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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 100 Comments · by

Suit of the Week

Fashion

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DIANE von FURSTENBERG SuiticonFor busy working women, the suit is often the easiest outfit to throw on in the morning. In general, this feature is not about interview suits, which should be as classic and basic as you get — instead, this feature is about the slightly different suit that is fashionable, yet professional.

The styling here is what first caught my eye — I don't think I've seen a tunic worn with a skirt suit ever look quite as chic as it does in the first image that comes up on the Bloomingdale's website. But in general, it's a great suit, and I can see a woman getting lots of mileage out of both of these pieces. I like the slight detailing on the skirt — it's difficult to see online, but there is reportedly a “vertical panel at sides, fine ribbed fabric at center wool and back.” As for the jacket, it seems spot-on with the military trend everywhere this season, but not so much so that you can't get a TON of wear out of it. The jacket (DIANE von FURSTENBERG “Larmina” Knit Jacket) is $385, and the skirt (DIANE von FURSTENBERG “Marta” Riding Twill Patch Pencil Skirt) is $225.

DIANE von FURSTENBERG "Larmina" Knit Jacket DIANE von FURSTENBERG "Marta" Riding Twill Patch Pencil Skirt

(L-5)S

About Kat

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

Comments

  1. Janie

    I love it! The suit, the top and the styling. Only thing I don’t love is the color orange, especially in combination with black.

    Quick question – for those of you who have the JCrew stretch wool suiting in “heather carbon,” do you think the blazer goes well with black pants?

    • surrounded by lawyers

      I have it. It’s not the most creative combination, but it looks fine together. The color “heather carbon” is not too close to black, if that’s what you’re wondering. I.e. it would not look like you accidentally mis-matched a suit.

    • Lyssa

      I actually was just thinking that the orange looks phenomenal in that picture. Normally, I hate orange (and, as a redhead, avoid it like the plague), but it really works on that model with that suit, IMO. Probably requires the exactly right coloring and some photoshop color adjustments to actually get right, though.

  2. anon

    Love the crisp look of the suit, but the seaming on the back of that jacket (dual on side rather than one down middle) looks like it may be hard to pull off and actually make those of us with straight figures appear wider. The size 0-2 model in the picture looks like she is huge from the rear view based on where the jacket flares out. Definitely going to try this one on, though, love DVF.

  3. Shoeless Jo

    Commenters have mentioned slip-like pants that you wear under unlined pants. I can’t find the threads anymore. Are any specific brands recommended? Any stores (in NYC) that sell them? (Dep’t stores look like a no so far, based on my e-research.) How does sizing work? Length? What are they even called? My google searched aren’t yielding many useful results, which makes me think I’m lacking the lingo.

    Thanks in advance.

    • Anonymous

      They’re called pants (or trousers) liners. I can’t recommend any brands b/c I don’t wear them myself, but I’ve seen them at Filene’s and Macy’s.

        • AIMS

          I recall some talk here about culotte slips, but I would NOT recommend this option for most people. Especially for unlined pants.

          I tried to post a link but comments would not post! Try the Vermont Country Store & you will find them, if that’s what you want.
          I would say silk long-johns would be a better bet for you. Try wintersilks dot com & do a search. I would post a link but can’t.

          PS: Cat — what’s up with the comments not being posted? I was getting the horrid “posting too fast” before (which I wasn’t), but now nothing appears altogether.

          • Anonymous

            Pants liners and culotte slips are two different things – the latter are for skirts, the former for under unlined pants. You can also just do silk long johns under pants, but they might get too warm – pants liners aren’t full length.

          • alhambra

            I sometimes get the “posting too fast” comment so I took it literally. Now I click on the “submit” button veeerrrrry slowly and for a few seconds. It helps.

          • kellyn

            Haha everytime I get that message, I take it way too literally, too, and I take deep breaths and do a little zen thinking. It’s all very odd, but it works?

    • Ru

      I’ve seen them in Burlington in its now pitiful slip collection. They used to have so many types of slips before! Sigh.

      • eyes

        I think that winter silks (dot com) has some … they call them “above the knee shorties” – when I lived in DC/MD area, I wore them daily under skirts or trousers. They come in several different “weights” and helped keep this Texas gal warm(er). I did not have any troubles with static cling even with the lightest weight of the silks.

        I think other posters originally were talking about “peti-pants” and recommending online JCPenneys and such.

        • Divaliscious11

          I posted links to Penney’s with what she was looking for but they disappeared….

  5. surrounded by lawyers

    Any comments on the fit of J. Crew’s tweed or lined wool minnie pants? I’m usually 2P and have been advised to go with the 0, do you think that’s right? I’m looking at one version that is in non-stretch wool.

    • eaopm3

      Do you own any of the minnie styles? I found them incredibly tight, even when I sized up.

      • surrounded by lawyers

        Did you try on one in stretch fabric? From a previous year I had some stretchy ones, in my normal size, but they stretched so quickly and so much that they looked really sloppy. Saggy butt, bagged-out knees. So I’m not sure what to do now…

    • MPC

      I am a sometimes a 2P, sometimes a 4P in J. Crew, depending on the cut. Although they say to size down when going from petite to regular, I found the size 2 Minnie pants tight around my calves (my legs are pretty muscular). They fit pretty well through the hips, though. Do try them on in-store if you can. J. Crew sizes are so variable from one style to the next.

        • Anonymous

          Also on the subject of JCrew – the one I went to today (in Atlanta) had 25% off storewide, all day. Sales associate said would likely continue for at least a day or two but not guaranteed – they’d be getting daily instructions from HQ. Not sure if this is regional or country-wide, but worth a look.

    • anon in chicago

      in my experience jcrew bottoms run a bit large, so i would size down!

  7. Bonnie

    Threadjack. I have a groupon from shabbyapple that I need to use. I’d love to hear reviews on any of the dresses you’ve loved or hated. Thanks!

  8. eaopm3

    I have unlined pants and wear CuddleDuds leggings underneath. Yeah, the name is a little too cutesy, but I love them nonetheless.

  9. SF Newbie

    Hi Corporettes,
    Wanted some advice on a slightly touchy (yet exciting!) subject. My boyfriend has mentioned thinking we should talk about what kinds of jewelry styles I like, presumably to help him shop for an engagement ring. How have other people balanced the desire to get your tastes and desires across without stepping on his toes or making him too nervous to choose? I will say that I am picky about jewelry, and hardly ever wear a piece every day. Also, I don’t have a crystal clear idea of what I would want/would be happy with for a very long time. This is why I don’t have tattoos…. Any advice in that department?

    Thanks in advance!

    • lawyerette

      Go shopping together! That’s what we did. He doesn’t have to buy then (and likely won’t) but that way you both get to try on different styles and see how you like them.

      • Celia

        I agree! My fiance and I went to a ring store together. I love sapphires, and my fiance ended up working with a family friend of his who is a jeweler to design the ring. I have a round cut sapphire with a pear cut diamond on each side. But before doing that, he took me to a jeweler and we spent about an hour looking at different cuts and stones. Since we knew we were going for three stones – a sapphire and two diamonds – we spent a lot of time looking at different three-stone arrangements. It was a lot of fun – we told the jeweler we were just looking for ideas at that point, so we got to just focus on telling each other why we liked one ring over another without having the jeweler talk about prices (which might have ruined some of the fun!), and there was lots of exchange- it was fun to hear what he thought was pretty/classy/elegant, and it turns out we have very similar tastes. Also, at his request I collected a couple of online picture of rings I thought were pretty just to give him an idea. I ended up with a ring I adore and that he got to design, and I think that it took off a lot of pressure for him to have a pretty clear idea of what I like. My guidelines to him ended up being: I wanted a sapphire and two diamonds, that I cared about cut and color over carat – nice deep shade of blue, really brightly cut diamonds, but it is not a BIG ring – and that I wanted a white gold band.

        I would say going shopping together like that is fun – but I don’t know that I would have wanted us to buy it together. I like that I have a ring that I adore, but have no idea how much it cost (I’m clueless about jewelry values) and the timing and actual ring were still a surprise!

    • Lyssa

      I tend to think that the best idea is to just go shopping together, even if you don’t actually make the purchase together. Of course, that cuts back on the surprise issue, but, for this big of an event, I think that planning is better.

      (My husband first brought up the idea when we went X-mas shopping one year- hey, while we’re here at the mall, let’s look at some rings).

      But if it must be a surprise, I would try to point some things out whenever you get a chance. Say that you like classic, simple styles, which is generally a good idea. Also, make sure to mention what kind of metal you like, if you have a preference. (There are a lot of guys who just think yellow gold because that’s what they know as gold, and gold is good, but a lot of women prefer white.) Try to manage to pass store windows with jewelry and point things out to him that you like (and say why you like them, so he knows what to look for), and, if you’re like me, you’re getting jewelry catalogues out the whazoo this time of year- point those out to him, too.

      Oh, and CONGRATULATIONS (in advance)!

    • Anon L

      It’s been my experience that many women tell another trusted female (think sister, best friend, cousin, etc.) what they want, and then the woman will hint to her boyfriend that x will have an idea re: the ring.

      I’d check Tiffany.com for style ideas and then once you’ve narrowed it down look at what other jewelers offer in similar styles .

      When I finally get to that point with someone, I have 3 criteria: (1) As big as he sees fit/ can afford; (2) Round; (3) Sparkly. =) I have pretty simple jewelery taste, so a basic ring would make me happy.

      • eyes

        All great suggestions, keeping in mind HIS budget of course…it sets the tone for the long-term marriage and spending decisions/philosophies!

        You might get a stack of those wedding magazines (and December’s Town & Country, for example) and tag the pages that are pleasing to you if it is really to be a surprise…sort of like seeing something on tv that you like and you comment about it…

        Best wishes.

    • alhambra

      You have to remember that you will wear this ring every day for a long time, so it should be something you like. If he is asking you what kind of jewelry you like, then he wants you to like the ring. Run with it!

      When I got engaged, it was a very bilateral move – my boyfriend and I were like, OK let’s get engaged, let’s work out the logistics. I basically picked out my ring. If you are not in that situation or do not feel comfortable laying it out like that, what I would do is show him ring styles that you like where the main stone is not a diamond. For example, if you want a round diamond, show him rings with round sapphires or round emeralds, preferably set in a way you’d like. If it is not set in a way you’d like, I think it’s OK to give hints – I love this sapphire ring, but I think it would look much better with baguettes on the side. Or, I love the shape of this ruby but there’s too much embellishment, I’d rather the stone be as large as possible. Hopefully he will get the hint and if not, you can always get it reset.

    • Janie

      I would come up with the shortest list possible of what you think is non-negotiable (e.g. diamond, white metal) and then let him choose whatever he likes best. Emphasis on the -shortest list possible-.

      I ended up realizing that 1 ct. diamond and ethically sourced or vintage were non-negotiable factors for me, but that didn’t fit in our price range at the time… so we agreed on no engagement ring. I have a beautiful vintage wedding band with some small diamonds that I adore, and I’m happy with our decision.

      Congrats and good luck!

    • Anon

      I honestly didn’t feel very comfortable shopping together. It just felt very overwhelming having the sales people hover around and overwhelming with so many options and folks hanging on every word about what I did or didn’t like (I’m like this when shoppoing for clothes, too–I like to take my time and trust my own instincts. Seriously, it was just as painful as car shoppoing.) My husband totally gets me. He knows how much I like to plan and recognized how stressed out I was feeling. He asked me to send him some links of rings I liked. I spent a few days pulling my “favorites” and thinking about what I didn’t or didn’t like. The list changed a bit over the few days as I started to imagine different outfits and myself as an old woman. Ultimately, there was some variation in the links provided, but most of them kept to the same type of theme. He then chose a handful of settings based on the list (I think it was five or six) and asked me to choose my favorite. I didn’t see the stone he had picked out in the setting until he proposed–so it still was like seeing my ring for the first time. And by him choosing the setting options, it still felt like he was able to pick out what he liked, too. I know, probably not as spotaneous and romantic as some people would like. But resulted in the most beautiful ring I ever could have imagined.

      One note when you are shopping: Think about how your ring will be with the wedding band (and possibly anniversary bands in the future). Everyone is so focused on the ring itself that the band often isn’t given its due. I had a custom band made to accomodate the stone in my engagement ring (one of those that bends where the stone is). While I love the set, there are downsides to not being able to wear just the band sometimes. I also was surprised with how different the stone looks with the wedding band accompanying. I love it, but it does look different. Anyway, just thought I’d pass along the advice…

    • SF Bay Associate

      My SO and I have gone shopping together several times, especially at Shane Co. The people aren’t on commission there, so we didn’t feel pressured to buy. We told them upfront we are not engaged yet, and won’t be for months at least, but we are interested in learning about rings. Shane Co also has a wider variety of sizes and quality than stores that are more focused on upscale or lower scale clientele, so we were able to see a LOT of settings and stones in a large range of prices and figure it all out. It also really reduced the pressure because we both knew it would be at least a year before he would be ready to buy.

      We saw the same Shane Co associate each time. She was very nice, and remembered us (or took notes last time) so she could pick up where we left off, or “test” me on a stone I thought I liked last time against stones I hadn’t seen yet.

      It turned out that size was much less important to me than I thought, and that brilliance was by far the most important thing. I also thought I wanted a princess cut, but it turns out I want a round cut. I wouldn’t have known that had I not tried on a lot of stones over time. Who knew?

      We also shopped together at Tiffany’s and it was good for a laugh/heart attack.

    • Sparkle-Lover

      My (now) hubby was too daunted to go into a store with me…he has an absolutely irrational hatred of sales people. Because of that, I went shopping with his blessing, figured out what “my” taste was, then showed him pictures of the family of styles I was liking on Blue Nile. He ended up taking all the pictures to a jeweler where he helped design a ring I absolutely adore.

    • Bridget

      Well, shopping with my now-husband would have been a no-go for him, though I agree with others that this sounds like a good option if you are picky and he’s up for it. Here’s what I did:

      Sent an email to my sister with a list of my wants, which was short (platinum/white gold, not just a solitaire (something like a bezel setting), vintage-y style). Then I attached a handful of my favorite pics with a notation that he should take these to the jeweler as a style guide. If I were more picky, I would have attached more pics. Then I told him to talk to my sister when he was ready. She forwarded the email, he took the pics to the stores, and actually purchased one of the rings I had picked out.

    • No soup for you!

      My husband proposed with a family ring and it was a complete surprise. He told me I could take the stone and have it reset into any setting I wanted. I kept the original setting and he bought two smaller diamonds and had them mounted on the sides.

    • SF Newbie

      Thank you all so much for the suggestions. I love to hear your stories!
      I think some shopping is in order!

  10. first-time winter interviewee

    Hey, Corporettes!

    I have an interview coming up at a law firm in a Northeastern city. I’d like your advice on what I should wear, as I don’t have much experience dressing professionally during the winter–I am a recent graduate who has worked only during the summers and at the very casual nonprofit that I’m currently at.

    I’ll be meeting with people who are almost all older and male. I think a skirt suit would be safest, but I haven’t worn wool tights in years–would they be warm enough in 30 degree weather? Would boots be alright for an interview (if so, could you point me to examples?), or should I stick to pumps? I want to look appropriate but stay warm during my commute. I also would like to avoid changing into anything when I get there, as I don’t know for sure if the building has a bathroom in the downstairs lobby, and I would rather not carry a huge tote bag into my interview.

    Thoughts/advice? Any guidance would be much appreciated!

    • Anon

      Skirt suit not necessary — pants are fine. Boots are a bad idea. If it’s snowing, wear pumps or the like, and take a taxi so you can actually get there. Good luck!

      • surrounded by lawyers

        I agree with all of this. Also, you have to think of “warm enough” in a very relative sense. In other words, while outside, you are going to be cold, period. It’s cold. The objective is not to be colder than is necessary, while still looking professional, and indeed there is a tradeoff you have to make when you’re going to an interview.

    • Ru

      Depending on what industry you’re in, I’d say go with a pantsuit. I know many women here would say skirtsuit all the way, but in engineering, nobody would think that a pantsuit is inappropriate. If you do wind up wearing a skirtsuit, I’d say scope out the area beforehand and change in a nearby store, whether it’s a clothing store dressing room or starbucks bathroom. Also, a long wool coat looks professional and can protect your legs from the cold. Good luck!

      • Anon

        Legal industry, pantsuit is fine. Except possibly in the handful of really stuffy firms that remain — you’d know if you were interviewing at one of those.

        • 2L NYC

          I’m working I think what is considered a pretty stuffy firm…I wore pants to my interview, so maybe they are in the South? I can’t imagine them being in the Northeast.

    • alhambra

      Unless you are walking to the interview (i.e., spending more than 10 minutes outside) I would suck it up and wear traditional hose and pumps. If you absolutely must walk, I would try to find wool stockings that are incredibly close-knit and look as close as possible to normal hose. I would not, under any circumstance, wear boots.

    • Anon

      Also, if it’s only 30 degree weather you’re dealing with, try not to look too cold. If you’re in the NE, chances are it’s going to be 30 or less most the time in the winter. If you can’t handle it (i.e., by dressing like some semblance of a normal person), people are going to wonder why you would want a job living there full-time. Wear pants or appropriate tights/hose, but leave the full-blown winter boots behind. And for the love, do not wear knee-high boots on an interview. So many places and older employers have “ideas” about those boots. Do not get off on the wrong foot by wearing them. Yes, pumps are not the most fun in the winter. Suck it up for 2 hours.

    • Lyssa

      First off, good luck! As you know, it’s tough to even get an interview right now, so I hope it goes well for you.

      As for your question, here’s my advice (worth what you pay for it):

      * Boots are too trendy/casual/unusual. I think they’re fine for the office, but I wouldn’t risk that anyone sees anything off about them for an interview (recall- Cat’s mentioned it- when Condie Rice wore boots and a lot of people said that she looked like a dominatrix- you do not want that thought even passing through your interviewers’ heads!)

      * My thoughts on tights are that they look a little young for interviews. (If you are talking about mostly older men, they may only know tights as something their daughters, or even grandaughters, wore as little girls.) I know that some people disagree, and I think they’re fine for regular office use, and I’m sure that it won’t mean the difference between job and no job, but I would stick to hose and pumps. You might be able to find something that you could wear under the skirt, like leggings or leg warmers, and take off when you get there, but that might be more trouble than it’s worth (particularly since you don’t know the layout- you obviously wouldn’t want to be stripping off clothing items in front of the receptionist.)

      * I do think that you’d be fine to wear pants. There are a few odd older men who think that skirts are necessary, and I do think that skirts tend to look a little more formal and put together, but I think that a nice, well tailored pantsuit is fine for an interview.

      * It really comes down to how you’re getting there. I’ve done the winter interview several times, but everyone drives in my area, so warm while commuting is not really a big issue. I’ve found that it’s best to just suck it up for the dash from the car to the office (I even would try to skip a coat, if it’s not too far.) If driving (borrowing a car, getting a friend to drop you off, taking a cab) is in any way an option, I’d do that to avoid the issue. If your transportation is going to make it such that you really can’t suck it up, though, I would wear pants, with tights or stockings underneath.

      • coco

        If you’re not used to driving in the winter, please don’t try it for the first time in the middle of a snow storm on your way to an interview. If there is snow on the road, fine, but if it’s snowing, go for a cab or some other form of transportation. Also, I wouldn’t skip the coat – everyone else will probably be wearing coats (unless it’s unseasonably warm) and it will look odd.

      • Lawgirl

        I’ve worn a nice gray wool, pinstripe pants suit (Ralph Lauren) for a winter, foot-of-snow-on-the-ground interview, along with some 3″ ruby suede Mary Janes (Tahari) that Kat recommended. And I got the gig ;-)

      • JAS

        I agree with all of this. well said! Also, ditto the poster who said something about not letting it show that you find it really cold, or they will wonder whether you’ll be able to tough it out to live here. (I am in New England city with some very “brisk” weather today).

        Also, if there was ever a day to treat yourself to a taxi, interview day is it!

        Congrats on the interview! Good luck!

        • Anon

          I agree with this but you also don’t want to show up underdressed for the weather. Buy or borrow a dressy, warm coat to wear – suit, great heels, bag, and a warm coat and scarf looks professional and like you’re practical and would adjust to the change in weather/culture just fine.

      • Janie

        I think that most men in NE are practical enough to expect you to be dressed for the weather, not shivering in a skirt suit. Personally, I’d wear a pantsuit with professional-looking booties underneath, with warm socks. Your male interviewers will probably not even notice that you are wearing boots rather than pumps.

        • AIMS

          Agreed. People are just as likely to judge you for being impractically dressed as anything else. Dress according to the weather. That doesn’t mean rain boots in the rain, but I think a conservative pantsuit is fine on a cold day.

        • anon-ny

          a nice pair of booties with a well put together pant suit is pretty standard in the winter. And do not under any circumstances skip the coat. People will think you’re nuts and given the recent weather here in NYC, you will be too cold to focus on the interview. Almost any law firm will have a coat closet in the reception area. If it isn’t offered, ask. Stuff gloves, hat, scarf in pockets/sleeve and leave it there. Your last interviewer will likely expect to return you to the reception are to retrieve your coat.

    • LexCaritas

      Don’t weqr boots and plan your arrival so you have plenty of time to regroup in the ladies’ room after cold & wind outside. good luck

    • first-time winter interviewee

      Wow, thanks to all for your responses! I think I’ll go with a pantsuit with pumps. I have a 15 min walk to the train and then another 10-15 min walk to the firm, and can’t really afford the cab ride across town at the moment. For the record, I am from the Northeast, but I usually wear trousers during the winter. I don’t think I have ever worn a skirt past November without knee-high boots (except at formal evening gatherings), and don’t know how other women do it!

        • Nonny

          If it is icy or snowy, wear flat shoes with good treads for the walk and change into your pumps in the downstairs lobby of the office building. Seriously, a pair of pumps does not take up much room in a bag and the last thing you want is to slip and fall on the way to your interview. I would be more concerned about that than the size of your purse, which most men will not notice as long as it is professional. Also, be aware there may be salt on the sidewalk and you do not want that staining your nice interview pumps. Good luck!

      • Another Sarah

        Or maybe take the cab from the train station you get off at to the firm? This would be cheaper than the cab across town, and no worries about slipping on ice in pumps/running late because you miscalculate how slowly you walk on ice in pumps. Cabs are cheaper than broken ankles usually. :-)

      • 2L NYC

        In my first interview last year I wore snow boots, and changed into pumps in the lobby. I wore a skirt suit. If this place is anything like the law firms where I interviewed, they had a closet where I could stuff all my stuff while I was interviewing.

      • No soup for you!

        You could wear leg warmers and take them off a block away and stick them in your purse.

    • L

      Pantsuit is fine. If you are going to Boston, tell me the address and I will tell you what is in the lobby of the building. :)

    • Eponine

      Don’t wear tights to an interview, especially not wooly ones, and do not wear boots with a skirt. If you want the most formal look, wear hose with pumps and a wear a coat that covers your legs so you can survive outside. If you don’t have a coat that covers your legs, then a pantsuit is fine in all but the most stuffy and conservative settings. Nice, classic leather boots are fine with the pantsuit.

  12. anon

    Threadjack with a make-up question. I’m attending a holiday shindig this weekend (not work related). I’m going to be wearing a black cocktail hat that has a chin length veil. How would you do your make up? A smoky eye with nude gloss or pale eye with dark lip? Or could I do full on eyes and lips?

    • kz

      i think i’m channeling what not to wear here, but i think heavily made up eye or lip, but not both.

    • Bridget

      I can’t pull off hats, but it sounds very glam. Do you have pics so I can live vicariously? Also, I have heard the same thing as KZ regarding one or the other —

      Assuming that you mean the veil covers your face (bird-cage style), I would play up whichever is more likely to get lost on you. I have the thinnest lips ever, so I would go with a lighter eye and some full-on lips to make sure they don’t get lost under the veil.

      • anon

        No pics. I’ll admit to being inspired by a post here a while back regarding hats, so I swiped the hat from my mom, who never wears makeup. Lord knows why she had such a glam hat in her closet. Come to think of it, I don’t recall her ever wearing it. Well, I’m putting it to good use.

    • zee

      I’d say a bright red, matte-to-medium lip, with very little on the eye (think like pinup-style eyeliner/mascara/bare lid). Goes with the veil, imo.

      • 2L NYC

        I second a bright-red lip — very glamorous. You could also do a strong black eyeliner and still do red lips I think, so long as you don’t wear visible eyeshadow.

    • AN

      I’d do charcoal eyeliner with a tiny ‘cat eye’ (the veil will highlight your eyes) + muted berry lip with a bit of blush. But that just happens to look very good on me.

      You need to work with your skin tone/preferences etc.

  13. myohmy

    Threadjack! I work for a small and v. casual consulting firm (horror of all Corporettes, I wore a Bears sweatshirt today!) Unless we’ll be meeting with clients (and sometimes even then), most everyone is in jeans and t-shirts. I’m trying to get my style nudged up a little by building up my wardrobe (2010 grad) and it’s going okay, today nonwithstanding (I’ve worked every day for the past 14 so I haven’t had time for laundry and am running SUPER low on work appropriate tops.)

    In any case, our holiday party is next weekend. It is a small enough firm that the party will be held at the home of one of the senior execs. My boyfriend will be joining and I’m not sure what would be appropriate in terms of dress. Cocktail attire is definitely out (I’ve never seen this particular guy in anything but jeans!) and it is just hors d’oevres and drinks. I would like to wear something festive but not be overdressed – I think dark wash jeans will be fine, but I’m not sure what on top — a cardigan and tank just sounds a lot like my everyday work attire!

    • Nonny

      Maybe so, but if it is a slightly sparkly/silky/embellished cardigan and tank, it would look festive but great with dark wash jeans and you won’t be overdone for a casual environment.

  14. Lynette

    I’m with the rest of the ladies and would do either eyes or lips. My personal preference would be to do black liner with champagne or other light colored shadow, fluttery lashes and a red lip. If you decide to do the reverse, I would do a cream formula lipstick. Gloss is sticky and veils have a tendency to get caught in your gloss. Lip gloss on your veil is not a good look. Have fun at the party!

  15. mbs

    Quick question, I ordered these pants from JCrew, and love the fit and fabric, but hate the wide legs, the legs measure 12 1/2 inches across at the hem, laid flat. They seem to flair out at the bottom, although they are described as trouser legs. I wanted something a little narrower. Has anyone had the legs on pants narrowed by a tailor? I wonder if that would work. It’s hard for me to find pants that fit this well, would like to make them work.

    http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/pants/suiting/PRDOVR~99223/99101584917/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~~~20+17+4294967033+4294966682~15~~~~~~~/99223.jsp

    • Another Sarah

      I got excited when you said “wide leg” and ‘measures 12 1/2 inches across at the hem,” and then I looked at the pants and thought you meant that both legs, together, measure 12 1/2 inches across. To me and my tap-dancing thighs, that’s just a regular trouser pant that I would need to get 2 sizes too big to be able to get up past my knees. :-D

      But yes, you should be able to take the pants to a tailor and have the legs narrowed.

      • mbs

        No, that’s just one leg. Maybe I’m not describing it right. The legs are very wide at the bottom, like flared out. They fit normal at the thighs. Most of my dress pants legs are about 10 inches across at the hem. These just really “swish” around when I walk, I don’t think they are flattering, and not really in style right now.

    • JessC

      Have had this kind of tailoring done before (I had the hips/thighs of a pair of trousers taken in because they were a bit too roomy in the seat). It’ll cost more than just having the pants hemmed, but not too much.

  16. Ellen

    I can NOT wear a pencil skirt because my legs and ankles are a little to thick for me to be self consious. So I wear slacks as much as possible, especially in the winter when it is cold.

    The manageing partner has asked me to coordinate the holiday lunch next week, but I am having problems getting a reservation at a fixed price place. He does not want to spend more than $50 per person including desert, and no decent place in mid-Town is interested.

    Does any one know a decent place in mid-town that will acommodate us? I do not want Chinese or Korean. I would prefer steak but will consider Italian or Fusion. Any ideas?

  18. Anonymous

    Outfit advice needed. Event is a tea at a hotel that hosts a formal tea-time. It’s a Christmas party for a professional woman’s organization. I am going to meet up with some old friends and do some networking. Event is this Saturday afternoon so I don’t want to go too business-y, but also don’t want to look too “ladies who lunch” or fussy. Suggestions?

      • Hmmm...

        Agree! Another option would be to swap out the loose blouse with a more fitted blouse and a cute “holiday” cardigan with a little bit of sparkle or something to it.

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