This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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 DressWorkwear sales of note for 4.18.24
Our favorites are in bold!
- Ann Taylor – 50% off full-price dresses, jackets & shoes; $30 off pants & skirts; extra 50% off sale styles
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything; extra 20% off purchase
- Boden – 25% off through 4/18; 15% off 4/19-20; 10% off 4/21
- Eloquii – 50% off select styles; 60% off swim; up to 40% off everything else
- Everlane – Spring Sale: up to 60% off 600+ styles
- J.Crew – Mid-Season Sale: Extra 60% off sale styles; up to 50% off spring-to-summer styles
- J.Crew Factory – Extra 20% off $125+; extra 25% of $150+; up to 60% off everything; extra 50% off clearance
- Nordstrom – Free 2-day shipping for a limited time (on eligible items)
- Talbots – Spring Sale: 40% off + extra 15% off all markdowns; 30% off new T by Talbots
- White House Black Market – 25% off entire purchase; $50 off $200
Some of our latest posts here at Corporette…
And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!
Stay tuned for a list of our latest threadjacks!
lawyer
This is terrible. It’s too short for work, and the smocking and ruching is incredibly juvenile. It just looks cheap.
Liz
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?
Jennifer
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.
2L
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.
v
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.
lawyer2
I agree that this dress is way too casual, even if worn with a jacket/blazer.
lulu
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.
K
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.
Jay
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.
Dirty LAWndry
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.
Jess
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!
Legalicious07
Cute dress, but too casual for the workplace (at least for a law firm).