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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Love the classic, sophisticated look of this dress. The cap sleeves, the boatneck, the nipped-in waist — all great. It looks comfortable and stylish. We'd wear it with a classic pearl necklace, or perhaps a chunkier statement necklace — or even just a brooch or two. It's $99 at Anne Klein (won't ship until 8/15). Pleated Front Dress Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line. (L-2)Sales of note for 11.5.24
- Nordstrom – Fall sale, up to 50% off!
- Ann Taylor – 11/5 only – 60% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything + extra 25% off with your GAP Inc. credit card
- Bloomingdales is offering gift cards ($20-$1200) when you spend between $100-$4000+. The promotion ends 11/10, and the gift cards expire 12/24.
- Boden – 10% off new styles with code; free shipping over $75
- Eloquii – Fall clearance event, up to 85% off
- J.Crew – 40% off fall favorites; prices as marked
- J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything + 60% off clearance
- 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 – Buy one, get one – 50% off everything!
- White House Black Market – Holiday style event, take 25% off your entire purchase
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…
Shayna
This is adorable — my only question is about how that faux (?) belt would look — does it make my waist look bigger? – because that’s not something I’m interested in!
Will have to look for if I go shopping in August :-)
Claire
In my experience, belts around the waist emphasize the narrowness of your waist creating an hourglass look.
Shayna
Interesting… just not sure if that belt is so thick that it ends up adding girth – could just be the photo.
AN
Shayna, I think it would slim you actually unless you are super shortwaisted.
Love everything about the dress…
A-n0n-lawyer
I like this a lot, but I wonder if it would accentuate my saddle bags.
nonA
Couldn’t imagine buying something now that wouldn’t ship until August – I need instant gratification, I guess!
When you look at the larger picture on the website, the skirt looks sheer – not promising. Also, where are the pleats?
lawDJ
I don’t see the sheerness at all, anyway I would wear a slip to hide any VPL with a dress like this. It does look like the “pleats” are self-created, meaning by cinching the belt you create them, that part is not clear.
dee
I am always wary of work dresses that come in SM, MD & LG rather than traditional size (2, 4, 6, etc.) Can something that comes in only 3 sizes be structured enough?
AIMS
I find that S/M/L usually means stretchy fabric, which usually means it may not be appropriate for work.
It looks nice as pictured, but I don’t trust AK enough to take the plunge. Something about AK clothes is usually (and sometimes hideously) off, so I would def. need to see it in person. Plus, if I’m spending a $100 (or more) on a dress, I prefer it be a nicer quality dress that’s on sale (e.g., a nice JCrew or BB wool sheath), rather than something synthetic that will end up at TJMaxx for $49.50 if I just wait long enough.
s-p-s
Too many similar dresses to justify a new purchase, but definitely a lovely and classic look!
myohmy
Oops! I work in a super casual environment where jeans are perfectly acceptable if we won’t be meeting with clients in person. This morning I was late and running out the door, so I just threw on clothes and dashed off not realizing that I put on jeans from high school (they’re dark, so in my rush, I assumed they were just another pair of my dark work jeans) that have HEARTS EMBROIDERED ON THE BUTT. I am such a failure as a Corporette today and trying to keep seated as much as possible so no one notices.
Probably not so good now that I am trying to get them to turn my internship into a full time position, but it can’t be helped now I suppose.
S
Good for you for being able to wear jeans from your high school days!
A-n0n-lawyer
That was my first thought, too!
Hopefully no one will notice since you’re probably dressed well every other day.
alex
If it really starts to bug you, maybe there’s a TJ Maxx or H&M or something around the corner where you could buy a long cardigan? But don’t worry too much, even if someone notices they will probably either (a) chalk it up to an anomaly or (b) not judge you for it, because at the end of the day, much as we all love style, it’s just clothing and it’s not truly outrageous (like, say, 5″ clear lycra heels might be, or a plunging halter top, or something like that). And, you’re presumably not in court of meeting with a client. At least that’s how I would react if I saw it.
Ex-3L Sarah
Meh. Everyone has those days. Don’t even worry about it. :-)
Minnesota Fan
I wore bright purple beach type sandals to work one day with my very formal suit because I forgot to change footwear after walking the dog that morning. It happens.
nonA
Yeah, I’m way more impressed that you can fit into jeans from your high school days than “horrified” by your dressing error.
I once mixed up a navy and a black suiting pieces for a fairly important meeting. And, of course, picked that day to wear a sleeveless shell so I couldn’t go jacketless.
anon - chi
Hah! On the up side, since your office is already super casual, that’s probably a less serious clothing mishap than it would be for most Corporettes!
Tara
I wore the same suit 2 days in a row because I completely forgot that I’d worn it the day before. It cracked me up …
s in Chicago
One morning I wore a pair of black pumps (same brand) where one had a two inch heel and the other was much shorter. Worse was that I ran into my boss in the parking garage and had to walk in with him–the whole time trying to match his brisk pace and not look like I was limping!
Ru
Wow, I can’t even imagine what that must have been like!
Little Lurker
ROTFL!
Ahem. I mean, I’m so sorry for your plight. It sounds rather horrifying in person, but it’s rather hilarious when it isn’t me.
(Also because it totally WILL be me one day. ;)
Don’t worry, no one noticed. And if they did, just plan a witty retort about love or heartbreak or something.
::still giggling::
Thea
Very cute, typical LBD. It can be spiced up and more trendy if it comes in white too!
Anonymous
What a great LBD. As for saddlebags, I think Spanx would solve the problem.
75
This dress is beautiful, and a steal. I have a hunch that the fabric is very good quality with a nice drape to it. Where I live and work, this is for dress-up, not a work piece. It is the so called “little black dress” which can go anywhere dressy. Which might mean – ? It’s hard to say…..
AIMS
Just out of curiosity, what is your hunch based on? I would guess this is standard synthetic.
AIMS
Just checked, actually. The fabric is a poly-rayon blend with 2% spandex. Doesn’t exactly shout “good quality” to me. . .
Ex-3L Sarah
I took the “good quality” to mean it was heavier, as in it’s not just a single layer of jersey.
Jen
Its mostly polyester which does not “breathe” — cute dress but I would not buy it based on the fabric…
nonA
Have you looked at AK pieces? While I think this dress is nice and classic on the picture (and could be paired with a cardigan for work, than easily transitioned to a night out), AK has pretty poor contruction and fabric quality IMO.
Ames
In the styling suggestions Kat mentions a brooch “or two”. I must confess that I’ve never understood how to wear even one brooch with most things. Can someone explain how to do two? I really like the idea but am seriously concerned about my execution…
A-n0n-lawyer
I like the look of an odd number of brooches. That could be just a quirk of mine, though. You can arrange them in a triangle shape, or in a diagonal line with the bigger one in the middle. I think multiple brooches look best when there is one that is much larger and the others are smaller.
I usually wear brooches about an inch under the middle of my collarbone — the area that would be just covered by a suit jacket if I was wearing one, rather than the lapel area of the jacket. Sometimes you have to play around with them for a few minutes to really get an idea of where the brooch will look good or how you should arrange multiples. I try to only pin once, though, so I don’t mess up my top.
Eponine
I wear brooches on one side only, below my shoulder but above where my breast starts to slope, about 2-3 inches from my sternum. I don’t like the look of them centered on me, because I am large-chested and don’t need to draw attention to my cleavage or the area where my cleavage would be if I were showing it. I normally just wear one but two or three works too – one should be the focal point and the others should be secondary to it (so basically I agree with what A-non-lawyer said above).
If you like to wear a shawl you can also use brooches to pin it at your shoulder, either to itself or to your shirt so it won’t slip.
Eponine
Oh, what I meant by “on one side only” is that if I wear two or three brooches I wear them all on the same side. One on each side would be a bit too matchy-matchy for me.
Shayna
Glad you asked – b/c I have the same question! Though I suspect that being 5’2″ w/ a smaller frame is part of why they look…off on me
Louise
I think the key to combining several brooches is that they need to have something in common. Three flowers of different designs but similar size, or several abstract shapes all plain gold. And nothing too matchy-matchy with the fabric it is pinned to. In other words, if the dress is dark blue with a small red and yellow floral print, several red and yellow flower pins is a bit cutesy. I would shy away from brooches on patterns anyway; too busy.
Another key: because brooches are fairly eye-catching, tone down other jewelry. Think small, simple earrings and either no necklace or a very plain chain. You can probably get away with a bracelet and a brooch, because they are fairly far apart. But I find bracelets are a pain at work because they interfere with typing on the computer.
I googled “how to wear a brooch” but came up with some really hideous examples that way…
Biglaw Refugee
Kat, now that you’ve indulged our request for a post on how to wear cardigans, maybe it’s time for a post on how to wear brooches?
divaliscious11
Looks similar to this Shabby Apple dress I bought with the posted Groupon last week. I ordered a medium and generally size between 10-12. I am also 5’10” and the length is perfect mid-knee on me.
http://www.shabbyapple.com/p-631-vp.aspx
SR
I love this dress but was worried about my arms being too large for it. Did you notice if the arm holes/ short sleeves are really tight? I also bought the groupon deal and just saw that they’re taking an extra 20% off on top of that (though not for the dress you linked above).
divaliscious11
They are not super tight, but they are snug. I played basketball and lacrosse so my arms are a bit bigger (but alas not nearly as toned as they used to be – need to do something about that!). I’ll add that I am a 36C and if I were any bigger, I’d go up a size and get the skirt tailored. I like the fullness of the skirt. If it were straighter, it would venture into va-va-voom, like some Donna Karan dresses. I like the fit/length though, so will likely order more from here as I see things I like.
Clerky
I love this Shabby Apple dress but am wondering if the pleats at the bottom are a bit much for BigLaw?
http://www.shabbyapple.com/p-630-consultant.aspx
JessC
Agree that it’s adorable, but I think you’re right that the flare/pleats at the bottom would not be appropriate for an office.
Would look fabulous though for a fancy night out!
divaliscious11
I looked at the one. I could wear that in-house, no problem but I probably wouldn’t have worn that at bigLaw unntil I was a mid-level….. I wasn’t sure how the sleeves would fit since it says they run snug, and are not just a cap like on the VP dress.
anon - chi
I think you could get away with it unless yours is an ultra-conservative office, but it would be a memorable outfit – the sort of thing you probably wouldn’t end up wearing very often.
s in Chicago
Very cute! I like yours MUCH better.
A-n0n-lawyer
LOVE that dress!
Anon
I just bought the exact same dress last week! It fits great on me on the top–no issues w/ arm tightness. I’m 5’8, size 10-12, C cup, and I bought the medium. If I were any smaller-chested, I wouldn’t like the dress, though.
One issue I do have–I knew from the pictures that it would have a ‘flowy’ bottom half, but it is really big on the bottom. It’s cut like a big-skirted party dress from the 50’s but w/ the black color it just doesn’t seem right. But I love the top so much and it was such a good deal that I’m thinking of taking it to a seamstress to see if they narrow the bottom to be more like the dress suggested in the post above–make it more ‘Joan Holloway’ and less ‘Betty Draper.’
Anon
Why wouldn’t you like the dress if you were smaller chested – would it be too big in the bust? I’ve noticed frequently with Shabby Apple that there is a big difference in bust-space between a small and a medium (I just purchased a dress in small and medium, the small fit perfectly, the medium was probably 1-2 sizes too big everywhere else but 4 sizes too big in the bust!).
Anon
12:45 anon here… I wouldn’t like it if I were smaller chested b/c there would be too much room in the bust. Usually, my problem is that shirts/dresses that fit my bust are too big for the rest of me, and items that otherwise fit fine are always too small in the bust. This dress actually fits everywhere, and is borderline too much in the bust, which is why I couldn’t wear it if I were any smaller.
lawDJ
Yours and the other one linked here are SO cute. I’m on a spending freeze right now but they’re getting put on the queue!!
Hildy
I, too, tried Shabby Apple with the Groupon deal last week but have to say I was pretty disappointed with the dress I bought. The print was gorgeous (a Kaffe Fassett fabric) but the construction of the dress itself seemed a little high school home ec class and the fit was off. Has anyone else experienced this or did I just make a bad pick?
divaliscious11
This was my first purchase. I’d seen a couple things but wasn’t sure…the groupon made it an easier buy. Oh, and I got a great silver cuff too! All wonder-woman!
dee
LOVE the dress but am concerned about size…I’m a size 6 normally and would order the small, if you’re a size 10-12 and ordered the medium, I’m afraid I might be an extra-small (the thought of this is slightly ridiculous to me). anyone have some thoughts?
Shayna
Off topic – a friend is considering attending law school as a working professional and mentioned attending law school online… which to me sounds like a bad plan as far as credibility goes – but perhaps I’m wrong? Any accredited/reputable law schools out there w/ online offerings? The few schools in the area that offer part time classes at night are 4 nights a week, and an hour drive (or more) from both her house and office.
nonA
What does your friend want to do with her law degree? Will she be going into debt?
Is the online program offered by a mainstream school or some solely online unaccredited school (i.e., her diploma will just say “Georgetown Law” or whatever, or will it say “Unknown Online University School of Law”)?
There are a MILLION things to consider, but most importantly, is it ABA accredited? Very few states (California, I believe, is an exception) will even let you sit for the bar exam unless you graduate from an ABA school. Otherwise, you could dump thousands on a degree and not be able to take the bar and actually practice law.
Anonymous
I’m not aware of any ABA-accredited law schools. She should check to see if the state she plans on practicing in will admit a graduate of an unaccredited law school to the bar. My understanding is that most states (perhaps not California) require a JD from an ABA-accredited school.
jcb
Lord no. Why on earth does she want to spend money on a law degree anyway? This is terrible, terrible time for new lawyers.
dee
agree, but it may get better in three years.
divaliscious11
Are there any accredited on-line law schools? Are there any accredited law schools with on-line programs???
Why do she want to go to law school? does she want todo it as her primary job? If she wan’ts to practice law – then no, she should go to a good school in their evening program if she needs to go part time. If she is getting it just to augment her skill set in her current profession, then I don’t know if its bad, so long as its accredited. the real key is will there be value. There are several decent MBA programs offering on-line courses (I mean real schools, not degree generators), but I wouldn’t advise if someone was tryingto work on Wall Street. But if you are doing something else, and using it to increase you skills/knowledge, that isn’t a bad way to go….
A-n0n-lawyer
I attend a part-time program, and there are lots of people in my class who live and/or work an hour (or more!) from the school. It really stinks having to commute that much every day at the end of a long day, but they all make it work. Some even have children and (I assume) very supportive spouses.
I have never heard of an ABA accredited school being online? Even if it is accredited, I would not do it if I wanted to practice law and didn’t already have a very strong “in.” (I.e. a parent who had a law practice and was going to give me the practice.) I just don’t think she would be taken seriously, accredited or not.
AIMS
I would say absolutely not to an online school. Lord knows it’s hard enough not being in a top 20 school, but an online JD is just throwing away your money. Honestly.
She is better off moving to CA (or VT?) where you can sit for the bar w/o going to law school, and just taking her chances with the bar exam.
lawDJ
I would chime in and say no as well. A few classes to help with whatever her current career is is one thing (and I’d still take those at night school), but I can’t imagine the situation where an online law degree would be worth the cost (in dollars or in time).
anon - chi
You have got to be kidding. I went to one of the top three law schools in the country and I know *several* classmates who were laid off in late 2008/early 2009 and did not find another legal job for 6 months or more. And that is with the best credentials money can buy. I know far more people who went to a lower ranked school in the top 25 and had even more difficulty landing and keeping a job, despite the fact that they are just as smart as the people at the top 3 schools. I would say that getting a JD from a school outside of the top tier, let alone an online degree, is not worth the opportunity cost or debt. Actually, I would advise someone in that situation to skip the JD EVEN IF they had a full ride – it’s a waste of three years (or more) of your life.
Lucy
I think that’s extreme. Especially the full ride comment. For some people, sure, maybe . . . but as a generally rule — that’s a bit out there. For what its worth I have friends who went to a third tier school and did really well, and got and kept great jobs (at big law and otherwise), in this climate. That’s not to say it was or is easy, but I think your comment is a bit hyperbolic.
No way
Please dissuade your friend from doing this. I sat for the CA bar and ended up chatting with someone who had gone to an online law school. It was Concord Law School, and the way he described the program just sounded awful. A large part of the law school experience is participating in clinics, going through the Socratic method, working on a journal and moot court — and you can’t do any of these things if you go to school on-line. I also believe that there aren’t any ABA accredited law schools, and I would find it hard pressed to recommend that anyone to go to an unaccredited school in this economy. As others have said, even people from top law schools are struggling.
No way
I meant to say, I’m not aware of any ABA accredited ONLINE law schools.
Biglaw Refugee
Agree. 1/10 of law school is the rules you learn; 9/10 is learning how to spot issues and how to apply rules to fact patterns. Hearing the professor and your fellow students do that is the only way I can imagine learning that.
For corporate lawyers, there is more statutory analysis (which is easier IMO) and less case law analysis, so perhaps if the participant really just needs a JD on the resume and basically already knows whatever she substantively needs to know, it could make sense (assuming that the rewards of having the degree are known to exceed the cost). Otherwise, it seems like a crazy idea to me.
Shayna
Thanks all — believe it is to go into corporate – no desire to work in big – law. She already has an MBA.
Anon
By “go into corporate” do you mean (a) that she wants to go in-house, or (b) that she wants to continue in her current job-trajectory but have additional legal knowledge (but not be a practicing lawyer)? Or something else?
If (a), I’m in-house. Your schools and rank still matter, and they typically want to see several years of firm experience first, where your schools and rank will matter more.
If (b), just go to the library and read some books :)
lawDJ
Ditto
nonA
If she just wants to get some knowledge, I don’t think taking classes in areas relevant to her field is a terrible idea, although I think those of us who went to law school will agree that law school has little application in the real world. She will be better off reading some practical guides, going to seminars, etc.
Getting a degree online and trying to move in-house, or similar? VERY VERY terrible idea. Only do it if it’s your family business and you are guaranteed employment if all you do is show up every day and drool.
Eponine
Bad plan. Why does she want to attend law school anyway? Part-time is normally not a good idea anyway as it takes one out of the traditional hiring schedule – the exception would be if one’s current employment would benefit one’s legal career. She’s unlikely to make enough money to offset her tuition costs and the opportunity cost of not being able to pursue legal internships/clerkships because she’s working full-time in another field.
Generally one should attend the best law school one can get into, within reason, as a scholarship from a slightly lower ranked school is often better than paying for a slightly higher ranked one. But the job market is bad, prestigious/high paying/big firm/government law jobs have always been very competitive for those not attending top schools anyway, and I’d never advise anyone to go to a not-so-good law school just because it’s convenient or has a part time program.
Eponine
Oh, and I forgot to address the online thing – NO NO NO NO NO. Mother of all bad plans.
Meredith
What a great dress! And it’s at an affordable price. Anne Klein tends to do a good job with making conservative yet fashionable options – I appreciate the length of the dress (so many are too short!) and the cap sleeves make it entirely office appropriate. Too bad it doesn’t ship until August.
– Meredith
cubiclechicblog.com
rising 3L
hickjack ladies…
Does anyone have any tips for making those little “socklets” stay on? I’m thinking of the ones that are made of a thick almost panty hose material but are meant for when you’re wearing flats. I hate the idea of not wearing socks (just seems gross to me at work) but these socklets always slip off throughout the day.
I don’t think I’m buying too small (size 8 feet and the socklets say size 6-10). Are my feet just oddly shaped or something? Are there any secret brands that are really great that I should be buying instead?
Ms. Raygun
I just had to chime in here. These little “socklets” you mention are one of my fashion pet peeves! I see them all the time as I commute to and from work. In my opinion, there is just no way to make them look refined or like an item of clothing that should be showing. The effect is always similar to a bandage, an orthopedic device, or someone who has lined uncomfortable shoes with toilet paper!
If you keep the insides of your shoes tidy (wipe them with a damp cloth and use shoe trees to dry them thoroughly between wearings) and wash your feet before you don shoes, there is no reason bare feet inside of shoes are “gross.” If you walk a portion of your commute, like I do, you can even keep a small packet of antibacterial wipes to clean your feet in the middle of the day.
Wear proper leg- or footwear, or none at all!
MelD
Socklets were all the rate when I lived in Japan 5 years ago. The ones they had there were very cute and stylish compared to the orthopedic ones we have here.
E2
What brands are you using? I’ve found the Hue Cool Contours to be decent – they have silicone at the back to grip to your heel a bit. They still slip for me from time to time during my commute, but never around the office.
rising 3L
thanks for the suggestion!
as for the person who hates these, why do you care about people’s socks? they shouldn’t be showing so why should me not getting blisters or sweaty shoes matter to you?
MelD
Is there any reason why no socks seems gross at work? Do you have to take your shoes off at some point during the day? I’ve found that with the socks, it’s the shoe that seems to matter more than the sock itself. If your feet are moving around too much in the shoe, the socks will probably fall down.
I’ve switched over to Summer Soles and find them to be so much better than the socklets. They keep my shoes from getting stinky and also prevent the insole from coming unglued because my foot is sticking to it. I think Kat did a post about another brand last week or the week before that you might want to check into as well.
rising 3L
I just like feeling put together at work. Something about barefeet in flat shoes feels too casual to me. I guess it’s sort of a game face type thing. In heels I have no problems and I don’t have overly sweaty feet, I just feel very slobbish in flats without something on.
Also, if I walk around during the day I like the security of knowing I won’t have any blisters (I often walk to lunch, get up to walk around and get the blood moving, etc)
lawDJ
For blisters I would say try the Band Aid friction bloc. I bought it after someone recommended it here and it’s been great so far (no blisters). Those sock things always move around and can be seen with any shoes I wear so I just don’t, if I have to worry about fixing them or adjusting them I don’t feel put together myself.
rising 3L
That’s good to hear. I’ve never tried anything like that because I always figured either 1. it didn’t actually work or 2. it would be thick/gross/gloopy/slick/whatever and I wouldn’t like how it felt on my skin or shoes. I might have to try that for some of my more “pain is beauty” type heels
Louise
I know it’s just a typo, but I like the word “hickjack”! It conjures up guys in plain shirts stealing each other’s tractors…
lawDJ
LMAO .. thanks for the laugh :)
rising 3L
hahahaha i didn’t even notice i did that. too funny!
happyness
I’ve seen them in black, which looks much better, and Kushyfoot, I think is a decent brand. Used to wear them with pumps all the time.
RKS
You may have to experiment with a few brands until you find ones that stay in place better. I have ones that have a touch of rubber at the heel end, so it sticks a little better.
As for your comments, Ms. Raygun — wha????? They’re a fashion faux pas like bandages and orthopedic devices? Seriously? Generally, the sock liners are not meant to show from your shoes. If they’re showing, you need lower-cut liners. And the reason bare feet in shoes can be gross is because some people sweat more than others. Maybe some people can make it through the day if they take proper care of their shoes/feet in the morning and evening. But that’s not me. No amount of overnight airing is going to slow down sweating on a hot day for me. So the sock liners are lifesavers when I need pumps or closed-toe shoes on hot days.
Cat
If you are wearing pants, you could try the knee-high pantyhose style — I buy mine at CVS and they hold up surprisingly well (reinforced toes).
Socklets are such a great idea in theory, but the edges perpetually slip out of the side of my shoes, which I agree is a terrible look, akin to a man wearing an undershirt under a polo shirt and having the undershirt sleeves be poking out.
Suze
What about those little inserts Kat put up a couple weeks ago – silversoles or something? They sounded great and a total solution to socklet creep…
Ms. Raygun
That was exactly my point. Medical devices are sometimes necessary in the office. I wear an external device for a cochlear implant (similar to a hearing aid) and I never would think of it as a faux pas. However, I conceal it with my hair in high-pressure and formal situations. Similarly, I wouldn’t sitck a colorful plaster on my face, let orthotics hang out the back of slingback shoes, or go to a board meeting with support bra straps hanging out of my blouse.
I have been (wisely, I think) advised by a grandmother who spent a lifetime as a hospital administrator that you should never dress in a way that would confuse persons one, two, or three generations older than you are. If an 80-year-old board member or 65-year-old judge would not understand why you have little socklets peeking out from your shoes…switch to stockings!
This forum is populated with comments along the lines of “Oh, I would never wear something so sheer!” and “No cap sleeves in my office!” My observations were similar. I work in a very conservative environment, though, and have had my senses spoiled by convent school dress codes.
RKS
Again, the key to the sock liners is that they are not supposed to show. So the 65 yo judge should never be seeing them in the first place. If they’re showing, then you’re wearing them wrong.
Bonnie
The problem is that most people wear socklets that show. It’s a faux pas for the same reason visible bra straps and visible panty line are faux pas.
nonA
There is a huge difference between sheer shirts/mini-skirts (a fashion CHOICE) and a visible medical device (a medical NECESSITY). I don’t think you have to conceal medical devices at all, and I wouldn’t bat an eye at someone wearing one, or consider it a “faux pas” because it is visible. (Bra straps aren’t a medical device; cover those up – but if you have to wear a back brace, by all means, wear it and don’t feel self-conscious about it.)
And none of this debate has anything to to do with looking for low-cut socklets. I’ve tried, and never found a pair that works. My recommendation is to go with insoles.
celia
I agree with the knee-highs advice! I’ve given up on socklets and switched to those- since they’re only covering the calf, they aren’t too hot in summer either, and plus you get the made-an-effort benefit of wearing pantyhose to the office without the discomfort. I have a couple pairs from Payless, CVS and other inexpensive places, and they last forever. I guess cuz they’re so short and usually covered up, they pretty much never run. I think getting them in sheer black can also be really pretty, but not as somber in summer as full black pantyhose.
Clerky
I tried those Hue inserts based on a recommendation from this site and they just didn’t work for me. The edges always peeped out even though I bought a size small. I’ve had a lot better luck with the Summer Soles and would highly recommend those instead.
JAS
HELP!! I can’t stay focused…I downloaded leechblock to kick me off the web when I have been surfing but what I really want is something that shows time elapsed so I know how much time I am wasting (and get guilted into working). Does anyone have any tips?
Kat
I think it’s RescueTime.com — it tracks your time based on what’s open on your screen….
dee
that is exactly what i DON’T want on my computer.
Anon-Y.
Manictime works as well.
Lola
This dress is adorable. Love it! Thanks, Kat!
s in Chicago
So today is our company picnic. We were encouraged to wear walking shorts or capris, etc. I decided it was a great occasion to wear a new cotton khaki dress I just got (I bought something similar from the designer in white as well). Instead of looking summery and chic in my casual wear, however, I am a COMPLETE wrinkled mess. This is honestly worse than linen–something I never buy just for this reason. Does anyone have any advice to make these dresses more wearable? Can you treat them with something to make them less wrinkle prone? I hate that what I thought were great summer go-tos will now end up hardly getting worn.
lawDJ
I think you want to try an ironing starch such as this one: http://www.amazon.com/Niagara-Aerosol-Trigger-PBC08580-Category/dp/B003AJZIB4
it’ll give the fabric some stiffness.
KelliJ
Someone I know swears by the “No Iron” spray they sell at Brookstones. It’s for travel. You are supposed to spray it on your clothes and it releases the wrinkles. She sprays it on to her clothes then iron them. She says it works great. I have never tried it though.
s in Chicago
I’ll give a try and have to report back on how it goes. Thank you!