I must say, I was worried for a while that MZ Wallace was phasing out its super popular, highly rated, reader-beloved nylon line, in favor of its new quilted pieces (such as here or here). Happily, they still seem to be in stock, and just as highly rated as ever at Nordstrom. These nylon bags are lightweight, durable, and great for summer because they don’t add a lot of bulk, particularly if you’re walking for your commute. The pictured bag is $385. MZ Wallace ‘Eliza – Bedford’ Nylon Satchel
Archives for June 2015
Coffee Break: ‘Eliza – Bedford’ Nylon Satchel
06/30/2015 by
Business Casual Maxi Dresses
06/30/2015 by
How should you style a maxi dress for a business casual office? Reader P wonders…
I’m lucky enough to work in an office where I can wear maxi dresses on more casual days. It’s generally a relaxed business casual environment, with employees adjusting their dressy/casual levels depending on their external meeting schedules (so one person might be suited up while another is donning khaki capris). Do you have any suggestions for styling a maxi dress (my summertime staple!) to be appropriate and chic for the office? Mine all have wide enough straps to be work appropriate, but they seem *too* casual without a layering piece. I’ve tried to pair them with jackets and cardigans, but for whatever reason, I can’t get the proportions to line up just right. Is there a particular style/shape/length of topper that you’d recommend? Thanks!
Hmmmn. I’m still pretty anti-maxi dresses for the office, but I’m going to take Reader P at her word that, for her office, they’re totally appropriate — and this also may be a useful question for people going in to the office on a weekend and unexpectedly getting pulled into a meeting, or so forth, so let’s discuss. (Pictured: French Connection Brushstroke Print Jersey Maxi Dress, available at Nordstrom for $94, was $158.)
Tuesday’s TPS Report: Lee V-Neck Body-Con Dress
06/30/2015 by
Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
For those of you looking for the perfect sheath dress, I present this lovely little number from Reiss. I like the full lining, the seams, the flattering but high V, and the cap sleeves — I particularly like how the sleeves would work with a blazer, cardigan, or by themselves, and how the neckline flares up a bit so it’ll peek out of a blazer like a collar. Lovely. It’s $340. Reiss Lee V-Neck Body-Con Dress
Here are two lower-priced options and a plus-size alternative.
Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail [email protected]
Coffee Break: Shirt Lock Belt
06/29/2015 by
This solution won’t work for everyone, but a reader wrote in responding to our very old post on how to keep your blouses tucked in — and noting that these Shirt Locks work wonders. They seem to be mainly marketed to the uniform set (as in, school uniforms and coach uniforms), but I could also see them being a simple solution for women who don’t like the other options such as bodysuits. This Shirt Lock was the product recommended by the reader ($18-$23ish at Amazon), but there are a number of different products for shirt stays. Shirt Lock Belt
Stylish, Comfortable Shoes That Are Made to Last
06/29/2015 by
For some women it makes more sense to splurge on “investment” shoes for work that (hopefully) you can wear for years, rather than choose cheaper ones that you’ll keep having to replace. Reader M wonders:
I am struggling with my shoe game! I would like to invest in shoes that are stylish, comfortable, and long lasting. I notice that guys purchase one expensive pair of work shoes but they last their entire careers. I work in the finance area in a young company. Have you seen any gems lately you would like to share?
I’m curious to hear what readers think here, because I have mixed opinions about this. First, the “classic” black pump does change — right now toes are pointy; in recent years they were almond-shaped instead. Second, beware of pregnancy, aging, and feet — many women find that their shoe size will change throughout their lives. Personally I gained about a half size with each pregnancy, which — after having to donate the vast majority of my shoe collection — makes me happy I never committed and spent the money on that pair of Manolos or Choos. Even just with aging, your arches may fall and your feet may widen. So: I kind of don’t believe in “lifetime” shoes for women.
Splurge Monday’s TPS Report: Zip-Front Perforated Peplum Jacket
06/29/2015 by
Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
I’m not a beige girl, but I LOVE this cool perforated peplum blazer from Akris Punto — so lovely. It looks cool (both physically and in vibe), rich, and on trend. It’s $1590, alas (at which point, hey, just spend the extra $390 to get the matching skirt and you have a suit!). Akris Punto Zip-Front Perforated Peplum Jacket
Here’s a (much) lower-priced version and a plus-size option.
Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail [email protected]
