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Updated: Sep 29, 2022 158 Comments · by

Tuesday’s TPS Report: Wool Boucle Jacket

The Personal Shopper (TPS) | ·

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

TAGLIATORE 0205 - WOOL BOUCLÈ JACKET

Both the store and the brand are new ones to me:  the store (Luisaviaroma) bills itself as “latest collections from top designers,” and the brand (Tagliatore), upon closer inspection, is not something to serve with bolognese sauce, and is instead a suiting brand (also sold at Yoox). Now for today's specimen: I really love this wool blazer  — the single button, the bracelet-length sleeves, the stiffish collar — love it all. And at 40% off, too! The blazer was $833, but is now marked to $500 at Luisaviaroma. TAGLIATORE 0205 – WOOL BOUCLÈ JACKET

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)
  • Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything plus extra 25% off your $125+ purchase
  • Boden – 10% off new styles with code; free shipping over $75
  • Eloquii – Extra 50% off a lot of sale items, with code
  • J.Crew – 40% off sitewide
  • 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:

About Kat

Kat Griffin is the founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Corporette. You can read more about her here.

Comments

  1. Always a NYer

    I just can’t seem to bring myself to buy anything bracelet length. It always feels like the sleeves I bought the wrong size or the clothing shrunk. Then again, I usually always need to have the hems let out for maximum length allowance. (Yay for being tall, 5’11”. Nay for never finding something to fit without tailoring.)

    • AnonInfinity

      I have long arms for my height, so a lot of things end up being bracelet length on me. I never knew that could be an actual fashion choice until I started reading this blog, so now I choose to believe that I look chic.

    • anonish

      Fellow tall chick here, I can wear regular length and 3/4 length without issues, but bracelet length makes me feel like my hand are huge. Like foam fingers attached to sticks. So no bracelet length for me :/

    • Makeup Junkie

      I’m not nearly as tall but I really cannot stand these shorter sleeves. It makes me feel like my clothes are very ill-fitting

    • a passion for fashion

      so interesting. I am just the opposite. I rarely by anything that has full length sleves, and if an item does, i often just push the sleves up.

      • a.

        Same! I love three-quarter and bracelet-length sleeves, and typically roll up anything that’s full-length.

  2. Sydney Bristow

    Love the jacket, but I’d love it more with long sleeves. It looks like the perfect color to throw on with just about anything.

    Here is my review of items I received from Eloquii. 

    For context, I’m 5’5″ with a long torso and short legs. I carry my weight in my stomach and chest and am between a size 18 and 20 at Old Navy and Talbots and ordered a 20 in each item. 

    Classic Fit Bootleg Pant in gray from the suit collection:
    The fabric had a nice weight to it and wasn’t itchy at all.  The gray was a medium to dark gray.  I totally forgot whether the pants were lined, but I think they were. I got them in size 20 short and they fit around my waist and were the perfect length for 1-2 inch heels. I’m returning them because they didn’t flatter my very flat butt. 

    Classic Fit Peak Lapel Jacket in gray from the suit collection:
    Same nice fabric as the pants. I ordered a size 20 and it fit well and the sleeves were just a tiny bit too long. I normally have to shorten sleeves on jackets though.  I’m returning it though because a hip-length jacket isn’t flattering on me. 

    Draped Divine Knit Dress in black:
    This dress is fantastic. Size 20 fit me well  It’s a heavy fabric that I found very flattering. The v of the neckline doesn’t require a cami even though I have a large chest (40G). The top layer of the faux wrap does pop up a little but when I move around, but it doesn’t show anything because of the layer beneath it. I plan to tack it into place. The length hit me at mid-knee, which is my preferred length.  I’m keeping the dress. 

    Overall, my experience was good. I placed the order in the morning and it was shipped out that afternoon via UPS. If it weren’t for thanksgiving, I would have received it quickly in NYC. I haven’t returned the suit yet, so I’ll let you all know if there are issues with returns. 

    Links to follow. 

    • Mella

      Thank you for the reviews! I’m especially glad to hear the fabrics are nice. I also carry my weight in my stomach, and am apparently somewhere between a diamond and a teardrop according to Eloquii’s fits. Pants are hardest for me because most things that fit my waist and hips result in my legs swimming in fabric.

    • RR

      Note that they have to receive it back in 14 days for free return shipping and in 30 days for return at all. Very quick turnaround.

      I have also placed a couple orders, and I’ve been happy and unhappy. The JAG trouser jeans are fantastic. Comfortable, a perfect amount of stretch without getting at all stretched out and saggy, a great weight to the fabric, and a good length at 32″. It actually feels a little longer than 32″ inseam to me. The suit pants are a nice fabric for the price, but fit me oddly. I tried classic and curvy fit, and curvy fit was better even though classic was what their fit calculator recommended. The pants did fall apart at the seam the second time I wore them though, so I’m less excited than I was. I liked the classic jacket. I ordered the suit in brown and thought the fabric was lovely for polyester. I also ordered a suit in brown tweed, with wide-legged pants. Their wide-legged pants ran very small on me. I had to size up, and then they were too big. They are a perfect wide leg though. Actually wide (I’m looking at you Talbots’s wide-leg aka bootleg), but not freakishly wide. I’ve also ordered a couple sweaters and have been very pleased with the fit and quality. FWIW, I ordered a 22 in everything but the sweaters, in which I ordered a 18/20. Shipping was extremely fast (but I live near their warehouse), and I had no trouble with returns after reading the fine print on timing. Sales are frequent and very, very good.

    • Catelyn

      I received my Eloquii order this week too. I’m 5’9″ a 14/16, and more of a pear-shape (Eloquii calls it “teardrop”). I ordered everything in 14W or 14/16:
      – Draped Divine Knit Dress: the dress was great! Unfortunately it was too big in the top for me (I’m a 38D) but fit very well in the skirt. I’m thinking about whether I can get it tailored or whether I should just return. It’s a lovely dress, nice quality fabric and the cut is very flattering.
      – Signature Pencil Skirt: seemed like it was designed for more of an apple shape. It fit well except it was baggy in the stomach. I’m a little sad about this because I’ve been trying to find a pencil skirt that flattered my large rear/thighs forever, and this would be it except for the pooch area. It’s going back.
      – Classic Fit Peak Lapel Jacket: this jacket was way too large for me, in every way. Sleeves were too long, chest was too big, and the hip-length made it look like a lab coat on me. It’s going back.
      – Soft Bow blouse (emerald): I actually really liked this blouse, and it fit me very well. The color is really nice too. I’m definitely keeping it.

      Overall I was impressed with the quality, and next time I order I’ll definitely get out the measuring tape to make sure things look like they’ll fit.

      • Anonymous

        I am a 14 and have had really good luck with pencil skirts from Calvin Klein. I have a butt and not a super defined waist and they are amazing on!

        • L

          I could hug you ladies! I have gained quite a bit of weight and realized none of my business clothes actually fit. I’ve been trying to find non-frumpy suits with no success. Let the ordering commence

  3. AIMS

    I like the jacket, and also love 3/4 sleeves. Maybe because I have short-ish arms anyway so with shorter sleeves I can save on alterations. But, also, just because I think a wrist peaking out of a jacket looks so feminine and elegant. I even have a bracelet length coat, which I wear with slouchy, elbow length gloves. Nice pick.

    • anon

      i love this as well – big fan of these ladylike jackets. i have to shorten all my sleeves, so i must be short-armed too.

    • PollyD

      I like 3/4 sleeves because I don’t like having things around my wrist – a holdover from my laboratory days. Also, 3/4 sleeves can make people think you are thinner than you are, if that is a goal. My wrists and hands are pretty skinny, so people notice that rather than the corset of pudge around my midsection.

  4. Nancy P

    Love it. You can wear with black, with brown, with jeans . . . Too bad I am on a shopping hiatus through January.

  5. Diana Barry

    Really nice jacket. I can’t buy anything in regular sizes until next summer, though (sniff, sniff).

    • Research, Not Law

      I know, right? I made the mistake of buying post-pg clothes while pregnant last time. Not doing that again!

      Love the jacket, though.

  6. Ellen

    This is way to expensive for ME! I think the manageing partner would want me to BUY this, but he would HAVE to subsideize this! FOOEY!

  7. Anon 3L

    Threadjack –

    Does anyone have advice for what to say in response to a comment along the lines of “aren’t you too young to be getting married?” I’m 24 and will be 25 by the wedding date. My former boss said this to me. I want to make light of it, but every time I come up with a response I feel like I sound way over defensive. I’m just not sure how to respond to that comment. Any advice?

    • anon

      “Aren’t you old enough to know better than to ask that?”
      “Do you think I should wait until I’m your age instead?”
      “We’re happy with our decision, and our ages, so no.”

    • Blonde Lawyer

      I got engaged at 21, married at 23. I am a year younger than my class so I was two years out of college when I got married. We got a lot of the same rude comments. I usually responded “We have been together for 6 years” or “we are lucky to have found each other so early.”

      • Midwest

        I used a variation of the second response for a good chunk of my twenties. And don’t worry; these comments are annoying (and inappropriate) but will be a non-issue in a few years. Interestingly, I rarely got these comments in my home city but when I traveled to conferences elsewhere, you would’ve thought it was the strangest thing in the world to encounter a married 24-year-old.

      • SF Bay Associate

        Your last response is quite classy, Blonde Lawyer (no sarcasm, if that wasn’t clear). I have a nontraditional e-ring, and when I get comments that are basically “that’s an e-ring??,” I try to respond along the same lines you suggest – “Yes! I’m lucky to have a fiance that knew just what I wanted.” or “Isn’t it great? I love it.” It’s nice up here on the high road :).

        • Anon13

          I like how you handle comments about your ring. I have a raw diamond and get lots of “what IS that?” comments. I find it funny that people who are so opinionated about proper engagement jewelry can’t recognize a diamond when they see one. :)

          • Anony

            I am young (24) and recently engaged with a ruby ring. Strangely, the only people who ever pick at me about it being a ruby are my relatives (esp. mother). I especially love it when mother says “i can’t believe you got a ruby” and–like SF Associate–I just beam and say “I know!!! Isn’t it wonderful?!?!?!”

      • Rose in Bloom

        I got engaged at 22 and married at 23 (now 24) and still get comments. I echo Blonde Lawyer’s advice. I usually say something along the lines of “well, we’d been dating for seven years so figured it was time.” I’ve also quoted one of my favorite lines from When Harry Met Sally: “When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”

        Congratulations!

      • JJ

        Congrats on your engagement! Married at 23 and now been together almost 7 years. I used a lot of Blonde Lawyer’s responses when people would comment on how young we were to get married. I often just responded with “Yup – I was very lucky to meet the person that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with when I was young.” I also used the “Well, at this point we’ve been together 5 years [which we were by the time we were married], so it just made sense.”

        I have noticed that now that I’m older, people don’t respond in shock when I tell them how long I’ve been married. Hopefully that will be the case for you, too.

      • Kontraktor

        I am the same way. 21 when I was engaged, 23 at the time of my wedding, been together 6 years by that time. I like the responses you used.

    • TCFKAG

      I’d also go with a classic.

      “Nope.”

      Or, “No, why do you ask?”

      This is one of those really stupid things to ask, because if the couple thought they were too young to be getting married, they wouldn’t be getting married! So this is just a back-handed way of people revealing their own stupid ideas. There’s no way you’re going to convince them they’re wrongs — since they don’t really know you and your fiance (and they’re stupid opinion isn’t based on anything anyway — so I wouldn’t bother trying.

      And Congratulations! The fact that anyone thinks 24 is too young too get married shows a pretty myopic view (both culturally and historically).

    • Em

      I think your answer should depend on whether the person is being snarky and judgmental (which some are), or whether it’s just an older person who has a moment of “Oh no, you’re young enough to be my daughter and old enough to be married! Ahhh!” panic. In the former case, a cold or snarky response is appropriate; in the latter, you can probably just smile and shrug and they’ll move past it.

    • Godzilla

      There’s just no pleasing people. What are you supposed to say to people who ask why you’re not getting married, as if you didn’t know you were single. Just smile and ignore.

      Fun story: I never wore jewelry when I first started working because I didn’t want to give off any unintentional signals. The very first time I wore a ring (totally decorative, on my right middle finger, about a year after I started working), my paranoia was absolutely rewarded. My boss noticed and asked if I got married – he wanted to make sure that he hadn’t missed out on the wedding food. Facepalm.

      • AnonInfinity

        Hahaha! Not “congratulations” or similar, but “I hope I didn’t miss the wedding food.”

        I love this story.

        • TCFKAG

          And he assumed he would have been invited! Ha!

          Also…that is a very “man” response to someone getting married.
          (Though, to be honest, the food was the most important part of the wedding party to me. People would tell me, “oh you’re going to be so busy, you won’t get anything to eat” and I’d say “you don’t know me very well, do you?”)

    • Lyssa

      Q: Aren’t you too young to be getting married?
      A: (with a big smile) Nope!

      (married at 21, darn happy about it)

      (Don’t make a big deal out of people being “judgmental.” So what? Mostly, they’re just trying for friendly banter, combined with the young-enough-to-be-my-child panic Em referenced. But even if they’re really horribly judgmental and don’t think that you should be getting married, so what? If you know they’re wrong, move on. If you’re going to sit around getting upset anytime anyone who’s opinion doesn’t even matter to you is in disagreement with your own, you’re not going to get much done.)

      • anon

        Lyssa, this is a good point. There’s a big difference between constructive criticism and opportunities to learn from dissension (the OP’s situation is clearly not one of these) and people just being, well, judgmental.

        So this is not about the OP per se, but I personally could learn to be more thick-skinned. Or at least, to separate the constructive commentary from the less so. That said, I tend to either blurt out dissenting opinions or shroud them in overly “soft” language and there’s probably a fine balance in between there, too.

    • Anonymous

      This really drives me insane. If you wait just one year after you are married to get pregnant, you will be almost 27 years old when you have a baby! I had mine when I was 33 and I really wish I had started earlier. I am not knocking individual choices, but on the whole, it seems bass-ackwards to take birth control for twenty years and then do IVF to get pregnant later. You are just the right age! And, I am sure you have real parents who can ask tell you that you are too young!

      • AIMS

        I would not take it personally. It could just be regional or cultural. In NYC, 25 is certainly on the early side to get married, but I also remember travelling at 19 and being told by concerned older women in certain parts of the world that I should “not lose hope that my time would come.” There’s no right or wrong time to do anything; it just has to be the right time for you & your SO.

        But I think anyone who finds themselves getting upset at someone suggesting they are too young or the like, should just make sure they are not having any doubts that this is touching upon. Otherwise, smile, say no, and move on.

      • A2

        Anonymous — oops, I posted below but it was meant to be in response to you here. It’s at 1:33, but here’s what I said:

        Just curious — why do you wish you had your child earlier? I’m 32, and we’re thinking of waiting a year and then trying, and while I don’t WANT to try any earlier, I have a sinking fear that there may negative consequences of my decision (and being “Type A” I will blame it on the waiting and not a million other things that could or might go wrong for anyone). Just curious.

        Read more: https://corporette.com/2011/12/06/tuesdays-tps-report-wool-boucle-jacket/#ixzz1fmEgrcgP

      • Lyssa

        It drives me crazy, too. As an aside, when I got engaged (at age 19, and married at 21), a lot of strangers commented that I was too young, but my parents always laughed at that – they said they got married about that age, so what’s the big deal?

        Also weirdness: I was waiting tables most of the time that I was engaged, and there are a lot of single mothers who had kids too young who wait tables (it’s one of the best paying jobs that most can get without formal skills or training), so I had a lot of people first asking why I was getting married so young, but then asking if I had kids conversationally, as if it would be no big thing for me to have kids at 20, but getting married was totally different!

    • PollyD

      All these replies are much more constructive, but if it happens often, I’d be tempted to gasp, put a look of horror on my face, and say something like, “Oh my god! I never thought about that! Maybe I am too young!! What should I do?? Should I cancel the wedding??” all panicky-like, just to see what the questioner would do.

      But I’m kind of mean that way.

      • Lynnet

        I had a good relationship with my boss, but he felt the need to bring up how I was too young to get married about once a month, so I would often put on a look of exaggerated shock and say, “But I’m already 25, my babymaking years are almost gone!”

        Obviously, I don’t suggest this for everyone.

    • Road Warriorette

      I also got engaged at 23 and married at 25. The “I know, we’re so lucky to have found each other so early!” thing worked for me all the time, mostly I think because I believed it. Now I’m 30 and we’ve been married five years (and I still think I’m lucky).

    • nev

      Yep, engaged at 21, married at 22, been married for two years and STILL get, “You married so young! You’re a child bride!” (ugh)

      In a social context I like the “and we’re very happy together” response, but sometimes at work I’ll say something like, “Yes, I’m fortunate to have found someone who is so supportive of my career,” or “Well, I’m married so now I can focus on my work,” which turns around the implication (sometimes) that I must be unusually domestically-minded.

      Another all-purpose response is “It was a good decision for me.” The “for me” helps it to feel less judgmental/defensive, and again highlights that I made a decision, it’s done, can we please focus on the matter at hand.

      Oh! I also have a non-diamond engagement ring, and always try to turn around derisive remarks about it by saying, “He has perfect taste” or “I always wanted a sapphire…” something positive.

      Note that for your responses to not sound too defensive, you actually have to feel not-defensive. If you are *not* comfortable getting married or *don’t* like your e-ring, and you’re trying to defend it to yourself, then it’s hard not to sound defensive to other people. (not saying this applies to you, just a general observation.)

    • Oh.so.tired

      I got engaged at 21 and married a year later and went straight into lawschool. I think everyone in my class just assumed I was older than I was, partially because I look a little older but mostly because everyone knew I was married and figured I must be 25+. But at my summer associateship at a BigLaw firm in Dc I got asked this A LOT — I always just smiled and said “nope, not really.” if I wasn’t a summer associate and looking to get hired, I might have said something more snarky because it really got old after the 20th time in my 8 weeks.

    • Anon

      OP Here
      Thanks for all the responses! I think I just need to say ‘no’ and shrug and try not make a face and move on!

      As for the defensiveness issue, I think maybe defensive was the wrong word. I figured going into the details of our background seem like overkill in the response. He probably doesn’t care to know that we are from the same small town, have known each other most of our lives, were good friends when we went to the same college, have lived together for a year and been together for 2 years before getting engaged. The comment is inappropriate regardless of how long we’ve known each other or dated. I just wanted a joke sort of response that would diffuse any awkwardness.

      Could be a cultural thing. He is European, educated, single, mid-30s.

      He does have a point though. According to Wiki, I am on the young side to get married. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_at_first_marriage

  8. colors ..

    I was recently informed by a stylist that I’m a Winter. I guess I should google it and figure out what that means. Does anyone actually use these designations anymore? Any Winters out there want to give me insight as to what I should do with this information?

    • Midwest

      It means that you look striking in jewel tones — cobalt, emerald green, ruby, deep pink (check out the Winter Peony color in BR’s late fall collection). You also can pull off true white and black without it looking stark or harsh against your complexion.

    • Mella

      I’m a Winter. It comes from the Color Me Beautiful books back in the early ’80s (?) I think. It’s basically a (very simplified) system for saying “Mella, you have dark eyes and dark hair and golden-brown skin, therefore you’re a /insert season here/ and look best in eggplant, navy…” etc.

      I don’t think anyone uses the designations anymore because most of us (especially here on Corporette) know what colors we look best in, but I can see it as a jumping-off point for someone who’s not as style-aware.

      • In search of Bunkster's Bark

        Uh oh. I love my Corpeorette, but I have no idea what colors I look best in. but just today, I thought to myself that I loooked like he- double hockey stir then dismissed it because I was in our horribly lit work bathroom and my eyes were bloodshot from hours working on a spreadsheet. But now I’m worried that it was my black turtleneck. Or ruby cardigan.

        Seriously, ladies. How do you tell?

        PS. I’ve adopted my new name permanently because I so want Bunkster to get a new job.

    • Bee

      I’m a winter, too. I haven’t heard anyone refer to color seasons for many, many years, though. Here’s how it went: winter colors are clear, clean, cool colors, especially mid to deep toned jewel tones. Winters can do strong contrasts.

    • colors ..

      thanks all. too bad, i don’t really like jewel tones, but i guess it’s all more food for thought :)

      • Bee

        What colors do you like? You might try holding different colors against your face in good light, just to see what you think.

        Winter colors do include black, white, charcoal, chocolate.

      • Mella

        You probably already know the colors you feel and look best in. In contrast, if you have to ask “does this color look good on me?” then it’s probably a color (or shade or hue of that color) that doesn’t look /bad/ but doesn’t do you any favors either.

        Also, wouldn’t it be funny if that stylist was just wrong? or that she just made it up to sound knowledgeable, and you’re really a Spring or II or Ruby or some other construct. :)

    • Jas

      I’m a Winter, but I don’t really use the term. I found it helpful as a teenager when I was first realizing how to dress my body, but now I find it too simplistic. Some of the winter colours are really flattering on me (black and turquoise are “my” colours) but others do absolutely nothing (stay away from me, fushia and yellow!) while I look just fine in some non-winter colours. It’s a good start, but I find I can tell if a colour looks good on me just by putting it on, I don’t really need the categories.

      • Anon

        As a Winter, I find I can REALLY tell immediately when I hold a color up to my face whether it looks good or horrible on me. There is a huge difference. Basically it boils down to looking better in cool tones rather than warm tones. Anything with warm tones or yellow, beige, gold undertones is looks horrid w/my skintone. Winters can wear any color–it is the shade that matters: for example in brown, go for a dark coffee bean color, or cool brown w/a pink undertone and stay far away from orange browns or tans.

        If you want to see some helpful videos, search for ‘ImogenLamport’ on Youtube. She is a wardrobe consultant and a Winter. I found her tips very useful. The ones I liked were titled ‘How to Choose Neutrals’ and ‘How to figure out your contrast level’. There are more that I haven’t viewed yet as well.

        You can have very fair skin and be a Winter too. It’s the level of contrast and shades that matters, imo.

        If you can find a good color swatch guide, or a color fan–something portable like Imogen shows, that really helps for going shopping. Our brains have a hard time remembering colors accurately, so it helps to have something to look at and refer to. You do get better with time in knowing what will work immediately and what will not. But I found I’ve had to train my brain. It didn’t happen right away.

        • Bee

          Those warm tones that are unflattering worn near the face can be good purse colors. I’ve enjoyed yellow and nutmeg purses, colors I would not use for a shirt or jacket.

        • Anon

          The Color Me Beautiful books are good for explaining the concept, but the color charts in them are horrible. The ink has aged badly in the copies I’ve seen, so don’t go by them unless they look brand new, fresh and pristine. The photos of clothes are pretty dated as well. (You may be able to find them in your public library since they were pretty popular back then – 1980’s?)

  9. AnonInfinity

    Back to bags! I am going to purchase my first designer bag soon, and I want to make sure I can get the most use out of it. It’ll be my daily bag. Therefore, I want a color that will go with everything. I’ve had a (cheap) white purse before and it started looking very bad very quickly. This makes me nervous about getting a purse that is a lighter color.

    So, for the bag experts out there — Is a light brown leather (a camel color) going to stain quickly or easily? Would deep orange look dated within the next year or two?

    • Midwest

      I’ve had a camel purse for years and have loved it. It looks great with so many colors, and I’ve found that it hides stains and dirts well — maybe TOO well, actually!

    • Monday

      One week ago today, I got my own first designer bag. (Your post reminded me to give it another adoring look to celebrate the anniversary.) It’s light brown, and per the instructions that came with it I immediately waterproofed it thoroughly. I also carried it through rain on our first workday as a team. So far I am finding that the leather is so high quality that nothing shows up against it, ever! I’m pointing this out because prior to this I carried a buff pink bag for a long time (much cheaper and lower quality). The only discoloration it ever had was a sort of cloudy blueish area from lots of contact with dark wash denim I was wearing. I suppose this could happen with my new one, but thus far the leather seems very resistant to any staining or scuffs. I am very hard on my bags.

      I think deep orange will hold up just fine, style-wise, but am far from a “bag expert.” Anyway, ENJOY!

      • Godzilla

        I’m glad I’m not the only one who commemorates these “anniversaries” =).

    • AIMS

      I think medium brown, darker shades of camel, slate/gray, and black are all safe choices. I wouldn’t do bright orange, but that’s because I think you could tire of it easily. I think red is a surprisingly great neutral and darker blue/navy can be as well. A deep plum could be very versatile, too.

      If you go with a color, just look at your closet to make sure it will work with your other regularly worn items. For instance, I have a red purse that I love and used to wear frequently, but I have a puffy forest green coat that I wear a lot in the winter and paired with the red purse, that is just way too xmas for me, so I’ve had to limit the purse to non-puffer occasions.

      • Monday

        Yes–it’s important to make sure your prospective bag will go with any of your coats. Also, when bag shopping I was tempted by various animal-inspired patterns or textures, but since I own shoes, sweaters, a skirt, belts, and two scarves that are all animal in some form or another, I knew to avoid that in a bag because I only do one such item at a time. I.e. on any day on which I wore one of these items, the bag would have been too much.

    • AnonInfinity

      Good point on the orange and making sure a color would work with everything. Camel is my first choice! I’m glad to know it doesn’t sound too high maintenance.

  10. Govtgrrl

    I am a government attorney who recently got an adjunct teaching position. There is an adjunct orientation on Thursday night. What should I wear? My office is business casual with an emphasis on the casual. Suit? Dress?

    • AIMS

      I’d wear a blazer & whatever “separate” suits your fancy. E.g., pants + blazer, pencil skirt + blazer, or dress + blazer. For instance, I think today’s featured blazer plus black pencil skirt would look very nice for the occasion. I’d probably play it safe and wear it with either a thin, black sweater or a crisp white button down shirt.

    • shamlet96

      I’d say suit, with maybe some fun accessories. Just out of curiosity, i’d love to hear more about how you got the adjunct position (i’m a gov’t attorney as well and am interesting in teaching). my email is shamlet96 at yahoo.com. tia. :)

      • Govtgrrl

        I wish I had some great insight into why I got hired but I actually have no idea. I am an appellate attorney and they were looking for a legal writing instructor. I just fit the bill. My advice is to just apply.

  11. ANP

    Chiming in with a sad bag story. I bought a Kate Spade (my first self-purchased designer bag and supposed to be my everyday go-to purse) at the end of summer and it’s already showing horrible signs of wear. It’s a light metallic gold color and I’m already in “talks” with customer service about a possible replacement. So, so sad :(

    • L

      My Kate Spade order from last week was just cancelled! GAH! Thought I’d throw in my own sad bag story. :(

    • TechAnon

      Mine isn’t quite as sad, but still disappointing:

      I have a medium-to-light blue B Makowsky bag that I absolutely love. The size and shape are perfect and the leather is butter soft. But the blue doesn’t feel very fall/winter to me, so I ordered what I thought was the same bag in a cocoa brown.

      When it arrived, I was so disappointed. The leather was stiff, the hardware was smaller and cheaper-looking, and the bag itself was only about 3/4 the size of my original. If it hadn’t come from a reputable store, I would have said it was a knock-off. (Although I don’t think B Makowsky is high-end enough to warrant knocking off.) I guess they just changed the style enough to make it a no-go for me.

      Back to bag shopping, I guess.

  12. R in Boston

    Question:
    For the past week or so I’ve been commuting in knee-high riding boots for warmth whenever I wear a skirt to work. My office is not really a knee-high boot kind of place, so I stash them under my desk for the day and put them back on for the commute home. By then, I’ve noticed, my legs are a bit swollen from sitting at my desk all day and the boots are tight. Any suggestions for how to combat this? (Other than walking around more during the day, which I am trying to do.)

    The boots are fairly narrow to begin with, but I definitely fall into the wide calf category, so finding significantly roomier boots is very hard.

    • PollyD

      Get some boot stretchers to put inside your boots during the day? As a temporary fix, maybe some rolled up magazines to slightly stretch the leather might work.

      FYI, I think boot stretchers can be found on Amazon.

    • Nancy P

      You can also get them stretched at a shoe repair place. I had this done on some boots and it worked wonders. (I too am in the wide calf category.)

    • Anony

      Related threadjack: I’m starting an job in Jan. with a long walking commute + public transit. I’m thinking I’ll commute in knee high boots too — is that appropriate? Its a clerkship-like position for a judge, so I’ll be wearing a suit.

      • TCFKAG

        Since you didn’t get a response, let me chime in. I really don’t think what you choose to wear on your commute can possibly be “appropriate” or not! As long as you’re not wearing them all around the office or into court, I think you can wear whatever you want to from home to your desk (and I find it weird when people on here worry that someone might see them in the elevator or whatever).

        I also think that its totally appropriate and obviously a better look than sneakers or something. So yay for tall boots.

      • JJ

        Are you drinking a lot of water during the day? If not, that leads to swelling. Or eating food with lots of sodium at work (canned soup, frozen meals, etc)? If you can, you can also buy a footrest and keep your feet up under the desk, which might help alleviate any swelling.

      • In search of Bunkster's Bark

        Good point – my first thought was to wonder if my legs aren’t swelling without my noticing and that it might motivate me to take more walking around breaks if I did.

      • In search of Bunkster's Bark

        Good point – my first thought was to wonder if my legs aren’t swelling without my noticing and that it might motivate me to take more walking around breaks if I realized what was happening.

  13. Nancy P

    Does anyone have a good source for custom holiday cards? DH and I want something WITHOUT a picture on it that’s simple and class — “Wishing You and Yours a Peaceful and Happy New Year — Signed DW and DH.”

    • Formerly Preggo Angie

      The Shutterfly and TinyPrints-type of websites have non-photo options, and you can get them pretty quick.

    • fly a way

      american stationery

      stationery house

      You might want to go with “correspondence cards” trimmed (and monogrammed/messaged) in a color of your choice. Would be so distinctive, esp. if done with a color liner in the envelope. Lovely idea, Nancy.

    • Anon2

      Check out minted[dot]com. I’ve never ordered from them, but they seem to have a good selection. Since I don’t usually do holiday cards I don’t know if they’re ridiculously expensive (it sort of seems like it to me).

      • Nancy P

        Anon2! Minted was fantastic! Classy options, reasonable pricing, and a 15% discount to boot! Thanks everyone for the recommendations — I knew Corporette would save the (holi)day.

    • Anon.

      Check out Etsy. I have a friend who has a design shop there (Good Note Designs) with lots of pretty cards, and she’ll custom design for you too! If you don’t like her style, there are other places on Etsy that do the same : )

  14. Maddie Ross

    Question for the hive — I have long hair with a bit of a wave that I either combat on a daily basis by curling with hot rollers or straighening with a flat iron. My trusty old hot rollers are about to bite the big one though and I need to find a new set (they no longer make my old set). Any recs? I’d like to spend less than $50, but would be willing to spend more if they were really really good (for instance, I love my chi straighener and could not live with a cheap one). I’ve tried curling irons and am just not capable. Definitely need to stick with rollers.

    • Anon

      Not a hot roller suggestion, but a few weeks ago, I watched a YouTube video on how to curl one’s hair with a straightening iron. Its really, really easy and I’ve had very good results using my CHI iron. I have thick, wavy, frizzy hair to about 4 inches past my shoulders.

      (its not intuitive at all, and seems like it wouldn’t work, but it does)

      • BigHair

        I’m also waiting for replies! The best set I ever found was a Conair from the 1970’s (I found them at a yard sale and bought them for $1) – they broke during a baggage transfer on a flight and I’ve missed them for the last seven years. It’s so hard to find rollers that get hot enough to work on the whole length of my hair.

      • darby

        ps – i should add that i like them bc they are travel size & i can always make room for them in a carry-on. i’ve had the big giant sets but they make me feel like a beauty pagent contestant to have them out at home (or gretchen from RHOOC) & don’t travel well. these are unassuming at home & nice on the road.

        • Godzilla

          Interesting, I’ve been thinking about purchasing a set. Is the one set enough for you to do all of your hair at once? And are the clips that come with the rollers good enough or did you purchase extra clips?

          • darby

            hi – i’ve saved my clips from all roller sets over the years in case i lose them/they stretch out. w/ this particular set, sometimes the clips are fine, other times they send weird ones. the 10 rollers are enough for me to get loose waves, which is generally the look i’m going for & is fine for every day (if i’m being lazy, i’ll just use 5-6 & get really really loose waves). when i dress up, i usually also curl some pieces w/ a curling iron.

    • Me too

      That is my main problem with JCrew, the length of their skirts/dresses. Not sure why they don’t have a tall option or at least include several inches at the bottom to let out the hem.

      Speaking of dresses, I received my L.K. Bennett dress and am wearing it today. The price dropped to $179 and still available in many sizes. It’s very elegant and perfect for work AND is long enough (41 inches). I don’t think the model does the dress justice, it looks better in person.

      The dress is ideal for someone who is a classic hourglass. I lean more toward pear shaped and the dress is a bit baggy on top for me, but nothing too major. If you’re bigger on the bottom, order that size. My husband loved the dress so it’s a keeper!

      http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/l-k-bennett-cap-sleeve-wool-sheath-dress/3259448?origin=category&resultback=261

      • Bursting out

        Wow! That is a *great* dress! If I weren’t stuck in maternity clothes right now, I’d be on it like syrup on pancakes!

        • Me too

          Ha ha, thanks! Anyone know if it’s possible to tailor the top of a dress like this? It’s just very slightly baggy but not sure if it’s worth tailoring.

    • AB

      Are you long torso’d like me? Even though I’m 5’6″ I have to get some dresses in tall sizes because of my freakishly long torso, and even then any waist detail on them often sits around my rib cage rather than at my waist. In a regular size, because the waist sits so high, the skirt starts too high and ends up being too short.

      It’s a total bummer, because between this and my small chest, I pretty much can’t wear sheath dresses. I’d need to buy one and then have it almost entirely remade. :(

  16. non

    Men’s Clothing Suggestions – So my baby brother (who is 22, so not really a baby anymore) is looking for help with clothes shopping – to the point that he’s asked me, or our sister-in-law, to go shopping with him. He’s looking for sweaters and shirts mostly (I think), but has the challenge of having long arms, thin torso and a skinny neck (for dress shirts).

    I’ve gotten him things from BR in the past that he really liked, and would consider more of, but I’m looking for suggestions about where else to look that does well with that body type. Ideally, he’d be a Small Tall at BR (if they made it, which they don’t, but the men’s medium at BR do just fine. I was thinking of J. Crew, maybe Brooks Brothers (for their nice range of options in dress shirts), but was wondering if anyone else had suggestions.

    I’m in the Twin Cities, so I have easy access to the Mall of America, which has a nice range of b&m stores. So – thoughts for a skinny, monkey armed, nerd boy?

    • Maddie Ross

      My brother is super skinny and super tall and has good luck with the mens section at Express.

    • anon

      Regarding button downs, try the “slim fit” or “european cut” types of shirts instead of the regular ones – Brooks Bros has a slim fit line, or something similarly named. The standard shirts will be too wide for your brother’s body, and even for wider-bodied men, they tend to puff out at the sides – which is a look I see on many college boys. A well-fitting shirt is a good step toward looking like you’re not in school anymore.

      Regarding lines – at a guess, you could try Polo/Polo Sport, Nautica, as well as Brooks and BR?

      Also – if you have a big outlet mall near you, that’s a good start. All those lines have “factory store” chains.

      • Little Lurker

        Absolutely on the fitted shirts thing. Guys who want to be bigger often wear clothes that are too big for them, and it makes them look sad. Embrace your size, boys!

    • Little Lurker

      22-year-old girl wants to know: is he wardrobe upgrading, looking for work clothes, or just in need of a new sense of style?

      I second Express, and also suggest a subscription to GQ. My stylish guy friends love their clothing advice and created ensembles, and we girls tend to appreciate the style of the men who wear them. ;)

      Also, bow ties. Bow ties are cool.*

      *Like Amy Pond, I took a lot of convincing on this one.

      • Little Lurker

        Oh and if he’s preppy: Ralph Lauren, particularly the Rugby line. Land’s End Canvas for a cheaper version. Yum!

        If he’s artsy, he probably has his own sense of style by now, but thrift/vintage shopping for cardigans and scarfs and such is super fun. I really hate the skinny jean look on guys, but it sounds like he has the perfect build for it.

      • non

        A little bit of everything. I think its a little bit of a wardrobe upgrade and a work clothes upgrade. He’s working where jeans are fine, so the work wardrobe and weekend wardrobe run together, but he’s one of the younger guys at work, so might want to wear more grown-up clothes. I get the sense that he’s trying to find his own style, but its all a little overwhelming and he doesn’t know where to start.

        *If he wore ties at all, I would suggest the bow ties. Maybe I will anyway – he’s also a fan of the Doctor. :)

        • Little Lurker

          I’m completely serious when I say that taking style cues from the Eleventh Doctor is not at all ridiculous — Matt Smith’s personal wardrobe is a bit too ’80s hipster for me, but bow ties are actually popping up all over the place lately. I’d leave the Tenth Doctor out of this, because I love me some David Tennant, but suits and Converse are not for style beginners. And it sounds like your brother has a similar build to Matt.

          “but its all a little overwhelming and he doesn’t know where to start.”
          That’s what I like about GQ.* Their fashion photospreads are very accessible, and it seems like once every few months they run a column on transitioning from college-to-adulthood, in attitude and style.

          Other approachable style icons: Justin Timberlake, Harry Shum, Jr. (“Mike Chang” from Glee).

          *I do NOT like the occasional bordering-on-exploitative photoshoots of female actresses, but you can’t have everything.

          • Sydney Bristow

            And now I have the beautiful image of David Tennant I his suit and converse in my head for the rest of the day. :-)

          • MeliaraofTlanth

            I have been known to commute in my suit wearing my converse. On these occasions, I desperately wish for a sonic screwdriver. I’ve never been cool enough to wear the converse the rest of the day, however. Only David Tennant is that cool.

          • cbackson

            True story: I once attended a wedding at which a guest was dressed as the Tenth Doctor. It wasn’t a theme wedding of any sort. The couple weren’t particularly geeky. There was just one guest who decided to go the full Tennant.

            I debated between keeping silent and not outing myself as a big ol’ nerd, or asking him about it so as to hear the explanation. Opted for the latter. Turned out he was just a huuuuuuuuuuuuuge fan.

    • AB

      Same with my brother (6’2″ and weighs about 160-165 I think). He also has good luck with Express and Jos. A. Banks – they make something like a long and lean fit that he likes. I think those may need to be ordered though, but the B&M stores are really good about handling those orders.

    • Seattleite

      Based on their names alone, once you have him propertly dressed, please set Skinny Monkey-Armed Nerd Boy up with Roly Poly Little Bat-Faced Girl. #needstochangeboringalias

      • Roly Poly Little Bat-Faced Girl

        Oh Seattleite, you’re clever! If I may be so bold, I’d like to award you +10 LL points. (And don’t change a thing about you.)

        • Little Lurker

          Seattleite, it appears you’ve just won 10 LL points as well as 10 Bat-Faced Girl points. Congrats!

          (Or would you prefer to abbreviate yourself RPLBFG?)

    • anon

      My soon-to-be-21-year-old brother is on the thinner side, and he has good luck at JC Penny. I think their brand of button downs and sweaters are a good cut for him.

    • Ellie

      Just wanted to make sure he’d tried the slim fit at Banana. Most of their classic non-iron shirts are slim fit, but worth making sure!

      • non

        We’ll definitely be looking at Banana – the only problem is he’s a small in the chest (35″), but a tall in the arms (also 35″) and most places (including BR) start their men’s tall sizes with medium, not small.

        Thanks to everyone for their comments – we’ll definitely be trying Express and Jos. A. Bank., in addition to J. Crew and BR.

  17. hopeful ex-pat

    Do any American lawyers have any experience with getting your law degree abroad and coming back for an LLM?

    I lived abroad for three years as an undergraduate and almost two years beyond graduation, I’m still incredibly homesick for Europe and itching to go back. I’ve started looking at programs but was wondering if anyone had actually done this with any success?

  18. A2

    Anynymous, just curious — why do you wish you had your child earlier? I’m 32, and we’re thinking of waiting a year and then trying, and while I don’t WANT to try any earlier, I have a sinking fear that there may negative consequences of my decision (and being “Type A” I will blame it on the waiting and not a million other things that could or might go wrong for anyone). Just curious.

  19. Maree Thon

    Runners: I am taking up distance running again after many, many years, and I’m turning to the many runners who comment on this blog for advice. I am keenly aware that chafing from clothing can be a problem as one gets into distance runs, and I have fairly sensitive skin. Can anyone recommend great running pants – long or capri – that are good for long distances in the cold months? Cost for value is fine.

    Thanks very much in advance.

    • Anon

      I run in basic sweatpants in cold weather. Seriously. Never had any chafing issues.

    • Diana Barry

      When I used to run (ah, injuries!) I would get running tights – whatever was on sale – from Road Runner Sports online or Paragon in NYC. They worked really well – I found that tight-fitting things were much better for avoiding chafing.

    • Midwest

      All the C9 by Champion stuff at Target is a good bargain for the price. If I’m in the mood to splurge, I like Nike and Under Armour.

    • Annie

      I like the Brooks Infiniti tights and capris. It is freezing where I live right now (the temp on my run this morning was -10) so I layer and wear the capris with fleece pants over them.

      • Annie

        The second layer is Black Diamond Microfleece tights from Sierra Trading Post.

      • AnonInfinity

        This is what I wear, too!

        One other thing you can try is Body Glide.

    • Maddie Ross

      I’m all over this thread today ;) I love Sport Hill tights for winter weather. They come in different thicknesses depending on the type of weather / cold. They are more pricey than the ones from Target, but they seriously last forever (am in my 30s and still have pairs from college).

    • Anonymous

      Chiming in late, but I wear either Sugoi Jackie running tights or Nike running tights. Agree with the poster who said that tight tends to eliminate the chafing.

    • SunnyD

      I love my Craft tights. They’re lower rise than a lot of other tights (don’t come over my belly button), the ankles zip on the side rather than in the back (i find the back zips irritate my ankles), and there isn’t a seam up the crotch (a big problem with tights I bought when I first started running and before I realized that a seam would make a 10 mile run feel like there was a cheese grater in my tights). They’re really best for weather in the 30s–not much colder than that. I wore them on my run this morning (temp: 32, windchill: 29) and was barely warm enough.

      http://shop.craftsports.us/women.html

  20. conbrio

    Review of the Exclusively Misook skirt I ordered last week: http://www.dillards.com/product/Exclusively-Misook-Knit-Long-Skirt_301_-1_301_500952102

    What a disappointment. The Exclusively Misook knits are supposed to have “the look and feel of silk,” but the fabric is rough and very casual-looking, where I was hoping for something more polished. And it’s very clingy, rather than body-skimming as I had hoped. For $180 I was expecting better. It’s going back today.

    • anon

      thanks for updating us! seriously, what a disappointment – i was hoping i’d found st. john lite. i guess not. sorry it didn’t work out.

  21. LMo

    To me, “boucle” means it is from the VS catalog…the jacket looks nice but I just can’t get over my mental hangup on anything boucle.

  22. Can't wait to quit

    Late threadjack, but I would love to hear from any of you who are HR professionals, or have done some hiring. I’m an executive assistant and have decided to leave my current position at the end of April next year, mainly because I’m burnt out and sick of working for a hand-me-down boss who “doesn’t need an assistant”. The odd thing is that my current company has a policy against giving personal references – you can show your performance reviews and they will verify employment dates and salary, but your supervisor is not allowed to provide a reference. As the person doing the hiring, would this cause you problems? I have several other, excellent references, and am happy to show performance reviews, but I’m just trying to guage how big of a problem this is going to be.

    • JJ

      You may want to repost this later in the afternoon in a later post (apologies if you have already), but I thought I’d chime in. I’m not an HR professional but I am an employment lawyer and I’ve seen tons of companies that have a neutral reference policy like that you described above. In fact, I’d say the majority of companies that I work with will only provide name and verify dates of employment. While I can’t speak to how someone in HR interprets that, I know it is not uncommon and therefore wouldn’t read too much into a neutral reference.

    • MeliaraofTlanth

      My understanding is lots of companies have this policy.

      (I once got around this policy by directly asking the partner I had worked for. He didn’t know the policy existed).

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