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These flats are getting rave reviews over at Zappos — and they're from reader-favorite brand Vionic. I like the mixture of perforated leather and elastic around the vamp of the foot, as well as the neutral colors the shoe comes in. Reviewers report out-of-the-box comfort. (One woman wore them for 10 hours straight the first day!)
The shoe is available in regular and wide widths for sizes 5–12 and is $119 at Zappos, Amazon, and DSW.
Psst — on the hunt for more comfortable flats for work? These are some of our favorites…
Some of our favorite comfortable flats for work as of 2024 include M.M.LaFleur, AGL, and French Sole. On the more affordable side, check out Rothy's, Sam Edelman, and Rockport. We've also rounded up the best loafers for work, and our favorite sneakers for work outfits!
Sales of note for 10.24.24
- Nordstrom – Fall sale, up to 50% off!
- Ann Taylor – Friends of Ann Event, 30% off! Suits are included in the 30% off!
- Banana Republic Factory – 40-60% off everything, and redeem Stylecash!
- Boden – 10% off new styles with code; free shipping over $75
- Eloquii – Extra 50% off a lot of sale items, with code
- J.Crew – Friends & Family event, 30% off sitewide.
- J.Crew Factory – 40% off everything
- Lo & Sons – Fall Sale, up to 35% off
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Neiman Marcus – Up to 30% off on new arrivals
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – 40% off entire purchase, plus free shipping no minimum
- White House Black Market – Buy more, save more; buy 3+ get an extra 50% off
Sales of note for 10.24.24
- Nordstrom – Fall sale, up to 50% off!
- Ann Taylor – Friends of Ann Event, 30% off! Suits are included in the 30% off!
- Banana Republic Factory – 40-60% off everything, and redeem Stylecash!
- Boden – 10% off new styles with code; free shipping over $75
- Eloquii – Extra 50% off a lot of sale items, with code
- J.Crew – Friends & Family event, 30% off sitewide.
- J.Crew Factory – 40% off everything
- Lo & Sons – Fall Sale, up to 35% off
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Neiman Marcus – Up to 30% off on new arrivals
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – 40% off entire purchase, plus free shipping no minimum
- White House Black Market – Buy more, save more; buy 3+ get an extra 50% off
And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!
Some of our latest threadjacks include:
- What to say to friends and family who threaten to not vote?
- What boots do you expect to wear this fall and winter?
- What beauty treatments do you do on a regular basis to look polished?
- Can I skip the annual family event my workplace holds, even if I'm a manager?
- What small steps can I take today to get myself a little more “together” and not feel so frazzled all of the time?
- The oldest daughter is America's social safety net — change my mind…
- What have you lost your taste for as you've aged?
- Tell me about your favorite adventure travels…
Jeans
Do nice, 100% cotton jeans below $100 exist? Curvy fit, higher rise, normal color, intact fabric (no artsy rips or tears), normal (ankle-ish) length??? Sob.
Monday
I have lots purchased second-hand.
Anonymous
+1 so many pairs all purchased second hand. Denim is really bad water use wise it’s the clothing equivalent of cows.
Anon
All denim I’ve ever seen has been at least 5% Lycra (or equivalent). 100% cotton would have no give, they’d be more like trousers.
Monday
Yes, but “rigid” 100% denim with no stretch is back with some jeans retailers. The fit has to be more precise, but they won’t necessarily look like trousers. Lots of mom jeans, straight legs, and baggy cuts lately are 100% cotton. I’m enjoying the improved durability and no bagging out at the knees or bum.
OP, in addition to my second-hand suggestion you could probably get some for under $100 at Zara.
Curious
+1 very happy to have this back.
Anon
We wore 100% denim in the 70s and early 80s when I was a kid, before spandex was ubiquitous. (And Levis and Wrangler made them for decades before that). Unlike some synthetics, cotton actually stretches plenty – think of a stretched out t shirt. The problem is, it doesn’t stretch back well unless you shrink it. I don’t think it would work for jeggings, but for regular jean shapes, there’s no technical reason jeans can’t be 100% cotton.
Anon
Sure, no technical reason, but I don’t think many people like dealing with stretched out, baggy jeans when other jeans that don’t do that exist.
Anon
Land’s End has some that are 99% cotton. That’s the closest I’ve seen.
pugsnbourbon
On the Levi’s website you can sort by “stretch” and “non-stretch.”
Anon
Vintage Levi’s. I’m near a brick and mortar shop that specializes in them (shoutout to Slash in Berkeley) but you can find them online too.
Anonymous
Gap and Levi’s – I’ve gotten both in the last few months and I’m so happy to not have spandex in my jeans!
Jeans
Those jeans are 70-ish% cotton only. Shocking. It’s just so hard to find something at a thrift store right now because you can’t try them on. Sigh.
Anonymous
No, unless the labels lie they are both 100 % cotton. And both feel considerably thicker and less forgiving than jeans with polyester or spandex.
anon a mouse
Madewell if you can catch a sale (they are around 120 regularly). You can search within denim for “rigid”.
MagicUnicorn
Gap used to make these in a mid-rise and I dearly wish I could go back and tell my high school self to buy a lifetime supply, as I still wear that same size.
Anon
Everlane has some.
kitten
Re/Done jeans on sale if you’re willing to pay slightly more (worth it IMO)
Silly Valley
Madewell, Levi’s, Eloquii, Duluth Trading, Cabela’s/Bass Pro Shops, LL Bean, Lands’ End, Orvis…
S in Chicago
I have the Robyn Vionics in powder blue, yellow and magenta. Seriously the most comfortable (and cute) flat ever.
Anonymous
Any plus size folks looking for a casual, short sleeve and super comfortable jumpsuit, I just want to recommend the one I just got at Talbots. Super flattering. I wish they had it in other colors, because I’d buy them all for this summer.
https://www.talbots.com/twist-back-romper/P203034662.html?dwvar_P203034662_color=BLACK&dwvar_P203034662_sizeType=WO&dwvar_P203034662_size=029&cmp=dfc-tlb-google-gs%7Ctbytalbots%5Eall_clothing_dresses&kpid=go_cmp-12416037745_adg-113401469970_ad-500747911612_pla-298299686297_dev-c_ext-_prd-54077010&k_clickid=_k_Cj0KCQjw4cOEBhDMARIsAA3XDRiHMMZC0fDzT0PEycRJmyHzsrqXQ7utAO1F3pcfi4rrxPXn8jMjzqgaArW4EALw_wcB_k_&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4cOEBhDMARIsAA3XDRiHMMZC0fDzT0PEycRJmyHzsrqXQ7utAO1F3pcfi4rrxPXn8jMjzqgaArW4EALw_wcB
Anonymous
I just heard the news that Bill and Melinda Gates are getting a divorce. I know I don’t know them but I still found the news to be sad and a little shocking. They were together for a long time (over 25 years) especially for a ‘celebrity’ couple, if you can call them that.
Anonymous
I was surprised too but once I saw their youngest child was 18 it made sense to me. A couple of weeks after I started college they told me they were divorcing. They had split as soon as I left but wanted to give me time to settle before they told me. I was an only child and I had a scholarship that covered and a part-time on campus job as well. They both had jobs so since there was no child support or alimony issues they were able to do mediation and divide everything. I was born and raised and went to school in NYC but my parents were from elsewhere before they met. My dad went back to his family in Chicago and my mom to hers in Charleston. They have no contact with each other but my relationships with both of them are good and both of them are so much happier since the divorce and leaving NYC. I don’t think it would have gone so well if they had divorced earlier (there was no abuse or infidelity and I had no idea they wanted to break up but it was a good decision in the long run). They were married for 20 years. I can see Bill and Melinda wanting to wait until their children were grown.
Anon
I felt quite sad too. Some part of it is me thinking that if the two of them, with almost limitless resources, cannot make it as a couple, who can? I also thought of them a genuinely good couple doing meaningful work and leading fulfilling lives , so this really came as a shock!
Anon
I would think (although I have no evidence for this) that older couples with resources are more likely to split than people closer to the poverty line simply because they can afford it without taking an enormous hit to their standard of living. Certainly I have family members who would be better off emotionally without their spouse but just cannot afford to maintain two households.
Anon
I get it. I’m her age, almost exactly. You look at your life and think “is this it?” Especially someone in her position who wants to spend her remaining years figuring out how to spend her enormous wealth doing good. But she spent the last 18+ years trying to get her husband to be an equal partner and equal parent (I don’t care how much he makes – that’s the important stuff) and he’d rather not be bothered. Look at her interviews and videos. I get it. The parenting is not over, but the kids are fledged at least into college and more independent. So now you look at your life and say, what’s there to do in the last third of my life? Surely it must be more than this. I get it.
Anonymous
Is there any (topical) medicine that works for rosacea or is it one of those, once it flairs up it’s not going away type of things?
I have a drs. appt in 2 weeks (primary care) so I’ll ask then but wanted to get advice from the hive. That’s what I think is on my face. For the last year or two my face has seemed “bumpy” — no redness but just bumps. I didn’t think much of it. Then here or there I’d get some small patch of redness which I thought was acne, would use clearsil and it’d go away. Now I have 2 noticeable patches of redness on both cheeks. If you look closely there are some pimples in there but generally it’s just redness, inflammation, bumps and clearsil isn’t doing anything. A few weeks ago it was BRIGHT red. I’ve been using the clinique redness cream and while it isn’t normal at all — you can still see it — it’s much much smoother, not as inflamed looking, and now pink not RED; so if I had to go someplace, I could cover it with makeup. I think by that definition it’s more rosacea than acne but IDK I mean a dr. would be able to tell me. Is there any prescription thing that works that I should ask for? While it’s a lot of redness for me, compared to the rosacea pics I’ve seen online it isn’t THAT bad so I’d like to keep this from getting worse if possible.
Anonymous
Also – are there any home remedy type of things that work for this?
Anon
If you drink alcohol, quit.
Anon
Some patients say ivermectin horse paste works. It’s basically poor man’s Soolantra.
Anon
I just saw my dermatologist for possible rosacea. She told me it is better to address it now as it worsens every decade. She recommended Finacea.
Flats Only
I use the Cos de Baha 10% niacinamide serum from Amazon and it really reduces redness for me. Old, red acne scars disappeared in a matter of days. It’s also really cheap, so if it doesn’t suit you’re only out $10.
Anon
My derm also told me to address it as she has many older patients who regret the permanent level of redness they have now. She likes MetroGel, which I get in a generic cream formula because the gel is too drying for me.
Treating rosacea at home means avoiding triggers so first you have to figure out what those are for you. Absolutely switch to a gentle skincare routine that includes a good sunscreen – many of us can only tolerate “mineral” or physical sunscreens, meaning active ingredients titanium dioxide and or zinc oxide.
Other triggers may be sun, alcohol, caffeine, hot temperatures, hot showers, spicy foods, the list goes on. You have to figure out what they are.
Anon
I should add, I just saw a thing yesterday that the Clinique Redness line is the subject of a lawsuit because if doesn’t contain the anti-redness ingredients it claims to contain. It never helped me at all.
There are also two types of rosacea – with and without papules, and they’re treated differently. That’s why going to a derm is key.
Anonymous
There are two more rosacea types – ocular rosacea, and bulbous nose rosaca (“drinker’s nose”).
Anon
true, but there are labels – type 1 and type 2 rosacea, dealing with classic facial rosacea. I have ocular rosacea myself, so it’s not like I’ve never heard of the less common manifestations.
Anon
Last, you should absolutely stop the Clearisil. Since it doesn’t help you don’t need it, and it may be what’s causing the sudden redness.
LeeB
I use Soolantra. That stuff is magical. Prescription only, I believe, and super expensive, but it works.
Anonymous
The prescription thing that generally works for rosacea is taking oral antibiotics, some sort of tetracycline.
Which – since it’s antibiotics, and rosacea is a chronic condition – is a bad idea to have as a first choice for mild, undiagnosed/potential rosacea.
There are also creams or gels like Rozex (has metronidazol , a topical antibiotic, I think), Finacea (or other brands) of azelaic acid, or Soolantra (contains ivermectine). Whether these kinds of products are prescription, depends on where you live. Whether they work, varies from person to person.
But get a proper diagnosis before you start anything! If a dermatologist says you actually have rosacea, the most efficient treatment will be finding your triggers, and then avoiding them. This could be anything from stress, environmental factors (sun, wind, heat, cold, moisture) to what you eat or drink.
There will be lots of other things your bumps and redness can be, so wait for a diagnosis. Rosacea can be lots of different things, though, it’s not redness only. The redness is only one variant of rosacea, pustules another one.
The home remedy for rosacea is avoiding your triggers.
Anonymous
Azalaic acid from The Ordinary has helped me, but I’m waiting for a dermatology appointment to see if there are other options. I tried MetroGel in the past and noticed no difference whatsoever.
Anonymous
MetroGel is the same as Rozex, I think.
Of the topical ones I’ve tried, Soolantra has been the best, no contest.
Beaglelover
Second the nomination for azelaic acid from the Ordinary. Made a world of difference for me. I also religiously avoid hot water and heat.
anon in Brooklyn
I have the rosacea with bumps. Soolantra works, and so does Biossance Tea Tree Oil in Squalane.
Anonymous
I use Soolantra. Metrogel is also a long established option. Both prescription topicals, which is where a dermatologist will start. Yours sounds very much like rosacea.
Coach Laura
Late reply. Had rosacea, used Metrogel for 10+ years age 35-45. Diagnosed with celiac, went gluten free. Rosacea gone, totally disappeared. Dermatologist not surprised, though I wonder why she didn’t mention it before. Try removing gluten, but be patient to see a change.
Diana Barry
First world problems: all of the MUFE foundation colors that I bought to replace the expired stuff make a stripe, but then blend into my skin! How do I pick? :-0 (I have R260, R250, Y252)
Anon
So assuming you’re going to keep one and return the rest, do a full face with each on successive days and see how they look by the end of the day. I can convincingly wear more than one shade so you’re going to have to pick your favorite.
No matter what you’ve done with the bottles they’ve sent you, they’re going to throw them in the trash when you return them, so take your time choosing the one you’ll keep.
kitten
I keep multiple colors and mix and match depending on how tan I am that day.
Anonymous
Do the test on your neck, below your ear.
If you can use all them, even on the palest part of your neck, Y252 would be the best choice if you are to follow Sally Hughes (the Guardian/Observer make-up guru) who, I believe, wants nobody to use red undertones.
Anon for this
How do I decided whether or not to accept a job offer? Am I just languishing and therefore potentially making the wrong choice?
My current job pays well, has extremely reasonable and flexible hours and is basically glorified babysitting (e.g., “no, don’t do that,” “that is not compliant,” “I said don’t do that bc X bad thing would happen. Oh, you did it? And X bad thing happened?”) I was asked to apply for a internal promotion, then applied and was turned down. If I stay at the current job, my current work life will be my work life forever most likely.
I have been offered a new job at a different company that pays better but has longer (still flexible) hours (50 hour work week is norm). The increase in work is not directly proportional to the increase in pay – I would be making more but not change-my-life-money more. I valued the low hours of my current job when my children were younger but they are fairly self-sufficient at this point. The new job would be challenging and interesting.
Am I crazy to to take the new job? I don’t *need* the extra money so the only real upside is doing a challenging, interesting job that will allow me to grow. Do I just get a hobby instead?
Anonymous
Same position as you except I don’t have kids and took my current easy job as a stepping stone into a new city where I didn’t know anyone/didn’t have any real contacts. The way I see it as I start my search, I’ll take the harder/longer hour job even if the bump in pay is not proportional to the challenge/hours. I’m 40 and fear stagnating in my career while staying on the easy path. But every person is different, there ARE definitely people who’d love my unicorn easy job with great money and stability and would use their extra time to train for marathons or whatever.
Anon
I personally would be interested in the career and knowledge growth. As long as you can handle the extra hours, it sounds like a good opportunity.
Anon for this
Thanks :) That’s the direction I’m leaning but I feel like COVID has skewed my perspective….
CountC
+1 your current job would bore me to tears.
Anon
A few things I’d consider:
– What’s the career path for new job? Would it also be the same work life forever at that point, or does it have a career progression? Is that a progression you see yourself wanting at some point?
– Is the commute different? If it’s 50 hours plus another 4 hours commuting, that’s a tough change.
– How do the longer hours work with existing commitments like school care hours? (I considered a similar position, but I would have needed longer care than our afterschool program, which meant changing to a nanny. At that point the salary increase vs the increased childcare was a wash. I took the role for a year as a stepping stone to a different role I wanted, but it was good to know that I didn’t want that role long term.)
Anon
I lose professionalism and sabotage myself when I stagnate at work (not on purpose, of course, I just get bored and fed up with “the system” and my disdain becomes obvious). I’d take the new position.
Anonymous
I would get a hobby. Nothing is worth 10 more hours of work per week (AT LEAST) to me once I’ve hit a certain income threshold that allows me to meet my needs.
Anon
This is a personal choice of course, but I absolutely would go for the more interesting and challenging job. I know that I get very unhappy when my job is boring. I know some people can get fulfillment through hobbies alone, but I spend a third of my time at work! I want it to be not soul-suckingly boring.
Monte
How old are you? When you say your kids are self-sufficient, they could be nearing tween years and you in your early 30s or they could be preparing for college and you are in your late 50s. And while I could probably do the less interesting job for another 5 years, doing it another 30 would be a non-starter.
Personally, I would take the more challenging job in a heartbeat. I would rather be engaged 10 hours a day than bored for 8.
Anonymous
The WSJ is running a pic of Elizabeth Holmes going to her fraud trial. No black turtleneck! She is wearing a pastel blue and white tweedy looking jacket and it seems to be a very Blake-Lively-playing-Elizabeth Holmes vibe.
Anonymous
oh wow the Daily News shows the whole outfit and it is all black, possibly including black hose or tights (WTF it is May). It is an uneven look.
Anonymous
She looks very Midwest, I say as a lifelong Midwesterner. Definitely trying to soften her look. I had completely forgotten she would be pregnant.
I don’t know what it is, but I can’t get enough of her story or Ann Delvey. Just crazy to me that level of lying is out there in the world.
Anonymous
Daily Mail definitely has a guy covering. Caption referred to her wearing a “baggy gray cardigan.” Wha?
And kitten heels?!?
Lyssa
I’m always fascinated by how defendants dress (how their handlers recommend they dress?) for high-profile court appearances. Has anyone ever been involved in giving advice on something like that?
When I was litigating, we had a lot of “just wear what you would wear to work/church” discussions, but obviously my only concern was that they be generally appropriate; I assume that for cases like this, there’s a lot of “image-crafting” and planning involved.
Anonymous
Jury consultants usually handle the question of attire, and will coach women to appear as a softer more approachable version of themselves. I saw a powerful female C-suite executive testify in a rose colored suit and only talk about the merits at the end, after going over her devotion to her family and her charitable work. We can likely expect more pastels.
Anon
That jacket is gorgeous and I think she’s smart to wear it instead of the black turtleneck.
Anonymous
Agree but did she not keep enough of the money she stole to buy the rest of the outfit? She overall looks terrible.
Anonymous
I like her hair not straightened and parched looking.
The dress doesn’t fit. Maybe she needs real maternity clothes or different ones. And not black with that pretty jacket. Ditch the tights. Less stark shoes.
Anon
This might be a bit of a ramble.
Does anyone else feel like they are just totally stagnant in a boring life? Did anyone feel like that at one time but was able to break free? How did you do it? What did you change?
I just keep feeling like there has to be more to life. I did most of the “right” things to get to a fairly decent place in life, but I’m bored to death. I went to an average state school. I make a decent wage ($89k) in corporate compliance (yawn) for a large company. I rent a nice 2 bedroom apartment (alone) in a MCOL area (read: boring suburbs of a small city). I have lived here for several years but have had a really hard time making friends as an adult (I have social anxiety, then the pandemic came). There are a lot of families where I live and I am super lonely. My parents live in a neighboring state, and I drive to visit them every few months (less so in the past year).
I just feel so average. Like I’m not making any progress in anything. I have wanted to get my masters degree for a long time, but I’m not sure what program yet, so that and the cost scare me away every year. I have wanted to move and live in a real city (like Manhattan or DC) but have never had the guts to actually do it (the cost also scares me). I thought I would have chosen a more interesting career or would have switched to something more interesting by now. I just feel so blah, and it’s not the pandemic as I was feeling this way before.
Anonymous
In your position I would be inclined to pick up an interesting hobby. For me, that would look like learning to sail or rock climb. Something a bit adventurous that would create something to look forward to, a way to potentially make friends, and a reason to travel. Take group lessons and then join a club. If you aren’t into the physical, join a painting or pottery class or the like.
No Face
If you want to do something interesting, do it! It sounds like nothing is holding you back at this point but you. Look at jobs in a big city, and then move there! If you hate it, move somewhere else.
Shelle
Only speaking to the question about moving somewhere new, my cousin wanted to break free from his hometown. He looked up friends who had already moved to various interesting places and he visited them for a week. He found a place he liked and now lives there. I think it helped to already know someone there so he wasn’t totally alone, and from there he branched out and made new friends. Visiting was a low key way to explore the potential and a chance to catch up with old friends. Maybe you know someone who made a move and wants to show you around?
Anonymous
What are your hobbies and interests?
Anon
You just gotta rip off the bandaid
I’m also kind of feeling meh in my life so I’m trying to join the Air Force!
Anon
Let us know what city you are in! Someone might want to meet up for a picnic lunch in the park.
What types of master’s are you thinking of? With corporate compliance as a background, would law school appeal? (IMHO, law school is usually a massive waste of time and money; however, if you keep your current job and go at night, provided there is a school in your city, you might be able to cash-flow the tuition, and, having kept your job, you have your reasonably well-paying job as a backstop.)
Pick up a hobby, preferably an active one. Get involved in your college’s alumni association. Both are solid ways to meet people.
Monday
Assorted thoughts:
Do something small immediately, like this week. Go to a new place for a day trip, dye your hair purple, etc. See if that shakes anything loose mentally.
Are you already sure of the discipline for your master’s, and just don’t know what institution or program to attend? If so, meet with admissions folks or email professors. If you don’t even know what you want a master’s IN, I think you’re wise not to make any moves until you do. And make sure it will definitely open specific professional doors to have this degree. (People surely can get graduate degrees for fun, but not when they’re concerned about cost which the OP is.)
Plan a trip to each of the cities you’re interested in. If nothing else, it will be a brief change of scene.
Put down some numbers related to what you could realistically pay in rent and/or tuition. It may help to get a firm understanding of what is and isn’t possible for you, as opposed to always having the general impression that whatever you want is “too expensive.”
Good luck! Seems like a lot of readers are in a similar place.
Anonymous
Is your job virtual? My cousin gave up her apartment and moved to a new country for 3 months. She is getting ready to do it again. She is able to live with her parents in between moves.
Anonymous
I used to feel this way a lot and always assumed it could be addressed with Big Changes (new job! new city! etc.). But I honestly only cured this feeling when I started focusing on my day to day life. So my advice is actually to start with small changes and see if they spiral.
Examples:
1. I picked up quilting again, something I learned to do when I was young. I was plodding along on my own, mentioned it to my aunt who is an excellent quilter, she taught me some things, then she took me to a quilt show, then she invited me to join her quilting group, and now I have some lovely senior citizen quilting friends I zoom with once a month.
2. I started exercising again. I started with 1x a week, and then 2x a week, then I got a trainer, now I have goals I work towards and am in much better shape which encourages me to be more active generally.
3. I didn’t like my living situation so I moved to a new neighborhood in my current city that’s more walkable which encourages me to do more stuff during the week (walk my dog to a new place; work outside at a coffee shop; etc).
4. Pre-COVID, I started visiting friends in other cities on the weekend for a change of pace. Then friends started wanting to visit me to reciprocate, so then I fairly frequently had visitors which encouraged me to plan Fun Outings in my city.
Essentially, my life was kind of joyless. I found that it was much easier to build that joy with small things that happen more frequently. This did not happen overnight, but it did happen gradually and feels sustainable. Making big changes was a temporary rush/temporary fix, but ultimately I reverted back to my joyless life. I needed to build habits that brought me more joy on a day to day basis.
Anonymous
This is such a great comment and so true.
Anon
You have a lot of agency in life and it sounds like a decent amount of resources so if you truly want a more exciting life, you’re gonna have to be the one to make it happen. Sitting around moping and whining isn’t going to help you.
Anon
Oh I’m aware. That’s exactly why I’m asking other people for insight as to how they did it.
Anon
I wouldn’t recommend Manhattan or DC unless your salary is going to like double. But I’d really try to embrace this summer, especially if you have the ability to work remotely — you could get an Air BnB in those or other big cities for like two weeks and really get out and explore!
Anon
In my personal experience, therapy has been very helpful in this regard. I have a hard time making friends and connecting with people. When I focus on that in therapy, I start to notice all the opportunities for connecting with people that I was overlooking or preemptively shutting down before I had a chance to notice them. And therapists are good at helping us catch blind spots or think of new ways to do things we previously wouldn’t have. When I feel like I don’t really have that many options, my therapist has been pretty helpful.
Also, I think you are in an enviable position. To have a “boring” life has its downsides but I think they’re manageable–find what makes life feel less boring for you. As someone in a relatively similar position (my life is good, my job is good, I just get bored) I really try to stay grateful for not having inescapable problems like I’ve had in the past (like, a dying family member that I had to help take care of, kids that I was responsible for, crushing inescapable debt, etc.). It doesn’t make the reality of your situation any better, but it can put it in a more positive light, if that’s helpful for you.
Anonymous
Tell me if this article of clothing exists in a reasonably cute form: I’m late 30s, very fair skinned, and I run warm. Sunscreen alone is a lost cause particularly midday. I’d like something cute and breezy and not-polyester that I can throw on over sleeveless tops and dresses to protect my shoulders and back. Those crochet thingies look cute but they do not provide real sun protection. The billowy open front coverups I associate with Coachella are also cute but the polyester is far too hot for me. I’m so tired of sheltering in the shade and avoiding wearing cute sundresses during the day. Help?
Panda Bear
I feel like Eileen Fisher would have something like this… I’m picturing a super lightweight linen or linen blend cardigan.
Anon
A linen shawl?
Anonymous
I wear lightweight collared shirts for this. It probably depends on your style – it works well with the types of dresses/sleeveless tops I typically wear but wouldn’t work with the more Anthropologie style things. But I like that they can be worn long, tucked in, tied at the waist, etc. It’s sort of like a long cardigan for summer?
Something like this: https://www.jcrew.com/p/womens_category/swimwear/buttonup-beach-coverup-in-linencotton/AK283?color_name=sheer-flax
Anonymous
Nylon Lands End zip hoodie pool “swim tee” material coverup? I just bought two.
Vicky Austin
After someone posted about Wardrobe Oxygen this morning, I was reading over there and in this post she mentions how she uses a linen shirt as a swim coverup or as the summertime equivalent of a denim jacket. Would that work? https://www.wardrobeoxygen.com/wrinkle-free-linen/
Anon
Can you just search for “cocoon kimono 100% cotton”?? Link to follow.
Anon
For example: https://areastars.com/products/sorrento-cocoon-kimono-in-white-yellow
Diana Barry
Giant hat plus UPF clothing of some kind? Could you do the sunscreen wash that deposits UPF on the clothes?
Anon
I have 2 linen shirts from Foxcroft (Nordstrom) that I throw over sleeveless things for the same purpose. It’s not 100% sun protection like SPF or SPF clothing (nothing is) but it helps a lot. I also keep a crushable hat in my car.
Anon
I should add that for me the key is tunic length and she shaping is more flowy. I don’t think a regular shirt length shirt would look right worn as a jacket, especially if it had any sort of darts or princess seam shaping.
Anan
I have a men’s white collarless linen button up shirt that I wear this way almost every day during the summer. I usually wear it with the sleeves rolled part way up. I think I got it at H&M years ago.
Anan
I think this might be it:
https://www2.hm.com/en_us/productpage.0740425001.html
Anonymous
In one way what you’re asking for is a bolero. I don’t think that’s partiularly in fashion, but it depends on the style of your dresses.
You could probably find some linen knit jackets, boyfriend or duster style. Oversize and with pockets, that could look cute. Uniqlo always have some flowing linen shirts or jackets, like these:
https://www.uniqlo.com/eu/en/product/women-linen-blend-cardigan-422915.html?dwvar_422915_color=COL01&dwvar_422915_size=SMA001
Anonymous
I have a couple of spf rated long sleeve shirts. The sleeves roll up and they are super light. They both come from outdoor gear stores so more on the casual side.
Curious
+1, I get mine from Columbia. I get lots of compliments on them but this is indeed the Pacific Northwest ;)
Anonymous
I have a linen cardigan for this purpose. Ann Taylor has a linen blend cardigan that is similar.
Anon
Long-sleeved linen shirt.
Anonymous
I’m so there with you! Hate the feeling of sunscreen and do not live in a super hot climate. Love long sleeve linen or cotton shirts.
I have a few: cotton light blue striped from Gap or Gap factory a few years ago, a white linen from Banana, a gauzy cotton one from Thailand ten years ago (siiiiigh)
Worried
Not sure if you are still reading, but I have a simple cardigan with an open front made from knit jersey (t shirt material). I buy them at tjmaxx — usually they are various lengths. I buy one that ends at my hips or shorter and I call them my summer ‘sleeves’. They are usually made from viscose which is a good compromise if you cannot find linen and cotton. I am trying to buy summer dresses from cotton with sleeves— not always easy to find. I do sew however, and I’m sourcing a cotton lawn to make a sleeved summer dress to protect my arms from the sun. For the sleevless tops and dresses I wear, I take these jersey cardigans and stuff into my bag for when the sun is beating down. I still wear sunscreen though.
Anon
I have a podcast for you guys! I’m super picky about podcasts, but I found Two Hot Takes, where two people react to crazy Reddit threads from r/relationships and AITA, and it’s great! I love that they get right down to business. I know there are other Reddit/AITA fans on here so I thought some of you would enjoy it.
Senior Attorney
This sounds like it’s right up my alley! Thanks!
Horse Crazy
That sounds incredible!! The only thing better than going down a Reddit rabbit hole would be someone READING ME a Reddit rabbit hole.
Anonymous
Oh, my. The vocal fry on these ladies.
Anonymous
Has anyone here done NOLS?
Jeffiner
I took the Wilderness First Responder course many, many years ago. It was a great course, very hands on and I still remember most of what I learned back then.
Anon
I took the Wilderness First Responder course many, many years ago. It was a great course, very hands on and I still remember most of what I learned back then.
Horse Crazy
I haven’t, but my dad was a guide for years – he led backpacking trips in Wyoming. It’s a great organization – highly recommend!
CapHillAnon
I’ve taken their Wilderness First Aid 2-day class and it was excellent
Anon
I’d also recommend! I was an instructor in a previous life – very professional organization if you’re looking for skills-focused training.
Metallica
I did, but if you’re in healthcare a lot of it will be stuff you already know. If you’re not–it’s great and always useful knowledge to have. If you are in healthcare, go with the Wilderness First Responder as another poster noted above.
Anonymous
Can we talk about Alex Oh and the SEC? I got a link to an article but it is behind a pay wall.
Anon
I’m so excited flares are back. I wore them in the late 90s-early 00s and loved them. But I don’t see them on anyone other than fashion bloggers and teens — anyone here wearing them? With what? Is there any way to make them look more… intentional, rather than “I haven’t bought new jeans in 20 years”? I’m in my late 30s and look a little younger than my age but not by much.
Cat
I am a long-waisted pear so the cropped-wide styles look absolutely awful on me, but I did pick up two pairs of AG Angel flares. One hemmed for heels and one for flats, natch. (Did not miss that problem with skinnies!) I think it’s a nice ‘adult’ way to change it up from skinnies without following a Tiktok look.
Anon
Well thankfully now they’re high-waisted and not the super low cuts we wore 20 years ago! I have a couple pairs and I’m warming to them. Key is to get the right pair of shoes, I think, and I’m still not exactly sure what that is other than white sneakers.
Anon
I… actually haven’t bought jeans in twenty years. So mine are still available, which is good for me because they’re low-rise and the modern high-waisted everything can DIAF.
AnonMom
During the first round twenty years ago, I remember they fwoop-fwoop of the hems brushing against each other annoyed me to no end. Is there some way to walk in style that I just never figured out back then? Or is this just the price of admission for this style?
ATL
Gut check: Facebook friending a guy I met at a wedding this weekend is weird, right?
Curious
What’s the worst that could come of it? But if he’s like me, he won’t notice the request until 2025.
Ribena
If you want to get to know him more and that’s the only way to get in contact, do it! We didn’t survive a pandemic not to shoot our shots.
Anon
Not at all. That’s what Facebook is for.
Anone
Nope.
Senior Attorney
Not weird. Do it!