This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ooh: I have not noticed this sophisticated bag before, but it's one of Tory Burch's bestsellers. I love the top clasp, protective metal feet, and the center pocket divider. This color of pebbled leather is new (the matte leather ones have been around for a while, apparently).
The pictured bag is the largest size, at 8.3″H x 12.6″L x 5″D, but do note that there are several sizes available (including a mini). The brand notes that it was “crafted in partnership with a Leather Working Group-certified tannery, supporting high standards in leather manufacturing and chemical management.”
The pictured bag is $798; you can find it at ToryBurch.com, Nordstrom, and others. If you've never ordered from ToryBurch.com before, they're offering 15% off your first purchase.
Psst: free shipping at Talbots today, and LOTS of 25% off Friends & Family sales — just updated our sales below.
Sales of note for 9.30.24
- Nordstrom – Beauty deals through September
- Ann Taylor – Extra 30% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – 15% off new styles
- Eloquii – Extra 50% off sale
- J.Crew – 50% off select styles
- J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything + 50% off sale with code
- Lo & Sons – Warehouse sale, up to 70% off
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Neiman Marcus – Friends & Family 25% off
- Rag & Bone – Friends & Family 25% off sitewide
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – Fall Cyber Monday sale, 40% off sitewide and $5 shipping
- Target – Car-seat trade-in event through 9/28 — bring in an old car seat to get a 20% discount on other baby/toddler stuff.
- White House Black Market – 40% off select styles
Anon
To continue the topic of makeup dupes, any recommendations for a cream contour stick? I loved the now-discontinued Revlon Colorstay stick crayon in soft brown (I think it was meant to be a brow crayon) and looking for a dupe that’s not shimmery or overly warm. Budget-agnostic.
New Here
I recently got one of the Fenty ones and I’m pleased with it. I went to Sephora and told them I needed a “dummy proof contour” and this is what they recommended.
Lexi
Rare Beauty is great, and is good value
Senior Attorney
That is a lovely bag but for some reason I just can’t bring myself to buy anything with Tory Burch branding. Fortunately I have something quite similar from a few years ago so I guess it’s back in style!
editor
Same. Same for all logos, really, but particularly TB.
Anon
+1
Anonymous
I don’t have any opinion about this brand (I feel like it passed me by as a Gen X non-basic B) but had an immediate negative reaction to the prominent branding here as the single detail on the bag.
Anon
Same, the TB logo is so dated to me.
Anonymous
Same. I irrationally dislike Tory Burch, Kate Spade, and Michael Kors, but love Coach (leather only.) It makes no sense because they are all basically the same.
Senior Attorney
Heh somebody gave me a tote with the giant MK branding all over it some years ago, and because my initials at the time were “MK,” I decided to just go with it…
anon
Now, Michael Kors Collection on the other hand… love. Irrationally hate the stuff that pays their actual bills from the outlet mall.
Anon
Coach was just terrible about ten years ago, so I stopped even looking at their stuff. There was a time at which middle school girls wanted to have Coach purses and… that just wasn’t where I wanted to spend my money.
Perusing their website, it seems like they improved.
Anon
Vintage Coach is awesome. I have bags that are decades old and still look awesome. I wash them (really!) by submerging them in warm water with blue Dawn, rinse and then shape with towels to dry. Amazing.
Anon
Oh Michael Kors gets all my hate, and it’s not even nice stuff under all the branding.
Anon
Very heavy bags that make them cumbersome to carry.
Anon
I don’t think Coach is the same. I’d never buy their logo canvas stuff, but their plain leather can be quite nice. I have some really old Coach bags that are timeless (except no cell phone pockets!) and got a Cassie crossbody in pebbled leather for my last birthday and really like it. If I were going to buy a Coach bag right now, it would be the Soft Tabby with rivets – it looks like the old leather.
Anonymous
I hate the constant posts about hating logos. Unless you are duct taping over the logos on your sneakers you are also a tool of the capitalist machine. Love my Tory Burch! And love Kate Spade and Frances Valentine for fun bags and shoes.
Anon
Constant? I don’t know about that.
You are obviously not alone in your love of logos! But they are not for me.
Anon
I don’t like big and flashy logos in my work clothes. It’s easy enough to find things without them.
Anon
Enjoy that logo but I also hate it. My sneakers All Birds and I can’t find a logo on them.
Anon
Another product question – does anyone have BLUE (not purple) conditioner they like for blonde highlights?
Anonymous
I think the Aveda Malva one is blue.
I bought it before I realised that blue/purple shampoos won’t do anything for natural blondes…
Lexi
I use a blue Matrix Brass Off hair mask about one every 3 shampoos. Recommend
Anonymous
I really like Davine Heart of Glass. Use both the shampoo and the conditioner.
Anonymous
What’s the most interesting thing that you learned recently? I learned that QR codes can be really dangerous (from that thread here the other day)!
Anon
I learned that some trees grow taller by the crown instead of stretching up from the roots. So if you carve something into a beechwood at 4 feet, in 100 years, it’ll still be at 4 feet!
Anon
That the new state of war includes explosive pagers and walkie-talkies.
That Arkansas is the only state in the nation that is refusing to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage to one year postpartum.
Enrollment/admission demographics for the elite colleges after affirmative action was overturned.
Anonymous
IEDs have been part of terrorist war tactics for a long time. The coordination is the development, but of course if your fighting force is bigger and better funded and combined with a decent intelligence agency, you can do that.
Lexi
What? How are QR codes dangerous? Wow, miss a day of corporette, now I feel behind!
Anonymous
Used for scams, link you to malware etc
Lexi
Thanks, this was news to me, will have to be more careful
Anon
They are basically like an executable file (.exe) that works on your phone. Possibly benign, or very harmful and bad actors can easily slap a QR sticker over a legit version.
Lexi
Wow, thanks for the explanation! Had no idea
Anon
Does anyone have opinions about useful features in a gym bag? I have recently started going to the gym before work, and I shower there before heading to the office. I’ve been using a reusable tote, but that’s not a very efficient set up! My birthday is coming up, so I was going to ask for a gym bag.
My work is on the more casual end of business casual, if that makes a difference. I don’t care if my gym bag is presentable, but I do usually carry my clothes in the bag instead of on a hanger. I’m wondering if y’all have better experiences with lots of pockets? More like a big open space? An unconventional bag that has ended up being a great gym bag?
New Here
no specific bag rec, but I’d say a separate compartment for shoes!
anon
I go to the gym at my office maybe once or twice a week before work. Currently using a very basic gym bag I got from a conference years ago so I’m likely no help. I would say separate pockets for toiletries and clothes are very important, as is a comfortable strap. I keep a drawstring bag in there for shoes.
If you drive to work, I’d take clothes in on a hanger. I used to fold them up and put in the gym bag but it’s wrinkle free and easier packing to just carry my clothes in on a hanger. That’s what everyone else at my office seems to do as well.
Sunshine
I use an Ogio backpack to go to the gym before work. I pack my clothes the night before. I keep a set of all toiletries in my gymbag full time and also keep an extra pair of underwear and bra inside because I have forgotten to pack my bra and undies before. I also use a plastic grocery bag for my wet clothes after my workout; I use the same plastic bag for a few weeks and then use it as a trash bag at home and get a new bag (letting it dry out in between uses, of course).
I drive to work, so I don’t care what the bag looks like. I like the pockets and prefer a backpack.
No Face
I like a separate shoe compartment. I use my gym’s toiletries so I don’t have many other needs.
Anon
At least one outside pocket, ideally two (one for phone and one for keys, so keys aren’t scratching the phone). A waterbottle sleeve. At least one inside pocket. Room for a towel, clothes, and shoes. I found getting a backpack much better than a gym bag because you’re more likely to find something with all of this – sometimes even a shoe compartment- and it’s much easier to carry than a bulky duffel
Cora
I use the lululemon commuter backpack and generally like it a lot. I like the shoe container and the cell phone pocket and laptop pocket. I don’t like that it doesn’t have an outside water bottle sleeve, so look for that.
Anonymous
Take into account the size/shape of lockers that you use. I’ve found that a backpack or tote style bag has worked better for me than a duffle style bag. My “nicest” gym bag is duffel style and its a huge hassle to try to put it into the lockers at my work gym. Even though I don’t store stuff overnight, I usually leave my bag and sweaty clothes in the work locker room until the end of the day so they don’t stink up my office.
Search for earlier comment
Can someone with better comment search skills help me find the thread earlier this month about products for dry lips? Or if you have not commented, please let me know your favorite product :) Thanks!
Anon
I didn’t comment on that one, but based on a rec here I got Flexitol lip balm and I really like it.
Anon
I can’t recommend Topicals Lip Salve enough. Better than any other high end lip balm I’ve tried.
Anon
Thanks for reminding me. I just re-ordered Burt’s Bees ultra conditioning moisturizing lip balm. I get them in 4 packs on Amazon, and keep one everywhere.
Anon
I recently tried the Laneige lip sleeping mask and really liked it.
Anon
Obsessed with that one. I can’t sleep without it!
Anonymous
Obsessed with that one. I can’t sleep without it!
Anonymous
https://corporette.com/belted-pleated-wool-blend-midi-wrap-skirt/#comment-4607591
I ordered the Marin lip treatment based on a comment here and it works fine. It’s unscented and clear, so I’m going to try using it at night so I don’t get stains on my pillowcase.
I usually use Laneige lip sleeping mask at night and all day (keep one at my desk), and it’s been working wonders for the past 4-5 years. My favorite flavors are grapefruit and peppermint. This year’s candy cane flavor is much sweeter and more sugary than last year’s peppermint, so I won’t repurchase.
OP
Thanks, everyone!
Anon
What are things that can help you break out of a slump that don’t include a drastic haircut (always a bad idea, I’ve learned from past mistakes) or running away to a quaint town in England to run a bookshop (romantic but unrealistic)?
Anon
Quit a responsibility or start something new. In the last year and a half, I’ve quit a very time and energy-consuming board position and I started assistant coaching the sport I loved growing up. It’s helped, but the urge to run away to the woods (or a quaint English town) is still strong.
Anon
+1 on the quit something. I’m in the midst of trying to quit being on the condo board, and hoping it will make a difference in my life happiness.
OP
I wish the answer was “quit my job” but I need to pay my bills, lol.
Anon
Yeah, I feel you. I fantasize about quitting my job and just coaching youth league sports, but I am quite attached to my current income :)
Anonymous
(Culture Study just had a podcast about what it’s really like to run a romance bookstore!)
Anon
There was also a great episode on Heavyweight that focused on a bookstore opening up in a tiny rural town.
Anon
Yankee Magazine had a great profile within the last 12 months of a couple that moved home to Maine and opened an honest to goodness general store. It didn’t sound like it’s working out great for them, but the general store in my teeny CT town (pop. 1700) has been reborn as a pastry and coffee shop with to-go sandwiches and local sodas AND local gifts and books, and it’s wildly successful. I fully support leaping into any endeavor that doesn’t involve Outlook!
Anon
Learning a new skill. I am a couple of weeks (the two hardest weeks, though so wish me luck) out from being certified as a yoga teacher.
Anone
Good luck! This is one of my personal goals for next year. How long was the certification class? I haven’t done any real research on this yet, just love yoga and have been practicing for nearly 20 years.
Anon
The first is 200 hours and they are serious about it. My training has been about equal parts physical and classroom. There has been a ton of assigned reading and homework too. It has been A LOT. I’m glad I did it but I’m ready to be done.
Barbie
Throw a party. Any size, any friend group(s), any reason, a get-together or a pre-party is fine, too. This gets me cleaning, buying ingredients and food, focused on other people, decorating, excited, and then I have a lot of leftovers and get to discuss the party and plan the next one.
Anon
This.
Pick a day off the calendar and plan a small gathering – try something not connected to one of your usual major holidays, like thanksgiving, those are already stressful. This should be a fun, thinly veiled excuse to hang out with the people you enjoy and eat food you enjoy just because you can.
I’m hosting a fall equinox party on sunday afternoon. Just a couple of friends – I’m 30 and I think this is the first time I’ve ever thrown a party or gathering with intentionality. I did deep cleaning last week and Saturday is going to be pulling out and putting up the fall decor. I’m excited to have cider and pie and celebrate a day that I’ve never celebrated before.
The template I used was: 1. Pick a beverage (cider) 2. Pick a main food (take out) 3. Pick a dessert (apple pie) 4. Pick 1-2 short activities everyone can do (a seasonal reading of your choice, a seasonal tarot spread) 3. Pick 1 optional activity that you can do/not do while hanging out (an autumn themed craft). If you got good friends, they can bring one of the menu items or help crowdsource activity ideas.
Sign up for a class that gets you out of the house once a week doing something you wouldn’t do under your own motivation. I sign up for art classes through out the fall winter and spring. Gets me out of the house for a few hours when the weather is crappy, gives me dedicated time, space, and motivation to do something I enjoy but wouldn’t do on my own. And I get to be part of a community, with other people, but doing my own thing (like parallel play that toddlers do!) so I’m not socially wiped.
Cora
I throw parties like this all the time. Minor holidays, fall equinox like someone mentioned, a theme like “dips”. I don’t decorate that much, I order or make a few main dishes and ask people to bring sides. I make 1-2 cocktails (I like making cocktails), use nicer disposable plates, play music off a speaker. This can be pretty simple and doable – I encourage everyone to do this! Hosting is not that scary.
Anon
Y’all, I need some help. I don’t have much of a style, and I want to be more stylish and put-together. Here are some data points, and then I’m open to any and all suggestions, from how to get started even thinking about this to what to buy/try. I try to find celebrities whose style I like, but that tends to go in all directions — I like a lot of looks! On other people, I suppose.
* I am a professor, which means my workwear can be pretty casual. In the classroom I like to look professional but not overly so (eg, no suits, only very occasionally a blazer).
* In my non-work life, I have two adolescent children and live in the suburbs in the Northeast U.S.
* I’m in my late 40s. My hair is getting some gray but it looks cool (at least I think so) and is shoulder-length. It’s smooth and generally well-groomed, and I usually wear it down or thrown into a ponytail.
* I wear minimal makeup to work: tinted moisturizer, blush, mascara, eyeliner. Maybe lip color.
* I am totally open! What jeans do you recommend? What do you wear out and about on a Saturday that aren’t sweats? What shoes (sneakers, heels, and anything in between) do you like?
Anon
I’ve been working on trying to be more put-together too! I have a casual job, but I don’t want to look schlubby. For me, it’s:
-Makeup, especially always filling in my brows and wearing lipstick
-Getting regular manis and pedis. I feel especially put-together with nice fingernails!
-Wearing simple but good-quality clothes in neutral colours. Nothing overly trendy or bright. “Quiet luxury.”
-Wearing a belt that matches my shoes
-Wearing earrings, a ring, and a necklace every day
Anonymous
I’m guessing you’re not TOTALLY open, and that you do have some preferences. FWIW, I find looking at celebrities nearly useless when it comes to translating anything to my everyday style; there’s simply no overlap between their lifestyles/bodies/budgets and mine.
Here are some questions to help you figure out what you like:
What outfits have you worn in the past that made you feel great, and exactly like yourself?
What categories of activities are you dressing for? examples: teaching class, desk work, running errands, evenings out, work from home.
Go look at these sites: Madewell, Anthropologie, Free People, Sezanne, COS, J Crew. Does one of them speak to you? Do any of them make you say “never, not me.”
What are five or six words that describe how you want to look? What words describe how you don’t want to look? (examples: relaxed, polished, elegant, edgy, natural, dramatic, alluring)
Anonymous
maybe look through some of the style archetypes and see if any ring a bell for you in a yes or no way:
https://bluecollarredlipstick.com/2021/08/style-avatars-a-reconsideration/
https://www.reddit.com/r/femalefashionadvice/comments/wobwyr/fashion_archetypes/
Anonymous
I recommend the book The Curated Closet for helping to define your style. If you don’t want to read a whole book, try coming up with three words to describe your ideal style. (Someone here coined the phrase “French ninja” a few years back, which pretty well sums up my aspirational style in just two words.)
I find the Kibbe types and the color seasons concept both to be helpful tools. They explain why I’ve always thought that certain styles and colors looked good on me, validate that yes giant slouchy blazers and rufflepuff dresses really do make me look terrible and I’m not just making it up, help me think of new things to try that might work, and reinforce my resolve not to buy trendy things that I will never wear because they just don’t suit me.
Anonymous
can you describe some of your favorite pieces in your closet right now (that you actually wear)? shoes, accessories, outfits, clothing items, whatever.
Anon
I would check out Allison Bornstein on tiktok or instagram.
Anonymous
I took some random online style quizzes, and that helped me figure out my style. Then I did searches for posts on building a wardrobe in that style. It really helped me figure out what to slowly add to my closet. I find Kibbe completely bizarre and would suggest giving that a pass.
NaoNao
I often give this advice: the “edges”—meaning the hair color and style, the nails (even if they’re not polished, do a clear buff), the shoes and bag and accessories can really elevate the outfit even if the rest is pretty basic and simple.
Invest in shoes and bags and/or your accessories of choice. Take a look especially at eyeglasses frames–these change in terms of what’s “in” every 5 years or so and dated eyewear can really age someone. Consider getting the trendy sneaker or shoe of the moment or a ‘dupe’–I got a pair of Golden Goose (yes, I know but they were worth it) sneakers and they elevate every single outfit I have. They are one of those IYKYK brands and I picked a colorway I felt matched most of my colors but didn’t have glitter or other elements that might make it feel a bit too OTT. If GG is too spendy, I recommend Steve Madden or Veja for on-trend sneaks.
One thing I see sometimes is people sort of clinging to a style era where they felt the best–either their 20s, college, early 30s Career Gal moment, twee, boho, whatever it is, but it’s just not “in” or stylish/on trend right now and that can be more aging than other choices like leggings and a tee or what have you. So make sure you’re integrating some of the moment choices (leopard print, a Mary Jane style shoe, visible socks, cherry red color, loose/oversized 90s suits, etc.) with your outfits.
Chicago Employment Lawyer?
Can anyone recommend a good employment lawyer in Chicago? Specifically handling pregnancy cases? I’m not 100% sure I need one as of yet, but want to be prepared in case what I expect is going to happen actually happens.
TIA!
Anon
Kate Sedey and Kristin Case at Case & Sedey. I know them only because they were opposing counsel. I came away from the case with great respect for them.
hiking / kayaking
Next month I am going on a trip to the Berkshires and will have a few outings with low key hiking and once we will go kayaking. Although I love natural beauty, I admit I like to sit and sip and look mostly, and don’t really own any outdoor gear.
What type of shoes do I need on my feet for this? Would rather have something I would wear again. Any basic clothing recs? I really don’t want to spend a lot of $. Thanks.
Anon
Trail running shoes, maybe Goretex ones but honestly it might be overkill. Layers will be your friend clothing-wise.
Anon
I would just wear your normal sneakers. That should be plenty fine for “low key” hiking, or even moderately intense hiking. I’ve hiked all over California and New England, including some ~6-8 mile day hikes with significant elevation gain, in sneakers. It’s a huge mistake to buy a new pair of hiking boots that aren’t broken in yet. I did that before a trip to Iceland a few years ago and can still vividly recall the searing pain. Don’t make the same mistake!
CR
If it’s muddy, you could trash your sneakers (or have wet sneakers). I’d recommend an inexpensive/on sale day hiker from a reputable brand, like these Merrill’s for under $50. Wear a wool hiking sock (like Darn Toughs) to provide cushion. https://a.co/d/i3vCwWs
Note it’ll be archery hunting season next month. If it were me, I’d get a safety orange handkerchief and a safety orange hat like this one: https://www.carhartt.com/product/A18/knit-cuffed-beanie
Runcible Spoon
Try Merrell Moab hiking shoes or boots. They are not too expensive, and are super light and comfortable, and fit my wide feet quite well. I put these shoes and and feel like hiking! (And I am not a very active sort.)
Elle
+1 for Merrell Moabs. I’m on my 2nd pair and have hiked hundreds of miles in them.
Anon
Honestly you can just wear your normal sneakers. If you were going on some big hike or carrying heavy stuff then sure, get some hiking boots, but I doubt it would be worth it. You can also wear any comfortable clothing. Yoga pants, joggers, even jeans.
Runcible Spoon
Try Merrell Moab hiking shoes or boots. They are not too expensive, and are super light and comfortable, and fit my wide feet quite well. I put these shoes and and feel like hiking! (And I am not a very active sort.)