ByKat Hours Updated
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Thursday’s TPS Report: Pleated-Neck Tee

Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Pleated-Neck TeeLast Call by Neiman Marcus seems to have a number of cute basics from Lafayette 148 New York on sale today, including this lovely green shirt. Yes, $75 is pricey for a t-shirt (on sale), but I have a feeling this is the kind of shirt you'll have in your closet for at least 5 years. I like the pleat details at the neck, the boldness of the colors, and the formfitting jersey. I'd go preppy with it and wear it with a navy pencil skirt and, perhaps, gold accessories — or perhaps a bit wild with it and pair it with black trousers and a purple waterfall cardigan. It was $168, now on sale for $75. Pleated-Neck Tee Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line. (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:

205 Comments

  1. This is exactly the kind of thing I like to wear under a suit. Cap sleeves in case I need to take the jacket off, but not short sleeves that can bunch. Slim cut so it doesn’t add visual bulk or bunch, but not actually tight so I can still take my jacket off. Neckline detail so it’s not just a t-shirt. A slightly scooped neckline so the thing isn’t choking me all day (I hate crews), but high enough that I can safely lean over tables to pass documents or whatever. A bright bold color to add interest and a bit of flair to my boring black suit. Jersey means it doesn’t wrinkle and is great for travel (definitely hang dry to avoid pilling though). Long enough to tuck. I don’t have anything from Lafayette 148, but I do have similarly priced tops I got on super sale that I’ve worn dozens of times. The quality can be absolutely worth it. Great choice, Kat.

    1. If I hadn’t just looked at my credit card bill, your review would have totally tipped the scales for me on purchasing this!

      1. I know. My boyfriend told me I should not spend more then $20 on any shirt, because his father is in the business and he can get nearly any make without the label on it for less then that.

      2. Target also has very nice pleated neckline t-shirts in a variety of colors for $10. I got a dark red one to wear under my grey short sleeve suit.

    2. What is the secret to not having your bra show through this type of top? I’ve tried everything I can think of – camisoles, making sure my bra is a smooth (no lace) t-shirt style bra that is the proper size for me and fitted correctly, and I’m not very busty, but I swear I can’t avoid the tell-tale “line” of the edge of my cups. And I’m wearing/trying on the proper size shirt (and even if I go up a size or two, it still happens). Am I clueless, or am I just oversensitive to visible bra marks?

      1. Get a good quality bra. Simon Perele work for me. VS really is not good quality and they show.

      2. I am wearing good quality bras, I don’t think I’ve shopped at VS since I was 16…

        1. Try a different brand? I have a weird bra size/ample chest. Some bras work for me and others don’t. Like I say, I like Simon Perele.

          1. Agreed about trying as many brands as possible. I had the same problem and eventually found that the cheapest- H&M- is the only t-shirt bra that doesn’t create that line on me.

        2. Have you ever tried a T-shirt bra? Different brands have them; I’m partial to Soma. Anyways, the point of the the t-shirt bra is to keep a smooth line under shirts like this. Might be worth a try.

          1. Ironically, my favorite bras (and the ones that fit me best) are Soma :) (a t-shirt style bra)

        1. By the way, I didn’t mean that you should never wear a balconette or demi-cup, just that on many women those create a line when worn under a t-shirt or sweater. They’re still a good choice for under low-cut tops.

          2. Agree with this – when I got fitted I went to a specialty store (if you’re in Chicago, I highly recommend Isabella) and they explained to me what I should look for in bras in terms of materials, how to fit the straps appropriately, what I need for coverage, etc…all specific to me. Of course, the end result being that I’m afraid to buy any bras other than the ones I tried on there, but it was SOOO helpful.

          3. I second the rec for Isabella. And similarly am afraid to buy bras anywhere else, I like the ones from there so much.

        2. Change the bra you’re wearing. A demi-cup or a push-up style bra often will create a line. If that’s not it, then the problem is likely the fit. Many people make the mistake of going too big with the band and too small with the cup. When the cup size isn’t right you can get sort of a “rising bread dough” effect that accentuates the line. A lot of the larger department stores will measure you or if you’re too shy, there are some pretty good instructions that can be found online. It’s amazing what a difference the right fit can make.

      4. I have just found spanx’ bra-lelluliah minimizer to do the trick … I wear a 34DD or 36C and finally those cup lines/bulges are gone.

        1. I wear a 30F and love Prima Donna’s t-shirt bras–lined and unlined. No problems with either.

      5. OMG, I’ve been evangelizing for the Spanx bra and especially the cheaper Assests sister-brand faux-Spanx bra. Made mom & all girlfriends jump in, etc. It’s a must-try.

  2. Good morning, all! This tee is cute, but I find that tees like this aren’t much use to me unless I can throw them in the wash without too much hassle, and it seems like every washable shirt I’ve had wears out after a year or two. I don’t think the $75 “investment” would pay off in my case.

    I’m hoping I can get some tips from the hivemind. I’m finishing up a clerkship and heading to a big firm later this month and would love to read a few books about leadership/career building before I start. I find that I thrive in small group environments (e.g., working in a judge’s chambers) but that I tend to lose confidence and become much more of a “go with the flow” type when I’m part of a bigger group (e.g., a big firm’s litigation group). I want to break this habit and learn to be more confident and assertive in bigger group settings. Any advice about this issue and/or tips on books to read? I’ve read NGDGTCO and found it very helpful, so I’m looking to branch out a little. Thank you in advance for your help!

    1. My friend gave me a copy of Best Friends at the Bar with the idea that we’d both read our own copies and then discuss. I haven’t read it yet, but it looks good.

    2. “Swimming Lessons for Baby Sharks”
      “Climbing the Ladder in Stilettos”
      “Great on the Job: What to Say, How to Say It”

      1. Thanks! All of these suggestions look like they’d be very helpful, I put all of them in my Amazon cart. And any additional suggestions would be welcome, too!

      1. Oh, and I have “The Corner Office” by Adam Bryant on my Amazon wish list based on a very favorable review in the NY Times, but haven’t read it yet.

      2. I just ordered this on Amazon on a whim…nice to know someone recommends it! That bumps it up a spot or two on my reading list.

  3. Just ordered an iPad, now looking for a stylish cover. Suggestions?

    Love the Valextra covers, they’re just a bit too pricey for me! Something similar would be great though. Love Capulet London as well. Just want to make sure I’m not missing something great.

      1. I saw those and I do love them! I would consider getting a secondary, more whimsical cover for non-work contexts. Need a more streamlined one for now though. Thanks!

    3. There is a logitech cover that functions as a keyboard too. I have not bought it yet, but plan to. its not too expensive and will basically make your ipad work like a small laptop, but also provides a hard cover when not in use. I saw someone using it on the plane one day and have wanted to get it every since.

      http://www.pcconnectionexpress.com/IPA/Shop/Product/Detail.htm?sku=12911688&cm_mmc=Bing-_-12911688-_-New-_-AY572&srccode=cii_18492716&cpncode=22-151317257-2

  4. Lace dresses – I forgot who was looking for them. But I received the Delia’s catalogue in the mail and they have lace dresses in all kinds of colors, each under $50 a pop. They do seem kind of short tho….

    http://store.delias.com/item.do?itemID=53886&categoryID=2022&sizeFilter=&colorFilter=&brandFilter=

    http://store.delias.com/item.do?itemID=56524&categoryID=2022&sizeFilter=&colorFilter=&brandFilter=

    http://store.delias.com/item.do?itemID=54515&categoryID=2022&sizeFilter=&colorFilter=&brandFilter=

    http://store.delias.com/item.do?itemID=57010&categoryID=2022&sizeFilter=&colorFilter=&brandFilter=

    1. There’s a gorgeous one at Anthropologie called the Horkelia Shift, too, and Lands End Canvas has a couple eyelet dresses.

      1. The anthro dress is gorgeous indeed – someone was looking for a less pricey alternative to it.

        1. I bought the Women’s Eyelet Shift Dress from Land’s End Canvas marked down to $99. It comes in orange, white and navy, although some sizes were sold out when I bought it. It’s extremely similar to the Anthro one.

          2. @Nonny – FedEx will be bringing it to me tomorrow and I’ll report back! Lands End has easy returns at Sears stores, so I wasn’t too worried about buying without trying on.

      2. I tried the Horkelia Shift after eyeing it for weeks, but strangely, I had the opposite problem than usual – it seemed really long on 5’4″ me. I felt like I was wearing a gunny sack. It made me really sad since in theory, I liked it very much.

  5. this reminds me of a long-sleeved bright green pleated-neck (modal?) tee from Banana Republic a few years ago that I LOVED wearing under black and navy suits. However, even with gentle, cold machine washing and hanging or laying flat to dry, it got pill-y to the point of no longer looking professional after less than a year (and possibly sooner, can’t recall).

    Can anyone speak to the quality of Lafayette 148 and this fabric? I.e., is it sufficiently better than BR, so that it would hold-up better/longer (like the 5 years Kat suggests)? Or is that a pipe dream for any type of jersey top?

    1. See my comment below. This tee is nothing like BR quality, which I find has worsened of late. Amazing quality as is everything I own from this brand. I’m not affiliated with them in any way. They do cut generously though. I’m a size 10 but take medium /size 8 in Lafayette. Very true to measurements listed on the website.

      1. Sounds good. I tried on one of these tops at Bloomie’s and it seemed great, but not for $200!

  6. I own this in white , black and fuchsia. They’re great, wash and wear, scoop neck v flattering ….really the perfect tees. I can dress them up or wear with jeans.

    1. Your comments are making it hard for me not to buy this shirt in a few different colors now. How long have you had them? I’m able to justify spending this much if I know the shirt will last a long time and is versitle, i.e. dress up or wear with jeans. Thanks for sharing!

      1. 6 mths to 1 yr. I struggle to find nice tees that work for the office, so I just splurged :) I machine wash but air dry. I think pilling gets worse with the dryer. I iron them as I’m particular about that but you may be able to skip it.

        1. I have a t that I never put in the dryer, but it still started pilling. So frustrating!

          1. I just realized that my grocery canvas tote was causing my causing my cotton clothes to pill where they rub together. I never put tees in the dryer and I couldn’t figure it out why it was still happening.

          2. I spent about ten bucks on a lint shaver and it has saved my wardrobe. It works on pilling as well.

    2. WOW – never realized that it was the dryer making the tees pilly. Now I need to figure out how to hang things instead. Have a small utility room which has no way to hang things by the w/d and only a shower stall arrangements in the loos.

      Ideas?

        1. This is what I do. The drying rack is minor inconvenience for a day or so, and then I can just put it away.

      2. Get a foldable clothes drying rack and set it up in your living room or wherever you have space.

        1. These are great! Not only do your clothes stay looking nicer longer (saving $$), but you also save on energy costs/ carbon emissions – a win all the way around. I hang dry almost everything except cotton pajamas, cotton workout ts, sheets, and towels.

          1. Your local hardware store is likely to have one with bars that go straight across (what I use, works great), if you don’t want to trek to Ikea.

      3. I got a drying rack from IKEA that I can hang about 2-3 loads of my laundry on. I hang certain delicates on the 8 drying “racks” and then hang hangers on the outside support beams. I set it up in my living room, bathroom, or spare bedroom while the clothes are drying, which looks a bit unsightly I suppose. However, it’s never up for very long – maybe overnight or a day if I’m lazy and don’t get around to putting things away immediately. It folds up and squeezes between my dryer/washer and the wall so takes up an incredibly small amount of space when not in use. It’s, by far, the best thing I have ever purchased for under $10.

        Here’s an example. Mine doesn’t even have the wings and I can get a lot of laundry on it. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30176088

      4. Honestly, I just lay items flat on a towel. Of course, I only usually have one or two items that need to be dried separately.

        1. This is what I do for sweaters. For everything else, I have two bamboo drying racks, although some of those Ikea ones look snazzy, and one of mine is broken, so I might be switching soon.

  7. Back to yesterday’s thread about notebooks, I am very surprised that people still use paper at all. Don’t we all have a comuter or a computer gadget with us at all times for notes and memos now?

    1. Nope. I don’t own a smartphone and my laptop only leaves the house if I’m traveling. I have a Moleskine and a stack of index cards in my purse (I prefer using index cards to post-its for short notes/lists/etc). I like not being wired all the time!

      1. Ditto, except I bring a tiny notebook with me instead of cards. Plus I don’t like typing on phones (when I have used my husband’s smartphone).

    2. I haven’t fully made the switch yet — I still like scribbling notes rather than typing at times. Sitting only with a notebook and your thoughts can be a great way to avoid distractions.

      That said, I just ordered an iPad stylus and an iPad paintbrush (!!!) to take notes and make drawings on the iPad instead. I’ll be interested to see if the iPad replaces actual notebooks for me.

      1. I have not gone as far yet as making notes, but my ipad has now replaced the need to print out dep transcripts, cases, briefs etc. opening a pdf in ibooks or the pdf reader (if editing is necessary) is amazing. i can travel with nothing more than my ipad now . . . . I never thought i would be a convert b/c i like to have paper, but i sure do love this thing.

        1. Does the PDF reader you use allow you to flag pages and make notations to the documents? I can see how that would be useful.

          1. yes. you have to purchase the app for 10 bucks (i think its called pdf reader pro), but it allows you to basically do everything you can do in adobe — highlight text, make notes, sticky tabs etc.

    3. I like the tactile aspect. And there is something about being able to flip through pages more easily that I like. And you aren’t confined to the formating of a e-document when you use pen and paper. Like, my sister-in-law bought a lot of her textbooks (for grad school) for her Kindle. That would drive me nuts – I like being able to flip between sections of the book easily (more than 1 page apart) and highlight and notate on the page as needed.

      But that’s just me.

    4. I work for government and it’s still the norm to take notebooks to meetings. I find it rude when people are fiddling around with their smartphones, and no one really takes their laptops places because we don’t have wireless access set up.

      1. This is a good point – if you are in a meeting and someone is typing away on their phone/laptop, most people would think that was rude as it seems like they were not paying attention, even though that person could be taking notes. Notepads are easier for avoiding this.

    5. No. I spend enough time staring at a screen. I don’t want to take a screen with me everywhere I go. Besides, screens don’t come in bright colors and different shapes and with lines and without lines and with sticky backs :).

      1. This, plus what someone above said about the tactile aspect. I just love the feel and smell of nice paper, and the glide of ink across the page…

        2. Spot on, plus I feel I’d lose the ability to write legibly if I didn’t take analog notes at work.

          1. I think this (lack of legible penmanship) is actually becoming an issue. Kids spend so much time on keyboards that they don’t get as much writing practice. And some schools have even just stopped teaching cursive writing. I remember have 2 years of cursive writing introduction (2nd grade, then moved to a new school where they started cursive in 3rd grade). And then there was my 4th/5th grade teacher (same person) who actually taught us a style of calligraphy (felt tip pens, not with ink – elem students, after all). So many lost skills….

  8. Even if this top lasted five years, my weight fluctuates so much I still couldn’t justify spending $75 on a tshirt. I say this as a $58 top is winging its way toward me from AT. Of course, I’ll probably get buyers remorse and return.
    Anyway, gorgeous color!

  9. Threadjack – I have a huge meeting next week with all the higher-ups in my company and while I’m confident with my presentation, I’m stressing over what to wear. My question to you ladies is this, do you have a go-to power look for big meetings like this? Any and all suggestions are wanted – outfit, shoes, jewelry, makeup, hair. TIA.

    By the way, I love this top but am deciding if I can justify the price.

    1. My go to is a sheath dress and a blazer in a different color with a statement necklace, stud earrings, leather pumps (love the ann taylor perfect pumps, but I’ve also heard good things about Target’s if you’re looking at a lower price point), hair down and styled. I always feel powerful in a blazer, but less “trapped” in a dress than a suit.

      1. Do you have any suggestions for a nice statement necklace appropriate for this kind of occasion? I always second-guess myself on those kinds of accessories though I love how they look on others. Maybe if one is hivemind-approved I won’t feel so self-conscious about it when I put it on …

  10. Nuh-uh. I type really fast and my hands often move a lot faster than my head so I don’t stop to think about what I’m typing, and hence I would forget and/or not engage brain. I do write reminders etc. in my smartphone and I exclusively now use that as a diary/calendar, but for anything more substantive, I like pen and paper. Preferably lots of different coloured pens!

    Writing things down on paper means that I pay more attention and I then find it easier to understand/remember what I wrote down.

  11. How can I politely suggest to people I am not going to do their work for them? I am currently working on a collaborative project where I come across some information that might be helpful to others in the group. I pass on some helpful links and people are chastising me for not giving specific information with summaries (as in their parts of the project). I find myself getting snippy because I’m happy to give suggestions, but I’m not going to do their parts of the project on top of my part.

    1. “Oh – I thought you might find the link and the full source helpful. I wouldn’t want to summarize and miss out on something important, since I know you are working on that specific part of our project.”

      Although, if you gave a line that said – “hey, i thought this might address x part of your part of the project” it could help them prioritize when/whether to look at it.

    2. Are these people your superiors or do they have some other reason for expecting you to do the work for them (like are you a research assistant)? If not, wth, they should be grateful that you’re helping them out! How rude.

      I think Am’s suggested response is good.

    3. [Gently]: Oh!

      [Feigning surprise]: I thought of you and thought you’d like to see that for your [X topic to which they were assigned] work, but of course, I’m working on [Y topic to which you were assigned.]

      [Polite smile, deliberately moving on: looking at a paper, asking seperate question, picking up phone, etc.]

  12. Anybody have suggestions for classical music to listen to when working? Utilizing my new Spotify account…

    1. When I have to get really immersed in a technical project, I love Bach – the Glenn Gould albums and his fugues tickle my brain just right!

    2. It depends on if you like innocuous or more interesting music. The Mozart piano concertos are great for music that is more background. I find Bach piano inventions good too. But for more interesting things, I go more modern/minimalist with Arvo Part, Gorecki, and choral music from Eric Whitacre and Morten Lauridsen, or sometimes Holst (planets etc.) or Debussy (very french-sounding).

    3. My 3 favorites are Bach’s Goldberg variations, Chopin nocturnes, and Ravel piano trio.

      1. I forgot about Chopin! Some of his stuff is very nice (although some is too hectic). Also, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak and Rachmaninoff (R’s Vespers for a contemplative task, beautiful).

    4. Agree about Bach (or Handel. or anything baroque), and also would add Chopin’s piano waltzes and etudes, Mendelssohn’s songs without words, and Beethoven piano sonatas. Earl Wild’s piano arrangements of Gershwin tunes are incredible as well, if you like more modern music.

      When I need to really concentrate , I stick with piano or chamber music, but if I’m doing something more on the tedious side and just need to keep my energy up, these are some of my favorites: Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy, Saint-Saens’s Danse Macabre, Tchaikovsy’s 1st piano concerto, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Cappricio Espagnol, Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, and Leonard Bernstein’s Candide Overture.

    5. I also really like listening to operas while at work (currently on Le Nozze di Figaro). Since I don’t know Italian, I don’t get distracted by the content, but still have people singing and the occasional overtures.

    7. Oh! I recently discovered J.S. Bach’s Lute Suites on itunes. They are fantastic background music for work.

      1. And, as to the other recs above – I honestly cannot listen to anything like Chopin or Debussy and try to work. They are my favorites to play on the piano, too, and I find myself just sitting here listening to them rather than working! Something about the methodical nature of Bach allows me to focus on the task at hand and it’s really kind of energizing. I’ve tried some Haydn and Scarlatti too, that works okay. Also, classical guitar works for me. I’ve set up a classical station for work on Pandora – currently it’s playing Marco Tamayo, Paganini: Guitar Music. Pretty nice!

    8. As someone who works in classical music (not a performer myself but I work with performers), this thread just makes me happy. I’m thrilled to hear that people are still listening to classical music! I love all these suggestions. Personally I like minimalism to study by (John Adams, Philip Glass, Steve Reich – although you have to be careful with some of these, early Steve Reich for example would be a bad choice for working). Shostakovich Preludes and Fugues are good too.

      I often listen to classical radio but it never fails that something “embarrassing” – like the William Tell Overture (aka The Lone Ranger) or John Williams movie music – will start playing whenever someone important comes in my office. Nothing like talking to a conductor while the Star Wars Imperial March comes on in the background.

      1. I’m a classical choral singer and I am happy to see this thread too!

        MJ, you might want to try Pandora.com for listening at work. You can set up your own station by indicating composers you want to include and then can explicitly exclude John Williams and Rossini. (You can even tell the system you don’t like specific pieces as they come up and Pandora won’t play those on that particular station again.) I pay $35 for a yearly upgrade subscription and that way don’t hear any commercials. Definitely worth it to me.

      2. Might have to re-post this another day, but I’m really intrigued by your job, MJ — how did you get into the industry? I don’t have the dedication to ever get to professional performance level on my instruments, but I would love to work around people who do. Thanks!

        1. Hi Mir:

          I’m in a very very very small field so I don’t want to post much identifying info here. I do have an undergraduate degree in music performance but was never under any delusions that I could make a living as a performer (also I totally hate practicing, at least at the level that professionals have to maintain). Still, it was enough to get me into a music graduate program in a non-performance area, and it all went from there. I also happened to be in the right place at the right time when my current job opened up.

          A degree in arts administration is another path that a lot of people take. My field in particular is big on internships and on-the-job training. A lot of my colleagues started as volunteers or interns for an orchestra or other classical music organization. I’d say that almost everyone has at least an undergraduate degree in music and some sort of performing experience.

          I absolutely love my job and I’m lucky enough to look forward to going to work every day – I get to spend my day talking about and thinking about music and I’m surrounded by great musicians. My current position doesn’t pay much (so mostly I just come here to admire the clothes I can’t afford), but my field does have the potential to pay quite well if I ever try to go after one of the top jobs.

          Alas, classical music is not exactly a growth industry right now, so can’t recommend it for everyone. But, it’s perfect for me at this point in my life!

    9. Like others, I love Bach and other baroque music for working. With anything much past Mozart, I start focusing on the drama in the music (even non-vocal music) and stop focusing on the work I’m supposed to be doing. For instance, I love Chopin’s Nocturnes with all my heart, but can’t listen to them and work at the same time!

      Specific suggestions:
      Bach, Orchestral Suites
      Bach, Brandenburg Concertos
      Bach, English Suites (solo piano) (Murray Perahia’s collection is great.)
      Bach, Partitas (solo piano)
      (I like Rosalyn Tureck and Richard Goode for any Bach solo piano works.)
      Bach, Violin concerti
      Hadyn, Piano sonatas (Love Jeno Jando’s versions.)
      D. Scarlatti, Piano sonatas (The Ivo Pogorelich and Mikhail Pletnev recordings are great.)
      Handel, Concerti grossi
      T. Albinoni, Oboe concerti
      A. Corelli, Concerti grossi
      F. Geminiani, Concerti grossi
      P. Locatelli, Concerti grossi
      Vivaldi, “La Stravaganza” (concerti)
      Mozart, Piano sonatas
      Mozart, Piano concertos (Love Murray Perahia for these.)
      Mozart, Clarinet Quintet, Horn Quintet and Oboe Quintet
      Mozart, Clarinet Concerto and Oboe Concerto

      Haven’t managed to get on Spotify yet because when my husband tried it on our desktop at home, it got hung up somehow trying to survey his (admittedly large) iTunes collection. What’s it like for classical music?

    10. another classical music lover here. happy reading this thread. just wanted to say thanks and agreed with the recs, particularly Bach and Debussy. And “Daniel Barenboim” is a good Pandora-channel-starter.

    11. Ottorino Respighi is a bit more recent, but I love his Ancient Airs and Dances. Bergamasca is one of my favorites.

  13. Undergarmets threadjack — I am looking for something to raise the neckline of certain dresses that show just a bit too much cleavage. I currently just wear a cami, but I hate the lines/bunching around my waist.

    I am thinking of buying a bralette (I had no idea this term existed until today), but was wondering if anyone had suggestions. I don’t need added support, so this would solely be to raise the neckline. TIA.

    1. You could try the 9 to 5 bra. It solves all problems without requiring an extra layer, doesn’t have any work-inappropriate lace either.
      If you google it, the website should be the first thing that comes up.

    2. I love the bralettes from JC Penney. I forget the brand, but I think I got them for less than $10 each. Look online. I wish they had more colors though, but I have the black and the white and I wear them constantly under dresses.

    3. It depends on the cut of the dress, but I’ve had a tailor take up the shoulders of a v-neck gown thus raising the neckline to a reasonable level.

    4. I like the Gap pullover bralette for this. Though I have very little cleavage to speak of, and so I wear these as my everyday actual bras quite often!

      They are $20 each, but Friends and Family just started for 30% off. Enter “30OFF” at checkout or “35OFF” if you have a Gap card.

  14. I’m hoping some pear-shaped corporettes might have good suit buying experiences. I have a small waist and am thin on top, but have a muscular, curvy build on the bottom (size 6 on top and in the waist, size 10 on the bottom), and I need to pick up a couple suits. The one suit that I own that fits me is a skirt suit from Tahari (the pants didn’t quite fit), but I’m looking to branch out. I’d be interested in the Theory price range– and I like the styles but absolutely could never squish my thighs/butt into them. Any similarly shaped corporettes have good luck with other brands? I’m a 29 year old attorney if that helps.

    Read more: https://corporette.com/2011/08/04/thursdays-tps-report-pleated-neck-tee/#ixzz1U4azFuWm

    1. Classiques is great for pears as is Nanette Lepore. Most of my suits are from Antonio Melani, but I’ve had to alter some of the skirts because they’re just too wide around the waist. Others I have fit perfectly, so it really depends on the style.

      1. I echo the recommendation for Classiques. Fantastic fit for hourglasses and pears. You can always buy separates, which I appreciate. Check out Nordstrom Rack for a good deal, sometimes they have a lot of Classiques inventory.

    2. I’m a 4 on top and 6/8 on bottom, and I love Antonio Melani. Calvin Klein suits also look nice on me, if I can find them in separate.

    3. I’m a pear, and I’ve have good luck with Tahari and Anne Klein. I have one suit from Nine West that fits perfectly, but I’m less familiar with the brand.

  15. Awesome Amrita Singh sale going on right now on Haute Look. Necklaces and earring under $20.

    Geez I’m all over this thread. I need to stop commenting so much.

  16. Threadjack:

    I have this cute skirt from Venus. I know, it’s trendy etc.

    http://www.venus.com/viewproduct.aspx?BRANCH=7~71~&ProductDisplayID=10086&dept=Venus+Clothing-Skirts+%26+Shorts&prod=bustier%2c+circle+printed+skirt&clearance=0

    Anyway, I in no way can wear a bustier top, nor do I want to do so. I am looking for an appropriate top, need to wear a regular bra w/shoulder straps, and would like to be somewhat “covered” and act my age … 50.

    Thoughts? This skirt is rather stiff and flowing at the same time, so I was in agreement with the photo of a more form fitting top.

    I would appreciate some specifics, you have ideas.

    Many thanks…

    1. Oh, that’s pretty! Love it.

      I’d go with a form-fitting black top. If you like the contrast of casual fabric with fancy skirt, you could go as simple as a black cotton camisole or form-fitting tee. I’ve seen that look in photos, and think it’s great.

    2. Fabulous skirt! Depending on the where/when you’re wearing it, I would love a black sleeveless, close-fitting turtleneck for an elegant look. Rock it with some red pumps!

      1. Oh I love the b/w/red combination! Do you think for a Pops concert at symphony hall with a red statement necklace? Love your images…now to find that…

        What’s the consensus on a close fitting, modal, long sleeved tshirt style for when it’s chilly in the hall or wherever I wear the skirt? Still just a refined? I have one that has silver (metal actually) squares with circles cutout of them around the cuffs and scoop neck. Would sort of be a riff on the white with black dots as it looks like black dots inside silver trim squares…can’t explain it well. Then I’d just wear pearl or black drop earrings and no necklace.

        The only thing I had found in my evening closet area was a formal jacket w/peplum or wrap top with long sleeves and felt it made it look matron-meets-trendy person collision! As in “Oh, she’s trying too hard…”

        Oh, the skirt also has a small crinoline which adds to the “swish” factor :)

        1. Personally, with that much going on in the skirt, I’d try to stay as simple as possible up top. Less is more. You could do the modal long sleeve T with a statement necklace, or I’d also like a long sleeve close fitting turtleneck with some great statement earrings (all still with the shot-of-color red pumps!). If you’re comfortable baring your arms (I’m 50 also and this can be a tender topic), my original suggestion would still work if you brought some sort of pashmina wrap if it was chilly in the hall. Love the crinoline swish!

          1. Thanks KS, I was specifically worried about that top being “too too” … glad to have simplicity validated. Thanks to the gym I’m feeling better about the bare arms but it’s rarely an issue with things so AC driven at all times in hot, humid, happy Houston indoors. I might re-try my spanx tank top underneath anything like a modal t or turtleneck for a number of reasons :)

      1. Oooh, I love the C. Herrera look as well….I lust after the blouses at Anne Fontaine, but cannot afford them. Other resources?

  17. I’m trying to update my resume for the first time post-law school and finding it a bit tricky. A lot of info that was previously there seems superfluous now that I have been employed as an attorney for a few years.

    One specific question concerns my 2nd year of law school summer position. I worked at a solo practitioner firm. Previously, I put my title as “law clerk” but having worked as a law clerk in court post-law school, it now doesn’t make sense to put that down anymore there. But “summer associate” seems really silly given the office and “intern” doesn’t really accurately describe it either. What would you put?

    Also, any other tips/pet peeves about resumes would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!

    1. For the second question, I would say “summer clerk”. I’ll be watching others’ responses for the rest of your questions, ’cause I don’t know either.

    2. Please, important management-types, give us guidance on this! I have four completely distinct jobs on my resume with the title “law clerk” because that’s what they all are, techincally. (Career office at school told me to do it, so it’s probably the worst faux pas imagineable…)

      1. I’m a partner at a law firm. Frankly, I don’t really care what you did summers in law school once you start working. I’d list it, but not even necessarily with a narrative description (unless you think that for some reason the firm/organization you worked for would really interest where you’re applying). What I care about is what you have been doing for the past 2-4 years substantively. What level of responsibility you have. I want to have some clue as to whether you recognize that you should be marketing as an associate (even if bringing in business is a ways off). If you have a lot of jobs in a short period of time (3 jobs in 6 yrs, for example), I want to know why. So explain that on the resume or in a cover letter. I don’t care where you went to high school even if its super fancy and only wonderful people went there. I barely care where you went to college. I sort of care where you went to law school. I’d rather hire someone who shows initiative and has had a lot of responsibility and went to a crappy law school and got so so grades than someone who went to Choate, Harvard, Yale, and has reviewed documents and answered discovery requests and nothing else (so, if that’s you, do some pro bono work or something to get real experience). I want writing samples that you actually wrote or, if that isn’t possible, that you primarily wrote. I want to know you can write. The only time I care about what an associate did several years ago (as opposed to what they have developed into and where they care currently) is if it is relevant to marketing and/or industry knowledge. So, say, you want a job as an associate for a litigation group that focuses on the construction industry and you used to work for a GC and have contacts at the GC, I’d want to know that.
        Basically, your resume should tell me that (1) you’re competent; (2) you’re willing to work hard/learn; and (3) that you have potential for marketing or, at the very least, can be a “go to” person that a client trusts.

      2. I think law clerk is fine. For a judicial clerkship, you could say “judicial law clerk,” so there is a difference.

        I took my summer positions off my resume pretty quickly after beginning practice, because nobody cares much about them. You could also lump all your law-school-era jobs together, with a heading like “Legal Employment During Law School: Such & Such Firm, Research Assistant to Professor X, etc.,” taking up less space but getting the names on there.

    3. I think “summer clerk” or “summer law clerk” is the right way to describe your summer job. If you’re currently clerking for a judge, everyone will know what you mean by “Law clerk to Judge Joe Blow” – they won’t confuse it with a summer internship.

      I also agree that, from the employer perspective, I don’t care what you did during your summers if you’re more than a couple years out of law school, unless your summer job was something amazing. Once I got my second job as an attorney, I took most of my internships off my resume, with the exception of one prestigious one. In general, if you’re a lawyer seeking an attorney position, anything you did that required a law license or counts as legal practice should be included, while other jobs don’t need to be included unless you think they’re particularly relevant.

  18. I really love this top, but I am on a shopping ban except for a decent new interview suit.

    I Have to vent…The transition meeting was very frustrating. I was hoping for a very seamless transition, but instead I show them what I do and they tell me they have to do something different. I respond that is understandable, they don’t have the same expertise that I do, but a conversation has to happen with the stakeholders to discuss the changes. Then they comeback to me asking to see what I do again just to tell me they are not familiar with it and can’t do it that way…..wash, rinse, repeat.

    1. That sucks. Sounds like your higher ups aren’t so organized. I don’t think it’s an uncommon circumstance when there is downsizing. Suddenly fewer people are asked to do more things and, particularly, new things. It is great that you are doing what you can to help and that you wrote up so many things for them (likely will be hugely helpful in the future) but there’s only so much you can do. This is not your problem — it’s the company’s. Try to stay zen!

      1. My New Motto Is Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On!

        And on a humerous note everytime I write Motto I think:

        Timon: It’s our motto!
        Simba: What’s a motto?
        Timon: Nothin’! What’s a motto with you?!
        -Timon, Pumbaa & Simba

    2. Are you the person who got laid off and is being asked to train your replacement?

      I’d tell them to shove it, but that’s just me. I guess you don’t want to burn bridges.

      1. Yes that is me, but I can’t do that even in a big city the field I work in is a small town and we are bound to cross paths again.

        1. Ugh. I suggest coming in at 10 and leaving at 5, and taking a lunch break. I’m so sorry you have to put up with this – asking someone to train their replacement is adding insult to injury, and if your replacement is being a total pain it seems like almost too much to bear.

      1. It is my favorite book and every time I walk to work I think of the description of the crowed sidewalk and Francie learning to get through the city at a brisk pace the words are so descriptive and accurate.

        1. So funny you say that, I think of her description every time I go to work too. I agree, such a good description.

  19. First time poster, long time lurker here with a tricky career-change question: I’m an (almost) one-year associate at a law firm, and I was essentially baited and switched into their corporate deptarment (by way of background, I was hired on the premise of my doing litigation – not in writing, of course – and when I showed up on my first day, I found out I was in the corporate department). Looking back, I realize there were a lot of things I could have done differently or people I should have talked to, but, at the time, I’d just moved to a new city, away from my friends and family, and was so shellshocked that I think I forced myself to believe that I could make it work. Anyway, what’s done is done, but what this year has taught me is that corporate work is just not for me. I’ve been told by several colleagues that transferring from corporate to litigation within the firm is “just not done” around here, so, in the event that a request for transfer isn’t successful, I’ve decided to look elsewhere in the meantime. The problem is, this is my first “real” job, and I know that my best references would probably be from this firm. How do I get the references I need without spilling the beans? I’m not 100% confident that even my closest co-workers or mentors could keep it a secret if I asked for a recommendation. Has anyone ever dealt with this before?

    1. Did you summer at a different firm? When I lateralled after 3 years at my firm, I also didn’t want to use anyone there as a reference (my departure was pretty surprising). I used my mentor from my previous summer associate position as a reference.

      1. No, unfortunately this is the same firm I summered at. I had a summer clerkship before that, which I guess would have some weight, as far as recommendations go. But, even though I don’t like the work, I’ve done a good job and would definitely benefit from a recommendation. It makes me nervous telling my firm that I’m essentially unhappy in my line of work (by requesting a transfer) without having potential fallback jobs lined up – I’m just not sure how to time a job search along with my request to transfer, without leaving myself completely SOL.

    2. I’ve been thinking about this too as I’m contemplating whether I need to find a new job. I summered at my firm and one other firm (for 6 weeks) during law school, and now I’m a 3rd year associate more experience than one would expect just for my year. There isn’t a lot of hierarchy on my team, so all my work is done directly for partners. Thoughts, all?

    3. I think Kat did a post about finding references other than existing co-workers. Try searching the archives.

    4. As someone who interviews and hires people, I would totally understand that you don’t want to provide references from your current job, and if it’s your only job, then I’d be fine with a reference from somewhere else. In your situation, a professor, former coworker, or colleague from a volunteer activity would be fine as a reference. Do you have a former coworker who no longer works at the firm, or the president of a club you were really active in during law school? What about using the same people you used as references for your current job?

      1. Thanks for this! Having the employer’s perspective really helps, since the feedback I’ve gotten from many of the people I’ve confided in has been that my candidacy for a job won’t be taken as seriously if I have to rely on references from unpaid jobs (many having nothing to do with law) or from law school clubs/activities.

        1. No, it’s totally understandable that you don’t want to tip off your colleagues or boss that you’re looking for a new job. Once when I was looking for a new job, I did agree to provide a reference from my current job, but asked them not to contact my references unless they were basically sure they’d make me an offer if the references were good. They totally understood, and they called me in advance to let me know that they were going to contact my references. I think this is another totally acceptable, and understandable, way to go about it.

    5. Are you involved in any sort of local bar organization, Inn of Court, junior league, school or sorority alumni organization, volunteer group, etc.? A more senior member of one of those groups could be a reference (provided they know you and your work).

      1. THANK YOU! Until your comment, I could not place why her name sounded so familiar. Crisis averted.

    7. keep in mind that while corporate work really stinks as a junior associate so does litigation (due diligence v doc review) and in the long run, it’s a lot easier to go in-house with a corporate background that a litigation one. i put this in the category of “be careful what you wish for . . .”

      1. Yeah, I’ve given that possibility some thought, too. But then again, whenever I’m with corporate associates three or four years ahead of me, I’ll listen to their phone calls to clients and partners or about their latest deals, and as soon as I leave, I think “holy crap, I’d rather do due diligence for the rest of my life than do what they do.” That’s how I know.

        1. you may want to explore other in-house practice areas like employment law or real estate to avoid getting trapped at a firm forever. i’d recommend looking at in-house job postings now to see what areas appeal to you & remember that even though there are litigation management positions, they tend to be rare & get many more applicants than the specialized fields as there are so many more general litigators out there.

    2. Yay! I went and voted for Ender’s Game. Only that one, because it is by far The Best. :) I’ll never remember to go look at the results, so post them back here when they come out if you remember!

  21. Got hit by a car on my scooter. Had to spend an hour and a half talking to a cop because the driver took off. My day can only get better; right?

    2. I’m so glad you’re feeling well enough to be posting! Take care of yourself and hopefully your hour and a half with the cop will result in someone else having an even worse day (and time in jail, loss of license, insurance rate hikes, etc.).

    3. I was rear-ended recently. Start documenting everything. The best way is to keep emailing yourself with how you are feeling, at least daily, if not more often. Respond to your own message, so it’s all one nice long thread with a time stamp of contemporaneous feeling.

      Go see a doctor immediately (i.e TODAY) to establish a baseline, and schedule another appointment for two days later. I felt kinda ok the day of the accident, pretty crappy the next day, and REALLY crappy after two days. I felt awful for over a week, starting about 48 hours after the accident.

      Because of this delayed onset of symptoms, watch what you say in any written form, including facebook. Don’t say you’re fine, you’re ok, not worried, etc. You have no idea, so don’t create that evidence, just in case. You can be honest – ‘right now, I am not feeling much pain or soreness’ or ‘the doctor says nothing is broken’ but don’t say everything is peachy.

      Everything you buy because of the accident (ice packs, ibuprofen, rx co-pays, dr co-pays), scan it to PDF and email it to yourself in that same thread. Print up Google Maps of your routes so mileage is covered too.

      Hopefully the cops will find this jerkface and your lovely evidence will help support your claims. Even if you don’t file suit, sending the lovely evidence to the other guy’s insurance (or yours) should help result in a settlement for, at the very least, your medical bills.

      1. Great advice. To add–if you haven’t already, write down your account of the accident, print it, and sign/date it. I know you spoke to the police for a while and hopefully their report will have everything necessary, but it’s good to have your own account, too. When I was in an accident last September, the police officer totally botched his report.

      2. Wow, you sound horrible to know. I don’t know your circumstances (but rear ending seems like an accident compared to a hit and run on a scooter), but this just screams why people hate lawyers.

        The emailing yourself thing and scanning receipts for ice packs is ridiculous.

        1. You have no idea what you are talking about. I was stopped at a red light, and the person behind me hit me going 40 mph. My airbag deployed. There was over $5k in damage to my car, and it was in the shop for almost two weeks. If the car which hit me had been a little taller, it would have totaled my car, but thankfully the bumpers lined up enough so that he didn’t plow through my rear window. I couldn’t turn my head for over a week, which effectively meant I couldn’t drive because I couldn’t check my blind spot. I bloody better be compensated for my out of pocket expenses at the very least. You should hope to never be in an accident to experience any of this personally.

        2. Are you for real?

          I’m sorry, but I don’t really see how documenting any adverse effects you suffer as a result of an accident caused by someone else, or documenting medical costs you incur as a result of injuries suffered due to an accident caused by someone else, has anything to do with whether or not you are an attorney.

          It’s just smart and organized.

          If someone else causes an accident and I suffer a loss as a result, I expect them to make me whole. Just as I would expect to have to compensate them for ice packs/chiropractor visits/etc. if I were the one at fault.

          1. Oh and my “Are you for real?” was in response to “Are you kidding me” of 2:02pm. I think SF Bay Associate did the right thing.

        3. WTF? SF Bay Associate is simply taking care of herself and preserving the record of what happened. Rear end collisions are rarely an “accident” but are a preventable crash that was caused by another driver’s speeding, lack of attention or outright distraction. That’s why fault is almost always totally ascribed to the driver who rearends another vehicle. Accidents are acts of God – a crash like this one is preventable, and from the victim’s point of view, should at minimum have all her costs covered !

        4. What would you suggest? After I got hit head on through no fault of my own, should I have just gotten compensated for my totaled car? Or is that still too lawyer-y for you? My medical bills? Why should I have to pay for ibuprofen and heating pads when if it wasn’t for the inattention of another driver, I wouldn’t need them?

        5. Wow, you sound like a complete idiot (this is in response to are you kidding me). She’s doing exactly the right thing, documenting her injuries and expenses incurred as the result of someone else’s negligence.

        6. Are YOU kidding ME? Why should my insurance pay for an accident that I didn’t cause? Why should I risk not having coverage for what COULD be permanent back pain? Back pain and soft tissue injuries can be debilitating and the effects are not always immediate. Jees!

    4. Oh, no! I hope you are ok and the cops find the loser that hit you quickly. And yes, your day can only get better.

      1. Please treat yourself well. Everyone is right – the impact may come later on. Cossett yourself tonight, good food, soft places to sit and sleep, and whatever else nurtures yourself. Glad you made it through! Hope our support helps your day get better too.

    5. I’m glad you’re okay! Make sure you have the info to get the police report, and call your insurance. Then take some time off tonight and breathe a sigh of relief. It’s a big pain to deal with an accident, but you could have been seriously injured. Have a glass of wine and relax. Call a friend, watch a movie. Try not to think too much about what a jerk the driver is.

      You might be sore the next day, so take some ibuprofen tonight.

    6. Whoa, so sorry to hear that Ms. B! I hope you are feeling well and that the driver gets what he karmically deserves (eaten by bears, maybe?)

    7. Thanks all for the support everyone. While he was with me, the cop was able to find the car (I got the liscense plate), but the registered driver’s age did not match the age of the driver I saw, so they have to do a bit more investigating.

      @SF Bay Associate (loved your ode to the perfect shirt earlier btw ;-D) I’ve started documenting everything thanks for the awesome advice. I’m gonna take the rest of the day off from work and go home. I wish I could relax, but I have the MPRE tomorrow, but after that my bed (memory foam) and I are going to have a very long date.

      @ Scully- I have a Piaggio Fly 50 and love it. Even in spite of this.

      1. I too have been in a hit-and-run, but they didn’t find (or even look for) the guy. Hooray, Chicago PD.

        I hope you’re ok, and since you seem to be, can I ask about your experiences as a scooter owner? I have been contemplating buying one for a while now but am a little worried about the possibility of accidents, plus wondering what I’d do if it’s raining or snowing. Any tips or thoughts?

        1. I love my scooter. I’ve had it for about a year and a half and this is the first incident like this.

          I have a 49cc (so no license or insurance requirement, but insurance is only about $250/year). It takes about $5 to fill up and I get around 50 miles to the tank. Depending on the incline I will go around 20-30 MPH and going downhill I top out around 40 MPH.

          I would strongly suggest getting a helmet (for obvious reasons), a Battery Tender (it takes about twenty minutes to recharge the battery, but with the Tender, I know it’s fully charged everytime I want to take it out), and the fuel stabalizer. The fuel stabalizer is important when the scooter would be sitting for longer than a week without being ridden.

          I try my hardest not to drive when there is rain falling, but as long as it’s light you’ll be okay. I recently got caught in a downpour and found out (the hard way) that when water gets under the seat where the motor is, the scooter will shut off and will not turn back on until it dries out.

          Also note, after a bit of negotiating, I got the people to sell me the scooter at cost, so it was around $2,100. If you have any other questions, let me know.

          1. Thanks so much! Very useful, and it didn’t occur to me to check into licensing requirements.

      2. Yeah, you might be a little gun-shy after your fall. I had one rough fall because a van swerved into my lane and almost hit me. I was pretty nervous the next time I drove. When you feel up to it, pick a light traffic day and just drive around for fun. Take your time getting your confidence back.

        Don’t worry. You’ll rock the MPRE. Best of luck!

    9. Glad you’re okay, and hope you can take it easy for multiple days after the MPRE!

  23. Threadjack…
    There was a great discussion a month or so ago about whether to take a year off between college and law school or go straight through. Does anyone remember where that thread is?
    Thanks!

      1. Just curious — what did you decide? I remember you were a junior (now i guess starting senior year), so I suppose you would have to apply soon.

        1. I’m going to take the LSAT this fall but wait to apply until 2013 so I can start in 2014. That way I have time to get out of school and find a job and save some money before I start.

    2. No, but do it. It’ll be a while before you have a year to do something random and fun. Go abroad!

    3. Just don’t go to law school. Take a life off before going.

      For any other grad school, take at least a year off (not ‘off’ but working and living in the real world, enjoying and also contemplating paying off your debt forever, having learned, as you will, what life costs and what you are willing to pay.)

      But don’t go to law school.

      1. Some of us are very happy we went to law school, even with the amount of debt we incurred…so I would temper this person’s statement with: “Take time off to make sure you really want to go, regardless of what grad program you choose.”

        1. This. I was miserable in my jobs before law school. As frustrated as I get with my job now, I could enjoy very little of my life with my other jobs because I was just doing this countdown of when I’d have to go back to work. That’s really no way to live life. For me, the debt is worth it because I’m no longer totally miserable.

          1. Agreed. I’m getting tired of hearing “don’t go to law school”…frankly, it isn’t your* decision to make, and some people turn out to like it (or, at least not hate it.) Advice like that is no advice at all! However, I third the rec to take a year off if possible. Three years more of school is no joke, and burnout is a real thing.

            *This means you, random internet anons

  25. Hi girls, I was just wondering. The dress code for my office is business formal–do you think that wearing a blazer with non-matching pieces (e.g. skirts with a pattern, different colored dresses, etc.) would fly? I am trying to expand my daily options. Thanks in advance!

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