Monday's Vegan Suit: T Tahari Suit

Yet another suit via Nordstrom. I just noticed this suit on the website, though in browsing through a couple Nordstrom stores last week, I noted that Elie Tahari now is designing a line exclusively for Nordstrom (as I gather). This T Tahari suit is comprised of a jacket and matching pants, both in the pictured black. The jacket has three buttons, my favorite number of buttons for a jacket, and the pants have a slight wide leg to add to the classic look of the suit.

The suit is made from polyester, viscose, rayon, and elastane. The jacket is a reasonable $98; find it here. The pants are an also reasonable $78; find them here.

To complement the suit, T Tahari is offering a classic white blouse accented with flattering front seams to add definition. The blouse is made from cotton and nylon; $58; find it here.

Tuesday's Work-Appropriate Clothing Item: Y-Neck Cotton Blouse

As I was late posting Monday's vegan suit, Tuesday's work-appropriate clothing item is a piece directly related to the suit -- namely, the shirt the model is wearing underneath it in the below picture. Sandra Ingrish's y-neck stretch cotton "blouse," as Nordstrom's website reads, has a tonal button-front closure in addition to the interesting y-neck that I think would be conducive to placing the collar inside or outside the jacket collar. I especially enjoy the bust darting to create a sleeker look.

The shirt is made from cotton and spandex, and only comes in the pictured white. It is $58; find it here.

Thursday's Work-Appropriate Clothing Item: Banana Republic Non-Iron Short Sleeve Shirt

Banana Republic's basic button-down shirt in a summery short-sleeve version that hits at the hip -- long enough to tuck neatly into suit pants or skirts. The shirt comes in the right pictured "summer orchid," an "imperial blue," and a classic white. Made from 100% cotton, but still incorporating the ever-popular and important non-iron technology. The shirt is $60; find it here.

Banana Republic (and Gap, Old Navy, and Athena) is holding a 30% off special -- 30% off your entire order, one time use -- 4 days (now through Sunday, August 2). If purchasing online, use code: MNNBGYY6WNXQ.

Since Banana Republic is holding a sale, I thought I'd briefly highlight a few more items:

(1) Linen/cotton embroidered blouse (pictured left): white blouse made from a blend of 2/3 linen and 1/3 cotton; I love the puffed sleeve, ruffled collar, and pleating at the bust-line. I think the blouse is work-appropriate for a casual environment, although it might be most appropriate on the weekend. The blouse is $60.

(2) Classic non-iron shirt: exactly like the short sleeve one above, but with long sleeves. Available in cerise, shark grey, ice blue, and lady slipper (my favorite). Depending on color, the shirt is $44.99 or $59.

(3) Martin skinny pant (pictured right): the skinny jean finally has made it to (semi-)work-appropriate pants. These pants are made from rayon, cotton, and elastane. They come in the pictured black and silky coal. I would pair them with a button-down shirt to make them seem a bit more work-appropriate. The pants are $90.

Designer Vegan Deal: Selections From Neiman Marcus Sale

Neiman Marcus is holding an online and in-store sale. The sale starts on-line today and in-store on Thursday. I did a quick browse through the sale; there are a few vegan items. Some of my picks; I've tried to weed-out those items that are available only in one or two sizes:

Burberry Check Dress (pictured left): love the neutral mushroom color and contrasting white checks, and, of course, the ruffles along the button front; the matching belt adds even more style to this shirt dress. Made from cotton, polyamide, and spandex. Originally $550; on sale for $330 (40% off).

Armani Collection Pin-Tuck Blouse (pictured right): when I first saw this blouse, I thought it looked more like a light-weight jacket with three-quarter sleeves. It really is a blouse, though I think its a great stand-alone piece, especially considering its stand collar -- wear it over a white cami and pair it with pants that have a little flair themselves (pinstripes, texture, etc). Made from cotton, nylon, and spandex. Originally $495; on sale for $297 (40% off).

Prince of Scotland Degrade Cardigan and Knit Top (pictured together at left): yes, this sweater set is really, really expensive, even with the Neiman Marcus sale discount, but it's Neiman Marcus, so, it's expected. The cardigan and matching knit top are hand-sprayed in Italy to create a degraded gray trim on the optic white background. I like the cardigan's v-neckline set against the top's scoop neckline. The set is made from cotton. The cardigan originally was $695 and is on sale for $417; the top originally was $550 and is on sale for $330. That makes them both 40% off. The matching pleated gray print skirt is also vegan (acetate and polyester) and is also 40% off ($1,150 to $690).

Eric Javits Squishee Shoulder Bag (pictured right): available in the pictured fuchsia, orange, and parrot green. Made from rayon and polyester with goldtone hardware. A perfect 11" x 14" x 4". On sale for $175. Here and here.

Tuesday's Work-Appropriate Clothing Item: Ella Moss Top

I think this Ella Moss top would look great under just about any color suit or paired with solid pencil skirt. And I bet the top is especially good for the work - to - evening transition. I love the combination of deeper blues and light blues hinted with sea foam green all set against a mellow grey, the ruffles at the collar, and the feminine, yet not overdone tie.

The top is made from cotton -- vegan, of course! It is $98; available here through Anthropologie.

Thursday's Work-Appropriate Clothing Item: Foxcroft Ruffle Blouse

Nordstrom recently added some of Foxcroft's summer line of shirts to its website. I especially like the white ruffle blouse (pictured). Its three-quarter length sleeves are great for summer and the y-neck combined with the out-turned subtle ruffles add eye-catching flair to the shirt. It's made from cotton; $58; find it here.

If you are into white shirts with subtle feminine touches, check out Foxcroft's "fitted crinkle blouse." The shirt has an all-over crinkle texture and its sleeves can be styled with a bell shape or a french cuff. Made from cotton, nylon, and spandex (to create that crinkle texture); $72; find it here.

I also enjoy Foxcroft's "shaped paisley shirt." It also boasts three-quarter length sleeves and is decorated with a large paisley print of navy blue set on the shirt's white background. Also made from cotton; it is $68. Find it in "misses" sizes here and plus sizes here.

Monday's Vegan Suit: Trina Turk Suit

Short sleeved jacket with goldtoned buttons, matching knee-length skirt with matching goldtone buttons at the waist, an interesting and summery multi-colored pattern on a white background -- I really like this suit, although the short sleeves combined with the big pockets on the jacket and the multi-colored pattern may be too much for some workplaces and/or some work situations. Then again, the suit includes a skirt.

The suit is made from cotton, acrylic, and polyester. The jacket is $298; find it here. The skirt is $228; available here.

Pair the suit with Trina Turk's cotton "bird" blouse, available in aqua and a dark pink colors. The blouse is $158; available here.

Monday's Vegan Suit: BCBG Pinstripe

Ever since Glenn Close's character on Damages wore a pinstripe suit during a few episodes, I've wanted one, but couldn't locate a semi-reasonably priced one that was vegan -- until now! Presenting . . . BCBG Maxazria's "Mailin Pinstripe Jacket" and matching "Camilla Straight Flare Pant." Deep navy with white pinstripes. Made from cotton and spandex. The jacket is $218 (here) and the pants are $168 (here). And BCBG is running an online promotion: $100 off a purchase of $300 or more; enter code SPRING09 at checkout.

I haven't decided how good it would look with the suit, but I really like this white "poplin bow-tie blouse" (cotton, nylon, spandex; $148).

Designer Vegan Deal: Neiman Marcus Online Promotion

Neiman Marcus is holding what seems to have become a bi-monthly 40% off items already on sale online-only promotion. This time, there are quite a few vegan items. My favorite for women:

Neiman Marcus' label Asymmetric Jacket (pictured left): ivory with black buttons -- I think this jacket would look great with black pants for a spring / summer in colder areas / fall before Labor Day professional look. Made from polyester and cotton. Originally $395, on sale for $195, the jacket will be $117 with discount.

Craig Taylor's Dance 'Til Dawn Shirt (pictured right): great floral, but not overly-feminine print. I especially like the shade of dark blue as background. I would wear this with a lighter colored suit, possibly a taupe, in the summer. Made from cotton. Originally $215, on sale for $140, the shirt will be $84.

Craig Taylor's Through The Grapevine Shirt (pictured left): I'm loving the sale on Craig Taylor shirts. Again, like the floral print made less-overtly-feminine by the large black and white pattern. I would wear this with a tuxedo-esque black pant suit and the bootie-pumps that are pervasive this (and most likely next) winter season. Made from cotton. Originally $215, on sale for $140, the shirt will be $84.

And, finally, Max Mara's Tamigi Jacket, which is more of a weekend piece. Made from polyester; it comes in the color "sand," which looks like a grey-ish eggshell. Originally $540, on sale for $351, the jacket will be $211.

Thursday's Work Appropriate Clothing Item: Magaschoni Ruffled Shirt

Because it's important to post something ludicrously expensive every so often . . . and I am in love with the rhinestone buttons and the ruffles on this shirt, especially the ruffles lining the puffed sleeves. Perfect to go with a skirt or pant suit . . . and great for the daytime-to-evening transition. Made from cotton and spandex. It is an outrageous $268. Via Nieman Marcus here.

Tuesday's Work-Appropriate Clothing Item: Banana Republic's Short Sleeve Blouse

To go with Banana Republic's suit posted yesterday, of course. Though it's still freezing and rain-snowing where I live, this blouse was too cute not to post. And it's guaranteed to warm up at some point. The blouse comes in 4 colors: white, dark eggplant, bella blue, and the sweet plum pictured left. The sweet plum makes me long for spring. The blouse is made from 98% cotton and 2% spandex. It is $59, but I'm sure shortly Banana Republic will put it on sale. Available here.

For guys, Banana Republic makes a classic non-iron shirt that comes in a very similar evocative-of-spring color (lavender perfection; pictured right). I love guys in light purple / mauve shirts. If the lavender is too much for you, it also comes in medium blue, light blue, grey, and white. The shirt is $79, although I'm sure that Banana Republic will put it on sale too. Find it here.

Thursday's Work Appropriate Clothing Item: "Shop Around The Corner" Top

The delicate pleats, the fluffy arms, the bib collar, the light pink color, and, of course, the large tie-like bow at the neck make this top perfect to wear under suits, with a skirt, and/or out at night with skinny jeans. It's conservative, yet feminine and sassy. The top is 100% polyester. And at $34.99, buying the top won't break the bank. It's available through ModCloth (one of my favorite online stores) here.

If you're not into the pink or the short sleeves, check out this "sugar and spice" blouse also via ModCloth (pictured right). Also made from 100% polyester, I particularly enjoy the bow/tie-combo neckline. However, I'm not sure about the buttons up the sheer back that shows off the accompanying cami underneath. The back might make me wary of removing my jacket in the office during the day. Originally $69.99, it's on sale for $52.49 (25% off).

Weekend Shopping Wrap-Up

In addition to finishing my holiday shopping -- which I did finish successfully -- I stopped in Banana Republic to check out their winter sale. I saw some interesting vegan items, including this cotton fitted long sleeve shirt (pictured right in the white smoke). The shirt is 98% cotton and 2% elastane, which makes it very easy to iron. I especially like the double darts in the front and the back and the sleeve cuffs which flare out a bit. Online the shirt is on sale in the white smoke and a light blue color for $44.99, but I bought on sale for $21.97. Lesson: go to the store. It is also on sale online in white for $39.99.

This "BR Monogram" tuxedo shirt (100% cotton; originally $95, now $59.99) and this cotton tailored shirt, which is slightly less tailored than the shirt I purchased (98% cotton, 2% spandex; originally $59, now $34.99) are also on sale.

I also tried on this puff-sleeve v-neck top (pictured left in the "red light"). I thought it would be a festive holiday sweater to wear under a black suit, but I found the v-neck to be too deep and the puff sleeves hit just above my wrists. The top is 100% rayon and comes in black and "red light." Originally $44, it is now $19.99.

Finally, I blogged a month and a half ago about this dot-print blouse, which at the time was available in a green and a deep magenta. It is now on sale for $54.99 (originally $69), but I recant my statement that it is vegan (I called it "faux-silk"). BR's website says that is is made from 100% rayon, but I checked it out in the store this weekend and the tag says 100% silk. I'm not sure what the deal is.

Vegan Cranberry Blouses Match Vegan Cranberry Sauce

Par for course, Bluefly is offering another "OMG this is the best sale ever" promotion today. Today's promotion is an extra 25% off all sale items (discount applied in your shopping bag). I browsed briefly and fell in love with this cranberry metallic striped tie-neck blouse by Marc by Marc Jacobs (pictured left). The tie at the neck is trendy, but not too overboard. And the cranberry color is very festive. I think the blouse would look great with a black or charcoal grey suit for the office or with dark jeans for a casual holiday party. However, it might be a bit see-through . . . a camisole may be needed underneath.

The blouse is 100% cotton. Originally, $228, Bluefly has it on sale for $110, and with the extra 25% off, it will be $82.50. I still think that's semi-expensive, but if you think you can wear the blouse multiple times to multiple events during the holiday season, it might be worth it.

J.Crew's "Decorations" Are Not Vegan

In addition to Brooks Brothers and Banana Republic, I also visited J.Crew this weekend. J.Crew currently is offering some professional and conservative yet fashionable and trendy blouses and shirts that would look great under a suit jacket or paired with a nice pair of trousers. However, most of the blouse and shirts are decorated with ruffles and the like that are made of a silk-blend material (J.Crew's website sometimes refers to it as chiffon). Hence, the blouses and shirts are not vegan. Though some of the actual tags on the clothing items indicate that those portions incorporate silk, others simply read "100% cotton exclusive of decoration" and give no explanation of what the decoration is comprised of. I was helped by a very accommodating saleswoman this weekend who called someone somewhere and determined that those items that read "100% cotton exclusive of decoration" incorporate silk. Beware.

For example, this ruffle blouse incorporates silk, as most likely does this, this, and this.

On the other hand this "Victoria" ruffle shirt ($89.50, pictured right) does not incorporate any silk. It is available in white and black. It also comes in a striped version (camel and black colors) and a cami version (black, navy, green olive, ivory, fuchsia, and cerise colors) ; the striped version is $98 and the cami version is $88. I think it would look great under a full suit or paired with a pencil skirt.

Velvet Blazer Via Banana Republic

While in DC this weekend, I also bought this gorgeous velvet vegan blazer in the brinjal purple from Banana Republic (pictured left). It also comes in black and a deep gray that I cannot find on Banana Republic's website. It is 100% cotton, and has three front buttons, two buttons in back directly above the vent, and one button at each sleeve. It's not apparent from the picture, but the buttons are decorated purple and gold. All together, as my friend noted, it has an "equestrian look."

I plan to wear it on the weekend paired with dark jeans or dark corduroys and a collared button-down shirt or a black turtleneck and black boots since I cannot wear it to my ultra-conservative always-business-formal office. If I was working elsewhere, I think it would be appropriate any day of the week if paired with black or other dark-colored trousers and a nice sweater or button-down shirt.

Its original price is $175, but Banana Republic was offering 25% off all purchases for Luxe card members, and I had a coupon for 15% off in-store purchases on any day of my choice (a coupon I received because I am a Luxe member), which made it semi-affordable.

I also found this completely unaffordable Dolce & Gabbana ruffled long-sleeve blouse (which I would call a shirt; pictured right) on eLuxury that would compliment the blazer beautifully. At $399, it's on sale for 60% off . . . but that's still an insane amount of money to pay for a blouse / shirt. It's interesting to ponder the outfit potentials though.

Banana Republic "Faux Silk" Blouses

Is there such a thing as "faux silk"? If so, I think it's called rayon. I love silk blouses because they wear well under a full suit and, in my opinion, look more conservatively professional when a suit jacket is removed. They also add a bit of excitement to an otherwise boring wardrobe of dark suits and cotton button-down shirts. But silk is not vegan, and it is very hard to find a non-silk blouse that looks almost as good as its silk alternatives.

However, as highlighted by Corporette, Banana Republic currently is offering a few blouses made from rayon; a couple of these few look very nice in my opinion. Corporette recommends this dot-print blouse in the "dried morello" color. I like it better in the "pine" color (pictured right), especially in light of the impending holiday season. At $69, it is a bit more than I would like to pay for a blouse, but, then again, it's hard to find non-silk professional-looking blouses.

I also love this "cocoon" colored bow-tie pleated blouse (pictured left), also from Banana Republic (under its BR Monogram label). It's also 100% rayon, but at $125, it's really more than I am willing to pay . . . but it's fun to consider. It also comes in this "coal" color version, which looks to me like a deep purple print, and which has a smaller bow-tie at the collar.