What should one wear if you’re officiating a wedding? Reader W has a unique question, so I thought I’d tackle (even if it is a bit farther than our usual topics)…

I suppose because I’m an attorney and all-around upstanding citizen, I’ve been asked to officiate the wedding of a very good friend this summer! I’ve actually performed one wedding already and I wore a somber black suit that was appropriate for the occasion. However, this time around the wedding and reception will be held during the day at a Northeast yacht club in July (meaning WARM) and the dress code is more of a summery semi-formal. Probably not a black wool suit occasion! I was hoping for your advice on what would be appropriate dress. Naturally, I’ve asked the bride what she thinks and was no help at all (“Wear whatever you want!”), but I still want to be respectful of the bride with NO possibility of upstaging/distracting and taking into consideration I will be feature in the ceremony photos. My initial thoughts are no wacky colors, sleeves or a blazer which can be removed after the ceremony, and minimal accessories. Does this mean I should wear a shapeless beige sack? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

First, congratulations; I think that’s quite an honor. I might first ask what the wedding colors are, and if the bride wants you to work within those parameters. Here are my tips:

1) Wear black. Here in NYC, most women wear black for everything, including weddings, but I know in other parts of the country it’s poor form to wear a black dress to a wedding.  I’d talk to the bride about it if you feel uncomfortable — considering that the groom and his men will likely be in black tuxes, it will be a nice visual for all the pictures.

2) If not black, go for a sedate, dark color. If you’re really not comfortable wearing black to a wedding, think navy or gray.  You’re doing something serious and studied, and I think your clothes should reflect that.  Another reason to go for a somber color: as the officiant, you should blend into the scenery. It is the couple’s day, after all — all eyes should be on them when they’re standing before you. Ask the bride what the bridesmaids are wearing and try to choose a color in that family — if you can get a swatch of their fabric that would be best to make sure it doesn’t clash.

3) Wear a dress. This is my $.02, but you do want to be festive! If possible I would stick with a pencil or straight skirt, versus a wider, fuller skirt, but that’s me. A sheath dress would be great, or the Nordstrom faux wrap dress by Suzi Chin (pictured in black above; available in other colors and plus sizes also) would be a great one to wear to officiate, provided the cleavage isn’t too low. (See above re: all eyes should be on the couple.) Maybe I’m crazy but a knee-length dress sounds better than a floor-length dress, but the bride will know better.  If the bridesmaids are wearing shorter dresses, I would particularly consider a knee-length dress.

4) Consider a sparkly wrap in a matching sedate color.  This can be a great investment, as you can reuse it for black tie events — but this way if you have a sparkly wrap with you and feel underdressed, you can wear the wrap around your shoulders.  I’ve pictured a gorgeous one by Armani (for $535 at Saks), but there are much less expensive ones, such as these solid-colored sparkly ones at Yoox for $118, or this lace and sequin one at Macy’s for $38 (available in black and champagne).

5) Wear a pair of sparkly shoes.  If you’re wearing a sedate dress, your accessories can be a bit more on the fun side — sparkly shoes that you can dance in will be fine.

6) Don’t wear satin or other bridesmaidy type things.  Maybe I’ve been a bridesmaid too often, but I always think of the bridesmaids and groomsmen as being the couple’s best drinking buddies.  That is, of course, a high honor as well — but as the officiant you should be a bit more than that.  More serious, more reserved, more respectable.  In other words, no shots until after the wedding ceremony.

If none of this sounds right, think “mother of the bride” type dresses.  I went to one wedding recently where a family friend, a female judge, performed the ceremony, and she looked festive yet serious in a dark navy or black MOB-type sheath dress with a sheer beaded jacket.  For your money, I think you’ll get more mileage out of a simple non-MOB sheath dress plus some great accessories (as recommended above), but it’s up to you.

I’m curious, readers — what would you wear to officiate a wedding?  If a girlfriend were officiating your wedding, what would you want her to wear?

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’ve gotten a few requests for suggestions for “lightweight blazers” for hot summer months, so I thought I’d round up a few for today’s Hunt. For my $.02: if you’re really going to be wearing a blazer outside or in another hot environment, linen is the way to go — it just breathes so well. Silk is another good choice, but the tradeoff for all that, um, breathing (for both linen and silk) is the mad wrinkling that occurs. Cotton holds up much better (and I always think a cotton pique fabric looks pretty but professional, while a cotton seersucker can be classic) — if you can find a linen and cotton blend, or silk and cotton blend, that may be the holy grail. Right now I’m seeing a lot of blazers with eyelet details — I honestly don’t think they’re appropriate for most conservative offices, but they can be another option if you’re attending an outdoor event.  Readers, what is your favorite type of blazer to wear on hot days?  Do you have any tricks to keep linen or silk from wrinkling?

(I already featured this $88 Gibson blazer a few weeks ago, or I’d have included it in today’s roundup…looks like it’s available in different colors now, though.)

Pim + Larkin is a new brand to me, but I love the bright, saturated colors available for this linen/cotton/spandex blazer. It’s available in marine (pictured above), tomato, lemon, and a light pink “nudetral” (pictured at right) in sizes XS-L, and there are matching skirts, dresses, and (sigh) Bermuda shorts. The blazer is $79 at Piperlime. Pim + Larkin Colette Blazer

Seersucker is pretty classic, and a lot of places have varieties on it — but I know readers have had success with Land’s End Canvas in the past, so I thought I’d post this one. Although it does look cute with the dotted blouse, I’d probably keep my look more neutral for the office — maybe a white tee and a colorful skirt. It’s $90, and available in sizes 0-14. Women’s Seersucker Blazer

I haven’t tried J.Jill clothes in a while, but this linen and cotton stretch jacket looks great. Do note that it’s available in misses, petites, women’s, and tall sizes, and in arugula (pictured), a chalky blue, a dark red, mushroom brown, and white. It’s $99-$109 at J.Jill. Linen & Cotton Stretch Jacket

I think this silk and cotton tailored jacket looks gorgeous — but it is not returnable, so order carefully! The light gray color, the single button — classic. Was $348, now marked to $98 at Maxstudio.com (sizes 0-12). Silk & Cotton Tailored Jacket

Splendid has a number of cute blazers right now, which is interesting since I always think of them as primarily a t-shirt company (super soft ones, too). Still: this linen blazer (available in paprika, pictured, as well as white) is $148 at Splendid (and it seems to have sold out most other places it was available, so I’m guessing this one’s a winner). It’s $148 at Splendid, available in sizes XS-XL. Linen Blazer

I can’t wear boxier jackets like this, but if you can, this black and white print looks really versatile, and I really like the frayed trim. It’s a cotton/linen blend, and available for $175 at Net-a-Porter. MICHAEL Michael Kors Cotton-blend tweed jacket

I feel like I’ve posted almost all of the Rag & Bone blazers available this season, and I gotta say I’m in love with this one, too! Linen-blend, lined, and I love the fitted, curved look. It’s $495 at Nordstrom (in tangerine, sizes 2-10), and in black at Rag & Bone.

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(L-all)

401K fees can be such a complicated topic — so when the good folks at DailyWorth offered to guest post I jumped at the chance to have someone wiser than myself cover it! – Kat

Is your 401k plan costing you too much?

Many people don’t realize that they’re being charged a fee (or fees) for participating in their 401k plan–and over time, those fees can eat up a chunk of your savings. (Pictured: Erosion Control? originally uploaded to Flickr by muffinman71xx.)

Shocked? You’re not alone. In fact, new federal rules requiring 401k plans to be more transparent about fees take effect in July — and women everywhere should sit up and take notice.

Keeping retirement fees low is critical for women, who tend to live longer than men and thus need to be vigilant about keeping investment costs low, so they can hang on to more of their cash.

Over 20 or 30 years, a fee difference of even 1% can swallow tens of thousands of dollars. For this reason, cheaper funds are often found to perform better over time–because the lower fees mean that you net a bigger return.

One of the most commonly talked-about investment fees is the expense ratio, which is basically a management fee charged by the mutual fund (and you probably have a few mutual funds in your 401k portfolio).

But some plans levy a handful of fees on top of expense ratios, such as administrative fees, and investment adviser fees.

The new fee disclosure rules will require your 401k provider to spell out what they’re charging you. Already some large 401k providers (Vanguard, Schwab, and Lincoln Trust, to name a few) are offering cheaper plans to small businesses–which means lower fees for employees.

“In an ideal 401k plan, the expense ratio for every fund option should be less than 1%, and the plan should offer index funds with an expense ratio of less than 0.5%,” says David McPherson, a financial planner in Falmouth, MA.

The heftiest fees in your portfolio–and the ones you have most control over as an investor–are expense ratios. As an investor, it’s relatively easy to compare the expense ratios of various funds to pick the best fund for you that’s also the least expensive.

For a quick overview of your retirement portfolio–including your average fees compared with the fees of a comparable portfolio–try plugging your holdings into Morningstar’s Instant X-Ray. Or compare different funds being offered by your 401k by using the FINRA fund analyzer.

If your all-in fees are higher than 1.5%, lobby your employer to switch 401k providers–it will save them money and help you keep more of your nest egg.

DailyWorth is a community of women who talk money. They deliver practical tips and inspiring ideas to help you earn more, save more and spend smarter. Sign up for their free email here.

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 always feel like purple pumps are a Corporette classic — they’re not what you’d normally think of for conservative business attire, but they’re usually dark enough to be conservative, and they’re incredibly versatile.  They add a great punch of color to a number of neutrals (black, navy, gray, beige, white), as well as a bit of a fun accent with outfits based around greens, reds, or yellows (as a contrasting color) or blues (as a complimenting one). I’d avoid wearing them with pink, but maybe that’s just me. Readers, do you like purple pumps as much as I do?  What other colors of shoes have you found to be surprising basics?

Not included below, but: if you’re really confident in your purple shoes, try these very bright purple pumps (The Limited and Jessica Simpson); if you’re more of a wedge-wearer try these pairs (Fitzwell and Gucci).

This pump is available in both a purple leather (pictured) and a brighter magenta leather — both were $79, but are now marked around $38-$40 (limited sizes only, alas).  Try code FORMAL12 if you’re ordering more than $100 worth of merchandise to get an extra 20% off.  I particularly like the slight dip in the vamp. DV by Dolce Vita Women’s Notty Pump

If you wear purple pumps a lot in spring and fall (like I do), you don’t have to cross suede off your list — just make that pair of shoes live at your office, and waterproof them in case you find yourself running errands during a rainy lunch hour. I like the “walkability” in this pair from Rockport — They were $130, but are now marked to $72 at 6pm. (They’re down to $59 at Rockport, but they’re final sale only.) Rockport – Sasha Peep Toe Pump (Raisin Suede) – Footwear N.B.: Peep toes are not appropriate for every office — know your office! Update: Both 6pm and Rockporthave a closed-toe version as well, huzzah!

I love these classic Carma OT Air pumps from Cole Haan — the ever so slight platform makes the higher heel walkable, while still being professional. These are on sale also: they were $275, now marked to $145.99. Cole Haan – Carma OT Air Pump (Royal Berry Suede) – Footwear

I’m not usually a bow person, but I could make an exception for these cute (and wow, very high: 3.75″) pumps by Elizabeth and James. Love the super-skinny stiletto heel. They’re $325 at Endless (also available in a turquoise, taupe, and black). Elizabeth and James Women’s Sebly Pump

Hello, lovah.  These are my favorite shoes of the roundup — love the cutouts, the more reasonable height (2.75″), even the exact shade of purple: dark enough to be conservative but noticeably purple.  Love.  They’re $328 at Endless (also available in black and a beigey “linen.”) Kate Spade New York Women’s Thelma Pump

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Reader D has a unique question: what to wear in the field?  More specifically, to visit a factory (and ride in her client’s plane!)

I am going on a site visit to a factory near Seattle.  The visit includes riding in a small plane and then visiting a large factory so I will need to be casual, wear flat comfortable shoes, yet still look professional.  Any advice?  Although I am a senior associate I will be the sole representative for my client and want to make sure I come off as professional as possible.

Congratulations on the opportunity — it sounds fun (riding in a private plane is on my Bucket List) and like a good career opportunity. As far as fashion goes, I think my answer depends on one question: can you wear denim around your client? If so, I think a pair of dark (preferably black) jeggings, tucked into flat boots, topped with a button-front and blazer, and accessorized with your normal work jewelry, would probably be my best guess for an outfit. (Update:  There’s a lot of disagreement with me in the comments, which is fine, but just to be clear: when I say “jeggings” — I mean skinny  jeans that have a bit of extra Spandex in them to make them more comfortable, but are still primarily denim.  E.g., these, these, or these. Not these.)  Here’s my thinking:

- Factory = boots. While ballet flats and other flat shoes have many things to recommend them, on the off (off) (off) chance something falls on your foot, you should be as protected as possible. Also, I think if there’s any uncertain footing that requires delicate stepping (e.g., over pipes), you’ll want to be in shoes that you know will not fall off. Oh, another reason: if it’s at all muddy or dusty on the runway (or in the factory), you’ll want the dust to stick to your boots rather than your pants.

- Factory and small plane = pants. See above re: delicate stepping.  I think it’s also possible in the factory you could be walking on grating, or on metal stairways, with people walking or working below, such that you wouldn’t want to wear a skirt.  I could also see there being some awkward stairways to get up to the plane (although it’s entirely possible I’ve just watched Arrested Development too much).

- Factory and small plane = tight-fighting, non-voluminous clothing. You wouldn’t want to get a flowing cardigan or skirt caught on a piece of machinery, or (ack) in some part of the propeller.

- Professional = blazer, dark pants. I would suggest that you carry over the jewelry you normally wear with suits to this more casual outfit — if it’s pearls and diamonds, do it; if it’s a statement necklace that you always wear, do it. Part of this is for a continuous look: the client has seen you wearing the jewelry before, and even though you’re in a different type of outfit now you’re still, at the core, the professional lawyer he knows. Another part of this is to help YOU feel confident and be in your zone for your most professional self. For me, for example, that means putting on my good watch whenever I have a business meeting, no matter what I’m wearing… even if I don’t wear the watch when I’m lazing around the house or hanging out with friends.

So all of these thoughts, above, send me to jeggings, flat boots (get ‘em shined before you go!), a nice top, a blazer, and your work jewelry. There are some non-denim leggings that have enough weight to the fabric that they can be worn as pants (despite the popular Buzzfeed “am I wearing pants” flowchart) — I got a nice ponte pair from Ann Taylor earlier this year. If you really would rather wear proper trousers, I might still advise wearing flat, knee-high boots beneath them — that way if conditions are really horrible you can tuck your pants into your boots.

A few other considerations: plane and runway = wind, so I might suggest pulling your hair back from the get-go. Keep in mind, though, that the factory may require you to wear a hardhat, hairnet, and/or goggles… so I wouldn’t do anything too fancy that will interfere with those requirements.  In other words: low “on purpose” ponytail, not a French twist.

Readers, have you had to visit factories (or, speak up ladies, how many of you have ridden in private planes)? What would you wear?

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.

There are so many fun colors out this season, but sometimes you just want a simple black bag — either so you don’t clash with what you’re wearing, so you tone down what you’re wearing, or just because, well, who doesn’t want a good black bag? These are all in what I’ll call the “mid-expensive” category (in that they’re not light decisions, but you don’t need to skip a rent payment to buy the bag), which is my favorite category to buy from, both for work and otherwise. As always, I’m sure great deals can be had if you stalk an item online, or haunt sales IRL. Readers, what color bag do you think of as your “basic”?  Purchased any great bags lately?

This Kate Spade bag (pictured above as well) is made from soft pebbled cowhide, and looks the perfect size to hold your handbag basics at 13.5″Wx4″Dx11″H. The handle drop is a comfortable 10.5″, and I like the zipper detail on the front flat, as well as the fun striped lining. It was $345, but is now marked to $229.90 at Zappos (also available in pink, orange, and beige). Kate Spade New York – Cobble Hill Penny (Black) – Bags and Luggage

I have the purple version of this bag, and I love it — the leather is soft and durable, and the shape is classic.  I’m surprised Zappos keeps showing it with just the longer strap because I find the shorter strap to be really comfortable. This simple black leather version was $398, but is now on sale for $239.99; Zappos has a number of other colors and textures as well. Cole Haan – Jenna Shoulder Bag (Black Leather) – Bags and Luggage

I’ve never owned one of Marc by Marc Jacobs’ Classic Q bags, although I’ve lusted over them for years — this may be the next purchase I make. Love the pebbled leather from the line, and I particularly like the look of this Ukita handbag, and the size (12″Wx4.5″Dx10.25″H) is perfect for lots of stuff. It says the handle drop is only 5″ but it looks plenty long in the picture. It’s $428 at Zappos (and they have it in leather in white, pink, and brown, and, polka-dot PVC). Marc by Marc Jacobs – Classic Q Lil Ukita (Black) – Bags and Luggage

We’ve talked about the MAB before, and I’ll say it again: I think this bag is a classic. This black quilted version is $525, but Zappos has another 11 colors to choose from. It’s $525 at Zappos. Rebecca Minkoff – Mab Mini (Black 2) – Bags and Luggage

I like Furla bags so much that I’m going to include this bag, even though size-wise it is both shorter and deeper than I normally like (11″Wx6.25″Dx10″H). I do like the mix of “deer grain-embossed calf leather” and regular leather, as well as the unique dome shape. It’s $548 at Zappos.  Furla Handbags – Amalfi Dome Bag – Small (Onyx) – Bags and Luggage (N.B.: This bag isn’t among the sales, but Furla is on Rue La La today, fwiw.)

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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.

We’re heading into prime sheath dress weather right now — not only is it great for layering in spring (beneath blazers or cardigans, or occasionally on top of blouses), but it’s a workhorse in sticky hot summers. I actually meant to write about black sheath dresses (especially since I’m in the market for one myself) but was so unexcited about all of the black sheath dresses, and instead found so many great colorful sheath dresses, that I thought I’d feature those instead. Readers, have you gotten any great sheath dresses recently? Have you bought any colorful sheath dresses in the past that became favorites?

(Psst: if you like the picture at left, please consider Pinning it on Pinterest! You can follow me here.)

Ann Taylor is having a 30% off sale on full-price dresses, which makes this rayon/spandex machine-washable blend one of the least expensive. I like the color (“Riviera” is pictured, but it’s also available in a lighter blue/green and black) and the knot detail. It was $98, but with the discount it comes to $68. Twist Knot Dress

I think the model is wearing this crepe dress by Tahari by ASL several sizes too large — with a proper fit this could be a great dress. Zappos has it in cobalt (pictured), dark green and red for $79.99; Nordstrom has it in a lighter turquoise for $118. Tahari by ASL – Keith Crepe Sleeveless Belted Dress (Cobalt) – Apparel

I know there are many who hate the “exposed zipper” trend, but if you’re not in that camp, this could be a great purpley/ink dress.  I particularly like the square neck — perfect for beneath blazers.  It was $138, but the price comes to $93.75 with the 25% off sale going on at Last Call. Marc New York by Andrew Marc Square-Neck Sheath Dress

Of course, there is a Mondrian-inspired colorblocked dress from Calvin Klein.  I like that it’s available in regulars, petites, and plus sizes for $129.50-$139.50 at Bloomingdale’s. Calvin Klein Color Block Sheath Dress

This one is actually my favorite, even though I know from experience the color would make me look absolutely ill.  But I love that textured fabric (going in two directions!), the diagonal cut-out, and, apparently, patterned lining.  Lovely.  It’s $169 at Lord & Taylor. KAY UNGER Diagonal Cut-Out Sheath Dress

Gooooorgeous dress from Diane von Furstenberg.  I think the asymmetrical seams across the bodice are both interesting and flattering, and the “sailor blue” color makes me hap-hap-happy.  It’s $325 at Saks. Diane von Furstenberg Jori Day Dress

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Back in January — inspired by a Mint article — we took a look at tax-savvy investment vehicles such as 401Ks and IRAs. Today, let’s look at some of the other tax-friendly ways to save, such as 529s and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Just as a reminder — according to the article, “The Value of Tax-Deferred Savings.” “[u]nless you make enough money to max out all of your tax-advantaged accounts (401(k), IRA, 529, HSA, and the like), it rarely makes sense to do any investing outside them.” (Please note, I am not a financial adviser — this is all just my personal knowledge, so take it with a grain of salt.)

(Pictured: PS1 Wallet, available in 8 colors at ProenzaSchouler.com for $165.)

Like we did before, let’s go through the main questions on everyone’s mind…

• What’s the advantage?
• How much can you put into it?
• Who can use it?
• Can you use it to put a downpayment on a house, or pay for something else big (wedding, car, schooling, etc)?
• When can you take it out?

529 Plans

• What’s the advantage?

There are two types of 529 plans: pre-paid tuition plans and college savings plans; every state has at least one type of plan. College saving plans allow you to establish an account for a beneficiary; depending on which state’s 529 plan you choose you have different options for investments. (For example, my husband and I recently opened a 529 plan in New York State for our son. The NY plan is managed by Vanguard, so there are a ton of investing options, including many index funds.) Withdrawals from college savings plans can “generally be used at any college or university.” Tax benefits really depend on which state you’re in (as well as which state’s plan you’re investing in). Earnings in 529 plans are not subject to federal tax, and in most cases, state tax, so long as you use withdrawals for eligible college expenses (tuition, room and board, even books sometimes). In some states, if you’re a resident of the state, you get an additional state tax deduction — for example, NY taxpayers investing in the NY Direct Plan can deduct up to $5,000 ($10,000 for married couples filing jointly) from their state taxes (but not their federal taxes).  Other states may offer matching grants, and a few even allow state tax deductions if you contribute to any 529 plan.

• How much can you put into it?

It depends on the state; I would recommend focusing on how much you can put in and still get the state tax deduction. For NY, for example, you can put more than $10K in per year — but it doesn’t make sense to (particularly because you have to pay gift taxes after you hit $13K).

• Who can use it?

Anyone can open a 529 plan, even people without children. Because you can change the “beneficiary” once a year, you can begin saving before you have children, or even save for yourself if you plan on going back to school.

• Can you use it to put a downpayment on a house, or pay for something else big (wedding, car, schooling, etc)?

If you withdraw money from a 529 plan and do not use it on “eligible college expenses,” you generally will be subject to income tax and an additional 10% federal tax penalty on earnings.

• When can you take it out?

This depends on the state and the plan — most do not require a minimum holding period.

Health Saving Plans

• What’s the advantage?

A Health Savings Account allows people in high-deductible medical plans to save money for medical expenses in a tax-preferred way by claiming a tax deduction for contributions you make to your HSA. The contributions remain in your account from year to year until you use them, and the interest and other earnings on the assets in the account are tax free.

• How much can you put into it?

In 2012, you can contribute up to $3100 if you’re a single, or $6,250 for families.

• Who can use it?

You only qualify for an HSA if you are covered under a “high deductible health plan,” described in 2012 as having a minimum annual deductible (for self) of $1200 or (for family coverage) of $2400.  (Full disclosure: I don’t have an HSA, but realized in writing this post that my family and I may qualify for one — my insurance plan (Oxford) has a whole little section on its website for HSAs, including how to open an account.)

• Can you use it to put a downpayment on a house, or pay for something else big (wedding, car, schooling, etc)?

Not really: If you receive distributions from your HSA for reasons other than qualified medical expenses, the amount you withdraw will be subject to income tax and may be subject to an additional 20% tax.

• When can you take it out?

When you pay medical expenses during the year that are not reimbursed by your insurance plan (such as because you haven’t hit the deductible limit), you can ask the trustee of your HSA to send you a distribution from your HSA. You do not need to take it out every year, and the HSA can go with you when you switch jobs.

Readers, do you have HSAs or 529 plans?  How have they worked out for you?

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.

With the first day of spring almost here (I believe it’s tomorrow, March 20!) everybody needs a lightweight jacket. Here in NYC it rains so much that I’m always looking for a great rain coat to serve as my lightweight jacket, but I hate double-breasted jackets. Here’s my case against them: not only do they usually look stupid when worn open, they often have to be fitted so close to your body to look good that it’s hard to fit a blazer under there — which for me is always an essential. So I thought I’d round up some jackets out there that, in addition to being lightweight, possibly weatherproof (or at least weather-friendly), can also possibly fit a blazer beneath them. Readers, have you recently bought a rain coat? What do you look for in a great one?

This one is far from sexy, but could be great if you live in a super rainy area.  I like that it doesn’t look too sporty, even though it’s by Patagonia  And at 70% off for Prussian Blue, you can’t go wrong — was $279, now $83.70 at 6pm.com. Patagonia – Arborist Trench Coat (Prussian Blue) – Apparel

This belted raincoat from Portrait is super simple  — I like the straight silhouette, the optional belt, the slanted pockets, and the sale — was $200, now marked to $140, but use promo code SALE to bring it down to $112 at Lord & Taylor.  Nice. PORTRAIT Belted Raincoat

I like that this trench from JNY is a sophisticated yet cheerful color.  It was $269, but is now marked to $129 and available in S, M, and L. Jones New York Trench Coat

I think this looks fairly chic for a waterproof, windproof, breathable jacket — particularly one that comes in four different colors. It was $149, but is now marked to $129 at Eddie Bauer. WeatherEdge® Girl on the Go® Trench Coat

This is the swingiest of all of the coats, but I really like this cotton trench from Mango — especially the black piping and dark buttons against the neutral beige. It’s $139.99 at Mango.com. A-line cotton trench

This is a cute single-breasted trench from Rachel Zoe.  I particularly like the strong shoulders (apparently, with epaulets).  The trench is $575 at Nordstrom. Rachel Zoe ‘Thompson’ Belted Cargo Trench

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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.

Pumps are all well and good, but if you’re like me — particularly while it’s still tights weather — they can be a little hard to walk in. This is why my closet has always contained a lot of Mary Jane heels, as well as other heels with straps. It can be a bit tricky to find some that don’t a) visually cut your leg at the worst possible point, and b) make you look like a little girl — so I thought I’d round up a few. Readers, how often do you wear heels with straps? Any favorite brands, or great steals recently?

I like this wedge-like heel from Franco Sarto. We featured it in the red a few months ago, but the black is too classic not to include. I particularly like the lowish heel (2.5″). It was $85, but is now marked to $47.97 at Endless. (If you like the brand but want more of a heel, check out these Odell pumps at Nordstrom, almost entirely sold out in the black but still very available in the light beige.) Franco Sarto Women’s Eureka Open-Toe Pump

I always like the brand Isola (the more fashionable sister to the brands Born and Sofft). These very high heels are the kind of thing I’d wear with an A-line skirt. The black snake/black patent version (pictured) was $185, but is now marked to $57 at 6pm.com.  Isola – Cadria (Black Snake/Black Patent) – Footwear

Rockport.com (which just started its Warehouse Sale) has this cute “angular” Mary Jane in black, brown, and gray. I like that this one has “adiPRENE” technology from adidas included in the shoe. It was $120, but is marked to $59 (plus free shipping); 6pm and Amazon both have limited sizes as low as $37. Lianna Angular MJ

These Kate Spade heels are lovely and classic — and marked down! They were $315, but are now marked to $220.99 at Zappos Couture. Kate Spade New York – Kea (Black Patent) – Footwear

I’ve been eyeing these “design your own” shoes from Milk and Honey. I particularly like that you can choose a skinny strap, a thicker strap, or a double strap, and you can make the strap any color you want, including a “nude for you” like a beige, pink or brown. Prices start at $250.

I like these Manolo Blahnik “Mladari” pumps with a very low mary jane strap.  They’re $685 at Nordstrom. Manolo Blahnik ‘Mladari’ Mary Jane Pump

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