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Updated: Oct 31, 2018 145 Comments · by

Wednesday’s TPS Report: Sleeveless Print Top

The Personal Shopper (TPS) |

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Vince Sleeveless Print Top | CorporetteOur daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Oooh: I love the dark reds, pinks, and purples in this beautiful blouse from Vince. I'd wear it with a structured bottom (pencil skirt, cigarette pants) but probably keep it flowy on top by adding a longer cardigan in another dark color. (It reminds me of this very similar Vince blouse from last season, also now on sale at Last Call.) This blouse is $143 at Nordstrom, available in sizes XS-L. Vince Sleeveless Print Top A lower-priced option is here; two plus-size alternatives are here and here. Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com. (L-5)

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Comments

  1. lawsuited

    Do any Canadian ‘r3ttes out there have recommendations for plus-sized (size 18) retailers in Canada? With the Canadian dollar where it is, it’s not making as much sense to buy from U.S. retailers and pay tax/duties when it crosses the border, so I want to explore any homegrown options I have. I’m already familiar with Additionelle and the plus-sized section at The Bay. Any others?

    • lucy stone

      American here, but could you order Boden without duty? I fit in the UK20 or 22 in most of their items.

      • lawsuited

        I’ve been charged duty when ordering from U.K. sites in the past, so I’m not sure, but will look into it – I do love Boden!

    • AMB

      I like Talbots – are you near a city with Nordstrom? I’ve also done well at Winners, but know it’s not to everyone’s shopping taste.

      • lawsuited

        Not yet, but I am counting down the days until our Nordstrom opens in TO!

  2. Ellen

    Yay! I love sleevless top’s like this, and I love NORDSTROM’s, but I would worry about weareing anything sleeveless to work b/c Frank alway’s tries to look thru the sleeve’s to see my boobie’s. It get’s very distracting for me when he keep’s looking at my boobie’s. FOOEY on Frank!

    The guy from the Hamton’s called me to see if I was getting better. My suburn is not red any more but it is still tender to the touch. I have to remember NOT to lay out in the sun any more. FOOEY on the sun. That guy is interested in dateing me, so that is good b/c he said he will be up for manageing director his firm in 3 year’s. Does anyone in the HIVE know what the chances are for making manageing director? Is it like getting a partnership at a firm? I am a partner, so I hope he get’s it. But I do NOT want to have to wait 3 year’s to find a guy like that, and I do NOT want to support him. Another Sheketovits is the LAST THING I need. FOOEY on Sheketovitses who just want to live off of my salary. DOUBEL FOOEY!

  3. Meg Murry

    Who wants to shop for me? Long story below, but I need a bag for work that isn’t too fancy, $100-$150 (maybe up to $200) that will last and allow me to stop carrying multiple smaller bags.

    Long story:
    I am trying to break my cycle of buying cheap bags that wear out after 6 months to a year, and to stop having to carry multiple bags back and forth to work. I picked up a bag at DSW originally that looked a lot like this one (but way way cheaper, and with a zip top) http://www.amazon.com/LAUREN-Ralph-Lauren-Kirby-North/dp/B010C4SFEQ,
    I like the size, but I am concerned its going to go the same route as all my other bags with the handles or zipper wearing out fast and having another bag in the junk pile.

    However, I don’t normally buy expensive things for myself, so I need some convincing that this is the right way to go, and I am pretty hard on my items. I am a car commuter, so I basically just need to cut down from multiple bags going to and from my house to car to work.

    My criteria:
    -Ideal price would be $100, $150 is not out of the question, and I might be able to talk myself up to $200 for a magical unicorn bag that would last years.
    -Needs to be a material that can take being spilled on and is at least water resistant if not water proof. I’m thinking nylon or coated canvas, but open to suggestions
    -Handles have to be something sturdy, probably leather or nylon – its usually the cheap vinyl/faux leather handles that break on my bags first, and when its not the handles its the zipper
    -A zipper or flap that can be closed down so it doesn’t spill everything everywhere when I inevitably drop it or knock it over.
    -Medium to large sized, needs to be able to hold at least a few file folders or up to a 1″ binder, and my small purse. So 12″x9″ is probably minimum size, I liked the 13″x14″ size of the bag I was trying out. Prefer wider or square to “landscape”.
    -Would like some internal organization, but not a total dealbreaker if it doesn’t have it – I usually use lots of small pouches inside larger bags, and I plan to throw my smaller purse in it most days.
    -Prefer it to stand on its own, but again not a dealbreaker. Feet are also in the “nice bonus” category.
    -Either longer handles or a crossbody strap – I want to carry on my shoulder most of the time, not in my hands.
    -Needs to go well with a wardrobe where black, grey and purple are the main colors – so dark brown probably isn’t a good choice, and navy would need to be more toward dark blue than navy.
    -No logo prints. Small logos are ok, if it has some kind of charm with the logo on it I would probably remove it – but no allover initial prints, etc.

    -I have LE and LLBean Canvas totes, which are probably around the right size (medium is on the small end and large is on the too large end) but I would prefer something a little nicer looking. Clients aren’t going to see it (I do have a nice bag I use for client visits), and I usually wear jeans or the casual end of business casual.

    Is this why people buy the Le Pliage bag? I don’t love it, but I can see how it looks functional and long lasting without breaking the bank. If I were to go that route, what is the best way? Is there some kind of deal at Nordstrom or another store where I would get a percentage off if I get a store card that day? The nearest Nordstrom is an hour and a half away from me, but I like the idea of actually putting my hands on the bag before I order it.

    If I did go out to Nordstrom, any other suggestions for bags I could actually put my hands on before buying? In doing some browsing online, I’m also liking the look of the Michael Kors Morgan Totes, and the Tom’s Vacationer Linen tote looks like it would be great if it zipped instead of snapped.

    My other option I am thinking of if I went form over function but not fugly is some of the Timbuk2 totes look nice enough – but I already have a small gray bag from there, and I want something that doesn’t feel like the same thing but bigger.

    Help! Somebody just say “buy this one, you’ll love it and won’t destroy it and won’t feel guilty about how much you spent on it”!

    • KT

      I bought my LL Bean Field and Town Leather Tote in Black 2 years ago and it is my holy grail. I have beat the ever living hell out of that bag and it still looks great. I put everything in it…binders, makeup pouches, first aid kit, lunchbox, heck, one day I pulled a full size stapler out of it.

      I spilled soda in it and I cleaned it with rug cleaner and it was back to looking like new.

      I do wipe it down with leather conditioner every month or two, but I seriously treat it like crap (it goes to the dog park with me, for instance) and it keeps trucking.

      • Meg Murry

        I like the idea of this one, but my concern was from the reviews that people said the straps didn’t fit over their shoulders, it had to be carried by hand. Can you carry it as a shoulder bag, or is it a handbag only? Is it heavy since it is leather?

        • KT

          I’ve never carried it in my hands, I always fling it over my shoulder…

          It’s only heavy because I shove 18 lbs of stuff in it, but otherwise, it’s a lightweight but sturdy bag.

          If you go to an LL Bean Store, they always have them on shelves for you to check out in person/carry etc

        • Gigi

          I carry this bag (the large size) over my shoulder. Even in winter with a thick coat–and I have large arms. So I wouldn’t worry about the tote not fitting over their shoulder. That may be true of the small bag, but is not true for the large.

          I also second KT, I have beat my bag up for years (7) and it still looks nice enough to carry.

      • Meg Murry

        Ooh, I’m liking these options. Anyone have them IRL that cares to speak to them?

        If the Porchester grey or Bordeaux came with black handles I think I would like it even more. Or does it coming with brown handles mean I could cross over into using it with blacks and browns?

        Would a charcoal or black coat and black shoes look weird with a bag with dark or light brown leather trim? I’ve been trying to stick with black leather to keep it cohesive – but is brown leather enough of a classic to work in this situation?

        • Cb

          I don’t have either of these but have the quilted laptop sleeve, a clutch, and a crossbody and have always found the quality very very good.

    • Magical unicorn

      This is about double what you want to spend ($300) but it is a magical unicorn.

      http://www.amazon.com/Knomo-Luggage-Mayfair-Maddox-15-Inch/dp/B00Q91HYCQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441806661&sr=8-1&keywords=knomo+maddox

      Leather, sturdy shoulder handles, feet, padded laptop sleeve, internal pockets, one external slip pocket at the top (great for phone!). I got sunscreen all over one side of it one day when I got caught in the rain and the sunscreen I’d recently applied transferred from my arm to the side of the bag. 30 seconds of gentle cleaning with Apple Care leather conditioner and it was good as new. HOLDS A TON. Not very heavy empty. which is surprising given how high quality the leather is.

      Mine is black but red and green are also available.

    • Anonymous

      My initial thoughts are Lo and Sons TT tote or the Dagne tote. I have the Modalu Pippa that was popular a few years ago and love it, but its all leather and can get quite heavy when I load too much stuff in it. But I love the compartments; only purse I’ve been able to find everything in!

      • ace

        I agree that Lo & Son’s seems to check your boxes, though I’d do the OMG to ensure you have enough room for file folders.

        • Meg Murry

          The OMG does seem pretty good, other than the price tag, and the fact that it might be just a touch big. Although I guess if I waited until I got a 30% off deal maaaaaybe I could do it, but that is probably pushing the top edge of what I’m willing to spend if not going over. And again, I’m not sure I can pull the trigger on a bag I haven’t seen and felt. I like the idea of the OG or OMG for a travel bag, but I’m not sure about an everyday bag. But now that I”m looking at bags in the $175-$200 range maybe that isn’t so bad …..

          Somehow $200 is a line I’m having trouble crossing, and even $150 is difficult for me. But I’m trying to remind myself that its better than a series of $50-$75 bags.

          • Care

            I love my OMG – and they always have a good sale so you probably won’t have to wait long. As I read your checklist, I felt like it crossed off every request you had. I like it a lot more than my Le Pilage for the things you are looking for. The Le Pilage is just one giant pocket in which I lose everything, but the OMG is really well organized.

          • SC

            The OMG really does check all your boxes except price. I use mine as an everyday bag, and it has held up perfectly after almost 2 years of daily use. To me, it really is a magical unicorn bag. (I told my mom about the last sale, and she offered to buy me another L&S bag for Christmas – I declined because the OMG is still everything I want or need.) I got mine with a 25% off code sometime in the fall of 2013. And seeing it in person shouldn’t be too much of a deal breaker – you can always return it.

          • ace

            30 percent off sales are pretty common for Lo & Sons, so I’d wait for one and then order it. I think you’ll be happy with it. I’ve had a OG that I’ve used regularly for travel, and at times for every day, for the last 2 years and it’s held up very well.

          • Virginia Apple

            I guess those prices can seem scary if you’re not used to spending money on fashion – but if you want a good quality bag, you have to get over yourself. It’s basically impossible to find a quality bag for $100. Man up!

    • Anonymous

      If you are open to all leather, I would highly recommend Fossil bags. Mine has held up beautifully over a year and a half of use, and has great organization internally. I have the Sidney shopper and I can fit a few files in it with a lunch inside as well, but they have some larger/more document friendly bags as well. Their handle drops are very comfortable, and have lasted well.

    • Anonymous

      Tumi Voyageur Q-Tote has everything you want. I bought last year’s model and it has stood up remarkably well. It looks nice, is water resistant, zips, has strong straps over the shoulder, and a few organizing pockets. It will be worth the extra money; my other Tumi lasted 10 years.

    • Walnut

      I have a Kate Spade bag similar to this one that is nearly two years old and still looks immaculate. It is my only handbag and has held up to wear, tear, and my giant breed dog like a champ: https://www.katespade.com/cedar-street-medium-harmony/PXRU4423,en_US,pd.html

      I have had good luck purchasing bags outside of my price range on eBay. It takes a lot of research to ensure you have a reputable seller and that you’re not buying a fake, but there are good deals to be found.

      • Digby

        Really off-topic, I know, but I’m curious – what giant breed dog do you have? I love big dogs.

    • Runner 5

      I don’t know if it’s big enough for you but I am a new convert to the Le Pliage shoulder/hobo bag. It’s a different shape to the normal Le Pliages.

    • Anonymous

      Thanks everyone! Lots to think about, lots of bags to look at – maybe one of these days soon I’ll actually pull the trigger and buy one of them – hopefully sooner rather than later.

    • ELL

      A bag from Waterfield. Sfbags.com

      Mine is fourteen years old and looks brand new. Absolutely brand new. And great design features (like a pretty mustard interior do stuff is visible. Fantastic quality. I’m sure mine is good for another 14 years at least. The nylon looks professional and classy enough but wears like iron.

  4. KT

    So….does anyone successfully nap at work?

    I have various vitamin deficiencies (recently diagnosed and actively undergoing treatments/supplements to fix it), so I’m tired….a lot. I can get 9 hours of sleep, will be cranking out work…then 1pm hits and I can barely keep my eyes open.

    I’ve been seriously contemplating using a portion of my lunch hour to sneak out and nap in my car. There’s a department store near my office that I can park in their lot, cover myself with a little blanket, and grab a half hour sleep….you have no idea how amazingly glorious this sounds.

    Is this at all a decent idea/done by normal people? Or is this absolutely insane and brought on by sleep deprivation?

    • rakma

      I did this when I was pregnant, and couldn’t keep myself awake all day. A co-worker noticed me one day (I stayed in the parking lot at work, didn’t move my car) and later told me it was a genius idea and she’s upset she didn’t think of it.
      If it’s a temporary thing, I don’t really think it’s the worst. You might want to confide in a close co-worker however, in case you end up oversleeping (a former co-worker did this, ended up sleeping for 3 hours in his car!)

      • Clementine

        Yeah, I’ve done it a few times out of utter need (thanks first trimester!). A coworker used to nap during his lunch break daily when his twins were babies not sleeping at night.

        I also suggest that you give one coworker a heads up as to where you’ll be- I was that coworker who knew that if he wasn’t back after x time, to call him. I did have to go find him and wake him up one day when he’d slept through the alarm he set and a couple of phone calls.

      • Meg Murry

        Yup, I also did this when I was pregnant, and once I was back to work and had a baby at home that wasn’t sleeping well. Even if I actually didn’t fall all the way asleep, 20-30 minutes with my eyes closed while laying back was still glorious. I didn’t bother leaving the work parking lot, although I did generally go park toward the back of the lot where there wouldn’t be a ton of people walking past me to and from lunch.

        I second confiding in a co-worker to call you if you aren’t back at a reasonable time. One thing I that I’ve always done since college when napping mid-day is set an alarm that both vibrates and rings on your phone, and then tuck the phone down the front of your shirt or even into your bra – that way the combo of vibration and ringing WILL wake you.

        Separately – if your exhaustion always hits around 1 pm, have you talked to your doctor about insulin resistance as well? I always felt like I was going to fall asleep between 1 and 2 pm, and after some blood sugar testing determined that it was due to the fact that my blood sugar would spike super fast post lunch and then crash really hard. Going on medication helped with that – but messed up my vitamin absorption, so it may not be the best route for you, but worth discussing, because switching to no refined carbs and only minimal carbs from fruit during the work day really made a huge difference.

      • anon-oh-no

        was going to say the same thing. I did this all. the. time. when I was pregnant. I closed the door (locked it, in fact) and just lay on the floor with a throw pillow (from my extra office chair) and a big pashmina.

    • ff

      Yes, several people in my office do this. Especially if you have a job where you have a real lunch break, absolutely no reason not to!

    • Anonymous

      Why not? If you have the time, and you feel refreshed/better after the power nap… go for it. But you may find that you feel a little worse after such a short nap, and the process of trying to eat/get to parking lot/nap/refresh after nap/get back to work may become a little stressful.

      I don’t think it is normally done… except when I was in my Medical Residency at 4am. But if you need it, you need it.

      But I also wonder why you are so exhausted. Did the doc think this was typical for your issues? Others may suggest some dietary changes, and perhaps some caffeine mid-day, and possibly re-eval your sleep habits to make sure you are getting restful sleep.

      • KT

        Yes, doctor said to expect this. I have Celiacs, which will take a few months of going gluten free to rectify, which can lead to fatigue. And as a result, I haven’t been getting all the nutrients from my food, so I’m very low in Vitamin D and A. I should start feeling better in 2-4 months, but in the meantime…I will be over here snoring.

    • Sleepy

      Warning–if you work somewhere suburban you might want to drive elsewhere. I got in trouble at a precious job for napping on my lunch break in my car–they said it didn’t look “appropriate”. After that I drove down the street first, so I wasn’t in the company parking lot.

    • Anonymous

      Do it. I had a staff person once who I figured out was napping in the parking lot so I arranged for her to have my office for lunch so she could have privacy for her rest. When I used to drive a lot for work I’d pull over in a parking lot, chug a cup of coffee, and set my alarm for 20-30 minutes. By the time I woke up the caffeine had kicked in and gave me a boost to my brain while the nap fuelled my body.

    • anon

      I did it when I was getting over Lyme. I locked my office door, put on headphones & a brainwave app, and slept with my head on my desk. It was amazing. And (I like to think) normal.

      • NYtoCO

        All of the suggestions are already great. In addition, when I eat too big/too carb heavy of a lunch, I’m a zombie from 1-3. I started eating smaller portions for lunch (for the main purpose of losing weight) but it had an even more drastic effect on my afternoon energy level.

    • Jordan

      My co worker has a disorder where he has to nap. They have a couch in their office and every day around 1 or 2, they put in ear plugs and a sleeping mask, turn on the DND, close the door and nap. They have a pillow and blanket in there. I’ve only been able to if I go home (I live pretty close) but I also do not have a couch.

  5. Meg March

    Has anyone else seen Gretchen Rubin’s Character Index talk (or read the book about it, Better than Before)? It separates people based on how you react to expectations, and how knowing that information can help you develop better habits. There are 4 groups that she describes. Upholders respond readily to outer and inner expectations. Questioners question all expectations; they’ll meet an expectation only if they think it makes sense, and need to justify an expectation in order to meet it. Rebels resist all expectations, outer and inner alike, and Obligers meet outer expectations, but struggle to meet expectations they impose on themselves. I just stumbled upon it this morning, and was almost brought to tears at my desk hearing her talk about my “category,” which is Obligers. It rang really true to me about how, in order to develop better habits, I struggle unless I’m accountable to someone else. So, first, do any of these categories make sense to you, and second, any tips for making yourself accountable to someone else in developing new and better habits?

    • Cb

      Oh gosh, I’m such an obliger and it is causing massive problems at the moment. I’ll happily run myself ragged to meet other people’s expectations (work, family, voluntary stuff) but not make progress on my research where I don’t have the same external deadlines and system of accountability.

    • Anon

      Gretchen Rubin represents an approach to life that I find really bankrupt most of the time. I’ve always been an Upholder or an Obliger but honestly? I think we should mostly be striving to be Questioners rather than trying to get other people to hold us accountable.

      • anon2

        Totally agree. Gretchen Rubin drives me CRAZY with her need to quantify and explain every. single. thing.

        • Meg March

          I guess that’s a personality thing, because I love categories and explanations like this! Sure, they’re obviously to be taken with a grain of salt, and you may not fit one category perfectly, but I find it helpful for her to say “if you’re like this, here are some things that may resonate/work better for you.”

      • padi

        I am a questioner and it isn’t all good. I often bump up against external expectations and appear unmotivated or uncaring. I really have to challenge myself to care about the external expectations.

        • Anon

          Yeah, that’s fair. There are times when it’s worth getting along to get along. And maybe I’m being unfair to her. I just feel like her approach “Here is your perfect life. Do whatever it takes to get there” instead of maybe, sometimes, suggesting that people question whether “perfect” really is.

    • lawsuited

      I’m a Questioner, which surprised me because I make decisions very quickly and indecision makes me crazy. But I agree that I only meet an internal expectation or external expectation if it still makes sense to me in the circumstances.

      • lawsuited

        Yes, the idea is that a Questioner questions every expectation and internalizes the ones that make sense to her, and then meets only those internal expectations.

    • Sydney Bristow

      I’ve read the book and I’m still not sure which category I fit in. I feel like I’m somewhere between an Obliger and a Questioner.

        • Sydney Bristow

          Yeah the quiz says I’m a rebel. I really think it depends on the situation. I virtually always meet my boss’s expectations without questioning them. If someone else tries to set expectations on me, like encouraging me to exercise regularly, I’m likely to rebel against it. And I sometimes meet my own expectations. For example, I make a reading goal every year and achieve it. I have trouble meeting my own goals for eating well and exercising.

          • January

            I wonder if you’re a questioner. Maybe you’ve internalized that you meet your boss’s expectations (which is sensible), but certain other external expectations (like exercising daily) don’t make sense to you, so you don’t internalize them and resist them.

      • Senior Attorney

        The quiz says I’m an Obliger, but a lot of the Questioner answers seemed to fit me, too, which kind of surprised me because I feel like I’m a big Rules Girl.

    • Wildkitten

      You should read the book. The book is all about how to use your tendencies to your advantage. It’s great.

    • Lobbyist

      I read the book, and liked it better than the Happiness Project. I am an obliger married to a questioner and I found it helpful because now when hubby asks why does it need to happen now I just answer/explain rather than get mad at him for not immediately Doing What Needs To Be Done. I also set up ways to hold myself accountable — I make dates to work out with friends, for example.

      I agree she can be kind of annoying — and I sort of think that the reason more of us aren’t happy is because we have wrongly prioritized being happy over being virtuous/of service to others but that’s a Whole Nother Thing and I don’t really need to Go There.

  6. Anontoday

    I keep reading in the comments that the typical mid to low level work clothing brands are seriously declining in quality. What are your recommendations? Banana Republic, Anne Taylor, The Limited, Loft, etc all have been discussed of late in regards to poorly made clothing. What’s a young woman with moderate fiscal means to do?

    Should I just stick to TJ Maxx and Nordstrom (sales only)?

    • KT

      Lands End is a trooper for me for workhorse work clothes. Their pants, dresses, sweaters are really good quality for their price point.

      On the plus side spectrum, Kiyonna has been a godsend for me for work dresses that last and flatter.

      • rakma

        +1 to both these suggestions. Lands End has been fabulous for quality for me recently, and wash up really well.

      • KT

        Also, when I was thinner, White House Black Market was where I exclusively shopped. Their clothes are beautiful and better made than BR, Loft, etc

      • KT

        Sorry for the comment bombs…Talbots has been pretty good for me too (especially for elusive plus size suits and blazers!). They’re a bit pricey for me, but they have great sales/coupons

        • Anon

          I agree with Talbots. There stuff can be hit or miss in terms of fit–some stuff is boxy, etc. But I have quite a few items from there that have held up very well. And especially once tailored, look great.

        • Anonymous

          I second Talbots. I’m plus, and they’re work pants are the absolute best for me (Heritage fit). There used to be a clearance outlet (not a regular outlet) near me, and I got all of the work pants from there — once, a pair of gray I loved loved loved for $4. Yes, $4. They have “curves” in all the right places, the regular pant length fits 5’6″ me, and they always look good, even if they’re on wear #3 (laundry is a pain).

    • Anon

      Would also love to hear suggestions. I know Lands End is often mentioned, but I just don’t find LE to be fashionable. I was thinking of exploring Club Monaco. Maybe trying branded web sites (Reiss, Theory, etc.) during sales.

      • emeralds

        Club Monaco is great. I’ve been wearing their t-shirts into the ground for the last 6 years, and have only needed to buy four.

      • Senior Attorney

        Club Monaco is pricey but their clothing is beautiful and much better quality than BR et al.

    • emeralds

      I’ll plug Talbots for work basics. I was looking for pants this weekend, and was completely underwhelmed by all of the usual suspects. Everything was thin, felt flimsy, looked poorly-constructed, and contained no natural fibers.

      Talbots, on the other hand, had heavier-weight fabrics. Clothing felt substantial and looked like it would hold up. There were definitely some ladies-who-lunch prints, but overall I was impressed by the number of things I’d consider wearing. I only tried on pants, but these were fantastic: http://www.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi35916&defaultColor=0156&N=11807&selectedConcept=&intcmp=20150908_home_row1_Windsor

      They’re 99% made-in-Italy wool, fully lined, and were 10x more flattering than anything else I tried on. On sale they were under $100. It looks like they have a curvy fit, petite, and plus-size options.

    • anon a mouse

      The LL Bean Signature line has a few pieces each season that are work-appropriate. Blazers in particular are beautiful and high quality. Also Boden for dresses.

      • DCDarling

        Boden has some gorgeous work dresses, particularly the Aurelia and Betty dresses. I have the Lindsey fit-and-flare and the fabric has held up really well and is substantial. I ordered a plaid skirt and a cashmere sweater, I’m hoping the quality is consistent with their dresses.

    • Bonnie

      Club Monaco still has great quality clothing. I’ve been shopping more at Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and Nordstrom Rack.

    • AIMS

      I think all brands are declining, not just mall brands like BR or AT. My imperfect solution is to buy more expensive brands on sale – Brooks Brothers, Theory, Nanette Lepore, etc. I also spend a bit more time looking at the details of construction and fabric content. You can still find the occasional gem if you know what to look for. For instance, even though I haven’t seen anything well-made at AT in years, I’m very happy with the Loft skinny ankle pants I bought last year (98% wool). Considering that I got them during one of their everything is “50% off” sales, I’d say it was a fantastic deal for the price, too. Other brands more known for quality are worth a look too: uniqlo, everlane, boden, etc. I’ve had mixed results with Talbots quality in recent years and the fit sometimes veers too much into frumpy territory for me, and I’m not a fan of Land’s End or WHBM style wise, so it does take work. Oh, and last but not least, for true bargain finds, I love stuff I’ve found in vintage/thrift stores. All my cheapest, best, non-pilling cashmere sweaters are pretty much old finds from thrift stores. I have plenty of more recent, more expensive sweaters from “nice” stores and none hold up as well.

  7. Remove Pills on Ponte Knit

    Any suggestions? With my sweaters I use a stone, but I’m starting to get a few little spots and I’d love to keep wearing my comfy ponte dresses through the fall.

    • KT

      The Remington Battery Operated Fabric Shaver/Pill remover. It’s $7 on Amazon. It is magical and idiot proof (even on delicate fabrics I cant put a hole in them)

    • Katie

      Disposable razors work great for stubborn pills that the lint shavers won’t get. Just start with a light touch!

  8. Bonnie

    I really love the pattern of this top but always have a hard time making this type of neckline work with jackets and cardigans.

  9. Anon

    I have a meeting next week regarding a potential job offer. An attorney I’m working for would like to hire me full time. I am doing per diem work right now. We don’t know if she can afford me, but we are discussing it next week. Any tips on things to bring up or how to navigate salary, benefits, etc, discussion?

    • lawsuited

      In terms of bringing it up, it’s normal to say “it’s great talking with you about ___.We should chat about salary.”

      In terms of “navigating” the conversation, it really depends on what you want to accomplish – do you want to work for her because it’s great experience even if it means a pay cut? do you want to stand firm for more money even if it means losing the opportunity? do you want to arrange a flat rate for a guaranteed number of days per month?

      • Anon

        I would like to work with her because the working environment and she seems like she would be a great boss. I would be treated with respect and have more guidance than at other firms with the opportunity to growth/advancement by bringing in clients and earning a higher salary eventually. I would be okay with a lower salary if it meant better work environment and potential for higher salary down the line. I don’t want to work for some big firm and work 100 hours a week even if it means $$$$. I just have to figure out a bottom number and think of other benefits that are possible if a competitive salary is not in the cards.

        • Senior Attorney

          Things to bring up, off the top of my head: Time off, for sure. Health insurance. Malpractice insurance. Paid-for continuing education classes and bar dues. Reimbursement for mileage and parking. And set a firm date for a further salary review.

          • lawsuited

            +1 to all of this. If she’s a sole practitioner or from a very small firm, they may not have group health benefits, so it might be worthwhile to look into what a private health insurance plan would cost you so that cost can be covered as part of your compensation. Regarding bar dues and malpractice insurance, check whether these are tax deductible in your jurisdiction. If they are, it might be more beneficial for you to get a stipend and pay for them yourself so you can also claim the tax deduction. Of course, if you do that, also discuss a system for increasing the stipend as dues/insurance increases.

        • mascot

          Is a competitive salary not in the cards because this is a small firm? Then she may also not be in a position to offer that full range of insurance plans, technology benefits and retirement plans that bigger employers can offer. You may get some flexibility in working hours/location, but your real benefits are a pleasant working environment and growth opportunities. For the salary number, can you propose to get a percentage of collections as part of the salary?

  10. Anon S

    Good morning ladies! My maternity leave ends next month in October. I’m going to ask for a 70% reduced hours schedule. I plan to email the head of my group today – do you think I should (1) keep the email short and ask if he has time to talk on the phone this week re my return to work next month, and then do the ask for 70% on the phone or (2) give more detail in the email (I’ve been thinking about my return to work and would like to go on a 70% schedule etc etc) and ask if he has time to talk on the phone if he has any questions? My husband (who is an attorney also) thinks I should do #2 so that the head of my group isn’t taken off guard when we talk on the phone. Any thoughts? FWIW, he’s a younger partner (early 40s) and a friendly family man. We have a good relationship but we aren’t super close. Thanks in advance!

    • lawsuited

      I agree that #2 is best so that your supervisor has time to investigate the feasibility, etc. before talking to you on the phone.

    • ace

      I’d probably do #1 and make sure to cue that you want to talk about the logistics of your return to work. Is he the only person who has to sign off on the plan or do you think this will be the beginning of a longer discussion? I had a similar relationship with the head of my group (decent relationship but not super close and didn’t do much work directly for him) – so I would think of a call like this being a start of the conversation and opportunity to get his blessing but then more conversations to come.

    • LSC

      I’ve done this and went with 2. It worked out well. Just be upfront and convey the value proposition for them as well: you will be more focused and productive when you are at work because you will have enough time to fulfill your family obligations on your own time.

  11. Ems

    Has anybody dealt with being on the board of nonprofit where two of the five members were breaching their duty of loyalty and bullying everybody else?

    They’ve been using our sport nonprofit organization’s assets as their personal asset and have disdain for everybody else that isn’t in their exclusive circle of 5 friends to the extent that I’m considering siccing the Attorney General’s office on them, but that would invite more headache than necessary for a small sport nonprofit.

    • Diana Barry

      Get the other 3 members together and talk about it. Can you remove them by a majority vote?

      If not, can you pack the court by adding more members to the board and then removing them?

      If neither of those are true, can you amend the bylaws so that you can remove them?

      If none of those would work, YES complain to the AG. Misappropriation of funds is incredibly serious and shouldn’t be tolerated even in a small organization.

      • Ems

        Thanks! Tried the other members route. One member is staunchly a yes-man to the problematic pres; the other is being lazy. Thankfully I have at least one other member and the push of the non-board membership behind me if I have to go through the bylaws.

  12. DC Restaurants

    Thanks! Tried the other members route. One member is staunchly a yes-man to the problematic pres; the other is being lazy. Thankfully I have at least one other member and the push of the non-board membership behind me if I have to go through the bylaws.

    • PolyD

      I don’t want to be bit*hy, but I have heard that Tabard Inn is not so good as it once was.

      I’d look up Tom Sietsma’s reviews. He’s the Post restaurant critic.

      Funny, I eat out in DC a fair amount but am totally blanking on good places for a birthday dinner! Kapnos? Estadio (gin and tonic slushes!)? Rasika (awesome modern Indian food, and they have two locations)? Fiola Mare (Italian seafood in a beautiful location on the river in Georgetown)?

      • DC Restaurants

        Slushies sounds fun! BF likes Italian, and also Indian…I guess we are looking for something that’s a bit unique, or “DC”, if that helps.

        Also any post-dinner cocktail bar recommendations? Basically I will take any input I can get Haha. Trying to plan a fun birthday in a foreign city can be tough!

        • PolyD

          How about Iron Gate for post-dinner cocktails? It’s very pretty (just a few blocks away from the Dupont Circle metro) and I had the most delicious cocktail there.

          The food is small plates and very good, although not a huge variety, so I’d do someplace else for dinner and consider Iron Gate afterwards.

          It’s way the heck on the other side of town (near Howard University Hospital), but I really enjoy Mockingbird Hill for cocktails. Their thing is sherry, and I did not know how good sherry could be, or how good cocktails made with it could be, before I went there.

    • rosie

      Without knowing location preferences, dietary restrictions/preferences, or what “a bit of money” is, I would suggest Zaytinya.

      • DC Restaurants

        I have no idea about locations in DC so I can’t give preferences there…no dietary restrictions or preferences really…a bit of money would be something like $250 for two people with drinks included in that and tip.

        • roses

          I think Estadio, Rasika or Fiola Mare would be great on that budget. If you have ample time and are willing to wait in line, Rose’s Luxury is incredible as well. I second checking out Tom Sietsma’s fall 2014 dining guide to see if anything else catches your eye.

    • Bonnie

      Barcelona. I like it much more than Estadio and they have a great outdoor area. Central is another one of my favorites. I’ve never had a bad meal there. I agree that Tabard Inn has declined. We had a very disappointing dinner there a few months ago.

      • anon a mouse

        Oh, Barcelona is really lovely. Also a bit quieter than Estadio.

        Depending on your budget, can you hire someone from taskrabbit to stand in line for you at Rose’s Luxury? That would be a very memorable meal, and afterwards you can stroll the 8 blocks or so over to see the Capitol at night.

      • roses

        I’m surprised you think Barcelona is quieter – when I have gone on weekend nights it has been much more loud and more of a “scene” than Estadio. I like the food about the same though.

        • DC Restaurants

          Wow thanks everyone! For a second I thought someone started a thread for a trip to Spain but duh I clued in that it it was a restaurant.

          I will look into all of these and report back after I go :).

      • Anonymous

        I like Barcelona but you can go there in so many other cities. OP I think Rasika is the one for you

    • DC Restaurants

      Well now I have googled some of these and they look AMAZING. Thank you!

      Rose’s Luxury sounds like a dream- maybe task rabbit is the answer!

      • DCDarling

        McClellan’s Retreat has great craft cocktails and a cozier atmosphere, plus it’s my favorite bar in DC. Great for after dinner drinks in Dupont.

    • Renee

      China Chicano, Oyamel, Katinya Floriana, Lupo Verde, la Diplomat, Iron Gate, Rasika (I agree Tabard Inn has gone downhill but their outside patio is great), and my personal favorite, Blue Duck at the Park Hyatt.

  13. Anonymous

    I bought and returned the Vince blouse from last season. It was really drapey and not functional for work – I think I recall the arm holes were so loose you could see my bra if my arms were not at my sides.

  14. contacts

    I need help–a recommendation really. I am trying contacts for the first time, and am about 2 weeks in. I’m not sold on them, as I don’t think I get as clear vision as I do with my glasses (is this always the case?) I’m also not entirely sure that they’re fitted right, or that they’re the exact right rx. One is an astigmatism contact, and I know that its placement is trickier than standard, and can get all turned around throughout the day. I go in for follow-up next week, and will discuss these concerns, but I wonder, in the meantime, do any of you find one solution to be better for use throughout the day for re-wetting/reducing irritants? I have the opti-free pure moist that they gave me, but it doesn’t seem to help after an hour or so. Does this just take time? Are there better solutions out there? Or am I just going to have to get used to needing to drop my eyes every now and then. For what it’s worth, I don’t use drops of any sort on a regular basis when I wear my glasses, and otherwise have no trouble with my eyes.

    • anon

      I have contacts – both are astigmatism. I find my vision in a fresh pair of contacts is more clear than glasses. You could try to get fitted for a different lens. My first set seemed too big and I could see weird bursts of light out the side. My current ones are weekly and a different brand, and work really well. I do have fogginess and cloudiness randomly from time to time and I really don’t know why. I’m not sure if one solution is better than the other, but dry eyes are pretty common and I was definitely using drops on the regular when I first got contacts. Now it is as-needed, maybe once per day.

      If you are experiencing headaches, it might not be the right RX. good luck :)

    • mascot

      I’ve worn contacts forever, like 25 years, so glasses aren’t comfortable. The loss of peripheral vision is particularly annoying as is the need for prescription sunglasses.
      I like TheraTears for contacts for re-wetting drops. Are you using the solution or the re-wetting drops during the day? How are you cleaning them? With one of those multi-purpose solutions? I used ClearCare for a while and it seemed to do a better job cleaning. Do you sleep in them? That can mess them up and suck oxygen from your eyes. Some lenses are better than others for retaining moisture. Finally, I just switched to daily disposables a year ago and really like them. No cleaning to worry about and they are much easier in pollen season.

    • Brunette Elle Woods

      I have been wearing contacts since I was about 14. I switched over to dailies because I was getting infections in law school, probably due to lack of sleep and failing to diligently clean/wash my hands, etc. I strongly suggest dailies. The added expense was about the same as I was paying for optometrist co-pays at the time. Eye infections are the worst!

    • RR

      I had to try lots of different toric lenses (for astigmatism) and only ever found one that worked for me (the brand is/was Preference–I haven’t worn them in a few years since I had kids). I never really needed/used rewetting drops regularly. I always preferred the Complete brand of cleaning solution.

    • Anonymous

      I have terrible astigmatism, and I had to go through a few different kinds before I landed on a brand that really fit my eyes properly. I had one brand that fit so badly I ended up blinking it out several times in one day, because it just was not sitting on my eye.

      My current brand (Focus Dailies AquaComfort Plus), is great, and I have mostly the same vision, but I find when I look far away that my eyes have a harder time adapting and are a little “squigglier”. I also tried Total One Contacts, and they were SO comfortable- my doctor said sometimes people with mild astigmatism are okay with them, but I wasn’t able to get clear vision.

      I use dailies, because I think they’re cleaner, and they are slimmer so they are much much more comfortable to wear. I don’t wear my lenses all day, I usually only wear them to exercise and go out, I wear glasses at work, but I find I have to work up to wearing them for more than 4-6 hours (so, I’ll do 4 hours one day, 6 the next, 8 the following, etc).
      five times.

    • Anonymous

      Yours don’t sound like they fit or are the right prescription. My vision is better than in glasses, my astigmatism lenses settle themselves and don’t tend to shift, and I hardly ever need to moisten during the day. Def tell your doctor they are t working

    • Contacts are the best

      I’ve been wearing contacts for 20 years (since age 12). The ones I use now are so comfortable I don’t notice that they’re there. The only way I know I’m wearing them is that I can see perfectly. I MUCH prefer them to glasses for that reason. I think you need to play around a bit with the fit, prescription, and/or brand. You should not need to use re-wetting drops that often (I do not need to use them at all). A few years ago, my eye doctor gave me a new brand of contacts to try, and they were SUPER uncomfortable and dry. I stuck it out for a month or two (I shouldn’t have even put up with that it that long in retrospect) and then tried another brand before settling on the one I have now. Tell your doctor your specific concerns and he/she will help you find the right fit/prescription/brand for you.

    • Beth

      Another long-time contact wearer here. As for the toric lens, I can tell you that I switched to a toric lens in one eye about 2 years ago and it look about 1 week until I couldn’t feel it every time I blinked, and 3 weeks before I quit “noticing” the larger contact in my eye, so I imagine going straight from glasses to a toric lens would be an even trickier transition. As for the vision, my vision is MUCH clearer in contacts than glasses. How much time are you spending (daily) in contacts vs. glasses? When I switch between the two frequently, I know my vision is weird for awhile as my eyes adopt to the change in focus. If that isn’t the question, absolutely call up your doctor.

      • contacts

        I’ve been trying to wear them all day at work–so close to a full 12 hours, which I am sure isn’t the best idea. I do keep a fresh set with me, as well as a case & solution (and glasses) so I can take them out if I need to.

        “noticing” them is probably the best way to describe the feeling. Not painful or uncomfortable, per se, but I can tell they’re there.

    • contacts

      thank you all for these responses!

      To answer: I don’t sleep in them. I have dailies, (aqua comfort plus)but have been wearing them for a day or two before tossing–I won’t be able to afford to toss them every day, unfortunately. No headaches, or any other issues that would make me think that the rx is totally wrong–things just aren’t as crystal clear. My vision isn’t terrible to begin with–I spent the last 18 years with progressively “worse” astigmatism after getting a pair of glasses and then never bothering to check back in until I realized last summer that my fine focus had really deteriorated, to the point that the computer was fuzzy but legible.

      I am so far only using the solution for re-wetting–I haven’t bought a specific rewetting drop. I clean them when I take them out by holding an edge, and spraying solution on them inside and out until it drips off a few drops. Then I usually gently rub. Store them in solution (fresh every time I take them out), and will sometimes just swish them around in the case. I am terrible at putting them in so far, so I am really careful that if I don’t get it in on a try, I will usually dip it back in the solution and/or spray/drop solution onto them too. Obviously, if they fall off my finger, I re-wet in the solution. Always wash hands and to the best I can, air-dry so there’s no fuzz/lint.

      Oddly enough the left contact is a very weak rx, and it is so floppy it’s harder to put in than the toric lens, but I tend to feel it less than the toric lens.

      Thanks for all your input.

      • Gail the Goldfish

        A bit late, but chiming in to say that ClearCare solution works much better than normal saline solutions for cleaning for me. You’ll need a different rewetting solution (clearcare is hydrogen peroxide-based, and as you’ll notice from the massive amount of warnings on the box and bottle, cannot go directly into your eye and has to be used with their contact case that comes with the solution). They have to soak at least 6 hours (I find 8 is better) in the solution, so it’s for overnight cleaning, but it really does help. It does sound like your prescription or sizing needs some tweaking, though. Contacts take some getting used to, but are so much better than glasses to me. I wore glasses as a kid for about 8 years before switching to contacts full-time some time during my senior year of high school, and haven’t looked back since.

      • HSAL

        Do not wear your daily-wear contacts more than a day unless your doctor has told you it’s okay. They’re not made for that and you’re setting yourself up for more problems down the line. Throw them away. Really.

        Love, The Girl Who Used to Scrape Build-Up Off Her Extended-Wear Contacts to Make Them Last Longer and Surprise, Got Lots of Infections

        • Anonymous

          Yes, if you need longer wearing contacts, look into weeklies or two week or monthlies- they are cheaper, and meant for more extended wear. They are also thicker, and less comfortable, but you only have one pair of eyes, keep them healthy.

          • ace

            Another vote for this. I had a few different eye issues caused by rewearing dailies — IT IS NOT OK. Seriously, these are your eyes you are messing with by doing so …

            If cost is a factor making dailies not available to you, talk to your doc about it and ask for their advice.

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