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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 150 Comments · by

Suit of the Week: Dolce & Gabbana

Suit of the Week

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Dolce Gabbana Fitted Martini JacketFor 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. I think Dolce & Gabbana has done the impossible: they've made a chic brown pants suit. (With leopard lining! Squee!)  I love the fitted blazer (which also comes in black/blue), and the fit of the pants looks exquisite. I like it as styled, with white, but I think a lot of pastels go well with brown (light blue and light purple particularly). The jacket (Dolce & Gabbana Fitted Martini Jacket) is $1445, and the pants (Dolce & Gabbana Straight Leg Pants) are $675.
Dolce Gabbana Fitted Martini Jacket 3 Dolce Gabbana Fitted Martini Jacket 4 Brown suit
(L-5)

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Comments

  1. Susie

    Interesting that Kat’s comment was “the fit of the pants looks exquisite” while my first thought was – what’s up with the crease city going on in the pants crotch, both from the front and back view the fit looks horrible to me.

      • Bee

        The thigh gap IS photoshopped. Why they also added CT [via photoshop] is a bit baffling too.

      • Kanye East

        I think those pants are trying to turn “whiskering” into “smizing.”

        You go, Tyrapants. You are still in the running towards becoming C*rp*r3tt3’s Next Top Trousers.

    • Anonymous

      It is totally photoshopped (and not very well, I might add). I’d have expected better from D&G and Barney’s.

    • TBK

      I think she’s semi-crouching, like she’s going to jump off a diving board, and that’s creating both the crease and the thigh gap. Plus probably photoshop.

      • Cat

        I agree the fit of the cr*tch is insane (was that Michael Kors on an old Project Runway, or Tim Gunn?).

        But re: the thigh gap complains – I realize this is a hot topic among eating disorders right now, but it’s so true that’s dependent on body type. I am 15 lbs over my happy weight right now, carry my weight mostly in hips/butt/tummy/thighs, and STILL have a thigh gap because my legs are “set” relatively far apart. So while I agree this instance does look a little over-edited, it’s not jumping out at me as totally unrealistic.

        • ADS

          I got scared away from Tumblr because so many were weirdly fetishizing thigh gaps.

          It srsly almost made my head explode.

    • Anonymous

      They’re listed as an 8.5″ rise. With that low of a rise, she’s got to pull them all up in the girl parts to get them up to where the waist is.

      • Mary

        a 8.5″ rise actually comes above my belly-button…it’s not that low of a rise.

        • Mpls

          Rise totally depends on the person, and how the hips sit and the shape of the backside. So, it could be indecently short on some people, and just fine on others.

    • Bonnie

      I don’t think this suit looks chic at all. The fit of the pants is horrible and the color just seems blah.

    • Anon

      I tried a similar D&G suit in their store a couple of seasons ago, and the crotch issue was present as well. Note also the horizontal creases on the back of the legs due to the trousers being too tight, even on the really skinny model. I bought a skirt D&G suit instead, and it’s really well made (love the leopard print lining too).

    • Ashley

      I certainly would not be drawn to this based on these photos. They cut looks too masculine and the fit of the pants is just weird. (Photoshop Fail.)

  2. S in Chicago

    Any legging recommendations? I’ve been wearing zella since they don’t pill or fade, but they tend to get a little shiny over time and don’t always stay up very well when bending. I just bought new slouchy boots for fall and can hardly wait to start wearing them with oversize sweaters once I finally get th legging situation figured out.

  3. 16handles

    Anyone have recommendations for a good CPA in New York? I know it’s early to be planning, but I received a rather large donation towards educational/living expenses over the summer, and want to speak with someone sooner than later about any taxes I may have to pay so I can start setting money aside. If you’ve had a good consultation experience, please share!

    • CPA

      I’m a CPA (not in NY) but thought I’d chime in. Who did you receive the money from? If it was purely a gift it is not taxable. Gifts only impact the tax situation of the the person giving the gift. I’m assuming this gift was given by a person (not a trust, etc.) to you personally (not in a trust, etc.).

      • 16handles

        The situation is a little complicated – this person sponsored part of my education (paid the school directly as a sponsorship through his company, so no real tax implications for me) but then gave me an additional lump sum after I graduated for covering living/educational expenses while studying for the bar as well as some of my loans. This money came from his company as well, with a letter indicating that it was continued sponsorship for education/living/loan related expenses, but the difference being that this money came directly to me as opposed to being paid directly to the school. I then apportioned it as I saw fit, rent, loans, etc. I wasn’t sure if this would then be considered some other kind of income rather than a gift.

        • CPA

          Yeah, that does complicate things a bit. I’d have to look into the regs on scholarships/stipends. It may be worth your time and money to talk to a CPA regarding this if it’s a significant sum of money.

  4. zora

    Hey Hive, can you help save a marriage?? jk (sorta).. but my parents are apparently having a power struggle over the one desktop computer in the house. My dad is on it basically all weekend and it’s driving my mother insane.

    It would be overboard to invest in a whole other desktop or expensive laptop. But she would like to be able to go to another floor, or even her bedroom and be able to check and reply to emails, go on websites to make travel reservations, facebook, etc. She wouldn’t want to spend more than $200-300. She has a smart phone where she can check email, but it is a pain for writing emails or navigating the internet.

    I am a committed Apple-nut, so I don’t know as much about the variety of the devices out there as I should. Any thoughts about what would be best for her? I was thinking either a small netbook or a basic tablet, I think she would sort of prefer a real keyboard, but she did eventually get used to using her ipod touch, so I think she could get used to a touch keyboard as well. Any favorites, best buys for the buck, etc?

    • Terry

      How about a tablet and a bluetooth keyboard? There are a ton of IPad cases out there with such keyboards.

    • emily

      Chromebook, if google is acceptable. Lightweight, full keyboard, great battery life, super quick startup – I love mine!

      • JCA

        +2. Next time I need to upgrade my home computer, I’m definitely going with a Chrome book.

      • Amy H.

        I *really* wanted a keyboard for exactly this and have been very happy with the Samsung Chromebook, with one glaring and now problematic exception — there are no “Page Up” or “Page Down” keys. I also don’t think there is any way to cut and paste text — at least not that I’ve found yet. There are no right-click options on the mouse substitute (a touchpad). BUT it was under $250 on Amazon and I love having a full keyboard.

        • emily

          I’m not sure about page up/down, but you can use ctrl + alt + the up or down arrow keys for moving to the top or bottom of the page. You can cut and paste with ctrl + c or ctrl + v, like on any other computer, it just takes a minute to master click/drag to highlight all on the same mousepad. And right-clicking is just clicking with two fingers instead of one finger in the middle of the mousepad.

    • January

      My mom loves her iPad. She hangs out with it as much as I hang out with mine. And she loves to play solitaire on it, too.

    • Lady Harriet

      My brother and I got our mom a Kindle Fire for her birthday/Christmas last year. She absolutely loves it, wants to show it off to people all the time, and frequently tells us that it’s the best present we’ve ever bought her. She’s in her early 60’s and not super into technology, but not a luddite either. She only occasionally uses it as an e-reader, but she loves it for listening to internet radio, apps, and some web browsing. She finds the on-screen keyboard cumbersome, so she prefers not to type on it, but it is usable. It was also MUCH cheaper than almost any other tablet. The regular price is $159, but we bought it on black Friday for $129. FWIW, my mom is also fascinated by the idea of the Microsoft Surface, largely because of the built-in keyboard, and wants to get one when her Kindle dies.

      • marketingchic

        The other good thing about tablets for older users is that the allow you to increase the type size when you’re using them as an e-reader. My parents, both in their 70’s, really appreciate that feature.

    • Gail the Goldfish

      My mom got my dad (who is technologically incompetent) a tablet for this exact reason. It’s not an iPad, but I’m not sure what it is–some sort of Samsung I think? It’s a touch keyboard, but as Terry mentioned above, bluetooth keyboard is probably an option. Or there’s the Microsoft Surface or other laptop/tablet hybrids, though right now they’re much more than $200-300.

        • hellskitchen

          I love the Galaxy tab! I got one a few months ago. Recently my mom came over to visit and she used my tablet so much that I got her one too and she loves it. Mine is the 7 inch tab which feels like holding a book in your hand and is super convenient to drop into my handbag or read in bed

          • NOLA

            I can’t wait to get mine! I’m getting the larger one (10 or 11 inch?) because I need to have a portable device to take to meetings where the docs are just too long to print.

      • zora

        I saw the refurbished ones, does anyone here still have the iPad 2 (2nd gen)?? Is it still going strong? still good speed for gmail/internet browsing, etc?

        • SC

          I have an iPad 2, and it’s still going strong. I pretty regularly stream videos from Hulu and HBO on it, and it works very well – great picture, enough speed. It’s also great for general browsing/ email – although of course you’d need an external keyboard. For my purposes and with my budget at least, none of the newer tablets have seemed so much better than the iPad 2 that it’s worth replacing.

        • hoola hoopa

          I can also vouch for an ipad 2. I can’t really tell a difference from newer models, based on casual experience with them.

        • MJ

          I have an Ipad 2. I simply didn’t care about retina…Love you r e t t e s, but I generally surf the web before be and kindle on my ipad…I didn’t need a super-duper screen. That said, I would totally get a Kindle Fire…they are much cheaper and would have satisfied all of my needs for much cheaper.

        • zora

          Really? Why do you like it better? I figured full size would be better for email and surfing the internet, because you would be able to see more of the page at a time, and have to do less scrolling, so I was thinking the slightly bigger size would be better for my mom. But, I’d honestly love to hear your pitch for the mini ;o)

          • Bonnie

            I think it’s easier to hold at times like now when I’m relaxing on the couch. The full size was too big to hold and type. I got a cover with a Bluetooth keyboard on amazon but never use it.

          • zora

            Ah, good point! I will talk through with her where she thinks she’ll use it the most and for what. thanks for your help!!

          • ss

            I’m a fan of the smaller size (gave away my full-sized one after I got it). Easy to hold, easy to travel with, absolutely fine for reading text and pics. Perhaps not so great for movies but doesn’t sound like that’s what you’re going for.

    • NYC

      My mom thought she wanted a keyboard and then went and tested everything and realized the iPad is perfect for her. But then my dad took that over, too, so she got an ipad mini.

      I also sent my dad my super ancient laptop (purchased in 2005 and still running, go Dell!), which he uses regularly, too.

      Yes, they went from 1 computer to 4. And I think still have turf wars.

      • snowy

        turf wars, lol. Exactly how my parents were- they ended up getting two laptops so they can both be doing… whatever it is they do online at the same time. I think they got cheap Dells.

        Oddly, my husband and I don’t have this problem, I think because being on computers at work all day we don’t feel the need when at home; we also both have smart phones if we need to see what the hours are at Home Depot, or look up the closest apple picking place, etc. I honestly don’t know what my parents spend all their time on the internet doing.

        • bridget

          This is how my husband and I are, with the exception that our laptops also double as our TVs. So we use them often after work, but almost exclusively in their “TV-mode” – just for streaming hulu/netflix/hbo etc.

    • KLG

      My mother in law and I both have Lenovo laptops purchased for just under $400 on newegg in the last year. They seem to have a lot of laptops in the $200-300 range as well.

    • Carrie Preston

      iPad mini and buy a keyboard to go with it. I think it would be perfect for her needs.

    • TO Lawyer

      My parents had this problem and eventually solved it by getting my mom a netbook. And then she promptly took over my dad’s iPad when we bought it for him as a birthday gift to check email and play solitaire. My dad had to buy a new laptop, which is now his.

      As a side note, I don’t remember my parents having “turf wars” like this but as empty nesters, they seem to spend more time on their phones/computers. Now they have turf wars over the TV and the PVR. Although somehow my dad has gotten addicted to my mom’s soap operas and gets offended whenever she watches it without him.

      • zora

        Awesome, thank you EVERYONE for the amazing recommendations!! This is all so helpful. I will have some specific examples to discuss with her to help her decide. You all are the best! Hugs!!

  5. Interview Weirdness

    I’m curious what yall think about this strange series of events in my interview process for a tech company.

    I had a phone interview, then was invited on-site to interview from two people, from one of the departments I’d be working with. Both people from the other department were out of the office that day (okkkkk….) so they had me back a second time, and I also had 2 or 3 additional phone interviews in this time with people at various sites. All going really well. I pretty much thought after the second on site (when I talked to HR about salary, and they checked at least one of my references to my knowledge) I would get an offer.

    Last night HR again asked for an on-site interview AGAIN. I pushed back, because I really can’t be dashing off from work for half-day interviews every week (if they’re not making an offer, I still need to work here!). And I was curious as to why they needed me back on site, when my interviews with both of these people concluded with “thanks, that’s all I have – you seem like a great fit.” I asked (since I’m in tech) if perhaps they needed me to code on the white board, or something?

    The HR person couldn’t tell me anything about the nature of their follow-up for me(surprise) but finally scheduled me with two additional phone interviews. What do you guys think is up? Why would they string me along like this? Maybe they can’t decide between me and another candidate? This has never happened to me before. I’ve always had one (albeit day-long) interview, usually with a presentation and grilling of my technical skills, and then was called with a job offer a few days later. I’ve never been strung out like this and it’s freaking me out!

    • ADS

      Could be a red flag. If this is how flaky they are with coordinating interviews and hiring, imagine how much fun it will be when you try to ask for a raise after working there awhile.

      Also, can you imagine this Keystone Kops routine with your benefits?

    • Lyssa

      I know that for my current job, when I was called back for a second interview, it was really more of an offer discussion – do you have any more questions, here’s some stuff about the company, here’s what we’re prepared to offer, etc. So, it could be that they want that, rather than another true interview.

      But it could be a red flag that they’re flaky, too. If you really want the job, I’d go again, but be a little bit wary. Good luck!

    • Anon

      I had one like that. They gave me like five interviews and they all asked me the same questions, and the hiring manager talked to me a couple times, told me what I’d be doing in between this, like they were definitely going to hire me. From the first interview to when I got the offer, it was about 2 months! By that point I was so annoyed that I rejected them. It was a tech consulting company that started with C, if you are interested. My reference at the company said that they were just incompetent at interviewing.

    • OP

      thanks guys… just wanted confirmation that this was bizarro. If I weren’t unfortunately already in a total clusterf* of a work situation I wouldn’t be so worried – I’d pretty much write them off. But it’s a great position, super close to my house, and everyone I asked had been there for over 5 years and loved it, which I took as a good sign (contrast w/ current firm where the turnover is insane, we only hire kids straight out of school…ugh, dont get me started).

      I will ask on the call if this is the normal procedure for interviewing, or… what. It occurred to me I might also be a second choice, that they had someone else decline or something and that’s the reason for the drawn own process.

      • WestCoast Lawyer

        I’m not in a tech position, but the interviews for my current position took quite a while, several rounds with different people (and 2 interviews with the people I work most closely with). There were a few glitches with HR getting my offer letter out, but I am so happy I stuck with it because I love my new job! If you liked the people you met that you will be working with I wouldn’t let the mechanics of the interview process stand in the way of things, especially if you are trying to exit a bad situation.

      • S in Chicago

        I’ve had multiple like that for two past positions in my career. In both, the late-stage interview was all about cultural fit. With one, the last interview is where I met those who would be reporting to me. I was able to ask them about their backgrounds and what motivated them, and they were able to ask about my management style, etc. With the other position, the last interview was where the primary customer met with me to see how we jived. In both instances, it wasn’t so much about a traditional interview as it was helping to get these stakeholders to have some “buy-in” to the hiring decision. That said, the second company (where the customer met with me) was a total nightmare to work for. I came to view the lack of organization around hiring as emblematic to how poorly decisions got made there in general–no sense of deadline, no sense of valuing others’ time, poor communication across the company, and an HR department that was totally clueless, etc. I also later realized that the customer had way too much influence there–I quit the position after constantly pulling all-nighters and working 7-day weeks largely due to the customer not meeting deadlines but management not adjusting expectations for project completion or improving process of accountability at key stages.

        In the first instance though, that meeting was invaluable. It is what helped sell me on the position–I got the sense they were a team that not only could use my help but also would have the skills and passion to make it happen. I had kind of been wavering, and they were what really sold me. We all really clicked at first sight. I’m still close with many of them today and am so proud of everything we did together, and I kind of look at that meeting like one of those amazing moments when you just kind of know things are meant to be. (I know, I’m sounding like a total weirdo here. I just love those guys!)

        Anyway, I wouldn’t write the company off entirely, but the lack of communication on what they are hoping to accomplish or (at the very least) who you would be meeting with may very well be a red flag.

    • Brant

      It could just be one terrible HR person. I’ve worked for young-ish tech companies (50-100 FTEs, 2-4 years old) and they have both had one LOUSY HR person. I have had to learn to separate my impression of the company from HR.

      Could be that everyone you’ve met likes you, talks you up, then somwone else says ” I’d like to meet her before we extend an offer” and HR calls you to get you to come in without thinking anything of it. A lot of these younger companies have leadership that all wants to be involved and will be unless someone lays down the law. Bad HR wont do that.

    • FrouFrou

      Former HR mgr here. I think it means that someone in the interview process is supporting your candidacy, but another decision-maker is supporting someone else. The HR person probably didn’t want to disclose this to you, and didn’t know what to say when you pushed back.

  6. Lady Harriet

    Does anyone have experience with Lands’ End pants? I have many knit tops from there, one knit dress, and a trench coat, all of which run very large, but I want to make sure the pants behave the same way. I usually wear a 10-12 other places (occasionally a 14), but 6-8 in Lands’ End. I’m thinking about these pants: http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-pre-hemmed-super-soft-chino-sailor-pants/id_260971?CM_MERCH=OTC

    The size chart says I should be a 14, but I think that would be disastrously large. (34.5 in waist, 42.5 in hip) I’m somewhere between an apple and a figure-8 (high waist & high hip) hourglass shape with a big stomach and flat behind.

    • LizNYC

      Are you near a Sears with an in-store Lands End shop? You could try on some Lands End pants there to give you an idea of how they run. Sorry I can’t be more helpful — I only own their tops / dresses too!

      • Lady Harriet

        Sadly, the closest one is about 3 hours away. I grew up about an hour away from the Lands’ End headquarters and they had an outlet store in my hometown. One of the (few) things I miss about living there!

    • I'm Just Me

      I take the same size in Lands End that I take every other place, so I’m really no help. They don’t seem to be final sale and Lands End has a great return policy so order multiple sizes and try them on at home, then return to a Sears.

      • Lady Harriet

        I think you’re right. The price will drop more on Friday, so if they’re still available then I’ll order a couple of sizes to try. Thanks!

    • Lady Tetra

      I’m a size 14/16 in regular life. I take a medium (or sometimes large) in Lands’ End tops, but I take a 14 in the bottoms — except their starfish pants, which I take medium in too. They are pretty inconsistent. But I keep trying their stuff because I find it to be good quality and they have good sales.

      • Parfait

        Similar here. i’m a 14 in real life, wear a Medium in Lands End tops and dresses, but I need a 14 in their pants.

  7. Kim Kelly

    I am going to be asking a lot of moving questions in the next few months and I apologize/appreciate your patience in advance. Up to bat – selling/donating stuff before moving. Does anyone have tips for how to get rid of stuff more efficiently than listing it on Craigslist one item at a time? We have a bunch of stuff that we think would be worth about $10-$50 each and we’d like to make a bit of money off it (though whatever doesn’t sell would be donated). Do Craigslist posts for moving sales actually work? Would you ever consider getting someone to do the individual posts for you (e.g., someone from one of those websites where people post one-off jobs . . . I forget the names and would be grateful for reminders).

    • snowy

      freecycle. If you’re not adverse to mediating tons of offers to take your stuff and meeting potentially sketchy people, it is a sure-fire wire to get rid of ANYTHING. I always had people meet me in the lobby of my building so the security guy was right there, it was a public place, etc. Never had a problem.

    • Pink

      As a buyer I love the moving sales with lists. That way, if you have 2-3 things I need, I can just do one visit.

      For single items, I sell them singularly from time to time and I found the best thing to do is be very clear in your posting and those who respond to it will likewise be clear and less likely to flake. I never give out my phone number in the listing, but will do so in my emails if they commit to a time.

      I always give priority to the most responsible sounding buyer who commits to picking it up first, and then let 2nd/3rd person know that you’ll be in touch in case the first buyer doesn’t come through.

      As for donations, if you are in NYC and have business casual/business work attire, a charity that I work with is commencing a suit drive that will culminate with a event in November in which the students (immigrant women who are enrolled in a semester long program for job training and interview training) pick out interview and other work appropriate clothes.

      I can provide more info if you’d like to donate items. You can email me: pink plumerias at gmail.

      • Kim Kelly

        Thanks – not in NYC, but will definitely donate work-appropriate clothing to Dress for Success or similar charity.

    • Sydney Bristow

      I sold practically all of my stuff before moving across the country. I did individual ads for the bigger items like furniture but grouped smaller things like kitchen items. For the group one I put a total for the whole set but said I’d break it up for reasonable offers. I found that when someone came by to buy my cookie sheets we would chat and they’d mention they were moving so I’d offer up a bunch of other things. I wound up selling all of my kitchen stuff to 2 or 3 people total.

      I lucked out and my move coincided with new college students moving to town. They needed everything! One guy actually bought my car a few hours after he flew into town. If you have any ability to time it and you live in a college town I highly recommend doing that.

  8. 2L Interviewee

    Do any of you lovely attorneys have recommendations for interviews at this point in the 2L interviewing season? I’ve received a number of interviews in the last week or so (which will take place over the next two weeks) with mid-sized firms (I guess when it rains, it pours somewhat applies here). Should I be doing anything differently with mid-sized firm preparation or interviewing? I also received one from a large NYC firms, which was a great surprise – any special advice for that one?

    I’ve looked at past interviewing and OCI advice on here as well. You all seem quite helpful!

    TIA!

    • TBK

      This is going to sound terrible, but I had suprisingly good luck with it — go to their websites and look at how they describe themselves. Then use those words to describe the kind of firm you want to work at. “Wait,” you say, “They all say exactly the same thing about themselves.” Yes. They are all collegial, hard-working, smart, and dedicated. “Well, but they’ll know I’m just parroting back what’s on the website.” Nope. Most of them haven’t read the website since they were job candidates themselves. But every time I used the firm’s own words, my interviewers ate it up. You want to sound genuine, of course, so do this only if you feel you can be. But I guess the firms’ marketing people probably used some sort of survey to find out how the firm sees itself, and so if you just say those words, they think “why, yes, that’s exactly how I’d describe us — I think she’d be a great fit.”

      Also, be familiar with the firms’ practice areas. And be sure to look at the percentage of people actually in each group (I think NALP has some decent break-downs on this). A firm may list all its practice areas equally, but it might have two partners in Dubai who comprise a whole practice group while another group fills two floors of a NY highrise. You probably don’t want to say you want to join the group in Dubai (unless you really want to join the group in Dubai).

      • 2L Interviewee

        Thanks! I had been nervous about parroting the website, but that makes sense. I have been doing that in cover letters, too. That sounds like a great plan. I’ll review the websites and try to remember specific firms.

        Thanks for the comment about practice areas by office. I’ve tried to do this before, but sometimes I forget in the interview. I’ll try to review it more before the next ones.

    • Anonymous

      I’ve been interviewing for my Biglaw firm this season, and also interviewed a few people recently that we brought in after we realized we may not have as many summers as hoped.

      Based on my experience, the thing thats important to me and seems most important with other interviewers I’ve talked to is (1) being knowledgeable about the firm and the office you’re interviewing with and why you want to work there, and (2) displaying your personality in the conversation somehow – whether its hobbies, fav sports teams, or generally a personal (but appropriate) story about yourself.

      One of the things that people seem to get dinged for is when your interviewers can’t actually remember you even though your reviews were all positive. That’s a sign you were too guarded, in my opinion.

      • Anon in NYC

        +1. Having actually participated in interviews this year, specific interest in my firm was a criteria. You don’t need to recite the website, but learn about whatever it is our values are.

        Have specific reasons why you want to work at each firm so that you can answer the “why are you interested in working here” question. Good answers: type of work (bet-the-company litigation, biggest deals), size of office / firm (i.e., large firm, small office). I’m not sure if you’ll get more early hands-on experience at the mid-size firms, but that would be a good answer if true. Some controversial answers (depending on the firm/interviewer): pro bono program, work/life balance topics. Although, I do think it can be an okay answer to acknowledge the realities of a junior associate at a firm (doc review, due diligence, etc.), and praise a particularly noteworthy pro bono program as an opportunity to round out your skill set.

        One other thing that could help you in formulating your answer is to go onto each firm’s website and look up attorneys by office (I think most allow you to search by location). Skim the bios of the partners in the office and figure out what practice areas are represented. If it’s all securities law, you probably don’t want to go in and talk about how you want to do environmental law.

        Take a look at the firm’s recent press releases. I bet they’ve touted recent victories – skim a couple of those.

        Make sure you actually ask questions, and try to vary them (i.e., don’t ask four people at the same firm the exact same question). I found it strange when a candidate would meet with me, 2 partners, and much more senior associate, and would have no questions for me about the summer program.

      • 2L Interviewee

        Hire me! ;) In all seriousness, thank you both for your comments from the other side of the interview!

        From your comment, Anonymous, I think that I might fall into the too guarded category. I should probably work on showing my personality and hobbies more. I’m generally a guarded person, so I am all the more so in a more formal environment.

        Anon in NYC: I try to have a city, firm size, and then firm specific answer for why the firm (for each firm). I’m going to look at recent press releases now – I’ve usually skimmed them, but I could look through them better. I do have a tough time figuring out questions to ask (beyond the why did you choose this firm, how did you end up here, what’s your favorite thing about the firm, what would you change about the firm if you could (best answer: the coffee machine)), because I hate asking obvious questions and I normally don’t have a lot of appropriate questions. Most of my real questions are about how the firm actually is and what it actually values, which I normally get from the questions above.

        • MH

          Some other questions to think about:
          1) How does the summer associate program work? How are projects assigned? Is there any process to receive formal feedback, or are summers encouraged to seek out feedback on their own? Will there be opportunities to observe court proceedings/client meetings? Is there any midsummer review process? What are typical projects assigned to summer associates?
          2) What personality traits/skills make a summer associate successful at the firm? Junior associates?
          3) How did you end up your in specific specialty? Are there opportunities for associates to explore different specialties?

          • 2L Interviewee

            Thanks! I ask about 1 sometimes (and usually people answer #3 in their answers to my other questions, but it’s good to have if they do not), but usually I’ve found that information on their website or from speaking with students at my school who previously summered there. I really like #2 and will have to start using it!

    • MH

      I’m an associate at a midsize firm in a smallish market–the interview process is a bit different than for biglaw. You need to be aware of the inferiority complex that some of these places may have, especially if you are a person who looks like they’d be a solid candidate for biglaw.

      For midsize firms make sure you can answer why you’d rather work at a midsize firm in a smaller market instead of at biglaw in NYC. You don’t necessarily want to say work/life balance – some people at midsize firms will be put off if you assume that you don’t have to work as hard. But, a lot of those firms (at least in my region, which is PNW) may accept that as a legitimate reason.

      The biggest thing is to make clear that you are not applying there as some concession, and that you’re not going to blow them off if you get an offer from a bigger, more prestigious firm. If it’s a smaller market, explain your ties to the city and why you want to live there. If it’s a smaller firm with less visibility or less prestige, do some research on prominent individual lawyers at the firm, big cases the firm has handled, or talk to some current associates or last-year’s summer associates, and get a feel for what firm culture is like. Of course, look at the website, but with these smaller places it looks really good if you can get some anecdotal information.

      • MH

        I should note on the third paragraph – you might actually blow them off if you get a better offer. The point is that you definitely don’t want that to come across in your interview. Make them feel like you are a safe candidate, and that they aren’t wasting a summer position on you.

      • 2L Interviewee

        This is great to know as well – very applicable to a few of the interviews I have lined up right now. Thanks!

  9. RED

    For those of you who like to bring your own breakfast to work, what are some savory breakfast items that can be prepared in advance (say, in a batch on Sunday night)? I am not big on sweet things, so typical items like muffins and other baked goods are out. I also commute to work by subway, so ideally the item should fit inside my purse.

    Thanks in advance!

    • snowy

      big batch of oatmeal with dried fruit or nuts, then you can parcel it out for each day. If you add a little water or milk when reheating it’s really not bad.

      • hoola hoopa

        +1

        Use quick oats and just add water or microwave for one minute. Shelf-stable, so it’s also really easy to keep bulk at your office.

      • Anon in NYC

        Agree on this. I pre-make about 4 servings of oats on a Sunday night. If you do not add sugar or fruit it creates a great base for other foods. I’ve made savory oats with spinach and parmesan, and I’ve seen recipes for savory oats with caramelized onions and ricotta, or cheddar, olive oil and sea salt. Just microwave the oats when re-heating in the office.

        I’ve also made egg muffins and after reheating it squashed it between an english muffin. Also, you don’t have to eat breakfast food at breakfast!

        • RED

          Interesting! I never thought about savory oatmeal (always associated it with cinnamon, nuts and dried fruits)… Kinda feels like grits (if cheese is added)?

    • Sydney Bristow

      I bring mini omelette cup things baked in muffin tins. I think 4 eggs, 1/4 cup milk, and a dash of salt is the base for 6. Then you can add whatever you want. I add chopped up chicken pieces and veggies. Cheese is good too. I think they bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees (off the top of my head so definitely keep an eye on it). Then I stick them in a baggie to take to work and reheat in the microwave.

      • Anonymous

        As someone who works in a rather open floor space (as in, people don’t have individual offices with doors), I would hate you if you reheated eggs in the microwave and then brought them to your desk. Eggs smell fine if you are eating them, but just SMELL SO NASTY if you aren’t.

        PS I am usually nicer than this, but reheating eggs in an office where others can smell them is quite inconsiderate.

        • Sydney Bristow

          Good point I had not thought of. I’m always the first person into my office (and my floor as far as I can tell) so I don’t think I’m bothering anyone.

          • Em

            I also think when people reheat eggs briefly – like 45 seconds is usually fine for fritatta – it’s not particularly noticeable. The problem is when they nuke them into oblivion. (Overall, I’m usually much more bothered by people’s maple scented oatmeal. Terrible, though I believe they have the right to eat it.)

          • zora

            Yeah, I don’t heat mine up to ‘hot’ i just put them in for a little bit until they’re about room temp. YMMV, but it’s worked fine in my office. And, believe me, if anyone in my office was bothered by the smell they would not have hesititated to tell me before now!

    • RED

      Excellent ideas, thank you. Mini frittatas it is—I am thinking potatoes and feta (yes, I can finally use that feta sitting in my fridge)…

      • zora

        yeah, the other great thing is, you can mix up the additional ingredients when you get bored.

    • zora

      This only works where I can get good avocados, but I also sometimes bring a slice of whole grain bread and half an avocado to the office. Toast the bread, and spread on the avo. And then sprinkle with a tiny bit of salt or even flax seeds for a savory crunch.

      Also, when I’m really short on time, just hardboil some eggs on sunday and bring one of those in with a piece of toast.

      • Anon

        Wow – I now feel like my breakfasts are gluttonous in comparison. One hardboiled egg? I bring in 4 hardboiled eggs (2 whole, 2 whites only) and then I also have overnight oats with oats, milk, and flaked coconut. And a banana.

        Apparently, i like to eat all the foodz.

        • zora

          Hahaha! no, don’t feel gluttonous! ;o)
          It’s not you, it’s me. I eat like a bird, and it’s genetic. I especially eat small breakfasts, and then bigger lunches and small snacks through the day.

        • SoCalAtty

          That’s ok, I rarely eat breakfast and now I’m thinking maybe I should…with all of these great ideas!!

    • Ellen

      I am not at work, but just came home with the relatives. You would NOT believe the thing’s they told me a bout BUDAPEST. But I can’t write, b/c they are in the other room and do NOT want them to read what I write about them.

      But for the OP, food is a cinch! Once a month, I boil 10 hard boiled egg’s and put them in the referigerator. Each Monday, I bring in 5 egg’s and put them in the manageing partner’s referigerator, labelling them HB in pencil for HARD BOILED. This way, every one know’s they are MY HARD BOILED EGGS. I have a BOX OF TRISKET’s that I have to eat with them every day! YAY!!!!

      This way, I am totaly assured of haveing something to each every day for lunch if no one goe’s out for lunch or the manageing partner does NOT send out for sanwitches. My mom say’s there is alot of protein in egg’s and this way, I onley peel them when I am ready to eat them. We have a shared space with a big firm that let’s us into their cafeteria, and they SELL hard boiled egg’s that are ALREADY PEELED! FOOEY! They are swimming in water and sit all week in the same water! DOUBEL FOOEY! I perfer to peel my own egg’s where they can remain fresh. Some times the manageing partner ask’s me for an egg, and I usueally give him one, except if it is FRIDAY and there is onley one egg left. They all consider me to be the great home maker and cook and all I do is boil water to get hard boiled egg’s. YAY!!!!

  10. Anne

    Has anyone ever bought anything from Madewell before? What’s the quality like? Do they ever have store-wide sales (e.g. 25% off everything)? I’m coveting a flannel shirt from there but it seems overpriced and I imagine it will be a while before it hits the sale rack…

  11. SC

    For those of you who have SOs whose jobs may place them in dangerous situations, do you have any coping strategies for anxiety or worry? This is not a situation where my SO has an inherently dangerous job, such as military service or fireman etc. He’s planning to take a position as a manager of a retail wine and spirits store in a supposedly up-and-coming but currently dangerous neighborhood (in an already pretty dangerous city). While the store will have security cameras etc, he’ll likely be closing the register by himself or with one other person most nights.

    FWIW, I do not typically worry excessively about my loved one’s safety or create scenarios of terrible things that may have happened. (I know we’ve had discussions about this.) But I started worrying today because (a) he said he was worried about attending a neighborhood meeting tonight and (b) last night there was an armed robbery of a restaurant in what’s considered a safe neighborhood in our city.
    So any tips for reducing my stress about this?

    • Anon

      This suggestion may be off-putting to some, but do the laws of your state and the employer’s regulations permit him to carry at work? Because that is the first thing I’d do, given your description.

      • Tinker

        You know, it’s the first thing I’d do also, most likely (excluding not work for a liquor store, but that aside). However, the question is “how do I manage my anxiety given my husband’s job”, and I’m loathe to recommend answers that take the form “I manage my anxiety by having other people make lifestyle changes”, particularly when the lifestyle change in question is something that has as much gravity as carrying a firearm. That’s not something that a person should be pressed into doing if they’re not already on board.

    • NOLA

      Wait SC, aren’t you here? Holy crap, no! That’s scary. And carrying a gun won’t help unless he’s ready to shoot to kill.

      • SC

        I am in Nola. I don’t like to advertise New Orleans as a dangerous city – and I almost always feel very safe!

        In response to the other comments above, I don’t think I can influence his decision on whether to carry a firearm, and I’m not sure that his having one would make me any less worried. I also cannot tell him not to take this job. I’ll definitely be trying to convince him to implement as many security measures as possible. But I think Tinker is right on – I’m more looking for ways to cope with my own worry about it.

        • NOLA

          well if he does carry a firearm, make sure he goes through a course. My SO is teaching now and he says that so many people don’t touch or shoot their gun between qualifying.

          For what it’s worth, I don’t feel like it’s dangerous, but I’m careful. Crime in my area is generally only crime of opportunity on college students who stay out late drinking and do stupid things like leaving their doors unlocked. And there are certain neighborhoods I would definitely avoid.

          I hope he’s ok!

        • anon

          I don’t have a spouse in a similar situation, but I do have coping strategies for when I am afraid of things like this in general, since I used to worry a lot. I’m a pretty analytical person, so I like to think statistics. How many liquor stores are in your city/neighborhood? How many employees does each one have? How many times have you heard of them being robbed (or research actual crime stats)? How many of those times has the person working in the store been injured? What is the probability of your husbands’ store being robbed AND him being there when it happens AND him being injured during it? When I go through this carefully and methodically, I’ll usually end up with some REALLY tiny percentage of people who do the dangerous thing I’m worried about having actually been hurt doing it, which helps me relax a lot. It helps even more if I compare it with the chance of something else happening, especially if that’s a good thing, and end up with something like “It’s 20 times more likely that I’ll see a cool celebrity at a bar this weekend than that I’ll get attacked while I go running. I’m definitely not planning on seeing a cool celebrity at a bar this weekend, so I don’t need to think too much about getting attacked either.” Might not work for you, but it’s really helpful for me.

    • SoCalAtty

      I can relate! My husband is a commercial electrical contractor, and on many days a mistake could mean being fried – literally. I HATE it when I seem him walking out for work in the flame retardant clothes with the hot stick packed. Ugh.

      He usually gives me a check-in time – say if the big shutdown starts at midnight (the scary ones are usually overnight work) he’ll have the power off at 12:30am and can text “ok,” and then say the power comes back on at 2am, after it is back up and running he’ll text me “ok” again. He also occasionally does these in shady neighborhoods, and also is “in charge” of running emergency temporary power in the event of a bad disaster – resulting in him being in some scary neighborhoods, or near disaster related rioting.

      We’ve looked into concealed carry, and I would prefer it, but because of the county we live in, we can’t get it (Los Angeles County, currently in litigation, so we’ll see how that turns out). Half measures – carry pepper spray, or even bear spray.

      But concealed carry isn’t an answer unless your husband would 1) be willing / want to do it 2) be willing to spend all of the hours necessary to keep that skill sharp. It isn’t a small commitment!

      Check in times may work for you, but good luck!

    • Anonymous

      I’m open to agreeing to disagree, but I think firearms escalate situations more than help them. Would something like a taser be an option? Does the store have a panic button under the counter? Can the store hire a security guard (from a service, usually an off-duty cop) for around closing times?

    • anon

      I think that this is one of those things that gets easier with time. It would also help me if we could talk through some things together, like scenarios, so that I know that he has thought through some things and come up with a potential plan. For example, if someone came in the store to rob him, what would he do? What would he do if there was a confrontation in the store? Talking through the worst case scenarios and knowing there is a plan would help me.

      • anon

        My husband is in law enforcement and I think it gets easier with time. The fact that he has a gun or a taser isn’t really reassuring since criminals often have those too, but the fact that he has been doing this for 10 years and nothing has ever happened to him is very reassuring. And trying to keep perspective on things like it’s more likely that your SO gets into a car accident on the way to work than it is that he will be the victim of an armed robbery.

  12. I am a banana.

    Calling SF: Need recs for a tailor to hem and take in some suit pants at the waist.

    Calling everyone else: My hair is dull looking. Tips to make it shinier? (It is medium brown, mix of coarse and fine, and I don’t color or highlight it.) I recently got it cut so that’s not it.

    • Orangerie

      Meifei on Chestnut St (at Divis) is the BEST. She’s reasonably priced and has done a stellar job on a variety of alterations I’ve taken to her. Cash or check only, though.

    • Anon

      Go longer in between washes and blowdrying, if possible. Also, try using sulfate free shampoos and doing an olive oil treatment on your hair once a month or so. I also have medium brown, coarse hair that was rather dull before, and this has worked like a charm to make my hair really shiny. Since I cut back on blowdrying and washing so much and added in nourishing treatments/sulfate free shampoo, I got the best compliment EVER: “You have Kate Middleton hair!” GAH. I died I was so happy with that compliment.

    • Anonymous

      Young’s cleaning and alterations at 17th and Mission is great. It looks like a run down dry cleaner, but the ladies there have worked magic on everything from $800 gowns to hemming jeans for me. The prices are very reasonable.

  13. Anonymous

    Yikes-crisis tj! I’m helping to organize an event tomorrow and just found out that we need approx 20 silver frames by tomorrow night (not necessarily real silver!). Any ideas on where to even start looking? Am trying to keep costs down and don’t have time for any DIY ideas-I’m in New York, if that helps. The only idea I’ve had so far is to ask a task rabbit to go to ikea tomorrow for this, but I’m not sure if that makes sense? Hopefully someone here can help-TIA!

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