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Thursday’s TPS Report: One Button Cardigan w/ Silk Trim

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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Jones New York Sport - One Button Cardigan w/ Silk Trim (Black) - ApparelA friend asked me a while ago for a simple black cardigan — no ruffles, no bows, nada. And I was stumped — that is hard to find! I like this simple one-button cardigan from Jones New York Sport — the silk trim is an unobtrusive detail, and the one button is nice if you like to close your cardigans. (I'd probably get a size smaller than I needed, though.) The cardigan is $59 at Zappos (available in both black and rhubarb red). Jones New York Sport – One Button Cardigan w/ Silk Trim (Black) – Apparel Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line. (L-2)

Sales of note for 1/22/25:

  • Nordstrom – Cashmere on sale; AllSaints, Free People, Nike, Tory Burch, and Vince up to 60%; beauty deals up to 25% off
  • AllSaints – Clearance event, now up to 70% off (some of the best leather jackets!)
  • Ann Taylor – All sale dresses $40 (ends 1/23)
  • Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything
  • Boden – Clearance, up to 60% off!
  • DeMellier – Final reductions now on, free shipping and returns — includes select options like Montreal, Vancouver, and Venice
  • Eloquii – $29 and up select styles; extra 50% off all clearance, plus ELOQUII X kate spade new york collab just dropped
  • Everlane – Sale of the year, up to 70% off; new markdowns just added
  • J.Crew – Up to 40% off select styles; up to 50% off cashmere
  • J.Crew Factory – End of season sale, extra 60-70% off clearance, online only
  • Rothy's – Final Few: Up to 40% off last-chance styles
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – Semi-Annual Red Door Sale – extra 50% off

And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

71 Comments

  1. uh, hard to find? i buy most of my cardigans from land’s end or talbots or something when they have sales–very high quality knit cotton and pretty standard classic look with no frills. i do concur on buying it a bit small, since people wear them open anyway.

    1. I got some awesome “boyfriend” cardigans from Talbots this summer & like them much better than this version. It’s totally classic, no frills, and this being Talbots the “boyfriend” is not long or “boyfriend-y at all; just perfect plain, goes with everything, incredibly flattering cardi.
      Per the discussion about high one button jackets yesterday, I do not find these kind of cardigans very flattering at all.

      1. Agree about the Talbot’s boyfriend cardigans! I got one in the cream color and it’s the most comfortable, most flattering cardigan I own. I am being very good and always hand-washing it because I want it to last forever (and my washer murders clothes).

    2. Yeah, I have no trouble finding basic cardigans. I usually get mine at J. Crew; they seem to have a “basic” style every year and you can pick them up at a deep discount just following the holiday season.

  2. Is that the same model as the one modelling the hideous Elie Tahari suit of yesterday?

    2. Yes, and the one button thing (start the maternity rumors and NOT flattering) is getting too much airplay!

      1. I find that the one-button look, on me, just puts the focus where…let’s just say…there doesn’t need to be any more attention than there already is.

  6. I’ve also found very plain cardigans at my love, Target. In fact, while out of town for a wedding, I ran in to grab a cardi I could wear in case the reception hall was chilly and found these: http://www.target.com/Merona-Essential-Cardigan-Sweater-Black/dp/B003RY1YM4/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&searchView=grid5&keywords=merona%20cardigan&fromGsearch=true&sr=1-4&qid=1285250206&rh=&searchRank=target104545&node=1038576|1287991011&searchSize=30&sessionID=180-7594146-1251124&searchPage=1&searchNodeID=1038576|1287991011&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&frombrowse=0

    Actually, the two I have are 3/4 sleeves, but you can find a nice cardigan there at ridiculously low prices.

    1. I have a stash of Target cardigans too! And they have more buttons than this; one-button closure make me look fat!

      1. Yeah, I think one-button closures are so unflattering on the majority of women! As someone mentioned with the one-button jacket yesterday, they seem to be a surefire way of starting pregnancy rumors.

    1. Can this cardigan actually be worn by someone who weighs more than 85 pounds (which is my estimate of the model’s weight)? I always feel like J. Crew is for extremely petite people – the arms on this sweater look super-skinny, for example.

      1. The Jackie cardigans are definitely meant for women who are fairly svelte or fit on top. I have two which I love but I also pair them w/a top and pants that work with their “regular” (vs. “boyfriend”) length, like wider-leg pants and a top that peeks out the bottom. I wear a “boyfriend” version with slim pants and blousy, tuck-in tops. Hopefully, Stacy and Clinton would approve. :)

      2. I own one and have problems with it riding up. I even bought a size larger than I usually wear, but the thing is so short, the band at the bottom tends to move its way up from my hips to my waist. This probably isn’t a problem for someone with smaller hips or a smaller hip/waist ratio.

        Maybe I should have gone 2 sizes up…I am only 5′ 3” so it’s a bit odd something would fall so short on me. I definately wouldn’t buy another one.

    2. I know they’re popular, but I always feel like a stepford wife in Jackie (and Jackie-like) cardis.

      A bit too on the nose prep for my taste, though maybe it’s just my body/style not working with them — I am not saying it can’t work for some! But as it is, I feel like work clothes can be a bit devoid of personality, & something about these is just more than I can bare (especially, god forbid, if paired with the matching shell).

      1. This, for me, as well. Off-beat jewelry or subtle, low side ponytail to the rescue!

      2. Yes very wannabe stepford wife..ish.

        If you have a flat chest like a guys, then its ok I guess.

        1. That’s really rude, skippy pea. “flat chest like a guys” …right… because having only if a woman has a “non-flat” chest, whatever that happens to be, is womanly. How deep in the alphabet do we all have to be to qualify? How nice for you that your genes have enabled you to comply with this arbitrary line between “like a guys” [sic] and not like a guy’s.

          1. Even as a large-chested woman, I completely agree! Anti-body snark FTW!

          2. I agree, that comment was mean. I feel bad that it may seem affiliated with my comment. I do not cosign on any dis on anyone’s body.

          3. That was not meant to be a dis. Just a statement of fact. Comparison to a man’s chest was used as an indicative of a degree of flatness required for the cardi to look good, nothing more was implied. There was nothing that shows a snarky judgement on bust size.

        2. Skippy, it doesn’t matter how it was meant. Any comment comparing a woman’s body to a man’s is indeed a body snark. The fact that you don’t think so goes to show how prevalent it is in our society more than anything.

    2. Nice cardigans! I’ve never shopped at Lands End before. I notice that the sizes seem to start at M, do you know if they have a size S at all? Is the M true to size? Thanks!

      1. Because that’s their clearance, some items may not be available in all sizes and colors. There are a lot of cardigans there available in a small or XS, though. I find them true to size but I have a large bust; if you’re smaller-busted you’ll probably want to size down to avoid a boxy fit. Lands End items tend to be designed to fit somewhat loosely anyway.

      2. Lands End is cut a little larger than BR/AT; more like a Talbots in sizing.

        I don’t work for them, I swear, but I love their quality and it can’t be beat for the prices. They are definitely a little larger/looser though – not somewhere I’d go for an ultra-fitted look, but great for things like cardigans or other things I might want to layer.

      3. I agree that Land’s End sizing is a bit bigger/boxier than J. Crew (more like Talbots), and also agree that they are great place to shop for items you don’t want/need to be form fitting (i.e., cardigans, casual sweaters and some jackets).

  10. Need some advice Corporettes. I’ve been working a short term assignment and will be leaving to go back to headquarters (after 7 months in DC). The group I’ve been working with (5 people) is taking me to lunch on my last day and I’d like to thank them for welcoming me to their team.

    Any recommendations on thank you gifts? Group gifts or individual gifts? Write a nice thank you card to each person or just one card? Bring in breakfast one morning during my last week? I know some of the people quite well and will continue to work with them closely once I go back to headquarters.

    Suggestions are appreciated!

    1. I wouldn’t do gifts, probably just one card or a card to each person. Also ixnay on the breakfast, I remember that as one of the “staff” things that women in the office tend to do, that sort of undermine your professionalism. (from NGDGTCO)

      1. I think a group gift of something edible is always nice. Not sure why gifts of food would be considered one of the “staff” things that women tend to do.

        In my office (in downtown DC), most attorneys (men and women), staffers (men and women), and even the head honcho (a man), bring in some kind of treat as a thank-you for a job well done or if they have been on vacation and wanted to share something nice. I can’t imagine that the people you worked with would begrudge you if you are trying to show your appreciation for them, even in a small way. Plus, you will be working with them in the future, so I would definitely make some kind of gesture of appreciation.

        1. If you are looking for something in the food category, attorneys in our office have brought in cupcakes from Hello Cupcake, Georgetown Cupcake, Red Velvet, or Baked & Wired; cookies from Firehook; or if you want to be healthy, fruit platters from Whole Foods.

        2. Thanks L and M – I was thinking about the food thing because of NGDGTCO but my manager brings in cakes (not homemade but from a nice bakery) for birthdays and people often bring food items from their travels (chocolates and cookies) so I’m not sure if it applies as much in my work environment.

          I’ll go for individual thank you cards and possibly bring in a simple coffee cake next week.

          1. In Hawaii, we always bring small gifts after traveling. It’s called omiyage. Bad form to come back from vacation (even if its just Las Vegas) and not bring any omiyage! For us, it’s almost always food, but once when I had to go to Thailand, I bought back silk shawls for the secretaries (we only have five). I was loved for a whole month.

        3. My office is exactly the same. Someone wins the March Madness pool? Bagels for the group! Someone goes on a honeymoon to Paris? French cookies for all! Not a gendered thing at all, and I have never seen admin participate by bringing their own.

        4. It’s similar in my office, everyone brings in stuff. However, I would warn against bringing in anything homemade e.g. a cake you baked yourself since that would definitely veer into the NGDGTCO territory!

      2. I kind of agree with the NGDGTCO book on bringing food. I guess it depends on the situation, but when the “nice girl” brings in food, people may perceive her in an “assistant” role rather than leader.

        I’m on the party-planning committee at work. My pet peeve is that the chair of the committee is a guy, yet he never does any of the “dirty work” like setting up, cleaning up, shopping, etc. I wish one of the ladies on the committee would step up and be the chair. For some reason, all decisions gets run through him. Like they are asking permission. It gets my goat, especially since a few of the ladies are actually on the same level of management as him (we are a CPA firm).

        Not trying to say my firm is purposefully discriminating or stereotyping women, but I can see how women get placed in those “assistant”-type roles (not just on the party-planning committee, but on other more important committees, tax meetings, etc).

      3. L, I think NGDGTCO refers to feeding people your homemade goods on a regular basis, not bringing in a catered meal.

    2. If you have the budget, a gift basket of food with a thank you card after you leave would be nice. Zingerman’s online has great ideas.

      1. Zingerman’s! Love that place. Don’t look at the catalog hungry though … you’ll want to buy everything.

    3. I did an assignment something like this. I sent a box of gourmet cookies the day after I left. It went over like gangbusters, and they each sent ME separate thank you notes!

  11. Just a warning on LL Bean sweaters – I find they have way too much material in the armpit. I get that “bat wing” look.

  12. Love August Silk for their various cardigans, shells, etc. – no frills, very basic, and they keep their color (though I wash mine w/ Woolite dark)

    1. I will never buy August Silk again. They pill, attract lint, and are generally just poor quality.

      1. I have never found that to be the case – mine have stayed in great shape after several years of use. They have kept their color, shape, and have not pilled or attracted lint at all.

      2. I agree with Shayna. I have several August Silk sweaters and none have pilled, attracted lint, or been of poor quality. Maybe you’re not caring for them properly.

        1. I’ve found that August Silk quality has gone downhill. I have some from several years ago that are in great shape and some I purchased more recently that started to pill after a few months of wear. And I always care for them properly!

        2. I LOVE August Silk. So basic. They go with everything and never seem dated. However, if you look close, they do come in slightly different fabrics and weights. It’s possible you’ve gotten some with different percentages of, say, rayon or what have you that makes it less sturdy. I’ve had most last for years, but a few that have not. FWIW–you can often find them at a discount at Nordstrom Rack. (I don’t feel so bad then if they stretch or pill eventually.)

          1. Second (third?) Shayna on the August Silk – I have several, some I’ve had for years, wear nice, low maintenance, keep looking good, price is right! I think I got one sort of ‘skimpy’ type cardi that pilled, but in retrospect, I think what M/Chi said was what happened – a higher percentage or rayon or whatever. but overall, my experience with August Silk is 95% satisfied, 95% of the time (don’t work for them, swear :)).

    1. I love my Lands End Canvas Heritage cardigan. I got it for my birthday and wear it all the time! I have it in black and have washed it quite a few times and haven’t noticed it starting to fade at all. I also like that it is a bit longer than my J.Crew Jackie cardigans, which I like.

    2. I like the fit on the Heritage cardigan, and so far my white one has held up nicely… but the white buttons on every color really bother me. Wish they had tonal buttons instead.

  14. Would love some advice. I do not live near a Brooks Brothers store but am thinking of buying one of their suits online for interviews. Does anyone have some advice on sizing of their jackets and plain front Carolina trousers? How do they compared to Banana Republic and Ann Taylor or Nordstroms sizes?
    This is the jacket I was thinking about
    http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=374&Product_Id=1475276&Parent_Id=1034&default_color=BLACK&sort_by=&sectioncolor=Black&sectionsize=

    thanks for your help!

    1. FYI — Brooks Brothers’ Friends & Family sale started today (runs through Sep 27th): 25% off all purchases. Use code 03friend at checkout.

    2. Take a look at their size guide. It’s fairly accurate.
      I wear a 2 in most BR & JCrew Blazers & need a 4 in BB; but bottoms I wear a 4 in BBs and need a 6 in BR pants, more often than not. For Jcrew my sizing is the same in bottoms as BB.

      If it’s for interviewing & really important to you (and assuming that your credit card can afford it), consider getting 2 sizes & shipping the one that doesn’t fit back. I hate doing that, esp. when shipping isn’t free but it may be better than finding that you ordered the perfect jacket but it’s just a scotch too small/big. Or, if time allows, you can always exchange — the shipping on exchanges is always free!

    3. For me Brooks Brothers = J Crew, but is one size larger than Ann Taylor, which is the ultimate in vanity sizing from my experience. Love the suit you are considering, btw!

      1. Thanks for the help! I like the idea of trying 2 sizes – especially since it seems like a good sale and I won’t have to wait for the time it takes to exchange and try different items. I was also thinking of getting some shirts – does anyone have some advice on the fitted vs tailored fit? I have a couple fitted shirts in size 8 – they fit through the shoulders but seem to have too much material around the waist. I was wondering if the fit through the shoulder and bust would be the same or should I go up to a size 10 in the tailored shirts?
        Thanks again for all your help!!

  15. Just got 3 cardigans from H&M all same style. Open front (only drawback) but otherwise perfect for staying warm- shawl collar, decent quality knit, good length etc. Not online in US but in both stores I popped into. Got black, tan, and a brownish/gray color. Just tested on a mega business trip to 4 countries- held up well in carry on, airplanes, dinners, etc. Sorry can’t find link. Was looking everywhere for a simple no ruffles or applique cardigan and once found it bought them all $24 each. Closed with a brooch which fell off somewhere, oh well.

  16. I do not understand the draw of no-button or one-button cardigans. If you have a full-button cardigan, you can always choose to leave it open, or button up just one button. Seems to provide full functionality there. Why would anyone pay to get FEWER features?

    1. I don’t like 1 button but I am a fan of the no button.
      An open cardigan w/no buttons just drapes differently than a button cardigan. The cut is different as well. You don’t have dangly buttons, button holes that are loose from the buttoning/unbuttoning, etc. Plus I love shawl colars and that is hard to find w/a button cardi!

      1. Agreed. A lot of my casual/weekend wear cardigans are the no-button style.

        I think one-button cardigans are kind of stupid, but I’m sure there’s someone out there who likes them.

  17. My fave – BB merino wool sweater set in black. The cardigan is a great basic, classic, nicely-fitted and high quality piece. It’s probably the single most used item in my wardrobe – from work to casual, year round but for July and August.

  18. Okay, I feel foolish asking this but I could use some help. I got a catalog from Talbot’s yesterday full of gorgeous jackets and coats, but I’m confused by the “jackets” – they’re clearly not meant as cold-weather outerwear, since the catalog specifically mentions coats, but the jackets look too heavy to wear as just a regular blazer-type layer. I feel like I would sweat indoors in these wool or tweed jackets.

    Does anyone have any input or experience with these types of jackets? I’ll see if I can find a picture of one online as well.

  19. Samantha- the draw is the look. It’s more chic. The buttons can look a bit school girlie or preppie; the open shawl neck just looks somehow more sleek and professional to me. I do wish though they had a secret clasp or something to keep them shut at times, and agree with you on the functionality part! Some dresses and work clothes just don’t look right with the button-y ones though.

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