Thursday’s TPS Report: Ann Taylor LOFT Pleated Empire Dress
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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. We begin the week in splurge mode, with our most expensive suggestions, and wind our way to Friday, where a less expensive item of clothing might be just what you need to make it to the weekend. We like this simple and sweet dress from Ann Taylor LOFT — it's a lot on the casual side, but it's still the kind of thing that can be dressed up for the office with a pair of closed-toe pumps and a cropped jacket. (Then, change into some strappy sandals and a wrap and head out on the town.) Clean lines, a few unique but unobtrusive details — such are the makings of a great summer dress. It's $69 at Ann Taylor LOFT (and comes in a great online-only color, Havana Blue, as well as black). Ann Taylor LOFT Pleated Empire DressSales of note for 5/16/25:
- Nordstrom Rack – Looking for a deal on a Dyson hairdryer? The Rack has several refurbished ones for $199-$240 (instead of $400+) — but they're final sale only.
- Ann Taylor – Suit Yourself! 30% off suiting (ends tonight) + 25% off your full price purchase (ends 5/18) + extra 40% off sale
- Nordstrom – Beauty Deals up to 25% off (ends 5/17) — also lots of markdowns on AGL (50%!), Weitzman, Tumi, Frank & Eileen, Zella, Natori, Cole Haan, Boss, Theory, Reiss (coats), Vince, Eileen Fisher, Spanx, and Frame (denim and silk blouses)
- Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – 10% off new women's styles with code + sale up to 50% off
- Eloquii – Up to 60% off everything + extra 60% off sale + $1 shipping on all orders
- J.Crew – 60% off sale, and 40% off packing picks (prices as marked)
- J.Crew Factory – New arrivals, plus up to 60% off everything and 20% off orders of $125+
- M.M.LaFleur – Daily flash sales, and lots of twill suiting on sale! Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off.
- Rothy's – Up to 50% off last-chance styles
- Spanx – Free shipping on everything
- Talbots – 30% off dresses, skirts, shoes and accessories
And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!
Some of our latest threadjacks include:
- is imposter syndrome a real thing?
- talk to me about the estrogen patch for perimenopause
- where did you “learn to clean“?
- how do you travel light with business clothes?
- what do you answer if prospective dates ask you if you “like your job”?
- how gross is it to put spilt jam back in the container?
- how do you know if you're irritable from depression vs irritable from stuff being irritating?
- what are you doing for meals if you don't cook or barely cook?
This is terrible. It’s too short for work, and the smocking and ruching is incredibly juvenile. It just looks cheap.
A lot on the short side, too. Plus, nothing especially pretty about it either. not to mention from the looks of it, bra’s and panties worn underneath this dress may contour a little too much through the thin fabric?
That dress is way too short to be appropriate office attire.
I agree that it could be easily dressed up, but it looks like its close to two dollar bills above the knee.
I don’t love this dress either, but the length is really something that depends on the person who’s wearing it — yes, it looks too short on the model, but on someone like me who is *not* model height, it may well cover the knees.
I’m 5’3″ and dresses that are that length on models in pictures tend to be a demure knee length on me. And it’s not like 5’3″ is THAT short; plenty of women are in my position on this one.
I agree that this dress is way too casual, even if worn with a jacket/blazer.
I agree…plus with Ann Taylor Loft’s often cheap (and cheaply cut) fabrics, I bet in person this looks more suitable for the beach. But it might be passable in black.
Ann Taylor/Loft/Outlet used to be my go-to store for clothing that I would like, would fit me, and would not break the bank but one of the two of us has shifted styles and now I rarely see anything I like there anymore. So sad.
Good Lord, lots of hate for C today! No one is forcing you to buy it. I don’t think I’d wear it to work either, but I think it would be cute for the beach or at least more interesting than jeans on a summer Saturday.
I agree that you would definitely have to dress this up for work. I could see it paired with perhaps a simple black wide belt, fitted suit jacket, and a beaded necklace to draw attention away from the neckline.
I absolutely agree with Jay. I don’t think this could be pulled off even in a fairly casual office. But I would absolutely wear this out on the weekends with some cute flats or sandals and with one or two pieces of fun statement jewelry. I don’t know about the weather where everyone else is, but I live in the south and it is most definitely spring here!
Cute dress, but too casual for the workplace (at least for a law firm).