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Thursday’s TPS Report: Kate Fit Flannel Tuxedo Jacket

Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Talbots Kate Fit Flannel Tuxedo JacketTalbots has a ton, ton, ton of great things on sale right now, including a ton of blazers, skirts, and dresses that are work appropriate. For this morning's TPS, I'm liking this flannel tuxedo jacket . Love the curvy Kate fit, the classic look, and the bright pop of color (e.g., fuchsia, pictured, as well as black, green sapphire, and pigment blue). This one was $179, but is now marked to $75.99 (and available in regular, petites, woman's, and woman petites). Talbots Kate Fit Flannel Tuxedo Jacket Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com. (L-2)

Sales of note for 12.5

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

254 Comments

    1. Agreed, love this. I have never bought from Talbots; can anyone comment on the fit and also the length of the sleeves? The last time I went in and tried things on, the fit was too boxy and the sleeves too short (but the body of the jacket too long).

      1. Talbots’ sizing is very inconsistent and some items can be boxy. That being said, I have found a couple things there. You just have to try everything on in multiple sizes. I’m a size 8-10 in Ann Taylor but recently bought a shirt in a small at Talbots.

      2. Agree with Bonnie that Talbots can be very inconsistent but I’ve tried on the “Kate” jacket before in their regular suiting fabric and the fit was very flattering, not boxy.

      3. I had a similar problem with a jacket from Talbots, but I think it was the Grace fit. I am on the tall side (5’7ish) and fairly slender.

          1. Yes, oops – it was boxy and the sleeves were too short. Sorry I wasn’t more clear!

      4. I am about 5’9″ and 150 lbs. I almost always wear a small in Talbots’s tops (sometimes, not usually, an XS and never a medium or larger) and usually a 6 (tall) in their pants. In a recent posting, several women commented about their crazy vanity sizing.

        1. Aw that’s disappointing, I really like this but have the same stats as you but extremely busty so I need a larger jacket.

    3. Love this jacket, but admit that recent comments have scared me off Talbots.

  2. Since this is a Talbots post I wanted to give anybody who remembers an update on those Talbots lace-up booties I ordered on sale. They were very cute, but the heel was too high for me. I ended up returning them because they had two strikes against them: (1) only office appropriate with tights, and (2) too high-heel.

  3. I have the fuschia and the blue in this jacket. It does not have the “hand” of flannel and for Texas, is going to be a year-round weight piece. I like the black contrast inside/underneath the collar, although it doesn’t look great flipped “up” in my opinion. This is a basic jacket. The sleeves are always long on me and with the Kate fit, my hourglass is well fitted. The other fits are either too tight in the bust or boxy. I”m a 10 in Talbot’s jackets (including the great zip–up motorcycle tweeds … love those). 34DD-36D.

    1. What do you mean hand of flannel? With the flannel lining, I was thinking this would only work with silky tops, otherwise it’s be difficult to get on and off.

    2. Thanks for the comment on the weaight. I live in Florida and it’s been keeping me away from some of these pieces.

    3. How does this compare to the sizes you are in other brands? How generously is it cut in the shoulder? Sorry for the pestering follow-up questions.

      1. OP here.

        The sleeves are about 1 “cuff” too long …

        The shoulder fit is not tight, and I go to the gym 4/week and have some muscles in the shoulders and bicepts. The shoulder seam is right where it should be on me.

        I tend to wear size 12 jackets in other stores, although at WhiteHouse etc. I also wear a 10.

        My tahari skirt suits from Macys are more variaed in their cuts, so some 10s and some 12s, all needing sleeves and waist nipping.
        I find that this version of Kate does NOT need nipping in at the waist on me, contrary to the Kate motorcycle/zip up jackets did.

        By “hand” I mean that the feel of the fabric does not say “flannel” to me, like my grey flannel suit from WhiteHouse… this jacket in today’s post has a satin/slippery lining, so you don’t have to worry about clothes grabbing inside. Maybe the outside fabric is flannel, but it doesn’t seem thick and doesn’t have much of a “soft” or “plush feel (like you would have if you bought something called plush).

        frankly, when I bought them in the b&m store, I had no idea that they were associated with “flannel” in their description.

        Hope this helps.

      1. Thanks for posting the link! As a woman working in Ohio politics, I’d say this photo is perfect for my office wall. I can’t wait to hang it next to my Ohio map.

      1. this is the kind of thing people had up when i worked at a labor union and nonprofits… just be aware people will assume things about you. i have strong opinions about some things, but don’t advertise them on my walls…. whether you like it or not people may think ‘activist feminist, maybe with agenda/chip on shoulder’

        1. Yes, everyone watch out for the feminist who thinks that women should be able to vote!
          If you work with people who would think “things” about you for hanging that picture on your wall, it might be a good time to look for a different place to work.

          1. Not trying to be incendiary at 11:12 a.m. on a Thursday…but I really hate the stigma against being seen as a feminist. Because am I honestly supposed to be ashamed to believe women and men deserve equal treatment?

          2. I completely agree with both of these sentiments. If you have a problem with my belief that men and women deserve equal treatment, there are bigger issues that need to be discussed.

          3. a. – I wasn’t trying to be incendiary either (I realize my post may have come off as such). I am more annoyed at the people who would think the things, thereby curbing people like b23, than I am at people who are wary of the people who think the things.

          4. found a peanut–sorry, in no way meant to be snarking at you! That was intended to be a response to anon at 12:06.

          5. Re: Found a Peanut, I’d say that, unfortunately, there are a number of people out there who call themselves feminists who have given it a very bad name. Now, personally, I don’t consider those people feminists, because they generally appear to be coming from a position that women need special treatment, which I find insulting, but the point is that they’ve given the impression, intentionally or not, that equal treatment is not the “feminist” goal.

            I think that it’s shallow thinking to just listen to people who mis-use feminism and assume that that’s all there is to feminism, but hey, if we all thought deeply about everything we encounter in life, we probably wouldn’t get much done.

        2. It seems like the right to vote for women is a pretty noncontroversial now, and I don’t understand how hanging this picture could be be seen as promoting a specific agenda or having a chip on one’s shoulder.

          1. For what its worth, I rolled my eyes a bit on seeing it. I’m a proud feminist but it does say something about you if you choose that photo, I think it makes the statement that you don’t think you are being treated equally in the workplace.

          2. I think that having any sort of activist photos runs the risk that you’ll be perceived as an agitator or activist. Having that photo implies that you’re inspired by your suffragist foremothers and continuing the fight. That would be fine in my workplace, but any kind of activism may raise eyebrows in some offices.

          3. @cc, I think that is such an odd assumption, and it’s one that I would never expect. Would you think the same thing if someone had a photo of MLK, Jr. on their wall? That the person thinks they’re not treated fairly because they belong to a racial/ethnic minority? Personally, I would just assume that they find the image inspirational and that it reminds them of a personal hero.

          4. I agree with cc and J, there is a certain risk to putting up a photo like that. (Except if you work at NARAL or NOW or something.)

          5. No I think the analogy is not correct there Bex. I think having a picture of a person who is your idol is different. I think a more appropriate analogy is if a person had a photos of civil rights marches or an Irish person had a picture of a store front with the “no irish wanted.” You are bringing attention to a time where people similar to you were treated poorly and unjustly. I’m just saying its not a totally neutral image. Is there anything wrong with it? Absolutely not. You are free to make whatever statement you want. But I think its naive to think this picture is the same neutrality as a landscape photograph for the office.

            I also think the arguement “the right to vote is noncontroversial now” or “if you have a problem with the fact that men and women are equal you have bigger issues” is a false and inflammatory arguement. The picture is from a time when woman couldn’t vote. A picture of segretated schools, or depicting a slave, or a picture of Jewish people with the star pinned to their jacket. I believe all humans are equal and those were terrible, shameful times. But those pictures are saying something, and something important that needs to be remembered and discussed. But the context we are talking about is work. Thinking those pictures are not really work appropriate, or just that people will have certain reactions because of those pictures, doesn’t mean I don’t believe that people are equal!

          6. I guess I would see those women in the photo as personal heroines in the vein of MLK Jr., even though I don’t know their names. So I would think that a photo of a civil rights march would also be an inspirational image: people fighting for what they believed in.

            I think that a photo of a “No Irish people allowed” sign or of a slave is not inspirational in the same way, but might be seen as more divisive.

          7. And I don’t think the womens suffrage picture or a civil rights march picture is inappropriate. No one would say it needs to come down or is controversial. I just think its naive to think that everyone who sees it will have no reaction to it, as if it were a painting of a sunset.

          8. It is so incredibly sad to me that any woman in America would question the wisdom of displaying that photo in her office. Not saying anyone has to–I won’t be, because I have plenty of stuff up already–but goodness gracious, it’s an image of Ohio suffragettes peacefully exercising their rights, not the Black Panthers or IRA.

          9. I find it sad you turn a peaceful discussion and lace it with condescension. A picture of suffragettes peacefully exercising their rights does have an activist tint. A picture of anyone exercising their rights is not a neutral photograph. It doesn’t. mean. I. don’t. aggree. with. suffragettes.

          10. It’s like the conversation we had a few weeks ago on here about someone’s co-worker who had a poster in her cubicle with a poem that expressed empowerment for women of color. I think most of us agreed with the sentiments of the poem… however, when the person who posted it is always acting like a victim, then it didn’t send the right message to her co-workers and superiors.

            And I have never seen a portrait of MLK in someone’s office.

          11. to a.– please don’t be sad on my behalf or about people like me- (I’m the one above who said people may react and assume things). I am a confident, happy person who has many opinions I am very comfortable with- I am vegetarian, non-religious, etc. and OF COURSE support the right of women voting. But I learned long time ago that there is no need to project personal views in the office, especially when I’m serving clients that those views may rub the wrong way without intent. They are paying you to work there, period. I am simply sharing with the rest of our community that you are very naive if you think people will not assume things about you- whether that’s bad or good, it is reality. If you want to succeed in the workplace, you need to carefully consider your image. Right, if you feel that you must display personal stuff at work, go for it but yes, be sure to work somewhere that fits that or know you are risking certain things professionally. So- from my point of view- I am making a conscious decision to behave a certain way. I am fully comfortable, and have a long personal history of dedication and activism in my own way- nothing here to feel sorry for. I also happen to be a successful director of environmental work at a global company, where I get to make impact daily, yet to leverage that properly requires fitting into corporate culture. Which again- I’m more than fine with. Life is a balancing act. And frankly, at my age I prefer to put images on my office that feel pleasant, calming and simple… so I’m not giving anything up. Feeling sad for others is projecting your own stuff outward.

            I’ve worked on the total other side of this (nonprofits/unions) and frankly all the personal agendas on display visually and verbally got annoying- it never stopped. ‘come to this thing! donate to that! what? you won’t? why are you against women? oh, just because you are moving and getting married this month, you can’t go on a bus to a march?”…

        3. This is an interesting discussion, and I have a related question. I was considering hanging a print that relates to Brown v. Board of Education (and says so) in my office. I am white and work in BigLaw. Thoughts?

          1. I think hanging a poster commemorating a major court case in a law office is less likely to ruffle feathers than a poster commemorating another form of activism.

    3. art [dot] com has some excellent black and white photographs of suffrage “pageants” although not this one. I have purchased prints from the site and they’ve all been great. Inexpensive and good quality.

    4. Yikes. This conversation reminds me of the episode of Parks & Rec where there’s a contest to replace the offensive City Hall murals. One department submits a super patriotic painting w/an American flag and a bald eagle, and one of the characters says, “They went super-patriotic. It’s a classic mistake. It seems crowd-pleasing, but it’s a stance. And there’s always someone who’ll oppose a stance. Us? Old man feeding pigeons? No stance. Absolutely no point of view whatsoever.”

        1. Word. And I think Leslie would have something to contribute to the discussion, seeing as she has about a THOUSAND framed pictures of her various heroes & heroines in her office. ;)

    5. That was me! I do not know but I got it from the public library in our town, copied it on the scanner there, and sent it to walgreens to be printed in a large print. And I do not think anyone will think I am a feminist because of the photo. It is the only political thing in my office and I think that is like having an MLK quote, or in twenty years – something pro-gay. The discussion itself is obsolete. There isn’t really any politics to it anymore, it’s just something everyone has to accept.

      I am glad my time spent on the internet looking at photos at least provided something other than a wall photo for me and squandered productivity. :)

      1. aw crap I just took a drink and realized I have a Rosie the Rivoter mug. I suppose I was already being judged for that. And for the Cleveland part…

        1. there’s nothing wrong with any of it, so long as it makes you happy and you are comfortable with it! I was just raising these points for people who may not realize potential impacts and be newer to the workplace etc. Interesting discussion.

  5. Nice color!

    I need help styling a red shift dress for work. I got a basic red shift dress and it’s been sitting in my closet. I work in a corporate financial firm. Business Casual environment. I’m a bit hesitant on wearing the color to work. What is a nice color for pumps? How about accessories?

    1. AIMS mentioned a lady she saw in a rich chocolate brown with red, and now I want to try that… but I’d also pair with gray or, if daring, light blue.

    2. I’d do a camel cardigan or blazer, nude-for-me pumps, and jewelry in gold or wooden tones. This is not a particularly creative suggestion, but for someone timid about wearing red and in your office environment, it might be a good start just getting the dress out from the back of your closet.

      1. Totally agree with this suggestion, and love B’s suggestion below. I’d stay away from a black blazer unless youre in to the colorblocking trend. A beige blazer, nude for me or tortoise shell pumps, and a long strand or strands of pearls would probably be my choice.

        1. I wear a black blazer with a red dress and black shoes and it looks great. Well, til it stopped fitting per baby bump:)

    3. I think if you keep the rest of your outfit conservative and neutral it should be fine. Grey, beige, navy, black all work well with red.

    4. Keep the rest neutral and let the dress be the centerpiece. Try layering a cream long sleeve silk blouse underneath, nude for you pumps, pearl studs.

    5. You can always tone down a red shift dress with a darker jacket. I really like brown with red.

    6. I work in a similar environment – business casual insurance company. And I wear a lot of red. I usually pair it with black, charcoal grey, camel, chocolate brown or navy. I’ve also worn it with purple or mustard occasionally

      And I have 2 red sheaths. I usually pair them with nude shoes. Although in winter, I wear them with tall boots (usually black) and a black cardigan.

      2. 2nd on the purple with red. A really rich look, and believe it or not, purple tones down red a little- makes it less HEY I’M WEARING A RED DRESS!

          1. Oh that’s a good point. I’m in San Francisco and never, ever see those ladies, but I hear they are plentiful elsewhere.

      1. How about with a nice cheetah/leopard cardigan? I hadn’t thought of that combination before but a newscaster had it on locally and it was classy looking.

  6. just took advantage of the Talbots sale this morning! I am a fairly new Talbots shopper (past year/two years – it was always my mom’s store) but some of their new basic styles have been a hit with me.

    -Signature fit pants actually work best on me, although I would have guessed I’d have been a “curvy fit.” (IMO, the curvy fit put the curves in the wrong places – low saddlebag area rather than hips, but maybe that’s just my body??) My main problem with Jcrew pants is that the waist/hip ratio is too low – I’m a 4 in the waist but a 6 in the hips there. In the Signature fit, I bought the 6 and they fit well both places.

    – The tops have been a little all over the place fit-wise this fall/winter – you could see the outline of my bra through the S turtleneck but the S Vivien cowl-neck fits very nicely with just enough “slack” for work. Although I think Talbots is trying to work on fit, they are still boxier than other stores. I am usually a 4 in BB non iron button fronts, and usually a 2 in Talbots structured tops (including jackets). I do tend to wear my jackets snug, though – I’m short and easily overwhelmed by the volume of a jacket.

    1. Sounds like we have the exact same body type! J.Crew pants never work on me. Ann Taylor Signature (I believe that’s the fit) pants are better on the waist/hip ratio, but my legs are relatively thin and kind of swim in them.

      I will have to give Talbots pants a try. I’ve recently gotten a few tops that I like to wear under suits from there.

      Any other suggestions for pants that fit well with bigger hips/butt and smaller waist and legs?

      1. I like Ann Taylor Modern fit and Banana Martin pants — they are still a tiny bit big in the waist, but not that big a deal.

        1. Thanks! I think I actually have some Ann Taylor Modern Fit pants that work pretty well. They have so many styles that it can be hard to keep track. I’ve heard other good things about the BR Martin pants, so I will have to check those out.

    2. I am always in love with everything in the Talbot’s catalog when it arrives in the mail.

      But then I’ll go in the store, and it’s my mom’s store again. What’s with the difference?

      Love this jacket.

      1. Totally agree with the store/catalog divergence. I feel uncomfortable and out of place in Talbots stores.

      2. Part of the thing I find weird about the Talbot’s stores (in my area, at least) is that they frequently display relatively more of their casual items and the more casual colors (like chunky ice blue capelets) rather than the more business-friendly basics and neutral colors. I’d understand that in a more suburban location (I’m downtown), but I go in assuming I’ll be trying on for fit only rather than to walk out with a purchase.

        I went to the store 2 years ago in search of a black poplin A-line summerweight skirt that was in the catalog, and they only had it in light green and a deep pink in-store. I was willing to hang around and ask for them to order it for me, but annoyed nonetheless.

        It’s also supremely hard to find the pants you want because the different fits are scattered all over the store.

    1. This. or rather, both of these.

      Unfortunately, I’m not likely to get to a Talbots store this week, and due to the sizing issues I’ve had with the brand, I’m really reluctant to purchase without trying on first.

  8. Ladies, I just got an iPhone and I am a woman obsessed. I have the oft discussed apps like Evernote, Yelp, Urbanspoon, etc. Are there any apps that you absolutely can live without, fun or practical? Thanks!

    1. NY Times Crossword App! If you’re into crosswords.

      Oh, and the Weather Network, because I find the iPhone weather app not the best for my region.

      1. Don’t you need to be a paid subscriber for NYTimes crosswords?

        I also just got an iphone and have become addicted! My fave games are Doodle Jump and Angry Birds. Non-games apps I enjoy are iFPoems, a beautiful app filled with easily accessible and digestible poems. You can have them read aloud to you, with the female narration done by Helena Bonham Carter. Something about those british accents reading poetry is so soothing to me =)

        I also like the Amazon app, Google app, Kindle app, Hopstop, Instagram and Photgram for photos, BBC News, NPR apps, Wikipanion, Flashlight app, Fandango to check local listings + buying tix, Hello Vino for recs on wine pairings, Office Yoga, ArtLite for art history references, and Today in History.

        For corporette shoppers, try StylishGirl which allows you to take photos of your wardrobe and pair items you have or want (think Cher’s closet in Clueless); and ShopSavvy which scans bar codes and compares with prices online.

        Forget Crackberry, iPhone is my new drug!

        1. Oooh I’m totally getting the poem one! Hadn’t heard of it, but I never read enough poetry and I love Helena Bonham Carter :)

      1. Zite is my most favorite app ever. Although I use it on my iPad. ‘
        I have read so much great stuff I never would have found otherwise and the recommendations get better every day.

    3. My fave apps tend more towards the fun than the practical.

      Words With Friends, for hours of endless scrabble tournaments
      IMDB, for all those “hey it’s that guy!” moments
      Amazon, for easy access to all their daily deals
      Moonlight lite, for the zen of mahjong

      1. My SIL just used imdb on her iphone yesterday to figure out which New Kid we spotted.

    4. Facebook
      Twitter
      (There are other apps, but the ones put out by facebook and twitter themselves are the best, IMO.)

      NPR news – You can listen to any station in the country, and make your own playlist of any of the stories of the past few weeks from any show.
      And the This American Life app and the Marketplace app if you’re as much of an NPR/PRI geek as I am.

      Pandora
      Fandango
      Dropbox
      Redbox – You can browse and reserve movies at a redbox close to you.

      Plants v Zombies
      Angry Birds
      I also have a tetris clone called Tris that I play *all the time*, but it was discontinued.

      Apps for airlines you use: I use Delta and Alaska Airlines apps all the time when traveling. I also use the Kayak app. You can forward your confirmation emails to travel@kayak.com, and it’ll keep track of your entire itinerary in the app.

      For budgeting, I use Spend, based on a recommendation from anther Corporette.

      I keep track of mileage for work in Milog Lite.

    5. Amazon – yes, you can spend money at two in the mornig when you can’t sleep; Facebook -oddly , I find FB a good way to communicate with lawyers who regularly don’t respond to faxes, email or phone calls; Ontomni Groceries – Grocery List [favorite after trying many – sorts by store and section and will do prices plus tax if you take the time to input info]; Epicurious, if you cook; Whole Foods – ditto; Flashlight – as good as a real flashlight; iBooks – more books!; American Express; [my bank]; [my pharmacy]; [my grocery store]; Period Tracker; Wx Weather Alert USA – this will give warnings exactly like a weather radio which can be good, or very, very bad if you’re somewhere that a loud cell phone noise is unwelcome – mine is on even in court – due to the fact that we are located in a frequent tornado pathway, they really don’t mind the alerts; Pandora – great “radio” channels that you customize; and one for the rules of evidence for my state; and another for the statutory code for my state.

    6. I like whatsapp messenger (99 cents) because it allows DH and me to text each other for free when he is out of the country — so long as he is near free WiFi (or paid WiFi, I guess, but he seeks out free). Viber is also good for this, but it seems to have some issues. We double-source, but seem to have better luch with whatsapp.

  9. If you use Clinique –

    They have a sale right now – no minimum purchase and three free gifts (I got the eye creams and makeup remover).
    I also received a code to share: SKIN, which gives you free shipping with no minimum order.
    The new colors in Almost Lipstick, in addition to Black Honey, are out. So I ordered one of those, and the three gifts, with free shipping for $15.00.

    I think the SKIN code ends today – wanted to pass along!

    1. OMG yay! thanks for the update! I need toner and dont’ really have time to get to the store but didn’t want to deal with sephora’s minimum $50 for free shipping. this is from the clinique.com site?

    2. Thanks! And thanks to the poster who shared the animal testing information – I can now buy from Clinique with no guilt. They are a testing free company. I have some beauty products to replace after reading that site and Clinique would be the place to do it!

      1. Oh wow, thanks for sharing that! I am addicted to Clinique moisturizer and my two “daily wear” lipsticks are both from them (as well as my Black Honey, which I wear on weekends). So I am happy to know that they are testing free.

    4. I just used it! Thanks so much for the suggestion. I got the eye products and the black honey Almost Lipstick.

    5. thanks! just ordered the body butter, which i ran out of this morning.

    7. Ah! Thank you so much for this!!

      I was almost out of cleanser and decided to try the Almost Lipstick you mentioned!

    8. Thank you! You are very nice to share. I also got almost lipstick in black honey. They seem to be only offering 1 free gift per order now – perhaps they ran out.

      1. I ordered at lunch today (noonish eastern time) and got 3 gifts. I ended up not trying any of the almost lipsticks bc black honey seemed like the most pigmented option ( i have mediumish skin with deep pinkish lips, so the light colors would do nothing for me.) I’m going to try the cherry chubby stick when i run out of the sample melon chubby stick that i have though!

    9. thanks! Just ordered a shadow and liner I was running low on – and could get all 3 “treats.” Nice!

  10. I need help finding a dress to wear to a funeral. My only black dresses are too “evening” and my only black suit is a pants suit that seems too business. I need something that I can either get in person at a brick-and-mortar store (Boston) or via overnight shipping. Any suggestions?

    1. Does it need to be a dress? I just wore a black suit pencil skirt and black sweater or black ruffle shirt w/ black cardigan to the last two I went to.

    2. You don’t need to wear all black to a funeral. Anything dark and muted will be fine. Do you have a dark top/sweater you could pair with black pants or skirt?

    3. It might also not have to be black – I’ve been to many funerals where people are just in somber colors, but not necessarily black (dark gray, navy, brown)

    4. I attended a funeral last weekend, and bought this dress to wear for it:

      http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=36&pageId=1&productId=570036647&viewAll=&prd=SolidDot+Dress&subCatId=&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=1&catId=cat210002&cat=Dresses++Skirts&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=3&size=

      It’s available in-stores at White House Black Market. I liked it because it wasn’t solid black, and it’s also work appropriate. Also works well on a curvy figure!

    5. I wore a black suit with fuchsia sweater underneath to a partner’s funeral and it was absolutely fine. Business is fine. But you could try the “memo dress” from J crew or whatever other dresses they have in stock, or the “black lightweight wool sheath” from Banana. If you hit Copley Place and the Pru, I think there is a White House Black Market in the Pru too. Good luck!

      1. Last week for a family (Catholic mass) funeral I wore a black pencil skirt, cream blouse with a black and cream silk scarf tied around my neck.

    6. What about the JCrew origami dress in a dark grey? Otherwise, you should be able to hit a Marshalls/TJ Maxx and find a number of shift/sheath type dresses in black.
      Just an FYI – if this is a close family member/friend you may not want to spend too much on the dress because you likely will not want to wear it again. I’ve never been able to bring myself to wear the lovely black wool dress I bought for my grandmother’s funeral again.

    7. I totally agree that a) it doesn’t have to be black (charcoal gray or even lighter gray work well) and b) avoiding evening wear. I sing at a lot of funerals so I have regular funeral clothes and I don’t wear dresses much, so my staples are black or charcoal gray pencil skirt with a black or gray tank or turtleneck, with their a black or gray sweater or jacket on top. I can’t bring myself to wear plain black pumps so I bought myself black lace fabric pumps for funeral wear and and they definitely look dressy without being evening. I would avoid even dark brown. I wore brown one time (was going through a brown phase – it goes well with my hair) and felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb. Dark navy would probably be fine as well.

    8. I think it also depends on the faith tradition of the deceased or deceased’s family. I would wear a dress in a dark color for a Catholic funeral mass. Subdued non-black colors are ok: navy, maroon, dark purple, etc.

      I’ve been to a non-denominational Memorial Service/Celebration of Life, like in an event hall or something, and more people are dressed in brighter colors.

  11. this CANNOT be real. i had a pair of jeans just like this in 1994, but mine were guess. and also i was 13.

      1. I had a similar pair in 1991-ish. I LOVED them and was so upset when they totally ripped while I was climbing trees!

        1. haha I had a pair when I was in junior high too! I was so mad when I got hips and couldn’t wear them anymore. They didn’t cost $189 though

        2. I had rolled jean shorts in this pattern circa 1990-91. I also had the matching white t shirt with floral applique.

      4. Ack. Although I recall fondly a denim jacket with red roses I rocked in the late 80s.

    2. There is a woman in my (“business” casual) office who wears pants like this regularly. She is a fitness buff, and seems to feel that since she hasn’t gained any weight or changed clothing sizes since the early ’90s, there is no reason to update her wardrobe. Honestly, it’s sad to see her waste such a well maintained figure by dressing it in horribly outdated clothes.

      2. Sadly, this is also true of my slim-hipped, thin, 50 year old ex-sister in law. Rayon pleated schoolgirl skirts circa 1991, fuzzy angora sweaters, clunky square heels.
        Good thing I don’t see her too often.

    3. Other than a few extra inches of rise, what is the difference between these and the skinny jeans that everyone and their mom seems to love/think are flattering?

      2. Oh, sorry, missed the pattern – the link was broken for me and so I just typed in “mandy” and shopbop and it brought me to a pair of blue denim, high waisted skinny jeans, rolled up. No flowers.

        1. yeah, without the early-90s floral pattern, these wouldn’t be cringe-worthy.

          2. Ha, Diana Barry, I had a similar pair of shorts overalls, except mine were blue and white. And wore them with one overall strap undone, as was required, by law, I think, at the time (along with wearing my backpack on only one shoulder, which was also legally mandated).

    4. It comes in cream too *shudder*. And to think they have to pay someone to use that pattern.

    5. Ugh. I had heard that patterned pants were on trend for Spring 2012. I’ll skip that trend, thankyouverymuch.

  12. A twist on the “What are you wearing?” game – what item of makeup, if any, would you not leave the house without wearing?

    For me, it’s eyeliner on the waterline. My current go-tos are Laura Mercier’s Eye Kohl in Black Violet and Chanel Intense Eye Pencil in Black Jade.

    1. Yup. I’m that girl. No makeup. Just moisturizer and lip balm, even to work. If I’m going out, I wear chanel tinted moisturizer, mascara (I absolutely hate it), eye shadow, blush and lip gloss. But usually nothing and even when I do wear makeup, I often skip the mascara and blush.

      On the other hand, I wear glasses so eye makeup is less necessary.

      1. I’m with you bunkster. Rarely wear makeup to work, at most a little foundation if my skin is looking red. On the weekends i’ll do shadow, mascara and liner but that’s it.

      3. Yay! Glad to know there are other no-makeup ladies here! I don’t feel like such a freak.

      4. Moisturizer and tinted lip balm for me too! And maybe concealer if I have a red spot.

      5. Me six! Moisturizer and non-tinted lip balm (Lip Medex by Blistex — I’m addicted to that stuff and have to have a pot in every bag, in my car, in my office desk and by my bed).

    2. what a great idea! today, mac studio fix, curled eye lashes with maybelline full and soft, and a red mac lipglass. That’s basically what I don’t go out of the house without. I like to add nars concealer, nars blush or bronzer, black eye liner (currently liking maybelline unstoppable) and some sort of neutral shadow when I can.

        1. Unfortunately this one is a limited edition one! It’s from the wonder woman collection from last year and it’s just called wonder woman. It’s fairly bright but I put it on lightly. I’m sure the regular collection would have a similar color though.

          I also use covergirl natural luxe lip balm in cabernet for a sheer red lip, but it doesn’t last long. I’m hoping the new clinque almost lipsticks have a good red shade. I have black honey, but it’s a little too plummy for my taste.

        2. @b23 – I like Clinique’s Chubby Stick in Chunky Cherry. It goes on like lip balm but has a nice red finish that isn’t very bright.

          1. I am addicted to the chubby sticks. I have two–mango something and fuller fig. Must investigate chunky cherry next…

    3. I will leave the house without makeup depending on the occasion (weekends, grocery store, anything casual, even some days at work). But typically I do at least undereye concealer (the HD Makeup Forever one is ridiculously expensive but so amazing), and I almost always do liquid eyeliner and blotting powder as well, and usually a sheer eyeshadow that takes about 30 seconds to do.

    4. If it has to be just one item – foundation or tinted moisturizer. My T-zone (forhead, upper lip and chin) is usually redder than my cheeks, so foundation is key for an even complexion for me.

      Today I’m wearing foundation, eyeliner and blush.

    5. I do the same makeup routine every day because I have mastered it to the point of always being able to do a full face in five minutes. I use Bare Minerals concealer, powder foundation, and blush. Then I do a simple eye shadow, usually more than one color but sometimes just an all-over cream color, eye liner, curl eye lashes, and mascara. I’ve gotten to where I never leave the house without makeup on (except to workout) because, even though I live in one of the biggest cities in the country, I seem to see someone I know almost every time I leave the house.

      1. I have done the same thing. “5 minute face” is what I tell my husband I am doing before we leave the house. I don’t change how I do my makeup unless it’s a special event.
        I do: Neutrogena concealer and tinted moisturizer, a quick sweep of bronzer called Sun Bunny from Sephora, a bit of Bobbi Brown blush, LemonAid eye primer from Sephora, then an almost white eye shadow on the inner corners of my eyelids, a neutral for the outer corners, liquid liner and mascara. Bam. 5 Minute Face.

      2. Yup – five minute face is my go to unless I’m heading somewhere super fancy or where I know I’ll be photographed. I do bobbi brown eye-liner in brown, chanel eye shadow in a taupe color, YSL mascara, concealer if necessary on any spots, Dior pressed powder, and NARS blush.
        I keep meaning to find a good light pink gloss but never seem to remember to grab one when I’m buying makeup…

      3. Five minutes every “dressed day” (work, weekend event):
        *eyeshadow: light on browbone and inner corner, dark on lid (either Clinique beige/brown or Chanel soft pink/amethyst duo)
        * tightlining upper lid: Sephora retractible
        * mascara: Lancome Definicils
        * brow gel
        * powder: Jane Iredale SPF 20 mineral pressed powder
        * lip balm: RiteAid Rx SPF 45
        * lipstick: Chanel Rouge Coco ballets russes

        On weekends when I am just running errands or around the house, it’s just moisturizer with SPF and lip balm with SPF.

        I won’t have this skin forever, and I intend to flaunt it while I can.

    6. I’m really pale, so blush is the first must have. Second (or sometimes first, depending on the day) is foundation/concealer (I usually feel like foundation’s enough) around my dark circled eyes. Oddly enough, although the “problem area” seems to be underneath, I find that it makes the most difference to put the makeup above my eye, on my brow bone, where it tends to get reddish. Covering that up brightens my whole face.

    7. I routinely leave the house without makeup, but for work, I always wear undereye concealer (Benefit Boing, which I like better than Erase Paste) and eyeliner (Clinique Quickliner in violet right now, but I wore Estee Lauder Doublewear in bronze for a year straight and still love it). I always start the day with lipstick, but by the end of the day, I’m lucky if I remember to swipe on some chapstick.

      I also try to do blush in the winter, especially — I was never a blush person, but as I get older, I think it’s more important. It helps make me look much more awake and energetic. I’m using a Tarte cheek stain now, but am not crazy about it.

      1. I really, really love Nars blush. Their color names are a bit risque but they really do have some great colors for all skin types.

    8. Once in a while I’ll go out without makeup if I’m just running to the drugstore or something, but otherwise I’m always wearing Full & Soft mascara (after curling my lashes), Smashbox green tinted primer, Bare Essentials powder foundation, a little blush (currently looking for a new shade), and Erase Paste undereye concealer. If I’m going out or need to look extra nice, I’ll add more eye makeup. Sounds like a lot now that I’m typing it out, but it really only takes like 5 minutes.

    9. My eyebrows have gaps! So I don’t like to go out without filling them in. I will repeat my recommendation of Nars Black Moon (it’s supposed to be an eyeliner) for anyone else, like me, who has black eyebrows and can’t find an appropriately colored brow pencil to save her life.

      I always wear black mascara–recently downgraded to Almay i-color and am finding it just fine. Blush: Smashbox powder. I also try to have some color on my lips all the time because I feel washed out otherwise. My go-to is a Tarte tinted lip balm in a fabulous blue-based red called “Monday”! I do recommend these day-of-the-week tinted balms. (If you tried Burt’s Bees and found that they don’t actually have any color, I’m with you! This is a good alternative, though more expensive.)

      I was also, I admit, inspired to see that Tarte designates Monday as the most outrageous mood in the palette. You’d think “Friday” or “Saturday” would be the brightest colors, but nope.

    10. i frequently leave the house on weekends makeup-less (dinner at parents’ house, gym, grocery shopping), BUT will never be without chapstick. between my husband and i, we have probably 15 tubes of chapstick in various locations (car, most of my handbags, his briefcase, on the bureau, in random drawers, etc).

      for work, I cannot go without mascara. i haven’t found anything perfect so i flip between clinique’s lash doubling, drugstore brands (i like the maybelline in the neon yellow tube) and whatever free samples i can get from sephora. i also always wear something on my face – either laura mercier oil-free tinted moisturizer or bare minerals – but in theory could skip the face makeup before i’d skip the mascara.

    11. Lip color, absolutely. My go-to is a brickish blueish red, but I have a plum/berry hue that ends up nude-for-me in that it doesn’t look like I’m wearing color but still brightens my face and evens out my lips. Both are Revlon Colorstay Ultimate something something in a wanded tube.
      I’m in the market for other long-wearing brands if anyone has suggestions.

      1. Would love suggestions as well. I wore the Max Factor long wear lipstick until they discontinued the brand (bought as many tubes as I could find online, but are used up now). I switched to the Revlon, which is ok but can sometimes apply unevenly.

        Lipstick is the only thing I wear on a regular basis, but I wear it anytime anyone will see me. My lips are naturally whitish blue, so very unattractive.

    12. No makeup necessary to leave the house, but I will put on lipstick first before I put anything else on.

      1. Wow, you ladies wear a lot of makeup to leave the house! Can I ask how many of you have kids? ;)

          2. I have ONLY a cactus. Because of Grumpy Old Men, someone bought it for me. It’s in my bathroom but we have nothing to say to each other. I rarely wear make-up but would never leave the house without sunscreen. When I do, I wear eyeliner, mascara, Dior brown shimmery eyeshadow and lip gloss. For Oral Argument before the Court and Trials and maybe if it otherwise strikes me.

            Besides, makeup makes it more obvious I stayed all night working…

        2. No kids, three houseplants. I hate (loathe, despise, etc.) fussing with makeup, but I’ve got the routine down to a science, since I don’t feel put-together without it.

          I also remind myself that you never know who you’re going to meet when you’re out–maybe Mr. a. will be examining kale at the grocery store, while I am selecting parsnips, and I will want extra volume when I flutter my eyelashes at him.

          1. haha! no kids for me either. But my mom never left the house without foundations, blush and eyeliner. She’s not a girly girly at all, but she’s super pale with super dark hair and eyes, so she needed the skin evening out, blush and eye enhancement. A few basics takes less than 2 minutes and in my mind makes a world of difference.

            I knew a few women who can rock no makeup, they’re generally ethnic or at least italian/Mediterranean, with even toned skin and thick dark eye lashes.

          2. Aha. I have the added bonus that Mr. Barry hates it when I wear makeup (for the most part), so I don’t have to worry about it on that account. :)

          3. Haha, this is why I loiter in the produce section. Alas, as yet, my seductive handling of the meyer lemons hasn’t resulted in true love.

          4. Meyer lemons! cbackson, if I saw you in the produce section, I would flutter my eyelashes at you for that alone.

        3. Three kids – make-up any time I leave the house. I have terrible skin and feel uncomfortable without at least foundation and concealer. While I’m at it, I add the blush, eye shadow, eye liner, mascara, and lipstick. I try to use a light hand and I can get it done in about five minutes. I would be too embarrassed to go pretty much anywhere without something on. Yay, acne! : (

        4. several years ago, during a very bad period in my life, an ambulance came to my house and took me away to psychiatric emergency. the neighborhood has turned over quite a bit since then, and I am much better, but I never leave the house without looking polished and walking tall and confidently, because I don’t want people thinking “there goes that crazy woman who lives in #108.”

          i do have kids, and i’m not talking about a full face, but yes lips and eyes at a minimum, and even my casual clothes are kind of dressy.

          1. Several years ago I had a surgery and 10-day hospitalization, and allowed my kids to see me in hospital. I didn’t realize how bad I looked, and my husband didn’t realize it would affect them. They were scared stiff. I wore full face makeup every day for many months, simply to help reassure them that Mom felt fine and wasn’t going to die.

        5. I have two kids but wear a full face of make-up for work. it only takes me about 5-6 minutes though:
          covergirl tinted moisturizer; mac studio fix; mac or lancome undereye concealer; e lauder bronzer; mac blush or lancome cream blush; clinique eyeliner; a mix of mac/clininque/lancome shadows — usually 3-4 colors blended; clinique mascera; and finally, some gloss or lipstick in varrying colors depending on the day.

          my blush is usually one of two, my shadow and gloss varries most days.

          Though on the weekends, Im totally fine leaving the house with nothing but studio fix. I just like to wear make-up during the week and it doesnt take that long to do, so i wear it. I feel better when I do.

    13. I refuse to leave the house without mascara, usually Benefit in Plum, since it makes my green eyes pop, although I do still have a tube of black as well. And I can’t go more than half an hour without putting on Burt’s Bees Pomegranate.

      Typically, though, I have on that stuff, eyeliner (Rimmel something-or-other in Kohl), blush (Bobbi Brown in Pink Sugar, probably the girliest-sounding thing I own), and powder (Benefit Hello Flawless in Honey). It takes me under four minutes to put it all on. I hate fiddling with makeup.

      1. I have tubes of Burt’s Bees original stashed EVERYWHERE. I think there must be close to 50 tubes at this point in my life.

      2. Burt’s Bees Pomegranate is my secret too – just the right amount of tint and moisture. Love love love it!

    14. At a minimum, I always wear mousturizer (is that make-up?), blush and mascara.

      For work, if I’m not running super late, I add eyeliner.

      For going out, I add eyeliner, eyeshadow, lipstick/lip gloss and perfume.

      1. I don’t feel (non-tinted) moisturizer counts as makeup. For me it’s a necessity regardless if I’m leaving the house, because otherwise my skin feels tight and like it may crack right off my face.

        But I put moisturizer on right RIGHT after my shower, do the rest of whatever I need to do, then sometimes even reapply before doing my makeup. I also almost NEVER wear anything else on my face. I have a few lightly tinted moisturizers for super-formal, pictures, trials, or job interviews, but other than that, nope. And I hate wearing them because my skin is always worse the next day. :-/

        As for my mandatory, mascara, eyeliner, some sort of eyeshadow (I know it’s lame but I like the color kits, i.e. “this color on lid, that color in crease” but I also have some bare minerals). That’s really it, I have chapstick everywhere, and try to keep a lipstick in my purse. Haven’t really found a tinted lip balm I like, though I love the idea.

        1. Are you me?

          I have almost the same routine as you, and also Chapsticks in every pocket. My favorite is the “medicated,” because it has a higher SPF and a great lemon taste. But I also like the original.

    15. I often leave the house without makeup, but for work I always wear Smashbox Primer, Laura Mercier under eye concealer, Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer, and the Maybelline mascara in the pink and green tube. Usually I also wear some blush (Benefit Sugarbomb is my current favorite) and cream eyeliner with a brown/gold shadow.

      Recently I’ve started getting a bit more adventurous with makeup on the weekends by reading these fantastic tutorials: http://www.keikolynn.com/

    16. I often skip makeup on weekends. But what I must put on every work day is mascara (YSL – good, but I’m probably going to go back to a less expensive brand after I’m done with this tube), brow-filler-in-thingy (so old I don’t know who makes it), and lipstick (Clinique’s Almost Lipstick in Black Honey). I don’t feel put together without any of those things (and the scary thing is that I’m starting to feel that way on the weekends!).

      Of course, sometimes I do more: tiny bit of foundation (Laura Mercier), blush (Nars), eyeshadow (perhaps Mac?), etc.

    17. For work I never go less than foundation (just switched from Bare Minerals to Pur Mineral compact, eyeliner, mascara and lipstick/gloss. But most days I also have on blush/bronzer and eye shadow. I grew up in a deeply Southern home where my mother always checked for (and expected) full makeup, including red lipstick, starting at age 13/freshman year of high school.

      I was the only teenager who came of age in the grunge era who dressed like a 40 year old divorcee realtor, 90s-style.

      “Weekend” day makeup is tinted moisturizer, mascara and clear lip gloss.

      1. “I was the only teenager who came of age in the grunge era who dressed like a 40 year old divorcee realtor, 90s-style.”

        That is so funny! Made me laugh.. :-)

        1. Thanks! I have some awsome photos of myself in high school. My personal favorite is a white linen suit with giant shoulderpads and a navy shell with white polka dots, worn with white pumps. And full on red lipstick. At 15. I was so – something.

    18. No makeup for me too. I’m a moisturizer and lip balm girl. I have uneven skintone and would love to wear something daily to even it out, but even tinted moisturizers feel heavy on my skin and get goopy by the end of the day. If I need to look pulled together, I’ll put on some bare escentual foundation, and I carry around a tube of cream blush that I can rub on quickly for color.

      I like the way eye makeup looks but hate how much effort it is to remove, can’t wear lipstick because my lips are super chapped, and lip gloss and tinted lip balm make me lick/bite my lips.

      I am a mom, but I was doing this pre-motherhood too.

      1. I tried Pond’s cold cream recently – the stuff my mom has used for years. It is a fantastic moisturizer, and takes eye makeup right off, so smoothly. I don’t know why this very obvious answer to eye makeup removal didn’t occur to me earlier. Perhaps I just wanted to do everything the way my mom did not. :) But I highly recommend it.

        Remember: Every type of skin needs extra moisture. The oily skin just needs non-oily moisture.

        Also, if your lips are chapped, then why can’t you wear lip balm/chapstick to unchap them?

        1. I do (see first sentence). But I have to reapply chapstick every hour or so in the winters (which ultimately takes lip color right off) and I find that wearing any sort of color on my lips just really magnifies the chapped-ness of my lips.

          I use Ponds on my kids to remove temporary tattoos (they love them) and it works great. But my biggest problem is with mascara – is Pond’s good for that?

          1. Yeah, it works for me. Very gentle on your eyes. (But I’m not wearing like waterproof mascara or some other glue-like substance every day.)

            I think everyone has to reapply chapstick every hour in the winter. :)

          2. I recommend Lansinoh HPA Lanolin for chapped lips. It comes in a big tube, and technically it’s for breast feeding mothers, but it’s the only thing I’ve found that keeps my lips from getting chapped. My lips were always cracked and bleeding in the winter, despite the tons of chapstick I would use. I get it from Amazon, and just put it on at night, it’s too much trouble to carry that big tube around during the day. Also, every chapstick and lip stick I’ve ever used seemed to make my lips more dry. I now use Buxom Lips Big & Healthy Lipstick and sheer gloss, and that brand is the only one that doesn’t seem to make my lips dry.

          3. Dr. Dan’s CortiBalm, available from Amazon, is the *only* thing that worked on my son’s chapped, cracked, and bleeding Accutane lips.

    19. I generally wear MAC tinted moisturizer, concealer, and loose powder, with Prescriptives eyeliner (in the waterline) in brunette, a lighter liner on edge of the lid, with a Clinique light brown eye shadow, Almay mascara in black/brown, MAC lipliner, matte lipstick, with lipglass over. In a pinch, I’ll do just concealer, powder, eyeliner but no mascara, and MAC sheen supreme (sort of a combination of lipstick and gloss in one). But I’m probably way older than most of you so I can’t get away with the no makeup thing.

    20. For work, I almost always wear blush/bronzer, some bare escentuals powder, mascara, and some kind of colorless lip balm. I’m blessed with dark eyebrows and lips, so no extra color necessary, but I can look kind of dead without blush.

      Weekends I usually skip makeup (or do just blush if I”m feeling pasty) during the day unless I’m going out with my most fashionable girlfriends or know I’ll be photographed. For evening I usually add eyeliner and shadow to my work look, and occasionally lipstick and tinted moisturizer or foundation if I’m likely to be photographed.

      No kids, 2 plants, 2 cats. :)

    23. My skin is usually terrible (acne or just not an even tone if the acne’s decided to chill out for a few days), so I can’t step outside without concealer. And mascara so you pay attention to the eyes not the crappy skin. That’s even if I’m just running to drugstore or grocery store. If I’m going to work or anywhere outside of the 3-block radius of my apartment, foundation (usually something from clinique; i switch it up the types depending on the season as the one I wear in winter causes oil problems in the summer; i’m debating switching to makeup forever foundation, if anyone has any thoughts), eyeshadow, mascara (either tart or some drugstore brand I’m blanking on in a plum), concealer, and make up forever high def powder (which is awesome).

      1. Be careful on the Makeup Forever foundation. Their matte foundation, at one time at least, contained cornstarch, which can contribute to acne flareups.

    24. I will leave the house without makeup, but if I have time for one thing, it will usually be light foundation, particularly under the eyes.

      For work (and in order of importance/application), I wear MAC foundation, Benefit eyebrow powder, Urban Decay eyeshadow (in the Nude palette – I sort of go through it and wear different shades depending on how I feel that day), NARS or Tarte blush, MAC fluid liner in black, and Clinique loose powder.

      It takes 6 minutes – I do it while listening to the news.

      I usually put on lipstick (various shades, but my two go-tos are Clinique Rose Aglow and Clinique Spiced Apple, depending on what I am wearing) when I get to work.

    25. I never leave without mascara. My work makeup routine only takes a few minutes. I add a couple drops of Kiss My Face foundation with sunscreen to Clinique moisturizer and add on a little blush. For eyes, I swipe on MAC eye primer over the entire lid http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/mac-prep-prime-eye/2864443?origin=keywordsearch and either a brown or purple shadow in the crease, and then add mascara. If I have extra time, I use eyeliner and fill in the brows.

    26. No makeup. MadeOn lip balm.

      If I’m feeling super ambitious, the next step is eyes – Clinique or Mary Kay eye shadow in shades of pink-y browns and greys, brown eyeliner and Almay mascara.

      If I’m going to be presenting, teaching, on a webcam, or photographed:
      Laura Mercier concealer under eyes and around nose, a Clinique pressed powder, Nars blush, and whatever lipstick is floating around in my makeup bag.

    27. I often leave the house without makeup on weekends, but I’d say powder is the one thing I usually put on when I can’t be bothered with anything else.

      My minimal face for work is usually concealer, blush, mascara and powder, although I don’t always do the blush and only concealer if my skin is acting up. Lately I’ve been wearing primer+shadow as well.

    28. Almost always at least powder for my nose, which has shiny-textured skin without being oily and is usually redder than my cheeks. And almost always mascara, although I have gone to work without it. It helps make my eyes noticeable behind my glasses. Always Burt’s Bees honey chapstick. Other than that, for work, once in a while concealer, pale gold eyeshadow, or blush (I’m very pale). Jane blush in Blushing Petal has worked for me for 10 years!

    30. Mascara: currently Chanel, but I like Bad Gal Lash by Benefit better. Either concealer (using one from Too Faced at present) or Ooh La Lift! by Benefit. Lips: Clinique chubby stick. I like wearing Benetint on my lips in the summer, but it feels too bright for these grey winter days.

  13. Early threadjack – another woman with fine, oily hair here. Apparently we are everywhere. Commenters in previous posts mentioned using oil treatments to curb oil production (something about the essential oils). Are there any specific ones you’d recommend? Anyone tried Moroccan Oil-No-More?

    Ive made some adjustments (less washing, dry shampoo) but have gotten mixed results. TIA!

    1. I use plain coconut oil. I apply it before washing my hair (ideally overnight but even 30 minutes before helps) – after washing my hair stays grease free for much longer because there is less oil production and I can go longer between washes.

      1. Coconut oil…interesting. You apply it to your scalp or like conditioner? Will give that a try soon. Will probably only be able to do the 30 minute version though, I sometimes leave some coconut oil on my face and DH scounches up his face when he gets close. Thanks for the idea.

        1. I massage it into my scalp and then comb through a few times to help it spread from roots to tips. I don’t apply too much though. I feel the difference this makes especially in winter – I can imagine my scalp absorbing all that moisture and it helps my hair feel less crunchy. I too tried coconut oil on face but broke out – do you mix it with anything else??

          1. No, I just applied it straight. But I’ve only just started doing it and also don’t apply it to my T-zone (which doesn’t exactly correspond to where I break out, but does correspond to where I’m oilier). Be interesting to see if it could moderate oil production in my T zone.

  14. *cringe*

    Upon reading an already-sent email, I realized I’d just sent exactly the kind of thing I hate… sentence:excalamation point ratio was terrible. Almost 1:1. Note to self: curb enthusiasm.

    2. Oh, I feel for this! I always have to proofread my emails to eliminate exclamation points.

      1. Same. I permit myself one per email. All others, I force myself to ruthlessly replace with a period.

        1. Wow, same here. (I would have put exclamation point there).

          Other people I work with never use exclamation points. Need to take a page from those books.

        2. Interesting, the two male attorneys I have been working with who work at different places are very fond of exclamation points, so I have been exclaiming unfettered

          1. Oh, to exclaim unfettered! (thanks for the giggle, cc.)

            So glad I’m not the only one who struggles with this. I’ve done much better on all subsequent e-mails today. I also ruthlessly changed my parenthetical exclamation to a period, above. Winning! (that one stays.)

    3. An associate at my old firm sent out a firm-wide e-mail to a (very-large) firm seeking a referral that ended with a smiley face emoticon.

      Compared to that, you’re cool. :-) (intentional irony!! lolz.)

  15. Where is Kat’s post on copyright issues? Someone mentioned it last night, but unfortunately, when I Google “Corporette: copyright” there are too many hits because of the copyright notices.

    Thanks!

    2. what do you mean her post on copyright issues? Do you mean where she commented that corporette is trademarked? She mentions that in the post with the yellow gray bag

    3. She just asked me to make clear that the Weight Watchers group is not an official Corporette group, because she holds the trademark on the name Corporette. I think it was in the thread with the yellow/gray bag on Tuesday.

  16. Apologies for threadjack: I’m in DC for a wedding and need to grab some accessories (thinking a colorful little clutch and some sparkly tights/hose) to add interest to my too-plain black cocktail dress. I’ve only got an hour or so today and I’m in Foggy Bottom. Help? TIA!

    1. Sorry, this may be too late. But, if you’re in Foggy Bottom, you may as well walk into Georgetown to M Street — lots of shops where you could pick up anything you need.

  17. I recently bought this and wore it for the first time yesterday. I love it, though I did feel very aware of the fact that I was the only one not in black or grey.

    I paid $15 more for this. Anyone have experience with getting a price adjustment from Talbots?

    1. Also, any suggestions for styling this? I wore it with a black pencil skirt, black boots, black tights and a grey/black/white patterned top. I’m not really sure what color blocking is or how to avoid it.

      1. I think you’re spot on! I usually wear black, grey, white with pink. In softer tones, I think pink and grey are very “French.” In these bright colors, I stick with your choices.

        You can soften the look with the type of blouse/sweater and jewelry as well. Sometimes purples look good with pinks, but my experience has been with those combinations in less vivid tones than this jacket.

        I have also worn the jacket with a black and white printed skirt and then a solid top. Usually my skirts that are b/w are very geometric and bold patterns, so everything else is a solid. I’m really loving the craze for dots (thanks for always being there Boden, and now I see in BR windows too) and my jackets seem to do well with those in particular.

        FWIW, I think “color blocking” means using areas of solid color together. It harkens back to the 1960s and then 1980s … been there, done both … if you have a color wheel or google one, color blocking is done with colors opposite on the wheel. When colors are adjacent on the wheel, that’s another term – and it’s lunchtime, so my brain isn’t fetching up the word. Color blocking is to be rather a graphic statement I feel, so the opposing colors are what are usually chosen.

        Help, all the graphic corporettes…sorry to veer into your expertise.

      2. I think if you’re wearing it with patterns, then you’re avoiding color blocking. I think of color blocking as contrasting solid colors next to each other.

  18. Apologies for threadjack: I’m in DC for a wedding and need to grab some accessories (thinking a colorful little clutch and some sparkly tights/hose) to add interest to my too-plain black c*** tail dress. I’ve only got an hour or so today and I’m in Foggy Bottom. Help? TIA!

    1. Hop on Metro (blue line) to the Nordstrom Rack in Pentagon City, or (blue/orange lines) to the Macy’s at Metro Center.

    2. I’d try Filene’s Basement first. There’s one at Metro Center and one at Dupont, both easily Metro accessible. That’s always my first stop for tights, scarves, and purses.

      1. Unfortunately, all of the Filene’s Basement stores closed at the end of 2011.

        : (

      2. Is Filene’s still open? I haven’t been near either location (or the Rockville one) recently, but I heard they were all going out of business.

    3. Macy’s Metro Center. You don’t even have to go outside to get into Macy’s from the Metro station.

      1. And right near Macys metro center is an ann taylor, forever 21 and H and M so that would be the area I go to if you are tight on time.

    4. unfortunately, Filenes is gone. :(. I’d try H&M in Georgetown (walk west on M Street and you’ll see it–I think after you pass Wisconsin).

    5. There used to be a few boutique/accessory stores in the small mall across from GW law — the same one with the Kindkeads, Bertuccis etc.

      They may have something along those lines, but it’s been a few years since I’ve been over there and I have no idea how reasonable the prices are.

        1. Second the Lou Lou recommendation! I love that store. I have to restrain myself when I go in.

    6. Thanks, all! I have a meeting near Metro Center this afternoon, so will scope out the Macy’s, H&M, etc.

    1. Also can someone please repost this in the Coffee Break and weekend thread? I may not be around.

  20. So I just got tix to see Bjork in NYC next month and I’m soooo excited. But can anyone recommend a good, cheap place to stay? I’m looking for somewhere relatively close to the venue, which is the Roseland Ballroom near Times Square. I really only need a clean, safe place to crash after the show, so I don’t want to spend a fortune.

    1. I doubt there’s much cheap near Times Square. If you don’t mind a neighborhood that’s not pristine/touristy, there’s a really clean, nice new Holiday Inn in Long Island City near the Queensborough Plaza and Queens Plaza stops (yes, those are two different stops, because why would we not want to confuse people?), which are the first stops in Queens on the N and Q and R, which go to times square. My parents stayed there the last time they came to visit, and it’s a good deal in terms of new york hotels. But you have to be okay with the subway, and I’ll warn you the neighborhood can seem a bit sketch (it’s not nearly as bad as it looks if you’re not used to it–I live a bit south of there)

      And if you don’t mind taking the subway and want a nicer, super awesome neighborhood, the Washington Square Inn on Washington Square Park is also very nice, and depending on the timing, their rates are sometimes quite reasonable (as far as Manhattan hotels go)

      1. Actually, there are several new hotels in Long Island City if you don’t mind the subway, now that I think about it. I just haven’t seen the insides, but I think they’re going for swanky cool. Z Hotel and Ravel Hotel come to mind. There are a few others, including at least one other chain, I think, I just don’t remember what they are.

    2. Whichever place you choose, make sure to check the bed bug registry to make sure they haven’t been recent complaints. The bed bug problem in NYC is pretty bad so I’d start there.

      Have a great time at the concert!

    3. Check out New York magazine online–they do a “cheap and cheerful” hotel spread at least once a year…

    4. Thanks everyone! Ugh, bedbugs . . . I hadn’t even thought about that! Not much of a concern where I live, fortunately.

    5. The Marriott Residence Inn in Times Square is wonderful, you’re central to everything and it’s not too expensive (can’t remember how much exactly though). It’s not a luxury place, just clean and comfortable. The rooms also have a full kitchen which is nice if you want that option.

    6. I always stay in The New Yorker hotel. It’s walkable to Times Square and is very reasonably priced. Small rooms, and definitely not five stars, but clean and bright.

    7. I’ve had great experiences at the Hotel Beacon on 75th and Broadway. It’s not super close to Times Square, but it’s only one stop on the subway, a nice long walk, or a reasonable cab ride. It’s not super luxurious, but it’s clean, the rooms are large for NYC, and many if not all come with kitchenettes. I enjoy the neighborhood much more than the Times Square area (although Washington Square, suggested by another poster, is definitely cooler).

  21. For the Comic Sans lovers and haters, a little something special for your Thursday :)

    Link below

  22. The Comic Sans post is a good reminder to post this – my cute and terribly talented graphic designer bro-in-law was laid off last week. Any Chicago ladies know of any leads? Thanks! natalie dot lastname at gmail.

  23. Does anyone own this jacket in woman petites? I just bought it in woman petites in the blue because they are having a 40% off jackets and outerwear sale right now (of course they marked it back up to 98.99 before the 40 off!). I’m curious about how it fits in woman petite and if anyone has any comments I’d love to hear them. I’m normally very skittish about buying online, especially because I’m a underfunded grad student (that nevertheless has to dress well). However, I recently visited a Talbots outlet store and tried on armloads of clothes until I figured out what size I should wear in their clothes– the outlet is incredibly well priced but they don’t have a lot of the really sharp business pieces like this jacket.

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