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Weekly News Update (And — Come See Us In Miami!)

03/31/2010 By 42 Comments

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

- As we may have mentioned, we’ll be heading to Miami this Thursday night (!) to help host an event at the Dadeland Macy’s with AK Anne Klein and InStyle. We’re so excited!! Posting will continue throughout the week, but we thought we’d do the weekly round-up today instead of Friday. If you’re near Miami, please come out and join us — you can RSVP by calling 305.662.3533, or e-mailing [email protected].

- Robin Givhan of the Washington Post has some thoughts on whether the fashion choices of Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy are an “international wedge issue.”

- Zen Habits has some suggestions on how to simplify your workday.

- The good folks at the WSJ’s The Juggle ponder whether one should hire a CPA or go it alone for tax time.  (Our $.02.:  The only thing we got out of our tax law class was that there are a gazillion rules and exceptions to the Code.  Thus: We’ve been happy with our CPA for the past 7 or 8 years.)

- Lifehacker seeks to perfect that mythical creature: the power nap.

Many thanks to this week’s advertisers:
- AK Anne Klein
- Carissa Rose
- MySkins

Filed Under: Fashion

Suit of the Week

03/31/2010 By 29 Comments

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.

This week, we’re liking this simple, belted skirt suit from Kay Unger.  We like the seams along the front and back of the jacket, as well as the tortoise shell buttons — we also really like the double vents on the skirt in the back, which seem like they would cause far less problems than a single slit (and look far less frumpy than the ruffle/kick-pleat trend a while back).  It’s $450 at Neiman Marcus in sizes 4-16.  Belted Twill Skirtsuit

(L-0)

Tagged With: , , Filed Under: Fashion

Wednesday’s TPS Report: Split Neck Stretch Cotton Sheath Dress

03/31/2010 By 58 Comments

Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.

Reader J wrote to us with a question about the plus-sized version of this dress: “What do you think about this? Sometimes its hard to know how it would drape but I think (from the picture) that it has good structure.  I think I really like the print and am 5’10 so I can usually pull a print off. But at the same time I also kind of hate the print/think it could look ugly.  What do you think?  Could I get away with this at work, is it ugly?”  We agree that prints can be very case-by-case — one print will look great on one girl, but hideous on another — and florals are a big trend right now, so this is something we should talk about.  Here, we like the more abstract nature of the pattern, as well as the strong emphasis on dark brown and purple — for the office, we would focus on picking up those colors in a cardigan or blazer.  As always with Donna Ricco, we do love the structure (all of our DR dresses are slimming and comfortable, but without the need for massive shapewear).  You can get it at Nordstrom for $118 (in regular sizes) or $128 (in plus sizes).  Donna Ricco Split Neck Stretch Cotton Sheath Dress

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

Readers, what are your thoughts on wearing florals to the office?

(L-2)

Tagged With: , , , , Filed Under: Fashion, The Personal Shopper (TPS), Wear to Work

The Challenge of Keeping it Under Wraps

03/30/2010 By 86 Comments

how-to-keep-a-wrap-dress-closedToday’s reader mail presents us with a great question about wrap dresses for the office…

I am continually more frustrated with trying to monitor my wrap dresses to ensure that the flap upon my lap/knees is “closed.” Do the readers have any suggestions? There is never enough “wrap” fabric to have it sewn shut along the other seam as some dresses are pre-made that way. I’m on the verge of tossing all my wraps. Thoughts?

We hear you — we own a classic wrap dress that feels more like a robe. We’ve wondered whether a bigger size might be a help (someone told us that the “trick” to wearing wrap dresses is to get them a size or two larger), but this particular wrap dress has pockets that sit in exactly the proper place. We’ve also been less than satisfied with the solutions.  Still, here’s what we’ve tried:

  • Wear a black, plain slip — no lace — beneath it.
  • Safety pins — you can pin the top of the dress closed; we’ve also placed a safety pin around the mid-thigh mark of the wrap.
  • Double-sided tape — we’ve found it’s better used to secure the safety-pinned edge so it lays flat rather than relying on double-sided tape to keep your dress shut
  • Finally, we’ve never tried this, but it just might work for some wrap dresses: wear them backwards.

Readers, what are your solutions to the problem?

(Pictured above:  Diane von Furstenberg Justin Dress, available at ShopBop.com for $325.)

(L-2)

Tagged With: , , , , , Filed Under: Fashion, Fashion Gaffes, Wear to Work

Tuesday’s TPS Report: ‘Ultimate Weave’ Dress

03/30/2010 By 52 Comments

Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.

Today’s dress was recommended by reader A, who notes: “I just ordered this dress and love the simple but flattering cut. It’s also long enough for work & fabric can be hand washed/machine washed (though it says dry clean). Would look lovely on its own, or with a navy blazer on top. The colour is what made me go “wow!” – it would flatter practically every skin tone – from very dark to porcelain-skinned redheads! At over $200 (free shipping though), bit expensive but I think this one’s worth it.”  We think it looks lovely, and might also suggest trying it with a charcoal blazer to mute some of the color for the office. It’s $228 at Nordstrom. Classiques Entier ‘Ultimate Weave’ Dress

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

(L-2)

Tagged With: , , , Filed Under: Fashion, The Personal Shopper (TPS), Wear to Work

Coffee Break: Bobbie Pump

03/29/2010 By 29 Comments

VOLATILE - Bobbie (Black) - Footwear We’ve been enamored of the brand Volatile since we saw a very fashionable woman wearing a pair of their shoes.  (Alas, we can’t remember if she was a personal style blogger or if she was featured in one of those “women on the street” things in a magazine.)  But:  the brand is part of 6pm.com’s one-day sale today, and the reasonably-priced selection does not disappoint — there are lots of fun shoes to add a bit of vintage flair to your working wardrobe.  We like these black patent pumps with a bow on the side — they were $70, now $35.  (We also really like them in the white.)   VOLATILE – Bobbie (Black) – Footwear
(L-2)

Tagged With: , , , , Filed Under: Accessories, Fashion, Shoes