Tuesday’s TPS Report: Antonio Melani’s “Chelsi” Dress
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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
Ok, we're totally loving this black and gray plaid dress. Great neckline, great hemline, great pattern. In order to keep the floaty fabric from seeming too “dinner party” we'd keep everything kind of neutral and professional: black or white cropped blazer (not a cardi), and closed-toe pumps to match. It's available at Dillard's for $169 (among, we might add, quite a few cute other Melani dresses that reader C alerted us to!) Antonio Melani “Chelsi” Dress
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.
Sales of note for 9/5/25
- Nordstrom – Summer sale has started, up to 60% off top brands
- Ann Taylor – Friends of Ann Event: 30% off your entire purchase, including new arrivals
- Anthropologie – 30% off clothing and accessories
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- J.Crew – Everyday styles from $34.50 — see our full roundup of what to buy for work at J.Crew
- J.Crew Factory – 50% off fall faves + extra 60% off clearance
- L.K. Bennett – 20% off all new-season
- Nordstrom Rack – Season Closeout: extra 40% off select clearance dresses, sandals, shorts, and swimwear(ends 9/11)
- Rothy's – Up to 50% off last-chance sales
- Soma – 5 panties for $39 + 35% off 3+ styles + buy 2 get 3 free panties — readers love these PJs and these no-VPL panties
- Talbots – 25-40% off select fall styles + extra 30% all markdowns — here are all the reader favorites at Talbots
- White House Black Market – 50% off all sale styles (ends 9/5)
And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!
Some of our latest threadjacks include:
- how do I feel less overstimulated at work?
- how can I look more put-together/expensive?
- what's the best out-of-office message to show I'm not working?
- what are some comfortable fashion sneakers?
- what brands have minimalist clothes for a more casual office?
- how to store lots of accessories
- what are good products for sparse brows?
- what do you recommend for gifts for a friend who's eloping?
- what should I pick for our company-branded conference swag?
- what non-sneaker shoes can you walk a mile in?
- I'm 31 and feel like my life is too stagnant…
- which emojis fill you with rage?
- how can I make house guests more comfortable?
- my friend is at her wit's end with her SAHP
- when is it time to quit therapy?
- why is it so hard to stay on top of school communications for my teen?
Has anyone seen this dress in person? Just wondering what the quality is like up close, but it looks cute in the photo.
Beautiful, beautiful dress. Would a narrower belt work better in more conservative offices?
love love love it – and the thick belt too…how conservative ARE some offices? :)
Love it. I have to agree that I must be out of touch with conservative means if a wide belt is too risque. I’ve never really worked up north before but would wearing a colored blazer/belt with this really be a big no no? Is color forbidden even in the summer? I can understand that bare arms might be a no no, but feel like this dress really needs a little pop of color somewhere.
love! and a more structured cardi could work just fine, I think – black, purple, deep rose – just no pastels.
on a somewhat unrelated note, may I make a tagging suggestion? I’m not sure how useful a designer’s name is as a tag given how infrequently a particular name comes up (except Banana, J.Crew, and other usual suspects). It’s also somewhat difficult to remember who designed a certain item if you want to look back for reference… instead or also, maybe tag by color or price range, bluefly-style?
It’s a really great dress, but perhaps a bit too rock star for a law office?
@Liz – do you mean it’s too bold or too edgy? as styled it does look a little attention-getting, but with regular office hair and standing like a normal person, I think it’s appropriate. perhaps one of those dresses that seems to change in appearance with the personality/setting of the wearer.
I love his dresses! This one is really pretty and the price point is a nice one :)
Love the dress! Nice pick!
Love this dress! Love EVERYTHING by Antonio Melani. I can’t speak to how well made his dresses are, but I have a Melani handbag and it’s beautifully put together!
http://www.dillards.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=301&langId=-1&storeId=301&productId=501899402&N=1603920&searchUrl=%2Fendeca%2FEndecaStartServlet%3FN%3D1603920&R=02990145
Actually, a lot of those dresses would work in the office. Just throw a jacket on to cover your arms.
It would be more obvious if all the models didn’t look like they were trying to seduce you. Hello, ad folks, the people making the decision about buying are women. Put the models in the poses that make us want to buy. Would it kill you to let us see how these things work in the office? not everyone walks down the street all day with the wind blowing their hair. Kthnx.
I work in Antonio Melani section and all that i can tell u girls is that these dresses are awesome!! It doesn’t matter if you are skinny like a model they look good on any body type, i promise you!!!. If u don’t believe me, go to Dillard’s and try them on.