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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. OooOoo: we are normally not fans of the sweater dress (starts too clingy, gets too stretched out after wear, and generally a pain to handwash and dry) but we are loving this one from Ralph Lauren. We love the fact that the flared skirt, as well as the ruching on the sleeves. The boatneck, the ladylike length — perfect. We'd wear it for a casualish day at the office, perhaps with pearls. It's $140 at Ralph Lauren in sizes XS-XL. Amelie Silk Blend 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. Unless you ask otherwise, we'll refer to you by your first initial. (L-0)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:
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- 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…
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3L
Am I wrong to think that this is appropriate for a regular, non-casual day at the office (even at a law firm), if paired with a jacket?
B
I agree with you. It’s business (non-casual) attire, with or without the jacket. Posts like this sometimes make me worry that I’m underdressing, but when I look around my office (NYC Biglaw), I don’t really see people dressing up this much.
anon - chi
In my office this would be perfectly fine for any day of the week even without the jacket. Somehow wearing a dress seems to come off to people as more formal than a comparable top and pants, even if the dress itself is on the casual side.
Gail
I would agree, except that you probably can’t get a jacket over those sleeves.
MelD
This is a cute dress, but I think the sleeves make it a little less versatile than I might want for this price range. Normally I’d wear a dress like this with a colorful cardigan for a more casual day or a black blazer for a more formal day, but I’m not sure either of those would work with those sleeves.
jcb
Lovely dress, but same problem here. The sleeves are pretty but problematic for layering anything over them. Maybe with a thin black turtleneck underneath?
AIMS
Ha — normally I am a fierce defender of the thin black turtleneck under things, but given that this a sweater dress, maybe all that layering would take it too far into casual territory.
However, I don’t think the sleeves would be all that problematic w/a jacket. If it can go over a button down, a blazer will likely be okay with this, no?
Sharon
If it’s a casual-ish day at an office, then I’m going with pants, not a dress. A dress is still “dressed up” to me.
Heidi
I own this dress (on sale at Macy’s online in October) and actually would totally have said I bought it after seeing it on this site, but I guess you probably didn’t post it twice. Anyway, it is perfect for my workplace and works great with pearls. The sleeves are problematic for a thin cardigan and it really wouldn’t work with a turtleneck under. However, you can easily wear a jacket with it, even with the sleeves–they aren’t so bunchy that they distort the line of a jacket, in my experience. I’ve worn it 3 or 4 times since October.
lawdiva
Heidi — where does this dress fall on you? At the knee, below, or above? I’m looking for a dress that would hit right at the knee, maybe even very slightly below. I’m 5 ‘ 5. Thanks!
Heidi
I’m 5’6″ and it hits just about at the knee. I am not wearing it today so I can’t quite remember exactly, but it’s essentially knee length.
Abby
Heidi:
Thanks for the thorough review. Now I really want this dress.
3L
Now I really want it too! But I can’t afford it on my unpaid student budget :/
AN
Heidi
Was considering getting it but unsure whether it was ‘dry clean only’ due to the silk. Can it be machine/hand washed? Thanks
PS – Thanks for replying on length. I’m 5″4 & like dresses to hit just below knee, and sounds like it would, based on your post.
Heidi
dry clean only, unfortunately.
And, yes, Spanx.
MJ
I LOVE. And I especially love that there’s no wool in it–I am allergic and thus have to shun most sweater dresses. This would be a perfect “work to cocktails” dress for sure!
Lawgirl
Cute dress, but gotta break out the Spanx for sure! No gathering or ruching and such, which means no room for error on this one.
B
I have just purchased this dress. Thanks, C, and commenters! I actually view $140 as a totally acceptable price for a dress. Any outfit (pants + top) would cost at least that much, plus this dress appears to be appropriate for 3 seasons. I also think the look changes if you wear it with pearls+hose+heels as opposed to a statement necklace+wide belt+ tights or boots as opposed to a shawl or scarf or a jacket…
Delta Sierra
B: agree with you on all points. It’s a gorgeous dress, and apart from the difficulty of getting a jacket over it, is very versatile.
Sharon
I’d really like to see some nice pant looks on Corporette.
housecounsel
Love.
mille
Can you imagine standing that way in real life? How awkward.
georgienyc
ha, it is a rather awkward pose. loving the dress though. great find!