March 2011

Coffee Break – Elinor Tote

by Kat March 31, 2011 Accessories

Love the look of this tote bag from Hobo International. The shiny vintage leather is nice, and the big ball snaps on the “coin purse” on the front of the bag are interesting but not distracting. Love that there’s a print lining to the bag and that it has enough pockets to make it useful; I also like the zippered pocket on the other side of the bag. The bag is $268 in stone and caramel leather; the black is marked today to $214.40. Hobo International – Elinor (Black Vintage Leather) – Bags and Luggage

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Lace Skirts and the Office

by Kat March 31, 2011 After-Work Activities

Reader J has a question about lace skirts:

Can you give some advice as to how to wear lace skirts? I bought a black lace skirt, which has a tan lining, a couple of years ago, and have never been able to find anything to pair it with. It hits just below the knee, and is pencil cut. Black blazers don’t look right, and black tops seem to make it all too dark, but the tan lining really makes it impossible to wear another color. I know that the colors lend themselves more to fall or winter, but I could use advice either way. I am guessing that others might have similar problems…

Maybe I’m misunderstanding Reader J’s question, but I think she isn’t asking an important question: are lace skirts appropriate for the office? (In fact, is *any* lace appropriate for the office?)

Let me start by saying that I have owned several lace pieces that I wore to death. I had a great black Ann Taylor lace top a few years ago that was one of my favorite going-out tops with jeans, and a black and white dress with a lace overlay on the bust that I fondly remember wearing to my friend S’s wedding. My wedding dress was chantilly lace. (Pictured: Josie Natori Dragon Lace Pencil Skirt, available at Saks Fifth Avenue for $295.)

Lace and the office, though, can be tricky. I like to avoid lace trim on camisoles, worrying that they can look too much like lingerie that shouldn’t be seen, and black lace blouses often have too much of a boudoir look for the office. To me, lace is only appropriate for the office if it’s a) clearly meant to be seen, and b) does not call to mind bedroom, lingerie, or boudoir. For example, I think a regular fabric that had a lace print on it would be fine, in most cases, for a blouse, skirt, or even blazer. I think white lace worked into the hem of a skirt, or even as an entire blouse, might be appropriate. But black lace overlaid on a tan fabric seems to suggest skin beneath it. I’d avoid for the office.

Ultimately, I think you’ll get a lot of great wear out of the skirt — but for parties. I’d wear it with a simple black top and a velvet blazer to the office holiday party, or with a slightly daring sweater to a friend’s party (low cut, off-the-shoulder, etc). But to the office… maybe not.

Maybe I’m alone here, but I also feel like black lace is more of a holiday look, best saved for fall and winter parties.

Readers, what are your thoughts on lace at the office? Is a lace skirt appropriate? Would you wear a black lace skirt into spring and summer?

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Sponsored Post: A Curated Pantyhose Collection, from Hoseanna

by Kat March 31, 2011 Advertising

It’s easy to find a cheap pair of pantyhose on the fly, for those situations where it’s an hour before the big meeting and you realize you’ve got a run. But quality hosiery usually requires a trip to a department store, which just may not be in the cards when you’re slammed with work — part of the reason I started this blog was because I was always working when stores were open! Hoseanna, a new site, is launching today, and it aims to help working women everywhere get the pantyhose, nylons, and tights you need, on your schedule. Because you can make a one-time purchase or sign up for a subscription (every month, every two months or every three months), you can even put pantyhose on “autopilot” — it’ll show up when you need it, and you can cross it off your already massive to-do list. Their curated collection includes some brands that are new to me, including b.ella, Foot Traffic, Pretty Polly, and Boottights, as well as brands that everyone would be familiar with, such as Hue, DKNY, and Silk Reflections. Also, note that the first 250 women to register on the site will receive 25% off all purchases throughout the year + 1 month free shipping. And, through a fun giveaway going on now, 4 people can win a full year-long subscription to Hoseanna and a style makeover (details below!)

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Hoseanna’s founders, Tracey and Katrina. I loved both women (they’ve been friends for years and have walked in our shoes, ladies — both of them had successful corporate careers before they went into business together!) but I also loved the idea behind the site: that while yes, sometimes women like to browse, a lot of times you just want CONVENIENCE when you’re shopping. Especially for busy, working women, you don’t want to have to spend your one free hour of the week to run to the department store to pick up a few new pair of hose.

I’m honored to be a Hoseanna brand ambassador alongside these leading ladies in the blogosphere :

The Marathon Mom –Nichelle Pace from Style Mom
The Corporate Vet – Natalie MacNeil, She Takes on the World
The Uniform Diva –Sara Keagle from The Flying Pinto

We’ll all be filling out some fun questionnaires on Monday, so stay tuned!

Now about that giveaway I mentioned — Do you want to experience Hoseanna for yourself? Four lucky winners will win a free one-year subscription to Hoseanna! Each winner also wins a virtual style consultation with My Style Pill’s Christine Cameron to help build your best work wardrobe. Total prize packages value: $500. It ends on April 10th so enter today by heading over to the Hoseanna Facebook page. Don’t forget to give them a “like” while you’re there!

Readers, what are your favorite pantyhose brands? What other regular purchases do you make that you wish you could put on autopilot?

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Thursday’s TPS Report: Warehouse Abstract Tribal Shift Dress

by Kat March 31, 2011 Fashion

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

This dress strikes me as a fun, trendy take on the shift dress. Love the boat neckline, the pleat details on the collar, and the abstract print. I’d wear it with a white cardigan or blazer in the summer and spring, and a black one in the other seasons. The print is pretty busy so I’d keep the accessories simple: pearls or a simple gold chain. It was $71.72 at Asos, but is now marked to $57.38 (limited sizes only). Warehouse Abstract Tribal Shift Dress

Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line.
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Suit of the Week: Armani Collezioni

by Kat March 30, 2011 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 for women, which should be as classic and basic as you get — instead, this feature is about the slightly different suit that is fashionable, yet professional.

Loving the look of this simple wool crepe suit from Armani. To me this is more of a winter white (and honestly I wish they had it in black or gray), but the simplicity is just gorgeous — love the single button and curves of the jacket, as well as the bracelet sleeves, and the contouring on the skirt and slight flare at the bottom are lovely. The jacket (Armani Collezioni Wool Crepe Jacket) is $1245, and the skirt (Armani Collezioni Wool Crepe Pencil Skirt) is $515, both available at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Armani Collezioni Wool Crepe Pencil Skirt

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Life Lesson #21

by Kat March 30, 2011 Fashion

I thought I’d try out a new series today. Like any good little Type A-er, I keep a list of lessons I’ve learned; I started it sometime early in college. Some of them are, well, obvious (“#3: Don’t take life so seriously.”), but others were things that I learned the hard way. Life lesson [...]

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