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Wednesday’s TPS Report: Sharkskin Grey Split Neck Belted Sheath Dress

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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Tahari ASL sharkskin grey split neck belted sheath dressBluefly has a number of great Tahari dresses on sale, including this lovely grey sheath dress. I like the splitneck, the belt, and the cap sleeves — it's your basic perfect-for-3-seasons dress. Was $148, now on sale for $104 (limited sizes only, alas). Tahari ASL sharkskin grey split neck belted sheath dress Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line. (L-2)

Sales of note for 12.5

And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

63 Comments

  2. Yay! Site is back up!

    Threadjack: In a fit of insanity, I purchased a pale yellow Chanel-type blazer at Nordstrom Rack. Can’t find it online now to link to, but I loved the cut and fit on me, and it was a great price … but now that its in my closet, I’m freaking out a little. Is it possible for a 30-something to wear this without looking like a 60-year old lady in her Easter Church Suit? I had thought to style it with a grey sheath dress I already own, or possibly navy pants and a white/cream shell – is it possible to style something like this to be young and a little bit trendy? Help!

    1. I think yellow and gray together are very fresh and a little trendy. I think the ways you described wearing it would work well and not be “old lady” at all!

    3. For more casual wear, I could imagine it looking great with a well-cut pair of really dark jeans and nice shoes.

      3. I agree. That would look super sharp if you ever had Friday jeans day — sharp dark trouser jeans, cute flats, etc.

        Also, I love navy and yellow. SO cheerful. And yellow and grey. Go for it!!

    4. Both of those options sound gorgeous! The gray sheath dress combination would be really pretty with a turquoise or deep purple necklace. You could also make it more youthful by adding colorful shoes.

      2. Yellow would be great, and modern with blues/purples, or even greens and greys…I would think a pattern somewhere in the top or an accent (but I’d avoid a scarf like the plague if you don’t want to look like “ladies who lunch”). Thinking a colorful skirt or patterned dress from Boden, actually. I bought two of their boucle jackets this fall … eggplant and fuschia and did the one patterned, rest solid trick and it was great. No one thinks I’m a lady who lunches…just a corporette who works it!

        Enjoy.

  3. I love this, especially the notched neckline. Things with sleeves like this though always seem to show a lot of my armpit area. I’m wondering if it has a bit to do with the size of my chest or if it is just the cut.

    1. It’s showing a lot of the mannequin’s armpit area, too. I’m also anti-cap sleeves for this reason.

    2. I like this neckline in theory but don’t think it looks right with a jacket. I need to be able to throw on a jacket to court at all times unfortunately.

  4. I own this and love it. The fabric is really thick and comfortable. It runs a little big, but the arm openings don’t show bra or anything like that. The only negative is that the belt looks pretty cheap in person (it also is one that slides a bit since there is no “tooth” to catch in holes). I swapped it out with a much nicer black one that I had from another dress.

    1. I also own this (someone linked to it on this site, actually) and it is nice…though it does run large. And I haven’t warn it much because I think that it looks a little … futuristic. If that’s a thing.

      But, maybe if I got it tailored to fit better I’d like it better…

  5. THreadjack … I am transitioning slowly over to the spring/summer closet here in Texas.

    What’s the poll results on wearing suede shoes year round?

    I have heard (or erroneously think so) that patent leather has now become acceptable year round.

    Love to hear the forum opine.

    1. I’m okay with the look of suede shoes year round (esp if the rest of your outfit is springy/summery), but my concern would be that my feet would get too hot.

      Yes to patent year-round!

    2. I wear suede shoes all year long too. I like the texture and have not had problems with my feet being too warm. Is suede really warmer than leather anyway?

  6. Hi ladies, quick advice needed. I sent in my resume online, Shortly, I got reached out to by one of the company’s AVP to schedule a phone screening. I replied back sharing couple of dates and did not hear back anything. couple of days later I replied to the original email again asking if we were still on for a phone conversation. Still nothing. I don’t know what to do. This position is a great fit for me but in another state. Actually, it is a state I am looking to move to.
    My concern is that hopefully my emails have not gone to the junk folder. I have personally expereinced emails going to junk folder for no reason, even where people were replying to my email.

    My question is, is it okay to follow up on the phone or would it come across as desperate (which I am since I am out of work)? Three days have passed since the original email and we were supposed to talk this week- either today or tomorrow.

    1. I’d call and just say you’d been having trouble with your emails and you wanted to make sure you were able to set up a convenient time to talk since you’re so interested in the position. You could maybe even do it after hours so that you can just leave a quick, friendly voicemail.

      I don’t think that would leave you in any worse shape than you’re in now.

    2. I think it’s ok to call. Say you were concerned that you’re emails may have gone to spam. If you get voicemail, leave a message, but don’t call back again too soon.

  7. Need advice! My husband’s siblings want to pool money to buy a nice birthday gift for my father in law. They have suggested that my husband and myself pay half the total cost and they (there are two of them, both unmarried) pay a quarter of the price each. So if the gift were $400, we’d pay $200 and they’d pay $100 each. On the one hand that makes sense, because there are two of us–my husband and myself. But typically we give gifts as one unit, buying one gift from both of us, rather than giving two separate gifts. And typically we would not spend anything close to $200 on a gift. Plus, only one of us works, so our income is somewhat limited. Additionally, what happens later on down the line when another sibling marries and then the third sibling pays substantially less than anyone else? Complicated! I feel like we’re setting a precedent here and I want to make sure to be fair. What would you do, Corporettes?

    1. I would say

      “we are so excited to contribute to FIL’s gift. We’ve looked at our finances and feel comfortable contributing X.”

      If everyone is reasonable, it shouldn’t be a problem. I wouldn’t go in to a lot of details about the why or reasons. Just tell them what you can contribute. If that means he gets a 300 dollar gift, so be it.

    2. If I split with my siblings, we either do 1/3 each (3 of us) or the 2 of us that make more put in slightly more. We have never doubled the gift when only one of us was part of a couple. I would suggest 1/3 each, and buying a smaller gift. :)

    3. The rationale does not make sense to me at all. I think the best approach is to say you’ve already picked out a perfect gift for your FIL and would prefer not to go in on the bigger gift. Otherwise, say you’re more than happy to split the cost equally by paying for 1/3 of the gift, but you’re not in a position to contribute half.

    4. I would simply say no. If $200 is more than you want to spend on a gift, tell them that. And if you don’t feel like splitting the gift four ways is fair, tell them that and decline the invitation to participate in the group gift.

      (As for the fairness, I personally would not expect my siblings’ spouses to be on the hook for an equal contribution towards a gift for our parents. That seems unreasonable, to me.)

      1. I guess I’m in the minority, but I would think that with two people, the amount would double. I understand the logic of it if you were to give an “individual” gift from just you and your husband, but if you are attaching your name to the gift (this if from all the siblings and daughter-in-law!), then you should pay your share and not 1/2 of it. Otherwise, just split it in 1/3 and don’t attach your name to the gift (gift is only from siblings).

        1. Agreed. If you dont put your name on it and its just from your husband and his siblings then 1/3 each. However, if you also put your name on it then it’s fair that you pay 1/4 each.

          1. I agree, but I also think it’s reasonable to set a limit on what you can afford as a couple. If you can’t afford to pay 1/4 of $400 each, then you all should agree to get a cheaper gift.

    5. Um, no. That’s not fair and it sounds to me like your husband’s siblings are looking to avoid paying their fair shares. It’s not the same as if the four of you went out to eat–obviously you’d split four ways because four of you are eating (unless you each paid for what you ate, of course). Here, your FIL has three children–they’re the ones responsible for his gift. I’d either say “we’re comfortable contributing X” with X being about 1/3 of the total, or just say you’re getting a separate gift.

      2. I agree. And I’d keep in mind that when you get married, you add an entire new family to gift for, which cancels out the fact that there are 2 people “giving the gift”, IMO. (For example, if you usually each bought a 10 dollar gift for each of 2 parents, for a total gift budget of 40 dollars, then got married, you wouldn’t suddenly buy 20 dollar gifts for each parent, because that would double your total gift budget to 80 dollars. Does that make sense?)

        1. But the single family members have to buy for your spouse and kids now, which increases their spending. So the married people should have to spend to put their name onthigns.

          I really feel like married people are ssooooo selfish and think the world revolves around them and their spouses/kids that they fail to even acknowledge how they screw others over.

    6. If $200 is more than you’re comfortable paying, then don’t go in on the gift. Tell them how much you can afford to spend on it and let them decide if they want to chip in more or find something else.

      As for whether or not it’s fair, I guess that depends on the relationship between you and your husband’s family. If they/your father in law get you a gift for your birthday, then I’d say it’s not unfair, but if they don’t, then I think they should split the cost equally with your husband and leave you out of it.

    7. I think it is a bit selfish of them. Yes, there are two of you, but you could have additional expenses that the siblings do not have. My sister is married but they just bought a house, adopted a dog, and I’m sure will eventually have children. They have more expenses than myself and my other siblings who are single and rent. We would never ask my sister to pay double what everyone else pays! Maybe a bit more, but not double! That is crazy! Also, I suggest you let your husband talk to his siblings.

  8. Moderation = no longer commenting on this site. Thanks for destroying free speech.

    1. 1) this site has always been moderated.

      2) it’s Kat’s site. She gets to publish what she wants. It’s not a free speech issue (pretty comfortable saying that, even though I’m a non-lawyer surrounded by lawyers on this blog).

      3) Sounds like the right choice for you.

      1. 2) Oh yea. This is a huge pet peeve of mine when people start complaining about someone restricting their free speech. The 1st amendment applies to government restrictions on speech. Not the random blog owner. It’s a private forum. She can restrict it.

    2. What’s being moderated out that bothers you? And are you sure that it’s not just a function of the site weirdness of the last few days, rather than true moderation.

      (BTW, I agree that Kat has the right to moderate out whatever she likes, but I suppose that if I felt like enough things were being moderated out that were important and didn’t like it, I also have the right to go somewhere else.)

      1. Yeah, given what Kat allows, I’m assuming that anything that is moderated is either spam, obscene or otherwise insane. I’ve seen pretty spirited conversations, and pretty much anything I’ve posted has gone up immediately and never been taken down.

        And I’d take moderation over annoying “meet older men” and “viagra” website ads posing as comments any day :)

        1. “awaiting moderation” = criticize kat and her choices in the future while she blantantly pushes and publicizes herself = No comments posted. no thanks.

          I am a lawyer. i get free speech is public v. private. I still think that when one creates a public forum on the internet via comments to then restrict it to comments only you approve of is morally wrong.

          2. Its Kat’s blog, she’s free to publicize it and push her own agenda, hello – its how she earns her living. If you don’t agree with that, start your own blog or go elsewhere.
            And I don’t understand how you’re confusing a personal blog which Kat owns and moderates with a public forum. Sounds like sour grapes to me.

          3. People criticize her choices all the time. Also, I don’t think anything has changed from before, although you might not have noticed it.

    3. Speaking of moderation, does anyone here remember the totally unmoderated message boards of the late 90s? There was one in particular that was always totally off the wall and really started the trend of outlandish anonymous insulting on the internet. Anyone remember know what I am talking about? I want to say it was Jane Magazine message boards but I just cannot remember. Great times, great times…

      1. AutoAdmit is a little more recent but a good story about what happens in total unmoderated internet freedom ….

        1. I was thinking 4chan is the best (worst) example of how badly lack of moderation + lack of screen names can turn out.

      2. What about Above the Law? Ugliest, meanest, most racist and sexist site ever. And yet, it thrives.

  9. Question for those of you familiar with retirement accounts: does anyone know how much you can contribute to a Roth IRA if you also contribute to a 401(k)? I’d never worked anywhere that offers a 401(k) until last year, and since I started mid-year, I only contributed $1000. Can I still contribute to my Roth IRA?

    Strangely enough, I haven’t been able to find much helpful information online (most information is either about IRAs or 401(k)s, not contributing to both).

    Thanks in advance to anyone who might know!

    1. As JJ says below, you can still contribute to your Roth even if you max out your 401(k), provided that your income is below the limits that allow you to contribute to a Roth IRA. If you are single in 2011 and your income is below $107k, I think, you can contribute up to the full limit, which I think is still $5k this year ($6k if you’re over 50). If your income is above $107k, your max. contribution starts to phase out until you hit some higher number, I believe $122k if you’re single. The income limits are different if you’re married.

    2. I believe a 401k has no bearing on how much you can contribute to your Roth IRA. At least I hope so, because I have continued to contribute the max despite working somewhere with a 401k plan for the last couple years… my financial advisor hasn’t instructed me otherwise. Roth IRA contributions for 2010 are capped at $5,000 unless your income is above a certain amount (which mine isn’t close to, so I didn’t pay attention to exactly what it is).

  10. Contribution limits for 401Ks and Roth IRAs are independent of each other – you can max them both out.

  11. Saw a much cheaper and similar version (almost identical) of this dress at TJ Maxx and Marshalls on Sunday. Around $35, I believe.

  12. Great dress, Love the color. I also just got a split neck dress for a cruise – what kind of necklace should I wear> None? or chunky/sparkly?

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