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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.
It seems like now is the time to buy dresses with short sleeves — who knew? I'm loving this cap sleeve suiting dress from Rebecca Taylor, available at Bloomingdale's. Love the lace-up detail in the back, the fitted empire waist, and the subdued ruffles. The dress is $350. Rebecca Taylor Cap Sleeve Ruffle Suiting Dress
Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com.
(L-2)
Sales of note for 10.10.24
- Nordstrom – Extra 25% off clearance (through 10/14); there's a lot from reader favorites like Boss, FARM Rio, Marc Fisher LTD, AGL, and more. Plus: free 2-day shipping, and cardmembers earn 6x points per dollar (3X the points on beauty).
- Ann Taylor – Extra 50% off sale (ends 10/12)
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- J.Crew Factory – 50% off entire site, plus extra 25% off orders $150+
- Lo & Sons – Fall Sale, up to 35% off
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Neiman Marcus – Sale on sale, up to 85% off
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – 50% off 2+ markdowns
- Target – Circle week, deals on 1000s of items
- White House Black Market – Buy one, get one – 50% off full price styles
And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!
Some of our latest threadjacks include:
- What to say to friends and family who threaten to not vote?
- What boots do you expect to wear this fall and winter?
- What beauty treatments do you do on a regular basis to look polished?
- Can I skip the annual family event my workplace holds, even if I'm a manager?
- What small steps can I take today to get myself a little more “together” and not feel so frazzled all of the time?
- The oldest daughter is America's social safety net — change my mind…
- What have you lost your taste for as you've aged?
- Tell me about your favorite adventure travels…
b23
I like it, but I can’t wait to see what the anti-exposed-zipper group has to say about it!
MelD
I like it too. The exposed zipper here doesn’t seem that noticeable to me in the photo. I would have to see how it looks in real life. I love Rebecca Taylor dresses, but they seem to run a size or two smaller than the other dresses I have.
Always a NYer
I despise exposed zippers but this one doesn’t bother me. What I don’t like about this dress are the ruffles on the neckline and the darts at the bust.
Nancy P
Loving this. It’s feminine but still very professional. As Diana Barry said below, it’s hard to tell the length with the tights, but I always assume that the models are at least 4″ taller than me anyway (I’m 5’4).
GRA
I LOVE this dress – if I had an extra $350 to spend I would go buy it right now! I think the exposed zipper seems less “exposed” because the lace up detail is covering part of the zipper. To me it seems less “unzip me now”, if that makes sense …
a.
I love this dress! The tie in the back is just such a nice, unexpected feminine detail. I am totally okay with exposed zippers, though.
b23
I’m surprised by these responses! I thought the tie would be another “undress me” look, like the exposed zipper. In fact, it’s kind of l i n g e r i e-esque.
That being said, I like it.
a.
Eh, I also think I’m a little more laid-back about stuff like that than a lot of other ‘rettes. If I have a coworker who can’t deal because my otherwise demure skirt has an exposed zipper in the back, I would consider that his or her problem, not mine. With that said, I 1. don’t work in a super-formal industry, and 2. completely respect others’ rights to feel differently and garb themselves in whatever clothing they believe is most appropriate, and/or 3. am just into wench chic, as someone termed in below.
mamabear
Does anyone think that is an office-appropriate length?
Anon
I don’t. Needs a few more inches.
Accountress
I think the size the model is wearing would be o/a on someone closer to average height, and of course, as the size of a dress gets bigger, the longer the dress gets.
AIMS
I think its easy to ignore the length when the model has dark opaque tights, slim legs, and is standing straight. I think in real life, esp. as you moved around, this would not look so right on most women if it was similarly short on them.
Fresh Face
Not at all. Even with leggings. I have sweaters longer than that. And lots of catalog models are much closer to “average” height than runway models, so I really doubt that would be OK on anyone.
zora
Ack!! A suiting dress with a tailored waistline, that I might actually be able to wear with my pear-bottom-half?? (unlike every other sheath dress in the whole wide universe) … of course, I’d have to buy it a size up and have the top tailored, in all likelihood. But, if I had the cash, it would be soooooooo worth it! siiigghhhh…
Bonnie
I saw some great suiting dresses like this today at Brooks Brothers. They were marked down to $95.
Research, Not Law
Dissenting opinion, apparently. I *adore* the front but can’t get passed the zipper.
Good point below about the length. Too short for office on the model, but I suspect it would be fine on me.
anon
I’m saying this here, because there’s nowhere else I can say it. How did I end up at this job? I’m turning 30 soon in a dead-end job, and I’ve just been piled on with more administrative tasks because of layoffs at the firm. I just don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel.
anon
Been there. At 30 exactly. 35 now. Love job, super happy. Moved cities (up and quit so did husband) and went to west coast (seattle) from nyc. Took few months to soul search. made a plan. took mediocre job while pursuing transition plan. took 3 yrs. (chose 3 things: certificate course, joined board of nonprofit in target area, volunteered on international project that was web/phone based in said area). right job came up 2 yrs ago, through some luck and much hard work and persistence, I got it. I love it and am challenged, happy, engaged. except for wanting more leave time for pregnancy now then baby. but you can pull out of this- it won’t be overnight. explore what activities have made you happy/miserable in past. cross walk those with things you are interested in or can tolerate, and with what skill sets you have. see what shuffles out. in my case, there were a few options. i went after them even though not the easiest jobs to land. good luck! and be patient with yourself. i did a lot on the side for years and it paid off.
Anon
Thanks for sharing this – truly inspiring.
Heather
There with you. My W-2 showed I lost a chunk of change last year even though my technical “wages” didn’t change. Plus I walked in on my boss blaming me for something to the federal regulators this morning. I wasn’t even here when the files in question were open, worked on or filed. So feeling down about my job today.
anon
Thanks for sharing. Right now it’s just so demoralizing to come to work and not be challenged, and be given so much more work, that it’s hard to think of a way out. But your story is inspiring – and I will find time to think about your suggestions this weekend.
Can I ask what kind of certificate course you did and how your next employer thought it? I do wonder about additional certifications from continuing ed institutions like NYU SCPS…
Diana Barry
Looks quite a bit too short. Thanks for not giving length details, Bloomie’s!
I have to whine – my OB said to me at my last appt, “You’ve gained more weight this time than with your other pregnancies.” GRRRRR. Don’t tell me that! It just makes me freak out and want to not eat. :( (I won’t, of course, not eat, but I have history of disordered eating and those thoughts pop up every once in a while.)
Nancy P
Wow, super unhelpful. Why would you want to know anything more than “your weight is healthy!”
Diana Barry
Exactly. I ask the assistants NOT to tell me how much I weigh, and I stand backwards on the scale so I don’t see it, precisely bc I freak out like this if I know the number!!!!
cbackson
I stand backwards on the scale too. I was eating disordered for 15 years, and have been recovered for eight, and I’m not sure I’ll ever feel comfortable discussing my weight with a doctor. I used to go to a GP that asked you to weigh yourself IN THE WAITING ROOM in front of EVERYONE before your appointment. I let them have it about that one.
Emily I
I hate, hate, hate the focus on how much weight should be gained in a pregnancy issue that seems to have appeared out of no where. With each of my three pregnancies, I was given a range that would be ideal, but with each pregnancy, the doctors got more aggressive about the staying within the range. (I was definitely at the upper end each time.) I’m not sure why there such intense focus these days. My aunt gained 80 lbs with her last pregnancy in the 80s. She lost it afterward, and both she and her daughter are perfectly healthy.
MDs – can you ladies explain why the pregnant women of the world are being denied one of the great joys of pregnancy (i.e., being able to eat without guilt for once!)?
JJ
Amen. I had the nurse practitioner try to slap my hand for gaining a few pounds more than my normal rate (over Thanksgiving and Christmas…). I wanted to reply “I don’t have gestational diabetes, don’t have any swelling, and my blood pressure was just 105/70. Back off.” Instead, I just stewed silently for a day or two.
AnonOne
Seriously? Everyone gains weight at the holidays!
I gained 40 pounds during my pregnancy and thankfully the nurse/OB never said a thing about weight gain but I know many women who were practically dieting during pregnancy to stay within the 30-pound range. It’s insanity. Even with the 40 pounds I have tons of swelling (had to stop wearing heels at 20 weeks) and insane back pain. I would like to gain less next time because of that.
My cousin put on an excess of 100 POUNDS with all 3 pregnancies!! Her OB feels that is just how she gains weight when pregnant so it’s fine. Meanwhile she’s eating enough to support a small nation every single day.
Geneticist
It’s because recent new studies have shown that babies born to women who were overweight while pregnant and/or before pregnancy are at higher risk of being overweight themselves as children.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/07/health/07brody.html
found a peanut
I’ve actually heard the opposite – babies who are born to women who don’t gain enough weight while pregnant are more at risk for obesity because the fetuses get used to storing calories in the womb and therefore have slower metabolism when born.
Diana Barry
Well, I was just about to feel really bad again, but then I read the article and the main risks are for women who gain 52+ pounds (not likely for me, I will be around 40 lbs at the end, about 1 lb a week) and/or for women who were not thin before pregnancy (again, not me, I lost all the baby weight plus more before this pregnancy). Phew.
JJ
I only skimmed the article but, I also have to think that women who start out obese pre-pregnancy may (or at least, are more likely than women who are obese) also have less healthy eating habits that they then pass on to their children – resulting in a child’s higher BMI. Or that someone who gains more than 52.5 pounds while pregnant may not have the healthiest eating habits to pass on to her offspring, regardless of the genetic effects.
Em
Or that she’s passing on a genetic propensity to be heavier.
I will say, I think it’s funny that we view being fat as totally a woman’s fault and 100% within personal control of the individual, except when we’re talking about her offspring in which case – once again – it’s totally the woman’s fault and 100% within her control. Talk about a lose-lose situation.
mamabear
Agree with Em. Perhaps Geneticist can chime in but I thought more and more research pointed toward obesity being hereditary. How many families do you know that have generations of women with the same basic shape? I know quite a few, including my own.
zora
Just THISing Em’s comment
anon
Nutrition background, not MD. I think that the re-newed focus is a reaction against the view, which had become predominant, that it was “normal” to gain 50+ pounds during pregnancy. The pregnancy does not require that much add’l weight. I think that’s why they started emphasizing the ideal range of weight gain- that’s how much the pregnancy + supporting systems actually need. Anything above that is just fat and it does nothing for the baby. And that’s fine- it’s completely your business. I think excessive pregnancy weight gain was widely accepted for a while (along with the attitude that you can/should eat whatever you want and however much of it you want while preggers). Then a lot of those women would be surprised when only 30 of the 60 lbs they gained came off after pregnancy. Of course, that was because those other 30 lbs were never about the pregnancy. It was just regular old fat. And it’s always harder to take it off than to put it on, especially when you have the add’l stress of motherhood. I think the docs just want to make this clearer now as part of the general war on obesity trend.
To the posters who were able to gain 80 lbs while preggers and take it all off after- you rock, seriously. I’m not suggesting that can’t be done. I’m just saying that for most women, it’s harder than they anticipate. And Doctors make recs based on generalizations, so it very well may not apply to you at all.
Red
I agree. I remember reading an article a few years ago about supermodel, heidi klum i believe, and when asked about getting her body back after pregnancy, she said something along the lines of “well what did your body look like before pregnancy”, of course that doesn’t take into account non pregnancy related weight gain.
I’ve also heard that a woman only needs about 300 extra calories a day while pregnant. maybe you or another dr/nutritionist can elaborate on that.
anon
Yep, you need approx 300 extra calories per day the last 6 mos, closer to 100 extra per day the first three months. You should only gain approx 2-5 lbs the first trimester, but every woman is different.
to Emily I- honestly, are you sure you arent overreacting a bit? Doctors always give patients overly general advice/warnings just based on guidelines. If you’ve been pregnant before, you know your body best. Feel free to tell the nurse that too, if they bring it up.
But you shouldn’t feel “harassed” or like you’re “getting in trouble”- checking weight gain is an important and normal part of pregnancy checkups. Try to keep it in perspective and remind yourself that they probably tell them same thing to every person whose weight gain has exceeded the general guideline.
It makes more sense for DB to have that reaction, given that she admits a history of disordered eating. And DB- you can tell your Doc that you have a history of disordered eating and that you don’t want them to talk to you about your weight gain unless it is a serious concern/way outside the normal range. They should be able to write a note in your chart to that effect.
Emily I
@ Anon. I wouldn’t say I’m overreacting. I’m just sharing my personal experience and general annoyance at the tenor of the pregnancy-weight thing. In short, I was trying to give some support to Diana Barry. I did feel like I was “getting in trouble” and that the doctors and nurses can make too much of a thing out of weight gain for women like DB and me.
anon
@Emily I: Have you raised the issue with your doctor? She might want to know if her staff is acting in a way that makes you uncomfortable. At the very least, from the responses so far, it definitely seems like you aren’t alone in having this experience.
Emily I
I guess my frustration is more about the harassment/warnings that I got – and my sisters have gotten/are getting – about weight gain even though my sisters and I all started our pregnancies at a very health weight, did not gain excessively during our pregnancies, and went back to our pre-pregnancy weights within a reasonable time after having our babies.
That sounds a lot like Diana Barry’s situation…when you have to go to the doctor every few weeks, then every other week, and then every week as the pregnancy progresses, it stinks to dread going in because you feel that you are going to get in “trouble” for gaining an extra pound or two or even five when it’s just not ultimately a big deal.
For example, I’m 5’8″ and started all three of my pregnancies at about 135 lbs. I was told to gain between 25 and 35 lbs with the first two. By the time I had my last baby, that was down to 25-30 lbs. I gained something like 36 or 37 each time, which was apparently near-criminal the third time around.
The funny thing is that my doctor is highly educated/trained. Other than the weight issue, I love my doctor and trusted her completely. I just think there should be some common sense and not all the hysterics.
greentea
Not alone. We’re trying to get pregnant, and in the process of preparing I’ve lost nearly 40 lbs in the past seven months. I’m also training for a half marathon and am in the 5-6 mile runs portion of my training. That said, under the BMI charts I’m still 35 pounds overweight. I had my bloodwork come back yesterday, all normal, and the nurse that that although it’s good that I’m normal, that I really need to just focus on losing weight before I get pregnant and that (I am not making this up) “need to just start saying no to slices of cake.”
I’ve had one slice of cake in the last six months.
It really bugged me, and of course I went home feeling bad about myself. Nobody needs to tell an overweight person they are overweight. Trust me, I know every single hour of every day that I am overweight.
anon
Don’t beat yourself up! You’ve made amazing progress in seven months, and it is very smart of you to work on this + cardio endurance prior to pregnancy. You’re being smart, responsible, and healthy about this. The nurses probably mean well, try not to read too much into it. Anyone who has been overweight (or had to actively avoid becoming so) knows that it’s a lot more complicated than not eating cake!
darla
No kidding! I’ve lost 30 pounds in the past 4 months – because I’m making better choices. And I’m still eating cake.
greentea
My actual ob-gyn, unlike the nurse from yesterday, says that it is correlation more than causation. That is, while not every woman who is overweight/obese is fully sedentary and making poor food choices, there is a significantly higher percentage who do than women at a normal weight and it is those women have a tendency to birth and raise larger children.
She also said that for best outcomes, she would rather a pregnant patient be 30 pounds overweight, getting in 60 minutes of exercise 4+ times a week, and eating fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens every day, than a patient who was at an ‘ideal’ weight but ate junk food and didn’t get any physical activity.
I don’t know if her statements are the undisputable truth, but I know they made me feel really good, so I thought I’d share the other side of the story!
Godzilla
YES and THANK YOU VERY MUCH. Causation and correlation are two verrrrrrrrrrryyy different things.
viclawstudent
Oh, man … maybe she was well intentioned (or thought she was being funny??), but I would have ripped her a new one. The BMI chart can say what it wants, but if you are doing 5-6 mile runs in training for a half marathon, you are in good shape (I’m envious!), and healthy. Go you.
Anon
I think you should have called her out on it as well. That way, maybe she’ll treat the next person after you with a more informed and less belittling/dismissive spiel.
People who nag about weight while totally uninformed about my eating habits (healthy), exercise levels (regular), and etc. just make me furious. Consequentially, their ‘good intentions’ produce exactly the opposite effect to what was intended.
greentea
I do plan to bring it up with my doctor – being able to discuss it with someone on my side when calmer will be more productive, and I will ask her to ask her nursing staff to be more respectful when discussing weight issues.
I also assumed the nurse only had the one lab report in front of her and not my history showing my diet, exercise, weight loss so far, etc, and didn’t want to go into everything with her.
I hope that bringing it up with the doctor and asking her to discuss it with staff (perhaps including the concerns voiced by some here!) will be more effective.
Sweetknee
Oh good grief. If you are training for a half marathon and can run 5 miles at a time, you can’t be that out of shape. I have lost 108 pounds in the last 16 months, am now only 6 pounds over my goal weight, and still could not run 5 miles unless something big and ferocious was chasing me !
nona
And BMI charts are notorious for being shite when dealing with athletes in training because the denser muscle tissue skews the weight component.
kmm
That is very impressive and a ton of work. Great job!
Kady
I gained 40 lbs with my second (and I’m quite short, so that was lovely) and 5 yrs later still haven’t lost it all. But I’m totally of the opinion that erring on the more side is better than the newest trend towards not gaining weight at all during pregnancies (e.g., Victoria Beckham). yech!
Anon
She gained approx 20 lbs. It’s on the low end of the spectrum, for sure, but it isn’t “not gaining weight at all”.
Anonymous
I got both warning/lecture/looks (too much! or, mostly, too little!), and understood the docs’ perspective, but… 1 lb a week, 40 total is perfect as a range. Getting a warning when it was more or less than that during the monthly-visits portion of the pregnancy sometimes gave me the grumpies. B/c a lb a week is perfect, but real life isn’t. It’s going to be more than that sometimes, less than that sometimes. It was just right in the end, and after, and I get that we reached that as a team, me, my fam, my docs.
Anon
About to start IVF and just learned that I will have to cut back on exercise for a while. I’m worried that I’ll gain a lot then.
Terry
*Hugs* Wishing you both luck!
In-House Europe
Am I the only one who doesn’t feel comfortable wearing dresses to work? Maybe because I work in a male-dominated environment, but dresses always feel too…girly? Pencil skirts, blouse, and cardigan though, to me are the conservative equivalent of what the execs around here wear (in the winter, often a sweater rather than a suit jacket). Do I just need to get over it and be OK with being girly??
On an unrelated note, I got some great jewelry from hubby this year after pointing out our own Gewgaws gal…highly recommended!! :)
MelD
It’s all a matter of personal preference. I think a basic sheath with a cardigan or blazer is no less conservative than a pencil skirt with cardigan. Right now I’m wearing what I’d consider to be a really girly dress, but can see why others might not feel comfortable. I have worked in male dominated environments before and feel no real pressure to act and look like men, as I don’t otherwise have much of a girly personality.
Lyssa
I would say that I feel a little bit less comfortable. Not uncomfortable, but less comfortable enough that I tend not to reach for the dresses as much as I do other things. I’m not sure, but I guess maybe it’s the lack of structure to a dress compared to a top and bottom?
I’m the only female at my level in my workplace, which is very casual, so maybe that’s it? I wore dresses more when I worked for the court (though of course, there I was the only person, male or female, at my level, though the judges I worked for were male).
Supra
If I do wear a dress, its always with a jacket over it, so I feel as though the look is the same as a pencil skirt suit.
MissJackson
I actually rather prefer dresses, and wear them frequently. A structured dress (a sheath in particular) can be a nice substitute for a suit — and just as easy. There is less “how to I make this an outfit” involved in wearing a dress, which the lazy part of me likes. And I always feel pulled together. Plus, I just find dresses to be more comfortable.
Nonny
Agreed. I really like the ease of wearing a dress. There is also less to worry about – blouses getting untucked, belts riding up, buttons popping undone. I don’t just wear sheaths – I also have a few very feminine A-line or full-skirted dresses. I never feel uncomfortable in any of them but I do have a formality hierarchy for them – the sheaths are definitely most formal.
dresses
I actually prefer my dresses, as they tend to fit a little looser than the pencil skirt. I’m in a male-dominated area as well, and anything other than khakis and a polo will make me seem “girly.” I usually do a husband test when I buy a new outfit, just to make sure that I’m not being s*xy and don’t know it. If I come out in the dress/skirt and husband gives anything other than a half-hearted, “Oh, how nice”, I tend to assume it’s not as professional as I thought it was in the dressing room! :)
zora
haha!! that seems like the ‘reverse-husband-test’, love it!
cbackson
I think it depends on what your dresses look like. I wear dresses all the time, but they’re tailored and typically in muted colors. Dresses that look professional don’t come off as girly to me, but then again, I think as an adult professional woman NONE of your business clothes should come off as girly, you know?
dresses
This is an interesting conundrum, because I feel like any jewelry/heels/tights, etc. is girly in my workplace. Sometimes I think wearing color comes off as girly! I guess I’ve basically decided that there’s no hiding that I’m female, so dressing in “manly” clothes just makes me look frumpy. I’m not terribly fashion-forward anyways, but sometimes I want to wear a little color or something other than plain black flats. I also have long, curly hair, so I figure that also contributes to my “girly-ness”. It may just be semantics, but I assume you mean “girly” like little-girl-Easter-dress vs. “feminine” of dresses, well-tailored, “chic” items?
MaggieLizer
Today I’m wearing a purple knee-length dress with a ruffled top, a camel blazer, black belt, and leopard print shoes. Feminine? Yep. Girly? No, I don’t think so. If the silhouette is suit-like then you can play with color/accessories/whatever, imho.
In-House Europe
OK, OK, you all convinced me! Next shopping trip I will give dresses a try. :)
Me
This looks awfully short. Of course, I’m awfully tall. Also looks a bit too LBD to be work-appropriate.
Kady
Yup. This looks like one of those dresses that would be used for those day-to-night features.
Cat
Boo to the lace-up detail in the back. It would look lumpy under a cardigan, and reminds me of too much of Ren Faire wenches when exposed.
SBD
Wench chic!
Kanye East
Agreed re: the lacing. I already lived through the 90s once.
Vacation Rec??
Can anyone recommend a relatively inexpensive vacation destination that’s warm, swimmable in early March, and an easy trip from NY?
H & I would like to spend around $1000/pp for about a week, preferrably somewhere all inclusive and with great beaches — not nec. wavy, just great water to frolic in. Previously, we’ve gone to Iberostar in the DR and loved it. Would like something different in terms of location but with a similar vibe. Were considering Mexico but worry about safety. FWIW, we’re in our 50s so nightlife is not a priority. Suggestions?
Thanks in advance, ladies!!!!
anon too
Puerto Rico. Cannot say enough good things about it!
another anon
Second Puerto Rico. We stayed in one of the big hotels in San Juan (Condado area) and then at the Ceiba Country Inn near Fajardo. Not sure about all-inclusive, but if you want mainly beaches, I would look into El Conquistador in Fajardo. We saw that they have a private beach that you take a ferry out to. We went snorkeling nearby, very nice.
another anon
Also, I want to add for those reading this that aren’t looking for all-inclusive but are interested in a Puerto Rico trip, Ceiba Country Inn is awesome. It’s a B&B/inn nearly right in the rainforest, they grow most of the fruit that they serve right on their property, and very reasonably priced.
ahm
Third vote for PR. I don’t know anything about all-inclusives there, but the place itself is great: perfect weather, beautiful beaches, good snorkeling, relatively inexpensive, and a much easier trip from NY than Mexico or even other places in the Caribbean that only have flights on small planes to Miami (I’m sure there are non-stops to San Juan from the NY area airports). I was there in February once & absolutely loved it. The weather was 80 & sunny every day and the water was incredibly warm and perfect for swimming. Great outlet shopping in Old San Juan too.
Two cents
We went to Aruba recently and absolutely loved it. Gorgeous, clean beaches, friendly people, and pretty good food. From NY, you’re probably looking at about a 4 hour flight. We stayed at the Hyatt, which is uber expensive but I am sure you could find some deals at other places.
This B&B gets rave reviews and is inexpensive:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147249-d651091-Reviews-Buffam_s_Tropical_Haven-Palm_Eagle_Beach_Aruba.html
MelD
I was in Mexico last March (in the Yucatan) and did not find it at all unsafe. We drove around and had an all around wonderful time. I stayed at a Dreams resort Tulum and was quite happy with it. The food was pretty good and the pools were nice. The beach was a little bit too rocky/wavy, but it was nice to walk down. It was a convenient area to go see some of the ruins. Even if you don’t have a car, there are tours and other ways to get transport.
PT Lawyer
A second vote for Dreams Tulum! We stayed there 5+ years ago. If you wear shoes and are mildly athletic, walk south on the beach to the actual ruins — preferably at low tide. The last part is a swim to a very small secluded beach, up the stairs and…. ta da! You’re at the historic site.
JJ
Went to Cancun in November (we live in Texas, so it’s a hop, skip and a jump for us) and loved it. We go about once a year there and the beaches are the best I’ve been to…and I’m a beach snob. Never felt unsafe, either. We’re very lazy on beach vacations, though – we basically sit on the beach, read, and play in the water. Not big on going to nightclubs, partying with strangers, etc. Cancun is on the Gulf side of Mexico, it’s pretty far away from where all the recent violence is. For example, I won’t go to Puerto Vallarta or anywhere in the Baja Peninsula…
Can heartily recommend the Sun Palace all-inclusive: adults only, good food, reasonable prices, and better than bottom-shelf liquor. Just stick to the touristy areas in Cancun and you’ll be absolutely safe.
LawyrChk
I did Me by Melia in Cancun for a trip last May and had a blast. Truly some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen, the food was excellent, and we had a blast. Not terriby expensive (~$275/night all-inclusive including top-shelf drinks).
anon
Just wanted to point out that not all of the Baja Peninsula is to be avoided. Los Cabos is as safe if not safer than Cancun (US government reccomendations confirm this). Both are far away from centers of cartel violence. Also, the Mexican government takes a lot of effort (military patrols, etc.) to make sure the tourists areas stay safe – tourism is very important to the Mexican economy.
Visited Los Cabos in November and it was lovely! I would definitely reccomend it (particularly in one of the resorts between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas).
Seattleite
I’ve been going to PV for years and feel safer walking around there than in my own city. This includes walking alone, at night. I don’t do the club scene, so can’t speak to that, but it sounds like the OP’s vacation style is just like mine.
Anonymous
costa rica. cheap flights usually.
Anon
Puerto Rico is awesome. Jet Blue flies there, it is inexpensive and the beaches are world class. Simply a beautiful place.
Its also a quick flight (3 hours from NY)
MeliaraofTlanth
Puerto Rico. I’d recommend Vieques in Puerto Rico, but there isn’t that much all-inclusive there (and I think what is there is super expensive). But it’s something that’s easy to do super-cheap if you don’t mind non-all-inclusive.
anon
vieques is amazing and the bio bay cannot be missed. Truly a wonder.
elz
PUERTO RICO is awesome. We stayed in the Fajardo area and the food (Passion, La Estacion) and beaches were fantastic. FWIW, we stayed at the El Conquistador. IF you can get a stupendous deal, then go, otherwise it (the resort) is NOT worth the money. My mom stayed at the W in Vieques and raved about it. Plus, Biobay!
We also love the Caymans, but that might be a longer flight than what you want.
Turks and Caicos
http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/travel/25turks.html
There’s a Beaches that is all inclusive and some other resorts. But with U.S. currency in use and English speaking, it’s not very tough to tackle if you do independent as well.
a passion for fashion
there is an iberostar in jamaica that is very nice. it has three different “levels” of hotel, so hopefully one would fit your budget. And if not, there are a number of other all-inclusives in jamaica that would likely fit your budget. the flight from NY is easy.
KW
Agreed! I went to the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and had an amazing time. One thing you should know is that the Grand doesn’t allow children, but the other two do. It is also the most expensive of the three.
Ruby
http://lafinca.com/
my aquaintance runs this place. always have wanted to go.
Anonymous
Seems like it’s also the season for suits in light colors. I looked for a conservative, dark (but not black) suit for court over the weekend and had a lot of trouble finding something subdued enough.
anon
I have been looking for a while at AT since I had a gc and finally found some I was interested in. I know a few people here are anti ann taylor, but they are having a 40% off sale and I just got some basic suits in the colors graphite heather and one in canyon rock. Would have done one in “hazelnut houndstooth” if they had had my size. (Though I cannot wait for the “boyfriend length” suit jackets to go back out of style.) I find the pants online are often lined, whereas the ones in the store are not?
ML
Thank you! Just bought two suits!
Anonymous
Ooh, both colors are nice, anon. I stopped in AT, but I didn’t find anything there. Then again, I don’t wear wool, so it’s entirely possible that I eliminated some beautiful suits on that basis alone. I went to so many stores, it’s a little hard to remember. I did end up getting a nice suit at Macy’s, but I was surprised by all the pale beige and gray suits I saw while shopping. It must be spring!
long time lurker
I have been wanting one for a couple years, but refuse to pay full price. Every year I seem to miss the boat for my size, with thinsulate, and just plain black – but, Lady Day Coats are on sale at JCrew! with the extra 30% off (code: WINTER), the total was $185 (depending on tax YMMV). The code said it was for final sale. I do not plan to return it, so I didnt look to see whether they really were final sale. But, thought someone else might be interested.
just Karen
Thank you for the tip, I have also been lusting after one for years! Want to do the sea salt, but not sure if it would be impractical…the purple is beautiful as well, but I already have a kelly green coat, so probably should go with a neutral. Anyone have advice on whether an off-white coat is asking for trouble?
Monday
I have an ivory coat. I like it, but it does need to be cleaned at least twice per season. I’m also wary of bringing it on business trips, because if it gets a stain or anything I have to keep wearing it for the rest of the trip anyway. Just factor that in to your decision.
just Karen
Thanks! Good point.
magnola
i have a machine washable white coat. i have been surprised at the lack of giant stains on it, but i notice that it gets very grubby on the sleeves at the wrists. i also avoid doing things like sitting down at bus stops while wearing it. puddle splashes also get the hem sometimes.
Legally Brunette
Darn you! I’ve been wanting this coat all fall but was trying to hold out, but I just bought mine. :) I got the royal blue color. I love the white but am too worried about it looking grubby, and royal blue is one of my favorite colors.
Susan
Looks great for a cocktail party, not so much for the office. What’s with the deep v-neck? I’d have to put a tank top underneath it for work, and it’d still look too cocktail-hour for day at my office.
Ellen
I have a very LONG body, so this would look good on me.
SV in House
Threadjack!
I am the staffing chair for a multi-day volunteer event. I am looking for a software program that allows users to sign up, see who else is signed up for a particular event/shift, as well as allowing me to have multiple events and shifts, that can be edited as needed. Anyone have recommendations?
TIA
a.
This may not be what you’re looking for, but would the spreadsheet on Google Docs work? Whenever I’ve had to organize stuff like that, I’ve used Google spreadsheets, and they’ve worked fine.
anon
my daughter had a play she was in recently and we used an online program to sign up for concessions shifts etc. I do not have the link here but will try and log on this eve and post it. It was great, easy and free.
MeliaraofTlanth
doodle.com
ADL
If you need free, I would second the Google docs. You can create an excel spreadsheet and have people sign up on their own.
SV in House
Thanks for the replies. We have a budget of ~$500. A spreasdsheet is probably not sufficient because of the number of jobs, shifts, etc.
a
Sign Up Genius
http://www.signupgenius.com/index.cfm
anon
My significant other is a first year associate at a big firm and he’s just not getting enough work. What he does have is a trickle of document review, but despite asking for work and putting himself out there, he just can’t seem to get busy. I know there is a period of adjustment, but it is really affecting his self-esteem when other first years are busy and he’s not. Although he was planning to put in a few years before jumping ship, he’s starting to get news about opportunities elsewhere that sound great. I want to encourage him to do whatever he needs to do to be happy, but is leaving biglaw after less than a year a surefire way to burn bridges?
Woods-comma-Elle
It depends. Is he likely ever to want to return to Biglaw? If not, then it doesn’t matter if he burns that bridge quite so much, since he isn’t planning on crossing it again.
If anything, he might struggle to find a position other than a new associate role, if he doesn’t have any experience, but that is probably neither here nor there at this stage and might be ok if it’s the right role. If there are great opportunities elsewhere, there is nothing stopping him from going for it and seeing what happens!
All that being said, getting work can be difficult and most people suffer from it from time to time (e.g. I’m not particularly busy right now). Depending on how long he has been there, it may be jumping the gun to leave now, but if he isn’t enjoying it for other reasons, then he needs to reassess. I am a firm believer in being happy with your job – we spend enough time here, after all!
Babs
How long as he been at big firm? I started in Sept. and I feel that I’m not as busy as I would like to be (even though other new associate in different group is). I’ve been told that it will take time, and I am only now starting to really get a handle on which partners have a lot of work to give out and which only give me tiny pieces. My firm’s advice (from managing partner to supervising partner to mentor partner) is to enjoy it – because they don’t count my hours the first year.
Blonde Lawyer
I’d recommend he trust his instincts. At my last job I knew there wasn’t enough work to go around. I saw others suspiciously depart in my first year. When I got a great other opportunity as a second year, I snapped it up. I had to take a slight pay cut but I was certain that if I stuck around, I was going to get the ax. Management kept assuring me I was doing great work and that there was plenty of it. Since I left, that firm has had many stealth lay offs and other suspicious departures (ie: people going to other opportunities I don’t think they would have chosen if they didn’t know their job was in danger.) I am certain that if I had stayed I would have been laid off right about now. I’m glad I got out when I did.
Most firms, not all, avoid laying off first years at all costs. It is like a silent rule. But once you are a second or third year, all bets are off. If he really thinks work is tight and he is the one if any on the chopping block, he should be looking elsewhere.
Nancy P
I’ve seen resumes in BigLaw where someone jumped ships from a firm in the first year or so. As long as the person has a really good reason (i.e. “I was assigned to the tax group for the first two years, and I realized in 3 months that tax wasn’t for me) I think it’s fine. Not having enough work, though, is a harder reason to sell, because the other employer will wonder if it’s something about your SO that led to not enough work. Then again, if the lack of work can be blamed on a larger economic picture, it’s fully explainable.
Lyssa
If there’s really, consistently not enough work for him, it might be a relief to them for him to leave. As long as he gives that as a reason and is super-professional and polite about it, I don’t think that he’ll burn bridges.
Good luck to him.
karenpadi
I think that, at most firms, it takes about a year to get fully “loaded” with work, especially if he’s in a niche area that requires a lot of training (like patent prep and prosecution).
I think the telling thing is that “other first years are busy and he’s not”. Are they really busy, or just pretending? Pretending to be busy is more common than most people think. If they really are busy, and he really is not, he probably (inadvertently) made a poor impression on a partner or senior associate.
My advice: he should investigate the other first years to see just how busy they really are (i.e., compare billable hours). He should speak to a senior associate in his group about how he’s being perceived and if there is anything he can do to get more work. If both those come back with nothing truly worrisome, he’s jumping the gun.
If there is something worrisome, I’d tell him to try to stick around for a year, then jump ship. In the meantime, he should continue to network and pay down debt, save money, etc. BigLaw can be a mean and cruel place, so it’s better to leave quickly and with little fanfare.
eaopm3
Reposting to avoid moderation:
Corporettes that were interested in hearing about my search for disability insurance:
I cannot find any insurance provider that offers short-term disability on an individual basis. I have called tons of providers and brokers and no one seems to be able to find such a policy. Therefore, unless my office got a group policy, I am out of luck trying to cover the weeks I may be out for maternity leave beyond the two weeks of paid leave that my firm has offered.
If anyone here knows more about this, please let me know, but I am hitting a brick wall.
greentea
This interested me, so I googled and found eSupplemental as a provider which can potentially provide individual insurance not through a provider. I’ve applied for a quote, which I’m supposed to get in 24 hours.
That said, I have a feeling that the input might not be worth it – they have to know that most women in our age range are looking at it for the purpose of planning for pregnancy, and they have to make a profit, so I’m wondering just how expensive it will be. Also it seems that a lot of the companies only pay if you have to be on bed rest or have complications, and don’t consider “normal pregnancy and delivery” a disability, which doesn’t help much.
eaopm3
I am still looking into it and few people have to call me back still, but I am not optimistic. I would definitely need to know the specific details of the policy, since I only want it to cover me for a few weeks of regular maternity leave, aka “normal pregnancy and delivery”. I agree with you that the companies have to make a profit somehow, so it doesn’t make a lot of sense to offer that type of coverage to an individual who will certainly need the coverage.
mamabear
Insurance professional here. You can’t buy insurance for a known event. It’s akin to trying to buy wind or flood insurance after the hurricane warnings have gone out. You can’t. Your only hope is your employer’s group coverage, or if you work in a state that provides government payments for temorary disability.
ANP
New Kindle Touch arrived last night — yahoo! Any Corporette recs for a case you absolutely love?
eaopm3
I would love to know this as well! I have been looking, but not finding. I also think it is a little hilarious that many of the covers are more expensive than the device itself. :)
Heather
Groupon released a deal for the cover I got for my husbands Nook Color. Keep an eye out there maybe?
just Karen
I got the case for my Kindle Fire on Etsy – a little pricier than the most basic covers available, and less practical than the covers with the stand, but makes me happy every time I see it.
Hel-lo
I second etsy. There’s are tons of covers. I bought my iPad cover there and loved it.
NOLA
I got my Kindle Touch in November and I have a Belkin Verve Tab Folio for Kindle Touch case that they are no longer showing on the Amazon site but it’s still on the Belkin site (opens like a book, elastic to keep the device in place, with a magnetic closure in purple leather). I really like it because it protects the Kindle but you can still read with the cover on (unlike a sleeve). I threw it in my luggage on a trip at Christmas and it held up well. It’s most like Marware Atlas cover they have now but the Belkin has that extra closure.
NDR
My in-laws bought me a leather cover from Amazon (JIVO brand), and I love it. I got a red one with black trim.
Anonymous
I like the Amazon cover. The Kindle snaps perfectly in place and stays closed. It isn’t particularly heavy. I think I would have preferred the colors and pebbled leather of the older Amazon covers, but c’est la vie. I bought the one with the light because I’d rather have one when I don’t need it than not have one when I do. The difference in price is the same as buying a clip-on light plus the basic cover. I know this cover is panned in a lot of Amazon reviews, but in my opinion, it is really overanalyzed. And I know it is pricey, but I prefer that over having multiple straps and having the Kindle slide around.
However, if you are looking for one that acts as a stand, this is not it. That is my only criticism, but I didn’t really desire that. Best Buy seems to have interesting stand covers for the Fire, and maybe also for the Touch.
Research, Not Law
Ditto this. I have the Amazon light cover for a smaller Kindle and adore it. Trim, lightweight. The light fills the screen without glare and doesn’t drain the battery much. I was scared off by the poor rating until I read the reviews and realized that people are cranky because of the frequent back orders, rather than any failing of the product itself.
Heather
I like it. it’s navy- not black which helps tone down the LBD bit, and it’s a cotton wool blend which is Florida friendly. I have to admit- not big on the lace up back it bunches funny.
I work in a business casula predominately female field so this would probably garner lots of compliments.
timeshare cruise offers
Threadjack: My brother and his wife attended a timeshare presentation in exchange for a free cruise. They managed to get away without buying a timeshare, but I’m pretty skeptical about the catch to the “free” package they received. A few quick Bing searches reveal tons of complaints for these types of “deals” in general (I don’t know the specific company they are going through, but the internet shows several different companies), including people paying up-front and not receiving a reimbursement. So, I’m debating the best way to approach my brother. Do I send him a few links in an email? Mention it in person? We have a good relationship with everything except money… we’ve always had quite a bit of tension in that area, because I’m ultra-conservative on spending, and he’s ultra-loose on spending. I don’t want to be judgy to him, but I also don’t want them to fork out several hundred dollars on a scam.
Hel-lo
If you and your brother have conflicted over money before, then I would leave him alone.
Let him make his own mistake. Either he will learn or he won’t.
I know you want to protect your brother, but we can’t always protect those we love from everything. Making mistakes is part of growing up.
If he loses money, don’t say “I told you so.” Just don’t lend him any more. Money is something people need to figure out on their own.
You would rather him know how to manage his own money independently, right? So let him do it.
It’s not your dough that’s going toward the timeshare.
Diana Barry
Complete ditto to this. I have the same wanting-to-jump-in reaction whenever I think about my brother’s continued unemployment (1.5 yrs and counting) but I don’t say anything about it.
CW
Unless they asked for your opinion, I don’t think it’s any of your business, so I would stay out of it. Especially if this is a topic that you anticipate will cause tension between the two of you. If your brother and his wife get scammed, that’s unfortunate, but it’s out of your control.
timeshare cruise offers
Ugh… you’re all right, and that’s the same thing my husband said, “Stay out of it, let them make their own choice.” Hopefully it works out well, and I’ll just bite my tongue (again) and remember to live and let live.
Hel-lo
It’s not just “live and let live.” You’re teaching him a valuable lesson by letting him make this mistake (if he does).
jesseves
I agree with the others that it’s really not your place to bring this up — it’s his life and his money.
That said, timeshare deals are not all scams and if you’ve got more time than money (and are very good about reading the fine print) they can be an option for bringing down the overall cost of a vacation. When I was a kid, my folks financed our family trip to Disney World by sitting through timeshare presentations.
Samantha
If they managed to get away without buying a timeshare, then why are you concerned? They clearly did not succumb to the hard-sell.
Seattleite
Please MYOB. How an adult spends his or her own money is hizzer business. And inserting your opinion into a married couple’s choices is a good way to get your SIL to post about you on etiquettehell or someplace like that.
Lucy
Not your business.
Tired Squared
Student loan question: For those of you who have loans through that new “My Ed Account” website, have any of you tried to/been able to make payments in the last few days? I am using part of my Christmas bonus to pay off a little extra principal, but every time I click the “Pay Now” button, I’m getting a “Server Error.”
When I called them about it last week, they said that the system was being overrun with payments and couldn’t handle the load, so I should try again later. I’ve probably tried 7-8 times at this point. But I’m not sure if it’s just me, or if it is happening to everyone.
anon
I had a similar problem last week, except there was just no way to input the amount of the payment I wanted to make since my automatic Kwikpay had already made my monthly payment. How did you input the amount you wanted to pay?
Tired Squared
After you click “Pay Now” or “Make a Payment,” there should be a button to “Allocate Payment,” so you can change the amounts on different groups. But I can’t even get past the “Pay Now” or “Make a Payment” buttons … I get a server error and that’s it.
anon
Thanks. I could see the button for “allocate payment,” but there was no way to fill in the amount in order to “Pay Now.” Good luck!
Latina
I don’t know what is going on with the new system that they got (october-ish?) but I’ve had problems every month. All my payments were paid and I just got an invoice for 3 months worth of payments and it said I was 70 days past due!! I’ve never paid a bill late in my life. I called their customer service, which took about 40 minutes to get to a human. They said just pay it and then they’ll fix it later. This way I avoid a credit agency notification. Wtf?? I didn’t do anything wrong!
Christine
Hi Ladies – need a little post-holiday advice regarding gift-giving. I work at small firm (10 people total) in the suburbs. This is not a big-cash-at-the-holidays firm, but a more of a token here’s a little something culture. Although I am technically assigned to one admin that I share with another associate, we really share all four of the admin’s time. So for the holidays, I gave each of the four the same gift. “My” admin, who has given me token gifts in the past, suddenly upped her gift to an expensive gift card for me. I am uncomfortable with this – I know what she earns, and while I would like to acknowledge her work with a gift at the holidays, I do not want her to feel like it must be reciprocated. Any thoughts as to how I could tactfully handle this?
Blonde Lawyer
I say just accept it with a smile. With mine, I said “aw, thank you. That really wasn’t necessary but I do appreciate it.” My situation is very similar to yours except the gift to me wasn’t very expensive.
You also don’t know her situation. I received a way too fancy gift once at a prior job and they admin confessed that she was so pleased with how well I treated her and how great we worked together that she just really wanted to give me something I would enjoy. Also, you don’t know her if she has other sources of income. In the situation I just mentioned, that admin’s husband earned probably 5 times my salary so I knew her kids weren’t starving because of it.
anon too
I would let this go, too. Simply say, “Thank you for the very, very generous gesture.”
I gave my administrative assistant a nice, but not overly nice, Christmas gift (also a gift card), and she came by to say, “Thanks but please do not get me anything in the future because I do not like the holidays.” It was extremely awkward, and it ruined the pleasure of giving her a gift. Turns out that people in the office view her as a crumudgeon, as she has done similar things in the past.
Christine
Thanks for the input. It was very sweet of her, and I do appreciate her gesture. I would not say anything to her now but wanted to get ahead of it for next year if possible. My concern is more that she is thinking of this as something where if I give her a gift of X value, her gift to me needs to be the same value – in other words, I would be happy to spoil her a bit if I wasn’t so concerned she would go broke because she feels the need to reciprocate equally!
Weight loss
Has anyone ever tried apple cider vinegar for weight loss? Does it actually work? And are the capsules as effective?
Anon
I’m pretty sure that anything marketed as “eat the same as you’ve always eaten, keep your activity level the same, and still lose weight!” is either (1) a gimmick or (2) very unhealthy (speed?) or (3) both.
Why in the world would you want to try this?
ceb
If it truly, truly worked, I’m pretty sure my doctor would have told me to drink apple cider by the gallon. She didn’t. Instead she told me to get on Weight Watchers. I did. I lost 53 pounds.
Honestly, all legitimate weight loss is going to require hard work, some degree of sacrifice, and time.
Anonymous
I hear chopping off a limb works well for weight loss. Probably just as safe and as recommended by legit doctors as any quack-potions on the market.
mamabear
Give blood. You lose a pound each time.
Nonny
Ladies – sartorial advice please!
Finally my second interview has been scheduled, but it is a little unconventional – it will be an informal coffee or lunch with the senior partner of the firm, on Sunday. His approval is absolutely key but he specifically told the headhunter that he doesn’t want the interview to be a formal event.
Obviously a suit would be inappropriate, and even a pencil skirt would be overkill. How to I convey seriousness about the interview, given the casualness of the setting? For context, this is for a senior associate position, I am on the West Coast, and the city is known more for Polar Fleece and Lululemon than Armani.
Help!
elz
How about a wrap dress or skirt with boots/tights? Something like that? Maybe go to CapHillStyle’s polyvores and see if you can find something there that might work.
Diana Barry
Where will the interview be? You could take your cue from the restaurant, but I would go with a nice sweater/top, casual blazer (corduroy?) and jeans or khakis or cords or whatever is the most comfortable for you.
Always a NYer
Dark wash bootcut jeans, a blouse/shirt that qualifies as business casual, and maybe a tweed, unconventional material blazer you could keep on or take off depending how he’s dressed. For shoes, I’d wear ankle boots to tie in the informal vibe.
Good luck!!! My thoughts are with you =)
Anon
I agree or cords if you are uncomfortable in jeans. I think even business casual would be too formal for a Saturday at a coffee shop on the west coast.
Always a NYer
I’d love to see a post on the different standards for business wear by region. Growing up and going to school in NY and CT respectively, the Northeast dress code is all I really know. While I know the differences between casual, business casual, and business formal, I don’t know how these differ by region of the country and internationally.
Seattleite
This. In my own polarfleece city, a dress in the early part of the day (a.m. coffee or brunch, right?) would read as “trying WAY too hard.”
Nonny
Phew, panic abated somewhat. I agree that business casual is too formal for a West Coast coffee shop, but given the weirdness of the situation, jeans + biz cas top is probably the way to go. I am thinking of perhaps the sort of thing I would wear to the office on jeans day. Perhaps jeans + my green tweed hacking jacket + brown ankle boots….a bit stuck on blouse/top, though.
Of course, this is all in a city where people wear jeans + fleece to nice restaurants, so I suspect the partner will probably show up in his fleece and I’ll be overdressed regardless. Oh well.
Nonny
Do you think a jacket is critical? How about a nice forest green cardigan with a biz cas blouse underneath?
Comments from those in the Seattle or Portland areas, or Jas (since I know she is in my region), particularly welcome.
Thanks!
cbackson
No jacket required, in my (Seattle resident) opinion. The cardigan sounds nice.
karenpadi
I’m in the Silicon Valley so take it for what it’s worth. I second the jeans and biz casual top (maybe more to the casual end of the spectrum, though). I’d also suggest an informal dress as an option. Not a work dress but more of a less structured (but still modest) weekend dress. Maybe throw on a denim jacket.
Hel-lo
I also live in a polar fleece town.
I’d wear what the politicians wear here: dressier pants, shoes that are appropriate for the weather but not dingy (I’m sure you have some. Danskos/Merrills/Keens/etc.). Collared shirt. Fleece vest.
The men politicians here wear dress shirts, neckties, and fleece vests. It’s the same uniform as the car salesman at the dealerships.
I have like 5 pairs of khaki-weight chinos from Old Navy, in brown, dark gray, etc. I would wear one of those pairs with a nice pullover fleece from REI.
He’s made this not-formal on purpose. I would follow that lead. You’ve already had the formal interview. Now he’s trying to figure out if your personality fits with the firm.
Jax
Seattle here.
I’d say your idea of a nice pair of dark washed jeans business casual shirt and a fleece vest/cardigan would work fine.
Khakis and a button down top with a sweater and dark jeans paired with a kind of fisherman’s sweater are what I’ve worn to these in the past and it worked out fine. I’ve had two of these kinds of “casual” interviews and it’s all about corporate fit.
Pay attention to the location of your meeting place. That may give you some direction as to hipster/corporate/outdoorsy fit too.
He’s going to be more concerned with how you are going to fit then what you are wearing. I’ve been part of interview committees with a lot of men and very rarely do they notice what someone is wearing unless it’s waaaaay out there. In Seattle/Portland I really wouldn’t about it as long as it’s clean and neat.
Good luck!
Ruby
I’m a lawyer in Seattle. I think it depends how YOU look- I am petite and freckled- there is no way wearing jeans would make the right first impression. I think black/gray/navy slacks with flats/loafers, a blouse and v-neck sweater over top, with casual blazer, is not overdressed even here in this context- it’s still an interview with a senior professional. He can wear a fleece- he has the job.