Thank you so much for thinking of Corporette! Please note that we’re not terribly fast with replying to reader mail — although we promise that if your request is somewhat timely then we’ll try to get to it in time!
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Please note that we don’t cover any of the following:
- book reviews
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Thank you!
susan
How about a link to any places or clothing lines for women with large busts. I’ve learnd to hate shopping because nothing fits. and buying a bigger size means that it has to be taken in all over, which is expensive and time-consuming. I would think that with more women having breast implants this would be a burgeoning industry.
Pun intended, but this is a serious question.
Thanks
susan
PS — i saw the 2008 post — but I’m hoping there is more out there…
Jess
I recently accepted a job at a medium-sized law firm…after working in government for the last four years. Currently, my work attire consists entirely of old, ill-fitting black suits, plain shirts, and flats, as my government job is very conservative, and I’m in court nearly every day. The firm is “business casual.” What does this mean, and what are some key pieces I can buy to mix-and-match?
jo
You’ve previously discussed how to dress [appropriately] for the office pool party. For us newbies or summer associates, could you address dressing properly for other summer activities with people from the office? I’m going to an upcoming sports event with my co-workers after work, but they’ve made it clear its also a networking event/opportunity to improve client relations, so I’m assuming that dress can’t be too casual. This isn’t a “team-building” event, so there’s no cheesy office “team” t-shirt to wear as a default.
nmm
Anyone ever order anything from this site? http://www.eshakti.com/default.asp.
The clothes are semi-custom and come in a full range of sizes. Small charges to adjust sleeves, neckline, and hem length. They have a whole section devoted to the LBD some of which are work appropriate. The prices seem reasonable. For the hard to fit, which seems like most of us, this seems like a great option so I would love to find out if anyone has any experience with them and what the quality of the clothes are like.
Just sign me,
Dying to get something doesn’t need altering for once
MC
I work for a very conservative, private club. Everyone in our office is required to follow a strict dress code (Management, like myself, included)… As in: plain gray slacks or skirt and a white, collared, button-front blouse with black shoes. The idea is for any one of us to be able to throw on our club-provided navy blue blazer at any time and look “uniform”. I attempted to wear striped gray slacks once, and was told that was a “no no”. After a year here, I was finally able to get our GM’s approval to wear colored shirts (light pinks, blues and yellows are the only colors he has approved at this time – plain, no patterns). I’ve attempted to “jazz up” the uniform with bold jewelry, nice shoes, etc. but am getting antzy again and am feeling too boring.
Any suggestions for pumping up and otherwise boring uniform?
Sammy
I saw some really nice shoes that would have had been comfotable if I didnt hvae wide feet but for the rest of us that are still looking for nice, comfy heels. Check out Terra plana. Sooooooooo nice and not too expensive
look at the rita black on page 3 :-D
Kristen
HELP! I don’ t know if this is the right spot to submit pleas for fashion help, but I am going to try. I am attending a formal event in NYC in central park (the boathouse) in about a week, for the annual party of my boyfriend’s law firm (I’m also in the legal field). I want to a unique dress that will impress, but I also need to look professional, and not over or under-dressed. I need guidance. Is it ok to wear color? Short or long? Strapless/backless/halter??? What is appropriate and what will cause uncomfortable stares? I appreciate any help anyone can suggest!
Michelle Glass
There’s a new website out there where you can free wardrobe advice. It’s called canIwearThis.com. You just post a picture of your outfit and people let you know their thoughts.
khn
Any advice on nice-looking and comparatively inexpensive laptop bags/briefcases? I’m a summer associate at a large consulting firm and will be spending the summer on the road- I don’t think my Longchamp will cut it for keeping me organized etc.
Anna
I have extremely curly hair that looks terrible when blow dried (yes, I’ve tried a diffuser and virtually every hair product on the market). I have to wet it in the mornings in order to keep the frizz at bay, and the only way it looks even remotely presentable is to let it air dry. So basically, it’s wet every day until about 11 am. Is that terribly unprofessional? Am I hurting my career here? Is there something else I should try? Thanks!
marigami
I am a french petite lady currently working in a bank (one of the world top 7) as an exec assistant at hig level. Yes I know I am no lawyer neither consultant or manager.
But I do need to have work appropriate attire as I do have a lot of meetings and contacts with high managers of all sorts.
Of course in France we are not so “formal” as I understand some of your companies are in the fiel of clothing for work but we do have to behave and be work appropriate.
That means not too deep cleavage, not too much skin, no sheer clothes. But we can wear vivid colour if we can, sometimes bare legs and open toes and others. Of course depending of your company: you can’t wear the same clothes in the editing or law companies.
Myself I try to wear always a classic jacket and a skirt or trouser classy.
I do not have any suit:being just 5 feet does not help one to find proper clothes in France when one has not the possibilty to have all clothes custom made. And no petite clothes range available for us in France alas.
So I decided to try my luck with online trade to buy US. So far my luck was good.
But as I am browsing many sites,I saw some brand which I would like to know more about.
So could give me your advice (or some of your readers) regarding the best brands for work attire (or not so far) in terms of quality, price, fancyness (can I write that ?), good shape and cut…., not too cheap but not the most expensive. I noticed Theory, Ann Klein, Talbot, Tahari, Ann Taylor, Ralph Lauren (of course), J Crew, Banana Republic ….
I am just looking for some good quality/price brands but I would like to have advices from the people actaully wearing those clothes.
Many thanks for your comparison and advices.
l
Calvin Klein makes quality suits and dresses in smaller sizes. I’m slightly taller than you, but thinner than average for an American woman, and I find that this brand tends to fit well. If you look at sites for major department stores (like Macys or Lord and Taylor) or even some discount sites (I like overstock.com), you may find some good prices too.
lbk
This may seem like a silly question, but…when/where is the appropriate time/place to change from your commuter shoes to heels?
I am a legal intern this summer and live about a dozen blocks from my office so I’ve been walking to and from. I usually wear flip flops or flats for the walk, and bring my heels in my bag. What I’m having trouble figuring out is when and where I should be changing into my work shoes. I don’t have an office or cubicle in the building to privately swap shoes, and anyway I worry that it’s unprofessional for me to still be in flip flops the first time everyone in the office sees me each day. Where should I be changing my shoes- the lobby? Outside of the building’s front door? Around the corner? I’m extremely concerned about projecting nothing but a professional image because I’m really hoping to turn this summer job into a permanent job offer. Help!
Alice
I’m an intern in DC and because I walk around 6 blocks to my bus stop I wear commuter flip flops, too.
If I remember to change them on the bus that works for me, but I often forget. Does your building have a stairwell? Even if you normally take the elevator, that is a good place to change them. Maybe get off one floor below your office and take the stairs the rest of the way, good for you and also a good secluded place to slip into your heels!
Another option is if you find you’re always stopped at a particular pedestrian crossing in the morning or you go to a coffee shop near work (obviously don’t change your shoes in the building!)
Liz (continental Europe)
Hey Corporette, I’ve an idea for a poll – maybe. It’s obvious most women reading the blog are working in an office environment. I’m wondering – what did Corporette readers want to be when growing up?
I for one wanted to be a pilot for a while, then television series about law spiked my interest in my early teens. I’m wondering, did other Corporette readers already aim for the serious careers when still children, or did many of them want to be haircutters, nurses, and models growing up like a lot of girls seem to want?
The breakdown of the poll would be something like:
– wanted to persue the career field one is currently persuing now
– wanted to persue a career of similar educational and social standing level to the one currently persued, but in a different field.
– wanted to persue a typical boy’s dream career (fireman, policeman, soldier, farmer, etc)
– wanted to persue a typical girl’s dream career (fashion & looks, nursing, teaching, homemaker, veterinary, etc)
– something else
– had no clue/don’t remember
Anon
Could we discuss whether it’s better to shower in the morning or at night? And for those of you who shower at night, how do you keep your hair looking good for the next day? Thanks!
S3L
I need help picking belts! It seems like a no-brainer, but everytime I go shopping for them, they seem too tacky or unflattering. What are good belts for court? A firm? With suits? Wide? Skinny? Internet links very much appreciated.
Suze
Kat, love the blog! I stumbled across it about 3 months ago, and lurked for a while b/c I felt kind of *old* (been a lawyer for 25 years). Your Mother’s Day piece hooked me and I posted, and several Corporettes replied with incredibly thoughtful, kind and supportive remarks. I feel like I have a whole new set of friends, not to mention tons of insight to the ever elusive goal of effortless sartorial splendor! Thank you.
Here’s my question: is your target audience primarily/exclusively younger (ie, under ~40) women? I know there at least a few of my ‘peers’ in the regular commenter group, but not sure if we are just sort of outsiders.
I inquire really out of sheer curiosity – the younger Corporettes are always a source of inspiration and information and the Corporettes more in my age group are fantastic ‘wise women.’ So, thanks again, and see you around. Keep up the good work.
Haley
I’ll be interviewing with law firms in August. I found a well-fitting suit that has 3/4 length sleeves. Is that appropriate? I know that short sleeves are definitely out, but I wasn’t sure what the verdict is on these 3/4 length suit jackets. Thanks!
Lils
Hi, I will be traveling for London for work for 10 days. I am from NYC. What are some good key pieces to travel and perhaps do some weekend trips?
l
I definitely recommend a trip to Hampton Court. Easy to reach by public transportation and a very interesting guided tour. Especially exciting for history buffs. Also, don’t miss the Tower of London.
Lauren
It may seem counterintuitive to ask this question on Corporette, but I really need your help!
I’m a professional in my late 20s working for a top-tier consulting firm. I would say I’m on a certain track to a high-level position in my firm. I have recently made the decision that I’d like to take some time off to stay home with my infant daughter. A difficult decision, to be sure: before she was born, I thought that I would be the ultimate working mom and professional.
I’ve definitely made my decision, but my career is still very important to me and I’d like to return to the workforce in a few years and work full time from then on.
My question is: how do I quit my job gracefully and leave an opening to possibly return in the future? I don’t want them to stereotype me as one of those women “who are just working until they have kids”; because this definitely wasn’t my intention – if it was, I would have quit before my (fully paid) maternity leave. I didn’t expect to want to stay home. Note: I’ve been back at work 2 months.
I don’t want to burn any bridges. Help!
“just working until they have kids”
l
When it comes to luggage, I’m a fan of hardsided, or at least structured, bags that open with a hinge. I find it much easier to keep them organized, protect what is inside, etc. I’d love to find a briefcase that is similar, like a traditional men’s attache, but more feminine-looking, if that makes sense. Does it exist? Or am I on an endless quest?
Liz (continental Europe)
I’ve got a summer suit that supposedly can be washed and ironed instead of dry cleaning. Any tips on how to iron a suit jacket?
Bar Studier
I’m a recent law school grad (taking a break from bar studying right now, incidentally) wondering about interview suits. Is the basic black interview suit still required for those us interviewing post-law school, or are other colors sufficient? I much prefer my chocolate brown Ann Taylor suit and my light grey Loft suit to the masculine look of my cheap black suit. Thoughts? Rules?
MC
I’d love a post on how to wear blazers when you aren’t wearing jeans. I find it easy to pair my blazers with jeans (though I rarely do) but can never figure out how to combine textures/colors when I’m wearing other pants (or skirts?)
Photos would be helpful!
SJ
I would love a post about how other professional women – especially those who are obviously interested in looking good at work! – deal with body image problems. I’m sure I can’t be the only one who struggles with this. There have been several posts on eating healthy and working out, and lots and lots of posts and comments about choosing clothing that works on your body. While that’s all very helpful advice, I’d also love to hear about other women who are struggling not to beat themselves up about how they look – whatever size or activity level they’re currently at.
Tampa K
Where are all the A line skirts hiding? I am having a LOT of trouble lately with all the pencil-esque cuts in stores these days. It is truly challenging to find a pencil type skirt that flatters my pearish shape. Some are ok, but I always feel 100 times more comfortable and attractive in an A line cut. Also, if I fluctuate 5 lbs in either direction, the pencil cuts no longer fit correctly. A lines also work well for this reason (on a pearish shape, the weight gain doesn’t affect the waist much!). But seriously, where are they hiding? I’ve been to Banana, Ann Taylor/Loft, Nordstrom, etc with no luck!! A few years ago, they were everywhere and my shopping life was so much easier. Please help!
Julie H.
Just wondering if a designer bag ($200 plus) is essential for the working professional’s wardrobe? I’m an attny returning to work after a few years at home w/my children. Working in the public sector (they care less about style than law firms) but don’t want anyone looking askance at my bag — even if I really don’t notice the difference between a TJ Maxx leather and a high-end Coach/D&B..!
Erin
I just finished watching Better Off Ted on Netflix and Portia de Rossi’s wardrobe on that show is divine. I have never in my life seen a better collection of top-notch women’s suits. There are some plain ones in the mix but some — like the white one towards the end of the second season — perfection! Any chance of doing some posts on where to find these suits? Yes, yes, the show is a couple of years old but maybe suits LIKE those?
Todd Hunter
Hi. I’d like to Kat Griffin a few books on behalf of my boss Malaika Adero, editor to Lloyd Boston.
Could you please provide me with a physical mailing address?
Thanks and take care.
BrieCS
Hi there!
I’m trying desperately to find some wrinkle-resistant (a.k.a. no need to iron if you pull them out of the dryer relatively promptly, or no need to iron at all!) khaki and black pants – appropriate for business casual, so simple, not super dressy type pants. I’ve looked at a few different brands (Dickies, Dockers) and have either had bad luck with them, like Dockers, or no experience, like Dickies.
Any input on this? It’s ridiculously difficult to find pants… I wear size 14 and I typically look for at least a 34 inch inseam, preferably 35-37 (I’d rather buy longer and hem than have too short).
Any suggestions would be awesome! I’m at wit’s end. I have to wear business casual every day, and I’d like some pants that could last a few wearings without developing permanent wrinkles! Stain resistant is also a plus!
Loft Lover
Try Ann Taylor Loft. I really like their pants and they are having some good sales right now. They also have specific cuts, so once you know which one works for you, you can always go back for more.
Gill Kamel
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Lena Smith
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michelle
I would love to see a guide to how clothes are supposed to fit, and which things can be adjusted easily by a tailor. I’ve looked all over the internet and not been able to find a thing. Thanks!
vb
Please please, PLEASE devote some attention to those of us who are plus-sized. We need to dress attractively and appropriately too!
LM
To tuck or not to tuck. What factors go into determining whether you should tuck in a blouse/button down shirt? Is it body type or garment related? Is it play by ear, or are there brightlines?
govvie girl
It is very sad but apparently some of the readership here has taken on the bullying/hostile tone back and forth. I had thought most of us who use this were better than that. Unfortunately, in general, I see it with women more so than men. What can this blog/website do to prevent or combat that, and what do the readers do to (try to) combat it elsewhere (on the net or in person)? I think it’s troublesome that it’s everywhere and yet we see tragedies all time, especially with kids.
Mary Smith
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TV
This seems sort of obvious, but I need help finding comfortable black/brown flats to wear to, from and sometimes around work. I have a pair of Tory Burch Reva flats that I am wearing to death, but nothing else is as comfortable and with a 30 minute commute to and from work there’s just no way I can wear heels. A round-up of options would be fabulous.
Megan
I have a question I would love to have addressed: elder care.
I assume that many Corporettes have addressed the question I am currently struggling with: how best to open a dialogue with my parents about their retirement needs and how to help them to the extent I can. In my situation, my parents are solidly lower middle-class: we always had enough to get by growing up, and I know they have put money away for retirement and work with an investment adviser at their local bank … but I have no idea how much they have set aside or what the recent market crisis has done to their retirement savings. Similarly, I have no idea what types of long-term care insurance they have arranged, or how good their health insurance is. Out of my siblings, I am by far the one that will be best able to assist my parents financially should they need it (and probably the only one), but I do not know how to begin this conversation with my parents without prying unduly or giving the impression that I doubt them in any way. (Because, obviously, I have nothing but respect for their financial management thus far.) My parents are about 10 years away from retirement, but I prefer to think ahead to the extent I can. I would love to hear from other Corporettes about how they have approached this conversation with their parents, how their families have made arrangements to financially support their older family members, and what types of elder care arrangements have worked best for them. I would also be particularly interested in how this issue is addressed in a marriage or partnership — either where one partner’s family will need substantially more support than the other, or where both partner’s families may require help and choices must be made about how to allocate support.
Any chance you would be interested in starting a thread on this issue? I was thinking of dropping it in an open thread, but it’s important enough to me that I would love to get even more responses. I think a lot of people would like to talk about this.
Elizabeth
Business Casual for a Meeting?!
I have a firm wide meeting in Miami in two weeks. The dress is business casual, but there are a couple of complications.
We have elite clients in for cross marketing in other states one day, so I will be meeting business prospects the first day. The speakers for the event include three sitting Governors.
I just made partner (yay me!) but am the only woman partner from my office and am 10 years younger than the other 4 partners from my office.
I am also blonde, baby faced, and have big boobs, so try to be fairly conservative in the office in my dress.
Do I wear a suit anyway? I have a navy suit from Banana that is a fairly casual fabric. It with a T shirt, maybe tall boots and a turqoise chunky neckalce? Wrap dress with a cami and pumps? Pants suit with a t shirt? I can’t do pants and a jacket because my non-suit jackets are too heavy for Miami weather.
Linsey
I am a law student and was recently invited to an “informal cocktail reception” hosted by a law firm I am interested in working for. The reception is a couple days after Christmas and will be held at the firm’s main office. What does one wear to an “informal cocktail reception?” I was thinking a sweater dress that falls below the knee with a cardigan, tights, and heels. Is this too casual? I appreciate any suggestions : )