Tuesday’s Workwear Report: Miles Ankle Pant
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Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
I was recently complaining to a friend that it was time to replace some of my beloved Eileen Fisher crepe pants when she leapt out of her seat to show me her new favorite contenders in the category of “pants that are work-appropriate but still feel like pajamas.” As she jumped and stretched in these Vuori ankle pants, I decided that was enough of an endorsement for me to give them a try.
Like the other Vuori items I have in my closet, the fabric feels luxe, and the fit is perfection. With the elastic waistband in the back, I’m not sure I would wear these in the most formal of offices, but for 95% of us, they’ll be a great work option.
The pants are $110 at Vuori and come in sizes XS-XXL in a regular (26”) and long (29”) inseam. They’re also available in “blue coast,” “smokey taupe,” and cerise (in lucky sizes only).
There are a bunch of great pull-on pants for the office. Some of our longstanding favorites include those from Athleta*, Nic & Zoe*, Eileen Fisher*, Theory, AYR, and Betabrand*. (Brands with plus sizes are marked with asterisks.)
Sales of note for 5/29:
- Nordstrom – The Half-Yearly Sale has started! See our roundup here. Good deals on Veronica Beard, Vince, Reiss (esp. coats), as well as Wit & Wisdom and NYDJ
- Ann Taylor – 25% off + 30% off sale items
- Bare Necessities – Up to 40% off, including tons of bra-sized swimwear (also, 10 panties for $10)
- Boden – 15% off new women's wear styles with code
- Express – $29 dresses and matching sets, and everything else buy 1 get 1 50% off
- J.Crew – 20% off $200, including new styles
- J.Crew Factory – Extra 50% off clearance + 40-60% off everything else
- Loft – $35 jeans (5/29 only) + 60% off sale tops and dresses
- M.M.LaFleur – Up to 70% off this weekend only! (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off)
- Nordstrom Rack – Clear the Rack! Nice selection of Vince, Veronica Beard, Reiss and Rag & Bone, a ton of affordable work basics from Calvin Klein and dresses from Maggy London, Eliza J, and Donna Morgan
- Talbots – $99 dresses and sandals
- Theory – 25% off sitewide (see our notes here)
I’n skeptical Vuori could have any pants appropriate for the workplace…
Organizing question: where do you put packages or things that need to be set out to go out the door the next day? We have a very small entryway and no console table or anything like that that could hold such items. They end up cluttering other areas if I’m not able to get to FedEx right away or if I bought the teacher appreciation gift on Tuesday to bring Friday or what have you. If I store them out of sight, I know I will forget. Where do yours go?
I hate looking at clutter like this. When I lived in a smaller space, there was a floor space between the kitchen cabinets and a piece of furniture. I left my purse, shoes, and these types of packages in this floor space. I could still see it from my couch because the apartment was open concept, but it was all together and tidy. Because the packages were where I kept my purse and shoes, they did not get forgotten.
I put non-perishable items directly into my car, which is parked in our SFH garage. I don’t see them and I can’t forget them.
My entry way is small to, but does have a small console table. Packages go either under the console table or lately or a coffee table that is near the entrance and in my eyesight as I leave, but not actually at the entrance.
In a cloth bag hanging from the coatrack or doorknob.
Same, mine currently has shoes to bring to the school reuse section and a library book.
yes, and i have different cloth bags for different purposes so I know a library return from an Amazon return and just seeing the bag hanging there kind of triggers the memory.
This. I hang it on the doorknob so I can’t forget it. I could miss the bag on the coatrack, especially if I don’t need a coat that day. If it’s too big to hang on the doorknob, I put it on the floor in front of the door. Morning is all about routine, so if something needs to be added, it needs to be disruptive enough to not be missed.
This is how I do it, too.
That’s a good system for things that are going out the door the next time you leave, but I find they get in the way if you need to hold onto the item for a few more days (i.e., the gift for Mother’s Day which is in three days).
In that case, post-it note on the back of the door.
or, if that bothers you…. I put personal appointments on my work calendar, marked private, and set the notification time accordingly. And include in the event description “Bring Gift” or whatever else.
I also store outgoing packages/mail next to my purse so I don’t forget them. For me, it is near my computer/desk.
I have a small apartment, and a basket next to the front door with things that need to go out the door with me the next time I leave. Failing that . . . putting it in front of the door itself so I have to move it to open the door.
On the floor next to the door, or on the chair at the desk where I place my purse. Even if I can’t take it that day, I can put it in my car next time I go out.
Who are your favorite Apple-shaped influencers or celebrities? Looking for inspo
Aidy Bryant! Love her style.
dying breed thanks to GLPs
(but i’m only jealous because i seem to be immune to GLPs)
Mindy Kaling! She always looks amazing.
Katie Sturino
I feel like I should have solved this by this point in my life (I’m early 30s), but does anyone who dealt with an extreme procrastination issue have tips for actually solving it? I have always been a big procrastinator, and yet I do excellent work. I was a straight A student growing up, graduated with honors from undergrad, and completed an master’s while working full time. I’ve also always gotten “exceed expectations” on my work reviews. I seem to have an uncanny ability to internally know how long something will take me, because I usually start at the latest possible moment and yet still produce something that is done on time and is praised. But I could be doing so much more – there are days when I don’t do any meaningful work because I don’t have a strict deadline motivating me. And without that external motivating factor, I just end up telling myself “I’ll do it later” and then the whole day has gone by and I’ve done nothing. Does anyone have any tips on how to finally tackle this? Also, important to note that setting deadlines and timetables for myself does not work; I know I can ignore them.
This is me and Pomodoro timer plus treat after it goes off (a break, a coffee, a short walk, whatever) works ok. So does working fewer hours and making weekend plans so I’m not available for work. Work expands to fill the time allotted.
Fit this description to a T and also a fan of Pomodoro. I like to pair it with listening to the Spotify playlist “ADHD focus music 2026 – hyperfixation/hyperfocus” – it’s all binaural beats & allows me to concentrate. If that’s not your jam, I used to use rain sounds for this purpose.
This is me. I agree that deadlines don’t work – I know they’re imaginary, that’s not motivating. Some of the best things for me are more proactive.
– When I get home from somewhere no “plopping” on the couch
– Set up the next thing before I do something. Think like 1 action ahead. So set up my bag for work before I go to sleep. If I want to cook something later take out the groceries. Make sure there is no barrier to starting.
– Routines in general work really well. It’s easier if I don’t have to actively make a decision every time.
– I wasn’t 100% sure if you meant just at work but also in life. FOr work, it again works best if I have routines. I have a paper planner and at the beginning of each day and end of each day write what I have to do the next day. I have a strict morning routine.
– Honestly, I’m okay with the fact that my work is actually done in spurts, not consistently. I definitely do well at work and get everything done and go above and beyond. That reminds me, I have 3 HR trainings to do.
– I write everything down. I’m never going to just “remember” to do something.
– Working from home is not good for me. I’ve signed up for a coworking space even though my job doesn’t pay for it. It’s only 2 days/week so the other days I go to a coffee shop. That also creates a clearer sense of deadline than sitting in my own apartment.
I would love to talk more about this. I do think I might have ADHD – something to look into.
Honestly, I’ve been wondering if I have ADHD for awhile and everyone’s responses might be the push I need to actually get evaluated….
I hear you about not plopping on the couch. Once I’m sitting down I am not getting up again haha. And if it’s not written down it doesn’t exist!
I would say this is mostly an issue at work, but at the same time, I never do things around the house (cleaning/laundry, organizing, changing seasonal decor…) without my husband pushing me to do it or I’m out of clean clothes or something. Things that don’t need to be done just don’t get done.
Agreed with this. A “little sit” always seems to turn into a “big sit”! Never sit down until I’m done with whatever I planned to do that evening.
This sounds and feels very familiar! It doesn’t sound like your procrastination is creating any real problems, other than you feeling like you’re capable of more. So … is it actually a problem? Do you procrastinate when you’re really into something that interests you? I’m guessing you don’t.
Eh I’m very similar and I very much do. It’s extremely frustrating.
I say this without any judgment whatsoever, but ADHD may be something to look into. This type of procrastination is kind of a hallmark.
yep see my comment at 9:37
Well I tend to let too many tasks build up and then I’m very stressed for a few days/weeks and then I go back to procrastinating again. So it’s a problem in the sense that I could be preventing this stress, but find I can’t.
I’ve definitely wondered about ADHD before and am getting starting to get the point where it might be something I want to explore. I just don’t want to work for another 30 years feeling this way…
The way it was explained to me, stress hormones can act like homegrown stimulants that successfully overcome ADHD, but relying on them gets to be hard on us physically and psychologically.
Over the past year, I have wondered if my anxiety is actually masking something else. Like I’ve developed all these systems for keeping myself on track, but it’s a lot to manage and I burn out easily. My anxiety about school, work, etc. has always been … disproportionate.
Do something else with your time since you don’t need it to get things done anyway?
I will say, I personally saw a neuropsychologist and tested maximally positive for ADHD on all the available tests despite all the accolades and achievements. So for me working against the deadlines turned out to be self-treatment (the deadlines were my external source of focus and motivation). But I had no reason to get that assessment until my way of doing things wasn’t working well for me anymore, whereas it sounds like you’re doing fine!
From the outside it definitely looks like I’m doing fine, but I hate the unneeded stress when I let too many tasks build up and then I’m freaking out about getting them all done. I have been wondering if this is a symptom of ADHD and if this is something I should explore. Of course I also have chronic anxiety and depression (which is and has been treated for more than a decade), so I wonder if some of that is actually ADHD too.
It is a symptom of ADHD, especially for high-achieving women. Anxiety is weird with ADHD because it is a result but also a coping mechanism of sorts. You’ve been coping through stress and anxiety. FWIW, I treated my anxiety and depression with middling success for most of my life. When I started treating my ADHD with stimulant meds (Vyvanse specifically), my anxiety melted away. Just gone. I had also been in therapy for a while, but nothing made my brain get out of its way like stimulants. I feel a billion times better now.
I struggle with this. I find it helpful to break down tasks. If I want to do an excellent job of something or spend 2 hours doing something, it sometimes won’t happen without external pressure like a deadline.
If I commit to the smallest amount of something (5-10 minutes, a badly written paragraph, etc), I can get it done.
I could have written this. I was diagnosed with ADHD in my early 30s and started taking meds, which helped with this issue somewhat but are not a silver bullet. But I also just accepted that I do actually have an intuitive idea about how long tasks will take me and which are important, so I’ve let go of some stress and negative self-talk about why I can’t force myself to work in neatly defined blocks well ahead of time like my imagined version of a “normal” person. For non-work things, what helps most is scheduled commitments I can’t wriggle out of or put off, accountability, and lowering barriers to entry. But again, this helps, but hasn’t been a magic silver bullet.
AI had been tremendously helpful with getting started. It’s not about the output, sometimes I’ll just type a low effort prompt, it’ll gleefully start responding and that’s just enough kick in the pants for me to actually do the darn thing.
*has been helpful. I need the edit button for all my typos.
Yeah … this has definitely helped me when I have writer’s block or don’t know where to start. I’m very much doing my own writing, but something about having a prompt to start from gets me over the initial hump.
You are not, in fact, “very much doing your own writing.” Developing the prompt is part of the writing process.
I don’t really care how you do your job, but I teach college writing and this logic is a scourge. Students skip over really important cognitive skills and it has terrible effects all around.
Also, AI use is hot awful garbage for the environment.
Look, I hear you, and it’s how I’m managing the problem of having too much to do in not enough time.
Do what you want. We all make choices.
But there’s a huge cost to how people “manage the problem of having too much to do,” and it’s having and will continue to have huge social and generational costs. I hope you’ll stop using AI as a shortcut. I hope people will think of efficiency as having some truly terrible drawbacks and not a neutral good.
I’m with Walnut – I find AI to be very helpful. Yes that’s a dirty secret in some circles, but they are putting AI into every stupid program and thanks to Trump not only are the feds not going to limit AI in any way they are also discouraging the STATES from limiting AI in any real way for the next 10 years. it’s terrible for the environment and the data centers stink, but there is a coming tide of AI whether we want it or not. I just read about how Zuck has his AI clone answer questions from FB staffers. Yes I hate it here and this is the worst timeline… but all that said yes AI is actually very helpful and can make some parts of the process a lot more fun.
This has been my experience as well. I’m conflicted about AI generally, but nothing has been more helpful to get over the barriers to beginning.
I don’t think it’s worth draining the Colorado River to do that for you, tbh.
We’ve been draining the Colorado River long before AI.
Do you take everything literally to avoid the point?
What if we didn’t just keep it up and accelerate it via the environmental devastations of AI? Just because we’ve been terrible stewards of the planet doesn’t mean we should justify keeping going and amplifying it.
Doesn’t mean we throw up our hands and say f it, let’s do it even faster.
this is me and i’m starting to see my son do it also.
i’ve always loved this graphic because it’s so true
(alt title if helpful: The Creative Process with linear graph of “work begins” at start, a red section that’s about 80% of the graph that says “F off” then about 15% of the graph in yellow with an arrow that says “panic” with the final 5% before deadline being green with an arrow that says “all the work while crying”)
https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ANRu!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4973fcbb-3c4e-4b19-bcbf-1d0104ff5f47_1216x736.png
That made me laugh, thank you!
the thought of this makes me stressed. i’m team, let’s do things as far in advance as possible bc otherwise i feel stressed. this is a classic ADHD symptom. Not saying you have ADHD but it is a common symptom
That is me. I’m 45 and still that way. The only way I get things done faster is to add more things. Sorry I can’t be of help!
HA I often feel this way. The busier I am the more productive I am.
I finally got diagnosed for my raging ADHD and started medication.
I embrace it. I have a job with external deadlines (litigation) and control over when I do things. The billable hour benefits me. It is very normal for me hours to be high one day and very low the next.
I am considering getting evaluated for ADHD because this doesn’t work as well in other aspects of my life!
Since you don’t respond to your own deadlines (except for the final deadline, I suppose), Is it possible to set interim deadlines or checkpoints where you show your work to someone else?
A few things worked for me:
1. I accepted a long time ago that I’m a last-minute girl and I just leaned into it. I do my best work under pressure so I just do that. Very very occasionally I get in a jam but I always get it done.
2. I recently started taking a very small dose of an anti-anxiety med and it’s done wonders in helping me stop ruminating and start working.
3. I give myself permission for the first draft to be garbage. It’s way easier to polish something that already exists than to start with a blank screen, so I just vomit up a VERY rough start and go from there.
4. Somebody said it on here a long time ago and it’s so, so true: It’s way easier to Do the Thing than to endlessly worry about not having Done the Thing.
Everyone’s brain/working style is different. I used to be like you. However, I hear you on the internal stress that rushing at the last minute causes.
One thing that helped cure me was to not think about whether I wanted to do or not do a thing. I used to think, “I don’t want to do X; I will do Y right now instead and save X for later.” Well, biglaw was the cure for that–it wasn’t my choice whether I did X or Y–both needed to get done ASAP at client demands, immediately. So I stopped overlaying my like/dislike or desire/no desire to do a task and just got it done.
What helps me is that before I shut down for the night/leave work (I work at home), I make my “Top 3 big things” list, “Top 3-5 Little Things” list and then my “2 personal things” list. I LOVE crossing things off lists, so I must do all of those things absent a huge emergency, the next day.
I start with the big things. If I am bored I am allowed to do a little thing or a personal thing, then I must return to big things.
This, and a jira kanban board, keep me on track.
Hope this helps!
Looking for 100% cotton or linen cropped pants, wide leg, drawstring waist – these are the pants I love to walk in daily, but I am struggling to find any. Any recs?
J Crew or J Crew Factory
Old Navy has historically had these.
Eileen Fisher has a version with an elastic waist. Pricey as exercise wear, but you might be able to get a previous years version for less.
Pact has nice cotton gauze pants too.
Old Navy, Athleta, J Jill, and Garnet Hill all usually have these in some form. Last year I surprisingly liked Old Navy’s the best.
I’m pretty sure I saw a much of stuff like this at gap last week – both linen and cotton gauze. If you order online they have short sizing too
I really like athleta’s linen pants.
Nordstrom had a really inexpensive pair that has held up well for me. Had to get them hemmed tho
Try BR factory, they have a lot of linen
Athleta or Quince
I’d like pants to have a bit wider of a leg and no tapering, especially if they are ankle pants. Otherwise, I sit and stand to the point where the leg can creep up and become pedal-pusher / capris. I’m not ready for that look — maybe when I relocate to The Villages.
At any rate, it seems that longer jorts are back. I’m not ready for that, either.
I am wearing tapered ankle pants I and I caught myself wishing they were a little wider when I got dressed this morning. And I only bought them last year!
the barrel leg look is in unfortunately
jorts are in, i’ve seen so many crazy skorts too.
The cropped pants and pedal pushers seem to be coming back with the younger women. And I think residents of retirement communities are sporting a lot of wide leg pants. Sigh, that’s how I know wide leg is over. I can’t see myself with crops and pedal pushers because they make me look stumpy and hippy at the same time.
+1 to capris making me look both short and wide.
I bought a longer smoked-waist printed skirt, that I thought would be comfy (yes) and effortless to style into an outfit (no). If you are wearing these, could you post your outfits? Mine is medium blue and white, and I’m stressing because my white tops (elevated tees) don’t work and my chambray button-up also is the wrong shade. All of a sudden, many of my “whites” are off-white or cream vs the right white. I have a hot pink option. And I’m overthinking it, but it has gotten warmer and I’d like to start wearing it. Help!
top in the same print to wear as a set, navy, soft greens.
I think you’re overthinking, shades aren’t supposed to match exactly.
Wear the skirt to shop for a white-white top that works with it.
Chambray is a neutral so it doesn’t need to match your blues.
Navy or even black or dark burgundy: something with a lot of contrast is needed. White is classic but get the right white. I don’t agree to just go with what you have because if there’s not enough contrast, the skirt won’t look intentional.
It sounds like you have two struggles: color and silhouette.
The best colors for tops are going to depend on your coloring. If you look best with some contrast in your outfit, then go for something either dark or light (some of this will depend on the balance of the blue and white in the skirt). But if you’re better with less contrast, then look for something in the same general value as the blue or the white, depending on which is dominant.
The silhouette of the skirt, if it’s what I’m picturing, is form fitting from your true waist to a point down your hips, probably 6-8 inches below your waist, and then it’s fairly full and longish. You want something either close-fitting or structured on top to balance that, and it should have some sort of waist definition. If you look at the models for brands selling that type of skirt, they tend to wear them with a matching tank that is often cropped or a shrunken tee or tank top. I’ve also seen more oversized tops work when tied at the waist or tucked in an bloused a bit.
For Birkenstock Arizonas, does anyone have any strong recommendations on the classic footbed vs the “soft” one? And has anyone bought the wide versions? IDK if sizing up vs going wider will fix how I need to expand the toe-strap buckle practically to the max to wear with socks (99% of the year for me — feet run cold and I’ve been a Birks-with-socks person since my 20s). Dealing with a new foot shape after an injury on one foot and having high arches takes up a lot of strap width already.
Wide is actually their regular width. Many US stores sell only the narrow when labeling the shoe for women. I only buy the wide—for some stores, I have to look at the men’s section for wide.
I think soft is a smidge less wide because it’s the same footbed and more padding with the soft.
The widths are actually narrow and regular. There’s no actual “wide” but I agree regular is the wider one. Deep dive in the Birk subreddit will answer all of OPs questions, but might raise more questions. I have both soft and regular footbeds and they’re not that different. OP probably needs to size up – a lot of people wear their Birks too small.
I have the Floridas with the soft footbed and really like them. I’ve had the classic Arizonas, too, and prefer the soft a bit more. The caveat is that I have high-arched, bony feet without much natural padding!
I have bony high-arched feet also
I exclusively wear the soft footbed style – and yes, the regular width is wide. I can tolerate the reg footbed OK, but much prefer the soft footbed for extended use. Wore these pretty much constantly while treating my plantar fasciitis.
I always get the wide aka regular fit, never narrow.
Have slightly wide toe/ball of foot area and narrow heels – and a very low tolerance for squished toes.
I need ideas for connecting with my spouse. We both have solo hobbies and careers plus with have kids at home. I find he wants to talk about the nitty gritty of his hobby with me all the time. I can engage for a bit and love that he loves it, but it gets old and I don’t feel the need to do the same with my hobby. Work convos are mostly complaining and I feel more stressed afterward
We will sometimes play a game together which I enjoy. Or take walks. We are both at levels of our hobbies where it is hard to include the other. In the past we’ve done at home art classes together (years and years ago) and we enjoy watching TV together for a short time in the evenings. I love and adore this person and realize we go in phases of this happening but I want to be proactive.
Ideas that are low-cost and don’t need childcare? What do you and your spouse talk about?
Do you both like to read? Both read a book and discuss? Or both listen to a podcast of common interest and discuss? Discuss bucket list trips, and begin planning one? I think you have to find time/energy for this, and it is hard at your time of life. It can feel a bit awkward to start , but as someone who is now empty nester and one us in retirement, do the work now!
Spouse and I listen to history podcasts and talk about them. Sometimes the same podcast, sometimes different ones and we tell each other about them.
We do this. One good one is American History Tellers, if you like history.
Ooh, thank you! We’re currently listening to The History of England.
Watch movies together! Pick a theme or go through AFI’s 100 list.
Cook together and talk about techniques you want to learn or dishes you might try to make?
We have small kids and busy jobs. In the evenings we connect by cooking dinner together, often with music on and sometimes dancing in the kitchen. We do a family walk and then bedtime for the kids. Once they are asleep, we watch a show together and do the NYT games (wordle, connections, etc.) We have a limited number of shows we both like lol but we can usually find something. As for things we talk about, a lot of it is logistics and goals, but we plan vacations, talk about things we want to do to the house and yard, things we are reading at the time, sometimes we talk about work but we try and limit that to a few minutes of venting.
+1. We do the NYT crossword together daily.
Would you all try one of those card decks of conversation starters or would it be too cheesy?
Husband and I are in the same boat. We are both religious and finally found a church we enjoy. We enjoy attending on Sunday and it often sparks conversations for us to have later. A bonus for us is that child care is provided during the service!!!
I’m an east coast lawyer having a 20 minute Zoom “chat” (their words) with the CLO of a west coast business looking to hire someone in-house. This chat comes before a case study and two (more) interviews. I have black and navy blazers, of course, but I also have coral, tomato, butter, lavender, oatmeal, white and two different tweeds (which do poorly on camera, IIRC). My role has a large public-facing component and color is part of that for me. Should I stick with, say, navy or go for a color, maybe the tomato?
Do the tomato.
Do navy now so you can get a feel for the formality of the company during the chat and then something bolder for the interviews
Changed my mind, it’s the west coast, do the tomato now
i think it both doesn’t matter at all and also wear the tomato if you would like to.
I’d pick whatever looks best on camera on you. Even as an east coast hiring attorney, navy or black is unnecessary.
I’m in house in tech–any sort of nice top, from a blouse to a polished sweater, is fine here. No need for a blazer. However, if having a blazer makes you feel amped for an interview, blazer will also not be frowned upon.
Last thing–if this is tech, know that the pace in West Coast tech (if it’s tech) can be lightning-fast and not relaxing at all. But, it’s great not to be bored at work.
It’s interesting that you mentioned the pace. There’s something in their mission statement about “Why answer something next week when we can answer you in two hours?” Uhh, because you need to confer with experts? Because your reputation stands on being 100% correct, 100% of the time? Your remark is reinforcing that I’m not a west coast kinda gal.
Aside: how are people not malpracticing daily in this type of environment?
That’s why they need you.
It’s a huge problem for any rapidly growing company, as well as fraud.
I would go for color. I have worn a fair amount of color my whole career (starting with OCI) and I think whatever looks nice on camera is best.
Any specific recommendations or links for a structured third piece that isn’t a collared blazer? My office sometimes runs cold and I need a topper for my many short sleeved blouses. My regular cardigans look too heavy for summer wear and maybe a bit frumpy, if I’m honest, with my wide leg pants. Should I just buy some jackie cardigans? Does there exist sleek bomber-style blazers?
they sell short full cardigans that look more current over wide leg pants (without restarting the great cardigan debate i think they are a wildly functional item especially in the summer) they also are showing lots of shorter full jackets. I have a sort of khacki bomber jacket that i got at zara and i wear it over a lot of things.
Chanel-style blazers always read as more chic to me than cardigans (although I like cardigans, too).
I have Chanel-type blazers, but the lining on them can make me feel colder vs warmer. And they bend / stretch less.
JCrew and JCF often have sweater versions of their cropped jackets and I have some of these when I want something more cozy next to my skin. And then I have a fleece for my office chair for when I just need to be warm but don’t plan to be seen in it. I struggle with outfits when I’m going between freezing A/C and an actual warm outdoor temp in a day.
Why don’t you like blazers? Is it the collar or the level of formality or something else? There are a lot of more casual blazers now that might fit the bill. The Rag and Bone Slade blazer has no collar and doesn’t read like a suit, but has a lot of structure. I you just need a little warmth a cropped button down can act like a casual, structured jacket.
OP here. I actually love blazers and wear them a lot. But sometimes I want less bulk or a less formal look. My unit is no jeans, yet blazers plus black/navy pants can read too formal for some internal meetings where jeans are permissible.
Can you do a denim jacket? Or a white denim jacket? A moto jacket? A sweater jacket?
I would check out the Prairie Underground. They have elevated hoodies that might fit the bill. There is a lot of detail and design but they are unmistakably hoodies. They also have some nice casual jackets. (If you’re between sizes, size up.) For example: https://shop.prairieunderground.com/collections/hoodies/products/cloak-hoodie-in-moss-1
I like a MM LaFleur jardigan or J Crew’s Going Out Blazer for this. I wish either of those came in more colors, I feel like they used to but now everything comes in 4 colors only.
If you’re looking for more of a statement, I have a Boden Holly jacket that is a lady-jacket style in green and love it.
Betsy cardigan from Sezane would also work for this
J Crew makes lady jacket cardigans that I wear year round.
I like shackets for this – shirt jackets in materials that drape.
Also, unlined and oversized blazers in non-suiting material.
Would also consider linen bomber jackets, thin quilted floral jackets, suede bomber jacket in tan, olive or cream, and thin denim jacket that are not in a denim jacket shape (denim blazer, parka, moto etc).
The rag and bone slade blazer in wool is my go to for this. It feels like a wool sweater, is unlined, and is very professional looking. I have it in 3 different colors and it has been a work horse in my wardrobe for years.
Inspired by a random discussion I had with my husband last night…
Hypothetically, assuming your significant other spent same amount of money on each service, what would be your ranking from worst to least bad? Choices are sports betting (Fanduel, Draftkings etc), prediction markets (assuming non-sports bets on Kalshi, Polymarket, etc) and interactive porn/camgirls (OnlyFans etc).
Worst: porn/camgirls
Sports betting
least bad: prediction markets (particularly in areas where they have relative expertise)
Same here
Out of all of those, the only one that would end our marriage would be camgirls, but wow, this convo is so not safe for a work computer.
Yes and “NSFW” encompasses a lot of the worst things to spend money on.
See, I hate all of those enough that any ranking I could come up with is irrelevant – the moment I learn my significant other is doing any of those, I’m gone. Immediate divorce paperwork.
+1
All bad, but the NSFW stuff is a ultimate deal breaker (assuming it is not a mutually agreed upon activity).
I know people that have lost everything due to gambling. Homes, relationships, jobs. The porn seems obvious, but gambling is an addiction
I’m really hopeful about GLP1s because I can’t imagine how to handle gambling without meds.
Any of these would be a dealbreaker for me if it were significant money. I guess I could barely tolerate sports betting or prediction markets if it were small, controlled amounts (is that even possible?) but interactive porn is a hard “no.”
I really hate gambling in any form. My dad bet a lot on sports before it was as widespread as now (had to call his bets in to a bookie) and after living with that stress and also being inside casinos, I don’t understand the appeal at all. My husband knows that’s a red line for me, and if he did anything more than superbowl squares or the occasional bet with a friend, I’d likely end the relationship. I’m really concerned with the lives that will be ruined by the proliferation of sports betting and prediction markets. The house always wins.
I guess I’m the odd one out here.
I think you just already learned the hard way. Because industry and legislature allowed online loopholes for so many different regulations, a lot of people are going to have to learn old lessons all over again.
Help me think about shoes for my friends’ wedding. I’m wearing a floor length purple silk dress and I have a silvery gray wrap with blue/gold/black flowers in case of nuclear air conditioning. I think I want dainty shoes? Would these work? I like them (and might buy them either way).
https://fuchsiashoes.com/collections/all-flats/products/nawal
Must come in a wide width.
Naturalizer, even has a link at the top for wedding.
Those are pretty but look a bit too much like house slippers, IMO. However, if your dress is long enough that only the toes peek out, they might work.
Those are beautiful but I wonder how comfortable they’d be for standing and dancing.
If those are your style and the color works with your outfit, go for it. They look lovely.
They aren’t the typical shoe fashion that I see at weddings but I think that is based more on personal style norms in my circle than anything else.
Does anyone have recommendations for plastic-free, non-glass lunch/snack containers? I see some stainless ones on Amazon. Has anyone used those for their own or their kids lunches? I’d use for cut up apples, pretzels/crackers, sandwiches?
I have a coworker who uses the stainless steel bento box things and they look fine in the office fridge. Definitely not leakproof.
I like stainless tiffins and have used them a lot for lunches.
Planet box Rover Stainless steel lunch box set. Pricy but exactly what you want, reduces packaging, never leaks. Will last years (as long as your kid doesn’t lose lunch boxes!).
same, love these, have basically everything Planet Box comes out with. We have used them every day year around for going on 8 years and they look new.
Same here. We’ve got some really old ones (I think purchased for a first-grader at the time who is now a college kid three years in). Shows no wear at all, still used nearly daily.
u-konserve brand are THE BEST. We’ve had four sets of graduated snack containers for close to ten years. Use them every day. Easy to clean and the tops haven’t cracked.
I have a set of silicone bags I use for this sort of thing; I think they’re Stasher brand.
Bentgo- use for kids and on the weekends for everyone
Not this commenter, but to clarify, Bentgo makes stainless steel lunch boxes in addition to their standard plastic ones. We liked these more than Planetbox Rover a few years ago because Bentgo was more compact (Planetbox may have smaller sizes now?)
I have a lot of S’well containers I’ve collected over the years. They are metal. My favorite is the salad bowl kit but I have some other smaller bowls as well.
I use the elephant trio. Note – if you put hot porridge in them and tighten, it’ll require a screwdriver to break the seal and open. The whole train carriage had a go – including men who were convinced of their superior strength – and I still went without breakfast.
But other than that, I love them. They are super light when empty.
This reminds me of a funny story from my childhood. My mom (a pharmacist) sent me in with a packed lunch that included a Thermos of chocolate milk (it was the 80s so this was a *super* healthy choice). She didn’t want the Thermos to leak, so she screwed it on tightly thanks to her many years of closing pill bottles including the ones without safety locks.
I couldn’t open the Thermos. Nor could the cafeteria ladies. Or the janitor. Or the teacher on lunch duty. I was SO mortified.
Hello!
Long shot but can anyone recommend an estates and trusts attorney in Northern VA? Thanks in advance!
Steven Krieger in Arlington, by Courthouse metro. He did my husband’s prenup and my husband was happy with him. He was opposing counsel in a landlord/tenant case and he was professional to work with. No personal experience in using him for estate planning but it’s on his website.
Rebecca Evans in Springfield. She’s thorough and extremely competent.
Elizabeth Wildhack
I asked this a few week’s ago but it was late in the day, and I think I only got 1 or 2 responses. We are attending an Indian morning wedding this summer for my husband’s cousin. We are white and have never been to an Indian wedding before. Dress code just says vibrant colors. Is it customary to wear a long more formal dress? At least midi length but normally floor length?
Also for my husband and our 6 year old. Would it be appropriate for husband to wear a standard dark suit, shirt, and tie and we will probably dress our son in a button down shirt and trousers?
yes your husband and child can wear whatever they want. I think if it doesn’t specify you can wear any length you want. i have been to indian weddings that encouraged everyone to wear indian clothes but if that’s not the case here dress as you would for any wedding.
Wedding is in the Midwest US
I bet you will want to be in a vibrant color in the moment. I went to an Indian wedding with an anything goes dress code and I was super jealous of all the gorgeous, bright colored saris vs. my fairly neutral dress.
White woman married to an Indian man here. You can wear whatever you want. Indian dress is typically a lot more vibrant than American formal though, so I’d go for bright colors or jewel-toned, and the more glam/festive the better. Husband and little will be fine in a button down and trousers.
Wear the brightest colors you want! I would say dresses should be at least knee length, because many other women will be in saris or lehengas which have long skirts. If your husband has a lighter suit, like grey, or even a linen suit, he should wear that–and a brighter tie and shirt combo. Your son can wear anything dressier than play clothes and probably be fine.
That said, if you have someone in the family you can ask, see if they can recommend a local place to buy a sari/choli. I am white and attended an Indian wedding a few years ago–one of the women in the family emailed out the names of two Indian-wear stores in the area and encouraged everyone to wear a sari if they were interested (but no pressure to buy something new).
I bought a sari and wore it, frankly I looked fabulous, it was so comfortable, and it was very welcomed. I look at the sari longingly whenever I have a fancy event. I may have it turned into a dress someday I love it that much, because otherwise I can only ever wear it to another Indian event!
I’m not much on weddings, but I would LOVE to attend an Indian wedding where saris are encouraged for wedding guests. Related: there was a cute clip of an Indian wedding that had to be relocated due to a tornado and wound up in the same conference room as a girls’ volleyball team. Just lovely.