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.
 |
 |
 Franco Sarto – Cicero |
 |
 Stuart Weitzman – Blog |
Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!
(L-all)
{ 140 comments }
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.
It’s been a while since we rounded up cute laptop sleeves and computer bags here at Corporette, and I thought now might be a great time to do it… I find the plain black laptop bags and sleeves so boring! Readers, have you found any great laptop bags or sleeves? Do you have a preference?
 Love, Margaux has some fashionable designs for both a “commuter carryall” (pictured above) and a laptop sleeve (pictured at right). I really like the fun fabrics in heavyweight cotton, the padding for the laptop, and the multiple compartments for cables and personal things. The commuter carryall can fit laptops up to 17″; the sleeve up to 15″. |
 Aleysa Bags are big enough for a 15″ laptop, and have a fun retro vibe in lovely colors like eggplant and kelly green. They’re $265 at Aleysabags.com. Exquisite Eggplant |
 Personally, I tend to prefer sleeves to computer bags, and I like these colorful ones from StuffItBag. They’re handmade, machine washable, and only $30 per bag — and they have bags to fit laptops from 9 inches to 17 inches. |
 Don’t forget the department stores either — Bloomingdale’s, for example, has a variety of cute sleeves and bags from designers such as Kate Spade (pictured – on sale for $42),Rebecca Minkoff, Diane von Furstenberg, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Moleskine, Juicy Couture, and Harajuku Lovers. |
 Finally, I always feel like Built is the gold standard — they wear really well, they protect the computer in a lightweight way, and the fun colors makes the bags easy to find in a dark bag. I’m a huge fan of the Built sleeves, particularly. Sold at Amazon and Zappos.com. |
Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!
(L-3)
{ 23 comments }
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 feel like a good black tote bag is something every professional woman needs — particularly if you’re gearing up for interviews. They’re large enough for a folder with your resume, as well as some reading or work (should you find yourself waiting or with some free time), and they’re also great for stashing all of the items you generally carry in your purse. Readers, have you recently purchased any great black tote bags? Do you have a classic that you’ve been using for years?
 |
  Tumi is another brand I know and like, particularly for business bags for men and women. I like the leather and nylon combination of this one, as well as the little details like the feet on the bag and the interior pockets. It’s $345 at Amazon. Tumi Voyageur Derby Business Tote |
 |
Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!
{ 88 comments }
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 covered beige pumps back in February when they were first appearing in the stores — but since so many are now hitting the sales racks (and there’s still two months of good weather for them) I thought we’d revisit. Readers, let us know if you’ve found any great shoe sales (especially in nude-for-you colors) in the comments!
 |
 Mesh shoe accents get mixed reactions on this site, but I like these very low kitten heels from Ellen Tracy. I like the preppy bow, as well as the fact that your heel is covered a bit. The pumps were $99 — Lord & Taylor have the pumps for the best price ($47.99), but very limited sizes; also check Endless for more sizes (at $70.95). Ellen Tracy Women’s Kylie Pump |
|
 |
Like this feature? Check out other recent installments! Also, don’t forget to check out The Corporette Guide to Comfortable Heels!
(L-all)
{ 17 comments }
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.
Maybe it’s just me, but the ruffled white blouse is everywhere this season. Yes, yes, there are lots of pirate/Labyrinth jokes to be made, but this is something that you will be seeing a ton of this summer and probably on into winter. So I thought we’d round up some of the best out there, in a range of prices. First, let’s check out some of the higher-end things for inspiration:
 I like the floaty quality to the crepe de chine here, the wispy ruffled collar, and the fact that it’s both a tie and a blouse. This one was $690 at Saks, but is now on sale for $414. Oscar de la Renta Ruffle Front Sleeveless Blouse |
Now for the more affordable ones — I think that in general, the more fitted the blouse is, and the “looser” the ruffles, (nothing overly crisp or clown-like) the better the blouse looks for the office. And even though I generally dislike tucking blouses, they do generally look so much better when tucked. I’d wear any of these under a blazer or even a cardigan for the office, paired with a clean, classic bottom, such as a pencil skirt or a pair of trousers. I’d avoid girly accessories and matches to this — an A-line skirt, a pink cardigan, etc. would all make it overly feminine for the office, in my opinion.
 This blouse (which we’ve featured before in the darker print version) is gorgeous — and available in Petite and Woman sizes. I like that the ruffles go all the way down to the waistband, and like the relaxed look to the V-neck collar (although I do see a top button, so you can fasten it all the way to your neck if you desire). The slight puff to the sleeves looks lovely, also. It’s $79.50 at Ralph Lauren. Loryna Cotton Ruffled Blouse |
 |
 |
Readers, which of the ruffled blouses is your favorite? (If you’ve seen another one that’s still for sale, please share it in the comments!) What do you think of wearing them for the office?
Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!
{ 17 comments }
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.
A good sheath dress is one of those must-have basics for a working wardrobe. They can be worn in a multitude of ways — gussied up with a blazer, stylized with a cardigan and a skinny belt, or (depending on whether bare arms are appropriate in your office), worn by themselves with some fun accessories. They’re great for travel, for transitioning from desk to dinner, and always seem to work well for those “I don’t quite know what to wear” situations. A true office-appropriate sheath dress will be bra-friendly, and I generally think of them as having a zipper in the back that comes all the way to the base of your neck (i.e., none of your back is exposed). Personally, I look for a neckline that is high enough for the office without being too high. (Random Kat story here: I once bought a great Previewwool sheath dress at an outlet mall — it was a well-known brand reduced from something close to $200 down to $9.99. I wore it four or five times before I figured out what was wrong with it — the crew-cut neckline was too high, and I kind of looked like I was choking in it. Since that day: I never recommend something with too high of a neckline.) I round up the best dresses in the most classic colors below, but if you’re looking for a colored sheath dress, check out the ones I found in teal blue, brown, green
, beige, purple or orange, gray tweed, leopard
, and navy linen. Readers, have you gotten a great sheath dress recently? Have you found them as versatile as I have?
 |
 I like the notched neckline for this AK Anne Klein dress (also part of Macy’s EDV line), as well as the fact that it has matching blazer. It’s available in navy, black, and a pale grey for $79 at Macy’s. AK Anne Klein Dress, Sleeveless Notched Neckline Sheath |
 This plain v-neck dress from Jones New York has everything (although the back dips a bit lower than I’d like, it still will hide bra straps). I like the slight A-line to the skirt, as well. It’s $99 at Jones New York. Jones New York Dress Platinum V Neck Suit Dress (Black) |
| I’m not familiar with the brand Louben, but I’m intrigued that this dress is “designed to travel with ease,” allegedly coming out of the suitcase “looking lovely and ready to wear.” Nice! It’s $158 in black at Dillards (sizes 4-16). Louben Sheath Dress |
 I like the Allura shift dress from J.Crew, available in both Super120s (in black, navy, heather flannel (pictured), and light heather gray) and superfine cotton (in navy, smoky graphite, and beechwood). I particularly like the shirred neckline. The wool is $178, and the cotton is $158 at JCrew.com. |
Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!
(L-#)
{ 134 comments }
Copyright © 2008–2012
