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Updated: Dec 13, 2018 122 Comments · by

Workwear Hall of Fame: Gayle Pumps

Coffee Break· Workwear Hall of Fame | ·

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Calvin Klein Gayle PumpsPeople seem to LOVE these Calvin Klein pumps, and it's easy to see why — a really classic style, tons of color options (evergreen suede is pictured here, but there are tons of colors in matte leather, textured leather, suede, and patent). I'm not usually one for blingy accents, but I do like the metallic accent at the heel (on some colors it's silver, on some it's gold). Nice. They're $99 at Zappos and Nordstrom, available in sizes 5-11 (but Amazon has some lucky sizes as low as $49.)  Calvin Klein Gayle 2017 Update: We're adding these shoes to our Workwear Hall of Fame! They've been around for years and continue to win rave reviews. Readers love the Gayle pump from Calvin Klein, and its easy to see why - classic style with tons of color options for $99. Nice! (L-3)

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Comments

  1. Anonymous

    Woof, those are gorgeous. Wish they came in wide sizes. CK’s Dolly pump in wide sizes is the most comfortable heel I’ve ever worn.

    • Ellen

      Agreed! These are really cute but I have fat feet so I have to try them on. That’s why I go to L&T and b/c the shoe ladie’s love me! Yay!!!!

  2. Anonymous

    I like these!

    Is anybody watching Playing House? I have tried a few episodes, and it’s really good!

    • NYNY

      I have these in navy, and love them. I have high arches, narrow heels, and wide forefoot, and find these incredibly comfortable. The heel is in a balanced spot and they don’t slip off my heels. Thinking of buying additional colors.

      I saw all of Playing House season 2, and laughed my ass off. Saw a few season 1 episodes when they were on demand, but I think S2 is funnier, and found I didn’t need the backstory to figure it out.

  3. KittyKat

    Are there such things as unlined wool suiting or suits lined with natural fabric? Why make a beautiful garment and line it with polyester or acetate?

    • BB

      At a high enough price point, they come lined in silk. My Ralph Lauren black label, Escada, and St. John suits have silk lining. I don’t mind a good polyester lining though. I don’t know why it gets vilified so much, as the quality levels can be so different.

      • anon

        It gets vilified because it doesn’t breathe the way natural fibers do. Silk lining sounds amazing but also not like anything I will ever be able to afford!

          • moss

            technically cupro and rayon are a “natural” fabric since they are made from wood.

            Polyester is horrid.

    • Mpls

      Yes, there are unlined wool suits (pants, at least Jcrew makes some), but then everyone complains about not having a lining… You are unlikely to have a unlined wool jacket/blazer as the lining is what keeps the internal construction hidden and allows you to put it on over other clothes (like a top).

      Rayon, which was developed as a silk replacement, can be used as a lining – Bemberg Rayon is known to be a good (though kind of expensive – $10/yd vs $2/yd for the cheaper polyester at your local JoAnn’s, for example).

      • KittyKat

        But jackets don’t need lining if a company finishes the seams with a surger and edging. Lining is really only so that companies don’t have to properly finish the inside

        • Mpls

          Nope – linings – especially in suit jackets, is so the fabric of the jacket and shirt don’t catch on each other and the jacket slides on and off easily. Even jackets that don’t have a full lining in the body will still line the sleeves for this reason. And seam finishes aren’t the only construction issues going on, and even all those can’t be finished nicely. You’ve got structuring happening in the shoulder, even without a shoulder pad that just isn’t going to finish well or look good. And even a properly finished seam is going to last longer with a slick fabric sliding over it vs getting caught on cotton (thinking of the typical collar shirt under a men’s suit). I’m pretty sure all high end suits jackets have lining, and I doubt that is because they are lax on their finishing.

          • BB

            Summer jackets also tend to have 1/2 or no lining, even high end ones, but that’s for temperature purposes.

          • Mpls

            Right – but the sleeves are still lined right? It’s really hard to put a suit jacket on over sleeves without a lining. And I bet they tend to look a lot more casual – seersucker, linen, cotton sateen.

  4. DOJ apps

    Wanted to wish any fellow applicants to the DOJ Honors Program good luck as interviews are announced this week. Fingers crossed for any other Rettes who threw their hats in the ring!

  5. anonymous for this one

    Wedding quandary…

    For many reasons, I am estranged from my mother for several years. Her other adult children have minimal contact with me because they do not want to incur her wrath by having a relationship with me. We have all agreed to try to see if we can build a relationship when our mother dies, but have come to accept that there isn’t one until then, other than a “happy birthday, hope you’re doing well!” email each year. My sister is about to get married. (She’s the first of the siblings to do so.) She’s reached out to tell me she thinks it’d be awkward if I just showed up on the big day since there’s been no contact with our mother for years and our mother will be there. (She’s not inviting several relatives due to their estrangements with our mother, however it’s a bit different to not invite an aunt or cousin we don’t know vs. when it’s your sister.) In the short number of email correspondences we had, I think we’re both dancing around the same thought but neither knows the other one well enough to be sure. Is there some way to say, “please decide not to invite me, I won’t be hurt if you don’t and it’d be better if you don’t invite me than if you do and I don’t come because I don’t want to look like the bad guy?” I’m pretty sure she doesn’t want me there but doesn’t know how to say it nicely and we’re both dancing around the issue because we don’t know each other well enough to know the other would be ok with it and both are afraid of hurting the other and risking losing the future opportunity to maybe possibly build a relationship when our mother dies.

    (yes, I know there’s no guarantee my sister won’t die first, or I won’t, but please just comment on the situation at hand and please do knowing that there is 0% chance of a reconciliation with my mother now or likely ever.)

    • Brit

      Is it close enough that you could say you have a work conference or something similar that you’re required to attend that your boss just brought up, but golly gee, you’re so sorry you’re going to miss it?

    • Anon

      It sounds like your sister opened the door by saying it would be awkward if you showed up.

      Can you just say, “I want your day to be a beautiful and enjoyable day, and I don’t want to create any awkwardness with our mom, so I think it’s better if I don’t come.”

      • ArenKay

        I agree with this, but would do it over the phone, not by email. It’s easier to misinterpret email, because you can’t hear someone’s tone, reply back, etc.

    • Anonymous

      I’d say exactly what you have written here. Sounds like she knows exactly the situation and you barely have a relationship to damage anyway. Sorry it’s so rough for you.

    • Marion

      I’m sorry you are dealing with this, sounds like you are doing a top job of making the best of it!

  6. Anon

    I’m about to have a second daughter in the next couple of weeks and am looking for ideas for a gift to my soon-to-be three year old daughter “from the baby” that I can give her at the hospital. Nothing extravagant but just something for her to open and feel special, as there will be a lot of fuss about the baby. Ideally, it would be something that she could play with at the hospital, so no little pieces or messes, or anything too large. I got her a sticker book, but would like to put something else with it. It could be a few small items. She has a million baby dolls and stuffed animals, and baby doll accessories so nothing like that. Everyone here always seems to have great gift ideas!

    • Anonymous

      What? This is just silly. The baby can’t give her a gift. Everyone will be fussing about the baby and that ok. Get her a gift from you if you want and give it her her when you bring the baby home but no silly thing from the baby.

      • Anon

        Ok, I knew at least one person was going to feel the need to comment on whether I should give a gift vs. a good idea for what that gift should be. I have decided that I want to do something to make my three year old feel special when she comes to meet her baby sister for the first time. I am not buying her a pony. I just want to put together a little package that she can open amidst all the balloons and gifts that are for the baby and not her. She has had such a great attitude as we’ve been setting everything up and is very excited to show the baby how to use the toys that used to be hers, and talks about singing to the baby and helping to take care of her. I want it to be a special time for her too and I don’t think there is anything wrong with getting her a little something both to make her feel that she has not been forgotten, and golly gee, give her something to do while hanging out in a hospital with me for a good part of the day. Hence the sticker book and request for gift ideas that she could play with there.

        If you don’t have any ideas, please feel free not to comment. Also, when you have a second child, you are welcome not to buy a gift for your first. To each their own. Thanks for your two cents.

        • Indian Summers

          Ugh. Have fun with that attitude.

          A stuffed animal, even though she has lots, could be great. Portable, not loud, not breakable. Maybe a marsupial? A koala or kangaroo with a baby in a pouch could be really fun.

          But I still vote not making it from a newborn. They only give us poop and love.

        • anon

          More than 30 years ago, my parents got me a Mr. Potato Head and gave it to me at the hospital when my sibling was born. I still remember!

          • Maddie Ross

            This! My parents got me the Little People “family” set that included a baby with a crib and stroller. I loved that thing and still remember. I think it’s sweet!

          • chickpea

            My husband can describe, in glorious detail, the toy car he was given when his little brother came home from the hospital.

        • Indian Summers

          Fine. But I still think that newborns give only poop and love.

          Stuffed animal. Portable, quiet, not breakable. Kangaroo of koala with attached baby for the theme.

        • Anonny

          There is nothing wrong with this whatsoever, and is often done. Please ignore the nastiness that has been pervasive among “Anonymous” commenters. Appears to be the new norm around here. I don’t have children so I don’t feel that I have a good idea to offer, but I think that this is a wonderful idea.

        • Sally and Gene

          Well – I think the response was fine with the gift-giving, but to say it is “from the baby” is a little precious. But I’m mostly flashing on the Mad Men scene where Sally (the daughter) gets a freaky doll “from Baby Gene” via the mother, throws it out the window, only to have her dad find it and put it back in her room.

          I think it’s lovely to want her to be included in the family expansion, but it might be more meaningful coming from you, not the baby. Your daughter is going to know the baby can’t go shopping and buy presents, so it feels disingenuous to say it’s from the baby. It is definitely BECAUSE of the baby, in a “I know there is a lot of fuss about this new person that cries all the time, but you are still very important to me too. I want to celebrate that you get to be a big sister now” sort of way.

          • AKB

            You are way overthinking this. She’s a toddler – she’s not going to understand nuance.

        • DisenchantedinDC

          I have a photo of my mom’s parents taking me on a pony ride at the fair happening near the hospital when my brother was born. I was 4. I’m all for the pony.

        • anon

          What about something she and the baby can share? For example, what if you got her and her sister tiny (pretend) pearl bracelets and take a photo together of it being the first thing they share… and then you could also get them something with a real pearl that could be a keepsake for when they’re older, to symbolize their bond? (Of course, you could choose another stone or symbol -a cross if you’re religious, diamond if you can afford it, etc). Then it’s a gift, a photo op, and a keepsake in one idea!

      • anon-oh-no

        you obviously don’t have kids.

        someone suggested this to us and it was a wonderful idea. I don’t know if it was from the baby, per se, but we got our son a personal dvd player with some dvds of his favorite cartoons and he loved it.

        • Indian Summers

          Heaven forbid the village have thoughts. If you can’t handle one internet stranger critiquing your special special idea when you admit you saw it coming you have a lot of growing up to do.

          • anon-oh-no

            um … not the OP, so I’m not sure what I “saw” coming.

            But in any event, the OP didn’t ask for critiques of her idea — she asked for help coming up with a good gift for her daughter. why internet strangers feel the need to critique folks who have asked for help is beyond me.

          • Batgirl

            Yeah, go home Indian Summer. You’re clearly getting off on being obnoxious. I liked this board better before all the nasty people came out of the woodwork to criticize everything.

          • Anonymama

            Lol apparently you can make critiques but don’t like it so much when people critique what you yourself have said? In any case, your tone was a little different from the generally congenial tenor of the conversation.

            Also: animal puppet? Dress-up doctors kit?

      • ezt

        Ugh, what, it’s not silly. Her daughter is three, it’s a way to help her warm up to her new sibling rather than feel sidelined. I truly don’t understand why you would comment just to shoot down the idea (about which feedback was not solicited).

        Anyway, OP, my MIL recently made a little photo album for my one-year-old, with pictures of close family members from both sides. He loves looking at it and sputtering sounds approximating their names. Your daughter is obviously more advanced, but something along those lines might be cool, with a space for your daughter to add her drawings of her new sister or something? Then again, I am now thinking about the fact that I am suggesting an eight-months-along pregnant lady take on a project. I think my parents got my brother some sort of “Big Brother” cape when I was born, which he wore proudly – easier option?

      • Wow

        Are you the same Anonymous who got all mad about the woman with the eyelash extensions? Good grief– if someone is asking for advice on something you wouldn’t do, just move along. No one is interested in your criticisms.

      • Renee

        When my littlest sister was born, we got gifts from her. I was 6 and thought it was silly but loved the stuff and didn’t complain. My other sister was 3 at the time and it was a big hit with her. My 3 yr old sister was like “how did she know I wanted this!” I think that’s the best reaction, so anything that your current kiddos like is the best gift so that they feel like their new sibling knows them already.

    • Anon

      When my youngest was born we gave my son (who was 2 years old) a curious George blanket that I made him and book. He really liked Curious George at the time. Now, he still says that was his gift from his sissy. I think whatever you think your daughter would like would be fine, but I would also try to find something that can be a little bit of a keepsake. We gave my older daughter a silver bracelet with “Big Sis” engraved on it and she still has it as well.

    • Jdubs

      Nope this is a great idea! My girls were the same age difference… we gave my soon-to-be three year old a few presents at the hospital. A few books about being a big sister and a little bead bracelet that said “Big sis”. honestly it didn’t even matter what the gifts were… all she could talk about for weeks was that the “baby brought her 3 gifts!” She thought it was fantastic and definitely put having a baby join the family in the “positive” category in her brain.

      • Toffee

        Love the bracelet idea! I’m having my second in March and am definitely stealing this idea for DD, who will be 2.5.

    • AnonCA

      When my daughter was born, my husband and I gave our 2.5 year old son a little gift and said it was from the baby. I’m not sure what he thought about the origin of the gift but does it really matter? If the older sibling is old enough, they’ll think “cool, my parents gave me a gift because of the newborn”. If they are young then they can really think “cool, my little sis or bro got me a gift” and will be forever happy and satisfied. OP: If you want to give a gift and say it’s from the baby then please do so! I suggest some coloring books or one of those doodle pads where you can draw and erase without making a mess at the hospital. Even something simple like a balloon would be cute.

    • ArenKay

      I think something for the big sister is a great idea. I actually think you might want it to come from you; sample size of one here, but my older daughter (who adjusted very well to a baby sister) was most concerned that her dad and I still loved her the same. She would ask for hugs, which she didn’t do pre-sister. So knowing that you don’t forget her would be great. Three is prime Little People/Mr. Potato age, so I think both are great ideas. Or art stuff she can do, like Dot Art markers.

    • Beth

      I think it is a fantastic idea. One of my good friends just had a third – and the baby did give the older two sisters (3 1/2 and 2 years old) presents. It DEFINITELY helped make the older girls a little less resentful of the baby the first few days. She did “activity” toys that the girls could do on the own, and then some they could do with Dad or the grandparents so they still felt included. If I recall, it was coloring books, sticker books, puzzles and I know it sounds nuts but two disposable cameras so they could “learn to take pictures” and take all the pictures they wanted and actually get them developed (NOVEL concept!!) The girls really loved it – and she then later made an album of the pictures called “X and X love Y” – it was really cute.

    • anon

      We also had the older kid pick out a little present for the baby, which they were excited to do.

    • Anonymous

      OP here – Thanks to everyone who responded with thoughtful ideas (keep them coming!) I realize I am a ball of crazy hormones right now (due to deliver in two weeks! I can’t help it), but when I posted eager for great ideas that I knew the hive would –and did!–generate and the first response was a snarky attack on the whole concept, it did upset me. I’d like to say that I have a thick skin and just ignore those kinds of comments, but I guess not right now at least. So, thank you to everyone who responded that you had done something similar, and how you executed it. Your ideas and support are much appreciated. And, for what it’s worth, I haven’t exactly scripted out what I will say to her when giving the gift so maybe it will be from mommy and daddy, maybe from the baby, maybe from all of us, or maybe just “here’s something for you to celebrate you becoming a big sister! we know you’ll be a great one!” It’s great to hear everyone’s experiences, and I think we’ll decide what approach would be best for her as the day approaches.

      • Anonymous

        Sorry. The ever escalating need to make everything a cute gifting occasion worries me, but you seem nice and you’re just trying to do something fun. Sorry I upset you.

        • Anonymous

          I tend to agree with you in general about increased giving and celebration, but I do think this tradition has been around *forever*. My 65 yo mom got a (small) gift “from her sister” when her sister was born.

      • Anonymous

        I like the ‘congrats on being a big sister’ gift. It makes it seem like you are congratulating her on her new role to come, rather than a ‘please like the baby’ or ‘sorry you are not getting as much attention’ gift.

      • Care

        I don’t think this is a new thing or escalating – I “gave” my big sister (who was 2) a gift of some type of toy camera. My dad also took her out for a special evening the day I was born so she felt that she was still important to my parents. I think a gift from the baby is nice and I think my sister at least thought of it as coming with (if not really from) me. When you think about the amount of time you spend talking with the toddler about the new baby and prepping them for the change, I think its nice to convey to them that the new baby loves them back.

      • Anon

        I don’t think it’s a new thing. I’m nearly 50 and still remember getting a stuffed bunny when my sister was born. My parents didn’t have two nickels to rub together but they managed to buy me a gift, which was the only stuffed animal I had for my entire childhood (granted, stuffed animals were less ubiquitous then.) The story was – when my mom was pregnant with my sister, friends and strangers would ask two year old me whether I wanted a baby brother or a baby sister. I would reply that I wanted a baby bunny. Shortly before my sister was born my mother realized I was serious and that I really thought that was what I was getting. The stuffed animal seemed to work. I played with him until his eyes fell off. My sister? Eh, most of the time I can take her or leave her!

      • Sweet

        I will just chime in to say we had the baby bring a gift to our three year old and it was, to me, lovely and sweet. I would not overthink it – if you are inclined to do this don’t worry about the naysayers. Our son’s best buddy had just become a big brother when we found out we were expecting. The buddy had also received a present from his new baby brother, so our son thought this was how things worked. Before the baby was born, son would often sit in bed with me at night and talk to his baby brother, telling him all about the things he liked to play and do. And he would ask the baby to bring him X toy and then another night say “wait, make it Y toy.” Did he really believe this or was he playing me? I have no idea, he was 3!! But the memories of those early conversations as well as son’s reaction when baby really did bring him a present (just a small car he wanted) are priceless to me.

      • Need to Improve

        It may be too late, but I think your idea is great (and it’s a very common thing among parents to do this, in fact our doctor recommended it). I had a gift every day for my first when the second was born. You may be in the hospital for 3-5 days depending on how you deliver and that is often the hardest part (why did mom disappear)? Any kind of lego set/puzzle/thing they have to build or assemble is good because it’s a project that can distract them. Also anything to celebrate their “bigness” like a BIG SISTER t-shirt, growth chart where they can mark how tall they are and little sibling will mark on it one day, etc.

      • Lobbyist

        We gave kid 2 a doll
        So he could take care of his baby when I was taking care of mine.

    • ORD

      We went with the “I’m the Big Sister” t-shirt from the hospital gift shop. She liked it, actually.

    • Anonymous

      We brought a t-shirt with us to the hospital that we had painted with “I’m the Big Brother” on it. In the delivery room, the nurses put my daughter’s footprints on the shirt. It wasn’t exactly from the baby, but it was in that general direction.

      He also went to Krispy Kreme the next morning and got a toy truck with their logo. We still have it. He’s 16 and my daughter is 13.

    • Jean

      Late to respond but couldn’t pass up a chance to share the book called “A Baby Sister for Frances” in which Frances makes the transition from interested to disgruntled to happy big sister. (Author: Russell Hoban.) Frances and her family (all badgers) have various adventures in other books; all worth checking out.

      • SuziStockbroker

        Yes, I loved this book. Of course, I loved all of them. Particularly Bread and Jam for Frances.

    • AKB

      So this is a GREAT idea, and very common. I did this for my little guy when the baby was born — just throwing my suggestion out there – a pillow pet!

    • moss

      I can make your daughter a coloring book from photos you provide me, so she would be coloring in herself and her surroundings. I hate to shill so please excuse if this seems like an ad but my shop on etsy is called kentuckyviews and you can email me at coloringforadults at the gmail.

    • AN

      I gave my little boy a t shirt with cars on it ( he was car crazy at 4) and said it was from his baby sister. He changed then and there in the hospital and gave his sister a big smooch to say thanks.

      Keep it simple. Anything will do!

  7. Jennifer Almarine

    I really like this style. It is clean and simple – even the accent.

  8. Indian Summers

    Anyone else watching? Loving it so far. (Note: if you’re British it just started here last night, so no sharing how it ends please)

  9. CorporateInCarhartt

    These shoes are the best. They are very comfortable, very classy looking, I get a lot of compliments on them, and you can’t beat the price.

  10. ezt

    Does anyone have a recommendation for a good GP in downtown Manhattan (FiDi or TriBeCa)? TIA ladies!

  11. Royal tea?

    (re-posting from the weekend, in hopes of a bit more advice…)

    I will attend a meeting in London at which Prince Philip will preside. What does one wear for meeting royalty?? Please don’t say ‘whatever you wear for work’, as I work in academia on the west coast where fashion ranges from creative to slovenly. Some of the weekend posters mentioned a “smart day dress” – I’m not sure what this is. Could you give me some suggestions? Or should I wear a suit? Looks like shopping is in my future, as my one skirt suit is about seven years old, and I’ve never really liked the way it fit. And my only ‘day dresses’ (I suppose?) are DVF wrap dresses which one poster suggested would be too casual (my general MO). Please guide me! I don’t want to stand out as the underdressed hick from the States!

    • Veronica Mars

      I’d look at Kate Middleton’s outfits from her public events and copy one of her outfits.

      • Royal tea?

        Heh. This is the thing: I have never in my life worked in a biz formal environment! So I don’t even know what that requires. Most interviews I’ve done haven’t even required a suit…

        I am here to be educated.

    • Anonymous

      If you’d like to post price/size that might be easier to get suggestions.

      • Royal tea?

        Good point! Price: $100-$350 (higher end for something I can get a lot of wear a lot in the future at conferences and public talks)

        Size: 8 (5’7″, fairly straight up & down, smaller on top/ bigger below)

        Oh, and do I need heels too? I usually wear Cole Haan Air Talia wedges – maybe not formal enough?

        Thank you for virtual shopping help!

        • Wildkitten

          Flats are definitely fine. You can totally get away with the Air Talia so you don’t have to buy shoes for one event, but a more structured flat or a heel would be better.

          • Anonymous

            Oh, fair, I’d be more okay with formal flats than wedges. But I just also howwhathow to not having a single pair of pumps in your closet. I fear the left side.

          • Royal tea?

            Ok, nicer flats or heels, it is. I guess knee high boots won’t work…?

            Anon at 4:34: Academia + left coast = soooo chill. People wear open toe shoes, sneakers, boots, just about everything but your standard pair of pumps! And when I do wear a blazer & pencil skirt, my dept. chair sez “You look like you’re going to work in a bank” – not a compliment!

          • J

            No, you cannot wear knee high boots. Look at the blog whatkatewore dot com. That has all of her outfits for inspiration and for what is appropriate. I think wedges are not necessarily out of the question — Kate certainly wears them often enough.

            For your outfit — what will the men be wearing? What will the prince be wearing? Wear the female equivalent. I imagine that men on a task force that will be meeting with the prince will wear a suit. I imagine the prince will be wearing a suit. Thus, you also should wear a suit. As it sounds like suits are not familiar clothes for you, I think a suit where the pieces are a dress and a blazer may be more approachable for you, as you don’t also have to worry about what to wear under the suit jacket and if you take the jacket off you should still be dressed well.

            And pantyhose. Unfortunately, you really should wear hose.

    • AnonCA

      I believe the basic dress code or at the minimum (and I might be wrong) are panty hose, sleeves and a dress or skirt that hits at or below the knee in subtle colors. A simple skirt suit might work and you can always use it at another event. I also like Veronica Mars’ idea.

    • Maddie Ross

      When you say “meeting the prince,” are you actually going to be shaking his hand and doing an introduction? If so, maybe you should make sure you hit AnonCA’s points about length and pantyhose, but if you’re just at a meeting where he will be speaking, I would think that you need not be that formal about it. I think some type of sheath dress with a blazer (thinking it’s too cold for sleeveless and this is probably not a cardigan event) would work. And I think the Air Talia’s are totally fine.

      • Royal tea?

        Yes, I believe I’ll be shaking his hand, and perhaps saying a few pleasantries — ideas there are helpful too!

        • Celia

          He’s met thousands of people over the course of his lifetime, and he’s also famous for his “bons mots.” I’m sure he’ll come up with something memorable!

    • also west coast academic

      with no help at all except – how does a West Coast academic get invited to an event with royalty? That’s seriously my dream come true. I have major royal lust.

      Advice about copying a Kate Middleton outfit is probably right on. Have fun!!

      • Royal tea?

        I’m part of a task force on an issue he cares a lot about…. more than that would out me.

        And strangely, this is not my first time meeting royalty. Since last time I was terribly underdressed, I have resolved to do better!

  13. anonomatopoeia

    Hi ladies!

    I can’t figure out how to search on this website for content that is only in the comments section? Maybe there’s not a way? If not, Kat, can a way be made?

    There is such useful information in the comments section, like amazing recommendations for traveling, but short of copy-pasting every travel thread I see and saving it in a file, I can’t figure out how to recall that information when I eventually plan a trip to one of those places. Does anyone know of a way to search the comments?

    • anon

      It used to be that you could. Don’t know what changed, maybe something with all of the tech glitches the site has been having.

    • Anonymous

      Do a google search for
      “:[this site’s web address] + [subject matter you’re looking for]”

      That brings back only hits from this website and is an effective way to search the comments

    • Anon Worker Bee

      The search box on the right near the top of the comments section should search both the post and comments. I use Pocket to save posts that have useful information in the comments because sometimes it can be a pain to go through all the search results.

      • Anonymous

        The search box stopped working a while ago for me – I know stuff is there, but it doesn’t find it. I usually go with the other poster’s suggestion to google it.

  14. Anon

    Kat – I’m cracking up at your ads right now. I spent a good chunk of time today looking for plane tickets and now I’m getting ads for “Get training to become an Aircraft Mechanic in your city! Download your free aviation maintenance career guide now!” hahahaha.

  15. roses

    Curious to hear what kind of bag or luggage you ladies use for overnight work trips. My carry-on suitcase seems like a bit of overkill, but a lot of the larger duffle-type bags don’t seem professional (I am going to need to take the bag to the client site for daytime meetings after which I catch a train or plane home). Thoughts?

    • Anon

      I still take my little carry on suitcase since I need to bring a hairdryer (curly hair = needs a diffuser = I can’t use the dryer provided by the hotel) and workout clothes (yes, even for an overnight trip).

      • anon a mouse

        This, exactly! And I’ll carry the OMG over the suitcase handle if I have a lot of work papers to schlep as well.

    • TO Lawyer

      I have a rolling briefcase that was firm-issued but isn’t hideous (it’s Swiss Army or something) but also isn’t super stylish. I usually like that for an overnight trip because I can fit PJs, a change of clothes, my hair straightener/makeup, and work stuff. I then usually carry a purse or a tote. It works for me!

    • Anonymous

      Samsonite mobile office – half laptop case, half suitcase. Perfect for overnight, it rolls and fits under seats in regional jets. If it’s two nights, a little Victorinox carry-on spinner and a dagne dover tote for my laptop.

      • samsonite mobile office?

        I’ve been debating this exact one (it’s at Costco right now for about $65) versus splurging for a $300 Victorinox Swiss Army Professional Officer version that looks basically the same.

        Has it held up? Do you use it daily or just for travel? Any cons?

        • Anonymous

          I’ve probably made about 40 trips with it – it’s fine, it has taken some abuse and I’ve had it for a few years, but it’s not going to last forever. The quality is more similar to what you get with the type of laptop bag that comes with your laptop at the office – mine is probably an older version, so maybe that’s different. I don’t think anyone realizes that it’s also a suitcase instead of just a laptop bag.

          The Victorinox is probably way nicer – my Victorinox hardside spinner feels much nicer to travel with. I know they make those little Spectra dual-access carryons that have laptop compartments, and I think that is what I would buy now (after checking if it would fit under an airplane seat) if I was buying new luggage, but it’s probably like 5x the cost of a Samsonite. Unless you travel a lot, it’s probably not worth it.

          • Anonymous

            And when I said that the Samsonite was the same quality as a generic bag, it’s still plenty durable enough to protect your laptop and things.

    • SC

      I use a roller bag for any overnight trip, even short ones. When traveling for work, I am usually traveling with one of my bosses, and I find that they care much more about me being able to move through the airport quickly than the amount of stuff I have with me. The roller bag is faster and (I think) appears more streamlined than having an overstuffed, heavy bag on my shoulder.

  16. cici

    I could’ve sworn Kat just did a post recently about video interviewing, but all I can find is the Skype one from 2010. Does anyone have advice or links to comments about video interview advice? I know to look at the camera but I am kind of concerned that where I am doing it in my apartment looks like a jail cell with beige walls and too bright lighting. Hopefully that doesn’t matter that much? Tips on what to wear? Thanks!

    • Best Coast

      I’ve done a few video interviews, both as the interviewer and the interviewee. I wouldn’t worry that you have plain walls. That is much more preferable to a busy and distracting background. Tip #1: Set everything up as you would have it for the interview and take a picture of yourself with your computer. Your picture should tell you if you looked washed out with the background color, or if something looks off with your outfit. As to the outfit, just wear what you would normally wear to an interview. Prints may not show up well on screen, but your pre-picture should help you identify that problem. Also with the computer, make sure that the camera is pointed right at you, not coming up from below your chin. Tip #2: Make sure all possible noises are muted- phones, doorbells, dogs, kids, etc. Tip #3: Have a list of the top 5 things you want to covey sticky-noted to your computer so that you can sneak a look at them to keep you on track. Tip #4: Smile and have energy! It’s really amazing how many people turn their personalities off on camera, and it can be a lost opportunity for otherwise good candidates. Hope that helps. Good luck!

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