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Tuesday’s Workwear Report: The Kelly Blazer

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A woman wearing a layered-look black-and-white blazer and black pants

Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.

I can’t get enough of this layered blazer from Favorite Daughter. Blazers are, historically, not the most exciting article of clothing for women, so I really perk up when I see something with even a hint of creativity.

Based on the reviews, it looks like it runs a bit oversized (which I think is the whole point), so just be aware to order down a size if that’s not your preference.

The blazer is $298 at Nordstrom and comes in sizes XXS–XL. It also comes in black. At Saks Fifth Avenue, it's also available in “twilight blue” and is on sale for $223.50.

If you're looking for something very similar but for a dressy, non-work occasion, this Halogen blazer (lucky sizes) offers a fun, sparkly trim and is on sale for $94.50 at Nordstrom.

Sales of note for 4/21/25:

  • Nordstrom – 5,263 new markdowns for women!
  • Ann Taylor – 25% off tops & sweaters + extra 40% off sale
  • Banana Republic Factory – 50%-70% off everything + extra 20% off
  • Boden – 10% off new womenswear styles
  • Brooks Brothers – Friends & Family Sale: 30% off sitewide
  • The Fold – 25% off selected lines
  • Eloquii – $29+ select styles + extra 40% off all sale
  • Everlane – Spring sale, up to 70% off
  • J.Crew – Spring Event: 40% off sitewide + extra 50% off sale styles + 50% swim & coverups
  • J.Crew Factory – 40%-70% off everything + extra 70% off clearance
  • Kule – Lots of sweaters up to 50% off
  • M.M.LaFleur – Earth Day Sale: Take 25% off eco-conscious fabrics. Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off
  • Madewell – Extra 30% off sale + 50% off sale jeans
  • Rothy's – Final Few: Up to 50% off last chance styles; new favorites added
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – 30% off entire purchase w/Talbots card

181 Comments

  1. What type of blazer + dress + heels combo would you wear for an emcee/speaking engagement this spring? I want to look current. It’s a group of young professional business owners. (I’ll have a handheld mic, and will be standing.)

      1. Is this good for looking current? I know we’ve seen a lot of florals in recent years, but I thought dresses and nude pumps were both less than on trend. I have not been to any speaking engagements with groups of young professional business owners however.

        1. this is not a current look. full stop. if the goal is to look current i would go with pants and blazer.

          1. Agreed. I wouldn’t blink twice at that look, but it also does not say current. Pants and blazer is perfect, and have someone take some photos of your outfit ahead of time (not posing) so you have a sense of how you’ll look in photos.

        2. I view this as a timeless look and it would not be out of place where I live. (Obviously, depending on the dress/shoes, but like the concept of the outfit is fine).

          Wild to suggest dresses, writ large, are “out.”

          1. she can wear it, no one is saying she will be “out of place” but if the goal is to look current, on trend, it’s not the most current look and like everyone is saying pants is more of the moment.

          2. It’s not dresses, it’s the wrap dress + blazer combo with nude pumps. Very outdated.

          3. I think there are far fewer truly “timeless” looks than people sometimes imply. Even something like a black dress is going to have a more current length, cut, and fabric. Same with black trousers. Even something like a pearl necklace can look more or less current depending on length and size of pearls.

            I haven’t seen any wrap dresses for a hot minute, especially not with a blazer. That doesn’t mean they’re ugly or they wouldn’t look good on someone. Just they’re not timeless or current.

          4. If floral wrap dresses aren’t on trend, why is the DVF partnership with Target so sucessful?

          5. @Winter – there were only 2 wrap dresses in the collection and both were hanging in multiple sizes at my Target on Sunday. It was more about the bold prints in different silhoue-tes than the wrap.

          7. Someone is very defensive about their wrap dresses.

            Even if they are timeless, that doesn’t meet the OP’s requirements of “current.”

            I don’t think anything is truly timeless anyway.

        3. No IMHO – this sounds like exactly what I would have worn in 2010.

          I’d go with a column of color (pants and top) with a blazer.

        4. Nice look got worship group at your church, but not for a woman who wants to look current and professional.

          OP I’d go for a pants look.

      3. This is not at all current, and a soft and/or floral print dress never ever conveys authority.

      5. Only if this event is a Junior League or held at a church or for second grade teachers.

      1. About 1/4 of my job is moderating panels. I think that’s going to look really weird in a lot of circles. I love a jumpsuit but not for that sort of occasion.You want to look like a grown up who is current.

        I’d go with a black suit and loafers. Cut of the jacket should be long.

      1. Also if you’re sitting on a raised stage it’s always more comfortable to wear pants so you don’t have to worry about whether the audience can see up your dress.

        1. I have been that audience member who could see straight up a colleague’s skirt. The audience was right at knee level, as they often are. I felt so bad for her. I have worn pants for all of my presentations since then.

        2. THIS! Drives me crazy at panels, especially those high chairs. They should at least warn women ahead of time. I learned the hard way to ask, but mostly just wore pants for panels.

    4. Depending on your shape I would do a pant suit with wide leg pans and slightly oversized blazer. If you can’t pull that look off, then I would do a wide leg pant with a “lady jacket” style jacket. Both with pointed toe heels and neutral blouse underneath. Banana Republic Factory has some nice options for the former, if your budget is limited.

        1. Really??? I have my eye on these incredibly cool Alice & Olivia floral pants but you may have just saved me $400.

      4. +1 This is a great recommendation.

        If OP really prefers a dress, I think a simple sheath under an oversized or architectural blazer looks good too.

      5. What are some examples of a “lady jacket”? This look sounds interesting but I’m not familiar with that type of jacket.

        1. This is what J Crew calls them, try googling that. But they are everywhere these days, some as jackets and some as cardigans. BA&SH in particular has some very nice version atm.

        2. It’s a Chanel-style jacket, i.e., short, often made of boucle fabric, two square pockets or four square pockets, often with pearl-ish button closures, no lapels, rounded collarless, possibly with some edge trimming. Can be a cardigan in this shape, too.

    5. I am seeing a lot of vest and pants combos and have been thinking about whether I could pull off this look.

      1. I feel like I might look like Danny DeVito (who I love, but not as a fashion icon of mine) in pants and a vest.

        1. I was looking at pictures from my high school graduation and related festivities (1993) and we’re all wearing long flowing pants and vest tops. some where full stop annie hall vests and some were longer and more flowy but that was the look and now it’s back.

      2. Definitely try sitting in it-unlike a jacket that you can unbutton, it may bunch up

      3. Love this look , think it’s sexy too. Saw one with a rounded top, showed some boob, but in a tasteful way.

    6. Banana heeled booties, a midi length dress or skirt and an oversized blazer, all in different textures – I’d go more silk/90s on the skirt. With some layered necklaces also all different textures.

      1. I would wear this to a nice dinner but not for something like a business function where you’re speaking. It doesn’t exude power and can easily look a little sloppy. The bootie and midi length looks sort of prairie dressing.

        1. Depends on the goal. I see this much more often in “big meetings” worn by senior execs than the insurance salesperson look of yesteryear.

    7. Well….dresses aren’t “in” right now, neither are dresses, blazers, and heels (and I’m of the opinion that dresses + blazers don’t really “go”–dresses are designed as a stand alone piece and many have features that are obscured or downplayed with a blazer. It often looks like one just got cold and grabbed something, unless the blazer and dress are a matching suit. In which case one looks like a 60 something politician, IMHO).

      However, I would go for a minimal midi dress, straight but not tight, in a twill or similar fabric, a slouchy oversized blazer + banana heel boots that are mid-calf or knee high (most current)

      For slightly less current, I’d go for a turtleneck dress (sleeveless) in an interesting color, perhaps with some ruching in the center, again a midi, flat ankle boots or flat knee high boots, and a knit sweater-style blazer. If heels are a “must” I’d put a block heel on the boots.

      1. Knee high boots this time of year are going to look like you didn’t have appropriate shoes.

        1. What I hate is that where I am, I’d be dressing for the weather. But so close to Easter, it just feels off. IDK what I need for this sort of season transition, but I am SO TIRED of black, including my knee-high heeled boots (also black).

          1. In previous years I always switched to pale suede boots in spring. I don’t know if that’s current though. I wear a lot of black in winter and summer, but I don’t like to wear black in the spring!

          2. 106 I think warm clothes in lighter colors is the perfect solution here. Good thinking.

    8. Keep in mind how easy it will be to get mic’d up in front of the audience if they are using a lavalier microphone. You may need the wire to pass under your shirt, clip something to a belt or lapel, etc. As emcee I would dress for the technology and the room.

    9. What kind of business owners? What is your business like? I always feel like I want to represent my own business brand when speaking…

      If your business and the audience-members businesses are conservative I’d go wide leg + lady jacket, or a one-and-done dress like the Fold.

      If your business is casual I’d consider cigarette jeans or pants, logo t-shirt, and oversized blazer. Maybe wide leg trousers + logo t-shirt, tucked.

        1. Nice look! If a dress or skirt, OP can wear a midi. Or tuck a blouse in, wear a belt. Wide or at least straight leg pants.

    10. If you want to wear a dress, look at how European royals dress for public appearances. They do power dressing and columns of color really well. I personally love how Queen Leticia dresses, but Queens Mathilde (quiet elegance) and Maxima (not quiet) are interesting too. Queen Mary’s clothes frequently look upscale business to me. (I personally don’t love England’s Kate’s style, but many obviously do.)

  2. I’m grumpy about my short hair. I feel like I have to maintain a chin-ish length bob cut due to my hair texture and inability to do much myself. Any lookbooks or inspiration?

    1. What is your hair texture? That’s the most important detail that will help you think of other ways to wear your hair.

    2. I think it’s a myth that short hair is easier, at least with longer hair you can pull it back.

      1. Co-sign as a person with oily fine limp hair that fuzzes in humidity. Unless it’s a buzz cut, it would look like a tragic cotton ball on me.

      2. Short hair + not caring how you look = much easier.

        Short hair + caring how you look = much harder.

        1. I would agree for a bob, which usually requires a blowout to look good. A good pixie cut, if it works for your hair texture and face shape, is very quick to style.

          1. If I had more time and/or money, I would get a pixie cut every six weeks. It was super flattering but I just can’t go that often.

    3. For me, the Revlon One Step is a miracle for being able to make long hair look good (I also cannot stand it long with my normal hair texture and also have no skill with doing it).

      1. I liked the Revlon I had but I just upgraded to the shark flex style and I LOVE it. If you’re debating an upgrade, go for it!!!

    4. I recently saw a hair tutorial by Mary Orton that looks really great. She doesn’t have a chin length bob but it’s probably only an inch or two longer than one. Not going to lie, it’s been stuck in my brain and makes me tempted to chop off a bunch of hair to try it. I’ll be in the corner trying to avoid said urge. Might be worth checking out. Good luck!

    5. Color is one easy way to make a statement and give it oomph you don’t have to fuss with. Depending on your industry, you could do something really bold like a neon green “money piece”, chunky 90s highlights in blonde and red (hey, go wild), or something much more subtle like an “oil slick” color where blue and purple highlights, very subtle, only show up in the sun. You could also go the whole hog and do a platinum blonde with deliberate roots–a look I think is very edgy/cool, or do a dramatic ombre (even though that’s not “in” right now, I think it looks really good on many people).

    6. I had a chin length bob for years, and now I have a just above the shoulder bob with sides swept bags, which apparently are coming back in. To be honest, I never gave up the side bangs because of my face shape. Anyway, I feel like the longer length at just above the shoulders is somewhat more current and less polish and more shaggy in a way, which is what’s happening right now.

    7. I’d had shoulder-length hair for years and years, then I watched I Care A Lot and became fixated on Rosamund Pike’s hair in that movie.* After consulting with my friends from college and my hairdresser, I got a similar cut.

      My hair is straight with a tiny bit of wave because it’s so fine and thin that it doesn’t just “lay” straight if it air dries. I don’t find the cut high maintenance except that I really have to get it cut every 8-10 weeks (I would stretch it to every three months when my hair was longer). It did take me a few tries to figure out what products to use because I’m too lazy to blow dry in the morning. Old school mousse works, as does the Living Proof volumizer cream. I do like Velcro rollers but I don’t use them that much.

      *I suspect her hair was flat-ironed in most of that movie, which is cute but I just don’t have that kind of time.

  3. I’ve shifted my short bob into the mullet zone in the past year or so–something like this: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/68745273168/ It was not a huge change, but it feels more current to me and I get loads of compliments on it.

    I have fairly fine, slightly wavy hair and an allergy to fuss and bother. I use a leave-in conditioner before drying (air-drying or blow-drying both work) and then mess it up a bit with a dab of men’s styling cream. No part–just finger combing.

    2. Ha! Why can’t we find styling cream that doesn’t smell like man? I use mens dove cream. I love that mullet!

  4. Ugh. The search committee at our synagogue just announced that the (to my sensitivities) arrogant candidate is our new rabbi and the (to my sensitivities) engaging candidate has been rejected.

    1. Clergy searches are so, so hard. I hope the new person turns out to be better than s/he seemed!

    3. I’m so sorry. Maybe he will be less arrogant once he actually settles in to the job.

  5. I know this has been asked before, but can I get recommendations for a good resort in Mexico or the Caribbean for a 3 generation family trip? The youngest kids are teens so no adult-only places. Open to all inclusives or not. No actual budget – flexible to a range of options, but would prefer someplace that’s nice over the Christmas holidays and not too hard to get to from the west coast of the US.

    1. Finest Playa Mujeres. Just got back from a trip there with young kids, it was great. I’m sure teens would like it, too.

    2. If your budget is really open, Beaches Turks and Caicos is great. We’ve done two multi-generational trips there with my parents and elementary age kids, one of which was in December, and we all really enjoyed the resort. It’s a haul from the west coast though, and the airport on Turks and Caicos is terrible even by Caribbean standards.
      If you want to avoid little kids, there are some resorts that have age limits around 10 or 12. Anse Chastanet in St. Lucia is one.
      There are oodles of all-inclusive resort options in Cancun, and it’s easy to reach (lots of non-stop flights to the airport, hotel zone is very close to the airport).

      1. We did Anse Chastanet for our honeymoon. There were some kids but I wouldn’t take my 12 year old now and I don’t think it’s fun for older kids unless they are into scuba or mountain biking.

        1. It definitely depends on the kid. It doesn’t have a big waterpark like Beaches and a lot of other resorts and you’re not likely to see that many other people under the age of 25. But there is great snorkeling and things to do like yoga and art and cooking classes. If you look on tripadvisor there are some people who wrote rave reviews about visits with tweens and teens. I would have loved it as a kid, but I wouldn’t take my own kid there.

      2. We had an amazing time at Hotel Kempinski in Cancun — not all inclusive but very self-contained and soooo relaxing.

    3. We’ve been to many resorts in Mexico/the Caribbean and our favorites are the Four Seasons – their kids club is really wonderful and they are one of the few to have a great ‘teen’ area in most of their resorts. I’d suggest Punta Mita.
      Alternately, Beaches Turks and Caicos is great but the food is just ‘good’, not great. Ditto with Baha Mar – food is just ok and expensive, but there is a lot to do.

      1. Yeah, I’m the one who recommended Beaches and I agree the food is good, but not great. But I’ve never been to an all-inclusive, no matter how expensive, with “great” food.

      1. We did a three-generation trip at Grand Velas Riviera Maya this winter, and I was really impressed. The food and service were quite good–not just good for an all-inclusive. Cannot speak to teens, but for little kids, they also really have the kid-friendly activities down.
        We were there just after the New Year and before MLK weekend, so in a slot that I imagine is a bit slower than the week of Christmas or New Years would be, so YMMV on service with more guests.

    6. Depending how many of the party are on the west coast, I would look at Hawaii over the Caribbean. We went to Hawaii in late December right after Christmas and the weather was amazing

      1. We’ve gone to Hawaii a couple times over the Christmas/NYE week. One time we had really bad weather and it put us off going back at that time of year. It’s definitely easier than the Caribbean if you’re west coast-based though.

  6. I would love your recommendations for a light coverage foundation which doesn’t immediately terribly settle into fine lines. I looked in the mirror at the end of the day and I stared at someone who looked more wrinkly than I thought I was! I am told I look young for my age generally so this was a bit of a surprise.

    I don’t use anything fancy now, but am very willing to step up my game!

    TIA!

    1. I use Charlotte Tilbury powder, which is a lot lighter than most foundations, just to even out my skin tone instead of a foundation. That said, I’ve been really into Jones Road’s products lately and they make a lightweight foundation I’d try if I wore foundation. I love their under eye pencil, cheek stain and eyeshadows.

      1. I feel like everything from them is basically tinted Vaseline. Very oily and the kind of thing that makes your hair stick to your face. I don’t understand the hype other than a really successful social media campaign. I do hear the pencils are nice tho.

    2. What you want to avoid is a long wear foundation like Estée Lauder double wear, as those tend to be very dry, and that’s what makes your skin look wrinkly. My favorite recent discovery is the Shiseido Revitalessence foundation, which is gorgeous. My longtime favorite BB cream is the Dr Jart , premium beauty balm, which you can find at Sephora and I’m not sure where else they sell it. Both are moisturizing enough that they don’t settle into fine lines, and I have plenty of those.

    3. I was having that issue and have settled on Dior Backstage, which has been serving me well. Easily blendable, and can be light to medium coverage depending on how much you apply, but it’s done well at not getting cakey over the course of a day.

    6. I just got the water fresh tint from Chanel, and I love it. It evens a bit, but doesn’t hide or exaggerate my natural texture or sink into fine lines. I have normal/oily skin and this is fine for me. I set with a light pressed powder, or a loose powder, and have some touchups with a kabuki style brush during the day where i just swirl the brush over my face without adding product to reduce shine.

      https://thebeautylookbook.com/2022/07/new-chanel-les-beiges-water-fresh-complexion-tint-and-blush.html

  7. I hate crossbody purses and the new crossbody pouches. They ruin the look of every outfit. But I’m going to Vegas and need a good option for dancing or gambling. Any recs.

    1. I have a beautiful pebbled leather sling back/fanny pack from Eileen Fisher I bought when I worked there. It’s a muted mustard, which almost acts as a kind of neutral, but it also came in black. I’ve heard decent things about the COS sling as well.

    2. Look for a “baguette” bag. Short strap so you can put it over your shoulder and keep it between your body and upper arm, freeing up your hands if need be. I would get a shiny silver Coach Penn bag if I was going to Vegas.

    3. How about a bag where you can swap the straps out; wear it crossbody for the trip and then switch to the shorter shoulder strap when you get home?

    4. I picked up this Kurt Geiger bag recently and am liking it.

      https://www.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/kurt-geiger-london-kensington-drench-small-leather-belt-bag?ID=4768233&pla_country=US&cm_mmc=Google-PLA-ADC-_-GS_Local+Only-_-All+Products-_-5045652772054-_-go_cmp-325403191_adg-23120909431_ad-80153669791_pla-296731747429_dev-c_ext-_prd-5045652772054&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5ImwBhBtEiwAFHDZx8Ma3GInOf1rJwkSLXjunSiVSFMYLES3lDjyqX_Frv_2_e5Pq2rymBoCAccQAvD_BwE

    5. I love the Longchamp Le Pilage City bag for travel. It’s a good length, holds lots of stuff, and the flap plus zipper feels more secure.

    7. I don’t really understand the question. You don’t want a strap across you for the sake of your outfit but you want your arms free for dancing and gambling. I think the answer is carrying your stuff in pockets. Or kick it old school with a wristlet.

      I’d be 100% crossbody in your shoes, but I don’t mind how they look.

    8. The old school fendi bags which go under your arm are amazing. I’ve continued with mine from the 2000s when they were last super popular.

      I would look at picking one up on one of the used sites like real real.

    9. Same, friend. I hate crossbody bags too, but also wanted one for a recent trip to Vegas. I ended up buying an inexpensive one from Target since I knew it would only be used for that weekend. They had a bunch that were less than $20. It was so convenient, honestly.

      1. I think this will be the answer! A cheaper phone bag where I can keep my ID and credit cards! I just can’t spend a lot for a bag that I don’t really like.

  8. If you travel by yourself, how do you pick when and where to go? Do you time it to events like museum or theater shows? If there are friends it would be nice to see (but not necessary) do you coordinate with them for dinner or brunch before or after you make travel plans? (How much do you worry about safety?)

    1. I mean you’ve just described the beauty of traveling alone, you get to go and do whatever you want wherever you want. The answers to your questions are all the place based on my mood. I’m married now but still take extended business trips, girls trips and solo trips. I’m extroverted so I’m more likely to go see friends but occasionally a spa weekend is nice too. Safety doesn’t cross my mind but I live in a major city and am generally street smart.

      1. This. I grew up in a large family so individual preferences weren’t a factor. Traveling alone helped me get in touch with my own preferences and focus on myself. I wasn’t feeling well one night in Argentina and just stayed in the hotel room. If I was traveling with someone, I probably would have had to suck it up.

    2. I go to places that I’m interested in visiting, for whatever reason. I’ve gone to London for specific museum exhibits, Newark, New Jersey for an event at the Performing Arts Center there (Ancient Aliens Live!), and to Japan just because I was curious about it and had the time and money to go.

      I pay attention to safety concerns, but have found as I get older that unwanted attention from men is no longer much of an issue, and I am not into the type of nightlife that can potentially get you into trouble (drugged drinks, scams, etc.).

      I LOVE solo travel, and am starting up a little advisory service to help women plan and enjoy solo trips – it’s a great way to recharge when you’re burnt out from meeting the demands of jobs, family, etc. and need to refocus on yourself.

    3. So most of my solo travel is tacked onto business trips. Generally I contact my friends in an area ahead of the trip to see if they’ll be around when I’m there. I usually suggest meeting for a drink, dinner would be nice but sometimes that’s a big commitment for a weekday commuter.

      Things I do when traveling alone – go to a show (TKTS in NYC for same day single seats is great), go to a great restaurant, sometimes shopping. If I have hours, I always try to hit up a major museum. I like to walk all over but not necessarily late at night.

      I haven’t traveled for specific shows or events but I would do that if it were really something important to me.

    4. For domestic trips, it’s normal a weekend added on to a business trip so the dates are based on the business need for the trip. If I have a friend in the area, I’ll reach out to see if they are available for lunch or dinner. Then I look for shows or other events that are available during those days.

      For pure vacation trips, which are mostly international, the dates will be based on what fits with my work schedule and what is a good time of year to visit that destination. If I have some must see sites, I’ll make sure they are open those days. I’ve never booked a trip based on a specific show or art exhibit, but if you want to, you should do so.

    5. I pick a time that works for me? If I know anyone there I guess I’d try to see them but wouldn’t plan around it. I don’t worry much about safety I think it’s pretty obvious that like Sudan is a no and all of Europe is fine.

    6. I have a list of trips I’d like to take, and an approximate idea of how long each trip would take (i.e. a list of long weekend spots, week-long trips, 10 day trips, 2+ week trips). I then pick based on how much time I have available to take off at a given time of year. Since I’m going solo, it’s ideal if I can take trips during non-school break times so places are less crowded. If I can tack onto a work trip great, but often that doesnt end up working out. If there’s friends I’d like to see, I let them know the dates after I book the trip and see if we can work something out. I don’t worry too much about safety, but also am not interested in going to unsafe cities generally.

    7. Yeah, I’ve timed for events I definitely want to see. But more like, I have a week in this month, which week should I go? I look up beforehand if there are any interesting shows I’d like to see, or if attractions I want to visit need tickets and plan out some stuff, but the joy of traveling alone is getting to do whatever the spirit moves you to do! I just did a week long vacation by myself and I made plans/reservations/bought tickets for a ski lesson, a fancy dinner, a sporting event, and a concert ahead of time and vaguely planned out when I was going to go to museums based on the days they were open.

    8. I only plan around friends and events if they’re relevant to the trip. For example if I’m traveling specifically to see a friend, or specifically to attend a sports championship. Otherwise I just pick dates that would work for me and for the destination, eg no work deadlines, dry season, no monsoon etc. and destinations that are of interest to me, within my budget and time frame, and are safe by my personal standards.

    9. I typically think about where I want to go that year. Sometimes I just base it on a good airfare. I usually decide on any places or things to see/do after I decide where I want to go. I am almost never in places where I have friends already so that’s not an issue. And I don’t worry much more about safety than I do here. I just take normal precautions.

  9. I am starting to get some deep lines between my nostrils and the outer corners of my mouth. I think they are called marionette lines sometimes? And some sagging (sort of like a bulldog). Is there anything that a cosmetic dermatologist can do for this? I don’t want fillers (to me, they make people look oddly puffy) or those things that looks like fishing line that they use for a mini-lower-facelift. I just have had big cheeks and dimples and now they just look old and deflated.

    1. Years ago, I did Thermage for jowls that were starting to form. I had a good result. I’m not sure if it’s still offered or what the next-generation version of it is.

    2. Ask a dermatologist (an actual MD) about Juvederm or similar. It feels a little creepy going in the first time you do it (not painful), and it works very well.

    3. They use filler to fix these lines by filling the apple of the cheek. That pull the lines up and away. You can get the idea by looking in the mirror and gently pulling the apples of your cheek upwards until the lines are. Definitely have this done by a Dr.

    4. For fillers you don’t have to go for the full on “make my lines disappear but I look weird”. A skilled practitioner can use just a little filler to soften the lines.

    5. I think you probably want the things you say you don’t want, you just want them done well!

      1. +1
        a lot of people in my life talk sh!t about filler to me because they don’t know I have it but I have like 5 syringes in my face as we speak. the place I go is amazing and i just do it when my partner is out of town and he has no idea.

        You could also look into Sculptra but I haven’t tried it yet.

        1. My concern with fillers is longevity over time. I’ve heard they can settle oddly or become less effective over years (we’re only getting older right). What’s been your experience so far?

          1. I’m a little worried about that too. I’m considering it in some hollows/creases but I don’t want to have an obvious bump or mound, especially when I move my face.

          2. I haven’t had any migration but I know that’s a risk. I had my under eyes done in 2019 and they still look better now than they did before. Cheek and lips seems to dissolve quickly on me.

    6. I think you are referring to nasolabial folds, from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth. Marionette lines are from the corners of the mouth down towards the chin, similar to the hinged jaw of a marionette puppet.

  10. Looking for personal experiences with Fraxel laser for sunspot removal (both cheeks) and taking care of my acne scarring from my 20s-30s. Had consultation with cosmetic derm who would perform the procedure (not technicians). Curious about recovery (like, is it really possible to work, exercise, etc.) during the 7-10 days? And did you need 1 or 2+ treatments? I’m also okay hearing about complications. I am trying to get a sense of what is possible between now and the start of summer, knowing that I will leave for vacation at the end of June, or waiting until October/November when the sun disappears for most days in my northeast US city.

    1. I just got my first and love it! I got it Tuesday mid day and was pretty normal by Saturday. I worked out on Wednesday. I worked from home Wednesday and Thursday and then went to the office with makeup on Friday. I think it’s totally worth it.

    2. It really seems to have helped my acne scars, btw. I will probably get another hoping the second one will finish the job. My skin is also fresher and softer and my dark spots are much better (although I have a few that are totally stubborn and have resisted all lasers, so improvement on those is about all I can hope for, and the fraxel improved them the most of any I’ve tried).

    3. I have had Clear and Brilliant (called “baby fraxel” sometimes) and I would definitely recommend waiting until winter. Even with this less intense laser, my skin was very sensitive to sun afterwards. I am extremely fair though, so YMMV.

    4. I had an IPL treatment a few years ago and it was amazing, but I definitely had crazy looking skin with dark spots for a about 10 days after the treatment.

      1. Fraxel is different. It creates an injury in the skin which collagen should then rush to in order to repair the skin.

        I’ve had IPL and V beam laser for redness and a few tiny brown spots. Fraxel is different. I had it in one spot after a facial injury and the plastic surgeon who was helping with the injury gave me a few treatments to try to help the scar heal nicely. It re-injured me, but not as deeply as the original injury. So there was down time, but the area looks pretty good, if not perfect.

    5. Curious to the posters…. is this type of treatment a spot treatment? Or do they do your whole cheeks/face/whatever?

      1. Thanks for all the comments so far.
        This isn’t a spot treatment… they’ll do both cheeks in their entirety (just cheeks not nose or chin or forehead, not needed for me)

  11. Help me sock shop for my mother (surely a thrilling addition to everyone’s Tuesdays)? She has some specific preferences and I want to try to surprise her for Mother’s Day.

    Things she needs/wants:
    -No crew socks and no ankle socks, as she feels better when her socks are high up enough to help with circulation (she doesn’t need compression socks all the time, but they wouldn’t hurt)
    -Thin enough to fit in her work shoes (she wears dansko clogs since she’s a teacher and on her feet all day)
    -Natural fibers
    -Cute fair-isle type patterns a bonus

    Any recs?

    1. Darn Tough may have some options that match all of these. Love their socks and the company in general!

    3. Ugh, turns out the Feetures are nylon, not wool.

      How about Bombas knee high socks, which are 77% wool?

    7. This is a job for Bombas! Several merino wool blend options available in the knee high category, and lots of cotton too. Looks like their merino wool compression socks have limited colors available right now, but my husband wears them regularly for a job with a lot of standing and loves them.

      1. Bombas might be a winner! Thank you so much, hive, this is exactly what she needs!

    9. Sockwell makes compression knee highs in great patterns and colors. I have a drawerful. They’re thin enough to fit in all my shoes. I don’t regularly wear clogs except as slippers, and they definitely fit in those.

      1. Strong cosign! I really love Sockwell compression socks and have a bunch. The Bombas ones are good too, but I think a little more cushioned, and I prefer the thinner foot area of the Sockwells.

    10. I almost exclusively wear the Smartwool snowflake pattern socks in cold weather. They’re the thickness of an old school tube sock, so warm but not too thick.

  13. Is there required maintenance for hardwood floors? I have wood floors throughout my house that are about 10 years old, and there are some chips/wear and tear on some of the panels in really high traffic parts of the house. So I’m trying to figure out 1) is there maintenance I am supposed to be doing and 2) can you repair chipping on the finish and other damage or just replace some of the panels without having to replace all the floors?

    2. A lot of this depends on whether they are engineered vs. solid wood, and whether they were site-finished or pre-finished. If they are site-finished solid wood, 10 years means they are probably due to be refinished. Sometimes, they can be refinished without sanding, but ours always needed to be sanded, maybe because we are really hard on our floors. If they are engineered and/or pre-finished, the answer to all of your questions is “it depends,” and I would consult a floor guy in your area.

      1. I disagree on refinishing every 10 years. You lose some of the wood every time you sand your floors and you get to the point that it’s too thin & the nails are too close to the surface to have another sand. Old house w/ original oak wood floors here.

        1. Same. I would not consider refinishing my floors unless we were like 30+ years in and they were a total disaster, and all kids and pets were out of the home. It is a massive project because of the dust it throws off (would want to empty the house TBH) and then the need to stay out while the stain and poly/finish coat settle. Maybe a week or two of work/waiting, but the logistics… oh my god, so bad. There’s a reason floors are usually re-done between owners. Sure, my 10-year old floors are showing wear, but it’s part of my houses’ character.

          I have no regular maintenance apart from typical cleaning. I fill in large dings with a matching Minwax waxy crayon thing as needed, and also make sure my furniture has sliding pad thingys on them to prevent scratching. Apart from that, we just live on them.

          I’ve never had my floors “flake”… are yours engineered? FWIW, my house is 100% true, site-finished solid wood but for bathrooms so that’s the lens I’m speaking through here.

    3. We’ve never done anything to ours. I asked a general contractor about it and he said it’s not necessary for high quality wood floors.

    4. I currently live in the family home, where my parents lived for 50yrs. We were a shoes off house. The hardwood floors are gorgeous and have never been refinished. We buffed the floors with our socks for decades and it shows!

      I don’t know anyone from my generation that re-does their floors routinely.
      Gentle wood cleansers.

  14. I am in my 40s and need to start doing weight-bearing exercise. I do 150 min of running a week, but my doctor recommended weight-bearing exercise to prevent osteoporosis as I/m entering perimenopause.

    Please share your favorite Youtube or other free resources. I’ve previously done HIIT and Yoga when it was free on Downdog.

    2. Running is weight-bearing! It is actually really good for bone building as it is high impact.

      1. But if you want strength training, try Fitness Blender’s older, free videos. You can filter by type on their website.

    4. Elliptical

      Running is too rough on my joints especially now that I’m in perimenopause.

    5. Nourish Move Love on youtube has a lot of awesome strength training workouts of varying lengths. My physical therapist recommended it to me.

  15. Has anyone tried Gekks socks? Worth trying? do they stay on? Pretty expensive for socks, but i’m willing to pay for a pair if they actually stay on my foot when walking

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