While I lurve this credit card case, I must admit that I’d probably use it for business cards rather than credit cards (since I prefer that magnetized cards get their own slots, but maybe that’s just me). Love the large print and the mirror inside. Unfortunately, the blue one pictured is nearly sold out at Amazon
and Amazon
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Reader R wonders about belts…
Can you do a post on belts? Specifically belts to be worn through belt loops on pants (not the over the shirt/dress accessory type). I realized this morning that I have not bought a belt in years and I have always been awkward about wearing them. I rarely tuck my shirt into my pants, preferring sweater tops I can wear out, so I don’t usually wear a belt with my pants. Should I? Is there something to my husband’s theory that pants sit better when worn with a belt, even if it’s not seen? Or is that visible “belt bump” under a sweater worn out a no-no? What kind of belt will I get the most mileage out of? Is there an appropriate belt for jeans (for those of us lucky enough to be able to wear jeans to the office occasionally)?
I remember reading years ago that a 1″ belt was an absolute must-have for a well-dressed woman, so I dutifully went out and bought a 1″ belt in what I thought was a decent leather. I found that it primarily sat, unused, because in general I prefer to leave shirts untucked, so the belt just never got added to the outfit when I was getting dressed in the mornings. To me, that’s the dividing line — a belt should be worn if you’re tucking things in; otherwise it’s a matter of preference. (There are caveats here, such as if your pants are too big for you, or the waist of your pants is too big for you — but keep in mind that while a belt will solve some problems (e.g., gaping, pants falling down), that it will create a “bunching” look, and ultimately you either need tailoring or new pants. (Pictured: Lauren by Ralph Lauren Italian Croco Leather Belt, 1″W, available at Bloomingdale’s for $48.)
Incidentally, I grabbed one of my style books (Accessories (Chic Simple)
So, readers — how often do you wear simple belts? Why do you do so (to make pants lay neatly? To “finish” a look)? Any favorite basic belts?
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As we drift into springy and summery weather (finally) we are rediscovering our love of lightweight scarves. For temperatures in the low 70s, the scarf always strikes us as the perfect accessory. Wrap it around your neck (multiple times, if you like) on your way to work, or use it as a stole if you’re sitting outside having a drink or grabbing a bite after work. The best part, we think: unlike a jacket, it’s easy to scrunch the scarf up and stick it in your bag if the weather suddenly turns hotter. Today, we’re liking this Spring Garden scarf from Affordable Scarves — at $11.26, it’s definitely affordable. Spring Garden Pashmina
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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 always on the hunt for a great card case. At the moment, we’ve been keeping our business cards in our wallet — tucked behind our cash! — but there’s something unprofessional about pulling out a wallet during a business conversation. To us, a great card case has the following factors:
With that in mind, here are some great examples of business card cases that we would consider buying. Readers, what do you look for in a business card case? Which ones do you carry?
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There are a ton of bright and colorful card holders available on Etsy, including this fun lime green one with turquoise lining. As it’s fabric, we’d guess it won’t hold up that well to lots of dirt and grime, but on the plus side it will be very easy to find in your bag. It’s $5 at Etsy: Mini Wallet/Business Card Holder from Etsy seller baffinbags. |
We like the metal look of this one, and the pretty — but not overly girly — filigree and color on the top. It’s available at Amazon.com for $10.99 from seller SilverHooks, who has a lot of cute card cases (and purse hooks). Pink Business Card Holder |
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For a very classic look, we like this polished gunmetal card case at Things Remembered. Pro: The inscription is on the inside of the case, allowing you to put a funny or inspirational quote there if you’d like to. Con: We’re not sure how beat up this would get in a woman’s handbag. Personalized Polished Gunmetal Card Case, starting at $20 at Thingsremembered.com. (If you like the look of this one but want something fancier, check out the plaid business card case at Tiffany’s. |
| We like the bright colors and the magnetic flap on these leather card cases from Saks. Graphic Image Business Card Case, |
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If you love the signature robin’s egg blue of Tiffany’s, this is your card case. Pro: You’ll always find it in a dark bag. Con: It might get dirty really easily. (Readers, what are your thoughts — is there a risk that in a business environment the owner of this card case might get labeled as a husband-chaser? We can’t decide, but love the case anyway.) Tiffany & Co. Business Card Case, $65 at Tiffany.com. (Hat tip to Marie Claire.) |
| We like the somber colors of these leather card holders from Vivre, as well as the fact that you can get matching journals and passport holders. Stamped Croc Card Cases, available at Vivre.com for $87. (If you like this but were thinking, “gee, if only it were more expensive,” check out the Nancy Gonzalez Crocodile Card Case, which looks exceedingly similar, available at Vivre for $390. |
Shop more business card cases, below…
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Reader L writes to us, wondering:
Can you do an article about how to wear brooches / pins? They always look so nice on Michelle Obama. I bought two of them and have no idea if they are work-appropriate or what to do with them…
Personally, we love brooches. (Pictured above: Nonogram Pin, available at Brooks Brothers for $29.60 (was $148).) Back around 2003 it was all the rage to wear 2-4 of them (at least, it always seemed like that’s what Stacey and Clinton were advising folks to do); now, thanks to Michelle Obama, they’ve regained popularity. We’re not sure they ever went “out of style” completely, though—in other words, if you like the way they look and Michelle Obama stops wearing them for some reason, you can still wear them.
There are lots of ways to wear brooches, obviously. On the lapel of your jacket or blazer is the most obvious place — this works best with more delicate-looking brooches, but can be done with larger brooches as well. We’ve seen Michelle wear them as ways to keep a cardigan closed; we’d advise going with a fairly muted, large brooch (the one above is a bit fancy, but would work well for this purpose) and positioning it in the middle of your abdomen — well below your breasts. We’re a big fan of wearing a large, colorful brooch with a solid-colored turtleneck or scoopneck; wear the brooch not on your chest but in the region between your clavicle and shoulder. Finally, for work, we’d also include the brooch-as-hair accessory — if you’re doing a low ponytail or a half-up do: try pinning the brooch in your hair so it anchors to the elastic — it’ll just look like a really lovely barrette.
The more shiny/sparkly a brooch is, the less appropriate it is to work (at least, for our $.02). We’d wear these kinds of brooches to dinner parties and black-tie dinners, though; pinned to the dress at the waist (either centered or at the side), or pinned to the shoulder/clavicle region. If you have two matching brooches you like, you can try to pin them to your dress at the shoulder–we’re thinking of some old scene in a Claudette Colbert or perhaps Katharine Hepburn movie where the heroine wears a sleeveless, Grecian-type drapey dress and does this.
In general, keep in mind that the brooch — worn for work — should bring attention to your face; not your chest or your outfit.
Readers, any opinions on brooches? Shop more brooches, below…
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So about a week and a half ago we ran a poll about flip-flops — specifically, whether they were ever acceptable to wear to the office. Poll is ongoing, but thus far, these are the answers…
Are flip-flops acceptable to wear IN the office? According to 68% of you, NO.
Are flip-flops acceptable to wear to office-sponsored social gatherings? According to 70% of you, only if it’s a BBQ or outdoor event.
Are flip-flops acceptable to wear TO the office? 51% said sure, as long as you change into regular shoes when you get to the office. (A surprising 20% of you said No! Never.)
The picture above may not (according to most of you guys) be appropriate for the office, but damn they’re cute. Sigerson Morrison – 7948 (Green Patent) – Footwear, available at Zappos for $299.
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