October 2009

Weekend Open Thread

by C October 23, 2009 Fashion

Untitled pictureSomething on your mind? Chat about it here.
Pictured: Frivole by Bernardaud After Dinner Cup, available at Bloomingdales.com for $181.

Sale of the weekend: Check out the vast array of boots on sale at www.endless.com.

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Weekly Roundup

by C October 23, 2009 Fashion

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.)

French Sole - PassportR (Camel Patent/Camel Leather) - Footwear- The Guardian (and Jezebel) ponder the psychology of flats. (Pictured: French Sole – PassportR (Camel Patent/Camel Leather) – Footwear, available at Zappos for $202.)

- The Mad Men suit is now for sale at Brooks Brothers (but not for women, alas). Meanwhile, the Chicago Tribune has tips on “clothes for grownups,” while the L.A. Times games which fashion trends might actually make it off the runway.

- NYT’s Cintra Wilson weighs in (favorably) on the new Ann Taylor; upon reading this the fashion bloggers at Shophound want to stage an intervention for Wilson.

- Washington tidbits: the suit Sotomayor wore to her acceptance ceremony was picked out by the White House, and Madeline Albright is bummed that so much political commentary of women focuses on their clothes.

- Wow: How often do YOU check your Blackberry? AboveTheLaw picks up a law firm memo advising associates to check hourly.

- Lifehacker has some MacGyver-style tips for cleaning your house.

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Bargain Friday’s TPS Report: Merona Ponte Tab Waist Dress

by C October 23, 2009 Fashion

Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
Reader J wrote in to us to sing the praises of this simple dress from Target. As she writes:
I bought this dress on Monday in dark gray (only the black, plum, turquoise and chocolate are shown online). I am wearing it today and everyone who sees me is just raving over it. A fellow associate ran out at lunch and bought it in black and gray. Another is going tonight. I’m thinking about ordering the chocolate. It is an good weight knit and doesn’t show every little line/bump. It did not stretch substantially during the day. Looks more expensive than it is. I have not washed it yet and can’t comment on that. The only drawback is that the sleeves make it difficult to put a sweater over it. But for $25, a great transitional piece down here in the South where it is still in the 70’ s every day.
For the price, it looks like a great basic. It’s on sale at Target.com for $18.99. Merona® Ponte Tab Waist Dress – Ebony

(N.B.: Spend $50 in Women’s, get Free Shipping at Target.com)

If you’ve recently seen a great work piece you’d like to recommend to the readers, please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line. Unless you ask otherwise, we’ll refer to you by your first initial.

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Reader mail: Boots for suits?

by C October 22, 2009 Fashion

La Canadienne - Doreta (Black Leather) - FootwearToday’s reader question has to do with boots for suits:

Spending a lot of time in cold, wet Washington the last few weeks has convinced me I have got to find boots that I can wear with a suit. I don’t want to be Sarah Palinesque, and as much as I love my Frye Harness Boots, that is clearly not the look. What advice do you have for boots with a basic conservative suit (think Lafayette)?

Santana - Flora (Black Suede) - FootwearThis is a great question, as — you’re right — the Harness boots probably aren’t the look. We would argue that, on casual days, you can probably wear things like Hunter rain boots beneath your suit pants while traveling to/from the office, provided you switch into pumps once arriving at the office — but then, Hunter boots aren’t the best when it’s freezing. (And, lest you make the same mistake we’ve made: The classic Uggs are not waterproof. Yes, they are both ugly and nonfunctional.) We’ve always heard great things about the LaCanadienne brand: supposedly ridiculously comfortable, fashionable(ish), and waterproof. (Pictured at top: La Canadienne – Doreta (Black Leather) – Footwear, on sale at Zappos for $199 (formerly $250).) We would probably stick with this kind of boot to wear with suits — mid-calf, so it won’t look too odd beneath your pant leg, with a reasonably low heel that you can walk in if it’s icy and cold. (You might want to think about what kind of socks you’ll wear with it when you buy it — e.g., the thicker the sock, the larger the size.) If even that one looks too high, you may want to try a wedge boot (particularly if your suit pants are hemmed for heels) or something lower, such as these “Flora” boots by Santana (pictured at right.) (Santana – Flora (Black Suede) – Footwear, available at Zappos for $124.)

If you don’t care about fashion at all (or heel height), we’ve had good luck with the inexpensive waterproof shoes and boots from Land’s End. For example, try the “Weatherly Shoes,” now on sale for $19.99.

Readers, how do you survive the cold, rain, sleet, and snow?

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Thursday’s TPS Report: Banana Republic’s Classic Tailored French Cuff Shirt

by C October 22, 2009 Fashion

Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
Women: Cotton non-iron short-sleeve shirt - WhiteWe’re pretty sure we’ve featured these non-iron shirts from BR before, but when reader R wrote to us with such a nice review we couldn’t help but bring it to your attention again:

I love the French cuffs and the cut–no gaping at the bust, and no poufing out at the waist when you tuck it in. The color is beautiful, and fabric has a great sheen to it that makes it lovely under a jacket or by itself. Personally I think it is set off best with pearls, but you could put about any jewelry with it. Best of all, so far the non-iron wrinkle free label is true to its word!

It’s $59 at Banana Republic. Women: Classic tailored non-iron shirt
If you’ve recently seen a great work piece you’d like to recommend to the readers, please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line. Unless you ask otherwise, we’ll refer to you by your first initial.

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Suit of the Week

by C October 21, 2009 Fashion

For busy working women, the suit is often the easiest outfit to throw on in the morning. In general, this feature is not about interview suits, which should be as classic and basic as you get — instead, this feature is about the slightly different suit that is fashionable, yet professional.

Untitled pictureThis week, we’re loving this Furstenburg suit from Bloomingdale’s. The flared hem, the straight, knee-length skirt, the slightly shaped shoulders — it reminds us of a (slightly) more affordable version of the Dior suit from a few weeks ago, and, like that one, seems inspired by the heroine of a noir thriller (without being costumey). The jacket (Diane von Furstenberg “50s” Black Stitched Crepe Jersey Jacket) is $495, and the skirt (Diane von Furstenberg “50s” Black Stitched Crepe Jersey Skirt) is $298.

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