Workhorses Only, Edition #36

A guide to the Black Friday sales that are taking over our inboxes

First of all, we are one week into puppy ownership. Her name is Tilly and just like with my human babies, I immediately feel like she’s meant to be with us. Our sleep schedules are off, I’ve spent more time in my backyard than I can remember, and I love her.

jeans from #3

Second of all, the internet is on sale.

Sales make us impulsive. Fifteen seconds ago you didn’t know about the striped crimson and navy rugby sweater and then BOOM. It enters 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. Congratulations, you are now the owner of a striped rugby sweater.

Marketers are great at driving urgency (I know I used to be one), whipping out scarcity lines like the trump cards that they are: ‘Only a few sizes left!’, ‘Final hours’, ‘Limited time’. It activates something quite primal in us. That’s why it works.

You know what, though? If you can get above the frenzy and be mindful about what you actually need, a sale is fantastic. You can take advantage of the best prices of the year. This column, Workhorses Only, has so many smart shoppers and I am positive there has been an item you loved, that passed your test on usefulness, but the price stopped you. I commend you.

About five years ago I made a rule about sale shopping: No new things. If I didn’t want it before the sale, I didn’t need it now. But, if I loved something, and now it was on sale—that was worth thinking about.

For something to be included in this list of 14 it had to be shared in one of the past 2025 Workhorses Only and it had to be one of the most clicked on pieces from that column.

These are the “best of the best” Workhorses on sale:

1. Margaux is doing a site wide 20% off. Margaux is a small brand and they want to participate in Black Friday but they can’t afford to do a no limit sale. So they set quotas on the number of units per style they can sell. If you like, buy quick.

   1. I own and love the Downtown Boot. It’s elegant and comfortable. I got it in chocolate suede because I wear leather frequently and suede breaks up the texture. The black is also still in stock.

   2. Our community loves the Louisa Loafer.

   3. The West Chelsea Boot was on my wish list all fall. I ordered it within hours of the sale launching and I’m still on the waitlist to receive in months. Bummer.

2. The Shirt Rochelle Behrens is doing 75% of sale items. If you can find higher quality, better designed, cotton tops—I’d love to see them. The Shirt is known for the design that prevents the “gap” you’d normally find in a button-down. It’s not on sale - never is. But here are a few other items that are!

   1. The Logan Shirt is 75% off! It’s blousy, kinda western, amazing with jeans. I wear it all the time!

      

   2. I also have the Minka (also 75% off!). My cream color is mostly sold out, but the blue and green are even more special. I’m not sure why I didn’t get those to begin with!

3. Boden has 30% off most items with code MP4H. Boden had their grand opening in Atlanta this week and I was invited!

   1. They gifted me the Metallic Wave Dress which I adored. I went with my regular size. Comfortable, breathable.

      

      a. I also received a gift card at the even and I’m using it to buy the Faux Fur Vest. I can’t wait to wear it with a classic white button-down and jeans or my faux leather tights and sneakers.

   2. b. I’ve shared the Eva Cashmere Vest many times. Just a great 100% cashmere shell to wear on top of any long sleeve.

   3. This brown and white Shirt Dress looks so much more expensive than it is. Great for wrinkle-free packing for a work conference.

4. Frame is 30% plus 70% of sample sale items.

   1. These are my “go out” jeans that I wear with heels. Size down one. Even on sale the price makes me gasp. I’m sorry!

   2. From the sample sale, check out the Rookie Cardi.

   3. Post-publication note: I’m going to bring your attention to the Le Slim Palazzo High-Rise Wide-leg jean. I have these in Starship. The Disarm color way is 60% off, making these under $100.

5. Theory is 25% off site wide.

   1. I’ll mention (yet) again, I want this scarf under the tree! I have looked at many other cashmere scarf options and with the sale price, I find this to be the best offer.

   2. After perusing at length, the best deal in the sale is this 100% merino wool cardigan in eggplant (45% off).

6. Printfresh is 25% off site wide. This is such a special brand, few can do block print this well. It’s a husband and wife owned small brand. I’ve never seen them offer a sale before and I hope like Margaux they limit it. It’s hard for small businesses to give up such significant margin.

   1. I have and love the tapestry dress. The unique neckline plus the loose tummy area is a great combo. High-end 100% cotton.

      

   2. Same goes for the mushroom dress that I also own. Unique neckline, forgiving stomach!

7. MM Lafleur says it’s 20% off. I find this sale to be fake news because my blazer is excluded. This wool crewneck is, though. I own this (non-itchy, don’t size down) and it truly is a delicious candy apple red.

   1. Post-publication note: A community member reached out, the blazer is now included! It’s the best. Wrinkle-free, modern cut, amazing for folding up on a suitcase.

8. Ann Taylor is 50% off. Work classics, what more is there to say?

   1. This houndstooth blazer works with almost any solid color top. The material falls nicely and it could work equally well for summer as winter. Size down one.

   2. The chain Link wrap midi skirt looks more expensive than it is. I love this with cream, burgundy (like this ribbed turtleneck), or teal.

9. Spanx is *almost 30% off site wide.

   1. The PerfectFit Ponte Ankle Slim Pant were recommended as the best postpartum pants in our community.

   2. Want to suck everything in? It’s the jersey Crew base layer.

Non-clothes workhorses on sale:

9. Ruggable is 30% off. These rugs are meant to be washed.

   1. I’ve owned the Vintage Daisy runner for 6 years. It’s in the high usage area of kitchen sink and is thriving. Every time it looks like garbage, I throw it in the washer. Miracles!

   2. When we committed to getting a puppy, I moved a bunch of rugs around my house to minimize the stress I would experience from Tilly having accidents. In our family room basement, I installed a 10X12 Ruggable. This is where we keep her playpen. As an aside, Atlanta is technically a temperate rainforest. We flood a lot! I’ve replaced two rugs from flooding damage and this time I decided to get a rug that could handle the water from a huge storm.

      

10. Electric Picks is 30% off site wide. I have 3 favorite things I wear and they’re all great gifts for a young person in your life—my GenZ students love these.

    1. The Cloud earrings (so lightweight they don’t hurt my sensitive ears) plus the Mini-knocker earrings.

       

       cloud earrings / Bennett bracelet / dress 50% off but only a few sizes left

    2. The Bennett bracelet that looks like a watch band.

11. Velvet Caviar is 30% off site wide.

    1. I can’t keep track of my phone so I ordered a Burgundy Leather Chain Phone Charm. Stay tuned!

12. EBY is 30% off site wide. They don’t use wires, the product washes wall, the straps don’t budget. Bravo Eby. I wear these bras more than any others.

    1. If I’m lounging around the house, it’s the Bralette. But here’s the thing, if I then throw on clothes to go out, I can leave this on. It has enough support.

    2. Their most popular things is the Relief Bra.

    3. For anything low cut or fitted I wear the Pain Free T-shirt bra.

13. Elemis is 30% off site wide. I’m a HUGE fan of the cleansing balm (like getting a facial) and pro-collagen night cream (incredible at adding extra moisture to combat the HVAC heat and cold air). What I really like about this deal is if you spend $195, you get a 5-piece kit free. The kit includes all the best products—no filler fruit. My idea is to gift the night cream and keep the 5-piece kit for your travel bag. Code is CYBER.

14. Biossance: Full Black Friday sale is on. It’s 30% off site wide. If the Elemis pro-collagen is too $$$, please do try the Biossance Deep Repair Night Cream. I’ve been using it for over 4 years (usually alternating between $$$ and $ to bring down the cost of skincare). But my highest award goes to the Biossance face wash: there is nothing else on the market that is this gentle and actually washes of make-up.

Be a smart shopper

There are a handful of sales starting next week so if you see don’t see one of our favorite brands listed, it’s because I’m embargoed from talking about it! The only exception is ME+EM, one of my top 5 brands, but they simply don’t engage in Black Friday (respect!). I have a suspicion that Sezane won’t participate either, besides giving us a free tote bag.

I could list more than 14 things—but less is more. If I overwhelm you, I’m not holding up my end of the bargain. Sales are the most fun when we buy things that truly serve us.

Let me know if there’s something on this list that you’ve been wanting!

Confidently yours,

Marina

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