This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
We're loving this interesting skirt from Elie Tahari. The ruching across the front, paired with the dead simple back, strikes us as an interesting yet professional addition to the work wardrobe. It's $202 at Zappos Couture, available in sizes 6 through 14. Elie Tahari – Kalia Skirt
If you've recently seen a great work piece you'd like to recommend to the readers, please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line. Unless you ask otherwise, we'll refer to you by your first initial.
(L-2)
Sales of note for 9.30.24
- Nordstrom – Beauty deals through September
- Ann Taylor – Extra 30% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – 15% off new styles
- Eloquii – Extra 50% off sale
- J.Crew – 50% off select styles
- J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything + 50% off sale with code
- Lo & Sons – Warehouse sale, up to 70% off
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Neiman Marcus – Friends & Family 25% off
- Rag & Bone – Friends & Family 25% off sitewide
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – Fall Cyber Monday sale, 40% off sitewide and $5 shipping
- Target – Car-seat trade-in event through 9/28 — bring in an old car seat to get a 20% discount on other baby/toddler stuff.
- White House Black Market – 40% off select styles
And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!
Some of our latest threadjacks include:
- What to say to friends and family who threaten to not vote?
- What boots do you expect to wear this fall and winter?
- What beauty treatments do you do on a regular basis to look polished?
- Can I skip the annual family event my workplace holds, even if I'm a manager?
- What small steps can I take today to get myself a little more “together” and not feel so frazzled all of the time?
- The oldest daughter is America's social safety net — change my mind…
- What have you lost your taste for as you've aged?
- Tell me about your favorite adventure travels…
SummerAssociate
If this had a matching jacket, it would be in my “cart” already. Love. It. But at $200, I need it to be part of a suit.
LPC
This is my strategy for enduring corporate clothing. Meets all parameters, but has a slightly subversive element. I’d wear it with a white Petit Bateau tshirt and a sky blue cashmere cardigan. I have never minded spending for good stuff. I always just bought fewer items. Helps in the what to wear in the morning arena too. Fewer annoying choices, just as much fun. IMHO.
Delta Sierra
Agree with you on all points.
denise
Does anyone else find it really hard to see details in photos of dark clothes online? I wish retailers would provide line drawings as well as photos (like pattern companies do) so it’s easier to see. Or make up every item in khaki as well for the sole purpose of producing a legible photo.
Eva
YES! I initially thought it was just a little bunched up at the hip!
Lola
I agree. My initial reaction to this post was, “What ruching?” How can you ladies see this?
Delta Sierra
denise – yes! You can waggle the screen a bit to see better, but I think online retailers need to seriously pull up their socks about styling, photography and descriptions. Would it kill them to show a plain, no-contorted-pose front and back shot of each item? To improve the lighting so black clothes can be seen in detail? And if you provide a zoom feature, good, but please set it up so it doesn’t take so long to load.
Oh, and standardized sizing across the industry would be nice. Start at zero, carry on uninterrupted to whatever size is the biggest they make.
Dream in color, why not.
cj
I don’t know, the darts across the crotch seem a little awkward to me.
Walking Barefoot
Yeah, they all converge, like an arrow pointing to the secret destination. Not so good for work, I’m thinking.
Elle
This skirt makes me think of a rant I recently went on during a fitting room meltdown. Many places make fantastic pants in “curvy” styles that have extra room in the hips. Does anyone know of a company that does the same for skirts? I usually wear a 12 at most places in “curvy” pants but can’t get a size 14 (which is usually how high most companies’ in-store sizing seems to go these days) skirt to fit over my hips. Most professional skirts are straight and pencil cut as opposed to A-line, which of course, complicates my fit issues further. Any insight or suggestions would be appreciated and help reduce future dressing room tantrums!
MidLevel
I have the same issue–but I don’t think it’s a brand issue. I just buy a skirt that fits my hips and go visit the tailor to deal with the waist.
AbbyA
I love this skirt. The issue would be what to wear on top? Notice the model is topless. It would have to be a very simple peice. LPC, I’m going to check out the white Petit Bateau tshirt.
L
I agree with Delta Sierra…many of these black clothes look awful on the websites, you can’t tell what they look like at all!! So I can’t tell if I like it or not. :)
Lee
Thread hijack…it seems like whenever C suggests layering a turtleneck under a top or dress somebody questions whether it is fashionable to do so. Here’s a great example of this kind of layering done in a very high-fashion way: http://www.whowhatwear.com/website/full-article/www-styling-tips-february/
Obviously this specific example is too edgy for most workplaces, but it shows that the idea of layering with a turtleneck is not inherently unfashionable.
Anon
Wow.
That’s a lot of look.
M
A good way to layer a turtleneck is under a simple, wool, monotone shift. I think it’s a pretty conservative look.
3L
Huh? Are you referring to the first woman pictured? There is no way in hell that even a muted version of that would fly in a law office.
I think the debate was more that this sort of layering, while maybe fashionable in the editorial/high-fashion world, looks too frumpy/childish/nunnish when trying to apply it to real-world office wear.
M
Sure, the first woman pictured in the link is the epitome of conservatism. LOL.
Lee
Maybe my post was unclear–all the link purports to illustrate is that the idea of layering with a turtleneck is not unfashionable in itself. My memory of the debates surrounding the turtleneck issue is that many people dismissed the idea as inherently unfashionable; the picture indicates that isn’t necessarily true.
Obviously you could only wear that exact outfit if you worked in fashion or another arts field. However, you could apply some of the details to make turtleneck layering look fashionable with business wear. For instance, I like the way the beige color looks under black and the use of a mock style instead of a fold-over. I also think it works well because of the contrast between the fabrics, so you might wear a very fine silk knit turtleneck under a sleeveless dress in a tweed or coarse wool.
Experienced Practitioner
This skirt is not ruched. It is an origami effect. It is a copy of a Marni skirt, which I wear for work, but not for court. I wear it with simple T, tailored jacket.
M
I have the Marni skirt (mine is summer ’08). But wear it out in the evening. I think of it as a dressy piece.
Deborah
I have seen this skirt on Nordstrom’s website. The color is khaki. It seems more appropriate for creative environments (advertising or marketing) or weekend parties.