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Suit of the Week: Pendleton

08/31/2011 By 31 Comments

Pendleton Fine Line Suiting SeparatesFor 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.

Pendleton always comes up in discussions about great basic suiting with readers and so, dutifully, I check the website frequently to see if there’s a potential Suit of the Week in there.  To be honest, to this point I haven’t been too impressed — but not this week. Love the ’40s vibe to this jacket with peplum front and sides. It reminds me of something Rosalind Russell or Katharine Hepburn would wear, and as such if I got this suit I’d make sure it was tailored to a tee. It’s available in a gray charcoal (pictured at top) and a “midnight navy” (pictured below), and comes in misses, petites, and plus. The jacket (Fine Line West End Jacket) is $258, and the skirt (Fine Line Madison Skirt) is $128. Other pieces in the collection (including two more jackets, two pairs of pants, and two dresses) range from $63 to $268.

Fine Line West End Jacket Fine Line Madison Skirt

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Filed Under: Suits

Beauty Wednesday: Nail Envy

08/31/2011 By 132 Comments

OPI Nail Treatments Nail Envy Natural Nail Strengthener, OriginalI sometimes wish I could be one of those girls who had a perfect manicure all the time. For a very brief while I tried to be, namely right after I got engaged.  And you know what? Spending 30-60 minutes a week getting my nails done is not my idea of a good time.  I hate sitting across from a stranger trying to make small talk while she paints my nails, and I hate the way I invariably chip them about 10 minutes after leaving the nail salon (and I am definitely one of those people who has to remove chipped polish, STAT) — and ultimately I can think of a zillion better things to do with 30-60 minutes than go to a salon.

In addition to this hatred of the nail salon, I’m also not very good at painting my nails.  So my solution over the years — when I want to add a little somethin’ somethin’ to my nails without heading to the salon — has been this:  OPI’s Nail Envy.  I’ve actually used this product off and on since I was 15 or so, and just rediscovered it recently.  Don’t get me wrong: it’s just your basic clear polish.  But what I truly love about it is that it dries in about 2 minutes — and has ingredients that are actually meant to strengthen your nails.  It lasts for forever, and you’re actually encouraged to apply new coats right on top of the old for the “maximum” effect of the nail strengthener stuff.

OPI Nail Treatments Nail Envy Natural Nail Strengthener, Original is available at Drugstore.com for $15.50.

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Wednesday’s TPS Report: Glazed Lace Pencil Skirt

08/31/2011 By 199 Comments

Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. This week’s guest posts are from one of my best friends since college, who we’ll call Auntie M – read more about her here. – Kat

Glazed Lace Pencil SkirtI am a sucker for what I call the “polished vintage” look, and this skirt hits the spot. It looks more like a textured pattern than lace, and the dark green is versatile and luxurious-looking. I would wear this with a cream silk blouse and a soft black blazer on top (nothing with too much shoulder padding or sharp angles), or perhaps a white-button-down, black cardigan and belt. It would look great with opaque tights in the fall/winter. Add some black shoes — stacked-heel oxfords, if you can get away with it in your office, otherwise some black patent-leather pumps to bring out the subtle sheen in the skirt — and a fun handbag for a pop of color (I’d take my non-patent purple) and you’re good to go. The skirt is $128 at Ann Taylor, available in both regular and petites. Glazed Lace Pencil Skirt

Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail [email protected] with “TPS” in the subject line.
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Tagged With: , , , Filed Under: The Personal Shopper (TPS)

Coffee Break – Code Pumps

08/30/2011 By 60 Comments

Seychelles - Code (Burgundy Patent) - FootwearIt fees like a good cordovan/burgundy pump can be impossible to find — but it’s a great basic color to have in your wardrobe because it’s one of the few colors that everyone agrees goes with navy. I like these 3″ pumps from Seychelles, which look like a classic anyway — sure enough Zappos has them in burgundy, black patent, and “pewter snake;” 6pm has them in “whiskey” brown and black, Endless has them in a gray, and Amazon has them in most colors plus a teal and a red. Prices range from $35.98 to $90 (full-price).  Seychelles – Code (Burgundy Patent) – Footwear

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How to Select Stylish Eyewear

08/30/2011 By 98 Comments

How to choose the best glasses for your face is one of the trickiest questions in the book, so I asked style expert and You Look Fab blogger extraordinaire Angie Cox to weigh in on the issue…- Kat

Angie Cox of You Look FabAs a fashion stylist who has an aversion to contact lenses and wears glasses every day, I’m very passionate about this subject. If you wear specs regularly, they should be the best pair for your eyes and face that you can afford. People usually look at your face before they look at your outfit so your specs have the power to make an instantly fab or drab impression. Along with your hairstyle, your specs can make or break your look. So if you are spending time, energy and money on a great professional wardrobe, it is even more important that this crucial accessory is current and flattering.

Like clothing and footwear, specs have to fit, feel comfortable and look attractive. I have spent many, many hours seeking out killer specs for myself, friends, family members and clients. It is all about patience and experimentation, but over the years I’ve also developed a set of guidelines that might help you to find the perfect pair. [Read more...]

Tagged With: , , , , Filed Under: Accessories, Eyewear, Style

Tuesday’s TPS Report: Fringe Tweed Dress

08/30/2011 By 113 Comments

Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. This week’s guest posts are from one of my best friends since college, who we’ll call Auntie M – read more about her here. – Kat

MICHAEL Michael Kors fringe tweed dressI love a good tweed. When employed properly, it’s always a classic. This dress is a fun twist on the classic, in that it’s sleeveless and has that great detailing and seaming at the shoulders. I love the high neckline, full lining and hidden back zipper. I’m a little concerned that the length might be too short for some of the lucky longer-limbed Corporettes out there, so to them I’d say save this for fall/winter and pair it with some opaque tights (but not in a “opaque tights make *everything* ok!” way) and kitten heels. I’d also wear the dress with a simple blazer or cardigan and, of course, some pearls. MICHAEL Michael Kors Fringe Tweed Dress Black 2

Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail [email protected] with “TPS” in the subject line.
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Tagged With: , , , , Filed Under: The Personal Shopper (TPS)