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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 135 Comments · by

Thursday’s TPS Report: Pencil Skirt With Ruffle Hem

Fashion· The Personal Shopper (TPS)· Wear to Work | · · · ·

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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. classiques entier pencil skirt with ruffle hemA number of Classiques Entier items seem to have hit the sales racks at Nordstrom, including this simple pencil skirt. I like the slight A-line shape to it, and the fact that it's a “soft, lightweight flannel” fabric (with a lining) sounds lovely. Was $168, now $64.97 (lucky sizes only). Classiques Entier® Pencil Skirt With Ruffle Hem icon 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 10.10.24

  • Nordstrom – Extra 25% off clearance (through 10/14); there's a lot from reader favorites like Boss, FARM Rio, Marc Fisher LTD, AGL, and more. Plus: free 2-day shipping, and cardmembers earn 6x points per dollar (3X the points on beauty).
  • Ann Taylor – Extra 50% off sale (ends 10/12)
  • Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything plus extra 25% off your $125+ purchase
  • Boden – 10% off new styles with code; free shipping over $75
  • Eloquii – Extra 50% off a lot of sale items, with code
  • J.Crew – 40% off sitewide
  • J.Crew Factory – 50% off entire site, plus extra 25% off orders $150+
  • Lo & Sons – Fall Sale, up to 35% off
  • M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
  • Neiman Marcus – Sale on sale, up to 85% off
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – 50% off 2+ markdowns
  • Target – Circle week, deals on 1000s of items
  • White House Black Market – Buy one, get one – 50% off full price styles

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

About Kat

Kat Griffin is the founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Corporette. You can read more about her here.

Comments

  1. Legally Brunette

    Thanks to a recommendation from this site, I’m now obsessed with the Classiques Entier line. Especially flattering on someone who is more curvy and has hips. This skirt is cute. However, if you’re picky about your fabrics, Classiques usually has several wool skirts that come up throughout the year.

    My one gripe about this brand is that I’ve noticed that jacket length has started to get shorter, which doesn’t look good on my short torso. Several jackets are 22 or 23 inches in length, which is a bit too short for me.

    • AT

      Same here… I had never tried the brand, and now I have three of their suits! Very flattering to my pear shape (and I love that they are all sold as separates so I can buy different top/bottom sizes), very well made, and much less chance of showing up in the same suit as a coworker or opposing counsel than when I wear something from Banana, J Crew, or Ann Taylor.

  2. Ru

    Can I just take a minute to whine about static electricity? The kind that a slip can’t even deal with? This is sooooooooo annoying. I suppose wearing a bunch of acrylic sweaters, a wool coat and walking quickly in the cold, dry air doesn’t help. Bah!

    • EC

      I hear you! I had to stop wearing wool socks in my carpeted house because I was giving static shocks to my dog every time I tried to pet her. It got so bad she wouldn’t even come near me…

      My biggest gripe is the shock I get when closing the car door after getting out – anyone have a suggestion for this? Somebody suggested touching a quarter to discharge the electricity, but it hasn’t worked for me. Ditto for my car keys.

      • D

        I’ve heard of static straps you install on the bottom of your car. They ground the car instead of you. I don’t know if they work.

      • Argie

        Did you just touch the car keys, or hold the car keys and touch them to something else? Because I think you need to do the second in order to get rid of the electricity, since the keys aren’t touch anything but you.

        Otherwise – trying touch a wall (or anything, I guess) with the palm of your hand, rather than a finger, to disperse the charge rather than focusing.

      • Kate

        During the winter, I close the car door by pushing (not too hard) on the window rather than the door frame to avoid getting shocked.

    • kz

      I have a spray for clothes that supposedly reduces static. I say supposedly because I’ve never actually tried it (random stocking stuffer from my mother a few years ago), but you could give it a try. I think it’s called static guard.

      • Lola

        I usually use dryer sheets in the laundry, but even with a couple of them per large load, there was static.

        So I bought some of those “dryer balls.” They are rubber balls with dull spikes on them. They totally work! They reduce static in the dryer. For me, I’m continuing to use one Bounce sheet as well, but I’d highly recommend them.

  3. anon plus

    Wow, I love it… and I’m actually one of the lucky sizes! (12, 14, 16 at the moment)

  4. s-p-s

    While my figure doesn’t lend itself well to pencil skirts, the slight A-line convinced me to give this a try (apparently one of the last takers of the 6!) Love the detailing, too. Thanks, Kat – great recommendation.

  6. janep

    thread jack

    I bought the banana republic dress last week with the great sale price- https://corporette.com/2011/01/06/thursdays-tps-report-34-sleeve-faux-wrap-dress/. I bought and then had some buyer’s remorse after reading mroe of the comments. I got it, am wearing it and had two compliments 5 minutes after arriving at work. (No gaping hole). Same with this one: https://corporette.com/2010/01/27/wednesdays-tps-report-wrap-jersey-dress/. I don’t wear the second one to work.

    I am size 8 on top, pretty flat chested and size 10 on bottom and have those yucky bumps on my thighs –courtesy of holiday excess. I wear spanx and a slip and it is super flattering. For those of you wavering — waver no longer. I am thrilled and will buy another if I can.

  7. AE

    I have this skirt and happen to have worn it to work today! Now that I know it is on sale, I will call Nordstrom’s and try to get the price reduction.

    One comment that I will make about the skirt is that it flares out at the bottom a bit, but it has no slit, so when I walk there is a little movement restriction. Other than that I love the skirt.

  8. SF Bay Associate

    I got this skirt during the Anniversary Sale. I like it a lot and it’s part of my regular rotation now.

  9. Question about a color

    For those of you who follow the “cool” and “warm” coloring principles, can you let me know what you think about this shirt for someone with cool coloring? I have brown skin, black eyes, and typically wear colors that are more vivid than this, but I really do like this shirt (and it’s Classiques, incidentally). I’m worried that the color might make me look a bit washed out.

    http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/classiques-entier-ruffled-georgette-blouse/3114004?origin=keywordsearch&resultback=1499

    • anon

      I hear you about the vivid colors thing, but I think the “wineberry” is one of those colors that look universally good on everyone, no matter their coloring. FWIW, I also have cool coloring and gravitate towards colors like this.

    • Question about a color

      I should clarify that I have medium brown skin (like Halle Berry). Thanks for the help!

    • Question about a color

      Thanks very much! I also plan on asking my hubby when he gets back home tonight, for a second opinion. :) I appreciate the advice.

      b23 – thanks for the vote of confidence! I think that clothing that is too much like one’s skin color can make you look really washed out, regardless of how light or dark you are.

    • Jas

      For what it’s worth, I have cool skin colouring (although a lot paler than you) and that’s a colour that, while it doesn’t look as fabulous as brights, doesn’t really wash me out either.

    • AN

      South Asian here with Halle Berry skin (gotta love that description) – go ahead and order. This winey/plummy colour is my go-to.

  10. SS

    Wrinkle problem:
    I have a dress that is 100% polyester but looks and feels like silk. It has a bunch of pretty serious creases from when it was shipped to me (bought online). The tag says dry clean only, no iron, but I don’t want to pay to have it dry cleaned because dry cleaning is expensive and the dress is already clean! I don’t have a steamer, and hanging in the shower didn’t do the trick. Advice? I am considering just ironing it… would that be so wrong?

    • surrounded by lawyers

      I have similar items–says it’s poly, looks like silk–and I iron them without any problems. I say begin with a very low setting, in a discreet place on the dress, and maybe with a rag in between the iron and the fabric, and then work your way up from there as you determine it’s safe.

    • Anonny

      Well, would you rather pay for dry cleaning or iron it and risk losing your entire purchase price? I’d dry clean it or maybe try it with an iron on its lowest setting (try a less obvious part of it first? Like the hem in the back?).

    • Chicago S

      I have used the iron as a steamer, holding it over but not on the fabric, with success.

      • AIMS

        You can also ask the dry cleaner to steam it. Should be cheaper than dry cleaning.
        Or, try iron on low setting, with a thin cloth in between just in case.
        It shouldn’t be a problem.

    • MelD

      You can try ironing it with a press cloth/pillowcase over the fabric. That should prevent something happening from the fabric. I have had no issues ironing poly at a warmer setting using this technique.

    • Anonymous

      Don’t get it dry cleaned unnecessarily, dry cleaning causes wear on the garment. Just take it to the cleaners to have it pressed.

    • Ru

      Don’t get it dry cleaned unnecessarily, dry cleaning causes wear on the garment. Just take it to the cleaners to have it pressed.

      • Ann

        This is what I always do in these situations and it works well. Just be careful to A. wring out the cloth so it is truly damp, not wet enough to drip at all and B. get it out of the dryer and hang it up ASAP. It can also help, if your dryer has a ‘cool down’ setting at the end of the heat cycle, to pull the item out before the dryer starts cooling itself, and let the item cool on its own.

  11. Anonymous

    Any tips for faking a good attitude at work? I’m miserable and am afraid it will show, which could obviously make things worse.

    • R

      this sounds cheesy, but forcing yourself to smile does tend to make you feel better after a while.

    • Mella

      I pretended to be someone else – I’m flashing back to a presentation that completely stressed me out, and I basically became an actress playing the part of “woman presenting.” I felt really remote and disconnected the whole time, and my voice was pitched up because of the acting, which I’d try to fix if I ever had to do this again. But I got through it.

      I hope you feel better soon.

      • JAS1

        I agree with this – I do this too whenever I need to fake a different attitude in any situation. I first got the idea back in junior high French class where we had to pick a different French name for class…since my performance anxiety made it hard for me to practice languages out loud, I just pretended, in class that I was “Isabella” and not my real name (which is nothing like Isabella).

    • Anonymous

      Make your workspace as happy as possible – photos of your loved ones, a plant, some artwork, anything that will make you smile when you look at it.

    • Ru

      Dress up a little, whether it’s jewelry you don’t typically wear, shoes, a dress, underwear, whatever, something that reminds you that you’re special and makes you sit up and feel good.

    • Guest

      My tips would be to focus on trying to do small, social things at the office to break the monotony. (This is premised on the presumption that though you hate your job, probably not all the people are terrible.)

      Maybe try to make afternoon coffee breaks with people. Or leave your desk and go get lunch with someone. Even just stop to chat about the weather or their kids or whatever.

      Even at jobs that have made me really miserable in the past, I’ve been able to keep myself happier by trying to focus on the human relationships rather than the work itself. Does that make sense?

      Good luck — it really does suck when you’re unhappy at your job.

    • two cents

      Working out always improves my attitude, whether at work or elsewhere. Of course, it’s no fun to muster up the energy to do that, but I always feel 200% better when I do. Feel better!

    • GovtAtty

      Are you miserable because of the job or something going on at home?

      I’m dealing with some ugly marital issues at home, which may end in divorce. Keeping up a good attitude at work, while not letting on how bad it really is at home, has been a challenge. I’ve really focused on just losing myself in the minutae of what I’m doing, not thinking too much about big-picture (read: overwhelming) issues and just getting through the day. To-do lists help, both to keep me focused and to give a sense of accomplishment.

    • BL

      I have a light therapy lamp at home and in my office. It has really improved my outlook. Not seeing sunlight takes a toll on the soul!

    • Anon for this

      Like someone else said, forcing yourself to smile really might help.

      I’ve recently set reminders on my computer to make myself get up and stretch/move around for about 5 minutes every hour. I keep doing my work at my desk … just adding in a few lunges, stretches, etc. here and there. Gets the blood flowing.

      If you’re feeling very overwhelmed, anxious, sad, tearful, etc. please consider seeing a professional about it. Talk therapy and/or anti-anxiety/anti-depression medication can really work wonders sometimes.

      Hang in there. This too shall pass. :)

  12. I know we've been through this before but...

    I have an interview tomorrow (non-law, non-profit) that was originally going to be a informational phone call but is now me going to the office “more as an interview.”

    My first thought was “suit” (I only have a skirt suit FWIW) but 1) it’s on a Friday 2) I’ve been at meetings w/ two people from this organization before; the man was in a tie-less suit, the woman in pants/nice top (no blazer as I recall) 3) Website pictures of the head people in the org make it look like they are going to blazer with shell route.

    This is the first time I’ve considered not wearing a suit to an interview and I’m trying to decide if I can pull the trigger on it. I’m thinking either brown tweed-ish pants with sweater and white button down or pants with button down and blazer.

    I’m in a large Midwestern city and the organization is downtown, if that makes a difference.

    I know the what-to-wear-to-an-interview question keeps popping up (and I’ve done some background Corporette reading, I promise!) but I thought I’d put this out there. Thanks ladies!

    • Anonny

      I actually was just in a similar situation myself. Two interviews with same org, they were dressed on the casual end of business casual and I wore a suit both times. I think I looked a bit out of place in the office, but I was happy with my decision. I think wearing a suit shows that you’re taking the job seriously even if their dress code is less formal.

      My solution was to wear a suit but to wear a shell instead of my usual go-to Brooks Brothers button downs and to skip hyper formal jewelry (i.e. no pearls, yes to smaller studs).

    • E.E.

      Definitely still a suit. My office is business casual (less formal than your target office it sounds – men typically never even wear suits, with or without ties) and we still expect interview candidates to wear suits. I don’t think the day of the week makes a difference in this situation.

    • AIMS

      Agree with others that you should wear a suit.
      Just tone down the formality of your other pieces — no pearls, maybe flats or a wedge instead of heels, no button down or silk shell, etc.
      Good luck!

    • Anonymous

      Wear a suit. My office is business casual, but I’ve seen my boss get annoyed with candidates who don’t wear suits, even to informational interviews.

    • Anonymous

      maybe a not-black suit, like medium grey might make it less formal but still respectful?

    • lawyerette

      Definitely suit. Doesn’t need to be a skirt suit and you can wear a colorful shirt or something but suit suit suit.

      • OP

        Well that settles that! :) Thank you all! One last thing: what are your thoughts on a fine-gauge knit turtleneck as my top? My interview is in the afternoon and I’ll be somewhere else (less formal) beforehand, so I’d like to wear something that allows me to be jacket-less pre-interview. Thoughts? My last (and first) job was in a casual business casual environment so I’m still trying to feel some of these things out.

  13. CJP

    Hey ladies, I’ve got a workplace romance threadjack. My boyfriend and I met while I was summering at a firm this summer. He is a (first year) associate and I am back at school, but I plan to go back to the firm when I finish school. The thing is, we haven’t told anyone at work that we are dating. There is no rule against office dating at our workplace, however I was told in orientation that although workplace romances weren’t prohibited, they was seen as unwise and therefore discouraged. The firm is about 50 lawyers and pretty conservative.

    Our relationship has never been a problem in terms of our work output, we don’t work on the same files, and we are able to be professional and discrete around each other (no special treatment, etc.) What I’m wondering is whether we should just continue keeping our romance quiet, or tell people? I’m worried that if people know, there is the possibility of the partners thinking that we made a poor decision and this could negatively affect how they think of me (and maybe even affect my hire-back?) On the flip side, if we keep keeping it a secret, but things advance to the point where we are going to get engaged or married, would it be worse for people to find out that we had been deceiving them all along? I’d rather not tell people if it wasn’t necessary, to avoid office gossip (pretty small firm), but would be willing to go out in the open if it would be better for my credibility, job security, etc.
    If anyone has ever been in a similar situation to this, or could lend any sort of advice, it would be very much appreciated!

    • Ballerina girl

      I wouldn’t tell a soul until you’re back at the firm and have been dating for at least 3 more months. No need to tell anyone until it survives long distance (if it is long distance now) AND survives the transition into seeing each other at work every day. Keep it as professional as possible while at work (no lovey dovey emails using work email accounts and no hanging out in each others offices for too long). After you’ve made it a while and it’s serious enough where you’d consider moving in together or getting engaged, then I would tell people. But in my experience (not personally but seeing others in my office) it harms women’s reputations more than men’s and can be all for nothing if you break up. And if you do break up, do you really want the whole office watching your every interaction?

      • lawyerette

        THIS. Also, while at the firm: do not work in any cases together. If the opportunity presents itself to do so, then I try to get out of it and if push comes to shove, tell the supervising partner. There is no need to tell people your business and it is not weird to keep it quiet until it gets very serious.

        • Ballerina girl

          I agree with this, too. If there is a conflict, you have to disclose it. But I know at my firm, when people found out that two people were dating, the consensus was that the woman was just trying to find a husband at the firm and she was suddenly “elevated” to seductress. All messed up, all unfair, but I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of that. All the whispering went away as soon as they got engaged–it was as though there is an exception for “true love.” All b.s. Good luck navigating that and best of luck in the relationship.

    • Anonymous

      I would keep it quiet unless/until it’s getting serious enough that you are actually planning to get married. Spare your co-workers from your personal life- if there’s a wedding, they’ll be happy for you and not bitter about your keeping it a secret. If you eventually break up, then it’s better they did not know anyway.

      I think in these situations, the woman tends to be affected professionally more than the man. Unfair but true. So your concerns about your credibility and job security are spot on. In general I think the less your coworkers know about your personal life, the better.

      • AIMS

        Exactly.
        I wouldn’t share this info. So much can happen between now and when you start at the firm. And, if you are still together when you do start, you don’t need to be known as “So-and-so’s girlfriend.”
        Keep the info to yourself, if someone asks about your personal life, just say you’re seeing someone and move on. If it comes time to get engaged, everyone will be happy for you and by that point you will already have settled in.

    • Anonymous

      If you’re still a couple when you start working their as an associate, then you should be open about it. There are all kinds of potential conflicts of interest that could possibly arise, so it’s better that your colleagues know you are dating. Keeping it a secret also makes it look like you feel you are doing something wrong. However, until you are actually working there, there’s no reason to tell anyone. If your boyfriend’s uncomfortable keeping it a secret, I don’t think it would hurt you if he tells a few people, but it’s not necessary.

      • anon

        Can you explain what you mean re: conflicts of interest? I could see if he were going to be supervising her or something, but when they are both associates, I have a hard time seeing how there would be any conflicts. I agree with the above posters that you should keep it quiet until you are at the point of moving in together or getting engaged.

        • Anonymous

          They shouldn’t be working together on the same case, he shouldn’t be assigned to be her mentor if the firm has a mentoring program, etc.

          • anon

            I don’t see how it is a conflict of interest to work on the same case! that is ridiculous. there are husband and wife lawyer teams everywhere.

          • fwiw

            Husbands and wives can share confidential information, girlfriend and boyfriend cannot. It’s this little Rule in professional responsibility rules.

          • anon

            I agree w/anon 3:29…I am not sure how them working on the same case creates a conflict. And even if he were assigned to be her mentor, depending on how the mentor program works, it’s pretty questionable whether there would be any conflicts there either. Maybe if the mentor had multiple mentees and was involved in determining who got what work, but I have never heard of a mentoring program working that way.

          • anon

            fwiw, do you have a cite for that? I don’t think we have that rule in my state.

            And isn’t that irrelevant anyway? If they are working at the same firm, on the same case, clearly they can share confidential client info with each other, just like any two other attorneys in the firm could, married or not.

    • Laura

      Do you (or does he) socialize w/ anyone at the firm? I think that makes a difference in the ease of hiding your relationship.

      Personally, I wouldn’t feel deceived if I found out that two co-workers had been dating only after they were engaged. If anything, I’d probably be impressed that they were able to keep it under wraps for so long!

      If he supervises you in any way, though, that changes the entire situation. I’m assuming he doesn’t?

    • anon

      Dont tell anyone until you’re engaged or living together. PLain and simple. Unless they good workplace friends. . . and I mean good. Like, in my firm of 200 lawyers for 3 years I have 2 good friends here I’d tell. The rest are just workplace friends.

      Proceed cautiously. It looks bad, especially since you were basically an intern and at a firm that small he may have reviewed you.

    • NYC

      I married a fellow summer associate. Before I came back to the firm (I clerked and he started as a first year), I told them we were dating and that I wanted to accept the position, but on the condition that we would not work together and not be on the same floor. It’s a huge firm with tons of couples and I knew they would agree to this. Unless you want to extract some kind of conditions — which sounds impossible given the smaller size of your firm and the current state of the legal market — I would not say anything until you are engaged. You and your BF should talk seriously about what it will be like to work together…on the same cases…with him a year senior to you. This is against firm policy and you should not come out until it is clear the relationship is going to last. No one will feel betrayed.

    • Hmm

      I agree with others that you shouldn’t tell anyone unless he’s supervising you or you’re on the same project. However, I’m wondering how long you can realistically keep it a secret, given that the firm only has 50 lawyers? Try your best though. Worst case scenario – if you break up, it will be extremely comfortable for everyone who knew you guys were together, and you’ll have to go around explaining it to some nosy people who will want the details, which is really annoying.

      I also agree with the poster that it always looks worse for the woman in the relationship, as unfair as that is.

    • anon

      I had a coworker who dated someone at her very conservative prior employer and suffice it to say her reputation was completely destroyed by it. I think it was bad enough that she left that job for a short-term temporary position at my place that at the time was not expected to turn into a full-time position.

      They recently got back together and are still keeping it a secret at that workplace because they’re afraid it will hurt his credibility. It is really not worth it to mention in a conservative environment until you’re really serious (e.g. cohabiting/engaged).

    • BL

      Remember, cohabitating could be looked down upon too, in a conservative workplace. My southern friends inform me that there is still stigma to “living in sin” around some parts.

  14. Ballerina girl

    Threadjack! After yesterday’s discussion of puffy coats to interviews (which I said weren’t a good idea because I’m a curmudgeon), I’m set on getting one for the weekends. Any suggestions of good brands and where I can find such good brands at decent prices? I want a close-to-knee-length jacket with a hood (preferably) that will keep me warm when it’s freezing.

    • Mella

      If you’re near a Sears, check out their Lands End shop. I was at mine a few days ago (returning a down LE coat, even), and almost all of their winter outerwear was priced to move. http://www.landsend.com to see styles, but beware that the Sears LE selection can vary.

      • Ann

        Big yes on Lands’ End! Thanks to recommendations here on Corporette, I recently bought the Lands’ End Lightweight Down Jacket and wore it for the first time today. (Here’s the link to the jacket: http://www.landsend.com/pp/LightweightDownJacket~217294_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::IVO&CM_MERCH=IDX_00008__0000000141&origin=index)
        I LOOOVE it. I have never gotten a down jacket because I could never find one that didn’t make me look like the Michelin Man. I am a size 14 and am pretty paranoid about wearing things that make me look larger. But this is very cute, cut narrowly, not too poofy, comfortable and very, very warm. I have it in black and I am seriously considering ordering another color, although that’s probably not necessary. The jacket is on sale right now and I think it’s a great buy. One caveat – it is truly cut slim so you might want to order your regular size, and a size up and see which one is more comfortable. Lands’ End is good with returns, at least they always have been when I’ve had to return something.

    • anon

      Are you in NYC? Macy’s had a good selection the last time I went puffy coat shopping, but that was a couple years ago and much earlier in the season. A few of my friends have a coat that fits your description from Brooklyn Industries that they have been happy with.

    • Anonymous

      I love my 650 fill down LL Bean, but Lands End and Patagonia also make good quality coats. I’d opt for 650 fill if you want to be truly snuggly warm, with a hood so that you can have the cocoon effect that keeps out biting wind. My 650 fill coat keeps me warm in 15 degree temperature with only a tee underneath.

    • AIMS

      I have a Jcrew knee length puffy coat & like it. I think they have pretty much the same one year to year.
      It’s got a detachable hood, cuffs that keep cold air from going up your arms and I think it’s fairly flattering. It’s very warm.

      I also had an Andrew Marc coat that I loved & lasted for years. If you look into that brand, I would advise against Marc by Andrew Marc — it’s much lower quality (in my experience) than the original line. They usually have a ton on sale at Bloomie’s in February (my AM was about $200, down from $550).

      Other brands you may want to consider: Marmot, Northface, or Canada Goose. All very warm. If you’re in NY, Bloomingdales usually has a big coat sale around this time of year with loads of options at big discounts, and Patagonia has great options, too.

      • sds

        My very thoughtful mother sent me a long 600-fill Northface coat that I love. She owns the coat, too; she lives in Canada, and she told me she wears it all winter. The zipper can be adjusted at both ends, so you can unzip it from knees to waist if you want (like when you’re driving and you want your legs to be more moveable). I think it was close to $300, but my mother (a cheapskate) says it’s totally worth it. So far, I am impressed. Also, I find the pockets and hood to be warm and fitted enough that I don’t need gloves/hat/scarf.

    • Anon

      Canada Goose jackets are popular where I am, and although they are pricy, they are WARM WARM WARM (and so cozy… it is like wearing a sleeping bag). Also I think they are cut very nice.

      • L from Oz

        I tried on a Canada Goose jacket this year, and wow! Warm, warm, warm. Unfortunately they didn’t have my size, but it was so comfortable I almost bought it anyway. (Luckily I came to my senses.)

        Given the price, though, I wouldn’t buy one for a weekend-only jacket unless you’re a lot wealthier than I am. The one I tried was 500 euros…

        And yes, the cut/fit was very nice considering the amount of puff and the waterproof fabric.

    • Ballerina girl

      Yes, I’m in NYC for those who asked. Macys and Bloomingdales are great ideas! Thanks and keep ’em coming!

      • anon

        I’m have a black down, knee length coat from Saks that’s great. And I’m sorry, but I’m in NYC, a lawyer, would definitely wear a puffy coat to work on days like today, in fact wore it, it’s 10 degrees out.

        There’s no reason to freeze for office appropriate outerwear if you’re just going to hang it up when you get to work/your interview. In fact,if you interviewed here the only person who would see your outerwear would be the receptionist/possibly the hiring coordinator.

        You can wear a puffy coat to an interview in my opinion. People are way too judgmental on this board lately. If youre the type of person who dings an interview-ee because you saw them in the elevator in a puffy coat over a suit on a 20 degree day, then you’re not the type of person I want to ever associate with.

        Toodles,
        Sick of the overly judgmental/fear mongering on this website lately

        • Boston atty

          Completely agree.

          (wears a puffy coat pretty much every day from January-March)

          • anon

            Seriously, I wonder if the people who write these comments ever even walk around NYC. I work midtown, large firm, big business area, and you see puffy coats EVERYWHERE. Same with Hunter boots (which I wear to work with slipper socks inside and switch to heels kept under my desk). Almost every female associate at my firm does the same. I have nice winter coats that are great when it’s 40 degrees out or a fancy event. But it’s going to zero tonight. The commute home will probably have a wind chill in the negative numbers. I wonder if a lot of the messages on this board are from people who get in their car in their heated garage or something? I walk 10 blocks to a subway entrance in 10 degree weather. No one judges anyone when it’s cold like this.

        • MelD

          I’m with you there- if a puffy coat is a reason not to hire an employee, I can only imagine that place will have a miserable working environment. When it’s 20 degrees or below out, I am much more comfortable in the puffy coat than I am in a wool coat if I have to walk any distance. I tried the wool coat one cold winter and ended up having to break down and buy a puffy coat because I couldn’t take it anymore.

          • Bonnie

            I wear a sherling coat all winter long. It’s not the most attractive thing but it does keep me very warm. However, I would never ever wear it to an interview.

          • Ann

            Totally agree. I finally broke down and bought my down coat when I realized that while I looked nice in the black wool/cashmere coat I bought at Bloomie’s a couple of years ago, I was freezing my tookus off. The problem with wearing heavier layers under the coat to make up for the lack of coat warmth is that many offices – mine included – crank the heat up and removing layers isn’t always possible or practical. So, I will be wearing my down coat to work for the rest of the winter, and if other people don’t like it, FOOEY on them. :)

          • MelD

            Ann- you are so right about the layering. I would rather not be sweating bullets during the interview, and when I’ve worn a wool coat in ultra cold weather I really have to put on more layers under it in order not to freeze on my walk. Usually inside, it’s way too much to be wearing a sweater under my suit jacket.

        • L from Oz

          Indeed. I don’t have a car, and either get the bus, cycle or walk everywhere. My nice wool coat is completely impractical for that lifestyle unless the occasion is extremely special.

          Incidentally, not all of us have job where we can stay inside all day. I have to go from building to building frequently, and if I were to change my shoes every time I did so, my co-workers would think I was both high-maintainence and slightly loopy. Equally, freezing for the sake of rashion is ridiculous.

          (My jacket is not only down, it’s also waterproof! We’re just above zero celsius here today, and have had sleet with a wind so strong, I couldn’t keep my umbrella up. I don’t see nice wool as an alternative in that situation – and definitely not when black ice stops the bus from running and I have to walk home!)

        • Ballerina girl

          Man, for someone sick of snippiness, this is a bit snippy. The person asked if it was appropriate for an interview, I said no. I stand by that. As for wearing it to work, I think it’s fine, but I’ll stick to my wool coat. I’m a lawyer at a big firm in NYC. It’s cold, but it’s not so cold that you can’t wear a professional coat to an interview. As for going to work, I think there’s more wiggle room and I wear snow boots and change out of them without giving it a second though. I wouldn’t wear a puffy coat because I don’t think it’s the look I want to convey at work. That’s a personal call that I’ve made. But I think interviews are different–the “norm” is a bit more important.

          I just went to an interview last week, wore a suit on a 3.5 hour train ride during a snow storm with a wool coat over it. I changed into heels in the cab from the train to the interview. No one took my coat before I went into the interview. No one took my suitcase. I was glad both looked professional because the impression I made at that interview mattered to me a lot.

          When people ask for career advice related to clothing, sometimes you get an answer you don’t want to hear, but all opinions are valid and I was just offering mine. And in the real world, people “ding” you for what you wear to interviews all the time. If the person didn’t care, they wouldn’t have asked.

          • A

            Wow. No one at my firm would ding anyone for their winter coat. I’m glad I’m at my place instead of your firm. It ashames me that other lawyers are this judgmental, especially women.

            and I’ve never been at a biglaw firm that didnt have a closet if you asked to hang your coat. In fact, I cant imagine someone sitting in my office in a full winter coat and dragging a suitcase around. I’d pity them at that point.

          • Ballerina girl

            Man, this is getting old. I was talking about wearing a puffy coat to an INTERVIEW. Not to work. And the job interview was with an NGO, not a law firm.

            I find it hard to believe that my position is that controversial on a blog that writes about office-appropriate purses, shoes, hats, etc. I think interviews are exceptional in that you don’t want to make a bad impression because it’s high stakes. I am far from strict about what I wear to work–I definitely lean toward casual, but when I go to an interview or to court, I wear my best clothes.

          • YOU

            “I wouldn’t wear a puffy coat because I don’t think it’s the look I want to convey at work. ”

            I guess we all portray that warm, non-superficial look at work.

          • Ballerina girl

            Wow, now I’m superficial because I prefer wear a wool coat to work instead of a down coat? This entire blog is about work-appropriate fashion–I don’t think it’s out of line to talk about my own work clothing choices.

            I think I’m done commenting on this subject for today. Thanks for the coat recommendations to those who gave them.

          • YOU

            You don’t see how “I wouldn’t wear a puffy coat because I don’t think it’s the look I want to convey at work. ” basically alienates and puts down everyone who wears a down coat?

            I think the posters have a problem with your attitude more than your opinion.

          • Anonymous

            I don’t wear my down coat for formal occasions either, and I’m a little surprised by all the posters who seem to think it’s appropriate for formal occasions. I will wear it to work on cold days, but that’s because I can stay inside all day and no one will really see my coat. But a wool coat is more formal, no doubt about that.

          • J

            I agree with you Ballerina girl. Your opinion is completely valid and so is everyone else’s. You never know what the response is going to be when you ask a question on here. If you get such a wide variety of responses in a small community like Corporette, I’m sure the same responses exist in the real world.

          • Ballerina girl

            I think you’re reading too much into. You have no idea where I work, what the dress code is like, or whether I LIKE any of it. My office is fairly conservative and most people where formal coats–maybe my definition of puffy coat is different from yours (you refer to a down coat when we were talking about “puffy” coats, which I think are different), but they wouldn’t fly where I work. That doesn’t make me superficial and I think name-calling is a bit uncalled for.

          • Ballerina girl

            Sorry, my last comment was directed at “YOU” (as in the name, not, well, you).

          • JAS1

            Honestly, YOU, I think ballerina girl expressed her opinion in just about the least alienating way possible by using “I statements” about what she would do and for what reasons – and she did so in response to someone requesting opinions and perspectives.

            I’m personally pro-down coat but not super puffy…I think people may be picturing different things when they hear “puffy coat.”

            Maybe someone wants to say that they like to wear ankle-length electric yellow marshmallow coats to interviews with hot pink hello kitty rubber boots. . . if they ask my opinion I will tell them I think it’s inappropriate and unattractive. No skin off my nose either way if they decide to follow my advice. No need to get my back up or feel “alienated” or otherwise insulted that some random stranger on the internet has a different opinion than I do about interview appropriate coats. …this is just a conversation with strangers on the internet about coats. Not a frickin nuclear disarmament negotiation.

            (And, I am being a little hypocritical by getting my back up about vitriol …)

          • fwiw

            For what it’s worth, I see how someone saying they dont wear a coat becuase of what it portrays at work can be offensive to all those who do wear those coats.

            I think that’s plain and simple and agree with YOU.

            It’s as if saying, I don’t wear heels because they portray slutiness to someone who is wearing heels. (Not that this is true, but how it comes out).

            And Ballerina girl, you said you worked NYC biglaw. Some of us can pretty much guess off a list the possibilities of where you work and have been to many offices to gage the range of them

          • Ballerina girl

            Saying someone’s shoes look slutty is very different from talking about the look I want to convey.

            Sorry if using the word “convey” was loaded. I’m really put off by the attacks here, though. You want to tell me you know my office vibe better than I do b/c you’ve been to some big law offices? Okay, fine. I give up.

          • D

            For what it’s worth, Ballerina girl, I’m from the NJ/NY region and I agree with you. I consider wool more formal. It’s like the finishing touch using fancy paper for your resume. Not usually a deal breaker, but means something to some people.

            Jeez, gals, it’s just an opinion. No down coat hate here.

          • Ballerina girl

            Thanks–all this when I was asking for down coat recommendations!

          • Hel-lo

            Ballerina Girl – You’re doing great. Way to stand your ground.

            I agree with you that this is your opinion, and you basically said that you wouldn’t wear a puffy coat, in the most respectful way possible. It wasn’t meant as an insult to everyone else that does. It’s your opinion and your own fashion choice, based on where you work and the look you want to convey.

            If I said that I didn’t want to wear kitten heels, because they convey something at work that I don’t want to convey, that’s not an insult to everyone that does wear them. It doesn’t mean that people who wear them are slutty. They’re just not my taste.

            We have all have different opinions, and that’s what this blog and community is about.

            Don’t let this ruin your day.

          • Ballerina girl

            Thanks to Hel-lo–I appreciate you having my back!

            I ended up going for a long Lands End coat–thanks for all the suggestions!

          • Hel-lo

            One time, on this site, I got a really negative comment in response to something I posted under a different name. I was really hurt. For like a week.

            You’ve gotten a lot of negative ones. Don’t be hurt. There are lots of worse horrors in this world to be worried about. :)

        • TAH

          Amen!

          I love my down coat, but I refuse to call it a “puffy coat” because it’s not puffy. Not all down coats make one look like a kid at recess.

          I refuse to freeze my behind off when walking between home and the bus stop (in NYC) because someone who sees me for the few minutes it takes to get into my office and take off my coat thinks I might look unprofessional. And yes, I wear it to court when it’s freezing out, since I’ve never once appeared in front of any judge while still wearing my coat.

  15. C

    Threadjack – I have applied for a junior/mid-level biglaw associate position in my practice area and have been asked to provide specifics on certain experiences (ex. number of complaints/answers drafted, motions argued, depositions taken, etc…). Any advice on how and weather to distinguish between experience in my practice area (the same as the applied for position) versus other types of litigation (often smaller / lower exposure cases) where I have in some instances gained more experience? Any other general advice?

    • Anonymous

      In my experience JCrew runs really small and is not cut for curvier women at all. I see from the link you’re looking at a size 16 – I normally am a busty size 12, sometimes a 14, and I have to size up to a 16 at JCrew. Their coats tend to be cut close to the body and run small. So I’d say to size up 1-2 sizes or, if you’re normally a 16 and can’t size up, make sure you can return the coat if it ends up not fitting.

      • AIMS

        Thanks! I am not sure why the link said size 16; I was looking at a different size. Generally, I don’t find Jcrew to be a problem as far as fit goes, but I have noticed lately that some of their stuff runs unexpectedly large (had to return a few sweaters) while other stuff remains more consistent with their usual fit. I was trying to figure out if this coat was “old” Jcrew or random “who knows what you’ll get/new” Jcrew.

        Totally agree that this is the sort of thing where a return option is needed. Will double check to make sure this isn’t final sale!

      • Jcrew coat

        I have a wool knee-length JCrew coat about 5 years old. I normally wear a 4 and had to size up to an 8 to leave room beneath for suit coats and thicker sweaters. I can’t speak to this particular coat though.

    • anonymous

      unfortunately in my experience jcrew runs really big and is not cut for more petite/boyish figures either!

      if you have questions about the fit of a specific coat i’d take it over to the blog jcrew aficionada (http://jcrewaficionada.blogspot.com/) – those ladies are experts!

      • AIMS

        Thanks, I will check.
        I actually need the coat in petites, I think (or expensive sleeve alterations will be needed), so maybe I should just pass…. Oy. Online shopping is terrible :)

  17. janep

    Lands End is having an extra 25% off sale and free shipping. check it out for warm weather gear and some great basic shirts.

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