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Thursday’s TPS Report: Paisley Dye Burnout 3/4 Sleeve Cardigan

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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. . Allen Allen – Paisley Dye Burnout Three Fourth Sleeve Cardigan (Kelp)We know:  not for everyone. Still, we must say that we've come back to this cardigan and considered it for a few weeks for a TPS. We like the paisley pattern, as well as the soothing spring color. We'd wear it with gray trousers for the office, with perhaps a hot pink accent somewhere in the outfit — a belt, or a nice tank just peeking out from under it. It's $62 at Zappos. Allen Allen – Paisley Dye Burnout 3/4 Sleeve Cardigan (Kelp) – Apparel If you've recently seen a great work piece you'd like to recommend to the readers, please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line. Unless you ask otherwise, we'll refer to you by your first initial. (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:

65 Comments

  1. I normally LOVE paisley. But this looks less like paisley and more like PJ material.
    I do like the idea of muted green paired with hot pink! Will have to remember that color combo at some point.

  2. The white pencil skirt I’m wearing TODAY would be beautiful with this for springtime. I like it!

    2. C definitely recognizes the “holiday” (skull sweater from last year anyone?) — I definitely think this sweater belongs in that category as well, although it’s more “ugly pattern” than “inappropriate.”

      The idea of a deep pink with light/muted green in general, though – it works with super “preppy” clothes, which generally aren’t the world’s most office appropriate… any ideas how to work it into an office look?

  5. I’ve seen a lot of patterned cardigans lately, and to me, they scream “Grandma.”

    I love the colors though – maybe that pattern word work better on a spring skirt rather than a cardigan?

  6. didn’t much care for this until i read the outfit suggestion: i can see this working really well with the hot pink tank and grey trousers! well done!

  7. My turn for a thread hyjack: This morning our office manager was freaking out about a task she was assigned from someone else, so I offered my assistance to her. I asked to see a document, but she wouldn’t give it to me. I was very familiar with this task–had done it hundreds of times before. She didn’t like that I knew what I was talking about, so she blew up on me–got in my face and starting yelling. I can’t say she’s never done this to anyone before. She has actually done this to MY boss, and it’s always inappropriate. Her attitude is “I am only going to do the bare minimum because any time I go above and beyond, I get in trouble for it.” It’s this vicitm mentality that is so hard to work with. The whole issue could’ve been resolved if she had just picked up the phone and asked the task assigner what she wanted her to do exactly. However, she wanted to spend most of her time trying to prove that I didn’t know what I was talking about. I would like to call up the person who assigned her this task (a VP) and tell her that next time she should check to see if I can help her with it. I would also like to address the issue with my boss because I really don’t think the office manager is capable of this sort of task. Every time it is assigned to her, she has a tantrum of sorts, and it just wastes everyone’s time. Plus, when we go back to spot check the work, there are a substantial number of errors. But alas, I am a control freak and can’t stand to see other people doing something (very slowly and with many errors) that I can be doing better. I’m obviously not very busy right now, so I have time to do this. I don’t want our office manager to think that I don’t think she can handle things, but the truth is that she can’t handle this type of task. Is there something wrong with me OR am I being disrespected? Also, any advice?

    2. I would report her and get her pulled up for the yelling etc but I’m not sure that it sends a good message that you have time to do the assistant’s work.

      My $0.02.

      1. She should have never been assigned this task to begin with, so its not as though its something that is beneath me. It’s actually very important. I should have been assignd to it, and I think she realizes that. The VP who assigned it doesn’t know the office manager and doesn’t know that she hates anything with ambiguity and gray areas. She has helped with this sort of thing in the past, but always under close supervision of someone like myself.

  9. As C mentions grey trousers, does anyone have a suggestion of a nice pair? I need something basic, preferably lined, in a good year-round grey (a not too light, not too dark shade). I usually wear “curvy” cuts — think BR’s Jackson style (which doesn’t seem to be available in grey right now).

    2. forgot to mention – I and it seems like other reviews also thought these were curve flattering

    1. Careful. Don’t hate it too much or C will send you an email that you are upsetting people.

      I think they should be upset. The upside is that it hides baby vomit. I can’t wait to see someone wearing this so that I can identify the people who read this site for fashion advice. Common sense. This will make you look fat.

      It’s too much to think we are being punked. They’ve tried to sell us on these patterns before. Go ahead and buy it, I own Zappo stock.

    2. I love them too. Not too exposed / casual for work, but great for those of us with short arms who always have to have long sleeves shortened. :)

      2. I like them too- the are much more practical in FL to give some arm coverage when it is a little cool inside but still sweltering outside.

        1. As long as I have a blazer with full-length sleeves handy when the AC’s blasting, they’re fine :)

  13. FYI: Ann Taylor is having ANOTHER sale. This time, it’s 40% off your entire purchase. There is no minimum, but if you spend $150 you get free shipping.

    Speaking of which–they have a summery looking cotton suit for sale. What are your opinions on cotton suits? Do they look professional?

    1. Never mind–the suit they have is mostly rayon, and apparently has an “alluring sheen”. Should have looked more closely.

    3. I feel cotton suits are fine for in-office days. If you work at a firm with a suits-only dress code, not every suit has to be super-formal, and cotton suits are a nice way to mix it up in the summer.

      Not sure I would wear cotton to court or an important client/board meeting, etc., though.

    1. I really like Ann Taylor’s Ground Pepper color suit pieces. I bought one a few weeks ago and it’s lovely.

      1. I bought the jacket, skirt, and pants for a suit in Ground Pepper. I love it too. I think it will work for Spring, Summer, and Fall.

        1. Virtual high-five to you! I bought all of the same pieces. First I bought the black and loved it so much when it arrived that I wanted another color. Got them 40% off a few weeks ago–I think I paid only $270 for the three pieces. Do you have any suggestions on what color would go nicely with it? They have some ground pepper shells, but I was thinking that some sort of coral color maybe? What are your thoughts on that? Also, what color shoes would go with it? For those of you who want to see it, here is the link:

          http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=24981&N=1200008&pCategoryId=3939&categoryId=179&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_179&loc=TN&defaultColor=Ground Pepper&defaultSizeType=Regular

          2. I have only worn it once, with the skirt. I can’t wear heels (back injury) and I wore it with nude colored flats with some embellishment on them and a pale purple shell. I also think it would go well with pale green, coral (like you said) and maybe cream. I have a horrible time matching suits to shirts and shoes though, so I would love to hear others ideas.

          3. @Legally Blonde- it looks like a gray on my screen, so I’d probably wear it with navy, light blue, lavender, pink, or coral. I think any shoes would be fine other than some browns. I like colored shoes and typically wear some color with gray suits or navy depending on what top I’m wearing.

          4. Great color! I think coral would be great; but also white or black, or certain shades of teal, maybe a pretty purple (not too light or dark), burgundy in the fall . . . red . . . etc.

  16. This looks a bit like a garment that could be featured on HSN or QVC. I can hear the ladies now, “oooo look at that gorgeous pattern. So Unique, but you could wear it with anything! Might as well get it in every color…There are only 230,239 left, so order now!”

    1. haha! “now, let’s hear from Blanche in Coral Gables. . . How many different colors did you pick up, Blanche?”

  18. I’m hoping that this is an April Fools…

    In any case, is it possible to have a recommendation that isn’t 3/4 sleeves?? There’s only two months out of the year when they’re appropropriate, and frankly, they don’t flatter anyone (yes some people look less bad than others, but that’s hardly a recommendation).

    Hot pink and green = Watermelon

    This print = My mother wore it in the 1980s… on a nightgown

    1. I disagree. I think they flatter lots of people, especially those who have figure flaws and would like people looking at their hands and wrists rather than other parts.

      1. I agree, I think 3/4 sleeves actually look good on most women because most women tend to have smaller wrists.

      2. I disagree — I think they make arms look short, and forearms look chubby — but that is obviously only my opinion — someone must like how they look in them because, obviosly, they keep getting made/sold

    2. I love 3/4 sleeves and living in the south, they can be worn for much more than just two months out of the year.

      1. Ditto. I live in the south too and I have really long arms. Since “normal” length sweaters are too short, the sleeves get pushed up ALWAYS – even in the middle of winter (so technically I’m wearing 3/4 sleeves year-round). It is nice to have sweaters that have sleeves that hit where they are supposed to and don’t have to be pushed up in order for them to not look too short.

  20. I really like 3/4 length sleeves. They enable me to wear statement bracelets which are good when I’m presenting or facilitating in front of clients (I can’t wear them on a work day, since I’m always at the computer). Presentation rooms often get overly hot.

    1. Same here. Also, 3/4 sleeves don’t drag on the desk and get grubby cuffs.

      To those who don’t like them: don’t buy them.

  21. Man, you guys are a tough crowd!

    I like it, Kat. I’d probably wear it with white, not grey, though (maybe because I’m in southern Florida?). But, if I did wear it with grey, I’d wear a matching grey cami underneath. I like the look of bottoms matching a cami with a cool cardi or sweater on top. Black skirt, black tank, red cardi, red heels. That kind of thing.

  22. This sweater doesn’t do it for me, but it especially doesn’t do it for me with pink and gray. Too many different competing colors.

  23. If this was meant to be an April’s fools joke, it failed. I kinda like it.

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