This post contains affiliate links and CareeristaStyle(R) may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Workwear sales of note for 5.19.23:
- Nordstrom – 3,800+ new markdowns!
- Ann Taylor – 30% off full-price suiting; 25% off select full-price styles; extra 40% off all sale styles (ends 5/19!)
- Athleta – All sale up to 60% off
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything plus extra 25% off purchase
- Boden – Up to 50% off
- J.Crew – 30% off your purchase; extra 50% off all sale styles
- J.Crew Factory – Extra 60% off clearance; extra 15% off your order
- M.Gemi – Up to 70% off
- Loft – 20% off $50; 30% off $100; 50% off $200+
- Sephora – Up to 50% off select beauty
- Talbots – 40% off entire site
Some of our latest posts here at CareeristaStyle…
And some of our latest threadjacks here at CareeristaStyle (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!
- Favorite comfy pants for an overnight plane ride?
- I’ve got a nasty case of tech neck…
- What’s a good place for a relaxing solo escape?
- What’s the best commuter backpack?
- I’m early 40s and worry my career arc is ending…
- I canNOT figure out the proportions in this current season of fashion…
- How is everyone wearing scarves in 2023?
- What shoes are people wearing to work between boot and sandal season?
- What’s a good place for a relaxing solo escape?
- What are some of your go-to outfits that feel current?
- I need more activities that are social, easy to learn and don’t involve extreme running/jumping/etc.
meg
Along the same style, and for a third of the price, I just had this delivered from an online order last night and LOVE it. I bought it in grey – the chiffon trim really adds something “pretty” without being in your face.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3061905
Nina
looks nice– how is the fit/sizing? true to size or does it run small or large? thanks!
meg
pretty true to size…I’m an 8/10 with a large-ish bust and I got the large – fits perfect.
Lawgirl
Totally cute. And i adore this BR model. She has that “it” that shines through the photos.
Anon
Question for fellow readers: do you have any thoughts on how best to wear long cardigans like this one? I have a great cream-colored long cardigan that falls to low-hip level, but can never figure out how to incorporate it into work wear without looking kind of frumpy (I’m quite petite). Any ideas?
AIMS
I think that the key to avoiding frumpy is to pair it with nice high heels, some bold-ish jewelry (e.g., a long necklace like the one pictured), and keep everything else really simple & very tailored. I think this look works better with pants, but a nicely fitted pencil skirt could work too.
Also, maybe having the cardigan shortened even an inch would help. I’m 5 3 & I have done that with a few sweaters that were just a little too long to wear to work without looking like I was borrowing someone else’s sweater b/c I was cold.
Anon
Great advice — thank you.
jojo
A skinny belt over the sweater gives you some definition at the waist, which also helps to overcome the frump.
jcb
I was going to suggest the same thing. Add a cute skinny belt at the natural waist.
JD_Chic
I love soft yellow, so this is definitely a hit for me – makes me think about springtime. Also, the fact that it has a v-neckline makes it even more appealing. I read in InStyle Magazine that v-necklines draw attention away from the midsection and up to the neck area, creating a slimming effect (although I’m not sure that still works when you are layering and wearing a blouse underneath). Great pick!
Cornerofficechic.wordpress.com
KLo
Such a pretty color! That yellow is probably the only one I can’t wear … sadness.
Clerky
I love yellow, it’s such a happy color. Agree that the model looks great as well.
As an aside, I wanted to circle back about this dress that I bought, based on a recommendation from this site. It’s the Suzi Chin faux wrap dress.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3073079/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014144?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014144&P=2
The top part of the dress is very flattering, I love the neckline. However, I felt that the dress wasn’t the best on my pear shape (made me look TOO curvy) and I felt that it was way too evening-ish to wear to work. I would feel silly wearing it to work. Sadly, this will be a return.
Anon
I’ll add in my review of this dress as I also bought it (in blue) after seeing it discussed on this site.
Definitely too evening-ish for work. Fitted without being tight/revealing – very flattering. I like that the neckline allows you to keep it more covered up if that is your preference (it’s mine). I’ll wear a slip underneath as I think this is the type of fabric that inevitably shows lines from your knickers (regardless of the style you wear).
I’m far from curvy, though – I’m not sure how this would work on other body types as it is cut close.
meg
I too bought it (guess we influence each other quite a bit)… I couldn’t get the layers to lay right, and also felt like an evening dress to me – I couldn’t figure out how to wear something over it like a cardigan or jacket to make it more work-appropriate, so it’s going back. Also agree that a slip/spanx would be necessary.
Lawgirl
Good info. I tried to get it in-store, but it’s availabe only online. It’s on backorder now… I was greedy and wanted to wait for a markdown.
jcb
Ugh, my comment was just deleted. In short: love the yellow sweater. Cheerful and versatile.
I also bought the Suzi Chin dress in navy, just arrived yesterday! I’m an hourglass shape and I think it’s flattering. Really defines the waist and the skirt floats nicely away from the hips. The v-neck is great, opening up the neck/face and not revealing at all.
I disagree that it’s too evening-ish for work, but I guess that depends on your workplace. I often wear dresses to work, and this one isn’t tight or revealing. I’d wear it with a cardigan (probably belted) or blazer. Haven’t figured out the shoes yet – would like to be able to wear it with boots since it’s so cold, but probably will have to go with pumps.
Clerky
jcb – definitely depends on your work. At my big law firm, this dress would look really out of place. I could see this dress being fine at other offices.
jcb
I’m at a big law firm, too – my third. They all definitely differed style-wise (and, relatedly, culture-wise).
Delta Sierra
Beautiful sweater, and great with a white shirt and gray skirt/pants as C suggests. Pure spring happiness.
Amy
I love this sweater as well. AT Loft has some cute (inexpensive) yellow sweaters and they have a promo 25% off spring clothes between Thursday and Sunday. The BR sweater is probably better quality though!
Azure
Woo hoo! An Asian model. You don’t see that too often.
That being said, I never wear yellow to work. It just seems too playful, even here in California.
denise
I love that sweater, although I cannot wear yellow (red hair, pale skin). It would be particularly great over a spring top while you’re waiting for the weather to catch up (or when the AC makes the office feel like winter).
I really like the belted cardigan look. If you haven’t tried, it, I encourage you to experiment with it: either button a few buttons or leave it open and add a skinny belt. I find it very flattering and fun.
hazel
Re: the skinny belt at the waist idea for long cardigans… I am very short-waisted and apple-shaped, so I do NOT want to draw attention to my waist – how about a hip-slung belt? Would that look weird?
Anonymous
I think that would definitely look odd, at least as I am picturing it. The whole idea of the belt at the waist is to give shape to an otherwise loose garment. I am not sure how that would work at the hips.
Also, I think I’m kind over the whole belt on a cardigan look. I got a BB catalog yesterday, and even they’re doing it. It just feels overdone, considering that it was an individualistic little style signature started by Michelle Obama. Everytime I consider doing it, I just feel like I’m playing dress up as the first lady. I think she’s great and all, but I like to look like me, not like I’m imitating someone else. I guess it’s just too ingrained as a Michelle thing for me.
jcb
I guess she made it more mainstream, but the trend didn’t start with her – it never even occurred to me that it was her thing! Anyway, agreed that the hip-slung belt isn’t the way to go. I am not apple-shaped, but from watching lots of Stacy and Clinton on TLC, wouldn’t you want to “create a waist” with a belt? They always get onto people for hiding their shape.
hazel
I have narrow hips, a good butt, and long thin arms and legs, but there really is no way to “create a waist” for me without a corset. Haven’t seen those shows, but aren’t you supposed to show off what’s good and have clothes that “skim” what’s not? Sounds like the hip-slung belt is a no-go though!
lawdiva
I am pear shaped, and I find that wearing a skinny belt around my waist, which is small, makes my hips seem even wider in comparison. Any other pear shapes find a way to make the belt thing work?
The Image Expert
Lawdiva, I have a triangular body shape like yours as well and have spent my life trying to figure out how to balance my body type. While you may not be a fan of shoulder pads as a fashion trend, think of them as a fitting tool and utilize them to balance your shoulders with your hips. Personally, I wear lots of belts underneath an open jacket, vest or duster. Even though I don’t have as slim a waist as I used to, with an open jacket, all people can see is my “four inch” waist — all that’s visible underneath the jacket. It’s a great trick! Hope this helps.
conselleimageconsultant.wordpress.com
KLo
Same basic shape – you could do the hip-slung belt, but you’d probably do better by going a little shorter with the sweater, leave some of the top and some of the bottom unbuttoned. That’ll give the illusion that you’re smaller in the middle (or at least does on me). I just worry with the hip-slung belt that it makes my legs look short, which is obvs. not what we want. Sigh. But yea, you can’t create a waist. It just makes it look wider, not smaller.
The Image Expert
I’m sure you’ve thought of wearing heels to lengthen your legs when doing the hip-slung belted look. As an image consultant who has dressed thousands of bodies, I assure you that it is possible to create the illusion of a waist through the optical illusions with clothing. For example, wearing a tailored suit jacket unbuttoned, the eye goes to the middle and perceives more of an hourglass figure. There are definitely ways.
conselleimageconsultant.wordpress.com
N
Cute Sweater! However, BR’s pockets on cardigans are bugging me lately. They seem to make a perfectly sweet sweater just a bit to casual, and potentially dated. I’m probably sitting out their cardigans this season for that reason.
Chicago K
I order this one in purple and received it a few weeks ago. Very soft, and I love the color. Agree and the skinny belt…I don’t own one of those, but need to find one as I seem to be buying more and more cardiagans.
I wore the purple cardigan Tuesday with a cream colored cami (from Banana) and dark navy pinstripe pants from AT and a set of black pearls (although they are actually a gray color).
D
Follow up on this. I went to Banana and tried it on and it was PAPER THIN. Way too sheer for wearing to work.