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I’ve never found collared shirts particularly flattering on me, so I wear ones like this banded collar version from The Outnet’s Iris & Ink.
Their Tyra shirt is made from a dark green jacquard that’s perfect for fall and beyond. This not-too-fitted/not-too-relaxed style is finished with mother-of-pearl buttons down the front. I like how it’s styled with wide-leg trousers, but I think it would work with slim ones too.
This blouse is $240 and available in sizes UK 4 to UK 16.
Looking for other washable workwear? See all of our recent recommendations for washable clothes for work, or check out our roundup of the best brands for washable workwear.
Sales of note for 12.5.23…
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Nordstrom – Holiday sale up to 50% off; 5x the points on beauty for a limited time
- Ann Taylor – 40% off your purchase & extra 15% off sweaters
- Banana Republic – Up to 40% off select styles; up to 40% off sale styles
- Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything & extra 20% off purchase
- Eloquii – Extra 60% off all sale
- J.Crew – 40% off your purchase with code
- Lands’ End – Up to 70% off everything; free shipping (readers love the cashmere)
- Loft – 50% off your purchase with code (ends 12/5)
- Summersalt – Up to 60% off select styles & free scarf with orders $125+ (this reader-favorite sweater blazer is down to $75)
- Talbots – 40% off your regular-price purchase; extra 50% off all markdowns
- Zappos – 34,000+ women’s sale items! Check out these reader-favorite workwear brands on sale, and some of our favorite kid shoe brands on sale.
Kid/Family Sales
- Crate&kids – Free shipping sitewide; up to 50% off toy + gift event; free monogramming for a limited time only (order by 12/15)
- J.Crew Crewcuts – 40% off your purchase with code
- Pottery Barn Kids – Up to 50% off toys, furniture & gifts
- Graco – Holiday savings up to 35% off; sign up for texts for 20% off full-price item
- Walmart – Up to 25% off top baby gifts; big savings on Delta, Graco, VTech, Fisher-Price & more
Anon says
My 2nd grader has started refusing to go to school after many years of loving school. It’s been an off and on problem all year. She hasn’t been able to articulate why she doesn’t want to go, leaving me unsure how to proceed.
My best guesses are that her teacher this year is less warm and fuzzy than prior teachers. Not mean, just more business. She also is in a class without any of her closest friends. She talks about other girls in her class now, so it sounds like she’s making friends, but they’re not besties yet. Her teacher has also been out a handful of days this year and that always upsets her–she really thrives on a consistent routine. Really, all little things.
Any suggestions? I hate forcing her to go when she’s so upset, but there’s also not really anything I can fix, and not going to school obviously doesn’t work. Reports from the teacher are that she’s doing great academically and socially.
Anonymous says
Talk to the school. I would suggest starting with the teacher unless you have a really bad relationship with her. Teachers want to know when this is an issue and they are trained to work with it. When one of my kids was in K she had a peer refusing to go to school. The teacher talked to his parents and essentially it came out that he felt like he didn’t know anyone. The teacher helped make a book of “friendly faces” and “friend facts” where each kid in class had their photo and something interesting about them that the boy could study at home. It just melted my heart when I heard about it.
My 2nd grader didn’t want to go to school last year a few times. It never got to this point, but the teacher offered to come out and meet her at car pickup and let her do some “morning helper jobs” to get the classroom ready.
Our principal and assistant principal have been happy to meet kids at their cars — sometimes having a school figure let you know it’s time for school works better than mom or dad making you get out.
Other suggestions: make fun plans for after school (or after aftercare) so she can look forward to them. Pack something fun in her lunchbox or backpack every day- this year I got my 2nd grader a giant box of really fun erasers and each week she got a handful. She made lots of friends giving them away, sharing and showing them off. You could do pokemon cards, or fun markers or desk accessories or water bottle stickers etc. Something she can have enough to hand out to anyone. Or…what about driving her and planning a stop somewhere fun on the way? “if we have 3 mornings in a row where you get to school without an argument, on the 4th day we’ll stop at dunkin donuts!” etc.
Finally, empathy. When my kids don’t want to go, I lean into the fantasy while continuing to get ready. “Girl, I don’t want to go to work either. I wish we could have 5 days of weekend. If we did, what would we do instead?!”
Anon says
Thanks for the ideas!
Spirograph says
Eh, it sounds like you’ve done your due diligence to rule out any big problems, so all that’s left is to say, “sorry, it’s not optional. There are some choices 2nd graders get to make, but whether or not to go to school isn’t one of them. Some days I don’t want to go to work, but we all have responsibilities.” Then challenge her to find three good things about school & tell you when she gets home.
Once my kids got old enough that they started giving monosyllables or grunts to, “how was school today?” I switched to asking, “what was your favorite thing that happened at school today?” and “what was your least-favorite thing that happened at school today?” Sometimes they tell me more than one thing once I get them talking, but in any case, it’s been a good way to identify patterns.
Anonymous says
This is what we do. Best thing and hardest thing of the day. Gives more insight into what’s going on and reminds them that every day has ups and downs. We usually do it at supper time and DH and I participate too.
Anon says
She is usually okay after school and does share happy thoughts about friends and things they’ve learned, but the mornings have involved trying to dress, brush teeth, put shoes on, and get on a bus a kid who is sobbing, snotty, clinging and fighting going to school. She’s far from resigned or rational about it.
Anonymous says
Is she getting enough sleep? That’s often the culprit when I have an irrational child in the morning
Anonymous says
This is definitely an issue in our house. If there is less than 10 hours of sleep, I know the next morning is going to be a nightmare.
Anon says
I think so. Nothing has changed in her bedtime between last year and this year. She has an 8:30 bedtime (reading in bed at 8, lights out before 8:30) and a natural 7 AM wakeup.
NYCer says
This doesn’t really help you get to the root of the problem, but depending on your schedule and her feelings about the bus, could you tell her you will take her to school on Friday yourself if she goes without a fight on Monday through Thursday. My daughter who is in elementary school is fine with the bus, but much much prefers to go with us (mainly because we can leave later). YMMV if your kid really loves the bus or if it doesn’t make a huge difference in your departure time.
Anon says
She doesn’t mind the bus. It’s only a 5 minute ride and there are no stops between her pickup and school, so it doesn’t save any time for me to drive. If anything driving takes longer because I don’t get the same priority drop off as the bus and have to wait in line.
ElisaR says
any suggestions for a restaurant for dinner before dave matthews band conference on Nov 18 at Madison Square Garden? I need a close fun spot and that neighborhood is impossible.
AIMS says
It’s a 10-12 min walk but I would go to Her Name is Han. Just enough out of the way to get you away and the food is so good.
ElisaR says
thank you!
Anon says
Do I need more than one waterproof mattress cover? DS, 4, still uses diapers at night, but presumably that will change someday. His diaper rarely leaks, but when it happens, I’ll remove the sheet and mattress cover and replace with a smaller waterproof pad and a new sheet. So far that’s been fine and doesn’t happen often enough that its felt worth it to load up with double sheet and mattress pad. It never happens more than once a night, but I imagine that could change once he tries sleeping without a diaper. He’s moving into a big bed soon and I’m wondering if its worth it to get a couple of full on waterproof protectors or if you all felt like it wasn’t really necessary.
AwayEmily says
Kind of depends on if you take the “proactive night training” approach or the “wait to drop night diapers until they consistently wake up dry on their own” approach. We took the latter approach (both kids were in night pull-ups til age 5.5 or so) and had no need for multiple covers.
Anon says
I have three kids and one extra waterproof cover (so, four total). It is helpful in times of vomit, too. I am of the opinion that a mattress should always be protected, no matter the age of person or how short a spell they will be sleeping there. Even bloody noses can happen! And since I won’t be doing laundry immediately and waiting to remake the bed, it’s helpful to have a backup (I don’t really understand the “load up” comment, though…the mattress cover is very thin and sits in the linen closet when not in use. It’s thinner than the traditional “rubber pad” we used to keep around).
anonM says
Get 2. Whenever one is in the wash and I think we chance it, that’s the time he’ll wet the bed two nights in a row. Also, at 5 it is a lot of volume so it’s helpful to add a washable bed pad under the waterproof protector if you start getting some leaking. I hate having to clean a mattress so worth it to me to avoid that!
Anonymous says
I have 3 for my kid’s bed, and I find that the 3rd is handy for illness (ymmv on whether your kid is able to make it to the bathroom to vomit). Kiddo wears an overnight pullup and hasn’t leaked more than once in a night, but there have definitely been nights with multiple vomiting episodes.
Anonymous says
Yup. My kids can get to the toilet but sometimes the first vomit is in the bed.
OOO says
We have at least 3 waterproof pads and fitted sheets, and we double-wrap the mattress (waterproof pad, fitted sheet, waterproof pad, fitted sheet) so when there is an accident at night we can remove the top layer of pad and sheet and there is a clean one underneath.
Anon says
I don’t like having to wash the waterproof mattress cover constantly, so when my daughter was going through frequent leaking episodes, I placed a puppy pee pad over the mattress protector and under the sheet. It made clean-up must faster.
Younger Sib Outshining Big? says
Anyone have a younger kid who… outshines the older kid or to whom the older kid defers? I’m not sure I’m articulating this well: my kids are 8 and 6. The 6 year old is the family ham, makes us laugh, loves to sing and dance and chat, but is also really good at playing by herself and likes her alone time. The 8 year old loves to be around Little Sister and seems content to let her shine bright. However, when 8 year old is by herself with me, she’s hilarious, sly and smart and sweet, and just comes out of her shell. She hasn’t brought it up; I don’t know that she thinks it is a problem, but her passivity is something DH and I have both noticed. Time alone with 8 year old can be hard to come by between life and her own preference to be with Sister, but I’d love to see more of this personality. On a related note, ideas for how to separate 8 year old and activities we can do just the two of us?
Iris says
We have both this personality dynamic and this age difference between our oldest and middle. Sometimes it worries me more than others, especially as they get older and more social, and can compare number of friends, etc. I guess one thing I think is really, really important is to try not to align a “shining” personality with extroversion. Extroverts are already heavily rewarded for their personalities by society; I think its great when kids can have a break from that at home. This can sometimes be hard because it can just be easier to have a less passive/shy kid, but there is so much to value and appreciate in being the more thoughtful, less-hamy personality. When kids can be secure in who they are at home, I think it makes it less stressful for them to “stretch” themselves out in the world when they’re ready. My thoughts on this are heavily influenced by being the younger, more introverted sibling to an extroverted older sister and mother, who very much thought these attributes were a sign of a “better” personality, and I often felt bad about being different. (I’m now very comfortable with this — I am actually a very social introvert who needs more downtime/time to warm up to stuff.)
Boston Legal Eagle says
Yes, I’ve been told a lot to “come out of my shell” or speak more, but I’m just never going to be as comfortable in a crowd as I am one on one. All personalities have strengths and weaknesses, and I think all kids want to be seen and appreciated for who they are.
We’ve got kind of an opposite dynamic in that my older kid is so social and outgoing and loud, and often takes the attention from little brother. I find my younger one’s personality easier actually, even though I already foresee comments about him being too passive or shy in the future.
OP says
I, too, am the youngest and a social introvert! Solidarity.
One thing that struck me in your response is the need for extroverts to be able to have a break at home. By all accounts, my youngest is more extroverted/”shining” at home. So interesting! We try to just let each kid be who they are at home and not compare the two (especially in front of each other, and especially on hamming it up or being the kid everyone wants to hang out with) but it is good to hear, again, to let kids be secure in who they are at home. Selfishly, I enjoy my eldest’s “not around little sister personality” so much that I want to see more of it, but that’s a me issue.
Iris says
I have the same inclination towards really appreciating my oldest when she’s not in the shadow of her younger sister. It’s super hard, and I have to really consciously try not seem like I favor the kid who is more like me (I don’t, really, but I am probably more patient with her, and I’m sure they pick up on this unfortunately). The good news is, the reason this is weighing on you is probably because you’re extremely observant and perceptive. I think a lot of parents (*cough* extroverts *cough*) don’t think too deeply about where this is coming from and how to equalize attention. Your kids are lucky that you’re thoughtful about this!
AIMS says
We have been trying to do one on one things with the kids weekly where we each take one kid on a little outing. It works really well to do some bonding this way.
More Sleep Would Be Nice says
Have any of you made it a point to take young kids (e.g. daycare/preschool aged kids) out of school early, or go in later, just to spend quality time, or focused time “working” on various things?
I feel like DS #2 (almost 3) has some interests that I’d like to help him build, and there are things I’d like to do with him (e.g. just some 1/1 time at the park!) that is just logistically more challenging before/after work or on weekends.
I may be able to do an early pick-up once a week to spend time with him before getting DS #1 from aftercare.
Granted, I should block the time for my own self-care (haha), but I’m feeling a pull to do this so thinking it through.
Anonymous says
I mean I think it’s great if you can swing it with work. Quality time is always great :)
Anon says
Yeah agree with above that I think it’s great if you can do it, but by no means necessary. My job is flexible enough that I did early daycare pickups a couple times a week and enjoyed it, but I think it’s also fine to choose self-care if you find yourself with some extra time during the workweek.
OP says
Oh, I’d def have to make up the time after bedtime (YAY FUN), which is just the reality of my workflow most days.
I’d have flexibility to leave early if I planned it and treated it like a private appointment. I’m just getting a feeling that DS #2 would benefit from some 1/1 time and trying to figure out how to do it.
Anon says
Ah, I see. If I had to make up the time after kid bedtime, I would not do it personally. Working on a regular basis after bedtime makes me tired and cranky and having an unhappy, burned out mom is worse for my kids than having to stay a bit longer at their daycare or aftercare program. But YMMV, I know many people find working after bedtime more manageable than I do.
AwayEmily says
We were sort of forced into this…in the year following the pandemic, when our kids were 2 and 4, our daycare closed at 4pm. Our work suffered (luckily we have pretty flexible jobs) but in some ways it was the ideal situation — we had enough time to actually DO stuff together before the whole dinner/bedtime rush started. So, yes — if you can swing it, go for it! I’m actually doing something similar starting in December…on Wednesdays, I won’t send the kindergartener and second-grader to after-school — instead I will pick them up early to have big-kid fun (art project, trip to the museum, quiet reading time, cooking) that is harder to do when their toddler sibling is around.
Anon says
I only have one kid, but am doing something similar with my kindergartner this year. She does aftercare 3 days a week and the other two days I pick her up and we do a mix of unwinding at home and bigger adventures. I’ve felt the impact of the reduced childcare more than I expected, given that it’s only a couple hours per week, but she really enjoys it.
Anonymous says
So you’re thinking about leaving work early, requiring you to make up the time after your kids go to bed, so you can support a three year olds interest and take him to the park?
Insane girl what are you smoking?!?!
GCA says
If you’re feeling pulled to do this, and if *you* get as much enjoyment from it as it benefits DS2, then I would say go for it! It can be for a few weeks or a few months. It doesn’t have to be forever. You don’t have to keep it up through a busy season at work or anything like that. It’s daycare, right? You can start and pause the early pickups whenever you need to.
OP says
LOL, fair, because this would have been my usual reaction. However, I just feel like I need more 1/1 time with this specific kid. Older kid kind of naturally gets 1/1 time as he gets to stay up a bit later (with us) on Friday and Saturday nights, comes into our room for snuggles on weekend AMs, etc.
The answer may be just leaving earlier to pick up both kids so we’re not as rushed once home doing the evening dinner-bath-bed dash, which would give more space for quality time.
Anon says
Does your older one have any drop-off activities? Even if it’s only for an hour, that’s enough time to take the younger sibling to a nearby playground. Or can you and DH split up on a weekend and each take one kid for a special outing?
More Sleep Would Be Nice says
We don’t have any drop-off activities at this time. The weekends would be an idea – we currently go to the Y on Saturdays, so after my workout, I could take DS #2 out of the childcare to play at the adjoining park while DS #1 stays back with his fellow bigger kids.
More Sleep Would Be Nice says
Whoops, threading fail!
Anon says
Does anyone have something like this for their kids? https://www.amazon.com/Gymnastic-Adjustable-Training-Expandable-Horizontal/dp/B07W4R6N8J/
My 5 year old is really sad about the fact she can’t do the monkey bars and all her friends can. I think it’s mainly a question of needing to build up upper body strength relative to her comparatively larger body mass (she’s 99th percentile height and probably around 80th percentile for weight-by-height…she’s not overweight, but is a very big kid who weighs probably 20 pounds more than some peers). She loves to practice hanging and I thought something like this might make a good holiday gift. We do go to playgrounds too of course, but playground time is more limited and will be even moreso as it gets colder. She’s not a dared*vil at all so I’m not worried about her trying fancy gymnastics tricks and getting injured.
Anon says
My 7 yo bought one with her allowance money about 6 weeks and she is on it constantly. It’s her favorite possession.
I do suspect that it will only get used if it’s somewhere convenient. If we put it in the corner in the basement instead of the center of her small room, she’d likely stop using it as much.
I can also say that she’s built a lot of upper body and core strength since getting it.
Anon says
Oh good – this is exactly what I was hoping to hear, thanks!
Anon says
Quick question – how tall is your kid and how tall is the bar? My daughter is already around 50 inches tall and of course can reach quite a bit higher than that with her arms extended so I’m not sure this will give her enough room to hang with her feet off the floor.
To move or not to move? says
Is one bathroom enough?
DS (7) and DD (5) currently share a bedroom in our European city 2BR 1 1/2 bathroom apartement. Literally everything is either in walking distance or on „our“ metro line.
We now have the option of moving into a 4BR, 1 bathroom apartment with the same sqf, nicer district, 15 minutes more to each trip, park right next door.
Are we crazy to consider moving our 4-persons family into a place with only one loo?
Anon says
I’d be fine sharing a bathroom with my kids or having the kids share a bathroom. I wouldn’t want to share with my husband though, lol. One bathroom for 4 people seems tough.
GCA says
We used to live in a 2BR 1BA apartment. Yep, one bathroom for 4 fully potty-trained people. Sometimes we were all in there at the same time (someone taking a bath, someone giving someone a bath, someone going potty, and someone brushing their teeth). It was doable, but I was very glad when we moved to a house with 1.5 bathrooms. Just that extra toilet makes a difference!
Spirograph says
I strongly prefer to have two toilets in the house, so 1 1/2 baths is the minimum I would consider unless the rest of the place is absolutely amazing. We have one primary bathroom on the main floor/for all bedrooms, but there is another bathroom in the finished basement, and it’s a nice insurance policy.
That said, my mom grew up in a family of 6 in a house with one bathroom and they all survived!