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For busy working women, the suit is often the easiest outfit to throw on in the morning. In general, this feature is not about interview suits for women, which should be as classic and basic as you get — instead, this feature is about the slightly different suit that is fashionable, yet professional.
Oooh: I kind of like the fringe details here, as well as the swingy dress with this pretty boucle knit from M.M.LaFleur. There are a ton of matching pieces, including a dress, a top, and a skirt (albeit a pretty short one, alas — 18″). And the jacket zips — they've also got it pictured with just basic black pants and it looks cute.
Readers, what do you think: yea or nay? Too “lady who lunches” for the office setting?
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Sales of note for 8.30.24
- Nordstrom – Summer Sale, save up to 60%
- Ann Taylor – 30% off full-price purchase; $99 jackets, dresses & shoes; extra 50% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50-70% off everything + extra 20% off
- Bergdorf Goodman – Final Days Designer Sale, up to 75% off; extra 20% off sale
- Boden – 20% off
- Brooks Brothers – Extra 25% off clearance
- Eloquii – Up to 60% off everything; extra 60% off all sale
- J.Crew – 40% off sitewide; extra 60% off sale styles
- J.Crew Factory – Extra 20% off orders $125+; extra 60% off clearance; 60%-70% off 100s of styles
- Lo & Sons – Summer sale, up to 50% off (ends 9/2)
- Madewell – Extra 40% off sale; extra 50% off select denim; 25% off fall essentials
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Rothy's – End of season sale, up to 50% off
- Spanx – Lots of workwear in the big sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – 25% off regular-price purchase; 70% off clearance
- White House Black Market – Up to 70% off sale
Sales of note for 8.30.24
- Nordstrom – Summer Sale, save up to 60%
- Ann Taylor – 30% off full-price purchase; $99 jackets, dresses & shoes; extra 50% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50-70% off everything + extra 20% off
- Bergdorf Goodman – Final Days Designer Sale, up to 75% off; extra 20% off sale
- Boden – 20% off
- Brooks Brothers – Extra 25% off clearance
- Eloquii – Up to 60% off everything; extra 60% off all sale
- J.Crew – 40% off sitewide; extra 60% off sale styles
- J.Crew Factory – Extra 20% off orders $125+; extra 60% off clearance; 60%-70% off 100s of styles
- Lo & Sons – Summer sale, up to 50% off (ends 9/2)
- Madewell – Extra 40% off sale; extra 50% off select denim; 25% off fall essentials
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Rothy's – End of season sale, up to 50% off
- Spanx – Lots of workwear in the big sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – 25% off regular-price purchase; 70% off clearance
- White House Black Market – Up to 70% off sale
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Anonymous
I often fill an informal mentorship role for young women at my organization. One of them just approached me and told me that her supervisor yelled at her in a very harsh tone for being five minutes late to a 1:1 check-in meeting with him, accusing her of not valuing his time. This shocked me not only because her supervisor is typically a very mild-mannered guy, but because people are up to five minutes late ALLLLLL the time at our company – I’d say it’s the rare meeting where no one is late since we often have back-to-back meetings scheduled. Said supervisor is frequently among the late ones for that reason. My colleague told me that she was so taken aback that she started crying and apologized to him, but he did not apologize to her for the massive overreaction, and she wants to say something about how she does not want to be spoken to that way in the workplace – she does not want to just let this go and stir up resentment. She asked me if I could read a draft of the message she’s planning to write to him. I’m happy to do so and I think I can help, but I wanted to float this here too – if you were in this situation, how would you phrase such an email? In my conversation with her, I suggested using phrases like “I was taken aback by how upset you were” or “I was surprised that being a few minutes late due to my previous meeting running over upset you to the point of yelling,” but I don’t want to give her bad advice.
Cat
Are they in the office or remote? Honestly, this is something that email makes super awkward, but in person when everyone is calm, a “hey – can I ask why you were so upset earlier? I apologize for being late but was taken aback at the strong reaction. Is there something going on?” can clear the air.
Anonymous
Agreed. If they are remote, I would suggest a phone call to clear the air.
Anon
Agree– I would try to approach this verbally, not in writing, unless the writing is important for CYA.
Anonymous
The confrontation was in-person, but they’re on hybrid schedules and won’t always be in the office on the same day.
Anonymous
Do not email/put this in writing. This is the type of thing where she should ask for 5 min of his time and just talk it out. I assume she’s young and younger people want to do everything electronically but sometimes email just makes something into a big formal production that could otherwise just be discussed and figured out quick.
Anon
+1
Monday
If she cried and apologized but he still didn’t see a problem with his actions, I don’t think an email will help. I would instead suggest practicing what to say in the moment if he does it again.
Anonymous
was he yelling or did he speak harshly? It’s so odd that she phrased is as yelling in a harsh tone – isn’t yelling inherently harsh?
Was she actually five minutes late or was is she one of the those people who is like 8 minutes late an insists on calling that 5 minutes and not 10 minutes. Being almost 10 minutes late for a 15 minute check in is super rude (can you tell I’ve had to deal with this issue recently? ) Did she give him a head’s up that she was running behind for a legitimate reason? You know before you are late, that you are liekly to be late in most circumstances. I’m often late due to getting overbooked but it is very rare that I don’t notify or have my assistant notify in advance if I will not be there on time.
If it’s so out of character for him, I’d be asking more questions about what went down as the whole thing seems odd. As a junior, I’d expect to be spoken to for being late. I would not expect a superior to shrug it off.
If it is really what went down like that, the best I could come up with was: “Thanks for the meeting today. I wanted to apologize again for being late but also to note that I was a bit taken aback by the strong reaction and to request that if it were to occur in the future that it be addressed in a different manner. Thanks again and I continue to look forward to working together in the future.
Anonymous
I can vouch for her in that she is not habitually late or unaware of how being seriously late can impact a meeting. I meet with her often and have never had ANY issues with her – it honestly baffles me that her supervisor yelled about this. I’m telling you, EVERYONEEEEEEE at my company runs a bit late at times and it’s never been an issue before – we generally get that a meeting-heavy culture means that sometimes people can’t make it right on the dot.
I like your script and will suggest it – thanks!
Go for it
+1
Senior Attorney
This is the apotheosis of Ladies Who Lunch.
Not, I hasten to add, that there is anything wrong with that! I would probably still wear it to the office to kill time before and after lunch…
Anon
If it were about 5″ longer. I don’t understand who can wear this length to work, that’s for sure, and I think of the ladies who lunch as an older, more conservative crowd.
Anon
(specifically referring to the second pic with the non-fringed skirt)
Senior Attorney
Ha! I’m a shortie so on me that skirt would be just above the knee! Also
Senior Attorney
Also what? I don’t even remember…
Anon
That is so me. Why am I in the laundry room? I came in here for something.
Anonymous
The whole thing is a lotta look–not that it’s a bad thing. I find that jacket tempting and may look for it on the MM LaFleur resale site sometime later (just discovered this!)
No Face
I love that jacket in ivory, and look forward to owning it a couple of years from now.
Introvert
I’m attending a virtual conference this week. While I appreciate saving money by not traveling and staying a hotel, I am realizing that it’s harder for me to network in this virtual format. I’m an introvert but when I attend conferences in person, I really make an effort to talk to people. In this virtual format, it’s so easy to keep the camera off for the breakout session, type a response in chat rather than unmute myself and share it more directly. Although this is not my first virtual conference, I have just now realized this and will have to work on “getting out there” more in a virtual way. Anyone else with advice or similar feelings?
Anon
I can’t stand virtual conferences and have stopped attending and stopped offering to speak at them because it is just not my medium.
Anon
Well, so maybe good news for you: I have a friend who plans large events and conferences, and she is super-busy right now planning events for later this year and early next year. While working from home seems to work well for people, virtual conferences haven’t worked well for most (even with things like virtual Zoom breakout-room networking) and so the big organizations she works with are going back to in-person events as soon as possible. Barring any big new developments with Covid, I don’t think all-virtual conferences will be a thing much longer (although I think some organizations are going to try to do more hybrid events and broadcasting of in-person content).
anon
Also not my medium, I don’t think virtual conferences are at all the same as in person, and I too have stopped attending them. Don’t beat *yourself* up for the fact that virtual conferences aren’t great.
Anonymous
Thoughts/predictions on how the pandemic will be doing next Jan? If you’re on the cautious end of the spectrum, do you think it’ll be possible to travel say mid Jan or mid Feb of 2022? Thinking about a Fla. trip. In some ways Fla. also seems like ground zero because there’s so much partying, so little mask wearing even when it was required etc. But then I think, we’re vaccinated, now there’s talk the mRNA vax will last for years, and you can choose places in Fla that aren’t party central and maybe not as exciting but still have beaches and nice winter weather. Trip would involve 2 seniors (age 70+) which is why I’m thinking carefully. It doesn’t need to be decided now but if we’re going to book a house, I need to think about it by fall because that’s high season for snow birds etc.
Different question for the 40 year old set– how do you think travel to Europe will be by next say Feb/March? Specifically London or Vienna or both? I know right now UK has a lot of Delta and the requirements generally seem like a hassle but I’m curious how others think it’ll develop from where it is now.
Anon
I think there will be many hospitalizations among the unvaccinated by fall, and probably again after Thanksgiving and Christmas like we experienced in 2020/2021.
I think western countries will probably be up to date with vaccines for those who want them but I’m not optimistic about others, having seen how awful it is on the African continent on the news last night.
I’m supposed to go to a huge family thing in Spain this fall and I’m skipping it.
No Face
Personally, I am not going to get my heart set on any international travel planned far in advance. There are just too many unknowns.
We traveled to Florida before vaccinations were available. We did not interact with locals though, if that makes sense. We drove a very, very, very long time to get there. No indoor activities. Cooked at the house or got takeout. We were in a quiet, non-tourist area so the beaches were empty. The house had a pool. It was still wonderful.
Cat
yes, we were in Retiree FL (Naples) for two months before we were all vaxxed. It was more than fine. Not sure why the entire state is lumped in with the Spring Break Central areas, but if you go to quieter towns like Naples, Bonita, etc you will have no issues.
LaurenB
+1. I was pleasantly surprised that Naples was not the hell hole that Florida was made out to be. It wasn’t quite as compliant as Chicago, but big box stores and groceries required masks at the time, and it was easy to keep oneself pretty safe. And demand for vaxes was quite high.
Of Counsel
Please understand that I am not a fan or Florida’s governor but Florida’s mask wearing rates were not actually that bad. Neither are their vaccination rates. And their Covid infection rate per 100K is solidly in the middle of the pack among US states. I realize the Spring Break crowds (that got a lot of press) made it look like people were in complete denial about the pandemic but the NY Times had a map a while back about mask wearing and Florida actually had much better compliance than a lot of states (particularly in the mid-west). So honestly I would not worry about a trip to Florida now or next winter.
w/r/t Europe, I think it is impossible to know. I suspect travel will be open for vaccinated people by then unless another variant comes up that the major vaccines do not cover. But anything is possible.
AnonMPH
No one can tell you the answer to this. If you are the type of person who can handle uncertainty, you should book your trips with refundable tickets/lodging/rental cars, and keep on eye on everything as it gets closer. If you are someone who cannot handle the uncertainty or would be extremely disappointed if you have to cancel, you should hold off, understanding that you may have fewer options when you do go to book. The Florida trip is more of a sure bet to be doable- but who knows if you will feel comfortable doing it. It’s probably 50/50 whether borders will be open with England or Austria in the dead of winter.
There will almost definitely be a surge, even in the US, in the fall/winter. Between the Delta variant and seasonality of the virus, this isn’t really a question. What is a question is whether the surge is from hyper low cases to moderately low cases, or whether it actually starts to impact hospital capacity. While mRNA vaccines seem to be protective against the Delta variant, there is time for many more variants between now and then. In areas of the US with low vaccination rates, you will definitely see large surges with many very sick people in hospitals, this is already starting to happen now. Florida’s vaccination rate is actually decent (unlike say, Mississippi), but how you’ll feel getting on a plane, etc. Impossible to predict.
LaurenB
I spent the winter in Florida and honestly, it was easy to adjust your own behavior to keep yourself safe. You can eat outdoors, people give one another distance, you can still wear a mask if you so desire, and you don’t need to be anywhere near the morons partying like it’s 1999.
anon
I live in Vienna. People here are getting vaccinated – opens to the general public this week. Beyond that – I have felt and continue to feel super safe. To eat at a restaurant or get your hair cut you have to show that you are vaccinated or tested. Testing is suuuuper easy and accessible (also for tourists). People wear masks on the public transportation and in shops. I’m unvacinated and super high risk (those things are related, alas), but I feel very safe here. Also, there’s so much great stuff you can do outside. (Well, maybe not in February – why not come in a warmer month? Then you can do lots of walking in the Vienna woods, and sit outside on the patio to eat after touring a museum, etc). Talking with the friends and family in the US, it seems like there’s just a totally different mindset in the US vs Vienna. Here people seem to have really worked together, and the result is that I’m very very glad to have spent the pandemic here.
Anon
Ally McBeal called and said that you borrowed her late 90’s hemline.
Holy smokes that is a short suit skirt for work, unless you are the petite-est.
Could you sit in that at a conference room table without needing a sweater to drape across your legs?
That said, I love boucle!
Anon
Right? Agree with both. I had a red boucle jacket in the late 1990s that I wore into the ground. I felt like hot stuff in that sucker. And the length on that skirt is absolutely ridiculous.
Kat in VA
I love boucle and if that skirt was just below knee length (on an average height person), I’d buy the suit in a heartbeat.
But I’m 50 years old and wearing a mini would just look…off for me. Kudos to people who can pull it off, but I’m not one of them.
Anon
In the top photo, that skirt with fringe is a definite no for me, as are all skirts with fringe. I can’t stand the feeling of the fringe brushing my legs – drives me crazy. I feel the same way about fringe brushing my wrists if it’s on sleeves.
Anon
There was a post on here a few days ago about friends being cranky. I don’t know what it is but I’ve found that with mine too. I got into a stupid, truly stupid argument with a friend this weekend, where she literally misheard me and was offended. Even though we talked it through and I apologized and explained what I meant, she was still mad at me and she ended out time together. Another friend was complaining to me about our mutual friend in what I will just say is a very uncharitable manner. And as to myself, both of these recent interactions are weighing on me more heavily than they ordinarily would.
Are we all just mega stressed out or have we forgotten how to have conversations? I don’t know if it’s something in the water or what.
Cat
I think you partly answered your own question when you noted this stuff is weighing on you more heavily. It has been A Year. We’re all supposed to be excited at reopening but maybe there’s parts of lockdown that we actually liked. People are adjusting at different paces. We are planning a $$ vacation that we have to test negative to take and so have decided to stay cautious (in light of Delta breakthroughs) even though that means skipping out on some plans we’d otherwise have no issue making, while other people would also love to do more with others but are worried for their kids. I’m guilty of being snarkier than usual myself… give it space.
Anonymous
Happened to me too – I even posted here about it. My friend bit my head off when she thought I “challenged her husband’s experience” in a hasty text I sent off before 6 in the morning. She didn’t forgive me for days, even though I apologized when she said she was upset. I won’t over-generalize, but I have noticed a few people being extra snippy these days.
Cornellian
I think there are least two things at play. In addition to being out of practice with conversations, we also are having way fewer of them, so each negative interaction makes up a bigger portion of our overall social pie and feels like a bigger deal.
Anonymous
I think this is a great point. Also I think a lot of us feel we “should” be feeling better but there are still a lot of decisions to be made as witnessed by all the posts about “do you think it’s safe to travel in December?”, and so on…
Senior Attorney
PSA: Getting ready for our first international trip in two years (leaving Friday), coming to the end of a big bathroom remodel, and being in charge of the big annual Rotary dinner/show tonight (first in-person event in more than a year) is at least one Big Thing too many to be doing all at once. I need to learn to pace myself.
Anon
Hang in there SA! Where are you going? That sounds exciting!