A recent SNL episode featured a fictional campaign advertisement for a mayoral candidate.  The character, Glenda Okones (played by Kristen Wiig),  listed her flaws, including her reputation for being harsh and cold.  “Here’s why,” she said:  “I just have a naturally frowny face. Not ugly, but certainly severe looking.”

Ah, perfect, I thought: an opportunity to talk about bitchface.

I’ll admit: the main reason we haven’t talked about it before is because I didn’t want to use bad words in the headline of the post!  But I think this is something that can affect a professional woman’s career, and something we should talk about.

Now I admit, wholeheartedly, that I have a naturally frowny face.  A reader once remarked that in my videos I’m always super smiley — it’s primarily because I end up looking super annoyed if I’m not.  (If I have time I’ll have to dig out some scrapped footage from the Lancome sponsored post — I couldn’t believe the video editors got so much usable footage of me looking serious because when I sent it in I worried I just looked bitchy.  Here:  me, serene but not smiling , versus me, actually pissed off.) I think most times it doesn’t matter.  After all, if I’m talking with people they can usually tell that I’m not super annoyed, and if I’m not talking to people (such as if I’m just walking down the street), I don’t really care what you think of me.

That said, I can think of at least one time this trait affected me professionally.  A few years ago I was part of a very small trial team in federal court in Philadelphia.  After a few days of trial, I grew weary of the high calorie, rushed lunches my colleagues ate, and so I excused myself and ducked out to the Subway across the street… and promptly found myself in line, in a very small shop, with all of the female members of the jury.  The first thought that went through my mind was panic — should I turn and walk out?  (I stayed. Which, looking back, was probably the wrong decision.)  Would they recognize me?  (Of course they would — it was an empty courtroom every day except for the lawyers, jury, judge, and occasional witness.)  Should I try to make conversation?  Compliment someone’s bag?  Talk about the sandwich I was looking forward to?  (I decided not to speak unless spoken to.)

Having made all these difficult decisions in the space of about two seconds, I was left standing there wondering what to do.  I didn’t want to fiddle with my phone or Blackberry — they might see some private conversation or think I was self-absorbed.  I realized that, no matter what they thought of my case, my fellow attorneys, or my behavior during the trial, I wanted them, above all else, to not think I was a total bitch.  I didn’t want it to come up in the jury deliberation room — “oh, the side with those stuck-up New York lawyers?” — and I didn’t want it to come up in the back of their minds.  In fact, never in my life had I wanted to look so approachable, so reasonable, so likeable, as I did in those few minutes… and that includes the first time I met my future in-laws.

What I wound up doing was studying the menu — like I had never been to a Subway before in my life! — and doing my very, very best to think happy, contented thoughts.  I thought of my then-boyfriend (now husband), and our upcoming trip to Paris.  I thought of a great sale that I’d been to a week or so before.  I thought of a funny inside joke my brother and I have shared for the past 25 years or so.  And then I ordered my sandwich (being extra careful to say please and thank you), and got the heck out of that Subway shop.

Ever since that Subway experience, I’ve wondered about bitchface.  Can it really affect you professionally?  I can imagine that I probably looked like a bitch when I was taking notes in all of my classes, particularly the classes where I wasn’t engaged — did teachers think less of me because of my naturally frowny face?  In interviews, many people say the first impression, such as seeing someone in a waiting room, is what matters — should I always attempt to “think happy thoughts” during those time periods?  Does it matter that this is one of those peculiar female problems — for example, how many male politicians and trial lawyers tell themselves to think happy thoughts during their moments in repose?

Readers, what do you think?  Do you think you have a naturally frowny face — and how has it affected your professional life? 

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.

Maybe I’m crazy, but I don’t think I’ve seen the “Shinna” blazer from Theory before. Theory suits in general are great (this one is wool and lined), but on the Shinna blazer I like the slightly wide vents at back and the topstitched darts on the front. The jacket (Theory Shinna Blazer) is $395, and the skirt (Theory Tenida Skirt) is $200. (Oh, and I can’t let those shoes go without mention — I know Acne is a hot brand right now, but: yuck. Not my cup of tea at all.)

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Sure, we all know what basics professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.

I thought we’d start strong: I think this is a good looking shoe from Naturalizer, available in a black kid leather, black patent leather, and a very attractive shiny red leather. The platform looks just right here — it’s big enough to make the heel height more walkable, as well as the sole more firm, but without looking stripperish at all. Oh, and the kicker: it has 133 glowing reviews at Zappos. It’s $79.Naturalizer – Lennox

This Nine West pump has a 5-star rating on Zappos (from 90 reviews) — again, I like the shape of the toe as well as the platform. N.B.: it comes in a pinkey “taupe” as well as a caramel-y “natural.” The black is $79 at Zappos. Nine West – Selene (Black Leather) – Footwear

I’m always a fan of Franco Sarto, and this basic pump — with a bit more prominent, but covered, platform — is no different. The black is $89 (and also comes in some more adventurous colors, including “gunmetal metallic” and a leopard print, as well as a muted brown suede). Franco Sarto – Cicero

Cole Haan Air: these are almost such a basic (available in both the 3.5″ style as well as the more manageable 2.25″ heel) that I almost didn’t mention them — but they’re on sale at Zappos so I had to include. The regular Talia was $198 but is now marked to $209; the “mid pump” was $198 marked to $130. Cole Haan – Air Talia Pump

Wow: I don’t think I’ve ever seen one shoe offered in so many shades of black. In addition to the black kid leather (pictured) there is the “black crystal snake,” “black goosebumps nappa,” “black patent,” (and then a brown goosebumps nappa and a navy). They range in price from $176 to $355; the plain black leather kid ones are now marked to $209. Stuart Weitzman – Blog

Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!

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I noticed there were some huge sales going on at Anne Klein, so I thought I’d make my top picks. Some of these are final sale, but not most — if you mouse over them they’ll show the price, as well. I chose these pieces to give you a taste of the sale because a) they were cute, b) they’re all significantly marked down, and c) most have a lot of sizes left… but there’s a lot more inventory left in the “lucky sizes” arena. Happy hunting, ladies…

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While looking for the Suit of the Week, I noticed there were a ton of great deals at The Limited, including up to 80% off final sale items! Tonight, from 5pm to midnight, they’re offering 50% off original ticket prices on new arrivals. My picks below are all from the “final sale” section, but there are some great deals if you know your size… each piece pictured below is under $50 and with a decent number of sizes left.

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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.

Jones New York is having some good sales on suits — 60% off original prices. I like this mini houndstooth suit from them — it’s a great basic (even for an interview), and there are a lot of sizes left at good prices. The jacket (Jones New York Mini Houndstooth Jacket) was $199, but comes to $79 when you add it to your cart; the skirt (Jones New York Mini Houndstooth Skirt) was $119, but comes to $47; the pants (Jones New York Mini Houndstooth Pant) were $129 but come to $51. (Incidentally, it’s hard to find matching suiting pieces, but there are some crazy good sales at Anne Klein and The Limited today — I’ll try to do a post with my top picks.)

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Can you wear knee-high boots to the office with a skirt? Reader B wonders…

I live in DC and work in the public interest world.  I love wearing boots in the winter and when there is inclement weather.  I have two very nice pairs, one which is ankle-length and has a nice looping strap and buckle and the other that is nearly knee-high and has a four inch heel and some great detailing.  They are both fairly formal looking.  Is it appropriate to wear these types of boots to work?  Would it ever be appropriate to wear the tall ones with a knee-length or slightly shorter skirt or dress (as opposed to wearing work slacks over them), and in that instance would tights or leggings be appropriate?

Regarding the ankle length boots, I’m going to say that while I’ve heard from some readers who think all ankle- and mid-calf-length boots are hideous (I love ‘em, so I’m not in that group), I’ve never heard anyone say they’re inappropriate for the office.  Wear ‘em with pants all you want; I’ve even seem some women successfully pull them off with skirts and opaque tights that matched their boots exactly.

Regarding the knee-length boots, now… that’s a more interesting question.  It was only a few years ago that the fashion writer for The Washington Post reacted with horror to an outfit Condoleezza Rice wore that involved black knee-high boots, ultimately calling her a dominatrix.  As she wrote:

As Rice walked out to greet the troops, the coat blew open in a rather swashbuckling way to reveal the top of a pair of knee-high boots. The boots had a high, slender heel that is not particularly practical. But it is a popular silhouette because it tends to elongate and flatter the leg. In short, the boots are sexy.

Rice boldly eschewed the typical fare chosen by powerful American women on the world stage. She was not wearing a bland suit with a loose-fitting skirt and short boxy jacket with a pair of sensible pumps. She did not cloak her power in photogenic hues, a feminine brooch and a non-threatening aesthetic. Rice looked as though she was prepared to talk tough, knock heads and do a freeze-frame “Matrix” jump kick if necessary. Who wouldn’t give her ensemble a double take — all the while hoping not to rub her the wrong way?

It’s a great article by Robin Givhan and one that has to be read.  To be honest, when I first read it — way back when in 2005 — it seemed a bit much.  My personal delineation line for the “too sexy” boot had always been the knee:  if it hit under the knee you were stylish; if it hit over the knee then hey, at least you had a place to store stuff while you worked the streets waiting for Richard Gere.  But not everyone is on the same page with that delineation.  For example, I remember having a discussion back in law school with a friend of mine (with a tongue ring, mind you!) who asked me if I thought knee-high boots were hooker boots and unacceptable for the office.

Maybe these reactions alone are enough for any professional woman to say, “You know, why chance it at the office?”  In fact, that’s still my advice: wear your knee-high boots all you want outside the office, but really think twice before wearing them in the office.  Even though these two conversations were a few years ago, there are plenty of people who form an opinion on what is and is not appropriate for the office when they start working — so unless your boss has been working for less than 7 years, there’s a significant chance he or she might think tall boots are inappropriate for the office.

But perhaps knee-high boots have come a long way since then. So here’s the question:

I’m curious, readers — what are your thoughts about knee-high boots at the office?

A reader alerted me today to a post on XO Jane about a fashion editor wearing a sheer top to work, entitled “DO THIS DON’T: WEAR A SHEER SHIRT TO WORK.” Uh, no.

Now, as this editor admits, she’s never worked outside the fashion and beauty world, so maybe our resumes just aren’t lining up — but even for a creative field, this is the kind of look that would just make me think “Wow, that poor girl must not realize her top is totally see-through.  Maybe I should tell her?”  In fact, I disagree with almost every single line in her column.  So I thought I’d give my take on dressing in semi- or totally-sheer looks for the office, compared against her tale…

1.  “Yesterday I knew I wouldn’t have the chance to stop home after work before going out that night, so I wore this completely see-through, sparkly Isabel Marant top with a tuxedo jacket.”  Dear readers, there are these amazing things called “handbags” — sometimes called “purses,” “totes,” “briefcases,” or even just “bags” — into which you can put all sorts of things, including changes of clothes.  Now, with all due respect to this editor, perhaps she had a big work function that night that required her to wear an edgy, sheer top.  But for more conservative fields like law and others, the message you broadcast when you wear eveningwear to work is that your evening is more important than your day — not a good message to send.

2.  “In real life the nude bra underneath wasn’t visible, so I sort of looked topless, albeit glittery. Like a figure skater.”  I’m going to step away from the proposition that it’s ok to look like a figure skater at work, and instead focus on the first part of the sentence — “in real life the nude bra wasn’t visible.”  Bob, can we have a big gameshow “unnnh” wrong sound again?  If it’s visible when you take a picture of it, I’d say your bra has a 95% chance of being visible anywhere.  Just because the lighting in your bedroom doesn’t detect it doesn’t mean that the lighting in your office — or the coffee room — or the conference room — won’t be the same.  In fact, I would advise all of my readers that when you’re in doubt about the appropriateness of an outfit, take a picture of yourself on your digital camera that morning and check it out.  Sheerness, visible pantylines, wrinkles, stains, and more will all be visible.

3. “…You could always layer a nude cami under either of these options, but I never do, since adding another top ruins the way your see-through one naturally hangs.”  I’m going to disagree with all of this.  I think a good quality camisole will never ruin the way a blouse hangs on you — if it does the camisole is way too big or the blouse is way too small.  I’d also argue that for the workplace, you should never wear a nude camisole — stick with black or white.  The reason?  So you don’t look naked beneath your clothes.  While the editor describes wearing the sweater to a big meeting where “no one gave her a second look,” I’m sure that wouldn’t be true if she worked in a more conservative industry.  You never want people to have to take a second — or third — look at your outfit, because while they’re inspecting your outfit, they’re not listening to what you’re saying.  Worse, your coworkers should never feel like they CAN’T look directly at your outfit for fear of seeing something they shouldn’t.  (For example, that really nice, married, older male boss who has a daughter your age — he may be too embarrassed to look at you, or purposely avoid working with you in the future if you dress like that.)  A plain (non-lacy) black or white camisole makes it clear that they can, in fact, look at you.

4. “[Wearing a nude cami] defeats the purpose of wearing a sheer shirt.”  What is the purpose, exactly?  Is it “to show your bra”?  Because if that’s the purpose, why wear a top at all?  I would argue that there are some sheer fabrics — silks, cottons, even the occasional chiffon — that add an interesting drape, or a lovely softness, or even the perfect misty white, that make them worth wearing to work, despite the fact that they’re sheer.

I would say, obviously, that sheer or semi-sheer tops are still risky for the office (see my points above in #3), but possibly acceptable if accessorized appropriately — with a black or white camisole — or even a turtleneck — beneath, or worn under a vest.  Readers, what do you think of the XO Jane article?  Do you wear sheer tops to the office?

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.

Yawn: there are not a lot of interesting suits out there right now! I’m liking the new superfine cotton collection from J.Crew, though, and not just because some of the pieces come in a brilliant “byzantine blue.” The fit looks solid, and I’m intrigued by their description of the cotton, which is “siro spun to give it a hint of stretch, [a treatment] only the best suiting fabrics in Japan get”). In-ter-est-ing. The jacket (1035 jacket in superfine cotton) is $178, the trouser (1035 trouser in superfine cotton) is $118, the skirt (Pencil skirt in superfine cotton) is $98, and the dress (Marielle dress in superfine cotton) is $178 (regulars and petites).

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- Ann Taylor: Take an Extra 60% Off Sale Styles with Code SHOPANN

- LOFT: Get an extra 60% off sale with code SAVENOW

- Boden: Take 15% off (plus free shipping and free returns)

- Banana Republic:  30% off Full-Priced Styles + 35% Off already reduced styles with code BRONSALE

- Last Call by Neiman Marcus: Extra 50% off all cashmere, sweaters, wraps, scarves, hats, gloves, coats, and selected furs (and extra 30% off everything else)

- 6PM: Lots of nice Naturalizer heels on sale up to 60% off

- J.Crew: Take an Extra 30% off final sale items with code MUSTHAVE

- Brooks Brothers: Winter clearance save up to 50%

- Barneys New York: Final markdowns, up to 75% off regular prices on select designer clothing, shoes and accessories

- CUSP by Neiman Marcus: Last Cuts sale, save up to 65% off regular-priced apparel and accessories

- Lord & Taylor: Save an extra 20% off all over the store (up to 80% off)

- Saks Fifth Avenue – Consolidation Sale, “we’ve taken an additional 25% off for a total of up to 70% off designer selections”

- Thomas Pink – Further reductions up to 50% off

- The Limited: 40% off your total purchase — includes markdowns — with code SAVE40

- White House|Black Market: Final clearance sale, up to 60% off

- ASOS: Up to 70% off winter items

- Thomas Laine: 70% off chic costume jewelry and more

- Amazon: 50% off Lucky Brand Clothing (Deal of the Day)

- Bloomingdale’s: Save 30-50% (and enter to win a $2012 Bloomingdale’s gift card)

- Bare Necessities: Take an Extra 25% off Already-Reduced Clearance Styles

- Sierra Trading Post: New markdowns, an extra 20-50% off (plus over 1000+ items just in)