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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 191 Comments · by

Frugal Friday’s TPS Report: Textured Ponte Jacket

The Personal Shopper (TPS)· Under $150

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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Pim + Larkin Textured Ponte JacketIt's Friday, hooray! I'm loving this gorgeous textured ponte knit from Pim + Larkin — it looks much richer than its $31.97 pricetag, that's for sure. I like the notched lapel, and I always like bracelet sleeves (you can get a better sense of them from the model wearing the black version of the blazer). Note that it is, alas, final sale only at Piperlime. Textured Ponte Jacket by Pim + Larkin Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com. (L-3) P.S. I'm still browsing the sale but there are some insane sales on designer duds at flash sale site Vente-Privee — we're talking $500+ dresses (from lots of office-friendly brands like Elie Tahari and more) for under $100. Click here if you need an invite.

Sales of note for 9.10.24

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Comments

  1. Veronique

    Love the cut and color, but I can’t do final sale on unknown brands. Too bad.

    • Susedna

      I’m w/you on not doing final sale on unknown brands. I’ve been burned by that in the past and it always end up in a donation bin somewhere.

      Love the color, but the weird shape seems both boxy and bunchy like a heavier shirt pretending to be a blazer. See that weird pouf of extra fabric on the upper right part of the “blazer”? It looks like a sewing mistake.

    • Ellen

      Yay! Fruegel Friday’s! I love Fruegel Friday’s!

      And I even love final sales, when they are so inexpensive-the worse that can happen is that it is not the best fit and you can give it to Good Will or the Salvation Army like I do!

      Dad is takeing me to eat lunch with the Komendant in Langeley, and from there we are driveing home, finally! This has been a dull vacation, with him workeing and me sitting here at the Mariot busness center, talkeing to the front desk peeople and then sitting at the pool where the lifeguard has onley me to talk to. That job must be SOOOOO Boreing!

      Dad has me all dressed up and he made me put on more mascara then I normaly would. He said he wanted me to be his little china doll–I am NOT anyone’s doll. I am an attorney with 5 year’s of expierence as a NY lawyer. FOOEY! If I wanted to be a bimbo, I would not have gone to law school but would have married any one of a number of geeke’s at GW that were after me.

      I told dad that I was NOT goeing to be shy if the Komendant asked me questions, and he said it is better if I was just seen and not heard, or he would NOT take me. Of course I agreed, but I WILL talk if spoken to! FOOEY on Dad for makeing me out to be a china doll.

      Dad has some prior releationship with the Komendant, I think when they were both in the service together. Dad does NOT talk about that much, but I am sure that he will tell me more once we have lunch with the Komendant. Unfortuneately, lunch is at Langeley, which Dad says we need a special pass for, so peeople off the street can NOT eat there. With my luck, the food will be LOUSY! FOOEY!

      I will have to report back to the hive later today from my I-Phone, or mabye not until tomorrow when I will be back in the CITY, unless dad wants to go DIRECTLY to LI, in which case I will spend the weekend with him and MOM and drive out to DeRaimo’s for a Cheeze Calzone! YAY!!!

    • Susie

      For what it’s worth, I’ve ordered a few things from Pim & Larkin and have returned a fair number of them. The quality is usually decent (good for the price point) but the sizing is all over and I’ve found for many of their tops the sleeves were too narrow and the waist very big and boxy.

  2. Style my blouse?

    I saw a cute navy and kelly green chevron blouse – what color pencil skirt could I put with that combo?

  4. AOL Reader

    Since Google Reader went away, I switched over to Bloglovin’. It’s okay, but IE9 is not supported and that’s what I have to use if I want to check any blogs from my work laptop. Also, I found some feeds were not getting updated properly.

    Belle from Capitol Hill Style mentioned she’s been using AOL Reader. I started it using it a couple of days ago and love it. It’s a lot like the old Google Reader layout and so far, no problems with IE.

    The site is reader[dot]aol[dot]com and you can log in with your existing Google account and import your subscriptions.

  5. Maddie Ross

    Shopping help – I just came back to work after having my baby and I need some handbag help. I’ve always loved big bags. And I have a couple of diaper bags, but I don’t really carry them on a daily basis (use more for travel or weekend days when we’re out of the house all day). What I need is a bag that is large enough to hold my Hobo wallet, several small pouches, my iPad, phone and keys, as well as a couple of diapers, a clean onesie and wipes. I’m currently carrying a canvas boat and tote bag (mostly because that’s what I used all summer and I was too lazy to switch before coming back), but it’s really not as professional as I would like. I’d prefer leather but would be ok with other options, just not pleather. Not black, but any other color ok. Hoping to spend less than $200. Suggestions?

  6. M

    Has anyone bought a pair of Steve Madden d’orsay flats – either the Sawyer or the Saxon style? I’m looking for a pair of chic/comfortable flats to wear on my honeymoon, we will be doing lots of walking/sightseeing. Do they run true to size?
    Thanks!

  7. Anonymous_Lost

    Calling on the sophisticated Hive.. has anyone ever taken a career aptitude test in person? Did you find it helpful in shaping your career? I’m in New York and in real estate finance, and considering a career transition.

  8. Aa

    Nothing like making last minute vacation plans… I’m trying to get away for Labor Day, somewhere on the east coast since I only have the 3 days, preferably where I can just fly in from NY and don’t have to rent a car (which I have a feeling limits my beach like options). Any suggestions? I feel like I always end up in Boston or DC.

    • AIMS

      Puerto Rico. It’s an easy flight from NY.
      Or Martha’s Vineyard. You can get a flight (though they’re expensive) or you can take a boat right from the 34th street pier.

        • P

          Yes! There’s an airport right in Portland, and if you stay downtown most things (like the ocean – though not necessarily a sandy beach) are walkable and others would be a pretty short taxi ride.

          • Monday

            A sandy beach is available on the Eastern Promenade, walkable from the narrow-gauge railroad path from the Old Port! It’s not the nicest one in the area, but it’s free and easy. The view of the bay is great.

          • P

            Ooh, thanks Monday! I’ve only ever visited Portland as a casual in-state traveler so I don’t quite know all the spots.

            I can definitely recommend the Old Port, though! And my favorite coffee shop is Coffee by Design.

    • TravelMoreRoads

      If you’re looking for easy, east coast, beaches and no car – Rhode Island! First, there’s lots going on in Providence this weekend like Waterfire (http://waterfire.org/), Providence Flea w/ local artists (http://www.providenceflea.com/), Foo Fest (http://providenceonline.com/stories/AS220-FOO-FEST-2013,8096), and typical Providence to-dos. Providence is also known for its dining scene (beat NYC here: http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-best-cities-for-foodies/4). There’s lots to do within a mile radius of downtown and the train station and downtown bus stop and plenty of hotels right there. Waterfire is just steps from the train station.

      Plus, it’s the Ocean State so you can leave to head to any number of beaches, or hang out in Newport.

      Fly right into TF Green (15ish min outside downtown Providence) then train/taxi into Providence, or just take a train/bus from NYC right into downtown. It’s also easy to train in from Boston if you want to do both.

      Feel free to email me with any RI questions (TravelMoreRoads – it’s at gmail or click and go to my blog and connect w/ me there).

      Perhaps I’ll see you around this weekend, happy Friday!

    • TravelMoreRoads

      Sigh, re-posting without helpful links for you bc first attempt is awaiting moderation prob too many links. Here you go for now:

      If you’re looking for easy, east coast, beaches and no car – Rhode Island! First, there’s lots going on in Providence this weekend like Waterfire (link pulled), Providence Flea w/ local artists (link pulled), AS220 Foo Fest (link pulled), and typical Providence to-dos. Providence is also known for its dining scene (beat NYC here: link pulled). There’s lots to do within a mile radius of downtown and the train station and downtown bus stop and plenty of hotels right there. Waterfire is just steps from the train station.

      Plus, it’s the Ocean State so you can leave to head to any number of beaches, or hang out in Newport.

      Fly right into TF Green (15ish min outside downtown Providence) then train/taxi into Providence, or just take a train/bus from NYC right into downtown. It’s also easy to train in from Boston if you want to do both.

      Feel free to email me with any RI questions (TravelMoreRoads – it’s at gmail or click and go to my blog and connect w/ me there).

      Perhaps I’ll see you around this weekend, happy Friday!

      Reply

  9. Susedna

    Copying our parents’ threadjack:

    Is there some habit that you have that you learned from a parent?

    Me: coupon clipping (searching online for coupon codes) as well as using actual paper coupons.
    I’ve abandoned many an online shopping cart when I was unable to find a free shipping coupon code or an at least 15% code for discretionary clothing purchases.

    My Mom has always done this, because she lived through two periods of near-abject poverty. But I’ve internalized her “why pay more” attitude even though I’m working in finance and no longer poor.

    • TCFKAG

      I do something like this, which is everytime I wear something new and someone compliments me on it or asks about it, I *have* to tell them how much on-sale I got it. Because paying full price was shameful.

      Also I learned to cook from my mother who learned to cook working in a group home in the 70s – so I find it very hard to cook for two. I produce so many leftovers, its ridiculous. Its a very difficult habit to break.

      • anon

        I do that too! My mom also did that, and so do my sisters. But for us shopping is like a sport, and you score if you buy something on sale, so you want to brag about it. The more it’s marked down, the higher your score. I’ve actually had to try to unlearn that mindset, bought too many things on sale that I did not need or really even want. But if I don’t buy anything on sale during a shopping trip, I still feel like I have failed a little.

        • Susie

          I’m the same way, and my husband is the polar opposite. Once I told him how big a markdown I got and he said he wished I hadn’t told him that. (??) We grew up with very different attitudes towards money.

      • Samantha

        If you’re ever in a situation with extra delicious food and need someone to take it off your hands…

      • L

        Does this really make a difference?? I’ve always wondered, but never bothered to try it.

        • Cat

          I’ve never ironed my sheets (though I do fold them (or put them back on the bed) ASAP from the dryer so they don’t get super wrinkly). But, I do iron my pillowcases. Looooove the crisp cool fabric feeling on fresh pillowcase night!

          • AIMS

            I love ironed sheets. Even more, I love starched ones. My grandmother always had starched sheets when I was little and I love that feeling of newly starched sheets when you get into bed.

        • eek

          I think it actually softens the fabric up a little and the sheets feel smoother. I don’t use fabric softener, so the steam helps with that. Sometimes I am not feeling up to ironing sheets, so, like Cat, I just do the pillow cases. I never remember to take the sheets out in time, but some people say it’s better and easier to iron them slightly damp. Pioneer woman puts the flat sheet on her bed when it’s slightly damp and says most of the wrinkles come out during the drying since the fabric is pulled taut over the mattress.

          I also iron tea towels, napkins, etc. Blah.

    • Veronica Mars

      I’ve absorbed so many habits from my parents/family! Maybe we’re just a distinctive bunch. Just to name a few…
      – My mom always sifts through her cart before checking out and always removes at least 1 – 2 items that she doesn’t really need. I do this everywhere too, Target, grocery store, even when I’m shopping online! I always eliminate anything that isn’t absolutely mission critical and talk myself out of buying a lot.
      – Milk hoarding. There were always like three gallons of milk in the fridge, and whenever we went to the supermarket, we always got more milk, as a rule. I don’t even drink that much milk in my real life, but I feel better having at least a little carton in the fridge at all times.
      – We prefer baths to showers; eating meals abnormally early (like, 5:00 for dinner); and my mom and I both hate having less than a 1/2 tank of gas in the car. 1/4 is the absolute minimum.
      That’s all I can think of right now, but I’m sure there are many more!

      • Susedna

        Veronica Mars, I’m like you and your mom about keeping at least 1/2 tank of gas in the car! But I think I will pick up that habit of sifting through the cart and removing 1-2 items… I tend to overbuy at the grocery store anyways.

        • NOLA

          That’s funny. I shop with a list and hardly ever buy on whim unless it’s in season produce.

        • OG Lawyer

          I can’t have enough of aluminum foil wraps. Last time I looked, it was about 10 boxes. I’m just always afraid I’ll run out. Never mind I cook only about 9 sit down meals per year.
          . . maybe a quick run to Goodwill is in my week-end.

      • Woods-comma-Elle

        I have several, I’m sure, but the most recent one is that I’ve started saving £5 notes. My mum has saved hundreds by using tens to buy something small and then keeping the fives. I saved like £300 when I was studying for the bar and going to the newsagents all the time for study break snacks!

      • Anonymous

        As a former grocery store cashier, I hope you either put the items back where they go or hand them to the cashier. There was nothing worse than finding out that someone had left a (now-dripping) carton of ice cream squashed in the magazine rack because they decided they didn’t want it after all.

    • Eleanor

      I’ve inherited from my dad a deep and abiding mistrust of anyone trying to sell me something. It takes effort for me not to react with hostility when a sales clerk approaches, because I’m so sure, thanks to my dad, that they’re trying to swindle me.

      • anon

        ugh to this attitude. just doing my mandated job to say hi and ask if i can help you find anything.

        • Eleanor

          Yeah, I realize they’re usually just doing their job, so I do put forth the effort so I don’t react in a hostile fashion. I’m not sure why my dad has this attitude, or how I so successfully inherited it from him.

        • Susie

          Getting asked more than once per store is annoying. Once I was in Safeway (a small one that I went to all the time) and no less then 4 employees asked me if I needed help finding anything. By the time I got to checkout I was totally fed up, and then the cashier asked me if I found everything okay I told him that he was the 5th person to ask and it was super annoying and they should let their customers shop in peace. I usually only shop Nordstrom online for the same reason. I also vividly remember once going into a Circuit City and right as you stepped through the door their were 4 employees standing in a semi-circle waiting to ask what you were looking for.

      • Brooklyn Paralegal

        Yup, I got this from my dad, too. It took my three months to agree to join my gym (and I did it on my own terms) because I hated the salesperson so much. The harder someone tries to sell me something, the less I want it.

    • Equity's Darling

      Ugh, my weirdest one- I never take the item from the front of the shelf at the grocery store. I have no reason why, but my mom would always dig and take the ones from behind- her reasoning is that they put the fresher stuff behind (which is true, fine, but if I’m going to eat the salad in the next two days anyways, does it really make a difference?).

      In an opposite situation though, growing up my parents were (and still are) consistently late for everything. EVERYTHING. So, I, rebellious as ever, am ever so punctual now. I work hard to not be super on time for everything, because it’s weird to always be 5 minutes early.

      • Veronique

        I never take the first bath/beauty product at drugstores or anywhere else without a tester because I’ve definitely seen people “testing” lotions, nail polish, etc from the products that are for sale. I once had a salesperson encourage me to “test” a lotion for sale at Ulta!

      • P

        Hah, my mom always did this too. She once sent me to grab a magazine from another checkout aisle and when I brought it to her she made me go get another one because I had grabbed the one that was in front. She definitely did it for freshness reasons when getting food, but I think overall it was that she didn’t like buying things that a bunch of other people had touched.

      • Orangerie

        This is me exactly! To this day, whenever we have a family outing I have to tell my parents it starts an hour earlier than it actually does, just so that they will show up reasonably on time (ie 20 minutes later than the actual start time). It’s definitely made me obsessively punctual, but also probably overly critical when people are late by just a minute or two.

    • Veronique

      -I’ve absorbed a similar habit from my mom, with the vast majority of my clothes bought on sale or from discount stores like TJ Maxx. Actually, the vast majority of my possessions were bought that way! I also inherited her love of quality, so I would rather spend $200 on a $300 leather bag that will last me for years than have lots of $20 pleather purses.

      -Waiting until the gas is almost empty to refill. My mom knows exactly how far she can drive once the gas light comes on, though I was with her the one time she ran out of gas! My car tells me exactly how many miles I have left until empty, and I routinely wait until I have 20 or 3o miles left to refill. I usually only let it get this low when I’m at/near home, as there’s multiple gas stations in a 2-mile radius.

      -Sniffing shoes, purses, etc to confirm that they’re leather. When I was younger I thought it was so weird when she did that, and now I find myself doing it too!

      – Overcooking when I have guests over, both in quantities and variety. I never make just one protein, starch and vegetable. It’s always 2-3 proteins, 2-3 veggies, etc and I always think I won’t have enough and have tons of leftovers. Every Sunday we have a late lunch at my house with a huge variety of food, often with extended family or family friends joining us, and the mentality of special meals=options has definitely passed on to me.

      -Overpacking. I’m much better than I used to be, thanks to my packing list.

    • NOLA

      From my mom: loving to make things for people – being crafty. My mom sewed, did needlework, and crocheted. Like her mother, I knit. Also, cooking/baking being an act of love. My mom’s Christmas cookies were awesome and we still make them.

      From my dad: being careful with money, not having debt, but wearing good clothes. The owner of the best mens store in my dad’s town came to his funeral and knew all of us. No surprise. My Dad also only bought new cars and I do that, too.

    • zora

      from my mom:

      -subscribing to the new yorker, but never having time to read them and ending up with huge piles of unread back issues.
      -feeling guilty about doing anything that will inconvenience other people, or asking for help from anyone
      -making cinnamon rolls from scratch on Christmas morning

  10. Equity's Darling

    Sooo, on my walk to work this morning, I managed to trip over a curb and scrape both my knees, and now they hurt…I’m so ready for the week to be over.

    Later, I have a rescheduled summer solstice party tonight at the art gallery- the weather is rainy and around 15C (in the 50s? For you Americans), which means that I’m either going to freeze, or be dressed inappropriately for the theme. I swear, we’re having the worst weather this summer

    In hopes of cheering myself up from my scraped knees and awful weather, I’d like to play “what are you wearing!?”. I like the Friday edition the most, casual clothes are always so fun!

      • tesyaa

        Don’t even talk about casual. Denim pencil skirt, J Crew tan loafers I bought about 13 years ago, a striped V-neck T shirt and a gray open cardigan. I wanted to wear the t shirt because I like the color of the stripes (magenta and mint), but it doesn’t go with a whole lot.

      • AnonBK

        Also going casual – my colleagues occasionally wear jeans but I rarely do. Today, jeans, printed silk blouse, ballet flats.

        But now it feels like I’m working on a Saturday…

    • AMB

      I also managed to trip off a curb this morning! I think at this point in the week (even though it was short) my neurons are just starting to not fire properly.

      I’m pretty casual, white denim skirt, black tshirt and cardigan with a black, white, cobalt and yellow leopard print scarf I picked up from Zara last week. Stack of bangles gold/black/white bangles, black and gold Kate Spade watch and pearl studs.

    • TO Lawyer

      I was tired and cranky this morning so I’m wearing jeans, a pink silk shirt, a scarf, a grey blazer and GASP a pair of Toms.

      In my defence, my boss isn’t in the office but still – I’m wearing Toms to work.

    • Senior Attorney

      Yowch! I hope your poor knees heal up soon!

      I’m wearing this super cute black and white print pencil skirt (and yes, I snagged it on sale) http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/halogen-print-stretch-cotton-blend-skirt-petite/3478352?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=2375500&fashionColor=&resultback=1646&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-searchresults-_-undefined_5_B with a cobalt top, black slightly oversized cardigan, white patent pumps, and yellow bag. I feel summery but the cardi is keeping me from freezing in the a/c.

    • Anonymous

      Sorry about the cold weather. I hate summers that never end up feeling like summer. Especially in places where summer is such a looked-forward to treat.

      I’m pregnant and in that awkward stage where nobody at work knows, I don’t have an actual bump, but I have an ever-thickening waist and bigger than my usual big boobs. All my regular clothes fit, but are oh so slightly tight and the boob situation really eliminates a lot of options. So, I’m pretty uncomfortable.

      I bought a loose fitting grey thicker tee shirt material top from Anthropologie that’s kind of tunic-y and I’m wearing that with ankle-length black slim pants and orange heels.

    • CountC

      I am surprised I didn’t trip! I am quite the klutz.

      I am wearing a loose, blousy navy and cream polka dot top, cream skinny jeans and wedges. My usual jewelry of MK rose gold watch, initial necklace, light pink enamel mum earrings, Yurman ring and my beloved ring made out of my childhood pony’s tail hair (not as weird looking as it sounds). I am flying tonight so I wanted to wear something that covers my legs since I always am freezing on airplanes!

    • lucy stone

      A Green Bay Packers shirt, cuffed jeans, and Sebago Balas. It’s Football Friday in Wisconsin.

    • Leigh

      I’m wearing an A line denim skirt, a black and white striped cardigan (wide, horizontal stripes), coral tank, white, coral, and tan flowered scarf, and black pumps. It took me about 5 tries this morning to get dressed and I’m still not sure I’m happy with what I’m wearing.

    • Baconpancakes

      I always feel like a complete fool when I scrape my knees, like my grownup card is being revoked – and it happens an embarassing amount.

      Today is a blue and white striped silk skirt, an ivory sleeveless shell with ivory fabric flowers at the collar, black long blazer, nude heels, and matching coral red nail, lipstick, and circle-draped scarf. Not really casual, because I’ve got a date tonight at a nice restaurant!

    • CKB

      Sorry to hear about your knees, and I agree that the weather this summer has stunk here in Calgary.

      I’m wearing boot cut jeans and a new top I made last week. It’s a short sleeve loose woven cowl neck – white with random squares of tan, navy, black & teal all over. I think I like it, but it’s not my normal style, so I’m trying to let myself adjust.

    • bgt

      Yay! My workplace is nearly empty today, so there’s no one around to notice I look cute today. I’m wearing cobalt cigarette pants, a yellow and white striped crew neck t-shirt, black cardigan and black ballet flats. For someone whose closet is full of navy and gray, it feels very adventurous.

    • Jeni

      I am wearing an animal-print pencil skirt (white, black, tan) from AT, black scoop-neck from BR, and light purple cardigan from JC (although now I am wondering if the purple + animal print is too far out there for me). And tan flats, a freshwater pearl necklace, and “flat” diamond studs. Feeling a bit blah, although no one else seems to be at work today, so it doesn’t really matter.

    • momentsofabsurdity

      Aw, sorry about your knees! I’m at home on vacation! So currently – yoga pants and an Everlane tee with a pair of my mom’s big fuzzy socks. So hot.

    • Susie

      We have casual Friday, so today I’m wearing jeans (darker wash Lauren Ralph Lauren) with this coral and yellow top http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/pleione-drape-neck-print-top/3529153?origin=PredictiveSearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=2375500&fashionColor=&resultback=6498&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-searchresults-_-1_18_C, a knit navy blazer, and nine west cognac (I think this is the best color description) wedges. I’m also wearing coral and yellow teardrop earrings.
      Sorry about your knees, both of mine have permanent scars from my clumsy falls.

    • Totes McGotes

      If it makes you feel better, I once fell off a curb (???) and scraped up my hands and knees heading out for a job interview!

      • jcb

        I once tripped and fell in the middle of the street in front of my office building. I was maybe one month into my first real job. At the time, I was going through a microwaveable-soup-for-lunch phase, and upon my fall, my bag hit the ground and soup cans went rolling all over the street, under parked cars, into the gutter. It had been raining, so the street was all gross and wet, and I’d twisted my ankle and scraped up my hands and knees pretty badly. And, as I was still on the ground, stunned, I looked up at the closest passer-by. It was a middle-aged man, dressed in business casual, who didn’t even slow his pace while he barked “YOU SHOULD BE MORE CAREFUL”. That was a really crappy morning.

      • Merabella

        I fell down stairs before a job interview and had bloody knees and shins and hands. It was awful, but I did get offered the job. But all I could think the entire interview is that they thought I was some crazy cage fighter or something because I was all banged up – because I totally didn’t even mention it and acted like I wasn’t covered in scrapes, like a weirdo.

    • Betty

      Ugh! I trip all the time (or come very close to doing so), and, like Baconpancakes said, “I feel like my grown up card has been revoked.” Most recently, I tripped while 34 weeks pregnant while walking, on a flat surface, in my running shoes. And then I had to call my midwife and tell her, and explain that, no, nothing made me trip. Sigh. (All is fine with me and the baby.)

      As I am 37 weeks pregnant, I am wearing one of about five outfits that still fit and that don’t make me feel completely like a beached whale: gray slacks, a rust colored boatneck top and knit, off-white cardigan, rosegold long necklace and my puma flats. A bit fall-like in the colors, but it is pouring and, again, one of five outfits that still kind-of works.

    • ohc

      I tripped on our front walk a few weekends ago and managed to fall down three steps to the sidewalk below despite having tripped at least a foot away from the top step. *Huge* scrapes on both knees and on my palms. The best part is that I was heading out to be an usher at a a concert in which the boyfriend was singing a solo, so we showed up with him in a tux and me with bloody paper towels stuck to my legs.

  11. KC

    Did anyone see the “Bags & Bunnies” email from JCrew this morning? I opened it and there were literally pictures of bags with bunnies crawling in and around them. I don’t quite understand it… but maybe it was effective marketing because they got me to open the email?

  12. Anon

    Advice needed: I got a request from a former intern today asking for a reference. He did a pretty terrible job for me. What should I say in the email declining? I wish that that this could be a teachable moment, but part of the reason his work was so poor was that he didn’t seem to absorb any constructive criticism — not even the discussion we had about brining a pen and pad when you’re stopping by with (substantive, legal) questions.

    • Ayomi

      Be straight with this kid. If he stunk, tell him that it’s better that you not give any kind of recomendation than to give the type of recommendation he deserves. I had the same problem. We had a summer intern here until last week, and all he did was whine on how he did not have a blackberry so he could not have remote weekend access. Why he would need that was beyond me because he did nothing all week long. I think its just a status symbol for these interns to be running around with a blackberry claiming they are indispensible when in fact they are more of a drag than of any real utility. So when this guy came looking for an exit recommendation letter, I told him he was subpar, selfish and self-centered, and I would have to put that in any letter he asked for.

      Well he was not as stupid as he looked because he politely declined and went over to another manager for a recommendation. Fortunately, I was able to get to her first and she told me she gave him the same heave-ho, because he had been equally useless in her department.

      These young male interns somehow think that the world owes them a living, and a good one at that, irrespective of their talent (or lack of talent). I think they watch too many episodes of Mad Men, where the guys, no matter how dumb or homely, always seem to get the good job, and lay the cutest women. Totally out of touch with reality, I say.

      I say get these guys back to reality by telling them you will not recommend them for any responsible position, because they are irresponsible.

      • AIMS

        I did a modified version of this. I basically said something along the lines of, “I am not sure how helpful my recommendation will be, perhaps there is someone who can better speak to your capability.”

        • Veronica Mars

          AIMS, that sounds perfectly polite, but PLEASE tell him that his work was subpar. Reading between the lines, of course, he could get that from your statement, but I think you’re doing a disservice to him by not being more clear about your reasons for declining to recommend him. As a perennial intern, I can’t tell you how frustrating it to have a manger who avoids giving honest feedback or dodges the issue altogether. Yes, it’s easier for you to not comment on it, but there may still be hope for this doofus, and your honest assessment of his work could be the wake up call that he needs. And it prevents him from rationalizing “Oh she just didn’t like my personality/didn’t want to spend an hour writing a letter/is just a real b! tch.” I’m assuming you addressed the quality of his work with him throughout the internship, but please don’t just give him the brush off. Interns are still learning and yes, he should’ve done at least a passable job, but by not setting this guy straight, he’ll think that his behavior was OK and do this at his next internship.

      • TBK

        Wow, you have one jerk male intern and it’s a “male” thing? I’ve had more than my fair share of female interns just like the guy OP described. Plus some seriously outstanding dudes. Some interns are useless. Some are actually toxic. Some are good enough for what they’re there to do. And some are a-frickin-mazing. I don’t think it has anything to do with what’s between their legs.

        • Ayomi

          I have had other experiences over the years, and while some of the guys were OK and a few very good, the vast majority were, at best, mediocre, and certainly not as good as the females that managed to get rotated though our department. I am in the finance industry, where male hubris is legend. Since the older men do not respect women, it is little wonder that the snotnose interns want to follow in their path, often ignoring what we have to say, or worse yet, taking credit for ideas we bring to the table with senior management.

          I have no bias against males generally, in fact “what’s between their legs” is often their only redeeming quality, but this is not a workplace issue. In the workplace, these self-appointed studs need to treat all others with respect, and where necessary, with deference, rather than run around claiming credit for our ideas and ignoring our contributions as valued staff members. Perhaps this sounds a bit ranty, but that has been my experience.

          • AnnonFoo

            Wow, I have such a similar experience. I am a female in finance and I have managed several interns and new college hires over the years. Some of the guys (especially the ivy league/private school background) have so much attitude, act like they can BS their way out with confidence and swagger. Some would almost act like I am not good enough to be managing them as a non-white female who went to a state school. Well doesn’t always work that way, they are at a much lower level in the hierarchy and actually need to do the busy work with care and attention even if it is not glamorous. They will often turn in 70% complete and expect me to finish up the rest as it was too much details while they discuss golf plans with the senior guys and act all buddy-buddy, ugh drives me so crazy. If I have to fix some of their crap work that breaks 2 days after they leave because they ignored all my review comments, well they are not getting a favorable recommendation from me.

          • Susedna

            Are you in IB? Because if you are, I can totally back you up on the male ego thing. The stereotypes about how male investment bankers act? Almost always true, unfortunately. There was ego and delusional belief in one’s superiority completed not backed up by anything in reality. The female bankers I observed didn’t exhibit the same arrogance.

    • Anon

      Offer, instead of a recommendation, a sincere and straightforward letter about what you see as his strengths and weaknesses, and suggestions for his professional growth. And then do it.

    • Nordies

      I like the principle of other commentor’s suggestions of being honest with him and providing detailed suggestions, but I wonder whether it will be wasted on this guy given his track record. I think with interns it’s easy to tell who cares and who doesn’t. If so, don’t waste your time articulating why you’re declining.

      I would just say, “I’m sorry, but I cannot recommend you.” And leave it at that. If he asks why, well then you can consider whether you want to explain.

  13. Samantha

    Threadjack/rant about exercise wear: why is it that men’s exercise wear options are comfortable and loose-fitting, while women’s exercise wear options are skintight and revealing?

    I go to a yoga class with all-round mirrors and VPL doesn’t even begin to describe what happens in any downward dog type posture. Literally every lump and crease is visible through any pair of pants. In my martial arts class, men wear comfortable shorts or pants while my pants options are all on the more s*xy side.

    I understand for things like biking (where men too wear skintight clothes) that you don’t want your loose clothing to get caught somewhere. I also understand that sometimes you aren’t doing very intense exercise and want to look good or show off your body while doing it.
    But clearly there are many instances where this is not the case. Yoga was traditionally done in cotton-blend, comfortable fit clothing in an airy room. When you’re doing something intense you don’t want to worry about wardrobe malfunctions or getting a wedgie and it being obvious to the room.

    Am I the only one who feels this way? I’d like to wear round-neck tee shirts and cotton-blend pants which have a pajama-type fit next time, though I know I’ll stand out like a sore thumb. Or is this all in my mind and should I get over it, because nobody notices or cares what you’re wearing?

    • potato

      When I wore a loose running tshirt to yoga it gapped open at the waist when my torso was horizontal and put my b**bs on display. Just sayin’, tight clothes that stay in place may actually be the more modest option.

    • Equity's Darling

      Wear what you want to workout. There’s a lady in my yoga class that’s pretty granola, and she usually shows up wearing like…hemp harem style pants and a long flowy shirt. I think in yoga, it’s frequenly encouraged to wear tighter clothing, because it’s easier for teachers to correct alignment. I also find fitted shirts less likely to flop down during inversions and downward dog, so I prefer them for that also.

      As a gym goer/burgeoning runner/casual yoga attendee, I can say with certainty that I do not care what you wear, so long as it is free of odors (i.e. not only free of sweat smell, but also not doused in perfume). Other that that, I do cringe when there’s a lack of sports bra support, because it looks painful. Regardless, when I’m doing phyiscal activity, I do notice really good outfits (I’m a lululemon fiend, I just can’t quit them), but I generally don’t care what others wear- if you want to wear comfy shorts and a loose tee shirt, I say rock out.

    • Anon

      I wear round-neck tee shirts and knee length shorts when I work out. I like it, I’m comfortable, and I have no problem running/heavy lifting/yoga-ing/sparring/whatever.

      Also, most options for martial arts shorts and pants are unisex. Try Clinchgear for shorts and Top Ten for pants.

    • Monday

      I definitely relate. I think part of the problem is the association between women working out and women looking hot (as opposed to just enjoying exercise and being fit). There’s also the fact that a large part of the market for women’s “workout” clothes is actually people who use them as daywear. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it does mean different criteria for the fit and fabric.

      To your last question, yes: wear whatever you want to exercise (baggy, more fabric etc) because nobody cares. Or, those who do lack a life. Be comfortable and get what you want out of the experience.

      • Kerry

        Totally agree. Many lines of “yoga” or “athletic” clothing are just code words for “SAHM.” They have nothing to do with actually working out.

        • marketingchic

          I saw a good term for this in a recent WSJ article – “Ladies Who Lulumon.”

      • January

        Relatedly, I was perusing the reviews for an Athleta jacket that caught my eye this morning and a reviewer commented that the ruching on the sleeves made it dressy enough for her business casual office! I also like Lululemon but can’t bring myself to spend as much on my workout clothes as I do on my actual work clothes (nor do I think my office environment would permit mixing and matching between the two).

    • B

      Wear what you want/like.

      I like the tighter legging type stuff/more fitted stuff for yoga because when I wear running shorts/loose shirts, they either don’t have the give I need or flop down around my head in downward dog.

      I also like the legging type stuff for weightlifting because when I look in the mirror to check my squats I like what I see vs. cringing at running shorts which are just not that pretty on me. etc.

    • CKB

      I also vote wear what you want. I don’t do yoga, but I run, and I prefer tight bottoms because fabric flopping around my legs when I run drives me crazy, and not to show off my legs, which I don’t feel are my best feature, despite the running. However, I prefer my tops looser so they aren’t too restricting.

      • DC yogi

        I do a lot of yoga, and I honestly prefer leggings and bra top. But that’s mostly bc I do “rocket” (an ashtanga based type of yoga) and that clothing makes deep twists, arm balances, and inversions easier. I don’t like to have a lot of fabric hanging around when I’m doing poses. I will say that I usually don’t notice what other people are wearing unless it’s super cute or really awful. Even then, to each their own.

        Wear what you feel! Maybe you’re not the only one who wants to wear less tight clothes and you’ll inspire someone else to feel confidant enough to do so. Who knows?

      • Anonymous

        I prefer tight running bottoms, too because I sweat a lot and I end up with a huge amount of wet nylon fabric flopping around my bum and my legs. But, yea, wear whatever you feel comfortable in and is most conducive to your getting a good workout.

      • Anon

        The easiest way to not have to worry about your top flying up at the waist during yoga?

        Tuck it in.

    • roses

      You can wear whatever you want – I’m sure no one will notice or care unless you are going to some swanky studio populated by a desparate-housewives-esque clique (in which case I’d advise going to a new studio). But like others have said, you will probably be more uncomfortable in looser cut pants, since the legs will flap around or ride up.

    • Samantha

      I totally agree about loose tops flopping down during downward poses in yoga and exposing belly. I should be clearer – I want a little more looseness in the pants because of the camel’s foot-appendage effect in the cr*tch area.
      I am fine with tops being tight fitting, but do think that many of them are too low-necked, and flop down to show cleavage, and even the entire bra in some yoga poses. This is of course corrected with a sports bra, but in general my rant is about why they are cut to look s*xy to begin with, unlike menswear.

    • Susedna

      It’s not just exercise-wear. It’s in suiting and formal attire – women’s suits are always tighter (all the complaints about suit pants clinging to butts too much are real complaints), and low cut / sleeveless dresses.

      It’s fine if women want to choose tight or revealing clothes, but I resent that it is the norm for the entire fashion industry and in mainstream societal expectations. It bespeaks a subtle, old sexism that places women as objects of display rather than fully humans.

      • Niktaw

        So wear a round or V-neck ladies fit t-shirt made of wicking fabric from a “regular” brand, as opposed to Lululemon.
        As to the bottoms, I have bootcut capri leggings and they fit loose enough, yet do not flop around the calf/knee.

        On a more general note – yoga, even its faster-paced forms, is an introspective activity and in theory no one should care about anyone’s wardrobe malfunctions. People may sweat, make ugly faces, grunt and even f@rt. These are all forgivable offenses at a good yoga class… right?

      • Rising 2L

        I know a prosecutor who just wears men’s suits and shoes. It’s a butch vibe, comparatively speaking, but it clearly makes her comfortable and confident.

  14. Walnut

    What are everyone’s favorite questions to ask when hiring for entry-level positions? I have a standard set of questions, but I’m looking to add a few more fun questions to guage character, personality and overall cultural fit.

    Thanks!

    • WarEagle

      A friend of mine was once asked “If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?”

      His answer: “a palm tree, so he can lay around on the beach all day.”

      He didn’t get that job.

      • Anon

        I really don’t like questions like this.

        Can anyone, on the spot, think of an answer to such a question that doesn’t sound totally ridiculous?

      • Anonymous

        What kind of question is this? What type of answer would be acceptable? I’m sorry, but the palm tree answer is pretty clever and I’d rather have someone answer cleverly and honestly than make up some BS answer about what kind of leadership qualities a type of tree has!

        I think general, open-ended questions like, What do you like to do in spare time? Tell me something interesting about yourself that’s not on your resume? Tell me about a recent volunteer experience that you really enjoyed (or did not enjoy) and why? can facilitate discussion and help answer questions about character, quality, and fit.

        • Anon

          Exaclty.

          I thought the palm tree answer was totally acceptable too.

          As someone who majored in environmental science as an undergrad, I know a lot about trees. Even so, I have no idea how I’d answer that question in an interview. “Uh…an oak…because they grow slowly but are sturdy as a result…and…uh…that mirrors my rational decision making” ????

          What answers can you honestly be expecting?

          Instead, a simple “tell me about yourself” is more effective.

      • Anon in NYC

        Haha, that’s amazing. And it would probably make me like your friend just a teensy bit more.

    • P

      I think a good one is to ask what type of coworker relationships they like or are accustomed to. There’s probably a better way to word that, but some people are looking to be good friends with their coworkers, go out for drinks after work, etc., and some just want to do their job with little interruption and then go home. Depending on your workplace, that could bring up potential fit/culture issues.

    • L

      What hobbies do you enjoy? If a person can’t come up with any they may not have a life outside of work (good/bad depending on your office!)

      • NOLA

        Or you might ask them what their hobbies would tell you about them as a person. It makes the question more thoughtful and allows them to show that they can be insightful about themselves.

        I usually try to make sure I’m not asking yes or no questions. Ask them to describe experiences they’ve had with aspects of the kind of work they will be doing. Ask them about a time they taught or trained someone how to do something. Even in their personal life.

      • Em

        I kind of hate this question because all my hobbies sound kind of stupid. Oh, you like reading, hanging out with friends, obsessively following TV shows, and screwing around on the Internet, do you? Clearly you’re someone we want to hire. I mean, I think I have a full and enjoyable life outside of work, but it’s not like I can tell people “oh, I run marathons” or “I’m a gourmet sushi chef in my spare time” or something.

    • rosie

      Ask them to talk about a time that they had a disagreement over how to handle a project (in a work setting, volunteer setting, internship, or even school groupwork if they do not have any other experience) and how it was resolved.

    • a.k.

      Tell me about a time you had fun at work. Usually is a great insight into personality and potential fit with a team.

    • Walnut

      Thanks everyone! These are helpful. My usual interview strategy is to prepare my questions in the order I want the conversation to flow to reduce the awkward pauses and gaps. It doesn’t look like this person has any experience, so I’ll be looking for energy, trainability, and whether or not they will fit our team dynamic. Or, frankly, if they even really want this job or if it is just “a job”.

  15. AIMS

    I seem to have zero ability concentrating on work this morning. So, a PSA: Club Monaco is having a pretty great sale with an extra 40% off and free shipping. If nothing else you can get some really cute socks for less than $3.

    • eek

      Same. I made 2 trips to the cafeteria before 10:30 and they were just to walk and talk.

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