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For 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 obsessed with the little seam details on this Halogen suit, which I think makes it look a lot more expensive than the price. The teeny tiny checkered pattern curves around with inset side seams on the blazer and angled panels on the skirt — the whole effect is streamlined and tailored. Love. The jacket (Halogen® Seam Detail Suit Jacket) is $148, the skirt (Halogen® Seam Detail Suit Skirt) is $79, and the pants (Halogen® ‘Taylor' Suiting Pants) are $88. The suit comes in sizes 0-16, as well as petites and plus sizes.
Sales of note for 9.10.24
- Nordstrom – Summer Sale, save up to 60%
- Ann Taylor – 30% off your purchase
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- Bergdorf Goodman – Save up to 40% on new markdowns
- Boden – 15% off new styles
- Eloquii – $29 and up select styles; up to 50% off everything else
- J.Crew – Up to 50% off wear-to-work styles; extra 30% off sale styles
- J.Crew Factory – 40-60% off everything; extra 60% off clearance
- Lo & Sons – Warehouse sale, up to 70% off
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – BOGO 50% everything, includes markdowns
- White House Black Market – 30% off new arrivals
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And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!
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- The oldest daughter is America's social safety net — change my mind…
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Anon
I need some advice ladies. Lately (over the last year or so), I’ve become privy to more details about my parents’ relationship. Nothing overly bad but I’m starting to see how much my mom puts up with and how inconsiderate and selfish my dad can be. My mom never complains but I can see it wearing on her.
I know it’s none of my business and I need to stay out of it, but it’s affecting the way I see my dad and our relationship because I have a hard time laughing at his jokes or listening to his venting when I see how hard it all is on my mom. I guess I’m asking how to fix my reaction to this? I want this to stay between the two of them but I feel bad for my mom and find myself going out of my way to visit her or speak to her but not wanting to do the same for my dad.
platinomad
Growing up, my dad was always the fun parent to me. My mom did most of the disciplinary stuff, and as I got into high school/college, he was the one that wanted to stay at family parties, let me have a couple beers, who I connected with more. But as I have become an adult and experienced my own relationships, there are a lot of things I have realized about my parents relationship that I would never be comfortable with or want to replicate. Much of those are things my father does (or doesnt do) that I think are selfish, inconsiderate, or just plain old fashioned/maybe sexist. It impacted my view of my dad for quite awhile. I have been trying to enjoy what I enjoy about both of them, and feel lucky to have had a pleasant upbringing where my parents got along well enough that none of these things really came to my attention until I was older. So, no answers, but my best method has been to enjoy what I enjoy about both of my parents as individuals rather than viewing their relationship as central to my view of them as people. Everyone has problems, and no relationship is perfect.
Sacha
Honestly, I feel this way about nearly every relationship of 10+ years that I observe as an outsider. But I don’t always conclude that the relationship should end. I would take any opening you see to address it with your mother when you two are together. And perhaps stick up for her when you see it happening when you’re all together. I’ve started doing that with my parents when I think one of them is out of line. I think it can be helpful for them to get an outsider’s perspective, because frankly I think they can be downright disrespectful of each other at times, and I’m not going to just sit there silently and watch it. In fact, sometimes I think they do it because I’m there, and I’m really not going to stand for that.
kc
I think something to consider is that no one goes on within a relationship besides the two people in it. Yes, I think sometimes it’s helpful to get an outsiders perspective but frankly it’s none of your business. We had a similar problem with my parents 2 years ago when my mom was being really disrespectful and outright mean to my father on a regular basis. We think it was due to her own unhappiness (your partner is NOT responsible for 100% of your happiness). It all came to a head when they had a very bad argument in front of my sister, and my sister finally talked to my mother about it. That argument was her “in”, but otherwise we wouldn’t have intervened because they are 2 adults who can address their own relationship problems. Plus, you don’t know that your mom is a saint. Stick up for her and don’t go along with jokes made at her expense, but I would not have a relationship intervention over this.
Sacha
To the extent my comment was interpreted as suggesting an intervention, that is not what I meant at all. But if my mother is belittling my father because he used the wrong fork, in a way that suggests he is worthless as a human being (true story), I’m going to stick up for him and suggest my mother is being inappropriate/hurtful. (Same when he yells at her for tripping on the sidewalk.) I’m not going to bring dinner to a full stop and discuss their relationship in a macro way, though.
Life is Dynamic
If you think it’s appropriate, you might consider saying to your mom that you love her and would support her no matter what her life choices are. I can’t really tell how old you or your parents are, but I’m guessing that she is no older than her 60s. If so, then she still has a long, long life ahead of her. She may be thinking that she would rather spend it without your dad, and she may be wondering what that would do to you. It might ease her mind if she knew that you would support her in that decision.
January
Maybe suggest to your dad that you don’t want to hear his venting (especially if it’s about your mom)? Like other posters, I think long marriages can be hard to understand, but I don’t think you should be your parents’ sounding board for their frustrations with each other.
Anon for this
+ 1 – I have been in this exact situation with my parents, my mum being the one venting constantly. Like you I feel bad about some of the things she has had to go through and I’m also not sure that I would put up with them. I think you have to accept that while there are things about their relationship you are privy to, there is alot you may not understand. It’s not possible to know everything that goes on in a relationship especially the dynamics of decades long marriage. If your dad’s venting is unpleasant for you, let him know. At least he will know that being rude or mean to her is not okay with you. Try to be equally supportive of both of them. After going through a lot of heartache, I learned that with some things you have to let go, you can’t fix them.
hoola hoopa
Oooh… I like this a lot. I rarely need to wear a suit so I only have one at a time, and mine could stand to be updated.
anon
I also like this a lot. Like Halogen in general.
emeralds
I don’t need another suit but I’m considering the skirt as a stand-alone! The detailing at the waist is super-pretty and interesting, without being too in-your-face to fit into my work wardrobe.
Wildkitten
TWO BUTTONS! Be still my heart.
Parfait
I like it too. and I *never* need a suit and don’t own one. But this looks like it would fit the bill nicely for that “oh crap an interview!” moment.
NYCConsultant
I have been dating someone for about 5 months now. We got serious very quickly, we clicked physically and mentally incredibly well, and things just developed very fast. We were overwhelmingly passionate and excited about each other for the first four months. Over the past few weeks, I began to feel differently. I started feeling distant and disengaged. I talked to him about it, and he said he noticed something seemed off. He said he was glad I brought it up, and he wasn’t sure what was going on either. I am going out of town for about a week, so we said we would think about it and talk when I get back. I’m feeling really odd about the whole thing, how and why my feelings changed, and since it has been such a short relationship maybe it’s just best to end things. He’s a really good person, but this sense of down swing just feels like it’s time to move on. There are some inherent issues between us, primarily that I am much farther along with my career and perhaps maturity than he is, but it didn’t seem to matter before.
Generally, I’m just sort of down about. I guess more on myself and my relationship decision making. I’m also at a point where I have been telling myself I want something serious, but this makes me think I’m not really as ready as I thought. Finding people to date seems to come easily, but finding people I want to stay with doesn’t. I’m not sure if I’m looking for advice, stories, or commiseration.
tesyaa
Isn’t it possible that this is just a normal cooling off from what has been a massively intense beginning of a relationship? Realistically there’s no way that level of intensity can be maintained.
Anonymous
What part of ending a relationship that isn’t working is incompatible with wanting something serious for you?
Seems to me like you had an awesome honeymoon period and when the lust cloud lifted realized you weren’t well suited. That’s actually the entire purpose of dating.
Ellen
Yay, Kat! I love Halogen suits and am goeing to show the manageing partner, b/c I just gave away a lot of my clothe’s to NY Care’s and the Salavation Army so I need to restock soon and this is a VERY nice suit at a good price, and I am a great shopper!
Anyway, as for the OP, I think I agree with tesyaa, who is VERY smart. And, yes you are smart to cool off a bit, especialy once you have stopped to smell the roses, you can see that maybe all is not so perfect, but then again, when you step back, you may find that thing’s ARE good with this guy after all. It is good that you are comeing up for air and takeing a fresh look at thing’s! It has alway’s been my experience NOT to let a guy in to quickly b/c once you do, there is NO mystery and he take’s advantage once he has had you emotionaly and sexueally, but NO matter in your case b/c you have already had sex. The key here is to REFLECT–is this guy worth your energy and your emotion’s? If the answer is yes, that is great, and if not, that is great to because it is best you find this out b/f you get in to deepeley.
I have also learned that most men are NOT trustworthy, in that they will say/do anything to get into your good graces — one guy even said he loved my dad when I later found out he did NOT and dad did NOT even think he was worthy of me. Unfortuneatley, I had already done sexueal stuff w/him (but NOT sex), so I kind of felt used that I went that far with him. Thank GOD I did NOT let dad know what I had done with him, b/c he turned out to be a doosh. I suppose that is all part of growing up, and I was onley a college senior then. FOOEY on men that deceive us and then walk away after we have done sexueal things for them. DOUBEL FOOEY!
First Year Anon
I think it could be either two options described by the posters above: 1) it’s a natural cooling off period and you will get through it or 2) you realized you aren’t compatible.
I don’t think I’d throw in the towel just yet. It’s impossible, and quite frankly I don’t think it’s very healthy, to be that infatuated with someone forever. Sounds like you need to give it some more time (a month? I’m not sure) before you make a decision.
I also think your comment about not being able to commit is telling. I feel like I may be the same way-when you’re used to short, fun relationships, something more comfortable and ‘boring’ may feel foreign or unnatural. But if you truly want a long term relationship, that is how it will feel the longer you’re with each other.
Brit
I went through the same thing with my most recent ex. We got into it very quickly, felt very serious about it, talking futures, babies, everything. There were some little niggles around the 4-5 month mark, but I let them go, realizing that it was still early and that, yes, the honeymoon period was coming to an end. But the niggles got a little more frequent and there were other things that came up in conversations and we broke up right after the one year mark.
I agree with everyone above that you should probably wait a little longer, see if things balance out, but if other things keep coming up, don’t ignore them. Definitely keep talking them out and then see how you feel.
Bonnie
DC Meetup today at 6 at Vapiano’s in Chinatown. I will have a sign and will try to grab a table. Email me at dccorpore##e at yahoo dot com if you plan on coming or for a clothing description!
YouSaucyMinx
I really like this suit, and for my PR field, this could be a nice interview suit as well.
LilyStudent
I have a fairly basic question about how to wear sweaters as tops.
Okay, so I’ve only ever worn sweaters as over-layers, with a shirt underneath that’s good on its own. I understand that that’s not how most ‘fine knitwear’ type sweaters are designed to be worn. So… how do you wear them? I feel incredibly silly having to ask this. Do you put a camisole or a tank on underneath, or a very basic thin layering shirt? Or just b r a then sweater? And if so does that not hugely increase the amount of times you need to wash it? (I’m not the biggest fan of handwashing despite being a knitter…)
tesyaa
I usually wear a sleeveless cami and I pretty much figure on washing any sweater I’m wearing next to my skin, even with a cami. I’ll skip the cami if the sweater is thick enough and long enough.
tesyaa
I’ll add that probably 75% of my sweaters are machine washable so that makes it easier.
Zelda
I usually wear a lightweight shirt underneath (long or short sleeves) so that I don’t have to wash every single time. Uniqlo heat tech shirts and any type of tissue tee work best. I prefer long sleeves because they create a smoother line.
hoola hoopa
I wear a cami underneath, for comfort rather than cleaning concerns because I’m personally much more likely to spill something on myself than get smelly or sweaty.
If I wear a thin, fitted t-shirt, it’s just for warmth.
If it makes you feel better, I’ve never felt confident with my ability to wear a sweater over a button-down.
kc
I wear a cami/tank, if it’s cold I’ll wear a very thin v neck tee-shirt (so it doesn’t show underneath the sweater). if you get cold, I would suggest silk long johns as they’ll wick the sweat. You can also buy silk tanks which is what my mom wears. I usually clean my sweaters after 2-3 wears and air them out in between.
Gail the Goldfish
I wear the Uniqlo heattech or airism tops under them so I don’t have to wash as frequently. They’re thin and work well as an undershirt.
Lynnet
I usually wear a cami or tank underneath and wash every 4-6 wears (earlier if necessary). I really hate handwashing, and usually let my sweaters pile up and do them all at once. Since I rarely do that more than once or twice a year, My sweater wearing decreases over time…
Anonymous
No, no, no. No cami, no tshirt, nothing. Just a bra and a sweater. I only wear Vince sweaters, they are divine.
Monte
Agreed. I only wear camisoles if my sweater is lower cut in front than I would like for work. Otherwise, just the bra and sweater, I wash my sweaters in the machine on delicate, but not after every wear — depends on the sweater and the use.
anon
I wear a lot of J Crew Tippi sweaters, which are a superfine merino knit and I love them. I wear them with thin t-shirts with low- and wide-cut necks because I don’t like to wash often (I machine dry on the wool cycle, but still). I come home and air them out for a day before putting them away. I wash them after maybe 5-6 wears? Maybe less than that…they’re wool, they get aired out, I am not excessively sweaty and I don’t wear fragrances so I am fine with that.
houda
I’m currently wearing a fine sweater with a lightweight t-shirt.
When it is colder, my under layer is usually the heat tech line by uniqlo as I feel it helps keep me warm without adding bulk.
I rarely wear camis under because my main objective is to avoid deodorant/sweat stains.
Hollis Doyle
What is the winter equivalent of ballet flats? I work in a casual environment where I can wear jeans every day. Problem is, I can’t figure out how to wear my jeans that are the appropriate length for flats when there is snow on the ground. Other than flat boots over skinny jeans, what are my options?
ITDS
Booties? Assuming that “appropriate length for flats” means around the ankle, booties can look very cute.
AIMS
Booties.
hoola hoopa
Back in the heyday of bootcut and flared jeans, I’d wear loafers with socks.
With skinny jeans, I wear commuting shoes and change at the office.
houda
I switch to booties. Right now wearing some very comfortable ones by aerosoles. I have worn them with jeans and with skirts (same as you would do with flats)
Omaha?
Does anyone have any experience living in / travelling to Omaha, NE? We have been invited to a wedding there in late March, and I am concerned that we’ll wind up spending 2 night sleeping on the airport floor in a blizzard to get to or from the wedding of a couple (cousin of my husband) who could not pick us out of a lineup. Am I over-reacting? How is the weather there in late March?
anon
No advice on Omaha, but I’m a huge proponent of simply not going to weddings you don’t want to go to. And it sounds like you’re not pumped about this one, which is entirely ok.
tesyaa
But, but maybe her husband wants to go to his cousin’s wedding.
anon
sure, maybe. doesn’t seem like they’re particularly close, though. See “couldn’t pick us out of a line up.”
Anonymous
Omaha spring weather varies highly. It could be a blizzard, or it could be 65 and gorgeous. The chances of a blizzard are pretty low though–more than likely, it will be in the high 40s to low 50s and windy. I grew up there and wouldn’t say it’s the most exciting place ever to go for a wedding, but it’s also not going to be miserable. You’ll find fun things to do :) Go to the zoo, and spend time in the Old Market and Dundee areas if you want to avoid the chain restaurants and strip malls that proliferate the Omaha area.
ETA: If you/hubby are runners, I love the Wabash Trace Nature Trail just over the border in Council Bluffs, IA when I go home. It’s a 60+ mile former rail line converted to a soft surface trail. It might be muddy that time of year, but if not, it’s a great, peaceful run–I usually start at the trailhead near a middle school and just do an out & back route. Bring your own water.
Anonymous
No experience in Omaha, but grew up in Minnesota which is significantly further North. Although we have been known to get snow in March, it’s unlikely to be a huge amount. And frankly, people are just use to snow in those areas so they know how to deal with the standard amount. I expect that omaha is similar. Unless there is a freak snowstrom, you should be fine.
But if you don’t want to go, don’t go. No reason to go to ever single wedding that you are invited to
Mpls
You’re kidding, right? March is usually one of the snowiest months of the year in MN, because its gotten warm enough again to actually snow. The redeeming grace is that it *usually* melts quickly.
As to Omaha – you’ll probably be fine, though I would pack a cold option and a spring option. It’s unlikely to blizzard (white-out conditions), if there is snow, its more likely to be the wet heavy stuff – spring snow. Either way, the locals should know how to deal with it pretty well.
ETA: Well, maybe not the snowiest, but at least on para with Dec and Jan totals.
Omaha?
Thanks all – this is helpful. Husband wants to see his family, who are far flung and don’t gather often. I’m glad to hear that my Mid-Atlantic based impression that Omaha is under a continual blizzard from Halloween through Memorial Day is false!
anon a mouse
several years ago, I went to a wedding in Omaha. Wasn’t that excited to go, but they were DH’s friends and it was important to him. It was so much fun – we had a great time in the Old Market and overall, the town was much lovelier (and the people nicer!) than I expected.
Moonstone
You can check the weather in Omaha on the date of the wedding back to 1960 here:
http://www.almanac.com/weather/history/NE/Omaha/2014-03-21
And that’s the facts, Jack.
Mountain Girl
I went to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln which isn’t Omaha but close. March weather could be a blizzard but that would be rare (but possible so don’t discount that entirely). It could also be 70 degrees. It could also be both in the same weekend. It just varies widely that time of year.
Forbes named Omaha as one of the top 15 cities for young professionals recently. And, while you don’t necessarily think of Omaha as being a hip and trendy city I would bet with all of the young professionals and technology companies that call Omaha home you might be surprised what Omaha can offer for entertainment.
Scout
Omaha in late March is generally very slushy. I wouldn’t worry about a blizzard that deters your travels.
The public transportation system isn’t good so I’d figure out if you want to rent a car while you’re there just to get around of if you’re just going to cab it around and stay around the hotel.
I’d hit up the Henry Doorly Zoo if I had some time or Upstream brewery in the Old Market area. Maybe my northern Midwestern bias- but I don’t think Omaha really gets all the cold!
Lady Tetra
How do you all organize and decide on your charity giving — who to donate to and how much to donate? This will be my first year with money left over after paying off bills/debts/maxing 401(k), etc.
AMB
I have over time developed a list of charities to which give by their impacting on those around me or in working on issues close to my heart, do some research on what they may use my money for and then divide the total amount I determine I will spend on charities according to their relative importance to me. I also take into account their size – ie. I sometimes will give a big group less than the small local organization, where my gift may have a bigger impact. I usually do this every year around Christmas – it seems appropriate to give to others during such a commercial season.
Senior Attorney
I have an annual budget for giving just like I have an annual budget for everything else. I like to spread it around — some international, some national, some local. There are various websites that rank charities in terms of effectiveness and efficiency that can help you avoid giving your money to organizations that are going to use 90% of it to pay the salary of the CEO, for example, although I find those websites’ priorities may not always be the same as mine.
I am very interested in the arts, so I give to a local arts organization. Sponsor a child in a country I visited a while back and to which I felt a deep connection. Veterans’ causes because my son is in the military. Some of it is paid in monthly amounts to the organization, some of it is paid annually not at the end of the year (and I save up for that one monthly), some of it is paid as various miscellaneous charitable opportunities come up during the year, and if there’s anything left in the “charity” fund at the end of the year I distribute it where my heart tells me to distribute it.
That may not have been very helpful, but that’s what I do.
Anon
I have not donated much for the past few years. But this year I can make a small donation again. So I am participating in my office charity program. The contributions that I am making are very small, so I don’t think I am actually really donating. I got a bag full of groceries for food drive (say roughly 50$), I donated stuff for care package for soldiers overseas (roughly 50$) and I am participating in adopting a family for Christmas for which I will be giving $100 target gift card so that they can buy something from there.
I am from India and I am a Hindu. So most of my donations were through temples/religious organizations in India which also run many schools/hospitals/orphanages and other social welfare programs. My mother was a teacher and I used to give her some money to take care of bright but poor students expenses (like say for 5 students). This year, I will be India and I plan to donate around $250 for these organizations.
Edit: The main criteria is that the beneficiaries should get most of the donations . So I chose to gift goods over money or did it through my mother in case of school children.
bananagram
I have a budget for donating, like Senior Attorney. It’s 1% of my w2 income (I don’t count gains in my savings). While it could definitely be more it’s most important to me to save for retirement now. I donate to two educational charities. I could probably relieve more human suffering per dollar if I donated to fund clean water in third world countries, but while that’s a very worthy mission, I feel much more comfortable donating to organizations with which I have personal ties and clearly understand many (although not all) of the issues involved.
Paris NYE
Re-posting from this morning’s thread in hopes of getting some replies :)
I’m going to be in Paris for New Year’s Eve this year with my family (yay!!). We’re going to be in Paris the whole week and have lots of sightseeing and dining planned, but we’re still trying to figure out what to do for New Year’s Eve itself (and we figure we would have to make reservations pretty soon). Does anyone have any ideas? We’re a mix of late 20’s/early 30’s and 60’s/70’s, no kids. We all love good food and drinks, although the older crowd might not be up for a loud/crazy evening. To the extent it matters, we have one fluent French speaker and the rest of us only know a few words here and there. Also open to suggestions for places to go/things to do during the rest of the week! TIA.
Anon in NYC
For casual food, try L’As du Fallafel in the Marais district.
Also check out Rue Cler in the 7th eme – it’s an easy walk to/from the Eiffel Tower. It’s a cobblestone street with a crepe stand, fruit markets, a cheese shop, and a restaurant or two.
Chez Omar is delicious (couscous), and is close to the Bastille and the Promenade Plantee (the original Highline). I’m not sure how much you’ll want to walk around an elevated outdoor garden in January, but it’s a neat section of Paris.
As for NYE, I don’t have any ideas, but are you using a travel agent? They might have some recommendations.
Joanne
I trust your opinion that this is a great suit, but the photograph is very unflattering. There is so much puckering and wrinkles on the jacket. The pants are pulling across the crotch, and even the skirt has puckers. If it doesn’t look good on the model, I don’t see how it could flatter regular women.
tesyaa
I noticed the puckering too.
RR
Is that puckering? I thought it was just that the model was standing with her leg forward in both photos?
If it is puckering, it’s likely a size issue that regular women could fix, right?
anon
To me this looks like a fabric issue mixed with the stance of the leg – but I see it in the blazer, too, which is unaffected by the stance of the leg.
I also don’t think this model looks so unrealistic that she can’t be called a ‘regular’ woman, but perhaps I’m projecting.
RR
I should have put regular in quotation marks. I didn’t mean to imply that this model didn’t look “regular.”
Lorelai Gilmore
I tried on this suit (or a very close cousin to it) the last time I was at Nordstrom. The puckering is an issue in person and while it may be related to sizing, I think it’s also partly a construction issue. I was so disappointed because I really wanted it to work, but it looked really frumpy on.
Joanne
It looks very frumpy on the model. It’s primarily the jacket. All the puckering looks cheap and poorly tailored.
Good book on aging?
Can anyone rec a good book (or other source) to read about women and aging? I’m almost 40 and starting to notice dry skin and less flexibility, which my mom tells me are the Beginning of the End. (Aging, not menopause.) I’d like to understand better what else is going on and make the most of limited time to fight/correct what I can. Hope that makes sense… Thanks in advance!
Lorelai Gilmore
Friends of mine are big fans of the Hormone Cure by Sara Gottfried.
Anonymous
so….. any advice on boosting libido? We’ve only done it once in the last 2 months because I’m just not interested- probably a combination of my grandmother dying and being busy and frustrated with work, but I want to be interested, and DH has been very patient and kind and I feel like he deserves better. Advice?
Parfait
I think that in a committed relationship we sometimes do things to keep our partners happy, even if that isn’t the thing we want ourselves right that second. For example, I am always the first one up and so I always make a pot of coffee, even if I’m having tea that day, because my sweetie is always so grateful, and I love him and I want him to be happy.
Same with s*x, I might very much rather just go to sleep right this minute, but it doesn’t put me out that much to accommodate him when I am able to. Plus I am often a lot more interested once we get started. Plus the more we do it, the less fraught it is when we DON’T do it.