Splurge Monday’s Workwear Report: Wool-Blend Bouclé Blazer
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Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
Saint Laurent is a little bit out of my budget, but this gorgeous blazer is giving me a lot of inspiration for fall outfits. (I know, I know. Summer has only just started, but this heat wave has me ready for chilly mornings, apple cider, and sweaters.) The tailoring is absolutely perfect, and the chunky bouclé looks perfectly autumnal.
I do like the way they’ve styled it with the tie-neck blouse, but I’d probably do something a little less dramatic for my day-to-day. A simple ivory blouse and chocolate trousers would really let the blazer shine.
The blazer is $5,500 at Net-a-Porter and comes in French sizes 34-38. It’s also available in green.
Sales of note for 7/3 (Happy 4th!):
- Nordstrom – Designer clearance, up to 60% off!
- Alexis Bittar – 20% off sitewide thru 7/5
- Alex Mill – 40-70% off some of their favorite, small batch pieces!
- Another Tomorrow – Final days of sale, new styles added
- Ann Taylor – 50% off everything + free shipping — readers love this blouse and I always love the variety of colors/textures for this jacket (it's a great separate)
- Athleta – Extra 20% off semi-annual sale, up to 60% off reader favorites like Brookyn and Endless pants
- AYR – Ooh, good sale section — but lots on final sale. Readers love (LOVE) these comfy work pants and these jeans.
- Banana Republic – Summer sale up to 60% off sale styles + extra 20% off
- Boden -Up to 60% off plus an extra 15% off – readers love these dresses, these blazers, and the brand's fun suiting
- COS – New pieces added to sale, up to 60% off
- DeMellier – Summer sale: Final Reductions (ends soon!)
- Evereve – Extra 30% off sale!
- The Fold – Up to 50% off, further markdowns
- Hobbs – Up to 50% off, extra 20% off sale
- J.Crew – Summer sale – up to 60% off summer styles, and 40% off select cashmere
- J.Crew Factory – 50% off all stores and sitewide, plus 60% off clearance
- Jenni Kayne – Semi-annual warehouse sale
- Lo & Sons – Summer sale, up to 50% off (but 10% off sitewide!) (love their new weekender!)
- Lululemon – Summer sale!
- Margaux – Save up to 50% off, including archive sale
- M.M.LaFleur – Sitewide sale, up to 70% off! (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off on other items)
- Nordstrom Rack – Clearance, new arrivals up to 75% off! Nice selection of Vince, Veronica Beard, Reiss and Rag & Bone, a ton of affordable work dresses from Calvin Klein, Maggy London, Eliza J, and Donna Morgan
- Ruti – 15% sitewide
- Sarah Flint – Extra 30% off select styles (we just ranked these shoes as some of our top 10 most comfortable heel brands)
- Strathberry – Up to 30% off select styles
- Stuart Weitzman – Summer styles now up to 40% off
- Talbots – 50% off your entire purchase + free shipping
- Veronica Beard – Extra 25% off sale
My new office is freeeeeeezing cold. They provided a space heater, and I keep a warm cardigan on hand (it’s essentially a camel colored blanket with arm holes, goes with everything, from J.Crew), but it’s still so cold and there’s a large ceiling vent right over my desk (which I can’t move). Besides a space heater and a sweater, any other hacks/tips/suggestions for staying a bit warmer?
Hot beverages, make friends with whomever controls the HVAC in the building & ask them to turn it down. I’ve done the latter in every building I’ve ever worked in — priceless.
Fingerless gloves. You can still type but I found they really helped.
If you’re allowed, a magnetic vent cover will do wonders
This is a brilliant idea.
If you can’t cover it entirely, I’ve seen people put up a small panel to direct the air flow out instead of down. I’m sure there a more elegant solution available, but I’ve seen it done by just taping a strip of cardboard to hang along the side of the vent at an angle.
This resolved my office’s thermostat war. A white sheet magnet covering most of the vent, with the side pointing away from the desk left uncovered, made the temperature comfortable again.
Electric blanket, fingerless gloves, one of those mug warmer devices even if all you use it for is keeping a mug of hot water warm to hold!
heating pad draped over your chair. Electric-blanket style throw that you use to cover your lap / legs. Fingerless gloves. Undershirt layer. Scarf to wrap around your neck.
Ask the maintenance people if there is a way the air flow from that vent can be diminished or deflected to the side (there may not be, if it’s going to affect your coworkers comfort level. But if you’re in your own office, you might be able to).
Ororo heated jacket. Got that tip from the savvy ladies here, been toasty in cold offices for nearly 4 years.
I have a collection of thick cashmere dusters – open cardigan that is essentially a blanket with sleeves. Since Barney’s is no more, my go to is Neiman Marcus store brand for warm and durable. They are on sale right now for around 200. Also, depends on your office culture, but I managed to get every one to take the problem seriously when I started wearing thick cardigan with an enormous fur collar to prove a point about the AC.
They still make USB-heated fingerless gloves
I’d ask facilities to move your desk so that you don’t have cold air constantly blowing on you.
Any recs for a c*cktail dress, size 16 with sleeves? Early August evening event at a very un-exclusive country club. I’d like to keep it close to $200
I’ve been eyeing the Quince silk dresses… also check city chic
My workhorse flats are all Rothys and Allbirds, and I need to replace a few pairs. Seems like the Rothys redesign is getting a lot of negative reviews, and I’m not sure if Allbirds is continuing to sell shoes after their weird AI spinoff but they don’t have any flats in stock in my size. What other brands should I be looking at?
Margaux. Sam Edelman. Ann mashburn.
+1 – and retire the brands you’re wearing, those all just look sloppy.
I have never understood the appeal of Rothys. Plastic shoes? No, thank you.
I can vouch for Vionic flats.
I have a shorter haircut that I really love and thought was pretty flattering. Photos are suggesting otherwise. Is this a case of a still image not really capturing the movement and how it looks in real life? Or do I need to consider either growing it out or going even shorter (like pixie short)? Specifically, my face looks really round and the length is possibly not hitting in the right spot. But also, I’ve been through some midlife changes and it’s very possible that this is just how my face looks, lol. How do I suss this out? I’ve had this style for 3-4 years now, so I’m not sure my friends and family would give it to me straight if it actually looks bad.
Did it ever look good in pictures? When you look at older pictures of a different cut does that look better? I think it’s entirely possible that the jowls etc that come with age could require some refining of a short haircut.
I feel like it used to look fine? I’m self-aware enough that I think I would’ve noticed if it looked bad right away. And I get compliments on my cut IRL, so I don’t know. It’s very possible that I need to add another inch or two in length even if I want to keep the same general style. Kind of bums me out.
Ask Reddit they won’t lie
Short hair is tough in the flattering department, it really only looks good on people with very defined features. I’d probably grow it out a bit.
+1. I think it’s hard to pull off unless you have sharp features or a bold sense of style. Otherwise short hair looks blah.
Take more photos and reassess?
I find that candid photos tell a more realistic story than mirrors or posed selfies do, but one bad angle alone isn’t enough to make me redo my whole look.
Anyone have furniture from Serena and Lily? Is it well made and comfortable? I don’t have a showroom anywhere near me.
Check the measurememts. I have a set of dining room chairs from them that I bought off of FBMP. As soon as I got them home and sat in them, I realized why they were sold-they’re very low for dining room chairs. I feel like I need a booster seat. Even on FBMP, I paid enough for them that I don’t want to get rid of them but, for the life of me, I can’t figure out why they made what are clearly dining chairs that low to the ground. The quality is fine. Not amazing, considering what they probably cost new, but fine.
Maybe you’re meant to add cushions?
Nope, they’re upholstered. Any cushion is going to look like what it is, a booster seat. I’m looking at ways to add on to the feet, but that is easier said than done.
What is an amazing gift to send a friend after staying with her? We got to catch up after I dropped my son off at a summer camp in her city and with the heat I didn’t want to bring wine or a plant, so I arrived empty-handed… when we went out to dinner we fought over the check but I let her win thinking I’d find something great to send her after the visit. But… what? Her family is wealthy so it’s hard to think of something they don’t have. 2 teens. Budget up to $250. TIA!
I tend to go with consumables – food, flowers, spices, etc. I love Penzey’s spices, Jeni’s ice cream bundles, a special food she loves from Goldbelly that’s hard to get in her area, etc. Or you can just get her a gift certificate to the restaurant you went to if it seems to be a favorite with a note like ‘thanks again for dinner, enjoy your next visit on me, hope to see you again soon!’
Flowers.
Not a rich person, but a handwritten thank you note on a nice card is always appreciated! I would not send a gift, personally, but I understand the want.
This. It shows intent and deliberate effort, particularly if handwritten as opposed to a quick text.
You send a gift after someone hosts you for a weekend plus a note. OP, flowers and consumables are great choices. So is something for your friend. My go-to is a Flamingo Estates gift box. You can do nice olive oils plus a candle for your budget.
Could I just release the pressure a bit that the gift needs to be amazing or great? With a wealthy person who can buy herself anything and has access to a lot, “amazing” is a high bar.
I can get caught in the bind of wanting an amazing, great gift, and then feel like I’ve failed when I can’t think of anything, then I procrastinate and don’t get it done. It’s OK to go with a delivery of flowers, or with wine, or whatever other pedestrian thank-you gesture is out there.
Anything will be fine to show your appreciation! I agree Flaming Estate boxes are nice. I also have been loving American Vinegar Works sampler boxes, if she’s the type to make her own salad dressings or sauces. I have been using these myself and they’re really good.
However, flowers are always welcome. Don’t overthink it, she’ll likely appreciate anything you are thoughtful enough to give.
Echoing this – I am one of those people that can buy myself anything. I appreciate the thought much more than the item. That said, if you are looking for ideas, my go to is grace rose farm. They have lovely heritage roses that look different than your standard florist options.
Another vote for flowers, and for normalizing that they don’t need to be earth-shatteringly beautiful. Just normal, pretty flowers.
If they like chocolate, Bridgewater chocolates are very fancy and delicious and expensive and impressive. Somebody sent me some once and I loved them.
I’m 45 and have been divorced for 5 years. I’ve spent most of those years single. I recently met a wonderful man who treats me well. He’s respectful, successful, funny, warm and handsome. I like everything about him, except his politics. He doesn’t read the news. He voted for Tr ump in 2016 but hasn’t voted since. I talk a lot about politics, and he engages with me politely. We have a lot of back and forth conversations. I’m not sure what to do from here.
I think you have to decide whether his lack of interest in politics and or his 2016 vote are deal breakers for you. And only you can decide that. When I met DH, we were mid-30s. He had never registered to vote, and he first voted in 2024. After being with me for about five years, he started to dip his toes into current events and politics, and I’d say that’s about where he has stayed for the past 10 years.
I have voted in every election, including mid-terms and runoffs, since I was 18 and I work for an elected official right now. But, I don’t enjoy discussing and certainly not arguing about current events and politics in my non-working hours. So DH’s lack of interest is not a problem for me.
I wouldn’t read much into his 2016 Tr ump vote – but I am reading in that you did not support Tr ump. I think a lot of people didn’t realize what a crazy man he would be. If he’s an ardent supporter today, that’s a different question.
I would not match with someone who has, what I consider, far right or far left politics. But I am fine with someone who is just disinterested. My parents love to discuss current events and politics, so this wouldn’t work for them. And that’s why I think this is only a question for you.
What ARE his politics? It sounds like he just doesn’t engage. I’m pretty sick of the whole political scene myself these days, although I do still vote (never for Trump). What are you looking for in terms of politics from him?
That sounds refreshing, I’m so tired of people thinking party line talking points are interesting conversation. I’d dig deeper and find out if you think similarly about things, that’s far more important.
I wouldn’t react too harshly to a 2016 vote (such an innocent time, in retrospect…) – but as someone else who would rather discuss, like, best practices for cleaning the basement with my spouse over politics (and we are in general agreement!), set him free for others if that’s your passion.
Concert goers, or those exposed to loud noises, does anyone have experience with Loop earplugs or the knockoffs on Amazon? I’m going to a few concerts this summer and typically wear standard earplugs but they muffle the sound a bit and I’m wondering if these are worth the upgrade.
I want to protect my ears and very loud noises trigger migraines for me now, though I also like the outdoor concert experience and want to enjoy and be able to hear the band well.
A friend of mine who loves going to concerts and love music swears by the loop ones. I’d get the original and not a knock off.
+1 for Loop.
As a *very* occasional attendee of loud concerts, I get a lot of benefit from my Amazon knockoff versions! I feel like they soften but do not alter the sound, which was exactly what I wanted.
I’ve used Loop for a number of concerts. You will notice a good improvement with them over the standard foam earplugs from the drug store. Personally, I like Vibes ear plugs better than Loop, but it really is trial and error what works best in the shape of your ears. My friends swear by Eargasm but I haven’t tried them yet.
Recs for a nonstick pan that stays that way? Tired of scrubbing mine.
No such thing, they all need replacing after a few years. Enamel cast iron isn’t nonstick for the people who will say it is. Sometimes you need an easy pan to make scrambled eggs.
Enameled cast iron is non stick if you care for it properly and pre-heat it before you put in foods. Lots of people don’t clean their pans properly and either damage the enamel or don’t properly remove old oil.
We do it all correctly and it just isn’t.
Yeah, I love my Le Creuset but I still have a non-stick for eggs. I got the one recommended by Wirecutter. It wasn’t very expensive and I just accept that it won’t last forever.
+1
Although I have decided that I don’t need an easy pan to make scrambled eggs and just stick with cast iron and stainless steel. It’s nonstick enough for the rare occasion I do make scrambled eggs, and lots of butter works for fried eggs.
I just got the Misen carbon nonstick pans and am happy with them.
I got tired of throwing away worn non-stick pans, so I finally got an actual cast-iron pan. I’d avoided them because taking care of one intimidated me. But it turned out to be a good experiment, and I use it most days. I still keep a non-stick skillet around for use here and there, but use it far, far less.
Hestan probond non-stick. It’s pricy, but worth it, lasts a long time, and you can use it like stainless in the oven.
Replace them every couple of years
Stainless steel works 99% of the time. It took maybe a week to get the hang of it. Keep one non stick pan for eggs, hand wash it, and replace every couple years (or sooner if you notice any scratches).
It really only takes another week or two to get the hang of stainless for eggs too.
My 20 year old Lodge cast iron makes great scrambled or fried eggs and it is very rare that they stick enough to need elbow grease. Just basic handwashing.
Definitely a learning curve since cooking on cast iron requires different habits if you are used to cooking on nonstick. I got tired of buying new pans all the time, tired of babying them and still having the coating fuzz up and flake off, tired of hearing about all the associated health hazards. Made the switch a decade ago and haven’t regretted it.
Ever since someone taught me the trick to stainless steel (making sure the pan is good and hot before adding any oil), I’ve been happier with my stainless pans than any non-stick pan I ever had.
Just use a regular pan. I’ve never understood the appeal of nonstick pans. You literally just need to put some oil or butter in a regular pan, problem solved
+1 to a regular pan with enough oil. If you have issues with hard scrubbing can I simply suggest that you fill the pan with water the second you take your food out? If your sink is full, put a small amount of water in the pan and stick it back on the stove. Putting water in a pan with stuck on crud and heating it up again will also do most of the work of getting gunk off for you. I grew up in a ‘let dirty pans congeal on the stove for an hour’ and my mom was shocked at how effective my way of letting them pre-soak is.
Would anyone like to help me find a dress for a baby shower? I’m going to a baby shower in a few weeks that will also be attended by my ex-boyfriend and his new wife. I broke up with the guy 3 years ago because he couldn’t make a commitment after 2 1/2 years, or even discuss a timeline for a commitment (when we were in our mid-30s already).
Anyways, I want a new dress for the party. Ideally something with short sleeves and a little past the knees. I would like to spend less than $200 and an a size 16.
What’s the new wife like style wise? That’s who you’re dressing for, he won’t notice.
Check out tuckernuck for some cute ideas! Good luck!
I borrowed “Designing Your Life” based on recommendations here and it just was not for me. No hate, just not my flavor. Anyone have an alternate suggestion for a self-help book with similar goals but a very different tone/vibe?