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Updated: Dec 21, 2020 104 Comments · by

Suit of the Week: Ted Baker

Suit of the Week | ·

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12/25/21 Update: The Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale has started — see our sale roundups and reader favorites included in the sale! Also, sign up for our newsletter to stay on top of all the great sales!

The below content concerns the 2019 Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale.

For busy working women, the suit is often the easiest outfit to throw on in the morning. In general, this feature is not about interview suits for women, which should be as classic and basic as you get — instead, this feature is about the slightly different suit that is fashionable, yet professional.

I don’t know why, but I prefer a microdot to a polka dot pattern — one feels fresh and interesting while the other feels childlike or wholesome. Plus, there’s often a textural difference, like here where it’s a jacquard. So I’m happy to see that this lovely classic blazer from Ted Baker (part of the just-started Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale) is a microdot. The jacket is marked down to $209 from $350, and the pants (not pictured) are $94.

Looking for something similar in plus sizes, or for a more affordable price? I can’t quite find anything else in a microdot or pin dot, but this heathered navy blazer has a similar “still sedate but not your interview suit” vibe and comes in four size ranges, including petites and plus sizes.

Workwear sales of note for 12.4.23

Our favorites are in bold!

Kid- and Family-Related Sales

  • Crate&kids – Toy & gift event: up to 50% off everything; save 10% off full-price items
  • J.Crew Crewcuts – Up to 50% off holiday favorites; 30% off almost everything else
  • Ergobaby – Cyber Week deals still available!
  • Graco – Up to 30% off car seats, strollers, travel systems & home; 30% off Graco Premier
  • Walmart – Up to 25% off top baby gifts; big savings on Delta, Graco, VTech, Fisher-Price & more

Some of our latest posts here at Corporette…

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

About Kat

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

Comments

  1. Patricia Gardiner

    Can anyone recommend a specific okay-to-wake clock for babies? (8 month old)
    I tried on the moms’ site the other day and was in mod for 8 hours! Thanks!

    • anon.

      HATCH. Do not buy the cheap ones. I posted on that post or another one that I bought one of the cheaper versions and literally the lights randomly started changing in the middle of the night and we didn’t know for weeks why our kid’s sleep was messed up. Hatch is like $20-30 more but worth it to me.

      • anon

        I’m the Hatch poster – and agree with the below, not for infants. My kid didn’t really understand until 18 months or so and even better at 2.

    • berna

      I thought those were primarily for toddlers? What is an 8mth old going to care about a clock?

    • Inspired by Hermione

      I promise this isn’t judgy, I’m legitimately interested as someone without kids- are okay-to-wake clocks useful for infants? The ones my friends with kids have are clearly made for toddlers who understand colors and signals. Or is there something different for babies?

      • Patricia Gardiner

        I’ve seen them recommended even for babies on the moms’ site! Willing to try anything to get a little extra sleep… :)

      • Anon

        People on the moms page swear their kids can understand the ok to wake clock around this age, but I’m really skeptical. Maybe my kid is just not that smart, but I don’t think she would have understood this kind of thing until at least a year, probably closer to 18 months.

    • rosie

      We started before a year & just got what may be the cheap one (interchangeable green and purple faces). I think it worked for our kid fairly soon after we started. I mean, it’s not going to make a kid that wakes up at 5 all of a sudden sleep until 8, but I did think my kid understood the basic light on/off idea and we could push back in 5-min intervals to try to get a little more sleep for us, as well as a more consistent time that we were waking up.

  2. Tights weather

    72 degrees today in Paris, and I’m seeing more black pantyhose than bare legs. What is the state of leg covering in your city this May afternoon?

    • Inspired by Hermione

      Probably not. I haven’t spent much time outside today but most people aren’t, even if the weather is gross, after about April 15th. Lots of pants when it’s cold, though.

      • ...

        I saw one lady in black tights on my commute and was shocked! tights weather is over!

    • Anonymous

      It snowed so I’m wearing black tights. Usually the week before Victoria Day weekend in Canada (this past weekend) is my last week for black tights but this spring has been so miserable I’m extending that to June 1.

      • Never too many shoes...

        Sing it, Canadian sister. I like to go bare-legged from May 1 to October 1 but not this year.

    • Ms B

      Low 80s here and no hose in sight anywhere in my office building or surrounds. I have a judge-facilitated mediation tomorrow and do not plan to wear hose.

    • Anonome

      I wore gloves to work this morning. Bare legs are only for the very brave in my area.

    • Anon

      Bay Area. Even with unusual rains and storms this last week, black tights are nowhere to be seen.

    • Anon

      I’m in Canada. It’s still cold-ish here especially in the mornings, but I saw one girl in shorts on my way to work today!

      • NOLA

        It’s 80-something here, but I’m wearing pants because my office is so cold. The only day this week that I wore a dress, I wrapped a cashmere blend wrap around my legs like a blanket.

    • Anon

      Was it chilly in the morning? I’m not in Paris but the high is going to be 78 today in my city, but it was in the low 50s when I got dressed this morning. This is a weird in-between time of year when it’s really hard to dress for the weather. I ran the heat last night and am pretty sure I will need to run the AC this evening since it’s supposed to be even hotter tomorrow than it was today.

    • Ribena

      I’m in 40 denier black tights today and it was mid-teens in Celsius (no idea what that is in Fahrenheit, sorry). But this is Scotland where we wear black tights all year round.

      • Anon

        Mid-teens Celsius is still pretty cold – 15 C is about 60 F. Most people wear tights in that kind of weather, ime.

        • Ribena

          That same temperature feels widely different depending on sun and rain (and wind!) – I arrived at work on glorious sunshine this morning but walked home in torrential rain last night. Hence the tights!

    • Southern Anon

      It’s in the low to mid 90s every day this week … so nothing on legs anywhere. Gotta get some ventilation over here.

    • anon

      I haven’t seen anyone wearing tights since the temps hit high 70s in April. OTOH, there have been a lot of cool or rainy mornings in the last 2 weeks, so pretty much pants and heavy maxi skirts. In the PNW, very casual and accustomed to cool weather.

    • Formerly Lilly

      Mid-south SEUS – 90 ish and bare legs. I’ve even spotted some early seersucker and poplin suits.

    • Anonymous

      Nude hose, 60 and cloudy. About half and half between bare legs and some sort of hose around downtown. They’re a summer work staple for me due to air conditioning tyranny.

    • Anonymous

      67 in Los Angeles and windy enough to toss your hair/shirt around. Lots of pants and for the colder people, the light weight puffers over business clothes. We be weather wimps here.

    • waffles

      Canada. I’m transitioned to nude hose because I’m tired of black tights. But still wearing a scarf and gloves in the mornings :(

  3. Miss Kitty

    What should I wear to an Ariana Grande concert? My mind goes to club wear but I don’t go out to clubs (or even bars anymore) so I’m at a loss.

    • Inspired by Hermione

      I usually just wear skinny jeans (any wash or a color) and a flowy blouse or logo tee (especially if I’ve seen the artist before) with a light cardigan or utility jacket. You may not be able to take in a purse (or it will have to be small) so pockets could come in handy. I also wear comfy shoes because standing on concrete (in GA) or even just arena stairs is uncomfortable.

      • Anon

        +1 to the pockets – went to Beyonce last year and had to leave half my stuff in my car and just bring my keys, ID, and credit card in my pocket.

    • Ba-dum-ching

      Earplugs.

      (SORRY. HAD TO. It was a layup….) (Enjoy your concert, even if it is not my taste!)

      • Anon

        You joke but we should all wear earplugs to all concerts. So easy to get hearing damage. I promise you will still hear the music just fine with the foam earplugs in.

      • Anonome

        Not what you meant, but OP really should wear them since live music is definitely past the safety threshold (which is ~ 80 dB). I always take earplugs to concerts.

      • Anonymous

        Fourth’ed, and music will actually sound better with earplugs. There’s a brand called Eargasm on Amazon for 20-30 bucks, I brought a pair to BTS at the Rosebowl and they actually sounded more like the CD rather than oddly warped about part way in when my ears start dying.

        • Aggie

          +1 to this brand.

          They also help temper the screaming girls in the audience. The crowd volume after every song was deafening!

      • Anonymous

        You’re being a jerk (don’t yuck people’s yums; seriously who does that) but yeah, OP should wear earplugs!

    • NOLA

      I wore black faux leather leggings (well, they kind of look like waxed black jeans?), a long sequined tank, and a jean jacket to Ed Sheeran. Could work? Oh yeah, and it was in a football stadium, so all of the security rules apply (clear bag).

  4. Universal standard?

    I really want to support this company! but the past two orders have been a 100% return. I love the jumpsuits and overalls- too bad the crotch is always too long! Out of curiosity- what body type would that be? Im considered long waisted and even those jumpsuits were a good 3 inches too long.

    • Anon

      Ohh, I should give them a try then! (I’m only 5′ 1.5″ but pear shaped with a very long rise. I have to get one piece swimsuits in 4 Tall which always makes me laugh).

  5. anon a mouse

    Can anyone comment on the sizing/fit of Ted Baker, specifically dresses? Any brands it’s comparable to? I’m a 12-14 pear.

    • Anon

      Ted Baker runs so small! I’m about your size and honestly if I can get their clothes to even zip, its incredibly, uncomfortably tight.

      • anon a mouse

        Thanks, that’s what I was afraid of. There’s a beautiful dress I’d love to get for a wedding later this summer but sounds like I should be searching elsewhere.

    • Anonymous

      Counterpoint. I’m a 12 on top, 14 on bottom and I have a Ted Baker skirt (size 5) that I love, a sweater and a dress. I think I bought from Nordstrom so free shipping/returns. Try it!

      • Anon

        So sizes – 1-5 are supposed to correspond to XS, S,M,L,XL. If you’re a 12/14 and wearing size 5/XL, then the brand does run small because in US sizing convention XL is supposed to be a 16 or 16/18.

        XS 0-2
        S 4-6
        M 8-10
        L 12-14
        XL 16-18

        • Anon

          I think that may be true for some brands, but in the US straight sizing typically ends at a 14 or maybe a 16 if you’re lucky.

  6. Anon

    I know this has probably been discussed to death but…Any recs for a good quality work tote bag that can fit a 13″ laptop and a lunch & water bottle that isn’t a zillion dollars? I know Lo & Sons is really popular but they’re not available in Canada. I currently have a Tumi bag I love but it doesn’t fit the laptop. Or maybe I should just schlep a separate laptop bag instead of trying to fit everything in one bag?

  7. Anonymous

    I recently went off the pill (have been on for 15 years) and everything is great EXCEPT I am getting breakouts on my back for the first time ever. I’d like to try OTC things before going to a dermatologist, but my normal face wash doesn’t seem to be doing anything. Any suggestions?

    • Monday

      Origins spot corrector, which is with salycilic acid. Or if it’s not too silly to do a “mask” on these areas, their Clear Improvement mask.

    • Anon

      Benzoyl peroxide scrub, change your sheets regularly, always wear a clean shirt and clean pyjamas.

    • Anon

      If you condition your hair in the shower, flip your head over so that your hair is in the front. Apply conditioner and rise this way. Do this at the end of your shower so that you can put your hair towel on in the same position without ever getting conditioner on your back.

      • Anon

        Can’t you just rinse your back off at the end? Leaning forward in my tiny shower wouldn’t really be an option.

        • Anon

          Conditioner is formulated to stay on. That’s why rinsing your hair doesn’t completely remove the effects of the conditioner. If you want to wash conditioner off your back you need to use some sort of soap/surfactant and probably use manual scrubbing as well. Which is hard to do on your back.

      • Anon

        I wash my hair first thing in the shower, apply conditioner and use a hair band (kept in the shower) to put my hair up while do the rest of my shower needs. At the end, I rinse (used to do it head down but have quit out of laziness) with cool water. When I rinse head down, it leaves little chance for the conditioner to get on my back after I’ve soaped off my back.

        • Anon

          I also found the Nuetr*gena body acne wash to work well when I had the same issue. It also worked for my ex-bf when he bothered to use it.

    • Anonome

      I find that environmental changes are just as important as directly-applied products. Shampoo and condition with your head upside down (buy a shower wand if you don’t have one) so the product doesn’t run down your back. Wash bras often, always wear fresh pajamas, and change your pillowcase nightly.

    • EM84

      Paula’s choice BHA in a spray is perfect for this – first, wash your back with mild soap to remove dirt and oil, then spray dry skin with BHA. If needed, apply 20% azelaic acid in a cream or gel form. You should see improvement in a few days.

    • JTM

      Benzoyl peroxide wash (I like Acne Free) and if you use a loofah, switch to a washcloth that you switch out more regularly.

  8. anon

    Up for some afternoon shopping help? What would you wear to an alumni awards reception? The reception is in southern California in late June, ( i am just attending, not getting an award). The hard part is that my friend group is going to dinner and hit up the bar scene afterwards, so I need something that can transition easily.

  9. thehungryaccountant

    To those interested in the Nike Maternity leave discussion from last week:

    Allyson Felix, a six-time Olympic gold medalist, came forward about her own negotiation struggles with Nike.
    “I asked Nike to contractually guarantee that I wouldn’t be punished if I didn’t perform at my best in the months surrounding childbirth. I wanted to set a new standard. If I, one of Nike’s most widely marketed athletes, couldn’t secure these protections, who could?
    Nike declined.”

    Link to follow.

    • Anonymous

      I guess I don’t see the outrage. Maybe I don’t understand why professional athletes are sponsored?

      Like in golf or tennis, your $ is prize $ if you win or place. Maybe there are sponsorships on top of that? But they are sponsoring people based on performance.

      Maybe the thing is that sports people (and other pay-for-performance people like real estate agents and Uber drivers) need disability insurance to cover short-term loss of income from maternity leave? But it’s not like a sponsorship is a salaried position like working for a bank or an accounting firm or teaching. Maybe they need something as an industry they could pay into to secure payments for maternity leave?

      But I don’t see why the sponsor is the bad guy. The athlete isn’t their employee. Sponsors seem to treat employees just fine. I guess I see sponsorships as extra prize money to the athletes. Or this is why most athletes (and artists and others who have a passion that won’t keep a roof over their heads) are amateurs who have jobs.

      • Law mama

        In track and field, the prize money is nowhere near sufficient to cover the necessary Salas th of a professional athlete – paying trainers, coaches, travel, etc. That’s how you live. The particular problem here is that the lack of contractual protection mean s you will be dropped if you don’t return to the same elite levels extremely quickly – which forces moms to return to life as elite athletes way sooner than is safe or we as a society should be okay with. (the original op-Ed has a few examples). Nike can afford to give the few elite women athletes who have kids six months off, and it should.

    • Anonymous

      I only follow tennis and hockey, but as sports and don’t notice what the athletes wear (or care, frankly). When I shop, it’s for a 40-something desk worker with my unique needs.

      Could it be that sponsorships are a buyers market? Or if you got injured for any reason they might not renew after the current contract ended?

      Like I don’t think that bloggers have sponsorships that pay any other way than based on viewers or clicks or whatever. I don’t think that this blog’s sponsors would pay up or as well if the metrics fell for any reason (maternity leave, challenging main job, competition from other blogs, etc.).

      If the point is that sponsorships are pre-emptively cheapening up just b/c a person is pregnant or had a baby, maybe that’s different. Maybe they are missing an opportunity to trumpet support of mommy runners.

      Other big women’s sports like gymnastics or figure skating seem to max out when the athletes are just teens, so I imagine that those are wildly different.

    • Anonymous

      I’m just wondering — do obscure sports have sponsors?

      My local roller derby team has sponsors — I think it’s a brewery and a couple of other things. And my curling club has some sponsors. But they put ads in a place and sponsor the team, not individual athletes. It’s basically advertising.

      But for biathletes and swimmers, do they have sponsors? Are they part of a team? [Even if so, my guess is that the team can non-renew you pretty easily but maybe you are employee and could get workers comp if injured or short-term disability?]

  10. Anon

    I’m flying into Seattle in a Sunday for a Monday meeting and will have Sunday evening free. I’m planing to just roam around but am looking for restaurant recommendations. I’m staying at the Westin on 5th ave if that makes any difference.

    • anon a mouse

      Shiro’s Sushi! Seriously, some of the best I’ve ever had. If you’re solo you may be able to snag a seat at the bar.

    • Anon100

      Someone on this board recommended Stateside (a couple doors up from the Starbucks Roastery & Reserve), and I *LOVED* it!

    • Anonymous

      If you’re willing to spend a bit, Sushi Kashiba (Shiro’s new place). I also like the Pink Door by Pike Place Market. Tom Douglas restaurants are always a safe bet.

    • Inspired By Hermione

      Tom Douglas has a couple of restaurants near there, including Lola, Palace Kitchen, and Serious Pie (pizza). Not out of this world, but solidly good.

      You’re right in Am@zon Land, and there are a bunch of restaurants in that area because of it. But be aware the area is dead on the weekends without the tech bros around. That being said I went to Local Terry Ave last weekend and enjoyed it (but service sucked).

      El Gaucho is a fancy steakhouse nearby. Mama’s Cantina has cheap but good Mexican. Rocco’s has my favorite fancy pizza in Seattle (but Pagliacci’s for basic pizza!).

      If you end up downtown, Wild Ginger has great Asian food and I also liked Dragonfish the one time I went. Purple is a wine bar with good food. Maximilien is in the market and has awesome views. JarrBar is small plates but I like them a lot. Cafe Campagne has wonderful French breakfasts (I’ve only been at breakfast but imagine dinner is just as good).

      So many options!

      • Anon

        The one place I have been is El Gaucho! A totally memorable meal with a fun group of business associates. But I seem to recall it not being right downtown? (There was a lot of wine, I am hazy on this).

        Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

        • Inspired By Hermione

          It’s probably a ten or fifteen minute walk from the Westin. You’re right on the edge of downtown and Belltown and it’s centrally in Belltown.

          I know this isn’t what you were asking, but I would highly recommend timing dinner so that you can walk down to the sculpture park to watch sunset if it’s nice! One of my favorite places in Seattle.

    • The original Scarlett

      I always go to Oddfellows Café and/or Sitka & Spruce when in Seattle regardless of where I’m staying – they’re both worth a Lyft ride.

    • Hollis

      I hope you are still reading this thread, but I highly recommend Skillet Diner. Get the fried chicken sandwich or chicken and waffles. It is out of this world. If you want fancier food, the Hanoi seared tuna at Wild Ginger is so delicious!

  12. Anonymous

    Does anyone have a shower Bluetooth speaker you like for podcasts and stuff? Also: has anyone bought a clothes hamper that they love recently? The wire is poking out of my new one and wasn’t impressed the last time I ordered some hampers online.

    • Inspired By Hermione

      I don’t love my hamper but I’ve had it for over 5 years with no issues. It’s a Rubbermaid foldable one. Am@zon basics has one that looks similar.

    • Ellen

      I have a speaker, but it is NOT waterproof, so I leave the bathroom door OPEN when I shower and play my music on I-tunes from my iMac’s speakers which are great! I don’t have men hanging out over night lately, so I do not care if I walk around w/o clotheing in the apartement! YAY!!!

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