The BWH Guide to a Professional Wardrobe: Black Friday Edition
by Heather Croteau
I love Black Friday.
I wait the entire year for it. I love walking around the mall (which is usually pretty empty at 10:00 a.m. when everyone is fighting over TVs at Walmart and Playstations at Best Buy) and seeing all the Christmas decorations up for the first time. I love feeling less guilty about splurging on clothing I’ve been eyeing for a while. And I love love love finding a good deal on everyday essentials.
It takes a long time to hunt for the best Black Friday deals, though, and not everyone has time to window shop until 11:00 p.m. every night for five days in a row. (Whoops.) Here, I present my finds for this season: work-wardrobe staples with basics (and a couple of not-so-basics) at varying price points.
Keep in mind that some retailers don’t release their prices until Friday, and prices are liable to change at any time. It’s all about the hunt—add the items you love to your shopping cart, then keep an eye out for price drops. When the price is right, go! Quite a few stores are participating in a Black Friday week of sales, meaning the prices are live now.
Let’s start from the outside and work our way in, shall we?
COATS:
Long Soft-Brushed Coat for Women (Old Navy)
Original price: $74.99
Sale price: $45 (40% off)
Not quite gray, not quite lavender, not quite beige—I’m not sure what color this is (Icelandic mineral, says Old Navy’s website), but I want to wear it every day.
Cashmere Blended Chester Coat (Uniqlo)
Original price: $149.90
Sale price: TBD, but Uniqlo’s past Black Friday sales have been up to 60% off
The 90 percent wool, 10 percent cashmere blend of this coat will make it warm and supremely soft. Some of my highest quality/lowest price pieces are Uniqlo; they stand up over time, especially when they’re this timeless.
Babaton Stedman Coat (Aritzia)
Original price: $298
Sale price: TBD, but Aritzia’s Black Friday sale usually ranges between 15% and 50% off
A tried-and true, the Stedman is one of Aritzia's most popular mid-length coats. This one is a wool-cashmere blend, but the style also comes in wool blend and alpaca wool.
BUTTON-DOWNS:
Drapey Oversized Boyshirt in Pure White (Madewell)
Original price: $72
Sale price: $54 (25% off)
If you’re looking for a button-down at the intersection of casual and chic, this is it. Very cozy. Very Meghan Markle. Can even be monogrammed, if that’s your thing.
Chinese Silk Long Sleeve Shirt (Grana)
Original price: $89
Sale price: TBD, but last year Grana offered 40% off
Even at full price, Grana’s silk is luxury garments at outlet prices. A silk button-down is a must-have for any work wardrobe, and you’ll do well with this one. (While you’re at it, consider snatching a matching silk cami, too.)
Audrey Shirt (Rag & Bone)
Original price: $295
Sale price: $221
It’s often the little details that distinguishes designer threads—a classic silhouette with one little flair. In this menswear-inspired top, it comes in the form of a single, large black button at the collar.
BOTTOMS:
EZY Ankle-Length Pants (Uniqlo)
Original price: $39.90
Sale price: TBD, but Uniqlo’s past Black Friday sales have been up to 60% off
Wrinkle-resistant, professional silhouette and deep pockets. Check, check, check. Take it from customer Janet’s review: “They look like suit pants, feel like leggings.”
The Essential Velvet Slim Trousers (Anthropologie)
Original price: $118
Sale price: $82 (30% off)
They’re like a ponte pant, but for fall. 2018 was velvet’s banner year, and with these beauties you can sashay it right into 2019.
Tapered Ankle Trousers (Vince)
Original price: $295
Sale price: TBD, but historically Nordstrom adds a bunch of items to their sale and slashes price by at least 20%
Made of wool with a crease that’s sharper than a knife, the quality of these pants is evident from the moment you touch them. (I recently added a pair to my wardrobe and can confirm that they make you feel like a million bucks.)
DENIM:
Wedgie Fit Straight Jeans (Levi’s)
Original price: $98
Sale price: $66 (40% off) plus free shipping
Sleek enough for a casual office—while still being all about the booty. There’s a reason the Wedgie fit is all a-buzz right now.
The Swooner Ankle Slice Lemonade And Lies (MOTHER)
Original price: $218
Sale price: $109 (50% off)
MOTHER denim is made in Los Angeles, which is home to the best wash houses in the States. Vintage-dyed with a split ankle and a high rise, there’s a reason “swoon” is in the name.
Rocket Waverly (Citizens of Humanity)
Original price: $238
Sale price: TBD, but Aritzia’s Black Friday sale usually ranges between 15% and 50% off
You’ve heard of the Citizens of Humanity Rocket jean, right? You’ve heard of it. Beloved by bloggers and highly rated across the board, if these gals go on sale, snag yourself a pair (or two?)
PUMPS:
Addie Pump (Charles by Charles David)
Original price: $99.95
Sale price: $59.96
Camel was everywhere at Fashion Week 2018, and these pumps offer an option for integrating the color into your wardrobe even after you’ve hung your coat on a rack.
Jaxon Pump (Marc Fisher LTD.)
Original price: $159.95
Sale price: $95.96 (40% off)
A classic, black suede pump. Not too high. Not too low. Not a platform made for the club. Marc Fisher is known for modern flair on classic styles, and shoes that are comfortable enough to catch the bus in.
Daze Pump (Kate Spade)
Original price: $328
Sale price: $238.80 (25% off)
Classy, cute and girly—definitely Kate Spade. The kitten heel on these kittens makes them almost-a-flat, with enough of a boost that you’ll walk a little taller into your next client pitch.
BOOTS
Niomi Bootie (Sam Edelman)
Original price: $149.95
Sale price: $59.98 (60% off)
A little bit country. A little bit rock-and-roll. Wear these on days when a classic black boot just isn’t going to cut it.
Coltyn Bootie (Dolce Vita)
Original price: $149.95
Sale price: $107.93 (25% off)
Dolce Vita makes my favorite shoes—the ones I consistently get compliments on, regardless of the style. These are a little bit taller than a Chelsea boot, for those of us who like an extra lift.
Ridley Bootie (Vince)
Original price: $395
Sale price: $236.98 (40% off)
Vince is Vince. Always timeless, always sleek, always luxurious. I’m so tempted by these, but in my soggy Seattle winters, they’d be ruined fast. If you live somewhere dry, you have a responsibility to add these to your wardrobe.
LUXURY:
Christmas bonus came early? Scored a big promotion? Had a rough Q3? Whatever excuse you give yourself for splurging big on Black Friday, these deals will make the wallet pain a little more palatable.
Silk Satin Pajama Set (SLEEPER)
Original price: $390
Sale price: $229 (41% off)
These silk PJs don’t rank as the most expensive item on the list (that’s only $114.50 per half!), but they are the most expensive item you’ll never wear out of the house. Still, you spend two-thirds of your life sleeping, right? No? Just me?
Leather & Denim Crop Straight Jeans (AMIRI)
Original price: $1,750
Sale price: $1,049
Are they leather? Yes. Are they denim? Yes. I don’t fully understand how, but I love them. Don’t worry—I’m only drooling on my keyboard.
Antigona Small Patent Leather Duffel Bag (Givenchy)
Original price: $2,450
Sale price: $1,469 (40% off)
Because, why not? At 40 percent off they’re practically paying you to purchase it.
Last but not least —
Use code “thanksbabe” for 30% off in the BWH SHOP!
An American transplant by way of Weymouth, England, Heather is our BWH editor-in-chief in addition to working as copy director for an advertising agency where she's responsible for overseeing the quality and communication of clients' copywriting needs. Her focus as an editor has always been about really extraordinary voices, helping bring confidence and clarity to their story, then simply passing them the microphone. She lives in Seattle with her husband, Sean, and their two Australian Shepherd-mixes, Draper and Faye.
