Thursday’s TPS Report: Banana Republic’s Long Pocket Cardigan
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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
The description for this cotton sweater says that it is “like a blazer but not quite,” which is sort of hilarious because we were going to go on and on about how it's sort of like a boyfriend cardigan but also sort of like the riding jackets we're seeing so much of, but aren't quite ready to commit to yet. (They remind us of Ally McBeal's short skirt/long jacket combos.) But this — this is lovely. We'd wear it with trousers, skirts, sheath dresses — open, buttoned, belted, whatever. We even like the look with the scarf, as shown. It's $90 at Banana Republic (also available in black, in sizes XS-XL; use code SHIPBR75 to get free shipping on orders over $75 through Aug. 30.) Women: Long pocket cardigan – Rublo taupe
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Sales of note for 5/19/25:
- 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.
- M.M.LaFleur – Daily flash sales, and lots of twill suiting on sale! Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off. 5/19's flash sale: Jardigans down to $175-$209, dresses down to $150, blazers down to $250
- Nordstrom – 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)
- Ann Taylor – 50% off summer-ready styles
- Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – 10% off new women's styles with code + sale up to 50% off
- Eloquii – 50-60% off select styles
- J.Crew – 60% off sale, and 40% off packing picks (prices as marked)
- J.Crew Factory – New arrivals, plus up to 60% off everything plus extra 50% off clearance
- Rothy's – Up to 50% off last-chance styles
- Spanx – Free shipping on everything
- Talbots – 30% off dresses, skirts, shoes, and accessories
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Like it, but this can wait until it goes on sale for $29 at the outlet in a few months.
Is there anyone out there around my height who has managed to pull this look off? I’m 5’4″, with an hourglass figure and a very short waist, and I worry that I’ll look frumpy and not very proportional with the long sweater trend. I’ve tried a couple on recently, and have not been impressed in the dressing room.
Am I doing something wrong? Any advice? Is this just one of those things that I simply can’t wear?
J, I’m 5’5+ and not so hourglass and I have never been able to do the long sweater thing. I lived through the trend the first time around and when I tried it I found there was always too much flapping involved. The sweater just wouldn’t stay out of the way. So for me it either has to be smallish cardigans or an actual jacket with shape. This may be a sheer psychological failing on my part but I’m going to go with it.
I love this except for the pockets. I seem to have a real aversion to square pockets such as those.
It looks great (I’m 5’8″ so figure I can wear it), so I just bought it. Thanks for the free shipping code and so glad to know that the rest of you aren’t getting it, as I’d hate to run into you on the street. Looks like a great casual Friday outfit. I might even work up the courage to try it with a big wide belt but don’t know if that will work with the pockets.
I am 5’11” and short waisted, and hourglassy, so I would NEVER wear this either….I am waiting for the long sweater, long shirt, long long long trend to end.
I am not advocating for Britney-type navel bearing, but…I’d love a return to high-hip t-shirts, instead of stuff that hits at midthigh and emphasizes how wide I am!
I’m a fan of the longer shirts since I have a longer torso. I think there’s a good variety available now for people of all sizes. I started to work during the early Britney navel days and would get chastised at work when I’d stretch and my midriff would show. At that time, there was pretty much nothing that was long enough that I could raise my arms and not show anything.
I think longer cardigans can work, but I prefer them without pockets. It gives them a cleaner line.
I am a 5’2″ hourglass, and love a long cardigan over a sheath in the fall/winter. I always put a nice wide belt over it, though, so I think it looks good on my figure. It’s a great way to wear your sleaveless sheath dresses year-round.
J–I am 5’3″ and I think long sweaters can work. The weight of the sweater might be the problem–I think that light- (but not feather-) weight cardigans work on me, but I’m skeptical about this one. Also, heels definitely help–what might be hard to pull of at 5’4″ is much easier when you are 5’7″!
Yeah, I’m 5’10” and round-butted, so I’ll take a pass on this, too.
For you shorter people, the advice is that tops that stop above where your legs start are more flattering. When they stop lower, your legs are much shortened.
I believe that tops that stop at hip bone height are the most universally flattering.
This looks like it might be very nice with a dark denim trouser on casual Friday. or even with a nice trouser during the week… so glad to work in a business casual in-house environment!
I’m 5’3″ and I always fall for this look, and then realize that I look terrible. I’m slim, but long tops make me look stumpy.
I went to try this on in the store and it didn’t look good because of the button style (button with a shank). It might look cute belted but the button flopped down and looked loose when the sweater was worn open and the sweater had been pulling so much just on the hanger that the button hole was visibly stretched out while buttoned. Otherwise cute. You might be able to replace with a different button…
Am I the only one who can just not make gray work for herself? I look like I’m sick, or at least 10 years older than I am, whenever I’m wearing it.
@ Liz– Try a colored top underneath, or a colorful scarf or beads…some color near your face. Also, it may be the undertone of the gray–cool or warm. I cannot wear a warm grey that is too light–it matches my skin too much and washes me out. Charcoal looks awesome on me, though.
Try different tones and shades.