So, yes, I've already spent my budget for the year... but I had some gift cards and store credits from returns that needed to be used, and this is a sale-ful weekend. After following along with Sterling's analyses, I've realized that I spend a lot more attention to buying bottoms than tops, so I was looking for a few work-appropriate or elevated-casual tops. I ended up with two sleeveless tops for work, and one more casual sweater.

Having a style descriptor and a limited color palette *really* helped... if I couldn't describe something as at least somewhat elegant and/or a little tough (bonus points if it was both), it didn't even leave the rack.

Everything still has tags... I really like all three tops, but let me know if something doesn't work to your eye or if I should try a different size. Forgive the catnip ball on the carpet in the background, please!

1-2: Silver Vince Camuto cold shoulder sweater: I tried on three sizes... this is an XXS; the XS and S were both fine but were much more oversized (and there wasn't an XS in silver... just black). I *think* this is still fluid but gives more of a suggestion of shape than the larger sizes, but please let me know if it looks too small.

3-5: Black Calvin Klein sleeveless cowl-neck: Simple, and I love cowl necks. I think it should be versatile.

6-7: Black INC black embroidered illusion top: I'm not usually an embroidery fan (and there are colors of this top where the embroidery is more obvious, like the copper/black in the Finds), but with black-on-black it's subtle enough that I like it. The pattern reminds me a bit of peacock feathers, or a stylized skeleton (both favorite themes for me). I like the delicate high neck, too... a little old-fashioned elegance in a piece that feels sleek and modern, and it seems to work well with jackets.

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