January 2009

Weekly Roundup

by C January 30, 2009 Career

Liking these posts? Follow Corporette on Twitter — this is the edited version of what we’re reading! (We also Tweet if we hear about a good sale.)

Jeri rounds up some seriously cute post-it notes. [Jeri's Organizing & Decluttering News] (Our $.02: We wouldn’t recommend handing your boss a Post-It note with, say, a squirrel on it. But if you’re just writing notes for yourself, knock yourself out. Otherwise, you may want to limit yourself to private fun, like the Post-It dispenser at right.)
Have you found yourself being derailed by other women in the office? [WSJ: The Juggle]
10 Financial Commandments for your 30s. [Kiplinger] (Click here if you’re still in your twenties!)
A new Blackberry is designed to be easier on your thumbs. [WSJ]
A lot is written about women’s workplace fashion gaffes — it seems rarer to hear about men’s. Accordingly, it’s very interesting to see MSM weigh in on our new president’s fashion sense at the office. [Racked] The NYT article at the heart of the Racked piece is well worth a read — very interest to compare and contrast Bush and Obama’s work styles. [NYT]
Finally: we’re officially members of the Sarah Haskins fan club with her latest “Target: Women” piece, on Ann Curry. [Current.com] (Actually — IS there an official fan club yet? We must check Facebook.)

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Bargain Friday’s TPS Report: Old Navy Camisoles

by C January 30, 2009 Fashion

Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. We begin the week in splurge mode, with our most expensive suggestions, and wind our way to Friday, where a less expensive item of clothing might be just what you need to make it to the weekend.

Old Navy is having some great sales right now: the clearance section, for starters, is 50% off with code HALFOFF. (If you’re an outdoor runner, be sure to check out their fleece pullovers in the bargain section — great for layering.) In the non-clearance section, there are a number of great basics, both for work and for the weekend, such as these lovely camisoles. Regularly $8, they’re now $5 each if you buy two. We’ve spoken of their camisoles before, but briefly: they’re simple and thin for when you want something to wear under a button-down (lest the buttons gape), they’re great beneath sweaters when you want a slightly smoother line without the discomfort of a Spanx-like apparatus, and they’re great when you’re wearing a dress or shirt that is just a bit too low cut. We particularly like the blue shades for this last purpose — if you’re trying to raise the neckline of a blue dress you all too often have to resort to white (or purple or green or some other non-blue color) because it’s too hard to find something to match; we like that the Dark Night and Dark Sea Blue camisoles a) increase your chances of getting a match and b) even if it doesn’t match, it’ll look better than white. Women: Women’s Basic Camis – Dark Night

Also check out:

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Poll Results: Politics and the Office

by C January 29, 2009 Fashion

About a week ago, we asked you a fairly belated question: are politics still taboo at the office? As always, the poll is still open, but the preliminary results are in: 32% of you said that you try to avoid starting conversations about politics, but you speak your minds when you find yourself in such [...]

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Thursday’s TPS Report: Banana Republic’s Long-Sleeve Ribbed Cardigan

by C January 29, 2009 Fashion

To us, layers are the only way to really survive a winter. Some days the heat at the office is stifling and the air is as dry as the Sahara — some days, for whatever reason, the heat is down and you don’t even take your winter jacket off until it’s time to leave your office for a bathroom break. This gray cotton ribbed sweater from Banana Republic is a great layering piece — it’s on trend with the boyfriend cardigans that are everywhere this season. It’s sleek and professional, though — the tab-buttons give it something extra. Try it with a navy or black sheath dress, or with a blouse/trouser outfit. (On the weekends, wear it with jeans and miniskirts.) Available in gray and black for $79 at BananaRepublic.com. Women: Long-sleeve ribbed cardigan – Sculpture grey

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Suit of the Week: Brooks Brothers Widestripe Wool

by C January 28, 2009 Fashion

Unintentionally, today is a Brooks Brothers kind of a day. We like this wool suit (super 110s) and its unusual wide stripe pattern — it’s distinctive yet traditional at the same time. The Widestripe Wool Three-Button Jacket is available for $398, the
Widestripe Wool Skirt is $188, and there are two kinds of matching pants — the Widestripe Wool Catherine™ Trousers ($238) have a slimmer fit, a plain front, and a contoured waistband; meanwhile, the Widestripe Wool Trousers (also $238) have a wider fit (but also a plain front and contoured waistband).

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Wednesday’s TPS Report: Brooks Brother’s Cashmere Twinset

by C January 28, 2009 Fashion

Ok, stick with us here — we know the picture at right is a bit frumpy. But: we present you with a Brooks Brothers Italian cashmere sweater set, available in many sizes in white (camel as well), deeply discounted. (The cardigan was $248; now $99. The shell was $188, now $75.) We suggest buying the pair. As a twinset, winter white is all the rage; you can also wear it to spring indoor affairs where you’re not quite sure if the AC will be blaring prematurely. The shell can be worn year-round — we suggest layering it on top of a button-down shirt or blouse (particularly one that’s on the chiffon/see-through side); this academic look brings class and sophistication to an otherwise iffy blouse. And as for the cardigan — well, we don’t need to tell you how freezing offices can be in the summertime. A white cashmere cardigan can be the perfect office staple to go over any outfit. Available for $174 (together) at Brooks Brothers. Cashmere Cardigan & Cashmere Shell