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 4/10:
- Nordstrom – End of Season Sale – Spring styles up to 50% off – lots of great deals from Natori, Boss, Vince, Veronica Beard, Reiss, Spanx, True & Co., Hanky Panky, Commando, Tory Burch, Theory, Zella, CeCe, Eliza J, Halogen, Vince Camuto, and more.
- Ann Taylor – 30% off tops and sweaters, and (4/10 only) 25% off dresses, skirts and shoes
- Boden – 15% off new styles with code
- Brooklinen – 15% off sitewide, plus up to 50% off bundles
- Brooks Brothers – Friends & Family Event, 25% off sitewide. Lots of cute florals and stripes in the sale.
- Evereve – 1000+ items on sale, including lots from Alex Mill, Michael Stars, Sanctuary, Rails, Xirena, and Z-Supply
- Express – $40 off $120, $100 off $250
- J.Crew – Midseason sale: Extra 40% off sale styles, 200+ new styles just added!
- J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything
- Lands' End – 50% off full price styles and 60% off all clearance and sale – lots of ponte dresses come down under $25, and this packable raincoat in gingham is too cute
- Loft – All jeans $41, 40% off entire purchase
- Macy's – 25% off already reduced prices + 15% off beauty & fragrance
- M.M.LaFleur – Spring Sale Event – Buy More, save more! 10% off $250+, 15% off $500+, 20% off $750+, 25% off $1000+ (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off if you find any exclusions.)
- Sephora – Spring sale! 20% off for Rouge members starting today, and 30% off the Sephora Collection for everyone — if you're looking for a really muted everyday eyeshadow, I like both 106 and 301 here!
- Talbots – 40% off regular price tops + 30% off everything else
- Vivrelle – Looking to own less stuff but still try trends? Use code CORPORETTE for a free month, and borrow high-end designer clothes and bags!
And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!
Some of our latest threadjacks include:
- becoming more connected with people
- what doing your best really means
- feeling like your job is in danger
- brunch food for a large group
- changing your name at marriage — or not
- estate planning and leaving money to charity
- seeing your PCP for gynecological / well-woman care
- New Year's resolutions
- inheriting six figures
- what socks to wear with loafers
- how to prevent another panic attack
- what to do about a parent who drinks too much
- how to buy a house in a VHCOL area

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).