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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
Sales of note for 10.10.24
- Nordstrom – Extra 25% off clearance (through 10/14); there's a lot from reader favorites like Boss, FARM Rio, Marc Fisher LTD, AGL, and more. Plus: free 2-day shipping, and cardmembers earn 6x points per dollar (3X the points on beauty).
- Ann Taylor – Extra 50% off sale (ends 10/12)
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything plus extra 25% off your $125+ purchase
- Boden – 10% off new styles with code; free shipping over $75
- Eloquii – Extra 50% off a lot of sale items, with code
- J.Crew – 40% off sitewide
- J.Crew Factory – 50% off entire site, plus extra 25% off orders $150+
- Lo & Sons – Fall Sale, up to 35% off
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Neiman Marcus – Sale on sale, up to 85% off
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – 50% off 2+ markdowns
- Target – Circle week, deals on 1000s of items
- White House Black Market – Buy one, get one – 50% off full price 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…
- What have you lost your taste for as you've aged?
- Tell me about your favorite adventure travels…
Chicago K
Love it, although a bit pricey for me for what it is.
I love the color, and happen to be weraing a different top in that color today. Is the color really only for fall? It seems like a color that’s popular year round.
Shayna
I wear it year round because it’s a good color on me — The so called “spring” and “summer” colors – pastels – wash me out… I look best in bolder, deeper colors like wine, teal, deep magenta purple…
Pretty dress on the model, but that’s much too low cut for me to be comfortable in most situations (especially a work one!!), and with the tie, reminds me a little too much of a fancy bathrobe.
Legally Brunette
Me too! I look best in rich, jewel colors, pastel colors generally look really bad on me. I don’t change my color palette depending on the season, I just wear what looks best on me.
s-p-s
Likewise! Those are my favorite colors to wear :) Wish that this was a full dress…not for work, but for other occasions!
The Image Expert
Shayna, I’m glad you’re wearing the colors you want rather than buying into the seasons method. You are not a season!
It does have quite a deep v-neck, but it can always be layered with a camisole underneath. I was just at an image consulting convention and saw women wearing shorter sleeved tops and dresses like this overtop of a long-sleeved shirt or turtleneck for warmth. Another great modesty solution.
Chicago K
thanks Ladies, I do about with same with a few exceptions. :)
Anon
I would not feel comfortable wearing anything this low-cut in a professional setting. That is a lot of skin for business/business casual.
Blondie
Really? I don’t find this to be too bad. I guess it depends on the person and the shape of your own body (like that Citibank girl who was apparently too hot to work) but I think this much skin is appropriate and any more would draw the line. Anyone else? Is your office just exceedingly conservative?
Janet
I think that if you were built like this model, you might have an easier time getting away with it, but I’m almost certain that this shirt would not be appropriate for work on me without some kind of tank underneath (I’m a 34D). Even if I were built more like the model (sigh, I wish), this would be on-the-edge of inappropriate for my biglaw office. I don’t think we’re very conservative at all, usually!
A
I would wear a cami below this. I’m the one who sent this TPS to Kat, but forgot to mention that:)
associate
I’m built like the model and wouldn’t dream of wearing this at work. My office is not conservative at all. I would love to wear it on my own time however.
em
same here
Anon
My office is definitely not conservative, but I still can’t recall anyone wearing anything quite so low cut. I personally wouldn’t dream of wearing this to work. FWIW I’m built like the model.
Kimbo
My office is not conservative at all either (jeans on Fridays and sometimes during the week during recess (I’m not in a Congressional office, but I’m in D.C.). But, I would never wear something this low cut to work! Perhaps it’s because I’m fairly busty (34 DD), but I can’t really imagine many women built like the model getting away with something like this in my office, either.
RR
This is really, really beautiful. I don’t know how it would work for me because I think on my larger chest it would be way too much cleavage. I also don’t know how it would work under a jacket, and I don’t wear sleeveless shirts to work on their own. But it is really lovely.
Clerky
I laughed when I saw this because when I was at Nordstrom last weekend, the personal shopper who helps me told me that they haven’t sold a single one of these tops since they came into the store, and that it has been universally unflattering on everyone who has tried it on! I don’t see how it could be that bad, the color is gorgeous and wrap tops work for a lot of folks. But way, way too low cut for work.
Cat
the Nordstrom shopper got me thinking what could be wrong with the construction of this — guessing that for fuller busts than the model’s, if you want the waist to fit nicely, the line of the faux wrap either awkwardly runs over the chest or creates quite a Cumberland Pass.
Love the color, though I agree with everyone re: depth of v. Would another inch and a half have killed them?
Bets
They haven’t sold any? Hurray! That ups my chances of picking one up cheap at Nordstrom’s Rack….
anon
that’s exactly what I was thinking!
s-k-s
Banana had a very similarly cut top last summer. I ordered it online and thought it would be great, but it was hideously unflattering on – when I returned it, the clerk told me everyone was returning it.
N
A problem could also be the belt.
I don’t know if this is attached, but I find that a lot of tops and dresses that have belts attached, hit me on the wrong spot on the waist (I have a fairly long, and curvy torso, and shorter legs), so I end up feeling dumpy in them.
dee
you’d think, since it was faux-wrap, they’d manage to make the v-neck a little higher so you could wear it without your bra showing. Agree with everyone re: color, potential for wardrobe malfunction. I guess one could wear it with a camisole underneath, but it ruins the effect. plus, my new kick is to only buy things that can be worn fine as is – no camisole or cardigan required.
Shayna
Agree — on both buying things that can be worn as is, and that wearing a camisole would ruin the effect!
K
I don’t think I’d wear it to work, but it’s just what I need for occasions that require something nicer than jeans but not a full-0n dressy dress.
housecounsel
Gorgeous color but I, too, am so sick of camisoles!
LPC
Which reminds me, does anyone have some suggestions for good tunics? While we’re at it? Thanks in advance.
Anon
Second.
Ru
Third.
Res Ipsa
I love all of Boden’s tunics. See, e.g.:
http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Tunics-Kaftans/WL547/Womens-Sequinned-Tunic.html?orcid=-73#cs1
I’d try some of the other European designers as well; they tend to be a bit more modest and do tunics really well.
L
I splurged and bought a Tory Burch tunic (still $200 on sale) last fall at Neiman’s. It is one of the most flattering pieces I own and I get compliments every time I wear it. The slimming effect is amazing.
Kimbo
Yeah, this is way too low cute to be appropriate for work. And, I agree that it might look odd under a blazer or sweater, but one would be required in some work environments.
Amber
I think this top is beautiful, and I love the idea of the wrap (or faux wrap). Unfortunately, I think they always look awful on me. The overlapped part always either falls in a weird place, or I don’t fill out the shirt (too small chested?).
EM
Hijack, styling help needed.
I bought these linen pants from Eddie Bauer: http://www.eddiebauer.com/catalog/product.jsp?ensembleId=37113 in every color. I think the steel will be returned for looking too Miami Vice. What kind of tops and shoes can I wear with these so that it will look more chic and less beachy-casual?
PS – This is for weekend wear, not to the office, obviously!
Chicago K
I think it might be hard to dress these pants up too much. As they look like a more relaxed fit, I would pair them with something with a tighter fit up top – such as a structured tank, tshirt or polo shirt. I think a button front shirt should work well as long as it’s not overly dressy, and a mandrain colar tunic would probably be good too.
Definately sandals on the bottom, perhaps a bit of a dressier espadrille/wedge to make it look less beachey.
Kimbo
I second Chicago’s suggestions. I was going to recommend a fitted polo shirt and flat sandals somewhat more formal sandals. (This could just be me, but I think wedges/espadrilles look odd with this style of pants.)
Lola
I love lightweight belted jackets in the summer. It would class these pants right up.
AIMS
Random question.
Is 36 inches from mid back to hem too short on a 5’4 person to wear to work?
I have no tape measure & am considering ordering something that’s too short on the model but I think would be okay on me . . . but cant tell.
Thanks!
Anon
Are you at the office? If so, you probably have a ruler lying around somewhere. Start at your shoulder (or “mid back” if that is where the measurement really starts from), and flip the ruler down 3 times. That’s where it will hit :)
Legally Brunette
I’m 5’5, and I like my skirts/dresses to be around 39-40 inches BUT I am definitely more conservative than most (in reality, I just don’t like my knocked knees so I like to wear longer clothes that cover most of the knee)
AIMS
Thanks guys! I can’t seem to find a ruler but will look some more (great idea). I suspect it’s going to be too short, 39-40 is probably what I would need, so I’ll just have to be good & abstain.
Ru
Use string or ribbon or even a long scarf to measure the distance and then use the ruler to measure your estimate. You use a sheet of paper to estimate as well.
legalchef
you can use a piece of paper, too, since you know its dimensions.
Anonymous
It really depends on how you’re proportioned and especially how curvy your hips and butt are. I’m the same height and that’s long enough it would look dowdy on me.
Anonymous
I actually keep track of my measurements on myshape.com, and I just looked them up. The distance from the midpoint of my bust to the floor is 46 inches. So even accounting for a curvy butt, 36 inches should be plenty long on anyone of our height.
AIMS
Thank you!
I never found a ruler so I tried to use a piece of paper as suggested above. I was sort of undecided though b/c it’s hard to feel exact with an 11 1/2 inch paper measurement. Maybe I will just take a chance.
Thanks all!!
MelD
It depends on your proportions. My sister is 5’8″ and can do relatively short dresses because her torso is so short. Meanwhile I’m 5’5″ and try on the same dress and it looks like a mini.
Delta Sierra
I’m 5’7″, and from the tip of my nose (facing straight ahead) to the tip of my thumb with my arm stretched out is a tad over 36″. Can you tell I used to do a lot of my own sewing? It’s also useful to measure the span of your hand – from thumb-tip to pinky-tip when you stretch your hand out. 6 – 7″ is common.
A
AIMS – I am 5″4 and 39″ (shoulder to hem) hits at my knee, 40″ is just below kneecap.
So I’m guessing 36″ from mid back to hem should be ok on you (all depends on what they mean by mid back). If too long, you can get it altered…
A.Nonymous
Thread hijack – and I’m sorry to do this, I was going to wait for the Coffee Break, but I’ll be in a meeting. I need some help with a work situation and I’m pretty sure the smart ladies here will be able to help me. I’m a regular poster here, but don’t want to attach my name to this post – you’ll see why.
I work for a firm that provides contracted professional services to various entities within the government, state and federal. Long story short: earlier this year, my boss abruptly left the firm over a dispute with our company president, and then promptly filed suit against the company. We were all in shock, but in the absence of other options, we carried on with business and client services as we had been. We have a few year-long contracts that are ending at the end of this month, and are in the process of finishing up our work products for delivery to our clients.
One of our clients informed us this week that my ex-boss is planning to attend a meeting on Friday where I am scheduled to present the results of a research project we’ve conducted over the past year. My ex-boss has been involved with this client for a number of years, even prior to working at our firm, and that is the reason she is giving for wanting to be at the meeting. The client was unaware of the fact that she had filed suit against my company (because I had taken care to shield our clients from this ongoing mess) and was shocked to hear about it, but feels “uncomfortable” about asking her not to attend. I am personally not worried about attending the meeting with her there – we’re confident in the findings of the report, and I have faith in my own ability to handle any kind of unpleasantness she may start calmly and professionally. But there are two things I am concerned about: A. our attorney advised us we should avoid all contact with her, and especially avoid sharing anything about our ongoing work with her and B. I don’t want to put our clients, and other people attending the meeting, in the middle of an ugly, petty situation they have no stake in.
I know we have lots of lawyers reading but I’m more interested in how people would handle this personally, as professionals. Should I ask the client to ask my ex-boss not to attend? If so, how would you word that request? Should I just attend and deal with her being there? If so, what would be your strategy for that? I’ll be honest, I am kind of freaking out here. So advice is welcome. Thanks!
zee
I think you should talk to your attorney immediately about it. This seems to be one of those situations where you should get specialized legal advice about it. On a personal level, if you show up and you run into your ex-boss, just dismiss the conversation with “I’m afraid I have been told that I can’t speak with you. I’m sure you understand.”
Shayna
Agree — Be polite, brief, and GONE – good luck!
Erin
This. Perfect advice. Give your lawyer a heads up in advance; be polite but firm and do NOT engage.
Amber
I’m sorry you’re dealing with this! Have you talked to the company’s attorney about this occassion specifically and whether it would be harmful for you to present this information with her there? If not, I’d start there.
If the attorney says it would be harmful, I’m not sure from there. I’d definitely ask the client not to bring her, but I’m not sure how to start the conversation.
Amber
Also, if you talk with the company’s attorney about it, she or he might actually call the ex-boss’s attorney and ask what’s up and ask that ex boss not attend the meeting. That could save you from the awkwardness.
AN
Talk to your company attorney asap. He/she may even want to come for the meeting to make sure there are no issues if your ex boss is present!
anon
First, call your company’s attorney and ask for advice.
If your attorney says it’s okay to attend with Ex-Boss there, I’d wave if I made eye contact, and then walk away. If Ex-Boss came over to say hello, I’d tell her, “I’m sorry, but our company attorney has advised against any contact while the lawsuit is pending, so I really can’t chat with you.” And walk away. And email your company’s attorney later that day telling him/her exactly what happened.
If your attorney says it’s not a good idea to attend with Ex-Boss there, I would probably attempt to reschedule entire event and tell Client you’d like to approve the guest list.
A.Nonymous
Hi guys
Thanks for the advice so far – it’s making me feel better.
Our attorneys have not been terribly helpful. Legally we cannot ask my ex-boss not to attend. We also have no legal grounds to ask our client to ask my ex-boss not to attend. However, if we do attend, and she is there, they strongly recommended not speaking about anything that would involve our work processes or resources used to complete the project. Well, that’s kind of critical to how we obtained the results. So how can I present our results, and then if anyone says “so how did you arrive at that conclusion” tell them “sorry, I can’t tell you”? Our lead attorney recommended we simply not attend, but it is in our contract with the client that they receive not only a report, but a full debriefing and explanation of the results. Not delivering that will put us in breach of the contract.
One thing I have been thinking about is what anon suggested – telling our client we can’t attend the meeting my ex-boss will be at, and suggesting we schedule a meeting just with the client’s staff to present the results. I am concerned, though, that would make us look like we’re not confident in our results, or are scared of feedback – which we aren’t.
Shayna
You can tell your client that it contains proprietary information – which should make sense to them since that’s why they’re paying you.
associate
“I am concerned, though, that would make us look like we’re not confident in our results, or are scared of feedback – which we aren’t.”
I wouldn’t worry about this. I’d explain to your client you didn’t want to put them in the situation of asking your ex-boss not to attend. I think they’ll appreciate you didn’t put them in the middle of the situation. Then explain that due to the legal action, you will have schedule a private meeting. You could even say that you’d be comfortable with any feedback you’d receive from you ex-boss, but you are just not permitted to.
Anonymous
Why can’t you just tell your client that your legal counsel has advised you not to discuss the matters that need to be discussed in front of your ex-boss? Apologize for the inconvenience but say that you want to be able to deliver a full debrief to your client, which you will not be able to in front of the ex-boss.
SF Bay Associate
Yes, I think the client will appreciate the honesty and your handling of a situation the client doesn’t want to be in.
Anon
Ask for a private meeting separately. I’m not in law, but it just seems like common sense that your ability to present will be limited otherwise. I would think any client should understand that it has nothing to do with confidence in data, etc. Frankly, I would think it would make the situation easier for the client as well not to have to witness potential awkwardness at best–or ugliness at worst.
If for some reason that’s not possible (although I certainly don’t see why it wouldn’t be), perhaps any Q&A can be conducted privately during a follow-up call or meeting? (The client could then feel like there is opportunity to get input from the e ex-boss about the presentation if it is very important to the client without putting you in a position of having to discuss anything you don’t want to in front of the ex-boss.) Again, I still think this is not as desirable as simply having the ex-boss out of the meeting to begin with.
As for socially managing the situation if you do have to be in the same room–I know this sounds weak, but I’d try to engage someone else at the meeting in conversation so you’re too busy to approach, and if interrupted simply give a smile and a friendly hello and then go immediately back into conversation so it’s clear you either don’t have time or willingness in the moment to engage. If approach afterward, the response of being advised to limit contact will simply have to be given. I’m sure the ex-boss’s attorney is advising limited contact anyway.
Eponine
You need to follow the advice of your lawyer. It’s in the best interests of your company. Unfortunately, your client is already involved in this, even though s/he shouldn’t have to be. Can you do a private debrief for her, letting her know that your counsel advised you not to share this information with your ex-boss? If she wants to share it herself, she’s free to, but at least you’ll have warned her.
AG
Be prepared for the fact that your client likely knows what’s going on with the lawsuit and WANTS to help his/her friend, your former boss. IF this is the case, then do this…keep the meeting, but be very rehearsed about what you can say and what you can’t. If a question comes in that shouldn’t be answered, then be very prepared to refer
to the section in the materials provided to your client. Definitely have your attorney in the room to provide you with cover if needed. Be calm. Be confident. Make serious eye contact with all. Disarm them.
75
I happen to be wearing a very similar faux wrap today. I actually had to do a tricky sewing job to make the V neck a little less deep. I had tried a cami but it had spoiled the look. Even with my stitchery this top is not quite right. I think I would in the future stay away from these V’s that are both deep and wide.
Carrie
I like everything about this top but the price. I would wear it to work (big law in a smaller market), but I’m flat like a pancake so I can probably get away with a little lower top. I’m wearing a wrap dress from Nordstrom with a similar neckline today.
Flat top
I saw a woman on the metro this morning who was wearing a wrap dress and was as flat as a pancake. It was really unflattering. I think most of us small busted ladies wouldn’t look very good in this because we don’t have enough to fill out the top part.