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I love this washable sheath dress for work (pictured) — and I can’t get away from how much it reminds me of this $395 dress we posted recently on Corporette. There are some important differences, though, most notable among them the fact that it’s washable (huzzah!) and that it’s only $34.99 on sale. WHOA. There are actually so many good dresses at Jones New York right now, where this one’s from, and they’re all washable and all just around $30. Sign me up! Sleeveless Textured Crepe Dress
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.
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Sales of note for 9.10.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – 30% off your purchase
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – 15% off new styles
- Eloquii – $29 and up select styles; up to 50% off everything else
- J.Crew – Up to 50% off wear-to-work styles; extra 30% off sale styles
- J.Crew Factory – 40-60% off everything; extra 60% off clearance
- Lands’ End – 30% off full-price styles
- Loft – Extra 40% off sale styles
- Talbots – BOGO 50% everything, includes markdowns
- Zappos – 26,000+ women’s sale items! (check out these reader-favorite workwear brands on sale, and some of our favorite kids’ shoe brands on sale)
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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And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
- The concept of “backup care” is so stupid…
- I need tips on managing employees in BigLaw who have to leave for daycare pickup…
- I’m thinking of leaning out to spend more time with my family – how can I find the perfect job for that?
- I’m now a SAHM and my husband needs to step up…
- How can I change my thinking to better recognize some of my husband’s contributions as important, like organizing the shed?
- What are your tips to having a good weekend with kids, especially with little kids? Do you have a set routine or plan?
Hawaii recs says
I’m thinking of taking a trip to Hawaii in August, with two boys ages 2 and 4, DH, myself, and 70 year old grandma. DH and I have been to Hawaii for our honeymoon (to Oahu, Maui, Kauii, and Lanai), kids and my mom have never been. This trip is a birthday gift for my mom and it’s also a celebratory vacation for my husband, who just achieved a huge professional milestone.
We’re flying from the east coast, and I have heard that given the long flight, we should plan a 10 day trip.
Suggestions on which islands to visit? Mom loves nature, doesn’t care about museums. Kids love the water and will probably be fine with any island. We’re thinking Kauii for sure, and maybe one other island. Is it better to stay on one island with small kids or are we ok doing two islands?
If anyone has particular Air BNB suggestions, that would be great too. We’re thinking of splurging a bit on this vacation, so something right on the water would be awesome. Would prefer a home/condo rental rather than a hotel.
Also, I know that Hawaii has been discussed a lot on the main site so if anyone can direct me to those threads I would appreciate it! But not sure any involved traveling with young children…
TIA!
Mrs. Jones says
Since you’ll be there 10 days, I think 2 islands is ok. For a weeklong trip, I’d stay on 1 island. Kauai sounds perfect for your family. If you stay on the big island, stay on the dry side instead of the wet side.
JayJay says
It was several years ago, but my parents took us on a similar family vacation and we stayed at the Kaanapali Alii condos on Maui. They were fantastic (ocean front, view, pool, access to other hotels’ pools IIRC) and in the Kaanapali area that has a ton of shops and restaurants in walking distance. It’s Maui, not Kaui, so it’s a little more built up, but that might be helpful when you have a big clan.
NewMomAnon says
It was a long time ago, but my family visited Kauai when I was in high school – we stayed at Poipu Beach, in a hotel full of condos (i.e., all the rooms had bedrooms, living rooms, and full kitchens with dishwashers). It was literally right on the beach, and had a pool that overlooked the ocean.
I loved Kauai and would go back in a heartbeat. It’s lush, rolling terrain, green, flowers everywhere, and smells like heaven. There are a bunch of great beaches all over the island, pineapple/flower farms to visit, a big canyon that you can hike into or fly over in a helicopter, and probably a bunch of things I don’t even know about.
I also visited the Big Island as an adult, and it wasn’t the tropical vacation I had hoped to have. It’s very mountainous (4WD car is a must to access the center of the island), and the volcano eruptions have closed off the southeastern corner of the island (I think…). There are some big towns, but they are spread far apart so you end up driving a lot (around the outside of the island because see mountain comment above). It’s also less tropical than I was expecting – not as many tropical flowers, fewer beaches, more rugged terrain, some big plains of volcanic rocks, and when we visited, the volcano was causing a strong wind that made sand beaches a hazard. It was an interesting place to visit, but probably disappointing if you’re hoping for a lounge-y beach vacation.
shortperson says
if you really want to splurge, hard to beat the wailea beach villas on maui. you might also think about going to aulani for a few days. it’s not real hawaii but it seems like it would be super fun with the right age kids. i think you can rent timeshares there too with some backdoor method rather than going through disney.
Pogo says
We did 12 days (I think) from the East Coast last year, and it was great. We also did 2 islands, so I think you’re fine on that front.
We did Oahu and Big Island, so if you’re pretty settled on Maui/Kauai I don’t have anything to offer there!
We actually loved the Big Island, but went into it knowing that we’d need 4WD and it would be more adventurous, less laying on the beach. We stayed in Hilo (wet side) for several days and it actually didn’t rain at all, but was gorgeous and lush and rainforest-y. We stayed at several places on the Big Island so we could see it all, and I can understand not wanting to do that with kiddos. Most of the kid-friendly stuff (snorkeling, pool, beach) you could just as easily do on another island, I think. We were all about the horseback riding, hiking, helicopter ride, volcanoes, spelunking, etc. Not anything I’d picture with a 2 and 4yo.
NYCer says
I *highly* recommend the Big Island, especially since you have never been. We usually stay at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, but there are plenty of other wonderful places to stay as well. Beaches are spectacular, weather (on Kohala Coast / Kona side) is amazing.
As a counter point to Pogo’s assessment, I do think the Big Island can be just as much about laying on the beach as any of the other islands if you stay on the Kohala Coast, but like she mentioned it also can be more adventurous if you would like. I have never rented a 4WD for example, but have seen the volcano, the observatory, done a heli ride, etc.
Cb says
We toured a nursery today – 24 weeks and things are getting real! Nursery was lovely, a really big and cheerful space and kids seemed really engaged. Now I’ll just have to do is reconcile myself to paying £1000 / month which is £400 more than our mortgage!
Anon in NOVA says
awww that IS a milestone! I’m so happy you were happy with it, that must be a huge relief.
Pogo says
I’m glad you liked it!! I feel much better after talking to references for our top choice. Hearing from a mom whose kiddo has been there from 3 mos all the way to kindergarten was really reassuring. She also knew all the other kids in the class (rattled off their names!) and that they were all breastfed (was asking how provider was re: feeding). I thought that was a good sign that the parents are engaged/friendly.
Anon says
I am preparing for a trial in two weeks, my first since coming back from maternity leave. I worked until 12 last night and then my son woke up at 3:30 (teething) and I basically didn’t go back to sleep.
Being a trial lawyer and a parent, without a stay at home spouse, is feeling literally impossible today. I love my job but honestly feel like I just can’t perform adequately any more and it gets more depressing every day to feel like I am no longer a good performer but instead, sucking at everything. Someone please tell me not to quit.
Anonymous says
It gets easier. You’re in the hardest part now. It’s never easy, but it gets less sleepless. You can do it.
H says
It does get easier. You are still adjusting to a HUGE lifestyle change. Don’t give up!
NewMomAnon says
Trial prep is hard in the best of times, and being a working mom of a teething infant is hard in the best of times. Put them together and you might be in the hardest month of your career right now, assuming trial is a relatively unusual thing in your practice. It will get better.
For now – talk with your spouse or partner, if you have one. During trial, stay at a hotel during the week (if it’s anything like the crazy intense trials my ex has participated in). Until trial, you do not wake up with baby until a certain time of the morning (6 or 7 am?). If partner is not able to handle those night wakings, hire a night nanny or have a grandparent come stay with you.
If your partner pushes back about this being an unsustainable arrangement for future trials, let him or her know that (a) kid will be older during next trial, and older generally means sleeping better (assuming you don’t go to trial often); (b) you can re-evaluate after this trial and come up with a better plan for next time.
Anon in NYC says
Don’t quit! Trial prep in the final weeks is basically the worst time. This will all be over soon. Hire a night nurse if you need to, get your firm to pay for a hotel if it comes to that, have your spouse take over nights for the short term, or bring in grandparents if you can. Outsource as much as you can. You can do this!!
anne-on says
It gets easier, I swear. I’ve told myself many times that sometimes the most ‘leaning in’ I can manage is just to not leave. Outsource as much as you can, and try to give yourself a break. And remember to take care of yourself as much as you can – you won’t be good to anyone if you’re also sick and totally run down.
Easy dinner for tonight says
Can someone give me an easy (no more than 15 minutes) vegetarian dinner recipe to feed my kids tonight?
No grilled cheese, no pasta, no quesadillas.
thoughts? :)
Anonymous says
Fritatta or scrambled eggs with whatever veggies you have in the fridge or freezer, plus cheese.
mascot says
Eggs are always the answer in my house- over black beans or veggies, breakfast burritos, scrambled, as tortas, with avocado,
Other breakfast foods- pancakes, waffles, yogurt parfaits
avocado says
Please describe these egg tortas in more detail–sounds tasty!
mascot says
It’s a sandwich so you can make it as simple or fussy as you want and it’s easy for each person to customize to their taste. Use ciabatta rolls for the bread, filling can include scrambled eggs with refried or black beans, bacon or sausage, sliced radish, avocado slices or guacamole, cheese, cilantro, hot sauce.
Anon in NYC says
Sorry if this posts twice.
English muffin pizzas (english muffin + jarred pasta sauce + mozzarella)
Veggie burger (frozen patties) + tater tots
5-ingredient coconut curry (google from Pinch of Yum – basically broccoli + chickpeas + coconut milk + red curry paste). Can be a bit spicy depending on how much curry paste you use.
Chickpea Tikka Masala – 1 bag frozen veggies (I used mixed veggies) + 1 can chickpeas + 1 jar tikka masala simmer sauce. Flavorful but not spicy. My toddler loves it!
Breakfast for dinner – eggs + toast + veggie sausage (if you have it)
Butter says
Cottage cheese & peas
Yep.
Anon. says
This may count too much like pasta, but one good option is a peanut or sesame noodle and you probably have everything you need at home – we use soba but regular pasta is fine, whisk some peanut butter and/or tahini, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and you have basically take out sesame noodles :)
Anonymous says
“cheesy broccoli quinoa” from allrecipes. Use veggie broth and frozen broccoli.
anon says
Breakfast for dinner for very lazy people: cold cereal, apple slices, peanut butter eaten with a spoon
Or peanut butter sandwiches.
Canned beans + rice + veg
Baked potato (microwave) + veggie meatballs or nuggets or whatever
Em says
Taco salad (without the shell). Lettuce, rice, beans, tomatoes, avocado, tortilla chips, salsa, and ranch.
Newbie Momma says
sweet potato and black bean tacos–buy the frozen, cubed sweet potato and/or butternut squash
Momata says
mine love veggie fried rice (which has an egg), baked beans, hummus & carrots/cucumbers/pepper strips, pb&j, english muffin “pizza” (marinara sauce & cheese), and the Birds Eye steamer bag protein blends.
dc anon says
Fancy night: bread, cheese, meat, fruit/veggies, nuts. Like a cheese plate you’d get at a wine bar…
GCA says
Here’s what we’re having for dinner tonight. Quinoa salad: a cup of cooked quinoa + can of black beans + can of corn + sliced red onion + (optional but delicious) mango cubes + chopped up red or green bell pepper. Dressing: olive oil + lime juice + cumin + dash of salt + little bit of chili powder. Add guacamole or sliced avocados!
AEK says
My 2 YO is obsessed with rice & beans. Any rice (or grain, I just say “rice”), and most beans (lentils / black have worked best though). Then— and this is the important part— he gets to sprinkle on some shredded cheese all by himself.
You can do some or all from scratch, or use canned, or there is another option that has really worked— these packets of precooked bean / grain blends from Whole Foods. In the rice aisle. You heat for 90 seconds, put on the cheese, slice some fruit for dessert, boom. 5 minute meal.
Also if I make anything that will have any amount of cheese in it, I always name it “Cheesy…” If your LO is also cheese-obsessed, give it a try!
Also, +1 to eggs. Also turkey sandwich.
EB0220 says
Eggs and black beans are a favorite at our house. < 5 minutes.
Anon says
Anyone have suggestions on gifts for a two year old? I would especially appreciate gits I can buy online. TIA!
Anon in NYC says
Play kitchen accessories (assuming that they have a play kitchen) is a good one.
My daughter (almost 2) loves books, art supplies (crayons + paper), stickers, and bubbles. She’s very into “helping” so I think play cleaning supplies could be fun. For her birthday I think I might make a traveling art kit (basically, a lunchbox filled with crayons, stickers, paper, etc.), and also maybe get a bubble machine.
In House Lobbyist says
We love Magna tiles or dupelo sets for that age depending on your budget. Magna tiles are pricey but they literally get played with 4-5 times a week and have for 4 years now. I have a 6 year old and 3 year old. Books, play-dough, art supplies, stickers, color wonder markers, summer toys- balls, sandbox kits, kite. My niece just turned 2 and one of her gifts was a Melissa and Dough magnifying glass that she did not put down all day. You pretty much can’t go wrong with 2 year olds so you will be good!
Anon in NOVA says
Magnatiles. we were a bit late to the game (my kid is 6.5 and got them when he was 5) but always love getting them as a gift. He plays with them at least 3 days a week
anon says
This set has been verrry popular at our house. https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Scoop-Magnetic-Pretend/dp/B004JLNUZI
Also a cash register is fun at that age. Stickers!
anon says
Doctors kit is super popular at our house right now too. Basically two year olds love everything.
Rainbow Hair says
Wow Kiddo would FLIP for that ice cream set. The biggest hit birthday present was a Daniel Tiger coloring book, because that’s the only TV show she watches. She was also pretty thrilled by a toy coffee maker, stickers, and anything with buttons (go for like, a calculator rather than something that will make terrible noises — looking at you, Cool Uncle who bought her a toy keyboard).
trying for second! says
Hi all! My SO and I are thinking of starting to try for #2 soon…. any tips on what you wish you’d known going in to trying for a second, or things to think about?
TIA!
Anon in NOVA says
We’ve been trying for #2 for 8 months now. My first was unplanned and happened when I was on the pill, so I was sure #2 would happen right when I intended. Now that I’m getting closer to the time I thought I’d be close to giving birth, it’s been rough. After talking to a lot of friends/family members, it seems there’s a lot of people out there who had more trouble with #2 than anticipated.
I wish I’d known how patient I was going to be, and not to start counting my chickens before they hatched and planning too far ahead.
Anon in NOVA says
*how patient i was going to HAVE to be. Not how patient I was going to be. Definitely have not been patient.
Midwest Mama says
YES! We got pregnant with #1 our first month trying….and now it’s been 18 months trying for #2 and we almost certainly will need IVF. So, my advice is prepare for the unpredictable! I’ve heard from friends with multiple children that their pregnancies were nothing alike either.
Anonymous says
Um, on the flip side, prepare emotionally for whatever. We sort of “casually” started trying after it took a while the first time, and whaddya know it happened right away. I was sort of like, well, I guess we’re really doing this again then, huh?
trying for second! says
Thanks everyone for the responses :)
JuniorMinion says
Just bought this dress and the matching jacket is also on sale and washable. Entire suit for under $100 – score. Just wanted to let y’all know there is a bunch of good stuff for sale on the JNY website and I picked up a couple of cute ponte dresses as well.
Pretty Primadonna says
Me, too! Thanks for letting us know there is a matching jacket!
Betty says
Have any of you tried a compressed work schedule or other alternative work schedule? A colleague and I agree that going part-time would be a reduction in pay but not in workload. We are only “supposed” to work 8 hours per days but the reality is that I work closer to 9-10 hours per day. I feel like it would be easier to work four 10 hour days per week or 9 hour days with one day off every two weeks than to actually make it in and out of the office in 8 hours (8-4).
The other part of this is the feeling that something has to give. Everyone in my family is healthy for the first time in 18 months (my son’s Crohn’s is in remission and my husband is healthy after a long hospital stay last spring) aside from my daughter just being diagnosed with a speech delay, but I am so bone and existentially (not sure if that is the right word) exhausted. I feel like I need a chance to catch my breath. I don’t think I would want to keep an alternative schedule permanently but maybe for 6-12 months. I know that I am doing well at my job because I received a substantial raise and glowing review last month. Has anyone tried this or thought of a way to pitch it?
Betty White says
I did “four tens” (ten hours a day, four days a week) after my baby was born. I am still sort of doing it certain weeks. I agree with your premise that you’d be working a full week at 80% pay, but I would also caution you that certain work will always fall on your day off and you may find it even more stressful to compress your week. Generally, I’m grateful for the flexibility but wish I could go down to 80% work at 80% pay. I may in the future. Sometimes I found working 10 hour days more stressful than working 5 days a week. But on the whole, I think it’s great — though some weeks I’m putting in more time and other weeks less. Right now, I probably do every other Friday off.
Anon in NOVA says
I would go for the 9 hour days with every other friday off. You’re probably working 9 hours anyway, but at least then you get something in return for it! 10 hour days would be a lot to manage routinely, you’d be wiped when you got home doing that repeatedly, and I personally think it would be harder to turn “off” if I was out every friday rather than every other friday.
Even with your son’s condition in remission, I imagine there’s still extra doctor’s appointments every 6 months or so. It would be nice to have a built-in work day that you know you’re available for “well” visits/routine specialist appointments that you can schedule far out. Even dental cleanings etc.
I don’t have this type of altered schedule, but I altered mine to arrive/leave early, only by half an hour, but having that bit of extra time in the evening has been very helpful. It was only possible because my husband can now do morning drop-off
Pogo says
I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but setting boundaries and sticking to the 8 hours is the best thing you can do for yourself. “Part time” would still be full-time work at part-time pay; “compressed schedule” would still somehow have work happening on your off days – because boundary setting is what needs to be done in any case to stop work from creeping in to any time you’re supposed to be off.
It’s hard, and it is a bit of a know your office thing – if other people do compressed schedule and their off day is respected automatically, I’d tend to think more favorably of that option.
Anonymous says
Can someone remind me when in early pregnancy I’m going to start feeling like sh*t? I’ve had two, so I know what’s coming, but I am feeling suspiciously not nauseous or overly tired here in week 6ish. I would like to brace for starting to hate being alive soon, but I can’t remember how soon it kicks in!
Anon in NYC says
It started at around 7-ish weeks for me.
Anonymous says
Different for everyone and different pregnancies. Was week 5.5 or so for me, but if you aren’t feeling bad just enjoy it :) Maybe you’ll get lucky and slide through without any nasty symptoms!
Anonymous says
Haha you mean not obsessing about what *not* having symptoms might mean and actually enjoying pregnancy? Hmm, this is a new concept to me ;)
October says
I was sick weeks 8-18 with my first (but fairly mild, comparatively) and starting at week 5 with my second (much worse!). Just coming out of the woods now at 15 weeks. And both boys.
Pogo says
My morning sickness was more like 8-14. Very early pregnancy I did not have many symptoms.
I think the major exhaustion went a bit longer, til maybe 16 or 17?
avocado says
I was exhausted and starving at 5 – 6 weeks, sick at 7 or 8 weeks.
Anon says
Preach. Exhausted and nauseated starting 6 weeks, vomiting starting 7 weeks. Through 26 weeks.
Anon in NOVA says
I felt like sh*t exhaustion-wise at 6 weeks or so. My vomiting didn’t start until around 11 weeks and persisted throughout the rest of the pregnancy. Not too much persistent nausea, just occasional vomiting.
Katarina says
My first pregnancy was 5.5 weeks and my second pregnancy 8.5 weeks. My second was much milder.
mascot says
We just got an email from the school that all after-school activities, including aftercare, are cancelled due to weather and kids need to be picked up at normal dismissal times. I just had to look up in the handbook what time that is because we never pick up that early. working parent problems.
mascot says
We just got an email from the school that all after-school activities, including aftercare, are cancelled due to weather and kids need to be picked up at normal dismissal times. I had to look up in the handbook what time that is because we never pick up that early. working parent problems.
Anon in NOVA says
haha! My child is in after-school care so I also hesitate when someone asks me what time his school lets out. I recently realized I’ve been off by 20 minutes in what i’ve been telling people for the past 2 years. woops.
Anon in NOVA says
PS please be safe in the severe weather!
Butter says
Did anyone see the Washingtonian article about the woman who has worn the same outfit every day for a year? She used a stylist to help her pick an outfit, and then bought multiple high quality versions of each component. This sounds like my dream – it’s like a capsule wardrobe in the extreme. Is anyone else tempted to do this?
avocado says
I saw that article too. The idea is appealing, but I have recently bought too much random stuff to make this concept or even a capsule wardrobe feasible. I would also need two different uniforms–one business formal and one business casual. The business formal uniform would probably be a black sheath dress. I would need different business casual uniforms for each season, too, as my office is very casual and has terrible climate control.
Anon in NOVA says
I just checked it out! very cool! I told myself I was going to do that this year- stick to my black ankle pants, white button up, and black high heels and change between a blazer/cardigan depending on what I had going on that day (and maybe change necklaces) but I didn’t end up sticking with it like I hoped I would!
anon says
The artist Andrea Zittel did something like this as a project back in the early 90s. Kind of interesting – http://www.zittel.org/work/six-month-uniforms
Rainbow Hair says
I follow her stuff! Man she’s neat.
Pretty Primadonna says
I saw it. Not for me, but this seems like a cool idea. I especially loved that she was the woman who “knew how to style a red belt.”
Butter says
I think the thing I loved most was that nobody noticed that she was wearing the same thing, they just noticed that she always looked great. And the t-shirt/blazer combo allows for a wide variety of environments (swap for long sleeve in winter, etc). I might try to do something like this beginning in the fall.
Rainbow Hair says
This dress is beeeeautiful, and it is one of few things that has made me sad about having giant must-cover-at-work tattoos on my upper arms.