Hello, August! I have mixed feelings about you. I love the return of our routine and life at home, but I’m already longing for our summer days; the girls sleeping in, new adventures and lack of normalcy that always excites me. I am so deeply grateful for the time we get to travel together, they will be the memories that I will always hold onto. But back to real life it is, and there is a lot to look forward to this month as well. Here’s what’s ahead…

What We’re Doing

• We enjoyed the first week of August in Switzerland, and it’s easily been one of our favorite family trips. Our summers are usually centered around where Thomas and I want to travel, and we find entertainment for the girls along the way (beach, pool, parks), but Switzerland had a whole new level of fun for the girls. Seeing their joy and the peace that being in nature brought us, made the trip go right to the top!
• Last month I filmed a Lipstick On The Rim podcast episode with Molly and Emese that you can now listen to here. I met Emese earlier this spring when she was visiting Charleston and we instantly became friends– she is one of those people who you just want to be friends with! I’m so honored that she and Molly invited me on their show. We could have chatted for hours and hours.
• I’m doing NYFW next month (my first one in years), and I’m looking forward to seeing and celebrating designers whose clothes make me feel beautiful and confident. I’m going to take you all along for the ride!
• Months of work on two different collaborations are finally coming together, and we’ll be shooting both campaigns toward the end of August.
• This month we officially have a seven-year-old! We’re celebrating with an all-things-Pokémon party this year.
• It’s back to school in just a few weeks! I always get my girls a few essentials, like running sneakers, water bottles, backpacks, and these reusable name bags from Etsy that we love.

What I’m Wearing

• This Liberowe gold dress 
• These Miu Miu sneakers have been an MVP of our trip to Switzerland.
• I’ve had these red paisley loafers on repeat the whole month of July and there is no stopping going into fall. The brand just launched a few ready to wear pieces and I’m eyeing this, this and this.  
• I bring this AYR shirt on every trip (a cover-up in warm weather, an easy layer in cool weather). 
• Rhone probably makes up 50% of my workout clothes. I’m such a fan of their fits and fabrics, and I just got this new set in a yummy fall shade – tank and leggings.
• I brought my Donni taffeta pants with me to Switzerland and brought them out a few times. They just restocked in a few colors, get them before they’re gone! 
• This lip balm in the shade “peony” 

What I’m Buying

• Patricia Voto of One/Of is an incredibly talented designer whose pieces I have long admired and loved. While most of her collection is completely custom, she recently added a handful of ready-to-wear pieces and accessories to her site.
• I’m really loving a grape purple color right now, initially inspired by these Reformation sandals I bought. Here are three other things I bought in the color:
• I am hooked on Uni’s body serum
• This Alemais set – top and pants
• The new J.Crew cupro shirt in the prettiest pale pink 
• Speaking of pink, this suede pink Reformation jacket is sitting in my cart
• Donni’s new purple – skirt and shirt
• The new Prada embroidered pumps. Do you love green or pink more?
• This dress!

What I’m Eyeing

• These Dior Jackets from the Fall/Winter runway show were by far my favorite pieces, and now they’re online (for a very pretty penny!)
• Irene Neuwirth’s new fruit collection 
• Newness from LaDouble J – this feathered swing dress and burgundy fringe top
• I’m looking for a pair of caramel suede pants for fall. This Chloé pair is my dream, but higher than I’d like to spend. Then I found these for about half, then these for about half of that, and landed on these for half of that.

And finally, a few pre-fall pieces getting me excited for the change in season:

This week’s Amazon Sunday is all about closet care in preparation for fall. I look for things that make getting dressed much easier, plus the pieces that take proper care of what I’m actually wearing this season. A cashmere knit comb, closet organizers, hangers that keep clothes sitting properly, garment covers for everything I’m putting away from summer, and drawer inserts so the small things don’t disappear.

Then the little things that keep the space tidy and make it nicer to be in. Inserts so my boots stay in their best form, a pretty valet rod for setting out clothes the night before, and gold hanger connectors that keep matching sets together. Add in baskets for overflow, and an air purifier to keep the space feeling fresh, and my closet is ready for the season ahead.

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Whoa… I didn’t realize mattifying sunscreen is a genre, but I love it (and this one from Clinique is on sale today!).

I randomly lucked my way into another sunscreen that has mattifying properties — it’s almost like a powdery finish — but it’s a foreign brand that’s hard to get without a special order through a site like Stylevana. So I’m excited to see that Clinique has a similar mattifying sunscreen — and it’s got 500+ great reviews.

Sample reviews: “Works so well,” “great daily sunscreen,” “love the way it went on,” “leaves a beautiful glow on my skin, no whitecast.” There is one 1-star review, and I think someone was confused, because this is the text:

I have never found a sunscreen that I will actually wear daily. I have always been allergic to sunscreens, So I never got in to the habit of wearing them. But I was sent this sunscreen to try, and I actually enjoyed it. It didn’t break me out, I didnt hives or any type of rash, and did not have any issues with my skin after using it multiple days. To say I was impressed is an understatement. 

Yep, sounds like a 1-star review to me.

ANYWAY: the sunscreen is normally $39, but today it’s 25% off ($39) as part of the NAS Daily Beauty Deals. (The NAS sale ends on Sunday, for what that’s worth — you can check out all of our picks here.) Interestingly, Clinique has a whole line of UV solutions, all with SPF 50 — hydrating, brightening + tinted, and mattifying.

Readers, what are your favorite sunscreens this summer?

Sales of note for 8/2:

• Nordstrom – The Anniversary Sale ends August 9! Here’s our big roundup of the best workwear, as well as everything we’ve selected thus far. Don’t forget to check to see if their daily beauty deal is a good one for you – e.g., 8/5 beauty tools from Omnilux, Dr. Dennis Gross, Dermaflash and more
• Ann Mashburn – Seasonal sale, up to 50% off – we just included them in our updated Top 10 Brands for Comfortable Heels!
• Ann Taylor – 50% off summer styles + 60% off clearance — readers love this blouse and I always love the variety of colors/textures for this jacket (it’s a great separate)
• Banana Republic – 30% off your purchase (ends 7/31)
• The Fold – Up to 50% off, further markdowns + extra 10% off
• J.Crew – Up to 30% off
• J.Crew Factory – 50% off sitewide
• Me & Em – Sale! Up to 60% off (new lines just added, exclusively online)
• M.M.LaFleur – End of season sale! (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off on other items)
• Nordstrom Rack – Clearance, new markdowns 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
• Talbots – 25% off your entire purchase
• Theory – End of season sale is on!

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.

• The Wall Street Journal [gift link] noted that more big fashion brands are selling “preloved” items, partly to offset the environmental cost of producing so many styles in rapid succession.
• The New York Times [gift link] featured a piece in which a woman explained “The Real Reason I Was Looksmaxxing [ew — Ed.] in Midlife.”
• Harvard Business Review highlighted five ways to wield influence when you lack authority.
• Fast Company explained the value of emotional resilience at work.
• The 19th noted that Todd Blanche, Trump’s attorney general pick, has hinted at making national abortion restrictions a priority.
• Allure shared that a new study (not yet published in a medical journal) found that hair loss is more likely in patients taking tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro) than semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic).
• The Washington Post [gift link] reported on how Flock license-plate cameras are being misused by some law enforcement officers.
• NPR shared digital habits that rob attention and energy — and how to combat them.
• Your Laugh of the Week comes from Alyce Chan, who has a new series of hilarious videos, “If Adults Acted Like Kids.” Here’s part one.

On CorporetteMoms Recently…

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

I came across this pointelle sweater on a recent Target run and thought it was really lovely for the price. The 100% cotton knit feels light, but the pointelle isn’t so delicate that it will get snagged on every piece of jewelry.

I like this chestnut brown color for fall, but it also comes in a pale pink. 

The sweater is $25 at Target and comes in sizes XS-3X. 

Outfit Details: Balakata Dress, Celine Bag (similar here, less expensive version here) Gabriela Hearst Sandals, Retrosuperfuture Sunglasses (sold out, similar here), Prada Headband 

Charleston always has a way of making September feel like an extension of summer, with long afternoons that stay golden well past the point the calendar has moved on. So I’ve got my eye on dresses that are light enough for August with sandals and a tote, but that will work just as well heading into the first days of fall, when it finally makes sense to keep a sweater over my shoulders.

I pulled together an edit of the easiest dresses under $300, all of them versatile enough to do both. They still let you soak up the last weeks of summer while catching that September ease, whether it’s a printed midi that works under a light jacket or a cotton dress I’ll wear with suede flats once I’m ready to ditch the sandals. These are the picks that will carry me from warm afternoons straight through to dinners that need a jacket.

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.

Today we’re starting a new series: stores like X. Whether you’d prefer a different size range, something more affordable (or are ready for something more expensive), or more… this should hopefully be a good guide for you. Readers, what do you think are the best stores like Ann Taylor?

{related: The Ultimate Guide to Business Casual}

Why People Love Ann Taylor

There’s a lot to love about Ann Taylor itself, though, and we’ve done an entire roundup of what to buy at Ann Taylor. They offer polished, feminine workwear. They have an extremely reliable section with basic suits in classic cuts, as well as seasonal and trendy suits in fun colors, fabrics, and trendy cuts. Most of their suits are machine washable. In terms of sizes, while they don’t have a plus size section, they’re one of the very few spots with petites that go to size 18.

The brand is also known for frequent sales, and this store is a great one if you want to build a capsule wardrobe with repeating colors because they often have a LOT of matching pieces in blouses, T-shirts, sweaters, pants, blazers, dresses, and more. They also have their eye on a lot of the best office-appropriate trends, and with their really affordable pricepoint they’re a great way to try the trends.

Some of readers’ latest favorite Ann Taylor items include these specific items — readers also love their petite section, as well as curvy options for their pants (and their general 00-18 size range across all sections).

(All price ranges are based on a frequently updated spreadsheet I maintain comparing different suiting brands. This list includes both retailers and clothing brands. For brands sold at multiple stores, I’ve linked to the retailer I’d recommend shopping first.)

The Best Affordable Stores Like Ann Taylor

Ann Taylor is one of the more affordable options out there when you factor in their frequent sales; you can also find the Ann Taylor Factory Store at a number of outlet malls. (Sadly, they are not online anymore.) Their sister brand Loft is also definitely worth checking! (They only sometimes have suiting pieces, but they are a good source for curvy cuts and petites.) That said, if you’re looking for more affordable stores that are like Ann Taylor:

If you’re looking for…

• Natural fibers in neutral colors: Quince
• Preppier classics: J.Crew Factory, Lands’ End, Vince Camuto
• More minimalist: Banana Republic Factory, Everlane, Quince
• More trend-driven pieces: Halogen, Abercrombie
• More feminine cuts: CeCe, Express, Eloquii (plus)
• Extended sizing: Lane Bryant, Eloquii, J.Crew Factory
• Classic department-store workwear: Anne Klein, Aqua, Kasper, Tahari
• If your wardrobe is more WFH than boardroom: J.Jill, Caslon

Halogen, a Nordstrom house brand, is a long-running reader favorite — for years readers loved a Halogen skirt so much it was more or less just referred to around these parts as “The Skirt.” Sadly it isn’t sold anymore — Halogen sometimes has suits, and this cap-sleeve blouse has been a reader favorite.

J.Crew Factory is J.Crew’s sister brand and tends to have bright, preppy clothes for work and the weekend. Readers have loved their sweater blazer and their popover blouses in general, and you can sometimes find suiting there as well. They also have petites, tall sizes, and often carry up to a size 3X.

Quince tends to have minimalist work clothes in neutral colors and natural fibers. Their cuts tend to be a lot boxier than Ann Taylor, and they don’t have anywhere near the colors and prints that Ann Taylor does. Still, readers have liked their basics like silk blouses, sweater tees, and this great work dress with pockets. They also have a very limited suiting section and section for plus sizes. Some of their pants offer different lengths, too.

The Best Stores like Ann Taylor at a Similar Price

If you’re looking for:

• Natural fibers in neutral colors: Lilysilk
• Preppier classics: J.Crew, Boden, Talbots
• More minimalist: COS, Modern Citizen, Banana Republic, Aritzia, Spanx, Club Monaco
• More trend-driven pieces: Sezane, Favorite Daughter, Mango
• More feminine cuts: White House Black Market, Reformation
• Extended sizing: Universal Standard, Spanx, J.Crew, Lauren Ralph Lauren
• Classic department-store workwear: Nordstrom,
• If your wardrobe is more WFH than boardroom: Madewell, AllSaints, Spanx

Boden is a big reader favorite — this British brand can sometimes feel a bit more expensive because they don’t have frequent big sales. Readers love this blazer, these dresses, and their double-layer line of tees. Boden is a bit unusual in that they either offer suiting in really neutral colors (black, navy) or bold, bombastic colors and patterns. They also come in petites (and you can sometimes find the brand at Nordstrom). If you’re thrifting, look for the beloved (and retired) Ravello blouse.

J.Crew is one of the obvious ones — the stores even tend to be physically located near each other. They also have petite sizes. Readers love their sweater blazers, lady jackets, winter coats, and seasonless suiting.

Hobbs – This British brand is sold at Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s and they have a few boutiques in the U.S. Like Ann Taylor, they’re one of the few brands with clothing that is reliably machine washable, often including their suits — and many of their suits are eco-friendly. They also come in petites, and if you like the “dress + blazer” suit look then this should be your first stop.

Talbots is a bit preppier and more traditional than Ann Taylor, but it’s an especially good alternative if you’re hard to fit: they offer regular, tall, petite, plus, and even the exceedingly rare plus-petite sizes. They also sometimes carry seasonless wool suiting and great sweater blazers, and readers have been big fans of this colorful cardigan.

White House Black Market has comparable work clothes that tend to be cut a bit closer than Ann Taylor does. (If Ann Taylor is Chicago, WHBM is a bit more Miami — sleeker silhouettes, more fitted cuts, and a touch more glamour.) Readers have loved their suits and their comfort stretch pants. They also offer petites and curvy cuts!

Bonus: There can be great workwear finds at discount stores like Nordstrom Rack. For example, right now they have a nice selection of affordable work dresses from Calvin Klein, Maggy London, Eliza J, and Donna Morgan.

The Best Higher-Quality Alternatives to Ann Taylor

If you’re looking for:

• Executive suiting: Veronica Beard, M.M.LaFleur, BOSS, Reiss, Me + Em, The Fold, Argent
• Preppier classics: Brooks Brothers, Antonio Melani, Ralph Lauren,
• More minimalist: Theory, Reiss, Vince, A.L.C., Ministry of Supply
• More trend-driven pieces: Cinq a Sept, Frankie Shop,
• More feminine: Hobbs, L’Agence, The Fold, LK Bennett, Elie Tahari, Ted Baker, Trina Turk, Rebecca Taylor,
• Extended sizing: Veronica Beard, Vince, Marina Rinaldi Persona, Ralph Lauren
• Classic department-store workwear: Antonio Melani (Dillards),
• If your wardrobe is more WFH or creative casual than boardroom: AYR, Eileen Fisher, Frank & Eileen, Anine Bing,

Brooks Brothers – Brooks Brothers’ is the GOAT for conservative office clothes — and while they’ve alway had nice suits and iron-free shirts, they’ve also recently stepped up their game with knitwear, especially cardigans. If you’re thrifting, look for their long bestselling but now retired silk/cashmere shawl sweater.

The Fold London – I mostly think of this brand for their gorgeous origami-like top, but they make a lot of suiting and other tailored pieces — some in neutral colors, but like Ann Taylor in that they do have some fun seasonal colors. If you’re looking for something different (or happen to be in London), keep the brand in mind. You can also now find the brand at Nordstrom!

M.M.LaFleur – This is a big hit with Corporette readers! Some favorite pieces include their suiting (especially their wool twill and washable travel suiting), their jardigans, work pants, silk blouses, and sleek work dresses like this or this. They seem to be retiring their shoe line, but you can still find some sizes in stock — they also have a resale section on their site (and at least in previous years there was a very active buy/sell Facebook group).

Reiss – I always love to look through this British brand’s classic takes on modern styles, and they have a wonderful suiting section (with petites, too!). Note that their fits can be a bit body conscious. Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s both carry the brand; also note that the sale/outlet section on their site has some amazing deals. 

Theory – The classic, particularly among BigLaw lawyers — but be warned, if you have curves you may have to size up here. Note that you can also find the brand at a lot of spots, including Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and Saks. They’ve become more eco-conscious in the past few years through their use of Good Wool. (If you’re thrifting, we talked about some of the older well-known styles in this 2015 post.) Readers also love their pull-on pants.

Veronica Beard – This is another reader favorite; a lot of their blazers are known for having detachable “dickeys” so you can add, say, the look of a quarter zip sweater to your blazer without adding the bulk. (Quince has copied this feature, for what that’s worth!) This brand is at the very tippy top of this price range, but is a lot more common among the readers than the brands in the designer range. Other pieces reader love include this bag line. (You can often find the brand on sale at Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack.)

(Again, if you know what to look for you can find nice deals at Nordstrom Rack. Right now, they have a nice selection of Vince, Veronica Beard, Reiss and Rag & Bone.)

The Best Luxury Alternatives to Ann Taylor

Most of these brands are well outside the average workwear budget at full price. But if you’re browsing The RealReal, eBay, Poshmark, or another resale site, these are the labels that make me stop scrolling. (You can check out all of our favorite high-end, investment brands for C-Suite style here.)

• Executive suiting: Another Tomorrow, Akris, Altuzarra, Max Mara, St. John, Lafayette 148 New York, Nili Lotan
• Natural fibers: Loro Piana, TSE
• Preppier classics: Paul Smith,
• More minimalist: The Row, Joseph,
• More feminine cuts: Roland Mouret,
• Extended sizing: Lafayette 148 New York, Marina Rinaldi
• Vintage brands: Armani Collezioni

Akris – Akris, interestingly, doesn’t always have neutral suits — but they do have colorful fun ones. Readers seem to have a lot of luck finding this brand’s cashmere sweaters on resale sites.

Another Tomorrow – AnotherTomorow has a super minimalist line of workwear in generally neutral colors — I think they’re fabulous. They try to focus on sustainable luxury.

Joseph – Joseph has been an IYKYK brand for years if you like clean, simple lines; their “Comfort Cady” fabric is a great bet for luxurious staples. They also offer “shorter” lengths for many of their pants (and coats!), so if you’re hunting for a designer workwear in petite sizes, this is definitely your stop.

Lafayette 148 New York – Readers have loved the brand’s pants for years, and this is one of the few truly high end brands that does plus size suiting.

Max Mara – There are several different tiers to Max Mara clothes, with Weekend Max Mara being one of the lower tiers, Studio and Sportmax being middle tiers, and Max Mara being one of the highest tiers. (They also own the luxe plus-size line Marina Rinaldi, and the slightly more affordable Marina Rinaldi Persona.) They are all lovely.