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Updated: Sep 14, 2021 97 Comments · by

Workwear Hall of Fame: A Stylish, Easy Clip for Updos

Coffee Break· Office Hairstyles: Our Best Advice For Professional Hair· Workwear Hall of Fame

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We're heading into “get this hair off my face right this instant” season — and while we've rounded up easy work updos in the past, I don't think we've ever done a Coffee Break feature on this fancyish clip, which has been coming out in new colors and styles for almost the entirety of this blog.

I bought one myself (in blue of course) to see if it was really that pretty in person, and not only is it pretty but it's substantial and grippy and holds my wavy/curly hair up in a polished look with far less work (and bobbypins) than is usually required, and with much more comfort.

As we noted last year, hair accessories are making a comeback — so if you're eager to just get your hair out of your face quickly and easily but still want to look a bit polished for work, give this one a try.

It's $36-86 at Nordstrom. Maximas Silky Hair Clip

2019 Update: We’re adding this easy clip to updos to our Workwear Hall of Fame because they've been around for years and always get rave reviews! 

This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!

Psst: Below, find some of our favorite hair accessories for work as of 2024. Note that some of our long-standing favorite brands for quality, durability, comfort and styling include Ficcare and France Luxe. For more affordable options (which may not last as long), keep an eye out at Anthropologie, Ann Taylor, and J.Crew stores (including J.Crew Factory and Madewell). Also: Kat loves these flat elastics.

Some hair accessories we've featured recently include these!

woman with very blonde hair wears gold hair tie; her hair isn't quite looped all the way through the ponytail making a sloppy bun
J.Crew
cloth headband with knot at top; the print is green with a tiny blue and white tree-shaped repeating pattern
J.Crew Factory
gunmetal silver squiggle hair claw clip
Anthropologie
woman has her hair held up with an attractive purple clip
Ficcare

Sales of note for 10.10.24

  • Nordstrom – Extra 25% off clearance (through 10/14); there's a lot from reader favorites like Boss, FARM Rio, Marc Fisher LTD, AGL, and more. Plus: free 2-day shipping, and cardmembers earn 6x points per dollar (3X the points on beauty).
  • Ann Taylor – Extra 50% off sale (ends 10/12)
  • Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything plus extra 25% off your $125+ purchase
  • Boden – 10% off new styles with code; free shipping over $75
  • Eloquii – Extra 50% off a lot of sale items, with code
  • J.Crew – 40% off sitewide
  • J.Crew Factory – 50% off entire site, plus extra 25% off orders $150+
  • Lo & Sons – Fall Sale, up to 35% off
  • M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
  • Neiman Marcus – Sale on sale, up to 85% off
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – 50% off 2+ markdowns
  • Target – Circle week, deals on 1000s of items
  • White House Black Market – Buy one, get one – 50% off full price styles

And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

About Kat

Kat Griffin is the founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Corporette. You can read more about her here.

Comments

  1. Anon 2.0

    Help! All of my knit shirts are filled with holes right in the front below my belly button. What in the world is causing this? Is it the zipper/button on my pants? The seatbelt in the car?

    Has anyone found a solution to this? I am getting ready to throw out yet another almost brand new shirt and so frustrated!

      • Anonny

        I tend to lean up against the kitchen counter when doing dishes, bathroom counter when washing my face, etc. The underside is very rough so I believe that’s the reason – that and wearing too thin of shirt fabric!

    • Senior Attorney

      This happens to me, too. I have tentatively decided it’s from the corner of the … what? placket? … on my pants. I also thing the seatbelt in my car contributes to it. I try to counter it by doing a semi-tuck so the fabric isn’t rubbing against things.

      Drives. me. crazy.

      • Anonymous

        I also blame the corner of my pants and use a half-tuck to prevent it. I have saved a couple of shirts by ironing very light interfacing behind the holes.

    • tesyaa

      You can buy a rubber button cover on Amazon or similar, and also rubber grip caps for gaming controllers (!) fit most jeans buttons and are much cheaper.

    • Em

      I researched this extensively when I was trying to find t-shirts for a work uniform. It is a combo of rubbing on jean buttons, rubbing on seat belts, and shirts made from cheap/thin fabrics. I purchased 10 different shirts trying to find one that wouldn’t do it. The best shirt I found (and the one I stocked up on and wear now) is from Black House White Market.

  2. Horse Crazy

    Favorite recipes for Mother’s Day breakfast? I’m already planning on making scones and a fruit salad, so something eggy would be great. Thanks!

  3. Anonymous

    Multi-colored outfit recs? A third of my law firm’s associates are out, and one of them asked the firm to sponsor a summer sculpture festival with a LGBTQA+ theme. Firm said yes – I’m a young partner and mentor a few of the associates. A couple associates have asked me if they can wear rainbow attire to the sponsor event and I said of course – to show support, I’d like to buy something along those lines. This event will be full of artsy people, but I would prefer to be able to wear whatever I buy later on in my business professional environment. I usually wear solid color suits or printed sheath dresses, but I’m having trouble finding any results when I search “rainbow dress shirt.” Maybe a color block outfit? Budget max is $200.

  4. Anonymous

    I need some advice.
    For the last year-plus I’ve been running a major high-level initiative for my company. It’s a project that has a lot of visibility but also involves a lot of minutiae and provision of direct customer service (like technical help) to our workforce. Like I literally spend half my days sometime answering technical customer service questions, as a person with a 20-year career, a master’s degree and several certifications.
    Earlier this year I told my boss that while the project had been stimulating to launch, it was now in maturity/maintenance phase and I would most likely look to move on to a new project by the end of this calendar year, even if that meant rotating to another job within the organization. We bantered about what kinds of projects I’d want to do and he told me not to apply for other jobs without speaking with him first. Didn’t hear much else about it.
    Today I got called into a meeting with my manager’s manager, who told me that congratulations, they are transitioning my high-level project to another person to free me up to work on some other high-level projects that need attention. I was thrilled! Then I asked, where is my current project going. And he told me that they are giving it to one of my coworkers, who had the project before and hated working on it. And P.S., they are also dumping another tedious project on her AND moving her out of my department AND taking away the projects she has that I know she really likes and has been working on for years…to transition them to me. My protests about this course of action were greeted with dismissiveness; basically my manager’s manager’s response was, this has already been decided at levels far above you and basically I am just the messenger. Your empathy is admirable but your coworker will just have to deal with it. I then spoke to my coworker who told me the change was presented to her as: you can deal with it or you can feel free to leave, like leave the company. She’s been here over 15 years.
    I am flabbergasted and sad. I really like this coworker and had no intention of having her get all the cr*p work dumped on her, while she simultaneously loses the work she really likes. She does not get along with my manager’s manager and I am wondering if some of this is vindictive on his part? While I am happy and excited for me, I am genuinely sad for my coworker and feel terrible. Is there anything I can do here? I feel like I should do something for her but I am not sure what to do.

    • Anon

      Stay out of it and offer to be a reference for her when she looks for other jobs.

      How old is she, by chance?

      • Ellen

        They probabley want to get rid of her, and when they do, guess what? They will give YOU the projects back! FOOEY on them. I think they are a bunch of ungratful schlubs. DOUBEL FOOEY!

    • Anonymous

      Stay out of it. Don’t talk much about it. Be supportive if she wants to job search though don’t ask if she’s looking — you don’t want her to feel like YOU are pushing her out, even if the co. is.

  5. BabyAssociate

    Question for ladies who wear scarves: I just got a skull scarf, but I’m having a really had time figuring out how to style it, any suggestions? It’s a light chiffon and is rectangular. Thank you!

    • Idea

      I have a few favorite ways to wear a long rectangular scarf:
      1. Just hanging behind my neck, two sides draped in front.
      2. Tie the two ends together in a very low knot, usually hangs even below my br3asts, I think of this as the most “male tie” like look. I might double-knot it to weight it.
      3. I loop it around my neck so that the scarf is a circle around my neck, and the two ends drape to the front to either side. This shortens the look, usually the scarf sits on my high chest. |O| Sometimes this bothers me because it gets crooked or might get unwrapped. Sometimes it looks really nice if the two ends of the scarf kinda match up.
      4. As a variation of #3, I tie the very very tip ends of the scarf together. The tie can sit in front or be looped around to the back.
      5. I tie each end of the scarf to the other end, slip knot-style, and this creates an infinity scarf with two slide knots and I can pull each to shorten or lengthen the scarf, and the knot end of the scarf is heavy enough to stay in place. This is very necklace-like. Depending on the scarf, I may have to put a knot in the middle of the scarf so that it is equally weighted in back of my neck and doesn’t unravel.
      Hope this helps.
      i am not especially fashionable, but I have gotten a few “Oh, I’m wearing a scarf, I’m just like you!” comments from co-workers so I guess this is my “thing”.

      • BabyAssociate

        I was trying #3, but the material is so light it wasn’t staying put. #4 should do the trick, thanks!!

    • Anon

      For a rectangular scarf, around your neck and in very loose square knot/double knot wherever it looks good on you.

      If it is chilly, fold in half, place behind your neck so that the fold is on one side and the ends are on the other. Put one end through the loop. Twist the loop, then put the other end below the twist.

    • anne-on

      https://maitaicollection.com/pages/tutorials
      I usually default to a basic men’s wear style knot though, it can be adjusted up or down. Pro tip – I will sometimes iron (lightly!) scarves in a narrow rectangle in order to have them hold their shape better if I intend to wear them loose and hanging.

      • BabyAssociate

        I am a huge fan of the hiarband, but the styles I use for my square silk scarves aren’t translating well to this size/material.

  6. Ann Perkins!

    What’s your favorite thing to do with a few free days before a busy season? More interested in the personal side than the work side.

    • Senior Attorney

      Get all your medical/dental appointments up to date.
      Take care of all the pesky house stuff like maintenance on the HVAC that requires you to be home to meet the service person.
      Mani/pedi, massage, facial, etc.
      Catch up on lunches/drinks with friends.

    • Anonymous

      If you only have a few days left IDK if you’ll be able to schedule dr. or home repair appointments last minute. But I like to get a haircut/any other salon appointments done, a few lunches with friends, maybe meal prep to get you thru that first week of busy season (though only if your job allows you to actually come home and eat as opposed to eating every meal at work and coming home at midnight), and SLEEP A LOT. IDK if sleep works this way but I like to go into busy season with a bit of a sleep surplus so I don’t feel the exhaustion right away.

    • Idea

      Two very different things but maybe go see a movie if you’re not usually a movie person.
      OR get a good hike or nature viewing in.
      Good luck!!

    • Anon

      I’m a broken record on this (same response to several variations of this question lately), but don’t use new free time as time to catch up on boring crap like chores. That’s a total waste of what’s essentially a mini-vacation and you can fit those activities in when you’re back to work.

      If I had a few free days, I’d do one of the following depending on my budget – go camping, go backpacking, schedule an extra lesson/class for my hobby, go to a museum or special exhibit of some kind, climb a mountain, go somewhere on a weekday that’s usually really crowded on the weekend (e.g., local attractions, Disneyland), read a book, explore somewhere in my town I’ve never been before, try something new like paddleboarding or dance lessons, host a big dinner party that will take all day to cook for, call elderly family members just to catch up, take my dog to the beach I never have time to get to, etc etc etc.

    • SC

      I make sure I get any car maintenance done, even if it’s a few miles early. It’s good to know that my mode of transportation is reliable and healthy. Obviously, if you take public transportation to work, this doesn’t apply to you. If you walk or bike, there may be some parallels, like making sure your gear is in good shape.

      Take clothes to the dry cleaner, take any clothes that need to be altered or repaired to the tailor, and take shoes to the cobbler for repair or shining. If you need them, buy new undergarments–when you’re busy, those need to be comfortable, and having them fit well gives you more confidence.

      Some combination of meal planning, meal prepping/freezer meals, and just stocking up on snacks and freezer meals for the rough days.

      Take care of any upcoming social obligations–buy and wrap (or just send, as appropriate) gifts for upcoming birthdays or weddings or showers, pre-write cards, send any thank-you cards or RSVPs that need to be sent, etc.

      Make any logistical/travel plans for upcoming events. Buy plane tickets, reserve hotels, etc., if the normal window to do those things will happen during your busy season.

  7. Anonymous

    A few recent discussions IRL and an earlier thread here have me wondering — how often (if at all) do you think about the inequities in society (poverty, racism etc) and about your role in making things better even in a tiny way? Was talking with 2 friends lately about the college admissions case and 1 friend says — do away with all legacy because it’s origins are in holding certain groups back. She says this even though her own 16 year old will be applying next year so if it’s gotten rid of (hypothetically), there could be some “harm” to her kid directly. Other friends view — no way, if my going to an ivy gives my kid a 0.000001% advantage, sorry that advantage belongs to MY family and you’re not taking it away in favor of some kid I don’t know. All parties in this conversation are racial minorties. Led to an interesting discussion about how people view their roles in society — help others while maintaining your life vs nope — my family always comes first. How developed are your views on these things? What do you tell your kids? As she was speaking I got the distinct impression that if friend 1’s kid ends up a banker on Wall Street whose concern is buying the right apartment in Manhattan and landing the right hedge fund job — she may be disappointed, though I’m positive she’d love/support him.

    • Anon

      I’m kind of with Rahm Emanuel on this. Trying to fix inequity at the top colleges in the nation is going to help a very small number of people very much. Free community college, however, will help a huge number of people immediately. (This also needs to come with childcare and perhaps a stipend or low interest loan for some living expenses, though people will probably have to work at least part time.)

      Not to say we can’t do both, but let’s start with what will help the most people.

      • Anon

        +1 I would be fine doing away with legacy admissions even though that would “hurt” my kid. I also think college admissions are generally insane. I’d propose replacing admissions with a minimum qualification and schools allotting slots among those qualified by lottery.

        All that said, the focus on college admissions at elite universities is mind boggling to me. I’d much rather hear more about improving k-12 education and expanding access to community college/trade schools by making them affordable.

    • Anon

      I don’t remember the larger context of the story, but I heard someone on NPR recently say that the essential function of a democracy is to gather tax dollars and spend it in a way that helps the population, and that when the upper echelons of society can essentially opt out of paying taxes (by virtue of many things but not limited to illegal actions) democracy has/will fail. I found it a compelling way to think about taxes and how our society feels about paying them.

      • CDA

        I believe this was on Fresh Air, the episode with Oliver Bullough (author of Moneyland) — very interesting discussion!

    • Anonymous

      I am a public defender and my family suffers sometimes for it. I could make a ton more money as a lawyer in private practice, but my heart is in public defense.

      I also agree with the above poster that there is a larger way to deal with the college education issue and we should look at both. I also say this as my oldest child is headed to college next year and am still shocked at the cost.

    • Anonymous

      TBH I’m like friend #2. I don’t really worry about society and equity. These aren’t things that are in my power to fix, nor do I think things are so terrible.

    • Anon

      The legacy issue is a lot more complicated than people make it out to be. It varies a lot by schools, and frankly, you’re “taking a spot” from another upper-middle-class white kid. It’s a convenient bogeyman to distract from how manifestly insane college admission is, as well as how we outsource our opinions of someone’s drive and intelligence to what the Harvard admissions committee thought of that person at age 17.

    • Anonymous

      I do think about this, even in terms of my siblings and I. For years, my older brother worked a 32 hour a week job that paid enough money for him to live on (he’s very, very frugal), but offered no benefits like health insurance. And he kept asking (this was pre–Obamacare) – why in the world should your health insurance be tied to your employer? It’s an interesting question with a complex answer, but it has made me think about why certain things just are the way they are, and how much further ahead you can get when you have easy access to benefits like health insurance and a retirement plan. I don’t assume to have any answers as to how to fix this, but I kind of think that certain of these benefits need to move to the public market and away from the private market as a good place to start.

    • Anon

      I think about these somewhat frequently. The topic that comes up most frequently in my (generally wealthy, generally liberal) circles that drives me nuts is how many friends I have who complain about their tax bill when they are in the top 1% of earners. Yes there are wealthier people that pay a lower marginal rate and that’s a problem but no it’s not “unfair” that you have to pay an amount in taxes that’s more than the average income for Americans. Talk about “problems” most people would love to have.

  8. Anonymous

    Random question — can hair shed a lot if it lacks moisture? Have had a few iterations this year where I notice a LOT of shedding just from combing hair, will see a lot of hair around the sink etc. So then I’ll start using oil treatments — olive, Indian gooseberry, whatever I have around. And then the shedding/breakages normalizes where I just see a few strands when combing. So I think the problem is solved, I get lazy, don’t touch the oil for like 3 mos and notice the same thing again. Can lack of moisture cause this?

    I’m about the age (39) where women in my family have hair changes. Will also ask the dr at my next physical re thyroid. But in the meantime, anything I can do to prevent this?

    • Mpls

      It might be preventing breakage, but it probably not doing anything for shedding (coming out at the root).

      It could be that when it’s drier, it tangles more and then yanks out more hair than would otherwise come out when it’s been oil and slides more easily against other strands of hair. (basically the cuticle is rougher when it’s dry and so catches on things.)

    • Anon

      Does the shed hair have a little white bulb on the end? If so it’s shedding from the root. If not, it’s probably hair breakage, which it does when it’s dry.

      If breakage, just do a once a week oil treatment (where you let it sit on your hair) or run a couple drops of oil (more if your hair is curly) while still wet through your hair when you wash it. This is a laziness problem not a hair problem.

  9. JTM

    I got a pair of Rothy’s (the leopard flats) and I really like them, but my right one is slightly too tight across the toe box; this is also my bigger foot. Any tips to get this one to stretch out a bit? I’ve also worn them so I’m assuming I can’t return them, but I’m also worried that going up a half-size would make the left shoe too big for my left foot (my smaller foot).

      • pugsnbourbon

        +1. I’ve also had luck stretching leather shoes by warming them a little with a hair dryer and then wearing them with thick socks while they’re still warm. Not 100% sure that trick would work with Rothys.

    • Lots to Learn

      I had this problem and did size up. I then put one of those pads that goes under the ball of your foot under the Rothy’s sole insert for my smaller foot and it equalized them perfectly. Doesn’t help you since you have worn them, but maybe for next time? I also have the opposite size larger foot as my mom, so am considering buying two pairs and swapping one shoe for each of them – something we’ve done before. Nice if you have a friend with similar tastes and opposite feet!

    • Sunshine

      Sizing up would probably work, and as mentioned, you could add a 2nd thin insole if needed for your smaller foot. Since that’s not an option with this pair, you can use a shoe stretcher and a clothing/drapery steamer to adjust the toe box. Set the stretcher so it doesn’t alter the shoe length at all, but adjust the width of the part that goes into the toe box. I use the MARZ 2-way stretcher from Amaz0n. Once the stretcher is set, steam the area you’re looking to adjust for a couple of minutes; it shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes. Let the shoe sit on the stretcher to dry for a few hours and try it out. You can always adjust/stretch again if needed.
      This also works to adjust length on Rothy’s (slightly) or to fix a pair that is shrunken.

    • anon a mouse

      I found that mine stretched out after a week or two of wear. You could accelerate it by wearing it with a thin sock at home.

  10. Clip

    Does anyone know if this clip has rubber or silicone innards to help with grip, or is it just metal that will cling to silky hair on a hope and a prayer?

  11. Traveling Lawyer

    Recommendations for undergarments. I’m in need of an upgrade. I’m in a midsize city with access to most if not all brands. I’m pear shaped and am looking for something that don’t make noticeable lines (to the extent practicable), and that stay put. I generally wear bikini briefs. Favorite stores/brands?

    • Anon

      Gap Body (currently called Stretch Cotton Bikini) has been my go-to for more than 10 years; I think they have brief style, too. They make lines but are mostly cotton so are very comfy, especially for nighttime when I don’t care about lines. If I care about lines, I switch to a th*ng, tights/hose, or Spanx, but thankfully that’s not a daily thing for me since I WFH. A lot of people recommend Soma.

    • Anon

      Soma embraceable with the lace top. They come in lots of styles but I wear the regular brief.

  12. Anon

    Anyone have the Lo & Sons Hanover Backpack? It’s on sale, and I’m looking for a nicer backpack with a luggage sleeve and this is the only one I’m finding.

    • Anonymous

      I do, and a friend of mine does as well! I love it, but it’s smaller than I thought it would be. It fits my daily stuff (laptop, wallet, lunch, makeup bag), but if I try to add a binder to that for work travel, it’s a pretty tight squeeze. I use it daily.

    • Inspired by Hermione

      I do! It’s not perfect (I wish it had a zip pocket inside, and even minimal organization in the front pocket) but it is the perfect size for me and I’ve carried it, no joke, every day since I got it in February save maybe once when I had to dress up for a meeting. I like the side pockets for keys and headphones.

      I got the bigger one at first and hated it. It was way too big for me/my frame. The smaller one is perfect.

    • Lots to Learn

      I love it and think it’s perfect. Great laptop sleeve, spot for water bottle inside, side pockets with clip for keys. Small outer pocket. Luggage sleeve. I feel stylish when I wear it on vacations around town. Love, love, love.

  13. Anti-manager

    Late in the day and I’ll post again tomorrow, but just for a quick take:

    Is there any point in asking my boss whether I can convert from a manager to an individual contributor role? I have what looks like a great job in middle management of a F500 company. I have a small team, and my boss thinks I’m great. This job is not a good fit for me for a lot of reasons, and I’m looking for different opportunities. The main thing I want to get away from is managing people; I would be much happier as an individual contributor.

    It would absolutely mean a demotion and a pay cut, both of which I’m OK with. Has anyone done this successfully, or does it just create a strange dynamic to step out of a leadership role and still work with the same people? There is no logical person to promote in my place, so my current position would be filled by an external hire.

    • Legal Aid Lawyer

      Any possibility you can serve as a subject matter expert or similar role? My organization has a few of these positions that are non-management senior roles. I made the move and am much happier. It was a lateral-ish move in terms of pay and prestige. I’m able to provide support and expertise to others without directly managing.

    • TechNW

      I think it’s a know your company thing. In my field (tech) there’s an individual contributor track and a management track. Lots of people flip back and forth as appropriate. I wouldn’t assume it’s a pay cut situation. I’d talk to your manager about the options. Maybe they are looking for a strong “leader” to run a virtual team.

  14. Anonymous

    What do you do when you dislike your job, but you haven’t stayed long enough to leave and be marketable elsewhere? I will be exactly a year in by July, but if I had an offer to leave now I would. The job is too many hours that I don’t have to get another hobby or plan vacations to look forward to. Affirmations? Podcasts? Meditation? I usually eat pretty well and exercise but that takes up any remaining free time, and isn’t cutting it these days.

  15. Paging Anon with autoimmune disorder

    I replied on the earlier threat but it might be too late so re-posting here

    In California, workplaces with 5 or more employees are required to provide reasonable accommodations for disability, which this is, including time off for medical appointments. See this site for a sample request package and more info

    https://www.dfeh.ca.gov/reasonable-accommodation/

    This is separate from FMLA (federal leave act) and CFRA (CA leave act).

    Good luck!

  16. Getting rid of flies?

    Ewwww… for some reason, we have more flies than normal in our apartment and I don’t know why! I’m in the Bay Area, and the weather is getting nicer, so we are leaving doors/windows open, but we have bug screens. And it’s not ALL bugs, just flies! And we left our doors and windows open last spring/summer and didn’t have this issue. I’m not exactly sure how they’re getting in (the screen door to our balcony probably has a large enough gap between the door and the frame?). They’re congregating on the inside of the door in our kitchen and on the inside of a window in our living room. I just went to close the blinds and there’s 5-6 large flies on the window. It’s disgusting, and I don’t know how to get rid of them or how to keep them from getting in. We don’t have food out, and our place is clean and uncluttered. We don’t have other bug issues that would indicate a cleanliness issue, and the few bugs we’ve had in the past have been one-off consequences of living in the world and interacting with the outdoors. MAKE THEM GO AWAY PLEASE!!!!

    • Cassandra

      We came home from vacation one time to find dozens of blue bottle flies buzzing around the house everywhere. We figured one of them had laid eggs in something rotten (we never figured out what — possibly a small animal died inside the wall? who knows?) and they had hatched. It was horrifying for a few weeks. We just kept a fly swatter handy and killed as many of them as we could, whenever we could. Eventually we got the last one.

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