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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
Oooh – loving this colorful sheath dress from Piazza Sempione. The cool blue and purple hues strike us as seasonless, and the bateau neckline would look great with a set of pearls. Lovely. It's $935 at Bergdorf Goodman. Cotton Chain-Belt Dress
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(L-0)
Clerky
Wow, very interesting. I could see someone pulling this off in advertising or marketing, but I can’t see anyone wearing this at my law firm. I really like the boatneck style though.
As an aside, can anyone recommend a brand of pantyhose for darker skinned women? I looked through old posts and most of the recommendations were for paler skin women. I’m South Asian, and am probably around the same skin color as Halle Berry. I’m looking for sheer but durable skin color hose, but everything I see is either too light or dark. Particular brand and color recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
legalicious07
I can’t help you with colors for Asian women, but brands that seem true to life for black women of various shades (and thus, I’m guessing have richer tones for women who fall in general between paler and darker hues) include:
-Hanes Silk Reflections (department stores)
-Donna Karan Nude or Essentials Collections (discounted at TJ Maxx!)
ACE
As a woman of color myself, I second the Hanes Silk Reflections – and, it’s great that you can find them at Target!
Lawgirl
Another woman of color for Hanes Silk Reflection (I’m about the shade of Condi Rice, though, so consider the source!). I mostly wear “Off Black” with darker skirts/suits. If I’m wearing something light colored and I need a “nude” look, I opt for Gentle Brown, Hanes Ultra Sheer. If I’m going to a gala or something fancy, is wear Ultra Sheer in Off Black (or even jet black, depending). Silk Reflections looks too thick and office-y for those events, IMHO.
dr
I would suggest the website http://www.shapings.com. They carry european brands which typically have a wider variety of hosiery colors. I particulalry like the Italian brand – Filodoro and Spanish – C. de Rafael. They ship out of Canada…so allow a bit of time for them to arrive. I do find the 15 denier weights to be sheer and durable.
Clerky
Thanks to both of you! I will check out these options.
MJ
If you are trying silk reflections or any other hanes brand, save a TON of money by going to their website/catalog, onehanesplace. The nylons are seconds, but I have NEVER, ever figured out what makes them seconds (no visible runs or anything wonky). I save serious money by buying in bulk and having my drawer stocked. Once you find what works…this is the best pantyhose solution.
http://www.onehanesplace.com/
Anon
MJ beat me to the punch – love this site, and have never figured out what makes them “seconds” either.
Clerky
Thanks! I actually use the onehanesplace site, but I have never bought skin color pantyhose from there because I can’t figure out whether I’m taupe or quicksilver or golden brown or any of the other colors listed. I will probably visit a department store to check out the colors and then purchase the hose from the site. Thanks again!
legalicious07
I don’t think this is work appropriate but this is LOVELY!!!!!!!!!!! I want this dress now!
JD Chic
I wouldn’t wear this to work because there’s just too much going on with it. Cute though for the right body type and personality (just not sure I have that body type or personality). Would definitely have to try it on. Very interesting piece though.
Lawgirl
concur, JD Chic!
dee
I think this would absolutely work for work if your office is more “business casual” than “business” and you anchor it with a black or navy blazer, or a black crew-neck cardigan (with the top few buttons left unbuttoned). I would absolutely have worn it to my old job in biglaw (if I could afford it!)
LPC
Yikes. NMS. As in, not my style.
anon - chi
Pretty! But I find this neckline and cut to be really tricky to wear – I suspect it might work better on me if I were a B cup or smaller. That said, I would totally wear it to my “dressy side of buisness casual” firm if I magically woke up with the right body type. :-)
Legally Brunette
I’m pretty new to the concept of spending more than $100 on any article of clothing, but do people really pay this much money for a single item??! And if so, who are these people? :) I make reasonably good money but could never fathom paying this much for anything.
dee
I think there is a post somewhere on how much is the “right amount” to spend on stuff. Also, there’s a pretty large spectrum between less than $100 & over $900. I don’t think I would spend $900 on a dress (only because I can’t afford it, I think it’s awesome if you can afford it & do spend that much) but I would spend $250 on a work-appropriate dress. $100 is a tough limit – the dresses at Banana Republic are more expensive than that.
Legally Brunette
I hear you, $100 is a tough limit for really nice clothing. In the last year, I have started buying a bunch of stuff at Nordstrom, but almost always on sale. Even then, most pieces are in the $90 – $150 range. That’s definitely pricey for me but the clothes are beautiful and will last a while. However, a $900 price tag on anything seems so outside of my price range, even if I could afford it (which I can’t!).
FrugalShopper
With you. I am a longtime follower of this blog though I do not spend more than $100 on a single clothing item (jewellery excluded) and typically spend <$40 on dresses. I find the styles and the styling suggestions useful, though.
E
I am frothing with envy at you lot who don’t live in Ireland! I make very little, but here it is not remotely possible to find dresses for less than the equivalent of $40. Less than the equivalent of $80 (€59 per xe.com today) would be very difficult.
Oh well, I suppose this is why we have the highest minimum wage in Europe.
LYA
I LOVE nice clothing, and I will pay for items that are season-less and will last. This, however, seems overpriced for what it is.
jojo
Where in the world do you find a quality, work-appropriate dress for under $40?
anono
You have to hunt the discount racks and the outlet/discount stores but its entirely possible. I enjoy the hunt and value my discount bargains all the more for it. Its kind of a time/money thing though – if you really hate the time shopping then you might find its better to spend more.
FrugalShopper
A combination of these things:
– I dont shop very often but when I do I buy a few pieces (2-3) (this prevents the ‘I’m just browsing but ended up buying something’ and ‘I spent 3 hrs here and I’m getting something to show for it’)
– I shop Outlet Stores (Ann Taylor, Banana etc.) occasionally
– I shop on Memorial Day, Labor Day, day after Christmas etc. sales
– I never buy anything online without using a coupon
– I buy online, sometimes on eBay (New With Tags) where people sell stuff bought with coupons or at outlet stores
– and finally, I’ve found some wonderful deals at Target, including a dress which is almost identical to a Banana dress, is durable and washable, and has gotten me tons of compliments.
Anon
$900 isn’t a dress – it’s rent!
Louise
LOL! I don’t pay rent, but $900 would buy quite a few nice dinners out. And knowing me, I would spill said dinner on said $900 dress, so it’s a no-go for me.
But I do love those colors, and would gladly purchase a silk scarf in the same colors/pattern.
Delta Sierra
LB – I could never bring myself to pay this much for a cotton dress, but apparently there is a huge market for that price level. I live on the fringes of a very wealthy area (Orange Co., CA) and there are endless boutiques, as well as the big department stores, catering to it. The thrift shops and consignment stores are full of last-season’s very high end labels. There is a lot of serious money here, and I can only suppose these people spend $1,000 the way I spend $50. Envy, I gotz it.
L
Love. Though not sure I could pull it off. And totally think it’s work appropriate in big law.
Samantha
I find that the wide swathes of color make even the skinny model look wide and large. That diagonal band is worse than horizontal stripes. I wouldn’t wear it.
meg
I had the same thought. if it makes her look big, what would it do for me?
RKS
It’s an interesting dress … but wow, $900+? My first reaction was that the dress looks like it cost 10% of that, partially because it’s cotton.
lulu
I like this a lot and would wear it to work if I had the money to buy it. (I work in a mid-size law firm.) So I am a little curious about the people who saw it is not work appropriate–do you wear suits every day? If not suits, what do you wear to work?
Almost no one in my office wears suits, so I really do struggle with what is professional (knowing that I can get away with something that doesn’t qualify).
Clerky
I thought that this wasn’t work appropriate at my firm because the print is very “busy” but now when I look at it again, perhaps it could work with a black blazer thrown over it. Very, very few women wear dresses at my firm, which was another reason why I thought this wouldn’t fly at my office (women mostly wear suits or suit separates – blazer and skirt).
LP
It’s just not for me. The first thing that ran through my mind after seeing the picture was clown outfit or something out of an amusement park fun house! Something about the jarring blocks of color (and a childhood dislike for clowns).
Anon
I thought court jester…
Pam
A woman (staff) at my workplace actually has a sweater that is black on the left, white on the right, and has a triangular jester collar – all that is missing is the bells. Oh and this sweater has a matching skirt.
jojo
Junior partner at a large law firm here. I would absolutely wear this to work. I love dresses as an alternative to suits.
BethInNY
I don’t think it’s work appropriate but that’s because of what other people at my particular firm / city wear — dark, plain colors, nothing to draw attention to them. I think the dark colors is a way of trying to look more professional without wearing a suit. Also there’s the herd mentality.
Lincoln
Did anybody look at the back of the dress on the web-site? Is it pinned funny on the model or is it the pattern that makes the dress look like it is bunched in the back and riding up?
EM
Love love love Piazza Sempione (but not this particular dress).
I wouldn’t wear it to work without a blazer or cardigan because it shows too much arm, and I subscribe to the theory examined in this week’s weekend thread, that as long as men don’t show their armpits at work, neither will I.
dee
men don’t really show their legs at work, either…
BethInNY
but maybe they should ?
AIMS
Random new topic, but I just have to gripe —
I bought a pair of really cute heels yesterday & just went outside to get coffee and ruined one of the heels by accidentally grazing the edge of a metal grate on the side walk (obviously I avoid all grates at all times, but sometimes when you’re walking down a busy, crowded Manhattan sidewalk, the grates just will not avoid you) .
I cannot tell you all how often this happens to me. I have become beyond careful to the point of walking incredibly slowly and looking at the ground constantly. But, all that this seems to get me is that 1) I am often late and 2) I also often bump into people and/or things. Clearly, this is not a solution.
I live in NYC and walk a great deal. Does anyone have any tips/tricks for avoiding this problem (short of wearing heels only indoors, which really seems rather like not a solution at all, but as just giving up).
I’m seriously bummed & any advice would be greatly appreciated. I feel like I am just waiting for someone to invent something to fix this issue, and to no avail. If someone has invented something, please let me know :)
Legally Brunette
I don’t have a solution, but I sympathize. I change into flats when I go outside, mostly because my heels are not all that comfortable and I don’t want them to get damaged. Also, I’m such a klutz when it comes to shoe maintenance so I rarely buy expensive shoes, most of mine are from DSW. I hear all the time about how great high quality shoes are, but I can’t stand nicking them or otherwise damaging them.
anon
I gave up. After ruining countless pairs of shoes by grazing metal grates, concrete curbs, walking on asphalt with leather soles, etc. I decided to walk in sturdier flats and change whenever I get where I’m going. Bonus– I can walk much faster. This isn’t what you wanted so I’m curious if anyone else has a solution.
M
Wear flats outside or buy shoes that don’t have covered heels. I have tried to stop buying shoes with covered heels because I have ruined so many pairs, just like you described.
anon
Of course, I also ruin my covered heels inside by running into my feet with my rolling office chair– annoying.
AIMS
So in other words, no solution?
It seems insane to me that when you can literally solve almost any problem (wonderbras, spanx, botox, japanese hair straightening, etc.), there is no solution for this. It seems highly unfair that anyone living in a city needs to essentially “give up” heels walking to & from.
And, yet, I see people on the train with undamaged shoes… Are they in on some secret? Are their shoes just being worn outside for the first time on those days?? Is it just like those people whose clothes never seem to wrinkle??
jcb
I walk on tip-toes when forced onto a grate – heel never touches the metal. Does that count as a secret? :)
Jill
Related question: Has anyone come up with a fix (by cobbler or otherwise) for a dinged up covered heel? Not for a complete shred, but just a divet? It stinks how easy it is to destroy expensive shoes.
AIMS
There are two fixes for covered heels —
1) they can re-cover the heels. this is not cheap, and works best with black leather, but the same problem comes up (no matter how careful I am, there are new issues within a week).
2) [this sounds more appropriate given that it’s just a divet, but its imperfect] you can ask them to “mask” it — they basically color it and kinda glue over it, and unless you’re looking too closely, it looks fine. But, as before, this is a flawed solution given that it’s bound to happen again & it does not, by any means, look perfect.
E
Someone did invent something: they are called Smart Heels (you can find them online). They fit over the stem of high heels and protect them from grates and sidewalk cracks. I found them a few years ago after ruining my favorite cole haan heels beyond repair (note: a shoe repair place can sometimes fix the heels on leather-wrapped shoes – they melt the leather or something and fuze it back together – it doesn’t look perfect, but can help). Anyway, I never ordered them because, at the time, they were only made to fit stilletos (not 3-4″ heels) so I can’t vouch for whether or not they work/look redonkulous.
A
Yes, coblers can can usually fix small nicks and scrapes. It may not be perfect, but you’d generally have to look really, really closely to see it.
em
This seems very Joan from Mad Men to me, except toned down. I like it.
A.
I think it’s interesting that the dress is cotton. I am sure the dress is dry-clean-only, but other than jeans, I’ve never dry-cleaned anything cotton as I was told it breaks down the fabric quickly. I have bad luck with dark-dyed 100-percent cotton clothing – it seems to fade, shrink, or look worn fairly quickly. I honestly can’t see a cotton dress being worth almost a thousand dollars, but I am a fabric snob.
Delta Sierra
A – yes, I have the same reservations about cotton, saturated colors do fade. And no matter how carefully you wash/clean it, the surface breaks down in what seems to me too short a time, especially on very smooth-surfaced fabrics like this one. The listing says it’s Italian, which usually means better quality. I’m a fabric snob, too, and it’s tough times for us, I think. Weird fibre mixtures, and changes in how individual fibres are made, sometimes for the better, sometimes not. Argh.
Elle
I love this dress and would definitely wear something similar (for 1/3 of the price) to my biglaw job with a black cardigan or blazer over it. For some reason, I think that swatch of bright blue on the model’s right shoulder makes it seem just a bit too flashy. However, with that bright blue patch on the shoulder tamed down a bit with a black cardigan, I think this dress would be lovely at my office. Plus, by removing the black cardi, the dress would be fun for dinner or drinks after work, too!
georgienyc
like the style, not sure about the patterns though. however it’s a great choice for office to an evening out or drinks after work. here’s what we thought as well
http://www.what2wearwhere.com/blog/post/2010/03/08/From-the-Office-to-an-Evening-Out.aspx
F
no, really dislike this dress. the pattern especially, also the cap sleeves which are very unflattering to every woman besides twiggy
Anon
Dislike the dress and the pattern but disagree on the cap sleeves – I think they can be extremely flattering on anyone with toned arms.
Louise
Maybe the chain belt is 14K gold?
BethInNY
Would definitely not work at my biglaw office.
(Also – C- I’m still getting the “you’re posting comments too quickly, slow down” error message – when it’s obviously not true – help?)
MelD
I get those all the time even when I haven’t posted in a thread at all or haven’t posted for a day or two.
I like the dress and think it would work well at a FL workplace. I agree with other posters that this sleeve looks hard to pull off. I have fairly small arms and they still make them look gigantic.
RKS
Ditto — I’m getting those, too. Oddly enough, it usually happens on my first post of the day. At max, I’m posting 2-3 times.