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So: sweater vests are having a moment. I'm seeing a lot of oversized, slouchy sweater vests (example: this one from The Row) but there are also cropped, tighter sweater vests, which I think I prefer. I saw this one from Free People (pictured) styled with a billowy shirt (as well as the other color, styled just as a cropped sweater vest) and liked both ways of wearing the vest a lot. I think it's a more wearable way to wear the trend if you're worried the slouchy sweater vest will just make you look fantastically frumpy.
Sweater vests haven't been “in” in a loooong time — there was a brief trend for blazer vests (like a boyfriend blazer without sleeves) and we briefly discussed how to wear a suiting vest at the office in 2015. Readers, what are your thoughts on the new trend for sweater vests — can you wear them to the office? How will you style them? (Or, are you more excited to wear them for the weekend?)
I'll pull a few more styles into a widget below, mostly featuring styles from Anthro with a bit of Ann Taylor… Happy Friday!
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Here are some of the other sweater vests out there right now…
Sales of note for 9.19.24
- Nordstrom – Beauty deals through September, and cardmembers earn 3x the points (ends 9/22)
- Ann Taylor – Extra 30% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – 15% off new styles
- Eloquii – Extra 50% off sale
- J.Crew – 50% off select styles — and 9/19 only, 50% off the cashmere wrap
- J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything + 50% off sale with code
- Lo & Sons – Warehouse sale, up to 70% off
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Neiman Marcus – Friends & Family 25% off
- Rag & Bone – Friends & Family 25% off sitewide
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – Anniversary event, 25% off your entire purchase — Free shipping, no minimum, 9/19 only
- Target – Car-seat trade-in event through 9/28 — bring in an old car seat to get a 20% discount on other baby/toddler stuff.
- Tuckernuck – Friends & Family Sale – get 20%-30% off orders (ends 9/19).
- White House Black Market – 40% off select styles
Sales of note for 9.19.24
- Nordstrom – Beauty deals through September, and cardmembers earn 3x the points (ends 9/22)
- Ann Taylor – Extra 30% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – 15% off new styles
- Eloquii – Extra 50% off sale
- J.Crew – 50% off select styles — and 9/19 only, 50% off the cashmere wrap
- J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything + 50% off sale with code
- Lo & Sons – Warehouse sale, up to 70% off
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Neiman Marcus – Friends & Family 25% off
- Rag & Bone – Friends & Family 25% off sitewide
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – Anniversary event, 25% off your entire purchase — Free shipping, no minimum, 9/19 only
- Target – Car-seat trade-in event through 9/28 — bring in an old car seat to get a 20% discount on other baby/toddler stuff.
- Tuckernuck – Friends & Family Sale – get 20%-30% off orders (ends 9/19).
- White House Black Market – 40% off select styles
And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!
Some of our latest threadjacks include:
- What to say to friends and family who threaten to not vote?
- What boots do you expect to wear this fall and winter?
- What beauty treatments do you do on a regular basis to look polished?
- Can I skip the annual family event my workplace holds, even if I'm a manager?
- What small steps can I take today to get myself a little more “together” and not feel so frazzled all of the time?
- The oldest daughter is America's social safety net — change my mind…
- What have you lost your taste for as you've aged?
- Tell me about your favorite adventure travels…
eertmeert
Is there a link to the pictured vest that I missed? It’s cute.
My frame is too small and short waisted for the looser vests to ever work.
Cat
It’s the second link (Free People).
I just can’t bring myself to duplicate a trend I wore in the mid-90s but have used the shells from old cashmere twin sets as vests.
eertmeert
Thanks – that is so funny, I obviously need more coffee.
anon
I really don’t know if I can do sweater vests again. I got my fill of that in high school when experimenting with the preppy look, lol.
Horse Crazy
What’s your favorite bubbly for mimosas? $15/bottles or less, preferably.
Cat
Yummy bubbly is wasted on mimosas bc the OJ takes most of the subtle flavors out of it so… I go with whatever is on sale and extra brut. (I don’t like sugary!)
Anon
Costco brand prosecco
Anon
The France Ford Coppola option (maybe it’s called Sofia?) that comes wrapped in cellophane.
Anon
Yep, it’s Sofia, named for his daughter, who is also a director (Lost in Translation.)
Anon
Mionetto
Anon
Frexinet cava.
Anon
I think I would always drink this plain first!
Anon
Yea, I also like it plain. I only use a splash of OJ though, so I need something not terrible as my base! ;)
Anon
La Marca Prosecco
Honestly, just always have a bottle of this in the fridge. It’s cheap and reliable and sometimes you just need some bubbly. It goes on sale pretty regularly so I just pick up a few bottles when I see it.
emeralds
Peach Andre. Even my super-gourmet mother admits that it makes the best mimosas.
Anon
I’m going to seek this out. not OP but thanks!
emeralds
Enjoy! I get side-eye whenever I put it out for mimosas but people come away believers :) Credit to college-aged me for accidentally stumbling on a winner.
Anon
Those of you back to the office — how many pairs of work shoes do you have now? Are you still wearing heels? I’m done with heels I think, so I have one pair of flats and one pair of loafers and it feels weird after having 5-8 pairs of shoes in the office at a time. But the reason for that was at least partially because heels were so uncomfortable I couldn’t wear the same pair two days in a row….
Cat
I’m back only for occasional meetings but actually have been having fun breaking out all the heels again. I literally practiced walking at home before I did it, though, to make sure I still had my sense of balance!
(I have probably… 30 pairs of shoes in my office, a mix of heels and nice flats. Nothing like having a walking commute for 12 years to allow the collection to just gradually fill up a file drawer over time…)
Anon
I used to have a drawer full of shoes in my office (all pointy toe flats mostly in bright colors, I’ve never really been a heels person) but they all seem really outdated now and they were not in great shape anyway. I now have a pair of brown leather loafers in a pretty traditional style, a pair of red leather loafers that’s more sleek, and a pair of black ankle boots and that’s about it.
Anonymous
I want to wear heels (for sitting in a desk, the ideal time to wear them), but I am dressing so casually now that it would seem weird. Like Athleta pants (legit pants, no stretchy leggings or joggers) do not seem to merit heels. Can’t wait until it cools down enough for longer dresses and eventually for . . . BOOTS. It cannot be fall without boots.
Senior Attorney
I’m largely done with heels. I still have a good number of work shoes, though: Mostly loafers, one-inch block heels, and SNEAKERS (love them with skirts and dresses these days). And yes, there will be boots and booties when the weather cools off. I’ve never been into plain flats and I’m not inclined to start now. I also have a few pair of kitten-heel pumps.
anon
I mostly wear sandals to work in the summer, and many of my weekend sandals are office appropriate so I’m rotating through 3 pairs. I walk to work though, so I walk in Birkenstocks and change into cuter sandals when I get there.
In the summer, I wear the sandals. I have one pair of Rothys and one pair of knockoff Rothys I wear in the fall/spring (black and cheetah print), and then I wear Chelsea boots in the winter. I always commute in comfortable shoes – sneakers, boots, or comfy sandals.
I think I only own one pair of heels and have worn them to work once in four years (wore heels every day at my old job, I occasionally miss it).
Anon
I’m more starting to attend external meetings now than back in the office, but I’ve been doing so in flats. I think heels are permanently dead to me after the pandemic. Certainly high heels are. We will see how I feel about the low ones over time.
pugsnbourbon
Right now, just two – both flats. I’m looking to replace my oxfords (which will also be flat or have a ~1″ heel) and will need to replace my chelsea boots for fall.
No Face
Two pairs of loafers, one pair of Birkenstock sandals. I now consider Birkenstocks work shoes.
Anon
2020/21 has been a shoe revolution for me. My feet are so happy now. For work I switch off between Birkenstock Boston Clogs and Dansko clogs. I really only wear the Danskos with dresses, which I wear alot. I never wear the same shoes 2 days in a row. Context: attorney at pretty formal office
MagicUnicorn
Back full time since March. Two pair: one whiskey-colored loafer and one black. I also have two pair of leather ballet flats with floral cutouts and a pair of athleisure Nikes that come out once in a while. Definitely will not be going back to heels, nor to any of my otherwise uncomfortable or painful shoes ever again.
I am looking forward to bringing my knee high flat equestrian-style boots back out this winter, and am starting to browse for a flat bootie or some other more substantial but polished and comfortable style for this fall.
Blessed
I have 3 heels stashed in my office drawer: a pair of nude pumps, a pair of black pumps, and a pointy-toed leopard print Sam Edelman d’orsays pumps. I only wear them to meetings. Most of the time I’m in Sam Edelman ballet flats or loafers.
TO No-Longer-Junior
I just found out that a close relative of mine has been admitted to the hospital with low oxygen levels due to covid. He’s unvaccinated (by choice), and I’m just feeling all the feelings right now – worried for him and his family and also so mad at him for not getting vaccinated! Ugh.
Anon
I’m so sorry. I’m just waiting for it to happen with some of my relatives but also hating myself for even thinking it (I think I’m trying to prepare myself) so I can only imagine how you feel. Hugs.
Cornellian
Ugh, that’s awful. His poor family.
Anon
That must be so hard on you. I find stories like this especially disappointing since Ontario has
such high vaccination rates, and is sooo close to being done with covid.
Jules
My niece is late 30s, an elementary school teacher, with kids 16, 8 and 6. She and the teenager are vaccinated and I assumed her husband was, too. Nope, not vaccinated. He got sick – all the symptoms including loss of taste and smell but won’t get tested so, hey, no one can prove it’s COVID – and infected my niece and the two younger kids. They are quarantining; the oldest kid is staying with friends. My niece and the kids had been with my 82-y-o- mother (vaccinated) two different days just before they tested positive.
I always knew my niece’s husband was kind of a f-head, but now I know for sure; apparently he’s spouting conspiracy crap and refuses to get the vaccine because he doesn’t want to be tracked (dude, what about your iPhone?). My mother seems fine but is going to be tested. And the entire family is furious at this guy.
Sorry, just venting here …
Anon
I’m sorry. That is so incredibly frustrating. The people with covid who I treat in hospital now are all unvaccinated. Once under 12 can get vaccinated, then I think I can emotionally detach. Until that happens, I can help but be pi**ed
Monday
I wonder if the niece is considering leaving her husband after this. I think I would be. He’s literally risking their kids’ lives.
Jules
Honestly, I really hope so.
Another anon
This is where I am. Once my baby is safe, I will be done worrying about the nut jobs.
Liz
I work at s school. No masks required. I wear one anyway. This week was the first week of school. Staff and students can attend even if exposed. Yes- by Friday had teachers out positive, kids out sick or tested positive. Just feels like negligence.
Anonymous
Someone in my extended family went to a large indoor wedding and got COVID and other members of my family are like “I can’t believe it!!” Really, can’t believe it?
cHam
My old boss (an MD in an academic hospital) posted on FB all the usual about “if you are reading this it’s because I know and care about you” so if you don’t have your shots, get it. Or similar but I loved and have quoted his last line so much. “If you get sick (or even die) I will be sorry and sad for you and your family and friends. But I will not be surprised.”
Anonymous
Going anon for this one. There is a situation that happened in my extended family and it’s making me look at my own family and bringing me worries. I have a son (17) and my sister has 2 daughters (18 and 22).
My oldest niece is starting a T14 law school this year. She interned in DC for elected officials and has plans for a political future. My youngest niece graduated high school this year. The plan was for her to do undergrad in a science field and then to attend Stanford doing a dual JD/MD degree. She was due to start at Cornell this semester.
Last week she dropped the bomb that she wouldn’t be going to Cornell. She didn’t confirm to any of the schools she was accepted to. She told her parents she got a job as a utility worker for water out in Colorado. Unknown to everyone she quit her job as a tutor last year and had been working in a garage instead. She said college or school isn’t in the cards for her and utility workers don’t need education and it is a recession proof field so she chose that. Her job is government and unionized. She also said she’s talked to national guard recruiting about a job repairing generators.
This bomb was completely out of the blue. Everyone is shocked. I guess I’m thinking and worrying about my son. He says he wants to do the JD/MD program at Stanford and we are getting ready for undergrad applications next year. He has given no indication he changed his mind but my niece never did either. I don’t know if I’m projecting or I should be worried or what. Should I talk to him or just leave it alone. And what I can I do to help my sister? She’s still reeling a bit.
Cat
This sounds… a lot… like the “I come from a Biglaw dynasty and my sister joined the military” drama from the other week.
Anon
Agreed. Why does everyone in the family have to do a JD/MD program at Stanford? Not everyone needs to go to college, and no one needs to be both a doctor and a lawyer. Leave it alone and let your son pursue whatever future he wants.
Cool
All I have to say is that any high school rising senior that says they are GOING to do a joint JD/MD at Stanford, I have to wonder…what the heck are the parents doing to their children?
The arrogance in this is pretty unparalleled.
A mom
This is totally fake. I have a teenager and know a lot of tiger moms who think their kids are going to Stanford. Not one of them would say anything this ridiculous. There is also no way a teenager could conceal a job working in a garage from her parents. The dirty fingernails alone would be a dead giveaway. My 15-year-old can’t even hide the fact that she ate my chocolate. I don’t think auto garages even hire high school kids, except maybe in Grease.
The Lone Ranger
As a person who changed my major 3 times in college (40 + years ago) and ended up in a field that has nothing to do with at least 2 of those majors, and the mom of one very laser focus on course kid/adult and one kid/adult who took some twists and turns along the way, I’m really not sure why you wouldn’t discuss this with your son. I think it sounds like a tremendous amount of pressure on someone who hasn’t even started undergrad to know that he definitely wants to go to an extremely specific grad program that sounds like it was chosen by his family. As for your niece, I personally think her chosen new job sounds interesting … I do wonder how she hid working in a garage, my dh did that for years and the smell and chemicals that ended up on his clothing were a dead giveaway, plus dressing for tuturing vs garage work seems like it would be very different.
Srsly
Chill. It is ok to not go to college immediately. Support this you g adults choices.
Anon
Is this post a bad joke? How do you get accepted to an MD/JD program out of high school? You don’t because it doesn’t happen.
Anon
“The plan was for her to do undergrad in a science field and then to attend Stanford doing a dual JD/MD degree.”
So, that was everybody else’s plan and did anybody even bother consulting her? Your family sounds awful, I hope your children and your sister’s children end up happy and fulfilled despite the obvious obstacles they face in doing so.
Calrayo
I’ve had a few knitting patterns similar to the Row vest in my queue for awhile, perhaps now is the time to get started! They seem like a nice layer to add when the office is chilly but not cold enough for a full sweater.
Cb
Oh wow! 17 year old CB would have thought this was the height of sophistication. Does this mean argyle is going to come back in a big way because there was a Tommy Hilfiger argyle sweater vest that my wannabe prep self coveted, despite living in suburban California which was all low rise jeans, exposed thongs, and spaghetti straps.
Cornellian
In this morning’s thread someone brought up the idea of working as some sort of nurse’s aide in order to help alleviate the crush on the healthcare professions right now. Obviously that’s not currently an option, but I’ve been trying to think about concrete ways to help because I want to stop feeling stressed and hopeless about the whole situation.
This is what I’ve come up with for me:
-participating in a Covid booster vaccine study
-going from first aid and wilderness first aid certs through to an EMT certification, to at least help occasionally, and have a broader skill set.
Got anything to add?
Monday
Hospitals take volunteers. No expertise necessary, just call and offer to volunteer. We need people to do basic things like door screenings (“greeter”).
Anon
Volunteer at local vaccine clinics (county, state, city, etc. run). It takes a ton of people to even stand up a small one. I am kind of a nurse (still have my active RN license, but left nursing practice years ago). I have worked as many as I can. The majority of the people that can give vaccines are those who are involved in patient care, they are busy with COVID in their real jobs, so others need to pick up the slack. The clinics need medical and non-medical people to run them. For the clinics I have worked we have tons of medical people (retired RNs/MD/PharmDs and those like me who have left patient care), but very, very few non-medical one (in the beginning we had tons of volunteers when you reward was getting the vaccine, now no one is interested :( )
Anonymous
See if your town/city has a CERT program to become an emergency responder.
anon
Sign up for your local Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). In my area we weren’t using any off the street volunteers, but were accepting volunteers from MRC and other reputable sources. Likewise, if your area has a CERT team – sign up with them. MRC and CERT teams are usually activated directly by the local health department/emergency management office. If your area has a city office of volunteers (names will be different everywhere), sign up there as those volunteers are also usually used to fill gaps.
Anon
Yes – my mom did this. There were a few online classes she had to watch but nothing to onerous and then she was able to volunteer at vaccine clinics. She has no medical background and so did admin tasks, like checking people in. With boosters coming up and hopefully soon expanding vaccine authorization for little kids there will definitely be a need for volunteers.
MRC volunteer
I volunteer for the local MRC, and it’s.a good opportunity. Yes, there’s online training courses, but they also do on-the-spot training. I specialize in line flow, i.e. unskilled labor pointing/telling people where to go. It’s a tiny contribution, but it is needed. So far, I’ve done a mass testing event, working at a COVID shelter for vulnerable individuals, and many, many stints at the vaccination clinic.
Lindy
I am trying to get my lifeguard certification. In my area, it is a key outdoor activity but they are very short staffed this year to the point where pools have to close or have very reduced hours. I want people to be outdoors as it is one of the few good options for recreating and socializing. I won’t get it done this year, but will by next spring. I’ve done the swimming/treading water parts but not the “rescuing” part. The classes aren’t easy for working adults to do, but I’m sort of living out my teen dreams a bit late. Now, to get this vest and some Ocean Pacific shorts.
Cornellian
I assume this was a response to me. Cool! I need to learn how to swim, honestly. Maybe next year!
They’re super staffed for lifeguards here, too. I think it’s global.
Anon
I’d be careful about this. Where I am (Ontario) lifeguards, even off duty, are legally responsible for helping people. So most adult ex-lifeguards I know let their license expire because the liability of keeping it is too great.
Lindy
Happily somewhere where this doesn’t matter.
anon
I really wanted to pickup lifeguarding as a side job this summer, since our pools were so short staffed. However, I am a county employee in my day job, and you’re only allowed to have 1 county job at a time (this is also why I can’t work at the polls on Election Day). Major bummer!
Anon
That sucks! I volunteer as an election official. I am eligible to be paid but I don’t need the money. I use vacation time so I am getting paid anyway. Can you do it as a volunteer? They might also temporarily reappoint you or something.
Anonymous
Suggestions for a last minute getaway over Labor Day weekend within driving distance of Fairfield County, CT? I’m interested in doing some hiking, and would like somewhere low-key. Maybe upstate NY, VT or NH? I’m not at all familiar with those areas, and internet research is becoming overwhelming. Thanks!
Anonymous
How about the Gunks in NY?
Anon
Finger Lakes? It’s a large area, lots of b&bs, hiking, and wine.
emeralds
Seconded!
Anon
Update from anon who posted earlier this week (Yesterday possibly?) about dealing with shame and embarrasment after losing my job for a second time and dealing with depression. I had an emergency session with my therapist, and explored these feelings of shame. Basically, watch the TED talk by Brunee Brown on the subject, but the “cure” is to give in to feeling vulnerable with others, living “whole heartedly”. Personally this really clicked with me, and I feel loads better, although I think I still have a lot of work to do on this subject. Wanted to share in case others feel that kind of shame, it is really harmful and you deserve to feel better.
Anon
Link to TED talk
https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_listening_to_shame?language=en
Anon
So glad to hear this and sending you best wishes!
Donnyandbuster
Big hugs! Losing a job is terrible anytime and really hard during covid… but also very understandable. You should work on processing your feelings, emotions, shame etc but just remember that there a lot of people who wouldn’t at all think this is shameful.
Jeans (redux)
I wrote a few months ago asking for leads for 100% cotton jeans. Strangely enough I found exactly what I was looking for at H&M. Not only was the material exactly what I wanted, it was also 20% recycled cotton, which I wasn’t expecting from a “fast fashion” brand. I got the “high waisted” Mom jean style. I haven’t had a pair cut like this before. I don’t even need a belt most of the time. They just fit. I ended up getting a denim skirt from them too, also 100% cotton, kind of a full skirt, just below the knee. Both pieces were about $30, which is much better than the $100 I was prepared to spend in my nearly hopeless quest for good-quality, 100% cotton denim.
I never would have considered H&M if one of the respondents hadn’t made a vaguely dismissive remark about them being poor quality (since they’re very much a fast fashion brand).
Monday
As I mentioned this morning, really all brands with well-known names at this point are fast fashion. There are differences in price range and quality, but they all do mini-seasonal drops throughout the year with necessarily quick turnaround times, which makes them fast fashion. Someone could still argue that supporting H&M is relatively worse since so many of their clothes are disposable, but it’s a difference of degree rather than kind. (Someone could also argue that cotton textile production is exceptionally eco-unfriendly, which is true. But I believe it biodegrades better than blends or most synthetics.) So, I am not making any dismissive remarks about this purchase! (I’m not the person you mentioned though!)
Anon
I know we have a lot of academic rettes. Anyone watched The Chair yet? Totally different line of work but I like it so far.
Ekaterin Nile
I haven’t, but I will because I just read a review and it looks amazing. Thanks for mentioning it!