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Tuesday’s TPS Report: Inez Dress

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

Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Antonio Melani "Inez" Dress This strikes me as a great color blocked dress from Antonio Melani — I love a good empire waist, and the longer sleeves are unusual on a dress (even if they are only 3/4 sleeves). As far as accessories go, I might try to add a second color to the mix (since I hate wearing black with just one color) — perhaps a dark blue necklace, or even a red accent would be great. The dress is $159 at Dillard’s. Antonio Melani “Inez” Dress Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line. (L-2)

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Workwear sales of note for 9.20.23:

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Comments

  1. housecounsel

    Well, it’s inoffensive, but there is something giving me a late 80s – early 90s vibe.

    I’m wearing a black pantsuit with a cherry red sweater underneath today, and I suddenly feel very late 80s-early 90s. Help.

    • divaliscious11

      Agreed, esp n the 80’s vibe. I feel like it would be dated before I could wear it a second time…..

    • MLB

      That color combo always makes me feel very 80’s, but I never realize it until I’m already out of the house and at work. Just turn on some Boy George and embrace it!

      • i'm nobody

        yet the empire waist effect embraces the worst parts of the 90s as well. it’s masterfully bad.

    • AIMS

      I have to dissent. I think black & bright, dark blue; black & red; black & pink, etc. all are very 80’s & also just very unimaginative.
      But something about this shade of purple combined with the proportions on this dress works for me. And, I like the idea of adding a dark blue necklace, or maybe I would wear it with gray shoes & tights.

      But, that said, I would not pay $160 for a synthetic dress from Dillards.

      • Cat

        AIMS – I agree. Looks very flattering to my pear shape (although I think it’s begging for a belt), and bonus points for the sleeves and appropriate skirt length!

        • Anon

          apparently, grey, cream, etc, or prints. I heard this on this blog a while ago, and have been trying to implement it since. I don’t think one has to follow it slavishly, but I have to say that thinking about this principle has, I think, improved my presentation.

        • AIMS

          I think the idea is that muted colors look more modern with black. Brights can be paired with navy or gray. Prints are another option.

          • fresh jd

            On that note, what can I pair a bright gem-toned pink and green silk shell, since a black suit is out of the running now? Would navy or gray go with those colors? What about brown? Help!

          • Anon

            The pink can go with navy or grey. The green, depends on the green, but probably both.

          • govvie girl

            With a bright blouse, I’ll wear black sweater/jacket & gray slacks or some other coordinating combination, and add current jewelry to make sure the blouse isn’t stuck break-dancing somewhere w/leg-warmers.

          • AIMS

            @fresh jd —
            I agree that navy or gray would likely both work. Especially the navy, for the gray I think it would just depend on the tone.
            The right shade of brown could probably work, too — but might be too much trouble to locate. For the summer, I think a light tan/cream color could work; and if you can pull off a white suit (I can’t), I think that a bright pink/green shell could lo0k super hot.

    • AIMS

      The dress she wore was by Issa, I think.
      I would imagine it’s sold out. But I have heard there are many knock offs being made already. I am sure you will find them from the usual suspects, anything from Target to ABS.

    • Dress

      I am curious, as well. I know Tesco made one if you’re in the UK, but I haven’t heard of a retailer doing one for this season in the U.S. Of course, the Issa dress old out within hours. (And is a little beyond my price range for something that won’t be worn for work or a specific occasion.)

      • Dress

        I’m not looking for a direct knock-off, more of an “inspired by.” It’s impossible to get the original dress now anyway, so that wouldn’t really be an option.

      • Anonymous

        I really don’t understand the “no knockoffs” mentality. Everything in fashion is inspired by, or a knockoff of, something else. There are very few original ideas. Even that Issa dress Kate Middleton wore was not anything groundbreaking; I remember seeing a similar dress by either Tahari or Tadaschi not too long ago. There’s very little new under the sun and very few designers who haven’t taken someone else’s design and reworked it just slightly to make it “theirs.” If you want to say “don’t buy counterfeits” – that I understand. But if I choose to buy a pair of Nine West shoes that look kind of like a pair of Jimmy Choos, but cost 80 percent less, I don’t understand why that bothers some people.

        • skippy pea

          Agree! A thousand times! As long as they do not have a fake choo label on them, I am ok as nothing – not even the wrap dress that DVF wants to copyright is new!

  3. June

    It looks a little bit too Star Trek to me. Whenever I see jewel tones on top and black on bottom, I think of Captain Janeway…

  4. COS

    I like the shape of the dress enough to buy as a wardrobe filler, but I really dislike both the color combination (don’t wear purple) and the placement of the color change – seems a bit too high. Another nice pick to consider but not act on. It does look comfortable, especially for a no-fuss cold day in November.

    • surrounded by lawyers

      I’m curious–never heard of a “wardrobe filler”–what is that?

      • kng

        ive never heard the phrase either, but i’m guessing it’s the items that you have just to get through a work week to add variety or the items that make your wardrobe work, not because you love them or they’re particularly flattering. This would probably be my pilled up black cashmere cardigan from j.crew (because I only have 1 black cardigan) and the millions of solid colored button downs i own just in case i want to stick them under a suit (but never do)

        • COS

          Yes. They are the items you buy that may not make your heart go pitter patter when you buy them, but they have a great fit and in combination with your “fabulous” items, help you get through a week or two without doubling up. Yes, I’d like to think that all of my work clothes could be fabulous, but time and $ prohibit. (corporette helps!)

        • Anonymous

          Haha, I am glad someone else has a ton of button downs they never wear! I am cleaning out my closets and finally have made the decision to ditch mine – honestly, I don’t look great in button-downs, most of the colors I had I don’t look good in, and I prefer wearing t-shirt type shirts under jackets anyway.

          I think of “wardrobe filler” as stuff you realize you need for your job/life but you may not feel all that thrilled about wearing. I have a navy suit that has come in handy many times in meeting with very conservative clients but if I had my druthers, I would have something else taking up space in my closet.

  5. Janie

    (I actually like the dress a lot, but…)

    Help! I’m a 2L and have an interview tomorrow morning for a Spring semester internship that was scheduled late yesterday. I haven’t interviewed for anything in over a year (skipped OCI) and thought I’d have more time to prepare.

    Any questions I should be asking (or prepared to answer) specific to a semester-long internship?
    The organization I’m interviewing with was involved in a major scandal a couple of years ago. All I know about it is from the newspaper article. Any advice on what to say if I’m asked about it?

    • Anon

      I’m guessing they don’t bring it up … And if they do, ask them to tell you about it. They know more than you do.

      • L

        Along the same lines, it may be good to play up the “you can’t always believe what you read” angle and let them tell you their side.

    • Janie

      To follow up – what bag should I carry? I’ll be coming straight from home and going home right after, wearing either a black or navy pinstripe pantsuit. My interviewer is a man. My options are:

      1. Navy blue Longchamp Le Pliage tote in good condition.
      2. Coach suede brown tote that looks kind of worn.
      3. Coach black leather classic purse that does not fit my portfolio, so I’d have to carry it in my hand.

      Thanks!

      • lawyerette

        I’d say number 3. Definitely nothing that looks worn and IMO Le Pliage (assuming its the nylon one right?) is just not the best for the interview.

      • alhambra

        Number 1. I think the Pliage tote is perfectly interview-acceptable and you will look really silly carrying a bag and then carrying your folio in hand.

      • AIMS

        If you can, don’t bring the purse at all; just take the portfolio with you.
        Men do this all the time.

        • Anonymous

          I agree with AIMS. When I interview, I bring just my portfolio (with a credit card and my drivers license tucked inside). Cell phone goes in a pocket or into portfolio, as does key, depending on pocket placement/if it would stick out.

          • Anonymous

            If possible, don’t even bring your cell phone inside with you, unless you have kids and need to be on call for emergencies. You really don’t want that to go off (even on vibrate mode) and throw you off your game.

          • Anonymous from 1:31pm

            If you are concerned about your phone going off, switch it to silent mode (where it should be for interviews anyway). I always bring my phone with me in case of emergencies – better safe than sorry.

        • Janie

          Unfortunately, I commute via public transportation so there’s no way I can do that. When I interview on campus, that’s generally what I do though.

      • Dress

        Another vote for #3. I see the Le Pilage tote as an add-on bag to carry something like lunch into work once you already have the job. I don’t think it’s necessarily an unprofessional bag, but it’s not interview-appropriate.

      • bizzy

        Interesting: I would not judge an interviewee by her bag at all, unless it was downright crazy: a plastic-y diaper bag with stains, something with a lot of sparkles and/or fringe, or the like. And even then, a crazy bag would not be a dealbreaker for an otherwise talented candidate. A law student can be expected to buy one sober, well-fitting interview suit, but I think it’s too much to ask someone with (typically) zero or little income to shell out for the kind of not-so-small designer bag that lots of female attorneys carry, particularly when that type of bag is not really practical for a law student’s lifestyle when she’s not interviewing.

        I think any of the three options Janie has thrown out would be fine. Actually I think the Le Pliage tote is best, because it is in a dark color, in good condition, and it will make her feel and look more pulled-together because she can keep her portfolio in there with everything else.

  6. kng

    by the way, i love this dress. any dress with sleeves is a go in my book because it’s perfect to pull on those days that you can’t function. plus, i wear a lot of purple.

  7. chix pix

    The best thing to wear with a black pantsuit is a black blouse. Other good picks – midnight blue, auberge, banker’s gray, white, cream, pearl gray. Pretty good – very pale pink or blue.

    Black makes any other color look brighter – so a bright color with a black pantsuit can be a problem.

    I like the color blocked dress but would never add a second color. Would not wear it to work, not in this bank building where my law office is located! Would wear it to a public place like a concert…. maybe….. or to have one’s picture taken.

    • Bonnie

      The variations between blacks drive me too crazy to pair a black suit with a black shirt. I would add prints to your list.

      • AIMS

        Bonnie — for variations of black, I avoid the whole problem with texture. Something silky + black suit looks lovely.

        • Anon

          If I had on a black pantsuit and a black shirt, I would look like I was on my way to a funeral.

          • Anon

            Part of it is your personality. I think black with black or black with charcoal can look very chic, but the whole outfit has to be chic. You have to be comfortable with chic. If you’re more comfortable with “fun”, you’ll feel uncomfortable and you’ll look like you’re going to a funeral. I also think its somewhat regional. What looks chic in NY, looks weird in the south and what looks cute in the south looks weird in NY.

          • MelD

            It seems very funeral/restaurant employee to me. I don’t really see it as a look that one volunteers to wear of her own accord.

          • Anonymous

            Agreed. I wear black shells/shirts with other colors of suit (usually light colors) but never black with black. That can almost say “evening” to me as well as the funeral vibe others have mentioned, depending on the details and accessories.

    • michelle

      I like French blue with black pantsuits, have done pink also – particularly if there’s a pinstripe in a pale tone.

  8. stc

    2L-I would go with the purse and just carry your portfolio. I think the longchamp bags are something that women know are well made, etc. but to the untrained eye they just look like a casual tote bag.

  9. stc

    Good luck, Janie! I graduated last year and emphathize with the interview quandries…knock ’em dead!

  10. skippy pea

    I had NO idea that pairing another bright color with your black pantsuit is dated! I love to combine a nice maroonish shade of red with black.

    Now I know better? I am thinking dark grey pinstripes should look great with jewel tones. What do you think?

    • lawyerette

      I think grey pinstripes look great with jeweltones, but I also think bright colors and black can look good too. That is just a combination that flatters those with “winter” coloring and since I am one of those people, I will continue to wear it.

      • anon

        Thanks, lawyerette. I am a winter and LOVE jewel tones with black/navy/grey etc. So I am in an 80s rut (though cannot recall the 80s very well). Atleast I don’t look washed out!

    • surrounded by lawyers

      I agree…but I also think many rules are made to be broken. As long as you’re professional, “Do You,” as they say.

      Life is short, and we spend the great majority of it in work clothes.

      • Jay

        It might look dated on some people, but if it works for you, I wouldn’t give it up just because a couple commenters here say so.
        And love the sleeves and empire waist on this dress.

    • anon

      also – for what it’s worth – I have been seeing a big red and black trend this year, so you are right on target! And lots of 80s-ish color-blocking with bright colors. This dress is pretty on-trend for this year but will probably look pretty dated next year.

    • divaliscious11

      I don’t think mixing color makes it look dated – THIS dress just looks too much like the color block of the 80’s…..

    • MelD

      I think it depends on what looks good on you. I wear jewel tones with my black suits because pastels just look awful on me. I think there are certainly combinations/styles that look dated, but don’t go with a look that is unflattering just because a few people on a website say your look is dated.

    • Janie

      Personally, I dislike the look of primary colors with black (or at all to be honest). Something that is more of a coral or a maroon is a different story though.

  11. housecounsel

    I wear my jewel tones with gray and gray pinstripes all the time. I KNEW about the neutrals-with-black rule from this site. WHY did I pick the cherry red sweater today? I feel so old and sad and very glad 90% of my coworkers wear uniforms (health care facility).

    A comment about the purse hanger from yesterday: It’s cute and it’s useful, but this is just an object I do not need in my house. I have been watching Hoarders this season, and I think harder now about everything that I buy. Do I really need this clutter? If only my teen daughters felt the same . . .

    • v

      I’m sure you look fine. An off-hand couple of comments on a website made by people who have not seen what you’re wearing does not mean your outfit is sad and dated!

    • Coach Laura

      The only place for a purse hanger when it’s not being used is IN the purse IMO. Otherwise, if it were me, I’d remember it when I sat at the table and in the meantime, it would be cluttering my already cluttered house. I’m starting to use the adage “Buy something, give/throw away something.” So if I buy a winter coat, I need to give away an old coat. Buy a pair of shoes, give away a pair of shoes.

  12. NYC

    I miss having time to check corporette and chat with y’all! I wore a black skirt suit yesterday with a camel colored cashmere shell. White pearls and the shoes had some texture. I think it worked and didn’t veer into 90s/dated territory (but I am more aware of the issue since reading Kat’s comment re black with black!).

    • RoadWarriorette

      I have also been very busy and have missed time with Corporette. I seem to have missed this whole black on black conversation! Does anyone know what post it was from?

      • AIMS

        I don’t recall the post, but the whole thing had to do with Trinnie & Susanna from BBC’s What Not To Wear.
        I think the rule was color with color, neutrals w/black.
        Prior to the post, I’d never heard that rule articulated. For me — personally — something clicked when I heard it, and it made some sense out of why I liked certain tops with my black suits and why when I wore certain others, something felt off.
        Like all rules, it’s obviously not absolute. For instance, I saw a woman a few months ago who was wearing neon pink with an amazing black pant suit & it somehow looked awesome (she was more a creative type, def. was not going to court).
        Anyway, in sum, wear what makes you happy. But if you’re like me, and couldn’t figure out why pairing a bright top with a black skirt made you depressed, maybe this “rule” helps simplify matters.
        And, HouseCounsel — I am sure you look totally fine. Don’t sweat it. Just wear something extra beige tomorrow ;)

  13. VJ

    OK, in the early ’90s I had a dress that looked EXACTLY LIKE the one shown, only it was by Maggie London. Loved it.

  14. chix pix

    What are the items that date a person to the fiv e years ago – 15 years ago – 25 years ago?

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