Workhorses Only, Edition #16
The Internet is on sale part 2
If you’re new subscriber, welcome! You may have found me through a Substack post about my household systems, or through LinkedIn where I share my expertise as a marketing professor, or maybe through Instagram where I fiercely advocate for hobbies—and now you’re seeing a post about fashion??
Let me explain.
On Saturdays, I publish a column called ‘Workhorses Only’. As I’ve built my career in brand marketing and studied the science of consumer psychology, I’ve realized how easily we are persuaded to buy the things we do not need. I want to build a community of smart shoppers who do not overconsume.
A big holiday sales weekend has the opportunity to bring out the best and worst in us.
Sales make us impulsive.
Fifteen seconds ago you didn’t know about the navy embroidered pants and them BOOM. They enter your feed. You click. There it is: 25% off plus a stacked coupon code plus 10% off if you give your email address plus 5% if you also give your phone number. Sold!
But wait. Were those a ‘Workhorse’? Will they:
Give you 3 different functions?
Make getting ready more efficient?
Make you feel confident?
Speaking for myself, yes, navy embroidered pants will work in my closet for 5-10 years.
Actually, I love a sale because I know, with certainty, that if I answer my Workhorses Only questions honestly, I will buy useful things and save money.
There’s only one rule I observe during a sale: No new wants. If I didn’t want it before the sale, I don’t need it now. On this edition of The Internet Is On Sale, you will only see pieces I’ve shared in one of the past 15 editions of Workhorses Only.
I’ve looked through the 400+ items I’ve shared in 2025, narrowed it down to 34 great deals, and then pulled the top 20 truly worth our consideration.
A huge thank you goes to our Paid Subscribers, who make it possible for me to spend hours combing through links, checking sale prices, verifying size inventory, and curating this list so we can all save time, money and decision fatigue.
If these posts help you shop smarter, then please support my work by becoming a Paid Subscriber. I am confident that the Workhorses Only approach will save you way more than the $6 monthly subscription!
Workhorses I loved at full price, now on sale
Sephora is having a summer “sale”. Let us call a spade a spade—it is a faux sale. There is only one product I restock that’s included!
Clarins depuff face mask (was $70, now $52)
I love the promise made by a face mask and have tried many but the Clarins depuffing face mask is my ride-or-die. Anytime I have a speaking engagement or a special occasion, I put this face mask on to get (temporary) glass skin. As good as getting a facial (more in my skincare post).
Boden is having a real sale. So many wonderful classics at a sale price with a bonus 10% off.
Striped red and white linen pants (was $185, now $99)
Pair with a fun red top, or a white button-down or a navy sweater, these will Workhorse for you.Rainbow stripe shorts (was $115, now $52)
Every time I see these, I smile. I’ve been eyeing them for months so I finally ordered in the 4in seam.Printed maxi skirt (was $155, now $55)
Easy with a tank top for running errands and work with a button-down for work. Workhorse.
Shopping Nordstrom Rack online is not unlike the store experience…in that it takes a lot of patience. These are the top gems I’ve uncovered in 2025.
White skirt with blue embroidery (was $80, now $34)
A white skirt is like white linen pants, but so much easier to wear. I own white pants, but they are hard to execute (pocket lines, wrinkles, and so unforgiving). I wear this white skirt more often. I love it with a tank in summer and with a cream sweater in spring and fall.
Embroidered skirt (on sale) with black scoop neck bodysuit (sadly not on sale) Woven sling-back sandals (was $100, now $70)
My girlfriend has these and has worn them all summer. They look great with everything and she’s they are comfortable.Long-sleeve striped tie-waist dress (was $150, now $70)
This English Factory dress only has a few sizes left but I had to include because this is an incredible value. I would feel confident wearing this to any work event. So crisp yet feminine!
J.Crew recently had a good sale so I’m not blown away by the one this weekend. There are a few great things.
Straw bucket hat (was $98, now $56)
This has been my hat of summer. So youthful.
Blazer in stretch linen (was $248, now $124)
This is an investment piece that will serve you for 5-10 years. I have never seen this blazer included in a sale. Not the sexiest purchase, but a smart one.
Seafoam embroidered shell tank (was $90, now $54)
Stunning color and detail.
Espadrille wedges (was $128, now $49)
Tuckernuck isn’t having a sale but when I checked back on every link I have ever shared, these 2 popped out as sale items!
Sea green shirt dress (was $148, now $94)
My favorite and most worn dress! Stack an additional 20% off with YOURULE. Don’t sleep on this deal.
Sleeveless print dress (was $298, now $190)
Still pricey but it’s a special one. Stack the YOURULE for 20% off.
Perusing LOFT/Ann Taylor overwhelms me and I’m grateful you don’t have to because here are the stand outs.
Smocked green and white striped dress (was $99, now $49)
My go-to summer uniform.
Pleated shirt-dress (was $169, now $44)
A work workhorse.
White modern blazer (was $150, now $40)
I’ve worn this for 8 years and the cut has never felt out of style.
One Hit Deal Wonders
Hillhouse Nap dress (was $150, now $120)
I’ve owned the Ellie nap dress for 5 years and it still feels new. We are lucky that the navy is part of the 20% off (code: HAPPY4TH). I really like the founder of Hillhouse so I don’t offer dupe links for the Nap Dress.
Hillhouse Nap Dress on sale / very disappointed the straw bag isn’t Gap denim classic shirt (was $60, now $29)
A capsule item you will own for 10+ years.
Farm Rio maxi skirt ($190, now $95)
It’s stunning and attention getting! It took all my self-control to not round up new items from Farm Rio, but rules are rules. Do take a look at the other items part of the 50% off promo.
Red embroidered top (was $99, now $74)
I haven’t bought anything from this retailer in ages but the bright red with jagged edges is so unique. If you get this, please do get the matching skirt.
Be a smart shopper
The truth is, I could list more than 20 things. But less is more. If I overwhelm you, I’m not holding up my end of the bargain which is to save you time, money and decision fatigue.
Buying things on sale is fun—just make sure they’re useful things that serve you, not clutter up your closet (or your mind). If there’s a Workhorse you love and it’s on sale this weekend, please do share.
Confidently yours,
Marina
P.S. This post does contain affiliate links and I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links. That supports the work I do, so thank you! If you want to see every item I mentioned today, all in one place, check out this page.
P.P.S. You can do something to help me that will take you less than 1 second. Please give this post a ❤️ if you found it valuable. It really, truly helps with discovery. 🙏
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I completely agree with the notion that if you didn’t want the item before the sale then you shouldn’t buy something just because it’s on sale.
For the past two weeks my husband mentioned he needed new work pants and shirts. I said let’s wait and see what goes on sale around the fourth. He truly has a workhorses only approach to his work wardrobe so we’re replenishing during these sales.
I agree 100% on the effectiveness of the Clarins. I find the price to be practically offensive, but it's one of the few products that does what it says it will do, and for that, I will spend the money.