-Time Sale of 11,000+ items; up to 25% off select women’s coats & jackets (ends 12/6); Nike up to 25% off (ends 12/2); markdowns include big deals on UGG, Natori, Marc Fisher LTD, Vionic and more!
- Ann Taylor – Up to 40% off full-price styles; extra 40% off all sale styles
- Banana Republic – Up to 40% off sale styles
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything; extra 25% off $125+
- ba&sh – Up to 50% off fall/winter styles
- Bergdorf Goodman – Designer Sale: Up to 40% off; free same-day delivery for a limited time
- Club Monaco – 25% off almost everything
- Express – 40% off everything
- J.Crew – 50% off women’s styles; extra 30% off sale styles
- Loft – 40% off full-price styles; 60% off 2+ sale styles or 50% off 1
- Lo & Sons – Up to 70% off; spend $100, get an extra 10% off wallets — reader favorites include this laptop tote, this backpack, and this crossbody
- Summersalt – 30% off everything; up to 60% off select styles (this reader-favorite sweater blazer is down to $75)
- Talbots – 30% off entire purchase, including all markdowns — readers love this cashmere boatneck and this cashmere cardigan, as well as their sweater blazers in general
- Theory – Cold weather essentials up to 40% off
- Theory Outlet – Last-chance styles 70-80% off; up to 70% off coats; up to 60% off cashmere; extra 20% off 2 items and extra 25% off 3+ items; readers love this T-shirt
- Universal Standard – Up to 81% off; jeans start at $35
Kid- and Family-Related Sales
- BabyJogger – 25% off 3 items with code
- Crate & Kids – Toy & gift event: up to 50% off everything; save 10% off full price items
- J.Crew Crewcuts – 50% off everything; extra 30% off sale styles
- Ergobaby – 40% off Omni Breeze Carrier, 25% off Evolve 3-in-1 bouncer, $100 off Metro+ Strollers
- Graco – Up to 30% off car seats
- Strolleria – 25% off Wonderfold wagons, and additional deals on dadada, Cybex, and Peg Perego
- Walmart – Savings on Maxi-Cosi car seats, adventure wagons, rocker recliners, security cameras and more!
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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.