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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 154 Comments · by

Tuesday’s TPS Report: Index Dress

The Personal Shopper (TPS) | · ·

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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Today's guest post is from Capitol Hill Style. Index dress in wool crepeI often shop at British retailers like Karen Millen and LK Bennett for perfectly tailored dresses; our friends in the UK just have a better grasp on affordable professional attire than we do. But that might be changing. This dress from J.Crew ($188) has a shape that is ladylike without being matronly. It also has a chic knotted-detail and a sophisticated neckline. I’d wear this vibrant red dress with simple, gold jewelry and flesh-toned pumps. Looking for something more neutral? The dress also comes in charcoal, black and taupe. Choose the black and add a leopard print belt to incorporate one of Fall’s hottest trends. Or balance the charcoal with a jewel-toned pump for a little color. Index dress in wool crepe Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail [email protected] with “TPS” in the subject line. (L-2)

Sales of note for 8.30.24

  • Nordstrom – Summer Sale, save up to 60%
  • Ann Taylor – 30% off full-price purchase; $99 jackets, dresses & shoes; extra 50% off sale
  • Banana Republic Factory – 50-70% off everything + extra 20% off
  • Bergdorf Goodman – Final Days Designer Sale, up to 75% off; extra 20% off sale
  • Boden – 20% off
  • Brooks Brothers – Extra 25% off clearance
  • Eloquii – Up to 60% off everything; extra 60% off all sale
  • J.Crew – 40% off sitewide; extra 60% off sale styles
  • J.Crew Factory – Extra 20% off orders $125+; extra 60% off clearance; 60%-70% off 100s of styles
  • Lo & Sons – Summer sale, up to 50% off (ends 9/2)
  • Madewell – Extra 40% off sale; extra 50% off select denim; 25% off fall essentials
  • M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
  • Rothy's – End of season sale, up to 50% off
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear in the big sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – 25% off regular-price purchase; 70% off clearance
  • White House Black Market – Up to 70% off sale

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

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Comments

  2. In-House Europe

    So, number 1, love this dress.

    Number 2, super quick thread jack, my annual trip back to the States is coming up (whoo hoo!!) and I have a bit of a (admittedly first-world) dilemma…

    Background: I had been up and down with weight for quite a while before sticking to a wonderful size 4/6 for a few years prior to pregnancy. Now, 15 months post-pregnancy I am *still* quite a bit heavier than that. I think I am going to lose it (in fact, I recently re-joined weight watchers and have lost a few pounds), but how long do I continue buying cheap “transition” clothes before just buying something nice for the me that is right now?

    And on that note, any store recommendations (So Cal) for size 12/14 apple shapes? I am thinking Ann Taylor and maybe Talbots, but any other suggestions? What say you, hive mind? Should I spend a bit more on clothes or wait and have that be a “reward” for losing weight??

    • Anne Shirley

      Buy the clothes now. I have never found dressing in transitional clothes to motivate me to lose weight.

    • anon

      Another idea: if you really need something now, buy it now. Otherwise, give yourself a timeline (say, 6 months) to lose whatever weight you can, and then buy. If you’re in Southern California, the seasons won’t change much, and I think after 6 months of sincerely trying, you’ll know whether you’re really going to change your body size or not.

      Otherwise I find that an open-ended attitude of “but I’m going to lose weight, so …” never really amounts to anything.

    • CW

      As someone going through a weight loss process, you should definitely buy a few items that are good quality and can be easily tailored (for when you lose more weight!), as a motivator. For once it’s actually been fun to see the change in numbers! Be careful not to buy too much though. I have so many clothes that are now way too big, and the cost to alter them will be close to the price of a new item, so it looks like I’m going to be giving away a lot of almost-new clothing.

      And, if you’re going to be near a Nordstrom’s, I would definitely recommend it! You can make a free appointment with a personal shopper, and they’re always so helpful.

    • Lucy

      Would consignment/thrift stores help you bridge the gap between the size you are now and the size you want to be?

    • Dieter

      Buy some nice stuff now, although don’t go overboard. I eventually lost the baby weight, but it slowly crept back! Now I’m working at it again. I learned that buying the cheap stuff that doesn’t fit properly makes me look worse and then feel worse. Good luck!

      • Lindsay

        I’m in the same boat, and finally just accepted that, realistically, I’d be lucky to lose 10 pounds, and 10 pounds isn’t going to make me a dramatically smaller size than I am right now. So if I buy clothes that fit me now, they’ll probably just fit a little more loosely in 6 months (which is how I prefer my clothes anyway) or, worst case scenario, I have to have them taken in. Nothing is worse than struggling with your weight and hating your clothes on top of it – go shopping!

    • Anonymous

      Just buy what you need-need now (b/c your black dress is too big/small or your white shirt is stained), so as not to punish yourself (for what? after all?… successfully having a lovely baby and a busy life?) But wait for the luscious new silk dress or tailored suit till X time, when you declare truce and say, ‘this is my size now,’ whatever that size may be. Life’s too short to wait for the perfect future, but you can pick a middle ground and make that your new perfect. Size 8 in January, say, or somesuch.

    • Eponine

      I’m a 12/14 apple with large breasts and the stores where things fit me most consistently are AT, Loft, Gap, Land’s End (online or at Sears), Tahari ASL (available at Macy’s) and sometimes BR.

    • And so anon

      Buy some nice clothes now. It’s possibly counter-intuitive, but punishing oneself seldom works in the long-term. Feeling good about yourself right now probably will only give you more energy to work towards your goal.

      And what’s the worst could happen? You end up accepting yourself at your current weight? I doubt that will be the case, but mention it only because I believe the fear of giving up is what stops a lot of people from being kind to themselves. If it’s a worthy, realistic, sustainable goal, you will reach it. If in a year or whatever it takes you have to give away your too-large clothes you won’t regret it.

    • Houda

      Buy a couple things that will make you feel good about yourself. If you are on a weight loss program, you want to still look and feel good about your attire. This in itself is a motivation as you keep thinking of all the other nice items you will buy once you hit your weight/figure goal.

      • In-House Europe

        Thanks everyone for the kind and thoughtful comments – I so love this place! (“place”? whatever…)

        I think I needed to hear that it was OK to treat myself to a few things and not punish myself, for, as Anonymous above beautifully said, having a lovely baby and a busy life.

        So I will buy a few fall necessities for my wardrobe – a nice button down shirt, maybe a new suit, a cardigan, and NOT feel bad about it. Then in the spring, I will reevaluate.

  3. CW

    I love the neckline and the longer sleeves. I think this might work for larger chests too because the neckline dips down a fair bit, potentially avoiding the lovely “shelf effect” of higher necklines.

    Threadjack – has anyone tried bikram (hot) yoga? Thoughts? I’ve never tried it, and there’s a Groupon for a nearby studio.

    • Mir

      I love Vinyasa y0ga, and had heard rave reviews of Bikram, so I jumped on a Groupon for 5 classes of Bikram. I Hated it. Absolutely hated it, and didn’t go back after the 2nd class. I didn’t feel like I was “cleansing” myself by sweating, I just felt gross sweating so much and being near (and smelling) other people sweating so much. I was uncomfortable the whole time. I couldn’t even hold some of the standing poses because I kept getting light-headed from the heat (and possibly the smell). Also, I’m not sure if this is standard, but the instructor just stood at the front of the class and called out what to do — he didn’t actually do any of the poses, and that bothered me.

      All that said, I don’t like hot weather to begin with, and I may be more sensitive to the heat than your average person; I’ve had problems with heat exhaustion in the past. Also, after both classes I attended I heard “regulars” saying that the room had seemed hotter than normal, so I maybe I just had a particularly bad experience.

      If you do decide to try out the bikram class, make sure you drink a LOT of water throughout the day before you go, and have water and a full-sized towel with you for class, and some kind of dilute sports drink ready for after the class.

      • Houda

        I would be too grossed out to focus on my workout, with sweaty people around. I go to gym regularly and have no issue with a little sweat but not dripping on the floor.
        Granted, I am a “recovering” hypochondriac. I am that annoying person who would change place in middle of Body Combat class because a person left a sweaty spot… now thinking of an entire room of sweaty people makes me want to cry.
        The germophobe Houda wins over the gym bunny Houda.

        • Little Lurker

          I like the image of germaphobe Houda and gym bunny Houda duking it out, UFC-fighter style. ;)

    • Fiona

      I love Bikram yoga, but a lot of people hate it. Reasons to hate: It’s very intense and hot (and a little bit gross – everyone is sweating profusely the entire time) and you might get light-headed or dizzy. The room is also very hot and stuffy. The classes are time consuming (90 minutes) and you absolutely have to take a shower afterwards, so the entire commitment ends up being closer to 2 hours.

      Caveats aside, I think it’s an amazing workout. If you go in stiff from a day at the office, you will be completely loose and relaxed by the time you leave. I also find it meditative because you have to focus so intensely on what you’re doing that you don’t have extra head space to worry about that email your boss just sent you. And if you’re feeling bloated or toxic from life, you’ll shed that feeling after even just one class.

      I would give it a try if you have a Groupon – go to 3-4 classes and see what you think.

      • Niktaw

        A lot of Bikram studios are popping up and putting on groupons and promotions. Make sure you go to a quality place.
        I had a Groupon and managed 4 classes out of 5 I bought. I was not grossed out by the sweat, but I have fairly high tolerance for these things.
        Finding clothes was a challenge. Cotton knit capris, for instance, did not work at all – when soaked with sweat, they felt gross and weighed me down. Synthetic exercise top with a shelf bra worked very well. A lot of people wore modified 2-piece swimsuits with boyshorts and fuller-coverage top.
        The heat does make you more limber and increase the range of motion. However, I, generally a healthy person, was most of the time afraid I’d drop dead in class – it was that uncomfortable. The spiritual/meditative component of yoga was completely absent for me. The light feeling after class was pleasant, but not wonderful enough to make me stick with this activity.

    • Lydia

      I actually thought of getting a Groupon for bikram yoga. I looked up some reviews on Yelp for the studio…and decided against it. I think though that bikram may be different among the various studios in terms of how hot the room is, the instructors, etc.

      • Yogi

        I am totally obsessed with bikram and other types of hot yoga. I find the heat helps me to get a better stretch. Consequently, it works better than any massage I have ever had at relaxing back and neck muscles.

        I have been to some studios though where the instructors are particularly militant or where they keep the room at 115 degrees, and I find that in those cases I do not have a very pleasant experience.

      • AT

        This. I did Bikram all the time when I was in grad school, and really loved the (new, very clean, very well maintained) studio and the instructors. Then I moved to SoCal and went to one class and never went back. The vibe at the Bikram studio (I don’t even know if it’s fair to call it a studio, it was almost more like a warehouse) was very aggressive, almost boot-camp-y, and the instructor was pushing people to do things that were probably far beyond their limits. I say this because by that point I had probably gone to over 100 Bikram classes (probably more), I knew what my body could do, I had made great progress in a lot of the postures, and most importantly I knew my limits, and yet here was this instructor yelling at me to push harder into an extension that I knew my body was not yet capable of.

        Maybe it was rash for me to never go back to that studio, but I figured that if this was the tone/mood of instruction, and the classes were full, that studio probably wasn’t a good match for me.

        I don’t really do Bikram anymore — I’ve found that I much prefer hot classes that mix it up a bit more (every official Bikram class will be the same 26 postures in the same order, each one performed twice), and add music. Core Power Yoga (which seems to be spreading across the country) has some great warm and hot classes that are more enjoyable to me, and I’ve really liked all the instructors.

        • Kanye East

          You described exactly why I stopped practicing Bikram yoga. I went regularly for years and loved the challenge of it–mentally and physically–but I also did some pretty profound damage to my body, which I didn’t realize at the time. It didn’t help that I’m naturally hyperflexible, and most of my classmates were dancers all competing to see who could make the posture look prettiest, while the dialog from the teachers constantly implores you to “go beyond your flexibility.”

          I’d been practicing various modalities of yoga for about 10 years at that point, and subsequently got certified to teach yoga. I took a few years off from Bikram classes, and when I went back, I was stunned by not simply how rigid class was (I already knew that), but by how un-mindful, un-involved, and downright mean the teachers could be.

          I got yelled at for going into a momentary arm balance from toe stand. “KANYE EAST, *WE* are doing toe stand. WHAT are you doing?!”

          • Bonnie

            I went to a yoga class recently where the instructor prohibited us from drinking water on a hot day. He didn’t want it to distract us from our practice.

          • anonym

            I thought Yoga was supposed to be noncompetitive. :-) Certainly, I was required to adopt the attitude when I took a class several months ago after having done Hatha decades ago.

            A friend who has practiced Yoga for years tried a Bikram class and liked it a lot.

    • Diana Barry

      I love hot yoga, but not bikram – the rigidity in the sequence of poses doesn’t appeal to me. Different studios may be variable as to how close the mats are, how many super-stinky people go there, etc. :) It is very hot.

      • elle

        This. You may want to try hot power vinyasa or some other hot version. For some people (including me), bikram is way too rigid. I hated it but otherwise love hot vinyasa classes.

    • BAB

      My former roommate was really into Bikram yoga, and ended up going to the Bikram yoga college in LA so she could teach it.

      All Bikram classes are the same. You do the same 26 poses in the same order. Some instructors may have a gentler demeanor than others, but most of the class is pretty scripted.

      It’s not for everyone, but if you’re interested, you should check it out. Studios usually offer introductory packages (a full week for $20 or something), so check with your local studio before buying the Groupon–you might get a better deal that way. I have found that instructors are very welcoming to newcomers.

      The more people in the studio, the hotter/stuffier it will be. Keep in mind that businesses usually get a ton of new customers after a Groupon, so classes will get fuller, and rooms will seem hotter.

      Drink a ton of water throughout the day, eat a light snack (but nothing that will make you gassy) about three hours beforehand so that you don’t pass out from starvation.

      Wear as little as possible. Most women will wear a sports bra and shorts. Most men will wear just shorts.

      Bring a beach towel to put on top of your mat, and a smaller towel to wipe the sweat off your body. If you are properly hydrated, you will be THAT sweaty. If you are not properly hydrated, you will feel dizzy.

      If you feel dizzy, just sit down for a minute. Try not to leave the room, unless it’s an emergency.

      If you’re new, arrive early and secure a place in the back of the room. Because the instructors don’t demo the poses, you’ll want to watch the veterans to figure out what to do.

      Also, tell the instructor if you have any medical conditions, so that they are aware. I have substantial bone erosion in my elbows and wrists and I cannot twist or straighten them, so my Locust pose looks a little distorted. It’s better the instructor knows this than tries to force me into something that could do real damage. Having said that, I’ve found Bikram yoga to be much easier on my joints than other types of yoga (I am unable to do downward dog, and that is not one of the Bikram poses).

      When you’re laying down, your feet face the back of the room.

      Bring an apple or something small to eat on your way home. Sports drink could work well here too–I’ve never tried it.

    • Bonnie

      Groupons are a great way to try out new things. Go ahead and try it. I absolutely hated bikram. I got dizzy and smelly and found that I had a hard time holding poses because my hands and feet were sliding around so much, even with yoga gloves!

    • Eponine

      I wouldn’t get a Groupon if it costs more than the price of a single class. I’d try it first, even if you pay full price for a single class (but most studios offer a new student discount). If you like it, I guarantee you there will be groupons again in the future.

    • Flo

      For what it’s worth, I’ve been doing Bikram for about 4 years and there have been times when I have wanted to go every day of the week and times when I went months without going because the thought of doing it for 90 minutes was too overwhelming (and I’m typically pretty good at sticking to a workout schedule). So if you go once and aren’t feeling it, consider giving it some time and trying it again.

      The instructor should make this clear, but absolutely don’t feel bad lying down on your mat for a pose or two if you feel like you can’t handle the heat. Try to avoid drinking watever every chance you get. It’s tempting, but if you are already hydrated when you come in it won’t do anything more and will slosh around in your stomach and make you feel sick.

      Ultimately, I like Bikram because I think it provides a consistent challenge and a space where I can completely focus on what I am doing. I also like doing the same poses every time because it gives me a chance to see my progress, which makes me feel like a badass. I don’t leave feeling as contemplative as I do when I practice other kinds of yoga, but I do feel like I’ve had an excellent workout.

    • Anon

      I absolutely love bikram. I am not generally into intense workouts but for some reason bikram is just perfect for me. When I go regularly my skin is beautiful, my body looks and feels amazing but best of all, my stress levels are way down.

      The biggest drawback is the time commitment. 90 minutes of class plus waiting in line to take a quick shower at the studio is a long time and hard to fit in to my already busy schedule. Going to bikram regularly is probably the only thing I really miss about not being a mom.

      If you do it, go to three classes in your first week. If you go once or twice or spread it out too much, you won’t get that break through “oh I get it” feeling and may never really experience why so many find this work out so amazing.

    • meara

      As others have said–it depends on the studio, and the teacher, how things will be in some respects. It takes a lot of time since the classes are long and you NEED to shower afterward (and it takes lots of laundry!)

      That said, as a somewhat out of shape chubby girl, I love that even the skinny bendy people end up lying down on their mats at some point during the class! And while the teachers at the place I go to do occasionally annoy me with the “no don’t drink water yet!” BS, none of them have ever called anyone out for sitting or lying down when needed.

      A local blogger mentioned bikram yoga recently, and a commenter said “No one ever looks HAPPY leaving there!” and I was like “Sure, I look like crap when I leave, but a hour later after I’ve showered and changed? I’m glowing and feel great!”

      Most places have “$10 for the first week!” or whatever, so consider that if you don’t want the groupon.

  4. a passion for fashion

    I love this dress. its just beautiful. When Im not in a suit, dresses for me are the easiest to wear to work becaue its just one simply thing to get ready in the morning, and even if i have to run out unexpectedly to court or a client, i can just throw a suit jacket on top. I like the styling suggestion with the reddish color and although Ive been on a bit of a shopping spree lately (so many of the suggestions here have been great) I may have to check this one out. Anyone know of a J Crew discount code?

  6. Mir

    I love this dress! I don’t know that I love it $188 (+tax and shipping) worth… but if there are sales that bring it in the neighborhood of $120, I will definitely pick one up.

    • Corporate Tool

      The nice thing about JCrew is that they go on sale pretty regularly. I’d say 2 months till it’s on sale.

      • Emma

        Trying to catch your size when it goes on sale is difficult, though. That’s why Shopping Notes is so great!

  7. MsZ

    LOVE this dress. Ladylike, and I love that the interest comes from fascinating construction instead of some crazy print on jersey.

    Relatedly – does anyone else have difficulty applying the nude-for-her shoe in the work context? I have some gorgeous nude-for-me patent pumps that would be completely work appropriate in any other color, but for some reason I feel like they are for cocktail attire only . . . and then I struggle with what shoes to wear to work when stylin’ gals tell me to wear my nude-for-me pumps. Am I a fuddy duddy?

    • Anonymous

      Just wear them.

      They are one of Two totally empirically appropriate work shoes now, black and neutral. Mayhap your pair is extra jazzy and that’s got you fuddled? But if they’re plain and neutral, they are completely the thing. And really… just wear them because… you’ll see and remember that not only are they perfect, it doesn’t matter truly matter either way. No one but you will notice. Sometimes it’s good to remember that. Once you plunge, you realize, and then you can rewear with nonchalance. Because they’re just right.

    • jcb

      I wear my patent nude pumps to work all the time, and never thought a thing about it. I’ve even gotten compliments on them.

    • Anon

      Every single woman attorney at my midsize firm has nude for me shoes and wears them to the office. I’m wearing my nude patent leather flats right now. If you’re really uncomfortable wearing them at first, try wearing them on a Friday and ease into them. They’ll be a great asset to your wardrobe.

  8. AtlantaAttorney

    Gorgeous dress.

    Corporettes: I need the perfect layering t-shirt. Need it for layering under casual jackets for casual Fridays and weekend wear (think corduroy jacket with dark wash jeans and heels, am missing the nice t-shirt to go under it). I want something with a little stretch, a smooth neckline that falls right under my collarbone, and not see through – I despise the tissue thin fabrics that are out right now. I’m at the point where I will pay anything, because this is such a huge hole in my waredrobe. Many thanks for suggestions.

    • eh230

      Maybe try Gap. I was in there yesterday, and they had a whole table of tees for 40% off in a range of colors. I did not end up buying one because I was inbetween sizes, but they were good tees for a great price. The sleeves are a bit longer (about half-way to the elbow), which I love. The tee was thin but not so thin that it was see throught. I will try to provide a link in a second post. Good luck!

    • SMC-JD

      I feel your pain! Trying to find a non-sheer white or cream shirt was driving me crazy. I finally went to Nordstrom and (thank you wonderful sales person!) bought a shirt under the “Autumn Sun” label. Cream, not transparent (at all), scoop neck that is not too low for work.

    • anon

      if you can find it … Shimera baby tees which are about $28-$30. The only place I’ve ever found them is Nordstrom and for some reason they are out of stock right now (sorry!) but they are high quality, smooth, stretchy, thick enough to be substantial but also thin enough to layer.

      maybe do a search and see where else they are sold?

    • Divaliscious11

      I actually just picked up a few from Target that I really like. Not sheer, but thin enough to wear under a sheath.

    • PollyD

      H&M had some surprisingly nice, decent-weight tees earlier this summer. The white is not see-through. The necklines are a shallow scoop and I think have some nice binding on the edge. They might run a little small, but not much, and mine have held up pretty well for white t-shirts. They had other colors at the time.

      • MelD

        I think I got that t-shirt in black, navy, and white. There may have been a few other fairly neutral colors, but I don’t remember anything bright.

    • Always a NYer

      I love the basic tees from J.Crew. There’s an outlet near me that I go to every few months to stock up because they usually have sales like 2 for $20 or $11 each at other times. When I went last weekend they had long sleeves so I was able to add to my collection of short sleeve tees. I’ll usually get one in each color I like.

      • SeaElle

        Agree on Jcrew. Although I will say that every few seasons they have a change-up in materials and they pill much faster.

        I wish clothing companies would go back to making quality clothes as opposed to disposable.

    • Eponine

      My favorites are from Loft. They’re a modal blend and are super soft but aren’t see through.

    • Aria

      I’m obsessed with Royalton tees from Nordstrom. They’re a little pricey, but super soft and the front has two layers of cotton so that they’re not see-through at all. Additionally, the neck has a slight v-neck — enough to be flattering but not low-cut. They’re my go-to shirts under suits these days.

      • Terry

        Second this recommendation – and they sometimes have them at Nordstrom Rack at a discount.

    • Bee

      Talbots. I just got 4 T-shirts and 2 cardigans, on clearance, for about $60. At a higher price point, Eileen Fisher has a washable silk cap sleeved T with a neckline you may like. If white is too sheer, buy a darker color.

      • LawMom

        I wish Banana Republic would bring back the basic modal T’s it had about 10 years ago. They were perfect for layering under everything, not too baggy, not too short to tuck, not too thin, not too casual, not too expensive, etc. I look preposterous with 25 layers of embellishment on a t-shirt under a cardigan or blazer.

        Why don’t the clothing manufacturers understand that we’re all looking for good basics and keep them in permanent stock? They wear out and eventually need replacing, so we’d keep buying them.

        • jcb

          I agree. My favorite layering tees are those BR modal tees from a few years ago (they had them in fall ’08, I think). Short sleeves, not see-through, not-too-low scoop neck, finished edge. That’s all we need. It makes no sense that they wouldn’t just keep those basics around. I could kick myself for not buying more when I had the chance.

        • K

          I *lived* in those modal Ts during law school! So many colors, so little thought involved in getting dressed!

    • AtlantaAttorney

      Thanks to all of you. I just ordered a bunch of different ones from Nordstrom to try, and whichever brand works best I’m biting the bullet and getting about 10 of them with varying sleeve lengths and collars so I don’t find myself in this predicament again.

      • In-House Europe

        Will you please share the results of your shirt survey once you get them?? I’d love to know!!

        • Amy H.

          I’d love to know your conclusions as well!

          I’m going to try the modal tees (scoop neck) from Lands End for this exact purpose, and will report back to the board. . . .

    • BB

      I got the most ridiculously perfect black knit shells at Ann Taylor today, rayon and tencel, for $48. Look for their “ruched crewneck top with back zipper.” The neckline is somewhere between a scooped and a crew. It’s thin, but not too thin.

      • AnotherMel

        I have these also and I think they’re great, but before ordering be aware that the back zipper is “exposed” and is a gold/brass color…I know that some people on here have taken issue with the “exposed zipper in the office” trend. Personally, I think they look great tucked in under a suit or untucked w/ jeans, they wash and dry perfectly, and I’m just so darn happy to find SLEEVED shirts to wear under suits! For some reason, I don’t look good wearing collared shirts under my suits, and since I get hot easily, I don’t really like long sleeves either, but I’m not running around the office in a glorified tank top :).

  9. anon

    Love this dress, especially in the red, but it looks a little short for me.

    Styling question, I have a knee length pleated light grey skirt, very similar to the one at the link (but without the ribbon waistband), that I hardly ever wear because I can’t figure out what to wear with it. I have a pale lavender twin set and a kind of pinkish coral twin set I wear with it, but am afraid twin sets look kind of dated now. Also, neither of those colors really seem right with it. Any ideas?

    http://www.gargyle.com/karen-walker-pleated-skirt.html

    • AIMS

      I like the idea of a blouse similar to the one pictured, perhaps with sleeves for work. I definitely would not do a twinset, but I just really detest twinsets, so that’s just a personal thing. I also think a light gray like this would look nice with either darker or bolder, brighter colors to create a nice contrast — anything from black to tomato red. Maybe a strong cobalt blue or even a hunter green for fall. Besides a silky blouse, I think a slighly slouchy turtleneck sweater in one of the above colors would look really great, perhaps with a belt if it’s on the longer side, and either nice stacked heels or a fantastic pair of boots. I think a “lady like” skirt like this plus twinset is a bit too on the nose. Something less conventional will make the outfit feel more “of the moment,” I think.

    • Always a NYer

      That skirt is gorgeous! I tend to avoid twin sets because I feel I look too much like a Stepford-wife when I do (not exactly what I’m going for at work). Because the skirt is so feminine and flowy, I’d pair it with a black knit top, something simple that won’t detract from the skirt. For shoes I would go with black patent leather pumps.

      My jewelry suggestions would be gold or pearls, maybe both.

    • Ru

      This is a cool gray, so you need to wear cooler colors with it. Coral is too warm for this gray. I’d go with a more bluish navy, indigo (as opposed to plum), black, brown, bluish red, cool yellow, emerald green, etc, in varying saturations of color (so it doesn’t have to be jeweled tones, just take those colors and imagine them with more black or white in them, like lemon yellow as opposed to mustard yellow).

      Also, I don’t think twinsets are dated unless you’re wearing them khakis (for some reason, that looks really suburban to me). Wearing a twinset with this skirt gives it that vintage/old school vibe, so no harm there. Trying wearing patterned shells this skirt, it seems like you can get a lot of mileage out of it.

    • seltzer pop

      Second the suggestions of cooler colors. I’d wear this with a black (or maroon or navy or plum, etc.) v neck sweater, round-ish toed pumps in a complementary color, and maybe a patterned scarf tied around my neck to add interest.

    • AtlantaAttorney

      Like any good Southerner, I love a twin set, but I don’t think one would work with this skirt. The skirt has so much volume and movement it needs something sleek on top. What about a fitted but lightweight turtleneck sweater and ballet flats?

      • Eponine

        I agree that it needs something sleek on top. I think coral would look fine with it – I actually avoid wearing cooler colors together because I tend to think the warm/cool combination looks better.

        • Supra

          Third the navy suggestions (I typed it before and WordPress ate it). I’d wear the skirt with a rich navy blouse with an understated detail (maybe a tie neck, or a peter pan collar).

    • ML

      I have a skirt identical to this except the grey is a little darker. It’s my all time favorite skirt- I’ve worn it for years, and it’s so versatile. I often wear it with a crisp white blouse (similar to the pic, with or without sleeves), and a waist-cinching belt for a roman-holiday vibe. I also wear it with shrunken, button up cardigan (twin set but without the bottom half). I wear a lot of button downs with it, tucked in, with a belt, and flat little loafers. I’ve worn blouses with it before, but I tend to stick to sort of a crisp, clean look (one time I wore it with a ruffled top and it was too much). Have fun- it’s a fabulous skirt!

  10. AIMS

    Fabulous dress. I even like the red (spoken as someone whose work wardrobe is mostly black, brown, gray and navy, with an occasional camel to “brighten” things up a bit).

  11. SF Bay Associate

    Second day without Kat – she can schedule the coffee breaks and other afternoon discussions to post automatically. I hope that she and husband and family (maybe baby!) are doing well. Thinking of you!

    • Monday

      Good call! I remember she said she was due “this summer,” and since it’s late August you may well be right! We’re cheering for you, Kat!

      • Formerly Preggo Angie

        Yes! Wondering if she’s “Formerly Preggo Kat!” Wishing all the best, either way!

  12. Maddie Ross

    Threadjack — There was a conversation yesterday about the Junior League and as a sub-part of that conversation, a poster mentioned that she would never hire someone that listed Junior League on their resume. She also mentioned that she would never hire someone in a sorority. Another poster said the same thing about Rotary and Kiwanis. Thankfully, I’m gainfully employed and not actively looking for a change, but now I’m curious — What are the organizations or activities that people should not list on resumes? I’ve always understood that people should not list church affiliations or any activities with an overtly political association, unless they were applying for a position where that counted (i.e., political campaign, etc.). What about the more “mainstream” activities? Do you list? Reasoning? Now I’m just genuinely curious and wondering if I’ve been dinged in the past for apparently coming off as a ding-bat before I even walked in the door…

    • MelD

      I wonder about people who make blanket statements like that. It’s one thing to have problems with a certain organization in your own city or university, but it doesn’t make sense to ding people from an organization as a whole unless you know that the organization as a whole promotes certain beliefs that are contrary to the mission/environment at your employer. E.g. if a company is very LGBT friendly and someone states she is a member of a known anti-Gay organization, then I think it’s reasonable to pause when considering whether to hire that person.

    • anon

      One school of thought is that you should list anything that’s meaningful to you and relevant to your candidacy, and people who judge you for it can go ** off.

      Another school of thought is that you should avoid anything remotely controversial or possibly liable to stereotyping/negative associations, and if you cast the net wide enough that could probably include any political group (College Republicans) and activist organizations – the NRA, NOW, etc.; sororities, fraternities, Junior League (per yesterday’s thread); anything to do with sexual preferences, e.g. LGBT associations; anything religious; and maybe highly unusual hobbies … but only if they’re really extreme (cage fighting??)

      Frankly like most things the best approach is probably the middle ground. Don’t lie about yourself and be honest about what is important to you and relevant to your candidacy. Also be aware that recruiters and employers, like it or not, are only human, with their own set of preconceptions.

      • Anonymous

        “Cage fighting”? Do you mean MMA? As someone who competes in grappling and kickboxing and instructs, too, I’d say put it out there. It is far better that my colleagues know about my passions/hobbies than wonder if my home life is okay because my shins are bruised again. (Conservative business casual corporate workplace fwiw). And I’m proud of my accomplishments!

        • anon

          No, i mean UFC-style cage fighting, or basically something really Out There. I kickbox myself (but not often or well enough to call it a hobby). Honestly I was just casting about for an extreme example and that popped into my head.

          Anyway, my general point is that a lot of things can be deemed controversial by the right/wrong person, but you just need to use your judgment.

        • Anonymous

          Well, I compete in kickboxing, which means my hands are wrapped, my face has vaseline in critical areas, and I’m trying to beat the sh*t out of another woman (knock her out, ideally). So I think we might be coming from very different places when we are talking about kickboxing :)

        • ML

          Just wanted to say that I’m an MMA/UFC fan and if a person had mixed martial arts listed on their resume (or that they were a former pro MMA fighter) I would be all kinds of impressed and would love to chat with them about it!

    • Ru

      I understand that one would want to present herself in the most objective light possible on a resume but seriously, this is just ridiculous. You’re involved in the community, you may even have a leadership role, that should have a spot on your resume. I’m not a lawyer so I don’t really understand this whole Junior League business but as an engineer, I gained most of my CAD (computer assisted drafting) experience by drawing up plans for a mosque’s renovation, not in school. And you had better believe that was on my resume, as I had spent HOURS and months working on those plans. I don’t think I would have been comfortable working at a place that would look at that and be like, hmmmm, nah, forget Ru.

      Then again, if you want to work at a place that doesn’t value those extra-curricular activities, then by all means, tailor your resume to that end. To each her own.

    • BAB

      I’m in Junior League, and I chair a committee that is in the field I am looking to transition to professionally, so I have it on my resume, under “Memberships”, and I bullet out what I do in that position in the same way I would list work experience.

      But in the past, when I have been on a committee that isn’t related to what I do/want to do professionally, I left it off. Mostly for space reasons. The JL in my city is well-known for its service, not its parties.

    • Anonymous

      I’m glad I missed that yesterday. Such ugliness. I had posted mixed feelings and perceptions about such groups, and going in and speaking of them with eyes open. I’m not a cheerleader. But I am bothered by bigotry such as you describe popping up. Blurg.

    • Anon for this one

      I have to say that whole conversation was very sad for me. I am a recent graduate and my sorority was one of my only leadership activities in college. I joined because I was the only daughter in my family and had more guy friends than girl friends my whole life. I wanted an opportunity to have regular interactions with girls (since I knew I would mostly make friends with guys) and I wanted a way to get involved on my huge college campus (I went to one of the largest colleges in the country).

      My sorority sisters really taught me about things that a typical sister would have if I had one. Things that I missed out on my whole life by not having any biological sisters and a mom who wasn’t interested in girly things. In a way it was similar to this community. I could ask questions about things I felt I “should” know. I could get emotional support, relationship advice, and finally have someone explain exactly how to do my eyeliner so it wasn’t one big smudge all over my face. As a result, I’m proud of being in my sorority. The idea that someone who knows nothing about it would ding me simply for being involved seems ridiculous to me. It would be like knowing someone reads this blog and holding it against them.

      We often talk about women being our own worst enemies in the workplace and I think this is a good example. When I get to a position to hire someone I sure hope that I am more open minded and don’t allow shallow stereotypes to dominate my thoughts (whether that be about activities people do, religious affiliations, or if someone is particularly attractive or unattractive, etc…)

      • AIMS

        I completely agree with what you are saying. I also missed yesterday’s discussion (happily, I guess). I would only throw this in — I would never “ding” or judge anyone for being in a sorority or Jr. League or for cagefighting, etc., but I might question the wisdom/relevancy of putting that on a resume in many circumstances.

        I always try to give people’s comments here the benefit of the doubt as far as good intentions go, and perhaps that’s also what some of the commenters were trying to say. If you are straight out of school and don’t have much professional experience, your leadership post in Alpha Gamma Gamma might be appropriate, but once you’ve been out in the world a few years, unless it’s directly relevant for some specific reason, I would just think your resume should have other things there.

      • E

        Those are all great things, but I’d never (EVER IN A MILLION YEARS) include reading Corporette and the things I’ve learned from it on my resume, or tout my relationship with my sister… it’s simply not professional unless there’s a clear tie-in.

    • Eponine

      I think this is ridiculous (and it was discussed ad nauseum in the sorority thread a couple weeks ago). It is perfectly fine to put anything that is relevant to your candidacy on your resume. If you are heavily involved in Junior League and that demonstrates, say, your fundraising skills, put it. If you’re just using it for filler and it doesn’t demonstrate any relevant skills, then leave it off. I’d raise an eyebrow if someone who graduated 20 years ago had a sorority on her resume for no apparent reason, but if she was a good candidate, it wouldn’t bother me.

  15. Lawgirl

    Kat, we’re rooting for you! Can wait to get the weight/height stats for Baby Kat and news that you’re doing well after delivery.

  16. Diana Barry

    This is a gorgeous dress.

    I think baby Kat must be on his/her way or here by now – hope everything is going well!

    And also, I have to share here bc I can’t tell anyone else – I just found out I am pregnant with #3! :)

  17. found a peanut

    I have a quick review re: Talbots.

    I went yesterday to try on the seasonless wool suiting that Kat recommended. First, I had a coupon code from a catalog they sent me for 20% off. But I didn’t have the catalog and the woman there was just like, Whatever, I’ll honor it anyway. So if you are going to Talbots, definitely mention the catalog code. I got that code on top of the $25 off $125, so the suit totaled $215 or something (I also got a dress so I can’t tell the exact amount the suit by itself was, but suit + dress + tax was $314 – great deal).

    Second, background about me: I have a big butt. I am skinny(ish) but my butt is not. The difference between my waist and hip measurement is 13″ (normal is 10″ I believe) but my hips are very narrow – it’s all in my sticking-out rear. In general I wear a 6, and my butt sticks out. Nothing I can do about that.
    So, at Talbots, I expected to be a 6 or maybe even a 4. The 4 fit my waist but the skirt would not go over my thighs. The size 6 fit, but the lining was so tight that I could barely move (and linings don’t stretch). So I got an 8 and will probably have to tailor in 3″ from the waist. Hopefully that is doable.

    So, the moral is that the Talbots seasonless wool pencil skirt is a hard fit for those of us that are not built straight up and down.

    • TX Attny

      I agree with you – Talbots sizing is strange. I’m pretty much a rectangle shape (though a wide rectangle) and can wear the skirts, no problem. But I have yet to find a pair of Talbots slacks that works on me. I’ve tried different fits, sizes, all kinds of things, and I never have the feeling that they fit correctly.

    • Which Jacket

      Did you buy the Grace (long) or the Kate (short) jacket? Did they have the jackets in the store? Are the pants fully lined?

      • found a peanut

        I think you mixed up the jackets – I bought the Kate, and it was longish (I wanted to get the petite but the arms were too short). I didn’t try on the pants. The skirt, as apparent from my post, was fully lined.

        • Which Jacket (again)

          Sorry – I read too quickly. I was just surprised that you had the opportunity to try on the jacket in the story because the catalog I received in the mail last week says it is internet/catalog only. Thanks for the info; I appreciate it!

  18. DC Kolchitongi

    Oh, this is very cute and totally office-appropriate! Unfortunately I have to tack on about $100 to the price, since I’ll have to buy a size up to fit my butt and then get my favorite tailor to take the whole top half apart and put it back together as a size smaller.

    I’m tempted to just buy it anyway… although I’d have to get a neutral color so I could wear it lots of different ways, to get that “dollars per wear” down to a reasonable level….

  19. Divaliscious11

    Cute dress.
    Sigh…everyday for the last month I feel like I have been deleting 20/30/40% off emails from Talbots. Now that I have something I want to buy…..crickets!!!!!

  20. Always a NYer

    Makeup threadjack – Has anyone tried Cle de Peau concealer? I keep reading rave reviews about their concealer being the best of the best but am hesitant because it is $70. However, if it is so fantastic and will last a long time I think I’ll splurge and get it.

    Have any of you tried it? Or are there other concealers that you swear by? I have the Bobbi Brown Corrector and Creamy Concealer and while I like it, it’s not the best I’ve tried. Looking forward to your comments/suggestions, TIA!!!

    • eek

      I got a postcard in the mail from Nordstrom inviting me to try out the concealer and get a free sample. Now I’m intrigued since I never heard of the brand. I will go to the counter on my next Nordstrom run and report back.
      —-
      err, sorry for the double post. The one below was in response to this.

    • SAlit-a-gator

      I haven’t tried that concealer, but I swear by Laura Marcier’s concealer – I think its called secret camuflage. Just converted my mother to it and she loves it too.

    • Anon

      Its a great concealer and literally will last me more than a year. For blemishes, there is a tea trea oil stick I prefer, but for under eye circles or redness/discloring, I do think cle de peau is perfect. It lasts a long time and doesn’t look cakey. I’ve tried a lot of concealors, others that people swear by, and this one is the best IMO.

  21. Ms. Basil E. Frankweiler

    Has anyone purchased shoes from Loft recently? How were they quality wise? Did you feel they were worth full price?

    Thanks in advance.

    • Charlotte

      I have a few pairs of Loft shoes, and I like them for what I paid for them, which was not full price. In fact, I still have a pair of suede boots from 4 years ago that I plan to bust out again this fall. Speaking as someone who rarely pays full price for anything, however, I would say get on their email list and wait for a sale. There seems to be one around every corner, so there is rarely a need to buy full-price (i.e., “take 40% off everything in the store”). Maybe getting a popular shoe in your size, though, would be worth it.

  22. Grace

    What other blogs do all you ladies read? I love this one so much, I thought maybe like minded ladies could recommend so some more lifestyle, exercise, self-improvement oriented blogs.

    Thanks in advance!

    • Legally Brunette

      I really like youlookfab. Just as useful as the actual posts is the forum where tons of women post what they wore. It’s given me some interesting ideas. Another great section of that blog is about body types and how to dress your body type in the most flattering way.

      I would say that it’s not necessarily geared to lots of corporate types, but Angie (the author of the blog) has GREAT fashion sense and was a buyer in the fashion industry for many years. She knows what she is talking about.

      I also look at The Daily Sophisticate, and Already Pretty

    • Amy H.

      (In addition to Corporette, of course:) Wardrobe Oxygen, YouLookFab, Healthy Tipping Point, The Happiness Project, Apartment Therapy, The Simple Dollar and Get Rich Slowly.

  23. eek

    I got a postcard in the mail from Nordstrom inviting me to try out the concealer and get a free sample. Now I’m intrigued since I never heard of the brand. I will go to the counter on my next Nordstrom run and report back.

  24. Lynnet

    So, I just got my first ever, “are you pregnant?” question. I can’t even blame the person who asked, because I saw the photo he was referring to, and I look very pregnant in the jersey dress I was wearing.

    Unfortunately, I wore the dress in a wedding. There were several pre-wedding activities at which I was DD or drank very lightly (I had an unfortunate post-bar drinking experience and it’s going to be several months before I can look at alcohol again). I wore empire-waist dresses to all of the pre-wedding activities, and whenever I talked about the dress that I actually wore to the wedding, I mentioned how much I needed shapewear for it. Basically I behaved exactly the way I would if I were in fact pregnant and trying to hide it. I knew almost all of the guests, and I wonder how many of them think I’m pregnant now.

    I am struggling to find this amusing rather than humiliating.

    • anon

      Girl! Stop torturing yourself, speculating about what other people *might* be thinking about something they *might* have seen. At most weddings, people are way too busy drinking and having a good time or a bad time to get fussed about the other guests. No offense, but I doubt that people are spending any energy thinking about your fertility plans (and if they are, they’ll figure out the truth in 9 months!).

      If you take anything at all away from this experience, I’d say maybe go easy on the empire waist dresses.

    • R

      I’ve been mistaken for pregnant twice and HATED it. Just ignore it. Really. It has nothing to do with you.

    • TX Attny

      If you knew all the guests, I bet one of them would’ve said something, even gently, like “so, do you have big news for us, Lynnet?” with a big smile. I would bet that since they didn’t, they never thought that. Also, sometimes looser tops might cling more closely when you walk or move your arms, so I’m sure they could tell you weren’t, where the photo caught your dress at a more ‘blousy’ moment.

  25. Aria

    I’m going to Eastern Europe this winter and am struggling to find appropriate boots (I know it’s early, but I’m hoping to take advantage of some sales currently going on). I live in So Cal, so I’m totally clueless. Essentially I’m looking for comfortable boots for a lot of walking that I can wear jeans tucked into everyday, but still nice enough to wear with a skirt at night (if I’m brave enough and find thick stockings). But, I also need them to be waterproof and warm. Last week a lot of you recommended La Canadienne for a different topic, but I have thick calves and am worried about them not fitting. I’m also considering Merrell boots — any thoughts or suggestions?

  26. Ann Taylor Discount (Eponine)

    Someone posted yesterday that they were looking to buy something at Ann Taylor and they wondered if there would be any sales coming up. I just was surfing their website, and everything full price is buy one get one 50% off, in stores and online.

  27. anon

    I wonder what Kat thinks of all of us speculating about whether or not she’s in labor?

  28. And so anon

    The knotting detail looks sloppy and bulky to me. It’s most apparent in the photos of the red and taupe (“Morning Fog”) dresses.

    • MaggieLizer

      Is she wearing a diaper under those jeans? Oh wait, no, it’s just the ill-fitting pleating. Thanks for sharing! (Sorry if this posts twice, I got a weird error message.)

    • In-House Europe

      hahaha!! those are HORRIBLE! +1 for next year’s april fools post…

  30. kz

    I’ve been eyeing this and the the Memo dress in the super 120s wool since they came out (memo dress is in teal! Perhaps a little bold, but it’s just so pretty I want it anyway). a tad more than I want to pay, so I keep waiting on like a 20% off email or something from JCrew, but no luck. Does anyone know if they regularly do the random percents off for a few days like banana republic and ann taylor, or is it one of those places where you have to have their particular store credit card to get the deals?

    (and in looking on their website for the name of the memo dress, I just noticed their new telegraph jacket. Darn it, J.Crew, stop making suiting I love. I cannot afford your entire line).

    • AIMS

      I don’t have their card but occasionally they will send a 20% off promo offer. Not often (at least not to me). They sometimes do a promo on all X items, but usually it’s shoes or swimwear, maybe sweaters. Not suiting or dresses. If you haven’t, sign up for their e-mails. Also check the JCrewaficionada website — they often post codes, sales notices.

      If all else fails, find a student and drag them to a store — they give 15% student discounts with ID.

    • eaopm3

      I have their card and get promo codes all the time via email . Another perk of the card? Every season they send me a $25, sometime $50 gift card that has about a three-month shelf life. I really wish that card members received free shipping… but I can settle for the gift cards for now.

  31. IA_Eng

    Love this pick! And great styling suggestions too.

    Also, I have to share that as today (almost 8 months post-partum) I am back in all my pre-pregnancy pants! Tops are still a different matter though :-( And like In-House Europe above, still trying to figure out when it’s “safe” to buy more expensive pieces (like this dress).

    • Samantha

      Congrats IA_Eng! For me, tops were easier – I was back in them immediately, but pants were harder. I would go – Inhale! Button up that waist! Don’t exhale! :)

  32. BB

    Trying again – update to yesterday’s interview suit threadjack.

    I found the perfect khaki/beige knee-length skirt suit at Ann Taylor with a “cropped riding jacket” blazer that had a bit of detail, rayon/tencil black knit t-shirt (with small exposed zipper on the back) underneath. I’ll be wearing it with my black patent “perfect pumps,” also from AT. And I happened to pick up a multi-strand metallic beaded necklace this morning at an outlet that looks amazing with it. I brought two necklaces, and as I was trying them on, a woman in the dressing room offered to buy them from me. So that is a very good sign. I feel really good in this outfit, and it was $100 off!

  33. Amy H.

    This dress is gorgeous. I’ve also now fallen in love with the red one in the “origami” style. Rats (only because I’ve been trying not to spend any money on fall clothes until my income level increases — new practice area).

    I think I’d better try to find this in a J. Crew store to try on, though, as everything I’ve tried from there in the last 2-3 years seems to be “shrunken” and won’t fit over my hips. Hopefully a 12 will work since it’s a dress and not trousers.

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