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Sales of note for 9.30.24
- Nordstrom – Beauty deals through September
- Ann Taylor – Extra 30% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – 15% off new styles
- Eloquii – Extra 50% off sale
- J.Crew – 50% off select styles
- J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything + 50% off sale with code
- Lo & Sons – Warehouse sale, up to 70% off
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Neiman Marcus – Friends & Family 25% off
- Rag & Bone – Friends & Family 25% off sitewide
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – Fall Cyber Monday sale, 40% off sitewide and $5 shipping
- Target – Car-seat trade-in event through 9/28 — bring in an old car seat to get a 20% discount on other baby/toddler stuff.
- White House Black Market – 40% off select styles
And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!
Some of our latest threadjacks include:
- What to say to friends and family who threaten to not vote?
- What boots do you expect to wear this fall and winter?
- What beauty treatments do you do on a regular basis to look polished?
- Can I skip the annual family event my workplace holds, even if I'm a manager?
- What small steps can I take today to get myself a little more “together” and not feel so frazzled all of the time?
- The oldest daughter is America's social safety net — change my mind…
- What have you lost your taste for as you've aged?
- Tell me about your favorite adventure travels…
Sydney Bristow
I heard on the radio that retailers are considering whether to charge people a small fee to use the fitting room. Supposedly it could be refunded if you end up purchasing something you try on.
I personally think this is crazy because so often I try on a ton of things and absolutely nothing fits correctly even though they are my size. This problem is clearly exacerbated by the issue of 20 pieces being cut at once. I’m not trying stuff on with the goal of nothing fitting. My goal is that most, if not all, of the items fit so that I could buy them.
What do you all think?
Holly
That would be insane. They can start doing that the day they start making clothes that fit women properly. I’m so tired of trying on pair after pair of pants, only to find that they all gap in the waist and show the world my unmentionables.
Monday
I’m not an economist, but I predict lots of people attempting to try things on out in the open, on the retail floor, rather than paying to use the fitting room or buying based on a guess. Grreeeaaat.
Sydney Bristow
I already try things on like jackets on the sales floor if the line for the fitting room is long. I’d definitely be tempted to try anything on right there, but would probably just buy things guessing the correct size. It seems like it would just lead to more returns, but maybe stores would then charge a percentage for returns.
Monday
Yeah, jackets etc. are fine, and everyone does that. I’m concerned about a slippery slope toward indecency! Shoppers can be very unscrupulous.
Oneanon
I can’t really wrap my head around the motivation for such a fee. Can someone explain?
Lyssa
It sounds pretty far-fetched to me, simply because how would they handle those transactions? What a hassle that would be!
Oneanon
I’m picturing fitting rooms with European-pay-toilet style locking mechanisms. You can only enter after you put in $0.50.
So absurd.
Sydney Bristow
The radio people mentioned people who come in to try things on to figure out what size to get and then go home and order them online somewhere. That doesn’t really make sense to me because how often do you find current items in a store that are cheaper online at the same time? Also, adding shipping fees and the time it takes to ship seems like a waste.
The other thing mentioned was salespeople being frustrated with having to hang items up again and cleaning up the fitting rooms. I worked retail for a summer and it was a pain to keep up with the rooms, but I always just thought it was part of the job. Having had that experience though, I personally rehang things myself and take them out of the room to the attendant so they have a little less to do.
Lyssa
I have to admit that I did that with my wedding gown. Looking back, I kind of feel bad about it (not that I really demanded all that much attention from the bridal shop person, and I would think that a lot of brides try on a lot of dresses at different shops before they pick the right one). But at the time (I married while I was still in college, and my parents didn’t contribute very much), that $100 I saved seemed like kind of a big deal.
Mondette
I can see this being a real problem with wedding gowns. In fact, several of the places where I tried on gowns didn’t allow photography of dresses for just this reason. While irritating, that seems like a much more reasonable solution than charging for the dressing room.
another anon
Yeah, I remember the rule about no photos being pretty common when I was shopping for a wedding dress a number of years ago. But it seems like such a rule would be much harder to enforce now though, what with the ability to discreetly take a photo with your cell phone while you pretend to be texting or something. (Fortunately for me, I had my artist mother shopping with me, and by the 2nd or 3rd shop, we figured out that she was able to draw the dresses I liked well enough so that I could remember and compare later.)
I had some of the worst customer service experiences when shopping for a wedding dress–it was really incredible. At one of the first places we went to place, I tried on a first dress, which I liked, and then several others. I then asked the saleswoman to bring back the first dress so that I could see it again, and said something about wanting to know who the designer was. Not because I wanted to buy it somewhere else, I just wanted to be able to look at it online when I got home. I KNOW there was a tag in there when I frist tried it on, but when she brought it back, the tag had been hacked out. Needless to say, I didn’t buy from that store.
SF Bay Associate
Having witnessed shenannigans like that when helping friends shop for wedding dresses, I took pictures of each dress’s tag every time the sales girl left the room, and composed a draft email to myself with notes. I almost bought one at Priscilla, but thank goodness I didn’t because I would be SO MAD to have paid for it now that the store is going out of business and everything is on clearance.
I ended up falling for a designer dress at a fancy salon (oops), that didn’t have tags on the dresses, but just knowing the designer’s name and the fabric type was enough to sift through the designer’s collections online to find the name of the dress, and then watch for it preownedweddingdresses dot com until mine popped. I got it for less than half of retail, not to mention that shipping was like $40 instead of the $200+ the salon wanted. Thank goodness for the internet.
Some other bride is going to pay thousands at the salon for that dress, and enjoy the salon experience. This girl didn’t care and is quite happy with her used one at half price, thanks!
KM
SF Bay Associate – I did the same thing, except i ended up finding mine at a consignment shop!
Kim
I did this! It was a busy weekend so the saleswomen were too busy to be attentive, so I snapped pictures of the tags while changing. That’s what they get for overbooking appointments. Additionally, the dress was from 5 seasons ago, so I had no qualms about searching for it elsewhere for cheaper.
Ms. Basil E. Frankweiler
I was in retail too and believe that cleaning up the dressing rooms is part of the job. The problem is that most of my generation feels too entitled to actually do any work.
Baby DC Attorney
Mrs. Basil – amen. I worked at JcPenney for 2 years before and during college, and the fitting rooms (especially around the holiday season) were always awful. But I just figured it was part of my responsibilities.
E
Many people behave very, very badly in fitting rooms: everything from just leaving heaps of clothes, to leaving feces on the floor. I wish I were kidding, but I’m not.
another anon
How about they pay me for the time that I wasted trying on 10 pairs of pants in various sizes and cuts, because they can’t every seem to make the sizing consistent?
Any store that did this would lose my business in a flash.
another anon
Opps….”ever”, not “every”
MaggieLizer
Ditto! My hourly rate is a lot higher than whatever the store thinks it’s losing by me occupying a fitting room for 20-30 mins.
Anonymous
I wish they would pay me for my time and gas spent driving to the store, only to find that they have nothing in stock and I’m going to have to order it online anyway. I sometimes go into J. Crew planning to buy something and figuring I’ll use the red phone free shipping if they don’t have it, and I *always* have to use the red phone. I’ve never really thought about it in terms of my time, but it’s probably cheaper for me to just pay shipping than fight the mall crowds (the stress of which is an altogether different “cost”).
another anon
I’ve never tried this at J. Crew, but I know that if you call a J. Jill store, they will place an order to the catalog for you and then you don’t have to pay shipping. And it doesn’t matter if it’s stuff they have in the store or not. It is a bit of a hassle, because you have to read all the product numbers, sizes, etc. to someone over the phone, but it’s less hassle than actually driving to the mall. So maybe try this with J. Crew? If they don’t have an item you want in the store, I don’t see why they wouldn’t do this for you over the phone.
Hike!
I would change in the store like at JCrew warehouse sales…
Lana Lang
Surely some people would end up buying stuff, taking it home and bringing it back for a refund if it doesn’t fit, and I thought shops were trying to discourage people from doing that.
It’s stooopid.
MelD
People may just treat it like they do in some South Korean shopping centers. They have a large, long skirt that you can use as a mini try-on area- you can put it up around your neck for a dress/shirt or your waist to try on pants. I can just imagine how funny it would look if 15 women in J Crew were trying on suits under the big skirts.
Anon
I ALWAYS wear a maxi skirt over my suit pants anyways so really it’s the best way to see how it will fit when I wear it day to day.
MelD
Maybe Target’s next designer line should be Designer Dressing Room Substitute Maxi Skirts? It sounds like a great idea to me.
Anonny
Nah – I’m pretty sure this is based on a story from a while back in Australia about one specific ski shop that would spend a huge amount of time personally fitting ski boots on people, who would then turn around and use that sizing information to buy online and bypass taxes.
Bonnie
Here’s an article about Australian boutiques charging for fitting rooms: http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/high-street-hits-back-20110413-1de9o.html
Longtime Lurker
Threadjack – I’m heading to Copenhagen for the first time in late October/early November for work. Anyone have an idea what sort of coat would be appropriate? And any must-see places? I’m going for business so meetings all day (suits) and then likely out to dinner with the clients in teh evenings, but if I have any free time I’d love to just walk around and get a sense of the city or visit anything that is completely can’t miss. Also, any views on what to wear on long, long plane flights? I’ll be flying with a very cool partner so am thinking I could wear some sort of yoga pants and comfortable shirt since hopefully I’ll sleep but would love some advice from the frequent flyers out there. Thanks so much!
E
I travel for work a lot and I normally wear black elastic-waistband pants that are just a step above sweatpants. Check out the Lands End Starfish Pant or the J Crew Saturday pant. I usually wear a sports bra and long-sleeved tee for comfort but if you’re small-busted you could do a cami with built-in bra and cardigan.
MelD
Honestly I always wear something I think will be presentable if I have to walk around in the city wearing it for whatever reason. Usually I have comfy jeans, a t-shirt (with bra), hoodie, and a pair of slip-on shoes. I always like to wear pants with pockets because quite frankly the bathroom gets rather gross midway through the flight and I’d rather have items in my pockets than in a bag that may be sitting on a wet/unpleasant looking counter.
KS
It will likely be fairly cool already, and it’s often rainy, so I’d bring a nice trench coat with a good lining, along with a folding umbrella and some waterproof walking shoes. (I was in Copenhagen at exactly the same time last year, and I’d say it was in the 40s most of the time, and rainy, though temperature can be variable.)
Whenever you have any free time, Copenhagen is great walking city, so be sure to stroll down Strøget (the main pedestrian walking street) and check out the shops. A good place to stop for coffee or a light lunch is the Cafe Europa on the corner of Amagertorv, which has big picture windows giving you a great view of an open plaza.
http://www.welcome-to-my-copenhagen.com/stroget.html
The part of Strøget near Rådhuspladsen (Town Hall Square), where you’re likely to start your walk, has a number of tacky souvenir stores, but as you continue on toward the end of the street at Kongens Nytorv (where you’ll find the Opera House, and the five-star Hotel D’Angleterre), you’ll find some good shopping, including Georg Jensen, Royal Copenhagen and Illum.
I also recommend hanging a left at Amagertorv onto Købmagergade, and finding your way to Gråbrødre Torv, a charming, cobblestoned medieval square lined with restaurants. Also check out the Nyhavn area, along the harbor. Get yourself a good map, and just wander around.
There are great museums and restaurants in Copenhagen, if you have the time.
What hotel are you staying in?
Lana Lang
Ooh I really liked Cafe Europa! Good call!
Lana Lang
I went there in August, weather-wise I can’t really help you, but as for things to do/places to see:
1. Nyhavn is really cute, it’s the little port with multicoloured houses you may have seen pictures of, no idea what it will be like in November, but there are tons of restaurants there (some better than others, from what I have heard).
2. There are a few royal palaces which are fun to go and see if you like that sort of thing, although you would have to go during the day, which may not be an option.
3. For food, I suggest trying a Danish luncheon plate, I really liked them, you get open sandwiches with different toppings, fish/veggie/eggs – I thought they were delicious, although amazingly enough the best one I had was the Copenhagen Restaurant in the departures lounge at the airport!
4. Stroeget is the main shopping street, but it’s a bit tacky, there are much cuter little streets if you take the unbeaten path. It may be cold for this by then, but I strongly recommend the canal boat trips – they leave from Nyhavn every twenty minutes and take an hourg going round the canals/harbour so you get to see the Little Mermaid statue (which is tiny and not really worth walking to see)
5. You may also want to see Christiania (hippy commune) which is an autonomous area of the city. I didn’t jave time to go but it’s apparently really crazy so probably worth seeing.
KS
Yes, definitely order a plate of smørrebrød for lunch at some point if you have the chance. They’re the classic Danish open-faced sandwiches. And of course you have to try wienerbrød (what we call Danish pastry) for breakfast. Yum!
And yes, the airport (Kastrup) has great shopping and restaurants. It feels more like an upscale mall than an airport, and it’s only 15 minutes by train from the center of Copenhagen.
N
I lived in Copenhagen for five years.
Weatherwise, it really depends. Late October/early November may have one of those glorious fall weeks, but it would likely be chilly, and Copenhagen is also known for a bit of a windy weather in the fall. I would go with a lined trench coat, and waterproof boots as suggested above. Umbrellas are a good thing.
Strøget is legendary, but it is crowded, and filled with shops. The restaurants that may be along it are tourist traps, so I would stay away from them. The shopping centre Fields is a much better option in the fall. It’s about five stops on the metro line from Kongens Nytorv. http://www.fields.dk/information/uk
A walk from Amagertorv/Højbroplads (the square that brings Strøget and the parliament at Christiansborg together) up Købmagergade will lead you to the Round tower. Entry is fairly cheap, and you walk a spiral up to the top, and get a panorama of Copenhagen. Limited opening hours in October, though.
The royal palaces have museums that are interesting (if you’re into that) , but rather limited in opening hours. The park outside Rosenborg castle is quite nice for walking and such, if the weather is okay.
Christiania, while once popular, is only a shadow of itself today. I honestly wouldn’t waste time trekking out there.
The Little Mermaid is one of those things that is probably the most iconic things about Copenhagen. And a “must-see”, in a nice walking distance from the centre, but it is actually tiny, so it is more for the photo ops than any sense of WOW… ;)
The open faced sandwiches, smørrebrød, are a must. Ida Davidsen in Store Kongensgade is one of the more famous restaurants dealing in them. http://www.idadavidsen.dk/index.php?page=8
La Glace conditori and Lagkagehuset deals in pastries and cakes. Well worth a visit.
Nonny
Can’t offer any advice on Copenhagen, but with respect to long flights – (a) take a pashmina – airplanes are often ridiculously cold and you can use your pashmina variously as an extra pillow, wrap, scarf, etc.; and (b) take comfy socks so you can take your shoes off and not worry about what your feet may or may not be touching. I have special fuzzy airplane socks – no lie.
Even if the partner you are flying with is fine with you wearing yoga pants, I suggest wearing something a little more presentable to the airport (I’m not talking a suit, maybe just a nicer pair of pants) and changing once you actually get on the plane, then changing back before you disembark. You will get better treatment at the airport if you look presentable, and once you arrive in Europe you will feel much more like you fit in.
Longtime Lurker
Thanks so much everyone! I’m not sure yet exactly where we’ll be staying, but I appreciate all the tips.
Michelle
I usually travel in plain black yoga pants, a plain Tshirt and a hoodie on red-eye flights, but have also traveled in comfortable jeans and been fine. The hoodie is the key; planes can get cold and/or hot sort of randomly, partiularly while on the tarmac, and layering is important.
p
I hate to sound nuts, but I received pajama jeans as a gag gift and suprisingly LOVE them, especially for travel . So comfy! When my (very dear friends, but tres snotty, very WASPY) sorority sisters found out I was rocking pajama jeans, they were very surprised! 4 of them bought them! Our dirty little secret! Stop into CVS for some travel clothes!
csaurus
If you can find a Paradis (ice cream shop) eat some stracciatella for me, I miss it so.
Amelia Bedelia
Yay – coffee break!
Okay. I need a recommendation for a leather skirt. It can be a-line or pencil, but must be of suitable length. Even worse, I really do not want to spend more than $200. Let’s face it, I can’t exactly wear this thing once a week! I might be able to go to $300, but that would be hard.
When I read the earlier post, I decided I must own a leather skirt for fall to wear with sweaters on casual fridays . . .
E
I saw this at Talbots, no idea on how nice it is in person:
http://www.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi27286&rootCategory=&catId=&sortKey=§ion=&conceptIdUnderSale=
Nordstrom also had a Halogen one, but I can’t find it on the website anymore. Perhaps check out Nordstrom Rack? I saw some the last time I was there.
Holly
I just saw one at White House / Black Market over the weekend. Didn’t look at it too closely, though. Not sure about the details, but it looked like it was maybe a slight A-line and knee-length.
Saw It
I saw the WHBM skirt in person a couple weeks ago. I was not impressed with the quality of either the leather or the sewing. Sorry. Wish I were because I am also looking for a pair of leather pants, and I thought WHBM might be a source.
Anonymous
danier dot com
Anon for this
Regular commenter, anon for this one…. Does anyone belong to an Inn of Court? I was asked to join one that isn’t particularly related to my practice area, but would probably be good for office politics/job security and long term career goals. Thoughts?
Lyssa
I was before I moved, and I really enjoyed it. I live in a smaller market area, so we don’t have different practice areas, so I can’t comment on that, but it was really great for meeting people. Folks were really friendly, you got some CLE in, and it was generally a nice environment. One thing that mine emphasized was that everyone was “equal”- even big-wig partners and judges had to be addressed by their first names, so, if you’re a younger attorney, it’s a good opportunity to have a chance to get to know higher powered people on a more personal level.
I don’t know how much they vary place to place, but I’d do it if I were you.
LSC
I did one and loved it! It was just general litigation, not super specialized like some of the other Inns. But it was a great opportunity to network and meet new, interesting people. I’d recommend it.
anon
Several of the senior associates and partners in my biglaw office are members of the San Francisco one in their specialized practice area and speak highly of it. Seems like a smart move, anon for this.
Kanye East
I’m in one (the only Inns where I live are litigation-related, so I’m no help regarding practice areas), and I think it’s great. The opportunity to talk with judges outside the courtroom is fantastic, and it can be great networking. Of course, every Inn is different, but I highly recommend it.
Danae
Love the Inns of Court – I’ve been in a specialized one for my practice area in all three cities I’ve lived. It’s great for networking/connections for professional purposes as well as for friends, for CLE/ethics, and it’s pretty well regarded by most firms.
Ms. Basil E. Frankweiler
I’ve been a student member for a little over a year and love it. It’s not only helped me network, but because I am an introvert, I’ve been able to build relationships in the “safety” of my Inn meetings and then I usually can find someone from my Inn when I go to other events, giving me a “jumping off” person to talk to.
Anon for this
Thanks, all! I kind of have to do it because two partners “invited” me to join, I just really wasn’t sure what to think of it. I’m definitely looking forward to it now, though.
also anon for this
I joined one related to my practice area because it was heavily encourged by a partner. I think they offer great networking opportunities, especially if you eventually want to jump ship for another place.
Hike!
Kate Spade Flash Sale! Until Midnight tonight….
Batgirl
Was just about to post the same. I’ve been looking for a classic black leather tote for a while now and just picked up the bon flicker tote!
Hike!
All the ones I really like do not have a zipper… I am not ready to get a purse without a zipper yet. Same problem with suede shoes, I always get caught in the rain…
R in Boston
The posting too fast gremlins got my comment. Thanks for the tip. I leave a terrible job tomorrow, so I bought myself the vanston maryclare as a reward for making it through. Now my day is much better.
Classof2011
What color did you get? I was thinking about this as a reward to myself for passing the bar.
R in Boston
I got the tan color because I didn’t want another black bag. Will report when I get it.
Caroline
Hey, congrats, R in Boston! I’ve been there, and you definitely deserve a reward for surviving!
R in Boston
Bunkster – How did yesterday go? Did you already check back in on an earlier thread?
MaggieLizer
We’re keeping our fingers crossed for you, Bunkster. And congrats R!
Bunkster
Hee. I just logged in to give you all the update.
I’m going back next Monday for Round 4 on the job I really like. That was the one from yesterday morning. It’s a great company, good location, great benefits, and good job.
The afternoon one was disappointing, but I wasn’t all that excited about it either. It’s pretty far away and they had me come in right away without doing any discussions by phone. Then the woman asked me why I even applied. I told her I knew several of the software packages, but I was thinking “why did you have me come in?”
Anyway, I’m just psyched for the other one.
And, R in Boston, Congrats on your new job!
MelD
Crossing my fingers that phase 4 is the job offer phase! The latter one sounds like a dud. Do people get some sort of sick thrill out of asking people to take time out of their day for an interview only to act completely disdainful when you get there and don’t have 100% of the skills they wanted. Don’t you think I would have put skills X, Y, and Z on the resume if I had them?
Bunkster
My thoughts, exactly. Thanks.
R in Boston
Thanks Bunkster (and Caroline, above). So glad the morning interview went well. Here’s hoping you get out soon and into a fabulous new job. And that I am able to leave my new job at a reasonable hour on Oct. 20th to hear all about it.
Erin
I just read a very interesting article on “America’s Fertility Class Divide”.
http://www.slate.com/id/2304649/
“Two new studies bring the contrasting reproductive profiles of rich and poor women into sharp relief. One, from the Guttmacher Institute, shows that the rates of unplanned pregnancies and births among poor women now dwarf the fertility rates of wealthier women, and finds that the gap between the two groups has widened significantly over the past five years. The other, by the Center for Work-Life Policy, documents rates of childlessness among corporate professional women that are higher than the childlessness rates of some European countries experiencing fertility crises.”
AIMS
How uplifting.
Anonymous
We chatted about this reality back on a thread this summer… to me it means, for those of us with more than most who want kids but think we can’t afford them until some magical future moment of perfect financial security… afford them anyway.
MelD
I think the issue presented is that many professional women simply don’t want to have kids. In the past, it really wasn’t an option not to have children, but now that it is, women are making the conscious choice to opt out.
If this is a real problem, we really need to look at why this is the case. The reality is that the US has an awful parental leave policy, expensive daycare options, poor maternity insurance coverage, and a variety of other obstacles that make having children less desirable than it should be.
p
I know that this is a terrible, unhealty thing to think, but, being a “success story” from a middle class town whose high school dropout classmates have 3 babies by different dudes by age 25 and seeming so blissful and carefree on Facebook with their part time office manager gigs (millions of pictures by the pool every weekend with the kids while I am at midLaw paying for the fuccccckijg degree/barely scraping by as middle class), I sometimes think it would be nice break after enduring college/law school/repaying school debt/saving for future to be so poor/irresponsible that SOMEONE ELSE has to worry for me regarding health care, child care, education, etc.
Until then, my responsibility.
This country scares me
I worry about our country.
p
And I’m a liberal!
Ann
Well said.
Erin
Me too. I think dumb people often have it easier because they don’t want so much and they don’t know what they’re missing.
Mir
haha, this is a little blunt, but I agree to an extent. I love that I’ve had the opportunity to travel and get a good education and have a good, well-paying job, that allows me to indulge in pricey hobbies and a fancy big-city lifestyle, but I really don’t think I’m any happier than my high school classmates still stuck in our flyover state with their 3 kids, a dog. Maybe I’m the dumb one who’s running so much faster just to stay in the same place.
Anon
DH and I talk about this all the time. Sometimes I just want to be dumb for a day- ignorance is bliss.
Kim
Check out the movie Idiocracy. It outlines takes this concept to the absurd end where Americans wear only mesh clothing. The main character ends up in the supreme court for some absurd reason and objects to the opposing counsel’s ramblings. The judge says “what are you objectifying on?!” Hysterical…and sobering.
B
Co-signed!!!
Erin
I also don’t understand how professional women manage to get married. I’m a lawyer in DC and the majority of my female friends are single. So are the majority of women, including senior women, in my office. A lot of the ones who are married were married or dating their husbands before becoming a lawyer. I am not a workaholic and I have a pretty active social life, but I never meet guys. I haven’t been on a date in like 8 months, although I haven’t been actively trying to get one. But that seems pretty typical for my peer group.
anon
DC seems like a brutal place for single professional women. There are so many great women there relative to the number of single professional men.
Anon
Sorry threadjack b/c I need advice from you lovely ladies: just found out I have a meeting tomorrow with clients and other side as well as their client. I would normally wear a suit to this type of meeting but I can’t fit in any of my three suits b/c I’ve gained about 10 lbs over the past 6 months (I mean, I can definitely squeeze into them but the pants are gonna look super tight and I’m also afraid if I bend down or something, the pants are gonna split right down the middle.) Others generally wear suits as well but they take off their jackets. Is it fine to wear a blazer and a dress to this or will that just not seem appropriate?
OK
A blazer and dress that fit will be much better than a suit that doesn’t.
MaggieLizer
That sounds fine to me. Plenty of women in my office wear blazers with dresses or skirts to meetings and even in court. I could name 5-6 female partners that I have never seen in a suit.
Esquirette
Sounds fine to me. I don’t think that you even have to try matching them (e.g., black on black/navy on navy).
anon
Thanks ladies! I’m going to feel totally weird in a tight pant suit so I’m going with a grey dress and a black blazer. I just didn’t want to feel self-conscious in the outfit if I’m the odd one out but you ladies have given me the assurance to rock it. Thanks so much!!!
Anony
Threadjack, but I’m just in a bad position and am not sure what to do. I’m a 3L who summered with a firm. My exit interview went wonderfully, except–the firm I worked at was on the smaller side, and they won’t decide to make offers until the end of the year. I was told that I will be “under consideration” until then. If they make an offer to anyone, I will get one, according to my boss–but the question is whether the firm is going to take on anyone else, period.
This terrifies me, so I’m going to apply elsewhere, just in case. To help with my chances, I don’t want to geographically restrict myself. But how do I address this “under consideration” aspect in a cover letter? How do I explain that I’m waiting on a job in one location, while applying somewhere else? I’m hesitant to not mention my prior job at all, because it implies that I was no-offered when I wasn’t.
Lastly — I know recruiting is in full swing, but I was talking with a friend about the situation. She suggested I backload my applications, so the 3L acceptance wave will be finished, and firms will be more aware of what they need (based on who accepted and who didn’t). I’m going crazy not applying, but I don’t want to apply now and have my stuff get lost in the wave of 2Ls applying right now. Is it stupid for me to wait, or stupid for me to apply now?
Thanks in advance. Ever since this happened I’ve been angry and upset in turns, because I feel like I’ve been placed in a position that’s going to be hard to navigate. I seriously feel like I am going to have a nervous breakdown.
Ellen
You have to intereview elsewhere, that is a MUST.
The law firm sounds alot like mine. I should have worked for a top 20 firm, but I was TOLD I would get more exposeure at a SMALLER firm.
So I accepted a job offer from the manageing partner, who told me there was not to much diference in the legal work they do.
Now I must do alot of EBT’s and heareings before ALJ’s, and that is the good part. But I also have to eat with the manageing partner every day (almost) exept when his wife comes and then I am not alowed to be seen with him.
So PLEASE interview with the big firms. I am SURE they do NOT have to do such dumm things.
Esquirette
I’m sorry to give you this reality check but right now, you do not have a job offer. You have to recognize that one may not ever come. I have seen this happen. You need to apply elsewhere as if that will be the case. I would not address “the under consideration” in your cover letter, or worse say that you are waiting from an offer from another firm. Why would another firm bother to consider you? Your letter will go straight into recycling. If you feel the need to address your 2L summer position, you could state that the firm did not hire anyone in its summer class due to financial restrictions – which would be true when you send the letter and, based on what you were told, would be true if you do not get an offer (assuming the firm was being straight with you) . If someone other than you gets a job offer from your old firm, then you could address the inaccurracy in your letter during an interview). You need to go into full gear and get your resume out there regardless of the recruiting going on right now for 2Ls. You won’t get “lost” — either a firm will look at your resume or not, want you or not — all you do by waiting is lose opportunities that might otherwise have been available to you. The firm should have warned you from the beginning of the summer that they might not hire anyone so that you could have been prepared to go into interviewing this fall full steam. I hope that your original firm offer comes through and makes this all a waste of time but don’t make the situation worse by waiting on them. Good luck!
Esquirette
On review, if you feel you must address your 2L summer position in your cover letter, I would use the phrasing that Similar Situation suggested rather than what I suggested. However, I don’t think that this is necessary. I’m glad that the comments have helped you feel better about things. After the panic comes the resolve. Good luck!
Similar Situation
This was me a few years ago. (For what it’s worth, I was ultimately no-offered, applied during 3L year to everything available with no success, took a school-sponsored fellowship at a nonprofit, got a second-tier-attorney-type job in biglaw, and then quickly and very luckily lateraled to a regular biglaw job. Ironically, I don’t like biglaw that much, but that’s what’s hiring in my region, so that’s where I am for now. And my first biglaw job was so terrible that I really appreciate my current job — I’m sure much more than I would have if I had simply received an offer from my summer firm.)
First, I would apply to places ASAP, and keep on applying throughout the year. Some places already know they need, some will only figure it out in the spring. The more applications you send in, the more likely it is that one of them will lead to an offer. Don’t try to psychoanalyze recruiters. Just apply to them. (Them being anything you could see yourself as at all qualified and able to do.) Don’t rely on your firm to keep its word; act as if you don’t have an offer.
Second, in your cover letter, when you describe your summer associateship, state as succinctly as possible that your summer firm has not yet made offers to any summers from your class. This makes it clear that you weren’t no-offered. If employers want more info, you can provide it at the interview. Make sure not to make it sound like the summer firm is your #1 choice, though, and that you’re only applying to this place as a backup in case your summer firm ultimately no-offers you. (Linking back to previous paragraph, it is much easier to say that your firm hasn’t moved on offers than to say that it has no-offered you, which you might have to say come January. It will make it easier for you to articulate your situation, and the firm will be less likely to have concerns about hiring you.)
Third: You will be okay. Things will work out. You are worth hiring, and eventually (hopefully immediately), someone will realize that. Until then, give yourself permission to feel whatever you need to — anger, sadness, frustration, exhaustion, humiliation, etc. But also know that (1) you did nothing wrong and (2) your situation will improve.
Similar Situation
Another thing that might be useful is making contact with attorneys (I found it best to track down female alums from my undergrad, which was small and tends to attract loyal ladies) in the area for “informational interviews” / “career guidance.” I am not a networker by nature, but I forced myself to do this. It got me a few interviews, either at their firms or with their friends, and it actually made me a very nice middle-aged friend. You’re more likely to get a foot in the door via human contact than by cold-call-type letter sent into the abyss.
darby
I’m not sure that even need to address the offer/waiting for an offer issue in your cover letter or proactively. It’s not at all uncommon to interview elsewhere after summering at a particular firm for all kinds of reasons (waiting on an offer, didn’t love the people, offer in a practice group you’re not excited about, want to see what your other options are, etc.). Personally, I’d wait until you’re asked in an interview about the issue to talk about it.
darby
PS – I agree with the other posters on apply for other jobs now too. It’s not at all unusual in this economy to be in your situation & to be looking around.
Anonymous
Maybe my perspective is skewed towards firms with large summer classes, but I don’t think you should see yourself in “competition” with 2Ls. It’s my understanding that recruiting for SAs and for full-time hires are completely different markets.
Besides, at my school, 2Ls were applying 2 months ago, going through OCI 1.5 mos ago, and callbacks 1 month ago. I think that most of them have already accepted their summer position. I don’t say this to be harsh, but just that if you were hoping to beat 2Ls through the door, it’s probably too late. Don’t let that fear rush you into sending out panicked applications that aren’t well developed or well targeted. Take the great advice from other commenters re: your summer job, take the weekend to do your research and formulate a strategy, and you’ll hopefully feel much more confident. Good luck!
Erin
You have to mention your summer job, but absolutely don’t tell them you’re waiting on an offer. Just list it on your resume and leave it at that. If they ask in the interview, say that your summer firm doesn’t hire that far in advance but they’ve advised you that they will consider you if you’re available when they have hiring needs. And if possible, use someone from your summer firm as a reference, since it sounds like they liked your work and surely they’d understand that you can’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Anony
Thank you both. When I typed my original question, I was in full panic attack mode, but after reading both your responses I already feel better. A good, frustrated cry helped too. I needed to find my resolve and have someone talk straight with me, and both of you were definitely a help. Thank you again.
CT
So, this is a frivolous threadjack but I am curious. I just got the fall J. Crew catalog, and I love almost all of the styles. But I’m pear-shaped, size 12 on top and 14 or 16 on bottom depending on the store. Can anyone tell me about J. Crew sizing? Do I have a chance if I order their pants in 16? I’m especially curious about the Cafe trousers and the Super 120s pants/blazers.
Erin
J Crew tends to be cut for women with straighter figures, and it definitely isn’t for women with boobs, so you’re lucky there. I’m a size 14P normally and I barely fit into a 16 regular at J Crew. I have a large chest and J Crew tops are just impossible for me. You’d probably do ok in a size 16 at J Crew if you are normally a 14. I think it’s definitely worth trying. You are unlikely to find anything over a 12 in store, so you probably going to have to order online.
R in Boston
Don’t know if I am too late on this, but I am a consistent 16 on top and 14 or 16 on the bottom with a defined waist and large chest and jcrew suiting fits me great. I have found that in the super 120s suits I take a 16 for trousers and 14 for pencil skirts due to the waist/hip differential. Knits I go with large or extra large depending on the cut, so you’d probably be large and sometimes medium. Tailored shirts are all over the map for me at jcrew.
CT
Thanks!
HLA
Eh, I may have to disagree on this. I’m a 10 on top and a 6 on the bottom and wear a 34FF (Yes, really) and I have found that J.Crew button-downs (and other tops) fit me way better than a lot of others do. Different styles within the same store often fit differently, and differently on different people. I know that’s not helpful at all, but I just sharing my 0.02 because J.Crew fits me better than a lot of what’s out there.
Bcf
Whoa, has anyone checked out Burlington Coat Factory lately? They have some great clothes for cheap. Think TJ Maxx or Marshall’s.
A friend recommended it, and I just picked up 2 suits (Tahari ASL & Nine West), an adorable sweater dress, costume jewelry, winter gloves, and a candy impulse buy, all for under $200. Wow.
I hadn’t been in a Burlington since probably college. But I was impressed!
anon
Thanks for sharing that! Maybe I’ll swing by the one near here this weekend. It’s in a mall with a Marshalls that is not so good. Is it just me, or do the Marshalls and TJ Maxx’s in richer neighborhoods have a much better selection of professional clothes than the ones in poorer neighborhoods?
Bunkster
That is definitely true, but sometimes you can find items that have sold out in other stores because the clientele there isn’t interested in them. I got a madras sheath dress at the TJMaxx in my town that had sold out at the one in my parents’ town on the Cape (read upscale vacation area).
Anonymous
Go this little coupon from Boden. $10 off. Can only be used once and on non-sale items, but if you are buying something anyway, why not save $10.
Code: UA6DYP9345AY