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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 138 Comments · by

Suit of the Week: A.L.C.

Suit of the Week

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womens-suits-1For 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 for women, which should be as classic and basic as you get — instead, this feature is about the slightly different suit that is fashionable, yet professional. I'm really liking this “wedding blue” suit from A.L.C. — the color seems perfect for summer, and I like the generally classic look (and the seemingly rare three buttoned blazer). Something about the fabric looks really lux, too — it's a cotton/wool/elastene blend. The jacket (Toland Jacket) is $594, and the cropped pants (Carter Pants) are $366, available at ShopBop in sizes 0-10.
womens-suits-2 womens-suits-3
(L-5)

Sales of note for 9.30.24

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

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Comments

  1. Kimberly Gomez | Image Consultant

    This suit is gorge. The color is beautiful and as you show, you can break it up and wear the jacket and pants with other pieces to create multiple looks. You can wear the jacket with a tshirt and jeans for looking great on the weekend. Very nice!

    • Sydney Bristow

      I think it’s really cute, as long as it fits correctly. The pants look a little weird in the pictures. I love the color though.

      • KC

        Agreed. Love the color, the pants look like they might be tricky. Great pick for the jacket alone though!

  2. Anne

    The jacket looks interesting, but the pants look like something that they would lambast a contestant on Project Runway for. There is something awkward about them, and I’m not sure what. The model looks wide-hipped and saggy-bottomed, and I’m fairly sure she is not either in real life.

    • Kanye East

      I think it’s just badly shopped. The crotch looks super low, even though the waistband looks like it sits at the hips.

      • Meg Murry

        The zipper looks funny too, like its not lying flat, and the way its pulling in the 1st photo isn’t typical whiskers – I wonder if its pinned/tacked at the waist somehow and that’s why it looks so awkward.

        I think overall this looks pretty, especially on the model, but I don’t know that I could pull it off – the grey-blue plus my non-model shape might make it look a little too much like something I borrowed from my grandma (she loves this color pantsuit). I think the tailoring would have to be perfect, and even then I’d be iffy for me. But I’m not a fashion risk taker by any means – which is why I come here, to have a vague sense of how out of date some of the items in my closet are.

    • Magpie

      Too true! Also, the stitching on the fly is wack–zoom once and you’ll see what I mean.

      I try not to be a grouch about these things, but on the light blue fabric it really shows up. At 3 benjies, this one’s a pass.

  3. Paging Nonny

    Okay, I admit that I’m probably too all up in an internet stranger’s business, but how did you end up telling him?

    • Nonny

      Hee hee, I figured someone would ask me that today. :-)

      I ended up buying a copy of “Dad’s Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth for Dummies”, wrapping it, and giving it to him at dinner.

      His first response: “Are you pregnant?” (so no, he didn’t think he’d missed an anniversary like yesterday’s commenter)

      When I said yes, he then had the very amusing and very male reaction, “Guess I’m not shooting blanks then!”

      After that he told me he loved me and gave me a big kiss and everything was great. He asked me a few questions and I told him he was now responsible for cleaning the cat’s litter box and that was that. And then later in the evening he told me that he had now decided to work on our deck this weekend. So I have a feeling that a lot is going to get done around the house over the next 8 months!

      • pregomama

        Glad it went over well! My DH”s home improvement productivity has skyrocketed since we found out this winter about the baby. I have had to talk him out of making the crib himself.

        • Duchess

          The husband of one of my good friends decided he and his father would make their baby’s crib. Baby was born end of June and they just finished the crib two weeks ago…

          • pregomama

            Yep, and I was able to talk DH out of it by listing the unfinished projects he’s got down in the basement. I told him to start working on a bed for the kid’s college dorm room instead.

      • Blonde Lawyer

        Congrats! Just a tip, there is apparently a test you can have done to see if you are immune from the disease one can get from litter boxes. I volunteer at an animal shelter which is why I know about it. The staff there, once they have the test, can continue working in cat care through their pregnancy. I have no idea how much it costs. I’ve heard it is a simple blood test and that if you have scooped a lot of kitty litter in your life, you will likely turn up immune. Now if you want a free pass from litter duty, by all means, don’t tell him about the test. :)

        • Nonny

          Thanks for the heads up. I’ve scooped an awful lot of cat litter in my lifetime so I will definitely look into this.

        • another attorney

          Thanks for the heads up. I’ve scooped an awful lot of cat litter in my lifetime so I will definitely look into this.

  4. momentsofabsurdity

    Just want to post a rave review on my shutterfly photo book, particularly for those of you searching for a Mother’s Day gift. I made it with pictures from FB so the quality of the photos leaves a bit to be desired, but I interspersed notes to my mom from family members, important dates (her wedding date, kids birth dates), pictures of my mom and dad’s side of the family, etc. It was really easy to make, the design is really pretty (I used a pre-made design but messed with it a bit) and best part: because of all their coupons, savings, etc, the whole thing was $8 shipped for a 20 page hardcover book.

    So I would definitely give two thumbs up to this one.

    • Sydney Bristow

      This is so sweet! I’ve been thinking about making a recipe book for my stepmom for her birthday or Christmas (already ordered Mother’s Day flowers). Great to hear a review of the service and final product since there are so many companies to choose from.

      • mascot

        MyPublisher is another great source to look at. One of our books shipped with minor damage and they sent us another one immediately.

    • Maggie

      General comment on photo books: My dad made one for my sister and me and it is one of the best gifts I’ve ever received! I can’t comment on a particular service to use but I love this gift idea in general.

    • espresso bean

      I made something similar using Blurb and LOVED it. It’s a great user interface, and the books are gorgeous. I highly recommend it!

    • Veronique

      My cousins and I (the grandchildren) ordered leather bound photo books from Shutterfly for my Nana the Christmas after my Papa died. We had a page for each grandchild, one for each family and then general pictures of my grandparents. They were so great that we had to order more for my parents/aunts/uncles.

    • another attorney

      we do this (although using another company) for our kids each year on their birthday. Its a really great way to capture all of the photos of the year, its pretty inexpensive, and the books are not huge like the old school photo albums we had as kids. We make copies for the grandparents too. The kids really love it now (at 2 and 6) and i think will love it more when they are my age . .

      • saacnmama

        Oh, how sweet! Wish I’d’ve thought of that around 9.5 years ago, on my little one’s first bday.

      • saacnmama

        MomentsofAbsurdity, that was meant for you, even though it ended up far from your post.

        • momentsofabsurdity

          Thanks! No word yet, more tests today so hopefully we will know something soon. Just trying to stay busy and not dwell on the awful possibilities.

          • saacnmama

            Sorry I brought it up!

            On the bright side, if they haven’t notified her, then it must not be an emergency.

  5. TO Lawyer

    So I need some advice ladies. I’ve been coping fairly well with my recent breakup (I think) but I’m going to a good friend’s wedding this weekend. My ex was supposed to come with me and then we broke up and so now I have to go alone. I know I’ll have my friends with me and all, but does anyone have any advice on how to keep it together?

    I’ve been getting a little emotional thinking about going to the wedding alone and I really want to be able to be happy for my friend this weekend and not caught up in my own drama.

    Thanks ladies!

    • momentsofabsurdity

      Stay *busy*. If your friends will be at the wedding too (ie, hopefully more than just the bride), it’ll be easier. Lounge by the pool with them, grab one to go to brunch with the morning after, maybe go shopping between the ceremony in the reception. Try as much as possible to minimize time that you’ll just be sitting alone in your hotel room thinking “God, I’m bored. If Ex was here, at least I’d have something to do.” (Pun intended… ha)

      I think if you stay busy, it’s easier to “deal.” No one will judge you if you get a bit emotional – it’s a wedding. But I think if you allow yourself to feel what you feel, don’t beat yourself up about it, but generally try to stay super busy and “present” in everything you’re doing it won’t be so bad. Honestly – you’d probably rather go to a wedding semi-mourning a recently ended relationship, then go and have to suffer through attending it with the Ex and not talking about the Huge Elephant In The Room That Is Our Impending Breakup, you know?

    • roses

      I know at least 3 couples who met at weddings. If you feel yourself getting emotional, scope out some hotties and concoct a plan to get a dance :)

      • Ellen

        Mabye I should go to a wedding and find a guy. I do simpathize with you b/c it is dificult NOT bieng with someone after you are a COUPEL. When I dropped Alan b/c he was a drunk, I felt bad, but now I realize I should not be missing him and his vomitting! FOOEY! Now I have two guy’s tryeing to see if I am the one for them and me tryeing to see if they are the one for me. The problem is one guy (Philip) is very stand offish, and has no sexual drive as far as I can see, which IS NOT a bad thing at this point, b/c I am not sesueally attracted to him (he would be a good provider, tho). There is also a guy who is tryeing to nuzzle up to me who work’s for the parks department, but I do NOT see him earneing enough for me and our children. FOOEY. He does make me laugh, but I think I would have to work full time to suport children if we were married. I want to be a stay at home mom for a while, but do NOT think I can aford it, and DAD is saying NOT to marry a guy who will NOT bring home the bacon. I do NOT even eat bacon! How Ironic that is!

        Anyway, just hang in there and there WILL be a guy for both of us. YAY!!!!!

    • I am a banana.

      I had to do this once, and the wedding was in another country. It actually wound up being really fun because it forced me to talk to tons of new people. As long as your friends know, they will probably go out of their way to make sure you are having fun and are included. Get a hot dress and have a great time!

    • TO Lawyer

      Thanks ladies!

      I am planning on hanging with my girlfriends and scoping out the cute single guys – they’re all willing to let me have first dibs since I’m the most recent single one which is great. And I’ve figured out all my outfits so I feel better about that at least. \

      And NOLA – your advice re not getting too drunk is sound. I’ve actually been cutting back on the wine recently because too much has been making me sad, so I want to be careful this weekend.

      momentsofabsurdity – thank you so much for your last paragraph in particular. It helps to remind myself that it’s ok to be emotional a bit and also that it’s probably better to be semi-mourning my relationship than faking it in front of everyone (as was my original plan).

      Hopefully I have a good time and meet cute boys and don’t think about my ex at all!

      • goldribbons

        One more idea re: not getting too drunk. I find that when I’m not drinking my calories (and getting weepy that way), I have so much more enthusiasm for cake! and dessert! and cookies! and even though it sounds terribly unhealthy, it’s very difficult to cry whilst consuming delicious desserts that find their way around many many weddings. Good luck! and maybe cue up some zooborns (aka cute baby animals) on your smartphone to look at in the bathroom (instead of risking a drunk text disaster).

  6. Anon

    Reposting for some more thoughts – thanks to darjeeling and darby for responding from this morning.

    I just applied for an in-house position on a whim (a friend works at the parent company). It could be a good opportunity and they have already responded with a ton of interest (my background makes me literally a perfect fit), but I’m not sure I’m ready to leave my biglaw firm yet. How do you know when it’s time to go? As background, kids are not in existence or the near future, and I have a pretty sweet deal with my firm. My hours are not terrible but I still enjoy the high salary and freedom/lockdown that comes with a blackberry. I have no intention of trying to make partner – don’t even really want to be a senior associate (I’m early/mid level), so I will have to leave in the next, I’d say, 2-4 years. Oh and still have 5 figures of loans…. Thoughts? Advice from people who have gone through this?

    • EC MD

      So I’m not a lawyer but what stuck out for me on you post was the fact that you are not going to make partner. To me, that means that there is an expiration date on your employment there and having an escape plan will be a necessity.

      While you may not be 100% ready to go, I think you have to think carefully about your options. What will you feel like if you let this opportunity pass by, and then end up in 2-4 years with a less exciting opportunity or no opportunity at all? What room for growth will there be at the new place, versus the ceiling that you know exists at your current shop?

      To me, you should fully commit to exploring this opportunity. As you learn more, you may realize that it isn’t a good fit, and then you can let it go with no regrets. But I would be very careful about sticking to a timeline that is theoretical, rather than the reality you are faced with now.

      I say this all as a person who has difficulty with change and is often risk averse — but this seems like an opportunity that may not come around again.

    • Olivia Pope

      I say keep an open mind and see if this opportunity is a good fit for you. You have a well-paying job, so you are interviewing them more than they are interviewing you.

      While doing that, be honest about your finances and if you can handle your debt load at whatever your new salary would be. You know you want to leave the firm eventually, so if your finances make leaving unwise right now, adjust so that you can comfortably leave later.

    • new york associate

      If you know for sure that you don’t want to make partner, you are at the perfect time to leave. It only gets harder the more senior you get. I’d very, very seriously explore this opportunity. BigLaw life has an expiration date and it’s earlier than most of us realize.

  7. Nonny

    OK, as a follow-up to yesterday’s post, I have a doozy for all of you.

    The senior partner at my firm is a smoker. During the day, of course, he doesn’t smoke in his office but is outside so often that we all joke he should set up his desk out there. However, after 5:30 all bets are off and he basically chain-smokes at his desk. To make matters worse, late afternoon/evening is his favourite time to review documents, so it is not unusual to be called into his office at 5:30 or 6:00 and sit there for an hour discussing a transaction.

    I am not a smoker, and can’t stand breathing cigarette smoke, but I am not allergic to it so until now I have just put up with this when I need to meet with him. However, now that I am pregnant, I am a little worried about sitting in a miasma of second-hand smoke for an hour at a time. Any ideas of how to deal with this/what to say to him between now and when I announce at work (which won’t be for another two months or so), without hurting his feelings or sounding like a diva?

    • Anonymous

      As a former chain smoker, I suggest making it about you and not him. I was ADDICTED and getting judgment from others was very hard. If I were to have smoked in an office after hours, I would not have minded if someone said that the smoke bothered them since they became pregnant and asked me not to smoke. If you get all high and mighty, you won’t get a good reaction.

    • Cat Paw

      Does he know about those smokeless e-ciggs? That might be a better option for everyone in the building!

  8. Nonny

    *Reposting due to moderation for “cigar*tte”*

    OK, as a follow-up to yesterday’s post, I have a doozy for all of you.

    The senior partner at my firm is a smoker. During the day, of course, he doesn’t smoke in his office but is outside so often that we all joke he should set up his desk out there. However, after 5:30 all bets are off and he basically chain-smokes at his desk. To make matters worse, late afternoon/evening is his favourite time to review documents, so it is not unusual to be called into his office at 5:30 or 6:00 and sit there for an hour discussing a transaction.

    I am not a smoker, and can’t stand breathing cigar*tte smoke, but I am not allergic to it so until now I have just put up with this when I need to meet with him. However, now that I am pregnant, I am a little worried about sitting in a miasma of second-hand smoke for an hour at a time. Any ideas of how to deal with this/what to say to him between now and when I announce at work (which won’t be for another two months or so), without hurting his feelings or sounding like a diva?

      • Nonny

        No, my firm is not large enough to have an HR department and the MO here is that everyone just more or less deals with it. It is his name on the door and he’s the guy bringing in most of the work – so people (including his assistant) don’t like it but they deal.

        • Gem

          Could you have a health issue/ concern and have been advised by your doctor to avoid all second hand smoke?

        • Gus

          If it was me, I’d have complained (and to his face) a long time ago. But if you’re trying to avoid hurting his feelings, then why not just say that you’re having some health issues that make it difficult for you to sit in a smoky office. Then offer to have your evening meetings elsewhere in the office (conference room, your office, etc).

    • Sydney Bristow

      I know that you aren’t supposed to tell people until much later, but maybe it would be worth telling him now and taking the risk that you might have to tell him something different later. Another risk might be that everyone else at work finds out. This sounds awful!

      • Godzilla

        Yep, this is what I’d go with. You put up with the awful behavior that you would have continued to tolerate if not for the pregnancy (congrats, btw). I’d suck it up and tell him about the pregnancy in private. Perhaps requesting to meet in your office or in a conference room in the evenings.

      • Jules

        Yes, tell him. I used to have to put up with lots of smoke-filled rooms (before our state went non-smoking in public places, yay) but when I was pregnant people were very good about not smoking around me.

    • Equity's Darling

      That sounds terrible.

      Maybe say that you’ve had asthma in the past, and it’s flaring up/getting worse, so your doctor has suggested staying away from smoke? Or some other respiratory problem? I know second-hand smoke makes my sensitive sinuses bad for a few days, and usually results in my getting sick within the week following, so that’s a possibility also?

      • L

        This. You can claim allergies and say smoke has been making it worse. You can even get a doctors note that states “Nonny is not able to work near smoke due to a health concern.”

        And if this guy is that big of a jerk that he’d smoke around you after that, you should look for a new job.

      • Nonny

        I like this, particularly since it is hayfever season. It should work well.

        For the record, this guy isn’t actually a jerk (though I do agree too many people have put up with this behaviour in the past), just….oblivious.

        • L

          For me allergies + smoke = massive sinus infection. It is usually the thing that sends most people over the edge allergy wise, so it’s not unreasonable.

        • saacnmama

          If you haven’t mentioned allergies/asthma in the past, how will you explain the sudden onset?

    • mamabear

      How about coughing uncontrollably next time he smokes around you?

      Honestly, I’d just say, “Could you put that thing out while I’m in here?” but that’s me – blunt.

        • saacnmama

          Nothing passive about making a request as clear as the wording in that one. Aggressive? Well, maybe “that thing” could be seen that way. But this is not a passive-aggressive approach. It’s very direct, which is often simplest for people on the receiving end to deal with.

        • mamabear

          Blunt and passive aggressive are almost opposite terms. I think you need to look up the latter.

    • Anne Shirley

      Wow. Just ask him to please not smoke while you’re in his office. Where on earth would this be okay?

      • No Smoke

        I don’t understand how this is okay either, but maybe it’s because I live in a place with very strict anti-smoking laws. If I didn’t think I could talk to someone at work, I would at least tell the building and maybe they could make him stop. If he knows not to smoke inside during regular business hours he is not oblivious! I get that you don’t want to be the one to say something when everyone else puts up with it, but that doesn’t mean that he shouldn’t hear it or that you/your unborn baby/your colleagues should tolerate it.

    • Blonde Lawyer

      It is totally allergy/hayfever season. You can just say you have allergies cropping up all of a sudden and they are much worse after being around the smoke. See if he will come to your office “for the season.” By then you should be “out.”

    • another attorney

      blame it on the baby. that would have made me vomit when i was pregnant. just tell him that like so many other smells your pregnant self smells, the smoke isnt working for you

  9. capnkate

    TJ for vicarious shopping–

    My black nylon tote bag that I take to work every day is about to fall apart. I’d really like to replace it, inexpensively, with something with a little more structure, less flopsy. Does anyone have any recommendations on a large-ish top-handled bag for under $100 ($150 tops!)? Preferably black, but I am open to considering other colors. I’m assuming I cannot afford leather at that price, but fake leather is okay with me as long as it’s sturdy enough to handle daily abuse.

  10. Derby

    Dallas ladies – a TJ request. I will be going on a business trip to Dallas in early August. What do people wear to work there? I’m mainly going to be in big companies and BigLaw. Please help this midwesterner?

    • Anon

      I would wear sheath dresses with a cardigan and take off the cardigan as soon as possible. Or A-Line skirts with a short sleeve shirt. It is HOT in August!

      • m

        I was in Dallas for work in January and I don’t think they dressed any different from Chicago. I was also in Houston last year in July where the temps topped 110 degrees. They definitely make concessions based on the heat. Places that are usually business professional will forgo the full suit in these extremely hot months (Houston, New Orleans, Miami). I can’t say the same for Dallas, and it is northern Texas so it won’t be quite as disgustingly hot as Houston. My best recommendation is a skirt suit with a short sleeved blouse because I’m assuming bare shoulders isn’t that common in big law. Or even wear a blazer on the first day just in case and have cardigans for the rest of the week.

        • SunnyD

          I’m in Dallas and a former BigLaw associate. I would go with a skirt and jacket (or skirt suit) with a short sleeved shirt underneath so you can take off your jacket. My former firm generally stayed with suits (or separates, including jackets) in the summer, although sometimes men would not wear ties and some women would go with cardigans. And remember that because it’s hot outside, the a/c is usually blowing on high so it can be cold inside. Hopefully you won’t spend much time outside and, when you are, you can just be in a skirt (no hose) and a shirt, carrying your jacket.

          • Anon

            My reply disappeared but basically +1 to AC blasting everywhere. If you expect to be indoors most of the time you’re more likely to be cold than hot.

          • anon in tejas

            this is my life. I am always cold as soon as they turn off the heat and start with the AC. but we don’t really wear hose in Houston in state district court when it’s summer (memorial day to labor day).

    • JJ

      I think pretty much all the big firms are business casual here. We’re a fairly informal city, so I think you can wear sheaths with cardigans, pencil skirts with tanks/cardigans, etc. I don’t know of a law firm here that would frown on peep-toes, either. Don’t wear hose. Don’t wear pants with a synthetic (or, honestly, any) lining as it will just stick to you.

      I’d recommend skirts/dresses with a cardigan but wearing something with sleeves so that you can take off the top layer. August is the worst month of the year here and most (if not all) days are generally over 100 degrees.

    • Anon

      Not in law and in Houston, not Dallas, but like SunnyD said above, the AC is blasting in most businesses, restaurants, etc. I bundle up at work regardless of the time of year, and even if I’m going to a casual dinner or shopping in the summer I carry a cardigan and/or scarf for when I get inside. I probably have a lower tolerance for cold AC than others, but my long-winded point is that if you expect to be inside most of the time I wouldn’t worry too much about it since you’re more likely to be cold than hot! If you have a layer you can remove when you’re outside that should be fine.

  11. m

    Threadjack: I work in consulting and I’m going to Miami next week. My coworkers and I will most likely be walking to dinner as we’re staying in a nice area with plenty of restaurants and shops. We usually dress casually when we go to dinner. It’s going to be 85 degrees. Wtf do I wear to dinner?? All my shorts have 3-4″ inseams.. is that inappropriate? I have no casual skirts because that’s not my style. I’m also tall so shorts automatically look shorter on me. Maybe I can make skinny jeans work and cuff them? Ugh I hate sweating when I don’t have to lol.

    • Special Snowflake

      Tbh, whenever I got out anywhere in the south I am always FREEZING due to the AC. So I’d just wear skinnies, a nice (wide-strap) tank & blazer. You’ll probably be hot for 5 mins while walking to the car, and you can carry your blazer. Once in the car and the restaurant you’ll probably be fine.

    • Anne Shirley

      I would be wearing cotton dresses in this situation. Or buying a casual skirt or 2.

    • Trina

      Shorts are pretty much always inappropriate (and almost *never* stylish) unless you’re exercising or at the beach. Whether you’re with colleagues or not, wearing shorts to a restaurant is tacky unless there’s sand on the floor.

      • momentsofabsurdity

        Eh. I like shorts and I think there are plenty of stylish shorts. I think it depends on your company culture whether it would be appropriate to wear to a casual dinner with coworkers but tailored black shorts, a skinny leather black belt, a white collared shirt with rolled sleeves, and maybe a chunky bracelet or a long gold necklace would be perfectly acceptable for a summertime restaurant dinner outing around here.

        Obviously you wouldn’t wear shorts to the same place you’d wear a suit and tie, but I think it’s a bit much to say they are never stylish, always inappropriate and “tacky.”

        • m

          ^What momentsofabsurdity said.. shorts can totally be stylish. I hate ankle pants but I think they’re my best bet, so maybe I’ll have to invest in some.

    • petitesq

      FL resident here – If you’re planning on walking to shops and restaurants, you are going to be HOT. Jeans = sweaty and feeling icky. Agree re: cotton ankle pants and flow-y top, agree re: cotton dresses, and agree re: A/C — bring a wrap/light sweater/light blazer.

  12. Mpls

    And it’s official – it’s snowing. That makes 6 months of snow for this season. It’s almost getting to be funny at this point.

    • Suzer

      That stinks. But it will be beautiful there when we’re sweating our @sses off a few states below later this summer, right?

      • Mpls

        Unless we get to the point where the humidity is higher than the Amazon (77 degree dew point). Which happened last summer. Which also ended up being a drought year (go figure). We don’t get the 100 degree days very often, but mid 80s with 80% rel. humidity are more common than is comfortable.

        Welcome to the extremes of living in the middle of the continent. Why do I live here?

    • Architect

      Ugh! And we are supposed to get several inches. So, not funny. I need to get out my boots again….

    • Equity's Darling

      Yesp, it flurried last night, and it was below -10C within the last few days, and today is chilly. BUT! It’s supposed to be nice for the next week though, and as Suzer pointed out, thankfully our summers are nice – it’s generally sunny, generally between 18 and 25C, and generally dry, and very few bugs. Unfortunately, that weather lasts maybe 4 months. Maybe.

      My favourite phrase heard this winter – “oh, it’s good it’s snowing, we need the moisture”. Yeah, I’m *sure* lack of snow is the reason the winter is dry here. Pffft.

      • CKB

        LOL – as someone who grew up in agriculture country, the moisture they’re referring to is what comes after the snow melts, in the spring, when the farmers really need it and the dam reservoirs need filling. What cracks me up is when we have a wet spring, so wet planting can’t get done, or a wet fall so that harvest can’t get in, and people are still saying “oh good, it’s raining, we need the moisture – the farmers must be happy’.

        Dry winters are no joke in Alberta! My poor hair….

        • Mpls

          Yup – the snow turns into water than filters into whatever water system you’ve got going. Which is why the lack of snow (for us) last winter was nice in terms of the general population, but led to the severe droughts that many farming areas experienced last summer…

          But the precipitation definitely has to be timed right, otherwise it’s a nuisance to the current season :). I think we’re already a couple weeks late getting into the fields around here – due to snow!

    • lucy stone

      The days when it is snowing there and raining here (NE WI) are the only days I don’t miss living in the Cities. Hang in there!

  14. Mountain Girl

    I’m totally rocking my nude fishnet tights in the snow today. I ran to the drugstore and picked up a pair of No Nonsense fishnets for $6. They are called “openwork” so I paired it with a light control spanx shaper and it works. I have two pair of Hue fishnets that I don’t like nearly as well and they cost twice as much.

    Yesterday I wore a pair of “no show sock liners” with my pumps. I’m also sold on that concept.

    Yep, I’m posting about socks and I’m not ashamed to admit it.

    • Sydney Bristow

      I wear no show socks with all my dressy shoes. I get really smelly feet otherwise. You can see the edges of the socks but I don’t care at this point.

    • goldribbons

      WOAH no show socks with pumps?! that sounds phenomenal. Where can I get some?

      • Sydney Bristow

        I pick mine up at Target in the socks/tights section. I’ve tried a few brands and styles and have stuck with the ones that I found that worked for me but I can’t remember what the brand name is.

  15. Anon

    Thanks everybody who posted the recs on a good coffee shop for law students at Vanderbilt. I got a general Fido/Bongo gift card, and gave it (well, it hasn’t actually arrived yet) to him with a nice card at his graduation party. You guys really came through in a pinch!

  16. anon

    I love cigarette pants that are about this length, but I’ve always wondered whether it was appropriate for a conservative office like a BigLaw firm. I wore them all the time when I worked for the gov’t, but I don’t know if that would be acceptable in the private sector.

    Pants like these:
    http://cdn11.my-wardrobe.com/images/products/8/2/824310/p1_824310.jpg
    http://theclothingmenu.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/audrey-hepburn-cigarette-pants.jpg

    Anyone have any opinions? Thanks :)

  17. Leigh

    My sister is turning 30 in a few weeks. We’re pretty close, and I’m throwing her a pretty large party for her birthday. I’d like to get her something special (under $50) to commemorate this milestone birthday for her but since I’m spending a lot on the party I can’t spend a fortune on it. I’m at a complete loss for something that will be memorable and special. Any suggestions?

    • SunnyD

      For a friend’s 30th, I asked 30 friends to send me things they like/admire/appreciate about Friend. I then compiled them and gave it to her. She loved it. I’ve also done a similar list for someone else where I came up with all 30 items.

      • Meg Murry

        This sounds nice. Do you have a lot of photos of her or your whole family, or could you get your hands on them? A “30 memories” photobook, preferably with pictures of her or the two of you from all through the years would be nice and not cost too much money from somewhere like Snapfish. Hmmm, adding to my list for my sister’s 30th coming up later this year. Might be fun also if you could find pictures of yourself, mom & grandmothers at (or around) 30 and put them all on one page with “Happy Birthday!”

    • hellskitchen

      I didn’t find any of these acceptable… at least in a cubicle (some of them might be okay if you have your own office). Some are more minor nuisance than particularly egregious but nothing struck me as “wrong” for this list. I am curious, which ones did you think were acceptable?

      • op

        I’m not a cube dweller, but if people were eating at their desks, I can’t imagine getting upset if they assembled their sandwich or put dressing on their salad there. I nearly always take my shoes off when I settle in to really concentrate on work (unless they lace/tie). People on this site make cracks about being at work and shopping online all the time. Nibbling at food all afternoon–it’s not going to jump up and bite anyone. I assume that a little peck goodbye is normal parting procedure for all couples (and will not turn into groping or obvious tongue-flicking)

        Otoh, I totally agree that whispers, “code” and people talking to themselves are annoying, and swearing is not good for business. But that’s all stuff that intervenes on your space even if you keep to yourself and can’t be avoided by staying away.

        • Anonymous

          I thought all belonged on the list. You make the sandwich in the kitchen, you kiss your husband in the lobby when you say goodbye, and you keep your shoes on! yikes

        • hellskitchen

          I agree that the assembling a sandwich example was not particularly egregious; unless the person was using particularly smelly ingredients or left sticky silverware on their desk for a long time… it’s not a major faux pas or a cubicle crime but it does send a messy image. People taking off shoes under their desk can be bothersome especially in the summer because it stinks up the place and the offender is often unaware of this. You also can’t put any air freshener gizmos in a cubicle farm because that’s considered rude so you are stuck with the smell of stinky feet

          • Anonymous

            Funny–I always thought people who brought in crispy lettuce to put on their bread without it getting soggy and had other ingredients in just the right containers to keep them just so were exceptionally neat & organized.

            As for kissing someone goodbye, I’d think you’d do it whereever you take your leave of eachother–probably before the lobby most days, but if for some reason they had to stop by your work, to pick something up or whatever, I don’t see how it’d be a big deal

    • Anonymous

      FWIW I take my shoes off under my desk and I would do it under a cube too. Also, if it’s common to eat at your desk, I don’t see what’s wrong with assembling a sandwich there. And I’m single, but if someone’s husband pecked them on the cheek, I wouldn’t be clutching my pearls.

      Jeez, guys. I know we are trying to be professional and project the “right” image at work but we are also human beings. You really want people to get up and go to the kitchen to put dressing on their salad?

      • Meg Murry

        My office doesn’t have a kitchen, just 1 foot of counter space next to the microwave – so I would rather my coworkers do sandwich assembly, pour salad dressing, etc. I think a huge part of this depends on whether you have generous cubes (ours are 8×8 or so) and no kitchen or whether your cubes are really just desks with walls like some places I’ve worked (more like a study carrel than a cube). I think this falls into the “know your office” ettiqu*tte – if you have a kitchen/ cafeteria/break room with sufficient seating and counter space, you should be doing your food prep & eating there. But if it’s an “eat at your desk because there’s no where else” office, well then, that’s what you do, and try to avoid anything too smelly. For example, the handful of times a year I bring tuna, egg salad or fish for lunch, I make a point to eat it (and dispose of the garbage) in our tiny break area. But pretty much anything else is at my desk.

        Also re:shoes – we have to wear safety shoes, so we have a “change your shoes at work” culture, so seeing people with their shoes off under their desk is not uncommon. But I (and several of my coworkers) also keep boxes of baking soda at our desks to sprinkle in shoes to stop odor before it can start.

        But please, please, please – no fingernail cutting in an open office or cube. I don’t mind a quick file if you snagged a nail – but take clippers to the bathroom or do it at home! The souund of nail clipping makes me cringe, and it echoes through the whole office. Men at my last job were especially guilty of this – so gross!

  19. nyc realtor

    Has anyone worked with Landmark Resources LLC in New York? They are on E 50th St and their website is nycapartmentsource dot com. I can’t find anything for them on Yelp or BBB but don’t know if that’s usual for smaller nyc brokers. They want us to deposit one month’s rent at the time of submitting our application – is this normal?

    • goldribbons

      No. Typically an application fee is under $200 (but I’ve never rented more than 500 sq ft).

    • Anonymous

      I don’t know about NY, but this is very common, normal and accepted in Boston. Submitting an application is also a contract to take the place if the landlord accepts you (and the one month rent is their security that that will happen) so check to see if they are also requiring that.

      • OP

        They are charging an application fee ($100) and the rent is in addition to that. I have done this with building management companies that have an office in the building and own all the apartments there but am just a bit wary of doing this with an apartment broker who doesn’t own/control all the apartments in one building. For some reason I am just feeling suspicious about this broker

    • Apple

      It all depends if there are multiple applications. If there are multiple applications. No! Don’t do it! Not typical! If you are the only applicant and as long as your credit checks out you will get the apartment then it is done to secure the apartment. It goes without saying you should do this transaction in their office, you should get contact info of the person you dealt with, and get receipts.

      • goldribbons

        +1. I think the skirt is cute and I like the length (though obviously not suit-type attire). The shorts…. well, we’ve discussed short suits before. See April 1, 2013 I believe for a comprehensive post.

    • Anonymous

      Yup. But most people can’t do shorts. My office is so so casual though, the shorts would actually be good for me since I am always being told I am over dressed. They strike me as a good balance for me of looking put together but casual. But in general, the limited isn’t just workwear. There is a lot of items you could look through and they wouldn’t be for work (or your work) so I don’t really get the point of this post.

  21. Vikki

    I’m looking for a blazer (not black) that I can wear over the various solid color silk blouses I have. In your opinion will this ALC Wedding Blue blazer go with a Vince silk navy blue blouse and an L’Agence orchid pink blouse?

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