This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.

This knit cardigan from COS feels a little ’90s, but in the best way. (Side note, a friend who works in the fashion industry once told me the reason most trends return after 25-30 years is because the cool 20-somethings who decide what’s fashionable raid their cool moms’ closets. I feel like that can’t be entirely true, but who knows?)

With a defined waist like this, I like wearing a more voluminous bottom, like a midi skirt or a wide-leg trouser. The rust color pairs nicely with black, but you could also do ivory or a darker chocolate brown. 

The sweater is $149 at COS and comes in sizes XS-XL.

Sales of note for 4/3:

• Nordstrom – End of Season Sale – Spring styles up to 50% off – lots of great deals from Natori, Boss, Vince, Veronica Beard, Reiss, Spanx, True & Co., Hanky Panky, Commando, Tory Burch, Theory, Zella, CeCe, Eliza J, Halogen, Vince Camuto, and more.
• Ann Taylor – 40% off + 15% off your purchase
• Banana Republic Factory – 50-70% off + extra 20% off
• Bloomingdale’s – Up to 30% off qualifying purchases. Beauty 15% off “almost all products”
• Boden – 15% off new styles with code
• Brooklinen – 15% off sitewide, plus up to 50% off bundles
• Brooks Brothers – Friends & Family Event, 25% off sitewide. Lots of cute florals and stripes in the sale.
• Elie Tahari – Friends and Family, up to 25% off – try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off.
• Express – 30-70% off everything (Editor pants for $69!)
• J.Crew – 40% off your purchase
• J.Crew Factory – 50% off everything + extra 50% off clearance
• Loft – Spring bash! 50% off everything
• Macy’s – 25% off already reduced prices + 15% off beauty & fragrance
• M.M.LaFleur – New April drop! Use code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off
• Talbots – 30% off your purchase, plus free shipping until noon (PST I believe)

Adam Lippes Top & Skirt, JB X Margaux Shoes, Loro Piana Bag (coming soon)

There’s something about a two-piece set that just makes getting dressed feel easy. It takes the guesswork out, but still looks like you put real thought into it. The pink poplin top and skirt set stands out. It has structure through the top, a clean line through the skirt, and feels pulled together the second it’s on. It also separates well—the top with denim, the skirt with a simple tank—so it carries beyond just one look.

What I’ve been reaching for are sets that hold on their own in cotton poplin skirts with matching tops, soft tailoring in color, or an easy striped short set. The mix feels especially right this season, from white and creamy beige, to soft pink, and emerald green, all in breathable fabrics and comfortable proportions, including a bit of texture, and that cabana stripe moment that always comes back this time of year.

Cos Shirt, Lisa Yang Tank, Donni Pants (similar here), JB x Margaux Flats, Chanel Bag, Sherman Fields Necklace (similar here)

Weekend dressing, to me, is where style feels the most personal. It’s not about an occasion or a dress code, it’s about moving through your day and still feeling like yourself. Whether it’s a morning coffee, kids’ activities, a long lunch that turns into the afternoon, I like having a simple way to pull a look together that still feels elevated. I have been really loving this combination recently, especially with the sunnier days.

Playful Print
This is what makes the outfit feel fun. A soft stripe, a washed floral, a slightly offbeat pattern, something that brings in character. The kind of piece that catches the eye subtly and gives everything else context.

Texture Bag
This is where the outfit sharpens. Woven finishes, fringe, beading, raffia—anything with dimension. It adds richness and contrast, especially against lighter fabrics or softer color palettes. It’s less about matching and more about layering in something tactile that feels intentional and distinct.

Color
The shades I’ve been loving this spring—butter yellow, faded coral, soft pink, and chartreuse—feel optimistic and directional. I like keeping it focused—one or two tones that carry through the look and make everything feel cohesive.

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

I may be in the market for a new rain coat soon, and I’m eyeing these colorful coats from Seasalt Cornwall for a possible replacement.

First, let me back up — based on advice here I’ve been happy with Eddie Bauer’s Girl on the Go rain coat for years. I just pulled it out for a rainy spring day and… I’ve misplaced the hood. Grumble! This is one of my main reasons I wear a rain coat because my thick hair takes forever to dry if it gets a bit wet. (I also like to stash lip gloss and lightweight gloves in the pocket.) I’m still hopeful I’ll find the hood somewhere in my stuff, though…

In any event, I’m already thinking about what I’d want in a new raincoat, and color is definitely something on my list. Spring can be really dreary some days, so a colorful coat can be a great, easy way to lift your spirits. I’m not familiar with the brand (Seasalt Cornwall) but they have a TON of rain coats in lovely colors, both saturated and muted.

I think I like this pale blue organic cotton blend raincoat, but they also have some nice teals and medium blues calling my name. Lovely!

The pictured coat is $338, available in US sizes 4-18.

Sales of note for 4/3:

• Nordstrom – End of Season Sale – Spring styles up to 50% off – lots of great deals from Natori, Boss, Vince, Veronica Beard, Reiss, Spanx, True & Co., Hanky Panky, Commando, Tory Burch, Theory, Zella, CeCe, Eliza J, Halogen, Vince Camuto, and more.
• Ann Taylor – 40% off + 15% off your purchase
• Banana Republic Factory – 50-70% off + extra 20% off
• Bloomingdale’s – Up to 30% off qualifying purchases. Beauty 15% off “almost all products”
• Boden – 15% off new styles with code
• Brooklinen – 15% off sitewide, plus up to 50% off bundles
• Brooks Brothers – Friends & Family Event, 25% off sitewide. Lots of cute florals and stripes in the sale.
• Elie Tahari – Friends and Family, up to 25% off – try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off.
• Express – 30-70% off everything (Editor pants for $69!)
• J.Crew – 40% off your purchase
• J.Crew Factory – 50% off everything + extra 50% off clearance
• Loft – Spring bash! 50% off everything
• Macy’s – 25% off already reduced prices + 15% off beauty & fragrance
• M.M.LaFleur – New April drop! Use code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off
• Talbots – 30% off your purchase, plus free shipping until noon (PST I believe)

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

There’s an interesting op-ed in the NYT (gift link) from Joanne Lipman, author of That’s What She Said: What Men Need to Know (and Women Need to Tell Them) About Working Together. She collects the various ways companies are backing away from DEI initiatives in order to please the current administration. She also notes that “reversing progress on gender equality and women’s rights” is part of the autocrat’s playbook. There’s a lot to unpack here, but let’s discuss…

• how have DEI initiatives changed at your company in the past few years, if at all?
• in what small (or big) ways do you feel affected, personally?
• (I wonder if different generations of women have different opinions here — do you feel more affected if you’re, say, under 35, and less affected if you’re over a certain age?)
• do you agree with a recent report that women in the workplace have “less career support and fewer opportuities to advance”? have you seen more “masculine energy” at your place of work?
• what are your thoughts on the way forward?

In a few different alumni groups that I’m involved with, the trend (both within the group as well as reports from inside the university) has been more along the lines of “we’re removing the letters DEI to placate the administration, but nothing else is actually changing.” But, for example, the administration recently sued Coca Cola for hosting a women’s retreat (gift link to WaPo), alleging it discrminiated against men… so maybe just changing names won’t be enough.

Some choice quotes from the article (again, here’s a gift link to read the whole thing…)

The Trump administration has defined “illegal D.E.I.” as “programs, initiatives or policies that discriminate, exclude or divide individuals based on race or sex.” But in practice, President Trump’s allies have questioned whether women deserve a place in the work force at all. They have blamed women for last year’s California wildfires and slammed the conservative Supreme Court justice Amy Coney Barrett as a “D.E.I. hire” for a ruling they didn’t like. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is purging the military of senior female officers after complaining that the armed forces had become “effeminate.” Women’s names have disappeared from museums, parks, monuments and even the Arlington National Cemetery.

She notes that a number of companies say they’re still advancing diversity, but that no one will talk about it.

It may seem perfectly reasonable, even admirable, for companies to keep their mouths shut as they continue to advance diversity goals. After all, nobody wants to be a target. In previous years, too many companies went overboard, with lots of cheap talk about diversity and not enough action. The problem is that silencing the conversation risks undoing years of progress at a time when women are still underrepresented in business and public life. As women are erased from the narrative, injustices against them go unnoticed.

How has this been affecting women in the workplace? Last year, she reports, an annual report from McKinsey and LeanIn.org “found that women have ‘less career support and fewer opportunities to advance.’” She also notes that Mark Zuckerberg, at least, now says companies need more “masculine energy.”

(As the mom to a teen boy I like to think of this as having Axe body spray pumped into the bathrooms, but… that’s probably not what they mean.)

In the op-ed she also talks about how other marginalized groups have been affected, and how this reversal of progress has played out in other countries through the ages when under authoritarian rule. I recommend you read all of the relatively short op-ed; lots of food for thought.

Stouls Top, Malene Birger Skirt, Etsy Brooch, Chanel Bag, Alaia Flats, Dior Sunglasses

Polka dots are a pattern I find myself reaching for again and again, especially when I’m getting ready to go on a trip. They bring a look together in an instant, refined, playful, and easy to style, even when paired with other colors or prints. They work across so many pieces, from more tailored silhouettes to softer, fluid shapes.

They also lend themselves to different directions. A drop-waist skirt with a bit of movement feels fresh and slightly unexpected, while a simple scarf adds just enough detail when tied at the neck or worn in the hair. Matching sets in lightweight fabrics feel polished but relaxed, and an easy mini dress is always a go-to for something effortless, especially for days that move from one plan to the next.

Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep attended The Devil Wears Prada 2 Tokyo fan event to promote the film ahead of its May 1st theatrical release, both in coordinated red, black, and white looks!

Anne Hathaway opted for a black and ivory Valentino Couture silk gown defined by a structured strapless bodice and a sculptural peplum that cascaded into dramatic, layered ruffles. A bold red accent panel cut across the bodice, adding contrast to the monochrome palette, while the voluminous silhouette created movement and dimension. Styled by Erin Walsh, she completed the look with coordinating pointed pumps and statement jewelry that complemented the architectural lines of the gown.

On the runway, the Valentino Couture design appeared with the same strapless construction and exaggerated peplum detail, emphasizing precision tailoring and fluid volume. The layered black silk skirt was accented with ivory ruffles that spiraled downward, creating a sense of motion, while the red geometric insert at the bust added a modern, graphic element to the otherwise classic couture silhouette.

Meryl Streep stepped out in a red and black Chanel Métiers d’Art 2026 ensemble featuring a fitted jacket and coordinating skirt adorned with an abstract ivory pattern. The look was finished with black fringe detailing at the hem and cuffs, adding texture and movement. Styled by Micaela Erlinger, she paired the set with classic two-tone pumps, oversized sunglasses, and gold accessories, maintaining a polished yet statement-making appearance.

The Chanel Métiers d’Art runway presentation showcased the same structured jacket and skirt set, highlighting intricate craftsmanship and textile work. The bold red base was contrasted with organic ivory motifs, while the addition of fringe introduced dynamic movement to the tailored silhouette. Styled with sleek accessories and a refined finish, the look balanced heritage techniques with contemporary edge.

Together, Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep delivered a coordinated yet contrasting fashion moment in Tokyo, balancing couture drama with heritage craftsmanship while promoting The Devil Wears Prada 2 ahead of its May 1st release. From Valentino’s sculptural elegance to Chanel’s textured precision, both looks nodded to their characters’ enduring influence on fashion, reinforcing the film’s legacy at the intersection of style and storytelling.

📸: Disney/20th Century Pictures

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For any questions/feedback regarding the above mentioned products/brands,
please do contact us anytime by clicking here

Complete your look with the XYLondon Handbags for Women collection, featuring a sophisticated range of structured totes, quilted shoppers, and compact crossbody bags. Whether you are looking for a spacious double-belted shoulder bag for the office or a chic mini bag with detachable charms for a weekend outing, XY London combines practical storage with on-trend textures like brown patent, khaki synthetic leather, and quilted wet-look finishes.

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For any questions/feedback regarding the above mentioned products/brands,
please do contact us anytime by clicking here

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Curious about how to wear stockings without ripping them? There can be a few tricks to wearing pantyhose without getting runs, so we’re updating our advice!

More reader mail to catch up on… I thought this reader Q was particularly relevant given some of yesterday’s questions in comments about when/how to wear nylons.

First, while you’ve discussed whether or not to wear stockings, I could really use some advice on HOW to wear them once one decides that they’re appropriate. I rip stockings to shreds whenever I wear them, so I would really appreciate tips on finding a durable brand, as well as how to properly care for them.

I would agree with most of the commenters in yesterday’s post that stockings/nylons/pantyhose aren’t necessary for most day-to-day activities. If you’re interviewing? Nylons for you. If you’re going to court or to a big meeting? Ditto.

(Hungry for more pantyhose advice? We’ve also done a big Guide to Pantyhose, advised what color pantyhose is the best for August interviews, how to wear pantyhose in the summer when it’s sweltering, and discussed whether fishnets are appropriate for a conservative job.)

Admin note: this post was originally written in 2009 (aww), but updated April 6, 2026 by Kat Griffin.

The Best Brands for Stockings to Wear to Work

As for which brand, we got a ton of great suggestions when we ran a poll on whether black hose or nude hose was better for an August interview (the readers overwhelmingly contradicted me, saying nude hose was the way to go for an August interview). This is one of our latest favorite brands for affordable pantyhose; you can see our whole list at the bottom of the post.

Other Tips: How to Wear Stockings to Work Without Getting Runs and Rips

In terms of other tips for wearing stockings… it sounds crazy, but a pedicure is almost more important when you’re wearing hose than when you’re barefooted because it stops your toenails from shredding the hose.

Secondly, you may want to look for various bells and whistles, such as reinforced toes (although this will limit your shoe choices if you have any shoes with a very low vamp). Also, maybe it’s just me, but I feel like control-top hose last longer than hose without; this may be because they stay put better and I’m not constantly yanking them up.

If that isn’t enough, there are gloves* that you can buy to wear while putting on your pantyhose (although, unless you carry them with you, they won’t help when you have to go to the bathroom.)

{related: best lingerie for office looks}

How to Put on Pantyhose Without Ripping Them

Otherwise, in terms of technique, I’ve found it’s best to put them on slowly — take the leg opening and gather the fabric until all you’ve got is 3-4 inches of hose to put over your toes. As you step into the hose and pull them up your leg, un-bunch the fabric as you go, trying to pull the hose tight enough as you go.

How to Care for Pantyhose

As far as caring for pantyhose, the best advice is to hand-wash them, particularly if you shell out for a very nice pair (Wolford, La Perla, etc). I am (generally) far too lazy to hand-wash anything, however, and I’ve had success with the delicate cycle of my shared industrial washer in my apartment building.

My method: get a lingerie bag or hosiery bag to put your hose in. Keep bras (or anything with hooks) out of this load if you can. Add sweaters, workout clothes, etc, and wash it on the delicate cycle, in cold, with Woolite.

Whatever you do (for the love of God!) airdry your pantyhose.

Readers, what are your tips on how to wear stockings to work? What are your best tips for how to put on pantyhose without ripping them accidentally, or getting runs in your nylons?

Picture credit: Deposit Photos / firstblood.