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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 99 Comments · by

Wednesday’s TPS Report: Long-Sleeve Blouse

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

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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. This long sleeve blouse from AK Anne Klein looks lovely — I like the fitted look, the pleated placket, and the abstract floral print. I'd wear it beneath a suit or even a cardigan — I always find polyester or silk blouses so much easier to layer than cotton ones. The blouse is $79 at AK Anne Klein (ships 12/25). Long-Sleeve Blouse Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line. Disclosures

Sales of note for 9.10.24

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Comments

  1. Anne Klein PSA

    I picked up a beautiful handbag and blouse at the Anne Klein outlet on Black Friday, and was told that all of the AK outlets will be closing (the stand alone AK stores will remain). Just wanted to pass that along because they are having GREAT sales now (all final sales though).

  3. AN

    Love the vintage-y look of this print. I love prints and it seems like few people (if any) wear them to work.

    Threadjack – need cold weather outfit advice (for 3 year old). I will be in NYC for a week in late Dec – and am armed with the usual jackets/sweaters/caps/gloves etc for my son, but what do I do about his legs – apart from fleece pants & socks (these won’t be enough for NYC cold)?

    Nordies doesn’t have thermal pants/longjohns. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks in advance, ladies.

    • Anon

      LLBean/Lands End should definitely have long underwear for kids. Cheaper than that, you can always buy girls’ sweatery tights and put them under his pants (he’s three — who would care?). When it’s super super cold, my preschoolers wear snow pants over their pants, even if they aren’t going sledding. But frankly, my kids also really don’t mind the cold as much as adults do — they are always running around, which keeps them plenty warm. Unless it’s below around 10 degrees, jeans or cords are usually enough for their legs on a normal day.

    • Anonymous

      You can get a variety of things — layering is key. Old Navy and Children’s place have fleece lined jeans. Otherwise, thermals can be found at Target, etc. Ski pants are also a warm option–they can be found online quite easily– Target, Lands End, etc. Is Nordies really your only option? They don’t have much for kids.

    • E

      Talk Patagonia. They have all sorts of cold weather gear, including full body snow suits and capilene long underwear for babies. Be careful if ordering — their sizing is very generous, my slightly small two year old can wear the 12 month snow suit no problems. And layer layer layer — capilene long johns under fleece pants may be enough. Also, REI has rain suits in small sizes (may be nice for wind protection with other layers).

      • COS

        One of the simplest solutions is this: my 4-yr old ice skates, and he wears cuffed pajama pants under his lined sweatpants.

      • AN

        Thanks a lot, ladies! I don’t live in the US, so Nordies is the easy way out as they accept int’l credit cards (the rest don’t). I got 3 pairs of fleece pants and I think I will just buy black/grey/striped ‘girl’ tights (they’re cheap) or normal long johns and put them on beneath his fleece pants. The thing is, I really prefer not to spend a lot on this stuff – as they’d be completely wasted where I live.

        I did get 1-2 jackets from Patagonia, so glad to see that people here can speak for this brand (new to me).

        Thanks again!

        • AIMS

          Just a thought — winter weather in NY can be varied. It may not even be that cold at all when you visit (it is now; but I have spent more than one New Year’s eve here in a dress, sans jacket.)
          I think the tights idea is perfect.

        • Hmmm...

          It seems like you’ve already bought, but just a suggestion: if you’re going to be in and out a lot, I’d actually stay away from pants that go under his “main” pants and go with snow pants instead, since it will be much easier to get those on and off. Just my two cents.

    • Anonymous

      Unless you’re planning to sleep on the street, I’m sure your toddler will be perfectly fine for a single week in a moderately cold city just wearing his usual jeans or sweatpants.

        • mc

          From a Mississippi gal, it’s dreadful. NYC is comparable to Alaska in my humble opinion!

      • Anonymous

        Not so sure about this approach. Someone coming from a warm climate will feel colder than someone who is more accustomed to the cold weather. Better to be prepared than to deal with a freezing cold preschooler who refuses to go anywhere. Sweatpants maybe but jeans are actually quite cold feeling.

      • anon-ny

        I don’t have kids but I live in NYC and often host family and friends with kids and I will say the cold in NYC is often a shock regardless of the climate they are coming from because they aren’t always prepared to be wandering outside as much as they do. Also, the wind and humidity factors make the cold especially biting at times. I think an extra layer should keep everyone a bit happier and more willing to make it through the day.

      • AN

        Um, I live on the equator where it’s 70-80 F all year; it’s cold for us! YMMV.

        • MC

          As a child my parents would take me to NYC to watch the Thanksgiving Day parade and all my memories of it revolve around being *freezing*!

          If you’re spending a lot of time outside, tights/PJs/long johns under his jeans are probably a good idea. :)

  4. R.S.

    Nice – I agree this is a good option for suits or cardigans. And also agree about silk and poly blouses being easier than cotton ones.

    • Bonnie

      I like the print of this blouse but have a hard time wearing that neckline with suits.

  5. PrintChallenged

    For the print-challenged out there, repeat after me: “prints are not scary. prints are not scary. prints are not scary.” Love this, just wish I weren’t so prone to wearing solids.

    • surrounded by lawyers

      hey, if you’re at least willing to wear colors, you’re way ahead of one of my best girlfriends! She asks me to shop with her because she knows I won’t let her continue buying all black and white, as is her habit. But I practically have to force her into the dressing room with things. Shock therapy: this shirt is (gasp) blue and (OMG) has a floral design…just try it on, darling…yes, it looks great on you…approach the cash register slowly…

      • Ru

        I’m actually doing this with a girlfriend today! I’m so excited to get her to try on non-black and non-gray clothes.

  6. kng

    i think i might be the only person who wears prints to my office – and forget about color! i’m not sure i like this particular blouse, but there’s nothing i love more than a silky colorful patterned blouse under a suit, makes me feel more like me.
    my favorites for button downs are the patterned versions of the j.crew perfect shirt (silk/cotton blends and great for the summer heat) and the silk jersey tory burch button downs.
    anthro is also really fun for colorful patterned blouses.

    • Legally Brunette

      I wear tons of color (definitely the only one in my office who does on a consistent basis) but for some reason I shy away from prints. On Black Friday I forced myself to buy a few more printed tops/blouses to get out of my comfort zone.

      • kng

        i’m curious about what people think of more whimsical prints? i think geometric or striped style prints are safest for the office, but what about micro florals/big scale florals, boho prints, or something fun, like a cherry print? Of course, granted that the blouse is conservative office appropriate, but for the print.

        Just wondering if people are snickering behind my back when i wear a cream/black/orange micro floral j.crew perfect shirt under a brown suit suit or a red/green/navy cherry print tory burch chiffon silk blouse under a navy suit? Obvs, I don’t wear these to court, but definitely around the office and cautiously at client meetings

        • Bonnie

          I think prints are great for the office. Just tame them a little with a classic cut and solid pieces.

    • S

      Prints on top are great for the pear-shaped, but for the busty they tend to make you look bigger on top (when worn without a jacket). For ladies who are bigger on top with slimmer hips, I would suggest solid tops and maybe printed skirts if your job allows.
      If you wear a blazer/suit jacket I guess it doesn’t matter as much.

  8. lawyerette

    I just got my order of 3 of these silk shirts from Pendleton:

    http://tinyurl.com/2322kjr

    They are much more pricey than I would normally pay for a top, but I think they’re worth the cost. I ordered 2 sizes up given that I am busty and the fabric has no stretch, and I think only one size up is needed if you have that concern. They drape well (the photos online are great examples) and are thin but not see-through. I got the black (more like off black), cerise (cherry color), and teal (more muted than it looked on my monitor, like a dusty teal? still quite nice).

    I’ve decided to keep them even at this size and get them fitted by a tailor exactly how I like. I don’t look good in button downs so I am always looking for something professional and nice-looking and these definitely fit the bill, especially because of the longish sleeves!

    • Frump

      How does Pendelton sizing run? I love these blouses (and now want a couple), but am wondering how ‘true to size’ they are in terms of fit. I’m especially concerned because I am more petite and sometimes blouses like this have a tendency of being cut like large bags. What is your opinion/verdict?

      • lawyerette

        I wear 8P in Pendleton jackets (same in Jcrew jackets) and for these shirts I ordered a 12. I should’ve ordered a 10 and it would’ve worked very well, but an 8 would not have worked for me because I’m busty (if you aren’t, I would order your size). They are cut smaller at the waist than at the chest so in that way they are not boxy.

        • Frump

          Thanks for the feedback. I think the black and cream colors may be calling my name.

          • lawyerette

            Awesome! Though I’ll say that the cream shirt might actually need something underneath. The colors I ordered are not that sheer but usually when you go white/cream on an item the sheerness changes.

    • lawyerette

      I should note too, they are quite long. On me (I’m 5’3″), they reach the hip area easily. That could be good or bad depending on your desire.

    • Ru

      Just cruising the Pendleton website – some of the long-sleeved blouses are GORGEOUS. Have to figure out a way to budget them in….

      • North Shore

        I remember huge sales at Pendleton last year after the holidays. You might want to wait a bit.

    • D

      I second the recommendation to Pendleton clothing. It’s high quality and lasts beautifully. It is also conservative and well-made.

      • NYC

        Does anyone know how the sizing runs in suits? I want to get one. I wear an 8T in Jcrew, but a 10 in almost everything else (Tahari, Theory, etc).

  9. L

    I always want to like silk blouses, but I have a couple and only wear one…the short sleeved lined one from BR from a couple years ago. If I wear long sleeve silk blouses, I always sweat all over them and then they stain. Boo hiss!

    • lawyerette

      L – I have a similar problem, which is why I tend to be careful about what colors I choose. With these blouses my plan is to wear a tight cotton t-shirt underneath to eliminate the pitstain thing while wearing them. In general though, I think the looser the blouse the less chance of that. The same sweatstain thing happens to me with any tight (e.g., buttondown) shirt. The stain isn’t permanent though, one handwash with Woolite and it’s gone.

      • Emma

        Do you use Woolite on your silk shirts? Sorry, but I’m foreign to washing techniques and need to learn more.

        • lawyerette

          Yep! I use Woolite on silk, silk blends, wools (inc. cashmere), and cotton items. Then I lay flat (if a heavy item) or hang to dry and I’ve never had a problem. I’ve done this with 95%wool/lycra suits/pants/jackets, cashmere sweaters, cotton shirts/sweaters, and 100%silk or silk-blend blouses.

          Most of these things say “dry clean” or even “dry clean only.” I’ve never ever had a problem with this. If you think about it, humans have been owning silk and wool things for hundreds of years, and dry cleaning is only a recent invention.

          It’s time consuming but way cheaper than dry cleaning and it means I don’t have to carry/pick up the items places and I can have them to use overnight.

          Since when you dry things this way they come out fairly wrinkled, I invested in a “serious” steamer so I could make them look like they had just come from the dry cleaners. It works really well!

          • Emma

            Thanks for the tips! I’ve been thinking about getting a steamer anyway. This is great… I had no idea. I don’t love drycleaning, because, even apart from the cost, I feel like it’s never really “clean.” I’d love to give everything a good soak.

          • kz

            I also hand wash all my silk blouses and haven’t ruined anything yet; I inevitably end up getting deodorant on the underarms, and I’m not dry cleaning them every time I wear them. I haven’t been brave enough to try wool suits yet, but those I can usually get a lot of wears out of with frebreeze and a steamer (everyone should own a steamer–seriously, they’re wonderful).

          • Lyssa

            Great tips! I just want to grouse that my husband bought me this absolutely lovely dotted silk blouse from Banana a couple of years ago- it had been my go to really nice blouse, and I was religious about making sure that it was dry cleaned and treated perfectly. Put it on the other day, and realized there was a huge wear-through hole in the sleeve! Grrr! While I have a similar, but much cheaper and not as nice, silk blouse from Express that I’ve had for four years and always done in Woolite, and it looks just fine!

      • Samantha

        I use Dryel the home dry cleaning kit on ‘Dry Clean Only’ clothes (esp outerwear) and have had a good experience with it.

  11. Anon for this one...

    Hi everyone, please spare a moment for a quick bit of advice for a lowly 2L ….

    1. If an employer has an application deadline in mid-December and says that they will interview “in January,” when can one expect to hear back about getting an interview? Late December? Early January? I am in this situation and will be out of the country for the first two weeks of January. I guess I’m going to set up my voicemail and an autoreply email and hope for the best?

    2. Has anyone been to court in France as an observer? I’m going on a school study-abroad trip, but the organizers were very vague on what we should wear. All they said is to remember that we’re representing the school and that everyone else will be wearing robes. That still leaves a ton of room – should I be wearing a suit? pants with a sweater? What do you think? I don’t want to have to pack two suits (and check a bag) only to learn that I didn’t need them (and could have carried on). If anyone has any specific etiquette advice for French court, I’d love to hear it.
    Also, we’ll be having several “group dinners” including a “dinner with alumni.” Any suggestions on what I should plan to wear for that?

    Thanks in advance!

    • MsZ

      Hello 2L – I would write in your cover letter that you are going to be out of the country for x time period so that they don’t think you’re blowing them off when their calls go unreturned. Proactivity is necessary in this job market! As for court — I would bring one suit and wear it each day in court. Everyone will know you are traveling so they won’t mind if you wear the same one every day. I would wear biz casual for your dinners, basing your outfit on wearing flats so that you can stroll around France with ease. JEALOUS!

      • Anon for this one...

        Thanks! Unfortunately, I already applied at the beginning of the application period, not realizing that they wouldn’t start contacting people until after the deadline…

    • Anon

      Figure out a way to check your email and voicemail regularly. Better if you can avoid using the autoreply — but if you use it, make sure it doesn’t sound like you are just cavorting around and can’t be bothered to check your email. More like something like “I’ll be out of the office observing the French court system, but will be checking messages daily.” Good luck!

      • kng

        i see nothing wrong with the autoreply so long as u try your best to keep checking in on voice mail, or maybe write in the cover letter that email will be the best way to reach u b/c u will have limited phone access while traveling?

        • Anon

          If I were trying to contact someone who had applied for a job with me and who knew that the interview would likely be set up during a relatively short time period, and I got an autoreply that made it sound like she wasn’t going to be getting back to me any time soon… Well, I’d think that (a) she didn’t particularly want the job and/or (b) she wasn’t enterprising enough to figure out how to check her messages remotely, which in almost every place in the world now is not that hard to do.

          • Anon for this one...

            In my defense, I applied at the beginning of the application period, around November 1, hoping to avoid this problem. It just seems that they are not going to start contacting anyone until after the deadline, December 15.

          • Anon

            I’m not saying you are a bad person, I’m just being honest with you about how it could be perceived, which I think is what you wanted. I wish like crazy that the world of law jobs was not like this. But in this line of work, you figure out how to check your email/vmail from wherever you are (and France should not be hard at all). Employers will probably expect you to be able to do that.

          • shyanon

            Can’t you just bring your cell phone with you to France and only answer it if you see a call coming through from that office/number?

          • For what it's worth

            It’s a digital world. There’s no reason you should not be able to return a call within 24 hours. You’re going to France, not Eastern Africa. I would forgo the autoreply, voicemail, etc. Figure out a way to stop by a cybercafe or use the hotel business lobby or something to (1) check your email once a day and (2) check your voicemail once a day.

            Otherwise, I’d just think “I’m not going to hire this person who can’t even use the internet in Europe.” Just the honest truth from a laywer glued to her blackberry who has to check her voicemail and email constantly and even has done so from much more remote locations than France.

          • Anon

            Funny, FWIW. I was just thinking “well, if I could do this in Eastern Africa” (which I have) …

          • CCID

            This is going to sound snarkier than I mean it, but I mean, of course they are not going to start contacting people until after the deadline. Unless its a rolling admission, they don’t just want to see your application they want to see your application in comparison to other applicants. I would just figure out a way to check your email there.

        • non

          Cant you just pay $10 extra dollars to get the cell service in Europe. If you can afford a trip to France for 2 weeks you should be able to afford temporary international calling plan. I think the autoreply is a terrible idea.

    • Anonymous

      I set up my voicemail to clearly state that I’m out of the country until a given date and may not be able to reply, but I do check my voicemail when I’m gone. If you can’t check your voicemail while you’re gone, provide a number where urgent messages can be left (a reliable friend, your parents, etc).

      You should look into setting up a Google Voice number so you can check your voicemail from anywhere you have internet access.

      • -

        THIS. set up google voice with your current cell phone number (you don’t have to CHANGE your number, you can just use it for voicemail). you can have it email you any voicemails that come to your cell phone number (and play a recording within gmail, or have it figure out a transcript of the voicemail which is HILARIOUS). then call them back asap from skype.

        there is absolutely no reason to pay for coverage in europe (which, if you’re using CDMA- aka verizon and…sprint? will be ridiculously expensive) when you can manage it completely free (well, actually, with a skype to landline call you’ll pay a little bit. but not a lot. or i guess you could just make the call from within gmail, although i’ve never done that so i’m not exactly sure how it works).

        either way, don’t bother with autoreply. just check your email regularly.

      • coco

        Just about to suggest this. It’s great because you can check your voicemail when phone service is unavailable and also call back through the service. Or call back via Skype. Just find a quiet place to check internet and do it regularly.

      • RKS

        On that note — is there anyone who can check your voicemail for you and call you asap?

    • Big Firm Lawyer

      I was an observer in a London court, and wearing jeans I was much, much better dressed than the rest of the people there watching (presumably the defendants’ families). I wasn’t part of a school group though. If I were part of a group, I’d wear pants and sweaters/cardigans, same for alumni dinners.

    • Lyssa

      How about just giving a trusted friend access to your email/vm for that time period, and asking them to check every day specifically for that and contact you asap if they hear anything? You can always change your passwords/access code when you get back. If your vm is tied to the cell, just leave your cell with the friend.

      As for #2, I don’t have any French experience, but, absent any other information, I would definitely wear a suit to both court and the dinner. You pretty much can’t go wrong there, and I know that one complaint that Europeans tend to have about Americans is that they dress too casually.

      • Anon for this one...

        That’s not a bad idea, I’ll consider it if other options don’t work out. Thanks for the advice!

    • kz

      Depending on your cell provider, you may be able to get coverage in europe easily. I know when I studied abroad, a friend with at&t automatically had coverage, whereas I had verizon and it would have been horribly expensive. so you might want to check with your provider.

    • Anon for this one...

      OP Here – I think I got it- as soon as I’m done with finals I’m going to make it my first priority to figure out a way to be able to check my voicemail while abroad. Thanks for all the responses.

      If anyone has any wisdom to impart about appropriate dress for observers in court in France, I’d still love to hear it.

      • shyanon

        Business casual.

        Keep in mind that most European cities keep the indoor temperature cooler during winter months than in the States (combination of exorbitant heating costs and older, drafty stone buildings) so you may want to layer.

      • Anonymous

        Get an international calling card when you get there. Call your VM once a day from the hotel phone, but using your card. Return any call from the potential employer within 24 hours. It’s not nearly as expensive to make those calls using the card. You can find them in airports, convenience stores, etc. throughout Europe.

      • Ru

        If you’re going to unlock your cellphone, do it now, today, before you go to sleep because it takes 24-48 hours to get the passcode.

  12. AIMS

    Just a PSA — Brooks Brothers is having a one day promo 40% off ALL leather goods. If anyone wants to get a fantastic briefcase or bag for themselves or a loved one, they have amazing deals (also applicable to shoes, belts, etc.)!
    Bonus: tonight at the BB on Madison Ave, in NYC, there is a benefit for St. Jude’s & everything in the store is 15% off. I think you can combine the two promos if you can make it to the store.

    • Anon2

      Forgot to mention, I have SM shoes but have never bought clothing so if you have please let me know how sizing worked out for you!

      • Bonnie

        I think they run small. Especially if you want to layer sweaters under the jacket, you may want to go for the large.

        • M

          In most coats I wear a size 6 or 8 (or M) and I have a steve madden coat on today which is a medium. It’s a bit tight in the shoulders (I have very broad shoulders) but otherwise fits comfortably. I don’t think I would be able to wear a suit or too many layers with the coat though, so I would size up if I were you.

    • Jen L

      I sized up 1 size from normal (Old Navy, general sizing from different lines at Macy’s, etc) with my Steve Madden peacoat last year so I could wear sweaters underneath it. Cute coat!

      • Anon2

        Thanks everyone!

        I’m going to go with the L as after reading the reviews on other SM coats, they seem to be cut more like juniors versus misses and I want to be able to layer. FYI, Overstock has 20% of lots of outerwear today and free shipping.

  14. chix pix

    I collect long-sleeved blouses, but try to avoid print no matter how tempting. I did buy a beautiful print one about 5 years ago but find I wear it only about once a year. They are not very versatile. I don’t see anyone wearing them to work. They may be a little old-ladyish?

    • MelD

      They are popular at my work among younger employees under sweaters or blazers. I really like the look a lot but this style does not fit me very well.

  15. Whitney

    Does anyone own a pair of Ann Taylor’s perfect platform pumps? If so, how do they fit? Should I size up?

    Thanks!

    • coco

      I own a pair of the perfect pumps and got my regular size. I also used to work at AT (thank goodness those days are over) and most people tended to get their regular size in the perfect pumps or perfect platform pumps as far as I can recall.

  16. stc

    I bought heels from Ann Taylor last year (don’t remember which ones), but found their sizing to be normal for me (ie, I’m a 7 in most, their 7 fit fine).

  17. eaopm3

    Threadjack – size question:

    I wear a 6 in JCrew slacks and want to order the Martin Fit Skinny Pant from BR – I have never owned pants from Banana before, so I am not sure what size to get. Anyone have some guidance?

    • Anonymous

      I would go with the same size, but maybe call them to get the actual measurements. I have the BR pants and they have some stretch to them.

    • nonA

      BR is sized the same as J.Crew, generally, but has more stretch as mentioned above – I find that the 2 brands fit the same in the morning, but not at the end of the day.

    • kz

      that’s something you may want to try on in the store if at all possible. Maybe it’s just me, but I always have a hard time finding the right size in BR pants, which also seems to vary depending on the cut.

    • eaopm3

      I decided to go try on the original Martin fit at the BR store here in town (they don’t have the Skinny Pant, and I have to order the tall version online). Turns out – the 6 *fits* but the 8 it much better, and in a skinny pant, I would be wary of going with the 6. Thanks for all the help! I will keep you posted on how they turn out. They’ve gotten very good reviews so far.

    • M

      Check out reviews of the particular pants you are interested in on their web site for greatest accuracy. My experience is that their sizing has been all over the place lately. Even the same cut/style jeans can run very different with different washes. (What gives?) Not to mention most pants are running considerably smaller than they used to, so you really want the most recent advice you can find. IMHO: If you can find a free shipping deal, then I’d order them in several sizes and just make the returns in store.

    • Anon

      I had to size way down in the BR Martin Skinny Pants, but only in the black, not in the other colors (e.g. gray). Normally I wear a 4 in BR pants, sometimes a 6 (no pants at J Crew fit me properly but I wear a 2 or a 4 or a P6 in their pencil skirts), and took a 4 in the BR gray skinnies, but definitely needed a 2 in the BR black skinnies.

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