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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 48 Comments · by

Washable Wednesday: Jersey Jacquard Dress

Machine-Washable Work Clothes· Recent Recs

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A woman wearing a Jersey Jacquard DressIt feels rare to find a dress that is fully lined, machine washable, and, well, cute — but Boden does it again and again. I like this black and white version fine, but I LOVE the gray and black version (which isn’t shown on a model, alas). I like the swingy skirt but respectable hemline, the sleeves, and the stain-friendly patterns (it comes in four dotted colors). The dress, of course, is machine washable, and is $148 at Boden. Try code 7Y2J at checkout to get 25% off everything plus free shipping. Boden Jersey Jacquard Dress  

Sales of note for 9.10.24

(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)

Kid/Family Sales

  • Carter’s – Birthday sale, 40-50% off & extra 20% off select styles
  • Hanna Andersson – Up to 50% off all baby; up to 40% off all Halloween
  • J.Crew Crewcuts – Extra 30% off sale styles
  • Old Navy – 40% off everything
  • Target – BOGO 25% off select haircare, up to 25% off floor care items; up to 30% off indoor furniture up to 20% off TVs

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Comments

  1. balletgirl1980 says

    I couldn’t help it. I bought the Navy/Ginger one. And matching tights. My favorite things to wear when I don’t have meetings and need to me clients. Thanks for the heads up Kat!

  2. ERV says

    Any advice for summery tops/tunics/dresses that will help disguise a postpartum figure? I am going on a tropical vacation over the holidays and my body still hasn’t returned to what it used to be pre-pregnancy (baby is now 8 months). I am so depressed about this and feeling really self conscious. It doesn’t help that we’ll be on vacation with my SIL who prides herself on being rail-thin and works in the NYC fashion industry. I don’t know that I can wear a bathing suit in front of her now.

    • MomAnon4This says

      I feel like most flowy shirts & dresses and tunics would be appropriate – just bring 1 or 2 and then buy some stuff there? For me the issue was bottoms – wear black or white capris that fit and feel comfortable and you’ll be fine.

      Tell your husband that you’re uncomfortable around SIL so you can at least shoot him A Look if she starts in on it. If she brings up body and fashion, go hug your baby. Also, make a “snarky relative bingo” card and see if you can complete it. Just laugh it off, if possible – it’s about her and her issues, not you, Hot Mama!

    • Pogo says

      Maxi dresses seem like a good bet here. A strapless maxi over a bathing suit says “Look I’m being beach-y” without having to expose anything. There are those great convertible maxi dress/skirts that you can wear multiple ways too (so could work for dinner with an oversized chambray button down or something). Kiyonna has one called the “chameleon” (Kiyonna is a “plus sized” brand, but their size 0X works for anything from street size 8-12 imo).

      Another place to look is Victoria’s Secret- they have cheap, beach-y, flowy things all year round. I got a big caftan type sheer top that I wear over my bikini. You can tell I’m wearing a bikini but not see details of my skin, lol.

      If it makes you feel any better, I have a stick thin SIL who is stick thin after having two kids. So, that’s depressing.

  3. pockets says

    We went for a 9 month checkup yesterday and the doctor was concerned that my 9 month old isn’t pulling herself up to standing. He suggested getting an evaluation for early intervention. Has anyone done something like that? Any info or anecdotes on what to expect? And does anyone have a suggestion for a place in NYC that does it?

    • (former) preg 3L says

      No advice — my LO is 9 months too — just hugs. And I’d check out Alphamom’s Advice Smackdown column for info on early intervention. She has one child who has autism (I believe) and she consistently says that there is NO NEED to do ANY early intervention before 2 years old. So, she’s not a doctor, but she’s been through it and she has 3 sons. I really like reading her advice. I’ll see if I can find the column I’m talking about…

      • MomAnon4This says

        I used to be a preschool teacher — IMHO you could see progress in kids that had all kinds of interventions, whether speech, physical, sensory, whatever.

        If you’d like to get another opinion from another pediatrician, or a specialist, that’s OK. You should.

        You can also wait a month and see if your kid starts pulling up. My kid was a slow crawler & walker – did not crawl until close to 1, did not walk until ~16 months or so. BUT his other early milestones were on track – babbling, smiling, etc. We don’t know your kid. You and his caregivers (hopefully you trust them) do. Go ahead and check with another doctor.

    • greenie says

      We had an EI visit when my daughter was 4 months old by the urging of friends. They did a home visit where they evaluated all aspects- speech, motor skills etc. Turns out her reflux was just making her super rigid, but it was nice to get a clear idea of what is expected at that age and when to worry. We might schedule a visit for my second daughter for some possible speech delays. I see them as a great tool and resource… I’d rather know eary on that something needs to be corrected.

      I had over 5 years of speech therapy in grade school that really affected my self-confidence. If it had been caught before I started grade school I think it would have been resolved quicker (really I just needed to do exercises to strengthen my tongue) and would not have affected my confidence as much (my speech was the target of jokes by peers AND teachers, and always having to repeat myself made me feel pretty stupid).

      Although I wouldn’t personally be worried about my 9-month old not pulling herself up to standing, I do think that EI can provide a full evaluation and either ease your mind or provide resources if any assistance is need.

      • greenie says

        FWIW… daughter 2 with the possible speech delay is turing 3 in a month. I was never concerned with her not talking as much as her sister did etc. My concern is stemmed from the fact that SHE is getting frustrated that we do not understand her, not that we are frustrated that we cannot understand her.

        • mascot says

          We were worried about our son’s speech at 2 (parental instinct that something was behind), but our doctor advised a wait and see approach until age 3. At the 3 year appt, Once the doctor heard that we only understood about 70% of what our child said and strangers could only understand 50%, we got referred to speech. Also, our son was frustrated that people didn’t understand him. He’s been in speech therapy the better part of a year now and it’s really helping. I’m glad we started as early as we did.

          • greenie says

            thanks for sharing mascot… I’ve been trying to not let my own personal experience cause me to overreact… but at this point I feel that she is letting us know it’s time for some extra help.

    • FVNC says

      I can’t speak to early intervention, but I wanted to offer my support as the mother of a baby who has consistently been toward the “almost-too-late for typical” range of hitting her milestones. I think my daughter was 9 or 10 months before consistently pulling herself up and standing. At almost 14 months, she is just now starting to stand on her own and is not walking without assistance. She was born about a month early, and even though she was not medically considered a preemie, she has been developing like one. Our pediatrician said that as long as her development keeps progressing — albeit at its own rate — we should not worry yet. Which of course hasn’t stopped me from worrying; it’s tough when all her classmates and playmates seem so much more advanced than she is. Good luck, and I hope you get the support you need.

    • ANP says

      Anecdotal advice — neither of my kids crawled/pulled up before 10 months and we were never referred to EI. That said, I think seeing someone (had my ped recommended it) would have given me peace of mind. Lots of big internet hugs coming your way.

    • EB0220 says

      I’m not a doctor, but I am a mom of a kiddo who was somewhat behind avg on gross motor development. She frankly just wasn’t that interested. Unless there are other concerns about your baby’s gross motor skills, I don’t think you should worry. Pulling to standing is a milestone for 9-10 months but that’s an average and every kid is somewhere on the distribution. So being a bit slower is not cause for concern…again, in my non-medical opinion. So, I would want to know why the doctor was recommending EI before proceeding.

    • pockets says

      Thanks everyone! I’m not that concerned. I actually had a moment in the doctor’s office when I was like, the doctor is expecting me to freak out but I’m way too neglectful/laid back to get all worked up over this. The way I look at it, I’m one of the least coordinated people I know (DH is pretty uncoordinated as well) so it makes sense that our child would be a little slow at the movement thing. Also I think she’s just lazy. She doesn’t like moving around that much (why would she, everything comes to her) and just has no interest in standing. I got her to stand (with support) for about 30 seconds after the appt but only by propping her up in front of the TV. Of course, the low interest in standing means she never tries to stand and therefore has low muscle tone.

      The doctor did say I could wait a month, but I want to schedule the evaluation for Christmas week (me & DH can probably stay home to be present at the evaluation) so I want to call early to get a good appointment.

      • eh230 says

        DS2 was six weeks early, and we called EI when he was between 6-9 months due to his legs being a little rigid (hypertonic). The interventionist (not sure what their real title is) was very friendly and answered all of our questions. She basically told us that she didn’t think anything was severe and that there was not much they could do for his age. He is 13 months now and stands, crawls and takes assisted steps. Like the pp, I would wait another month or so. She likely will stand when she is ready.

    • Willow says

      If you are in NYC, have you joined one of the local neighborhood-based mom listserves? I know of a FiDi/BPC/Tribeca group, an UES group, and an UWS group, and I’m sure there are others (including in other boroughs). People post questions like this all the time, and you are very likely to be able to get reviews of / recommendations for local therapists and MDs who might provide a second opinion. (Posting on c-moms is great, too, but you may want to go local as well if you are looking for location-based advice.)

      • (former) preg 3L says

        Brooklyn Heights has an excellent one like this if you’re in the area.

        • pockets says

          (former) preg 3L, I think we live in the same area and we have babies the same age. We should hang out :)

          • (former) preg 3L says

            Sadly, I moved to Westchester recently! But I work in the city. Post an anon email address and let’s get lunch sometime?

  4. JJ says

    Argh, this is supposed to be in reply to ERV.

    No specific clothing advice, but I’ve found maxi dresses and maxi skirts will camo what you want AND are very easy to wear while traveling/taking care of a baby.

    But here’s the deal. You had a baby! And if you’re on this site, you presumably have a job! You just don’t have the time that you used to devote to working out and losing baby weight. Especially with a baby that little, survival is key and all else falls to lower priorities.

    After two kids in two years, my body certainly isn’t back to where it was before my first kid. And yeah, it bothers me. But I’m learning to accept it, do what I can to change it, and am trying not to let it keep me from having fun with my kids. Do I want them to remember a mom that was always worried about her body, or a mom that was playing in the sand and the ocean with them? Even if your SIL judges you if you wear a swim suit, that says a lot more about her and nothing about you. Taking longer than expected to get back to pre-pregnancy size is not a moral failing.

    • Katarina says

      I second this. While I am unhappy with my postpartum figure (still at 15 months postpartum, although I am slowly losing weight), both work and parenting have a higher priority for me and my limited will power. Your SIL clearly prioritizes being thin, but you do not have to. I hope you are able to enjoy your tropical vacation and not feel too self conscious.

  5. POSITA says

    Not to threadjack the comment above, my daughter is up for her 15 month appointment on Friday and I’m trying to decide whether to request a hearing evaluation. She has always been on the early end of gross motor skills–walking at 9 months and doing sommersaults by 13 months. She can follow multistep directions such as “Do you want to give your baby a bottle in your rocking chair?” (She gets baby from stroller, digs bottle out of toy bin, climbs into rocking chair and pretends to give baby bottle while rocking.) She seems to understand most of what we say. That said, she is really quiet. She occasionally babbles, but doesn’t have any solid words. We suspect she says dadadada sometimes to mean daddy, but it’s inconsistent at best. She didn’t make a “ma” sound until 13 months and dropped it again a few weeks later. She has one solid sign, “all done,” that she uses effectively in a variety of situations. But she hasn’t picked up any others despite our months of attempts. She does point all the time with purpose and will waive bye bye.

    Could this be a hearing thing even though she understands us? She hasn’t had an ear infection ever.

    • Maddie Ross says

      To me, it doesn’t sound like a hearing issue (but clearly I am untrained in that). If she can hear and comprehent multi-step directions that are spoken at a normal volume, I would think it’s more on the vocalization side of things than hearing. Does she react to sounds? I know that’s a big test when they are younger, but would assume it applies the same at her current age. I think it’s completely appropriate to ask about the limited babbling, but not sure a hearing test will help. If it helps you, I just had my daughter’s 18 month appt a few weeks ago. The doctor asked how many words she said and I truly didn’t know, so estimated 10-20. He said that at least 10 clear words was a good response. And that’s 3 months ahead of your daughter. A lot can change in 3 months at that age.

    • Spirograph says

      I’m sure it could be, but I wouldn’t worry about it too much. My mom is an audiologist and speech/language pathologist, and when I brought up almost this exact situation – my son seeming to understand directions perfectly but only babbling and not saying anything remotely intelligible – when he was around that age, she told me to calm down. 6 months later, he’s talking in simple sentences, singing, repeating the last word of every.single.statement. an adult says within earshot, and generally will not stop talking from the time he wakes up in the morning until he tells us to put him to bed (yes, he really says “I want bed.” only at night, though. Naps are another story… can’t win them all) . Like someone said above, or maybe in the Alphamom thread, sometimes language development just comes in fits and starts. That said, if you’re concerned, I’d definitely bring it up at your 15 month pediatrician appointment.

    • mascot says

      My son didn’t have a whole lot of words either at that age. Once he did start talking, he never stopped. I’d talk to your pediatrician, but I think that the answer is that there is a wide range of normal when kids start doing things. Kids don’t develop all of these big skills simultaneously so maybe she’s been working on her gross motor skills first.
      In the meantime, read aloud to her, sing to her, play music, narrate her world. It is is hard to get used to the constant chattering that little children like. Even if she isn’t talking to you, she’s still learning vocabulary and putting together how the world works. She’ll answer back one day.

      • Newly pregnant says

        Just as another example, my friend’s son is about 15 months and doesn’t really talk either. I spent the weekend with them and I don’t think I heard him say one word (he shrieks and makes other baby sounds, but that’s it).

    • hoola hoopa says

      If her listening comprehension is good, then I wouldn’t worry about it. 15 mo is still pretty young IMO to expect words. I know it’s hard because there’s always that 12 mo old at daycare/playgroup/whatever that’s speaking in full sentences, but it’s not remotely delayed. So long as development, social interaction, and listening comprehension is good, then give a child until 3 years old.

      For example, my 2nd child had amazing (annoyingly good, actually) listening comprehension at a young age but didn’t speak until 2.5 years. Then BAM, from a few words to full sentences in about a month. By 3, you would have never known. One of her daycare teachers even pulled me aside once to tell me that she thought she needed therapy, but I wasn’t concerned. Whenever I worried, I’d whisper “ice cream” in the same room. There was nothing wrong with her hearing!

      That said, if it’s bothering you, bring it up. The conversation will probably be informative and calming, or your physician may notice something that anonymous stranger on the internet can’t observe. For example, one child I know with hearing impairment would always pull her parents’ faces towards her when they spoke, presumably she learned to read lips at a very early age.

      • POSITA says

        Thanks everyone. It’s pretty clear that she hears volume, I just wonder if things sound muffled or garbled somehow. It seems odd to me that she doesn’t babble much, doesn’t make sounds back to us, and that it took her so long to make certain sounds like “ma”. I wouldn’t think of EI yet, I just didn’t want to let time pass if she couldn’t hear us well.

        At her 12 month appointment the dr was looking for at least one word in addition to mama and dada, and she hasn’t made any progress on the front. I’ll see what the dr says, I guess.

        • hoola hoopa says

          How does she do with animal sounds?

          Out of curiosity, does she seem introverted and/or mechanically-inclined?

          Even my extremely verbal child didn’t start doing signs until she was ~15 mo. Keep it up, especially if this is a quiet child. They will be invaluable.

  6. Jen says

    Daycare gifting question: just got an email from our daycare about Christmas (holiday) gifts. this is our first year at the daycare for the holidays, and apparently they do a pool for each of teh teachers adn then just write a check for each teacher. My daughter was in the Young Infant class from Jan- August with co- lead teachers A and B, and assistant teacher C. She is now in the Older Infant class with Lead Teacher D and assistant teachers B (who is co-lead in the other class) and E.

    What should I do in terms of cash for each teacher? Do I do just her current teachers? Split between the leads? We’re in a HCOL area and daycare is $1800/month for LO, as a reference.

    Until I got this email, I was thinking of giving the current lead teacher $50 cash, and $10-25 (not decided) amex giftcards to each of the assistant teachers/old lead teachers ($10 cash felt weird)…but now i’m not sure.

    • greenie says

      I give any teacher who was a lead throughout the year a bigger cash gift and everyone else at the daycare a $10 gift card. The assistants vary so much and my girls can be in one room in the morning, their regular room during the day, and then another room yet again before pick up, so they have lots of contact with lots of teachers.

      • Jen says

        Bigger like $25 or $50 or $100? I don’t want to go nuts, but I recognize (1) we are in a HCOL and (2) this is my baby!! they care and feed and love her!! (3) wiping butts sucks (4) even though they have a good school, they are still earning daycare teacher salaries.

          • greenie says

            I should add that we had a nanny the 3 years before last year, her “Holiday Tip” was still more than paying the lead teachers $100 each and $10 for all others.

    • EB0220 says

      Haha, I just got the same email this afternoon…maybe our kids go to the same school! (But I don’t think my area is HCOL so maybe not.)

    • JJ says

      And stealing your threadjack – what would everyone do in this situation.

      Both my kids started at new daycare in late May. They’ve both been through two classrooms already (2 to 3 and infants to young toddlers) and–because the school is so new–have had about 10 teachers throughout this time. All but one teacher is still there, they just move around a lot in the rooms. Would you do the same amount for all 12? Make slightly larger amounts for the “main” teachers that the kids have now?

      • hoola hoopa says

        Not sure what proper etiquette is, but I only give to the current teacher(s). If that feels incomplete, perhaps a group edible in addition?

        I’m going to go out there and say that I strongly dislike figuring out the gift/bonus situation every year, especially now that we have classroom, aftercare, and daycare. My daycare kids started at a new school this year and essentially each have a morning teacher and an afternoon teacher. That’s four teachers all together. Then my oldest has a classroom teacher and aftercare program. Ugh. It’s not that I don’t value them or want to get them something, but I loathe working out the logistics and etiquette.

        • Anonymous says

          +1. Between regular teachers, specialists, morning care, after school enrichment, after care, my son has 14(!) teachers each week! Not looking forward to figuring out the gift cards this weekend

    • Midwest In-House says

      A few people have mentioned this, but I’d love for a few more posters to volunteer how much they give. My daughter has 3 different infant teachers who could arguably be considered “lead” depending on the day and 2 others that are with her consistently for portions of the day. This is our first holiday season. I certainly don’t want to give significantly more than the other parents, but I also don’t want to give less (especially because my daughter can be a handful). I was thinking of $100 in cash for each “lead” and $25 gift cards for the two others. Thoughts? We are in a HCOL area and pay $1900 a month (diapers and meals included). I gave gift cards ($40) for teachers appreciation week in the spring.

      Does anyone give gifts to the directors/heads of the school?

      • R says

        I’d love for Kat to make this a topic of a special post. I think it was discussed last year on the main site, but I’ve already forgotten what I did. It’d be helpful to get cost per month (for 5 days/week) and number/age of kids as a reference point, and then any delination of gifts.
        I pay about $1400/month for one kid in the toddler room. Last year (baby room) I think I did $50 for head teacher plus personal note, and then $20 target gift cards for the other 4 teachers in her room. And we brought in bagels as part of a parent-organized week-of-providing-food-for-all-the-staff.

    • Anonymous says

      Personally I refuse to do pools. A gift should be obviously from me and my family just so it is clear that the gratitude is being conveyed from us. I would just give what I feel is appropriate.

  7. CPA lady says

    So… speaking of being depressed about postpartum physical changes, I’m hoping y’all can either cheer me up or blatantly lie to me to make me feel better. I’ll take either.

    Overall, I feel pretty good about how I look at about 2 months postpartum. I’ve lost the weight, that girdle thing was really helpful, and I’m mostly back in my normal clothes. However. My boobs look so so bad. I’m in the process of transitioning from nursing to formula, and so they have lost most of their nursing fullness and just look sadly deflated and have a ton of tiny stretch marks on the top which make them look WRINKLED! I’m 30 but I look like I have elderly lady boobs! My chest has always been large and fairly nice looking, if I do say so myself. But now I’m just sad. Is there anything that will help? Will they look better at some point? I have some stri-vectin, but I didn’t want to use it til I finish nursing. Is this a “you’re stuck with it unless you want to go under the knife” someday thing?

    That said, does anyone know how much a boob lift costs?

    • Been there says

      They will look better! Wait till you’re done nursing and it’s been a few months and you’re back to almost having a ‘normal’ life (i.e. eating and sleeping approaching normality). I know it sounds like an eternity now but in the 3+ years since pregnancy my boobs ran the gamut from full/overflowing, to sadly deflated, to will they ever look any better, to normal and even almost as perky as before. For me it took about 6 months post nursing end (and I nursed for a year plus).

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