OK, we thought we’d give the coffee cups a rest and try something new for the weekend open thread — a recommendation for weekend/casual clothing. Today we’re liking this cotton sweater from Jones New York, which comes in pink and black. It’s a wee bit too casual for every day at the office (unless your office is already pretty casual), but it’s a great look for running errands around town or just lounging around the house. It’s on sale at Macy’s — now $89, was $119, available in sizes S-XL. Jones New York Signature Sweater, Button Pocket Cardigan
In the meantime — something on your mind? Chat about it here.
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We’ve heard from a few readers about their offices allowing jeans to be worn on Fridays. As one reader put it, “I am a bit confused, however, about what type of shirt/top I should wear with the jeans.”
It’s an interesting dilemma — on the one hand, yay jeans! You feel more comfortable, you can go out after work, and jeans need to be washed less than a lot of trousers. On the other hand — yay, sartorial conundrum.
Our initial thoughts on the matter are thus:
- Ripped jeans should never be worn to the office (the possible exception being on the weekend, but never if you’re working with other people on the weekend — and never ripped anywhere but the knee)
- To us, extensively faded jeans seem a bit more casual — the darker, more solid-colored the jean, the better for the office
- Try to wear niceish shoes with your jeans — not sneakers. We love to wear boots with jeans; if a pump is casual enough then it’s a nice way to elevate the look. Colorful flats, or other heeled shoes (wedges, Mary-Janes, T-straps) also go well with jeans, particularly with a stacked pump.
- Before you leave the house, crouch down in your jeans. How’s the situation in the back? If “not good,” add a belt. If the answer is the same and you’re already wearing a belt, switch pants.
- OK, finally, our reader’s question — what tops. Our $.02 for professional-looking wear includes:
- a cotton button-down top — maybe worn belted, maybe (if it’s fitted) worn untucked — maybe with a sweater vest on top
- a twinset
- a matchy look, like a gray t-shirt with a gray boyfriend cardigan (or, hey, black on black)
- a blazer, either with a t-shirt beneath it or a blouse
Readers, what are your thoughts? Can you wear jeans to the office? And what do you wear with them, if you can? (And, which brand of jeans do you prefer?)
Pictured above: Women: Perfect boot jeans (dark wash) – dark
, available at Gap.com for $69.50. (We haven’t tried these on yet but have heard good things about them!)
Shop more jeans, below…
We recently got this request in from a reader…
Hi. I have a question about semi-formal attire I was hoping you and/or your readers could answer. I have been invited to attend a law firm event (cocktails and dinner) in early April and the invitation says attire is semi-formal. I was hoping for your thoughts on what is and is not semi-formal and maybe two or three suggestions for dresses that would fit the bill. I am still in law school, so I’m looking for something I could wear to more than one occasion. I’m hoping to keep the price to around $100. Thanks!
Semi-formal: the bane of everyone’s existence. It isn’t formal, it isn’t cocktail, and no one knows what to wear. So… where does that leave you?
Our advice here is to go on the conservative side of cocktail. Your goal is Jackie Kennedy, not Marilyn Monroe (or, ahem, Romy and Michele). As general rules, shiny fabrics and anything bedazzled are out; we would also not recommend strapless (unless worn with a bolero jacket or shrug). Sleeveless dresses are harder to avoid, but you can make them more demure by wearing a wrap. On the flip side, you don’t want to be too boring — a plain cotton or wool fabric will be too casual for the event. If you’re looking for something to wear for more than one occasion, black is your friend. Furthermore, we have no problem keeping the dress itself on the cheaper side — you may even be able to borrow something from a friend at the firm. But you may want to consider splurging on accessories — shoes, clutch, a beaded wrap, a sparkly brooch, a cocktail ring, et cetera.
The below are just some suggestions of what we’d wear… in reality, with your budget, we’d recommend hitting Filene’s, Loehman’s, and outlet malls (particularly if there’s an Ann Taylor outlet near you — we used to live near one and got numerous cocktail dresses for great prices). Readers, please weigh in, particularly if you have a recent sighting of an inexpensive but appropriate semi-formal dress!
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We like that this one has sleeves and is knee-length, but is still fancy. (Although it’s pictured in champagne, it comes in black as well.) We’d wear it with a sparkly brooch and a nice clutch, as well as some fancy shoes. It’s marked to $137 at Bloomingdales (we think only the petites are left). Sutton Studio Exclusive Petites’ Stretch Satin Pleated Shawl Collar Dress |
This dress breaks a few of our rules — there’s beading, it’s sleeveless — but the neckline is so high and the fabric so fluid that we think it would work also. We’d wear it with a wrap, though, to make it a bit more demure. Price-wise, you can’t go wrong: it’s marked to $88 from $298 at MaxStudio.com.
GRECIAN EMPIRE DRESS
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We’re less than thrilled about this one, but it will do the job: it’s tasteful and within your price range. Nothing sheer or shiny; high neckline; nothing too “out there” fashionwise. And, it’s on ridiculous sale if you’re a lucky size 8: $415 down to $76.49 at Bluefly (price may be good for today only). Chetta B Black Satin V-neck Short Dress |
