August 2011

Suit of the Week: Pendleton

by Kat August 31, 2011 Suits

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.

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.

(L-0)

31 comments Read the full article →

Beauty Wednesday: Nail Envy

by Kat August 31, 2011 Beauty

I 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.

(L-2)

132 comments Read the full article →

Wednesday’s TPS Report: Glazed Lace Pencil Skirt

by Kat August 31, 2011 The Personal Shopper (TPS)

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

I 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 editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line.
(L-3)

199 comments Read the full article →

Coffee Break – Code Pumps

by Kat August 30, 2011 Coffee Break

It 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

(L-6)

59 comments Read the full article →

How to Select Stylish Eyewear

by GuestPoster August 30, 2011 Accessories

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…

98 comments Read the full article →

Tuesday’s TPS Report: Fringe Tweed Dress

by GuestPoster August 30, 2011 The Personal Shopper (TPS)

I 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