A fashion and lifestyle blog for women lawyers, bankers, MBAs, consultants, and otherwise overachieving chicks
From the category archives:
We love these small hoop earrings — we like that they’re small (.75″), delicate, and pure silver. They also strike us as something you can answer the phone in, which is always a plus with earrings. The small ones are $38 at Momastore.org. Satya Hoop Earrings
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Today’s reader mail asks an excellent question: what to wear for a corporate photograph?
I am a mid-level commercial litigator with a small firm in Chicago. In a couple of weeks, a photographer is coming to the office to update everyone’s website pic. I was wondering if you could provide advice on what the best look is for such a picture, obviously a suit, but is a shell better than button down, etc. Also, any tips on the best way to wear hair and the appropriate jewelry.
This is such an interesting question, particularly because, in many offices, you don’t get a chance to take these photographs that often — so one photograph could be your “face” in the office phone book and on the web for the indefinite future. For our $.02: You want to look neat and professional, but also attractive in a non-sexual way. We would also aim to look “friendly” and “trustworthy.” (Our theory here is that your pedigree will likely be listed alongside the picture — your schools, your honors — but your personality will, most likely, be absent. A future client, a recruiter, or a partner from another office will see that you’re smart and accomplished; but the photo also has to convey likeability.) (Also, it doesn’t hurt to keep in mind that future dates and ex-boyfriends can all find this picture if they Google you.)
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Liking these posts? Follow Corporette on Twitter — this is the edited version of what we’re reading! (We also Tweet if we hear about a good sale.)
- The Financial Times explores the myth of the sexy stiletto-heeled businesswoman, so common on television shows like Lipstick Jungle: it’s fictional! <gasp!> [FT via Jezebel]
- Schools are doing their best to draw more women to executive MBA programs. [WSJ]
- How to dress like a French woman: simple, chic. [Forbes Woman] (In fact, it’s a bit hard to find on their website but they have an entire quarterly issue devoted to women in business — check out this link for all the articles.)
- Check out the jewelry sale going on at Erin Gallagher (through Jan. 25) — especially great if you have any loved ones with an odd birthstone, like garnet (January). [Erin Gallagher]
- Finally — if you could come vote for us in the 2009 Bloggies, we’ll be your best friend forever! [2009 Bloggies]
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A while ago, we got this intriguing e-mail from a reader:
As a late graduation present, I was considering asking my folks for a classic strand of pearls. This turned out to be more complicated than I had thought. Is it (still) true that younger women shouldn’t aspire to larger pearls? I don’t want to buy a strand that will look silly when I’m in my 30s and 40s — what’s the largest I can get away with in my 20s?
The article she linked to explained that larger pearls were for older women — the largest sizes being for women “45 and up,” with the smallest sizes being intended for “older teens, 16 to 24.”
For our $.02: We love our 7.5 MM x 8 MM pearls and wear them all the time — several times a week. They stodge up a questionable outfit and make us feel like we belong when we’re at an event with much bigger wigs than us. As for the size, we would say that if you’re wearing suits you’re old enough to get this size of pearls (which, according to the website, is the last size of pearls acceptable for women under 35). Go to the store and try on different pairs — you’ll eventually find one that feels and looks at home on your neck — and THAT’S the size and length you should get. (We went with 18″ and would never look back, but if you wear button-down shirts or crewnecks frequently you may prefer to go with the tighter 16″ length.)
We would recommend splurging and getting the best set of pearls you can afford — if you can, go for the top grades of Mikimoto brand pearls, sold at finer jewelry stores. Even Zales sells a set of mid-level Mikimoto pearls. If you do end up buying this mid size (6.5 through 7.5MM), don’t consider it money spent on something you can only use for 15-20 years — another look that’s hugely popular among older women is the double- and triple-stranded pearl necklace, and you can convert a single strand necklace INTO a double- and triple-strand necklace if you want to (either by resetting the pearls or getting a special clasp to link the first necklace with a second necklace).
As for larger white pearls — 8.5MM and up — we would actually recommend going fake. You’re in good company – Jackie Kennedy, Michelle Obama and Barbara Bush have all notoriously gone for large faux pearls. (And if you want to wear them and you’re 25, go for it, we say.) (Another option that would probably carry you from your 20s through your 70s would be to really go all out and get a rare colored pearl, a la Nancy Pelosi’s Tahitian pearls. (Hers reportedly cost $80K!))
We’re curious — what are other people’s thoughts on pearls? What would your advice be for our reader? Do you wear them frequently? Did you inherit them or purchase them for a specific event, like your wedding? Have you upgraded a set recently?
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In this week’s installment of Adventures in Accessories, we’re profiling New York-based jewelry brand Kuo Ting, available at New York and California boutiques, as well as online at stores such as Couture Candy and Label Spree.
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We’ve been thinking of this hammered teardrop necklace (in gold) since we saw it a few weeks ago. We love the color combinations and think it manages to be fun yet sophisticated at the same time. It would be a great way to liven up a wardrobe centered on black, beige, and white. $118 from Couture Candy. Kuo Ting Jewelry Hammered Teardrop Necklace in Gold |
| This long black resin necklace would be great worn with a black boatneck sweater and a colorful jacket. $68 from Couture Candy. Kuo Ting Jewelry Metallic Black Resin Chain Necklace |
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This is another great necklace — it’s a long silver chain with faceted rubies. It’s on sale for $87 at Label Spree (final sale only, alas). Mixed Chain with Rubies Necklace |
| This delicate pendant is tiny but packs a punch with color: pink garnets surround an irridescent peacock coin pearl. It’s great to see pink garnets in use instead of the darker red ones more commonly used — if you have any friends with birthdays in January, keep this in mind for them. Available at Couture Candy for $118. Kuo Ting Jewelry Peacock Coin Pearl Necklace |
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We actually think that the brand’s earrings are a bit too long and dangly to be work appropriate, but these are absolutely stunning for weekend and evening wear. Available at Couture Candy for $188. Kuo Ting Jewelry Hammered Tear Drop Earrings with Rubies |
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