ByKat Hours Updated
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Wednesday’s TPS Report: Wrap Dress with Cummerbund

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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. DKNY Wrap Dress with CummerbundWe noticed this DKNY dress a few weeks ago, and it seems fitting for the first day of September (even if it is still ridiculously hot). We like the long sleeves and the high wrapped neckline; we also like the “cummerbund.” The pleats look lovely on the skirt, and we're always a fan of a jersey dress. It's $160 at Shopbop. DKNY Wrap Dress with Cummerbund 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 12.5

And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

136 Comments

  1. I really like this dress, but I can’t decide if it would look bathrobish on me since I have a very small chest.

    1. I also really like it but was thinking it might accentuate my large chest a bit too much .. can’t win I guess. I wish it came in other colors though.

      1. I love this dress but am afraid it would make me look pregnant? I’m 5’3 and have a pear shaped figure!

        1. Similar. I would say it depends where the cummerbund hits. If at the true waist, it would be very slimming and flattering, but if higher up– especially just below the bust–then yes, potentially a maternity look.

        2. I really wish I was able to go to the mall and try more on! (Like you ladies, I’m sure, I sometimes just feel like I don’t have the time.) I have the same concern as you, lawDJ. Also, the top looks modestly cut, but I fear that on me it would be cut lower.

          FWIW, Amy, I think the pleating and cumberbund would help avoid the pregnancy look that some of these dresses sometimes give.

    2. Agreed that might be a problem, especially since it seems to sag in the bust area on the model.

      1. I actually bought this dress (and already received it with ShopBop’s promotional free next day shipping!). I love it.

        I’m 5’3″, petite, pear shaped and small chested (so, basically, all of your worries above in one body), and I was worried it would gap too much in all the wrong places. When I first put it on, the neck was super high and wrapped tight, and it did look a little bathrobe-y. Once I pulled the neck down on either side of the wrap, it looked much better and stayed put. And it doesn’ t even need a cami underneath, which is a huge plus.

        I have a feeling it’s going to be my favorite dress of the fall/winter.

        Oh, and PS, for petites, it’s a perfect right-to-the-kneecap length.

  2. early threadjack sorry … anyone have tips for a Kauai / Big Island honeymoon? I’m still booking vacation rentals/condos for both and we’re definitely doing an open door helicopter ride in Kauai .. anything else that’s not to be missed? Any particular area (or condo) we should stay in? thanks in advance ladies :)

    1. on kauai, definitely do an ATV trip. the one i went on was an all-day trip that took you through the countryside, which included tunnels and a scenic lunch stop at a waterfall, where we all took a dip.

      also, definitely go to volcano national park by driving on the road to hana (spelling?). it is an absolutely beautiful drive with lots of scenic places to stop along the way. also, it is 1000% worth staying there at night to see the lava spilling into the ocean. it was like watching a national geographic special unfold right in front of me.

      enjoy your trip!

      1. I thought the road to Hana was in Maui …. I’m confused … (I’ve never been to any of the islands before)

        1. I am pretty sure the Volcano National Park is in Maui, but I could be wrong — I haven’t been to Kauai.

      2. Yes, hana is on maui.

        On the Big Island, you can go to Volcano National Park, get reservations way ahead of time to stay at the rustic lodge inside the park. Haven’t stayed, but have made many, many day trips to Kilauhea. Be sure to take flashlights so you can go beyond the gate at an empty lava tube there…truly into full darkness. Incredible.

        If you like flowers, there are several orchid farms up in the Volcano (town name) area…they will ship plants back fed ex and they are great quality from Atkasuka in particular.

        Lots of golf and resorts in Kona … that’s probably the best side to stay on as Hilo is not too tourist-driven. It’s a drive either way up to the volcano.

        The astronomy/telescope site trip up to Mauna Kea is really grand. We have always used the original company for that one. Great guides and you can either space out and enjoy the stars or listen in if you are into astronomy.

        Never been to Kauai however.

        Congratulations and happy wedding festivities.

    2. There is a lot of great snorkeling on the Kona side of the Big Island, but I particularly recommend the manta ray night snorkel (or dive, if you are certified). Basically, they put divers on the bottom with lights, and have snorkelers on the surface with more lights. This attracts the plankton, and the manta rays come to feed. It was amazing being in the water with such huge, beautiful creatures. And unlike sting rays, the mantas don’t have stingers and are not dangerous to humans. We also saw a moray eel that night, which was pretty awesome.

      For regular day time snorkeling, I thought the best was at a place called “two-step” (also on the Kona side).

    3. I highly reccommend Captain Cooks Cove for snorkeling. We hiked down there – not a quick hike, but it was SO worth it! Agree with above posters on the Volcano park and driving along the coast. We sought out some waterfalls and came across some amazing beaches. My cousin did the Manta night dive through Jacks Dive shop – they were fabulous and she still raves that was one of the best dives she’s ever had in all her travels. I always reccommend getting out and about and seeing as much as you can – you’ll never regret it!

    4. In Kauai, I’d recommend staying on the south side of the island (Poipu) rather than the north side (Princeville/Hanalei). The weather is better. Also recommend the Zodiac powered raft trip to see the Na Pali coast done by Captain Andy’s — really fun. It leaves from Waimea on the west coast of Kauai.

      The road to Hana is on Maui.

      For both islands, check out the “blue guides” — Kauai Revealed, etc. by Andrew Doughty (Wizard Publications). The books have good maps, good recommendations for activities, and reviews of condos and vacation rentals as well as hotels/resorts. I don’t always agree with their food recommendations, though!

      1. Definitely have both “blue” books heavily marked up already. Gonna check out Captain Andy’s .. we definitely want to do something along the Na Pali coast. We were thinking of staying 4 nights in Poipu and 3 in Hanalei to not have to drive too much to do activities on those sides of the island.

        1. I second the ATV ride on Kauai. We went on an all day trip too and it was the perfect thing for my DH who grew weary of sitting on the beautiful beach. Fun ride and great scenery.

    5. When you’re on the Big Island, try the Kenichi restaurant if you’re into seafood- it’s an unassuming restaurant in a strip mall in the Kailua-Kona area, but the sushi was incredible and the other entrees were also great. The coffee plantation tour was also a lot of fun. Also, try to get a 4-wheel drive vehicle; we didn’t, and ended up having to drive around the coast for everything, which is a LOOONG drive. I also regret that we didn’t go to the area where the volcano is erupting; it’s technically off-limits, but lots of people staying in our hotel had driven to it and said it was really neat to see the slow-moving lava moving across the landscape.

      I would plan on more of your beach-y and tropical activities being in Kauai, and more of your hiking/mountain climbing activities being on the Big Island. When we were there (admittedly, a little over a year ago), the volcano was erupting so the sky was always gray and it was often very windy. That’s good weather for hiking/kayaking/driving around, but not necessarily for laying out in the sun.

      1. We locals say there are only two kinds of helicopters: those that have crashed and those that are going to. I took one helicopter flight on the B.I., and it was awesome. However, a swift wind gust pushed our ‘copter right up against a pali. We tipped, spun, and then the pilot righted it. It was only after the flight that my husband, a former pilot, told me that our brush with death was close.

        North Shore offers good advice.

  3. Pretty, but I’d have to try it on. It looks like it might be an inch too short to be office-appropriate, but the model might be super-tall.

    I’d like to compliment the styling of the photo, though. It’s nice to see a photo that actually shows what a dress actually looks like, without the sweat sock/pump additions, a broken-doll pose or other distractions!

  4. This dress is lovely (and I second housecounsel’s comment about styling!). I have a similar dress that I got from Boden last year and love; I highly recommend their jersey dresses!

    Question for you ladies – I picked up a Brooks Brothers dress at a great price, but it needs some tailoring in the bust. Has anyone used their in-house alterations service before? If so, was it expensive? This seems a little trickier than a run-of-the-mill hemming job, so I’d like to make sure it’s done right, but not if it’s going to cost a fortune!! Thanks in advance.

    1. I thought their in-house alterations were pricey compared to my usual alterations place, and my usual alterations place is not particularly cheap.

    2. Yes, for everything I buy from them. I don’t remember how much they charge, though. But everything comes out perfect.

      1. Thanks for weighing in (both of you) — it’s good to hear they do a nice job. I’ll have to think about whether I want to pay for it! Thanks again.

        1. Some of their alterations are free. They recently shortened the sleeves on one jacket and closed the slit in a skirt for me for free.

  5. Cute dress; love how it drapes. Brown wouldn’t look good on my chocolate brown skin, though ;-D

    Random: I see there are lots of pants out now with a slim/tight cut in the butt and super wide bell-bottoms (like the Berdorf ones Kat featured yesterday http://bit.ly/c06bDm). They silhouette is becoming popular (and moving past the BeBe market to Saks), and I have a few. But the lines are becoming very extreme and exaggerated (super narrow butt/super wide legs). It’s really the 70s without the polyester. (Bootsy Collins, anyone?!). I tried a pair on yesterday and my booty looked HUGE (huge!). Flat-booty ladies, your turn to work this trend!

    1. LOL…

      “Never learned to swim… can’t catch the rhythm of the stroke…” (I know Parliament, but close enough….)

      1. LMAO, @divalicious11. I think we’re alone here in understanding and celebrating the magnitude and profundity of The Funk! LOL. Matter of fact, I’m going to Pandora to go to my Bootsy/Parliament pre-sets ;-D

        1. “Psychoalphabetadiscobioaquadooloop, amotionpictureunderwaterstarringaquadoolopp….”

          Time for new station for me too!

  6. I think this is really pretty, but the sleeves hit at a funny place. Not quite 3/4 length but not quite long, either.

  7. Love the color, not so sure about the jersey material as I have too many lumps and bumps to consider. Question: I keep wanting desperately to try a DvF wrap dress but the aforementioned lumps and bumps prevent me from taking the plunge. (I am 5’9″ and wear a size 12.) Can anyone comment on how these dresses fit the more amply sized Corporettes and perhaps offer alternatives? I am particularly interested in the wrap dress style as I am pumping and need a wardrobe option that doesn’t involve stripping to my skivvies in the pump room.

    1. I’m 5’10 and I wear anywhere between a 10 and a 16 (??) depending on the designer. I’ve always found that with wrap dresses, even the ones with sizes, they don’t have enough fabric around my butt/thighs. I’m very curvy and whenever I cross my legs in a wrap dress they fall open and I expose a lot of thigh. I am also a bit too busty for them to look professional in my opinion, even with a cami underneath. I have one of the ‘wrap’ dresses from Butter By Nadia (internet isn’t loading the link, or I’d post it) which I love and would probably work well for pumping, but it is difficult to style for work aside from the skirt.

    2. I have a Boden wrap dress and one from Athleta and a BR faux wrap dress that all work for pumping. Have never tried DvF though, too expensive for me.

      1. Thanks for the recs, L. I checked those sites and they only have faux wraps. I’m concerned that I will stretch out the top while pumping, but I love the styles. I’ll definitely stock up on these when I’ve weaned the little sprout.

    3. I think if you’re concerned about lumps, etc., you should look for a thicker material on the wrap dress. Some of the DvF ones are definitely not thick and thus would work best with a slip, which prob. cuts the utility for pumping.

    4. I’m 5’10” & curvy from the waist down (small waist, chest; wide hips; athletic legs). It really depends on the particular dress; all the DvF wraps are not the same. I have a “Vern” dress that I love (although I wish it were longer) because it’s got a fuller skirt than many of her others. I recently bought the “Banker” wrap but had to return it because there wasn’t enough fabric through the hips and thighs for the coverage I wanted.

    5. I’m 5’5″ and wear a size 12 (so definitely lumpier and bumpier than you, lol) and I had the same hesitation about jersey dresses until I tried one on (not a wrap dress) with a heavier weight. It’s now my *favorite* dress and besides a regular slip, doesn’t require the underclothing support of spanx like fitted sheathes do. I came across my dress in Fred Meyers of all places (wish the store existed in NY) so just keep trying those dresses.

    6. With Dvf, the wraps are not so good for a short waisted person (keep riding up, or atleast on my body).

      I prefer the tunic length faux wrap/ruched dresses she’s doing now – very flattering – and wear them with slim pants. They should be great for 5″9 height.

      I also go up a size or 2 in DvF as she seems to cut for a B cup in general – I am 30DD/DDD.

      Finally on my 5″4 body, DvF dresses hit at the knee, but many of them hit above the knee. Worth checking out since you’re much taller.

      Or try a wrap top and see how that goes??

      1. Wrap tops are on my radar, but I was feeling like branching out from pants to dresses. I will keep my eyes peeled. Thanks for the tips!

  8. BR is running a 40% off 2 items online only promotion today. I will not use my code N1PDM7RZHQR6, which should be good once.

    2. Oh, good idea. I will not be using my code either. (Pregnant, so nothing will fit me for very long.) Happy Shopping! N2FC97PPMXPJ

    4. Nice! Thanks, I just checked my email and have a code in there – conundrum – do I use it to re-buy the suit I got with 30% off, or buy the suit in black so I have both? Hmm….

    5. in the b&m store but find it pricey for the items…what does one have to do to get these email codes?

    6. Also – ebates is giving a 10% cash back, so if you buy with the coupon use ebates too! got my $277 suit for $149 :)

  9. Off topic–
    Hello trusty Corporettes! I really need to find a good laser hair removal place in the DC metro area. I’ve tried doing research online but I have yet to find a place I can trust. Please send post any recommendations. I would also be interested in electrolysis revs in the area. Thanks in advance!

    1. I’ve been to Medical Cosmetic Enhancements in Friendship Heights — they had a Groupon a while back for 3 sessions, and I’ve been really happy with the results. (Still need to go back for 3 more sessions, but they’re up front about what you can expect each time.) Clean, calm office and helpful, professional techs. I’d recommend them.

    2. I HIGHLY recommend Soheila for electrolysis. Her company is called A Gentle Touch, located in Rockville. She has a website as well. You’ll need a car to get to her place though.

      I had a lot of really coarse hair on my face and it’s entirely gone thanks to her. It was probably one of the best things that I have done for myself.

      She has a ton of really loyal clients and she is extremely professional. She gives free consultations as well.

      Note that electrolysis only works for a small area — ie: upper lip, chin, etc. If you’re looking for hair removal on arms or legs, I wouldn’t recommend it. Also note that electrolysis is the only FDA approved method for hair removal (not laser) and it works regardless of the color of your skin (I think laser does not work as well if you don’t have a large contrast between your skin color and hair color). Good luck!

  10. Quantjockette, I am 5’7″ and a curvy size 8-10, and I love, love, love DVF dresses on mannequins and other people, but there just isn’t enough fabric in them for me.

    1. I am 5’9 and a size 8 with giant obnoxious boobs. Solution to DvF, wear spanx and a cami underneath and all is forgiven!

      1. Maybe its just me, but that always seemed like a lot of work to put in just to pull off a daytime, gettin-my-grocery-shoppin-done-looking dress….

    2. I’m also a size 8 usually, and I find that DVF dresses look great if I size up to a 12. A DVF size 8 =/= a BR size 8, that’s for sure.

  11. Question/Rant –

    I seem to be having a horrible time in the past year keeping my clothes looking new. Almost everything I’ve purchased from Banana Republic/Ann Taylor is already very faded and everything has horrible pilling (I bought a fabric shaver to try to help with this but when they are faded anyway, why bother?)

    I bought 3 cardigans from Old Navy last season ( first items ever purchased there) and ALL THREE bleached in the underarms from my deoderant the FIRST times I wore them. On advice from other Corporettes, I have since ditched my gel deoderant and gotten the solid type that leaves white marks everywhere…

    Sooo…I started buying things from Brooks Brothers, in order to get better quality. I like some of their classic stuff, a lot of their items (at my store anyway) tend to be not my style. But for a button front shirt or a solid sweater, I like. I don’t like the price though, but I am willing to pay extra and get things on sale if they last.

    So, I bought 2 90 dollar BB sweaters in their sale last month. In an attempt to keep them looking good, I treated some tiny cooking splaters with a stain stick and threw them in the washer.

    BOTH sweaters are bleached from the stain stick. W. T. F.

    I am tempted to take them back and complain to the store manager. I don’t use stain sticks often, but I was under the impression they were safe for my clothes.

    Are things just not like they used to be? Am I the only one with clothing issues like this? It seems to only be happening in the past few seasons. I don’t know if it’s the brighter colors that are in, or just overall quality sucks.

    To make matters worse, I am wearing one of the sweaters today and just noticed the streaky fading in the bathroom mirror here at work. You can see the fading from far away, but not up close. Arrgh. I’d go buy a new shirt but I feel like, what’s the point, it’s probably going to look like crap after 2 washes/wears.

    Ok, end of rant. Thanks for reading! Any advice appreciated.

    1. Chicago K, I sympathize. It is so frustrating to shell out for work clothes and then watch them fall apart one way or another, sooner rather than later. No total solutions, and I got NOTHING on the pilling problem (ugh!), but here are some things I can recommend:

      –Don’t trust stain sticks, especially on white clothing. If you use one, rinse quickly thereafter. When you really want to be careful, take it to a drycleaner without messing with it at all.

      –Launder stuff sparingly, gently, and on cold if you can. Hang dry. Dry clean anything sensitive that you really care about.

      –Old Navy: you get what you pay for. (I have some items from there, but I don’t expect any of it to last.)

      –Pay some ridiculous amount–I think I spent $14+–on an all-natural spray deodorant from a health food store. This was the only way that I stopped leaving underarm stains on my clothes, whether from perspiration or from the deodorant itself. Initially I felt silly for spending so much on deodorant, but since I have seen all the clothes I won’t have to replace due to stains, I am a convert. Never wearing drugstore deodorant again.

      1. I hear you about quality going down — I have several supposedly better quality t-shirt type tops (e.g., rebecca beeson, gap) that have gotten holes in them after the first wash. I have never before seen this in my life and am wondering what kind of materials/chemicals they are using that could cause this fabric to be so fragile.

      2. what’s the name of the deodorant? I’ve basically given up on white shirts until I can find something that doesn’t stain.

    2. For drugstore antiperspirant/deodorant, I’ve found that the old-school Secret Solid does not stain my clothes and keeps the sweat at bay:

      http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=231230&catid=48424&fromsrch=secret+deodorant

      I went through many other solids/gels/roll-ons before finding one that didn’t bleach my clothes.

      It is a white solid, so you may end up with white marks on the inside of your shirt armpits, but they have always washed out for me and wouldn’t be visible at work anyway.

      I’ve also noticed the general downward spiral in clothing quality and it is very irritating. I have JCrew basics from 5 years ago that look better than their 6-month old counterparts. As far as business clothes go, I have noticed that the one area where quality doesn’t seem to have suffered is a button-front shirt. I wear one almost every day and they have ALL held up (the same cannot be said for my cashmere tees, sweaters, other styles of shirts). And as an added bonus, I machine wash, tumble dry, quick iron and I’m ready to go – no dry cleaning money necessary!

      1. I don’t buy expensive clothes. Period. I will shell out for amazing shoes or a gorgeous purse (but even these splurges are probably small compared to most of the things posted here). When my shirts are $12 at discount stores, I don’t care if they are polyester and won’t be disappointed if they get stained or fall apart within a year. Besides, most of them are perfectly good quality anyway. I own one blouse that I paid $80 for and it was SO not worth it. I learned my lesson.

      3. to get out the white stuff from deodorant, i use an old pair of hose/nylons. works like a charm

        1. I have found that just rubbing the fabric against itself gets out deodarant marks.

    3. My BF claims that Brooks Brothers will take back any item, for any reason, if you’re dissatisfied with it. I’ve never personally tried it so I can’t vouch for it, but it might be worth it given the price of the sweaters and the fading. In the past, he has gotten Brooks Brothers gift cards for the exchange, and waited until a sale and stocked up on non-iron shirts.

      1. Wow, that is good to know, I might just try that as I would have nothing to lose if they say no. Thanks!

      2. I have absolutely taken back clothing to stores when I’ve worn it once or twice, laundered it according to the tag instructions, and ended up with something unwearable (shrunken, stained, etc). Many stores will take it back under these circumstances.

      3. Yes, my husband was able to take some BB back because he misread the label. He thought he was buying non-iron, brought it home and washed it, and realized it was iron-needed. It was no questions asked, full credit.

    4. Thank you Ladies!

      Great tips surrounded by lawyers – I do wash on cold, hang dry everything, dry clean when specified and try to wear cardigans (over things) for about a month before I wash them. Good point about the deodorant. I actually splurged on a $23 natural deoderant from Sephora last year. Maybe I’ll go back to that one. I think they are healthier than the aluminum based ones anyway, I juse don’t like to look like I am sweating!

      kcaco – You are right about J Crew, I haven’t been buying from them too much lately, but about 6-7 years ago I bought almost everything there. I was just thinking the other day that my J Crew linen shirts from 2003 look better than my stuff from Ann Taylor 2009. I have switched over to the secret solid from the gel type, and it doesn’t seem to have the bleaching effect of the gel so I’ll see.

      1. Try Tom’s natural deodorant, available at drugstore. Worked for me for about 2 years on days I wasn’t working out/doing excessive physical activity. For some reason it stopped working after that, but for the 2 years it was great.

        I don’t have sweat stain problems, so don’t really know if it will help, but it might…

    5. So sorry about the streaks!

      Some things to think about – What are the settings on your washer? What are the instructions on the sweaters and other things you have been putting in the washer? I would start there and see if you are washing things on too high of a setting (try a gentler cycle) or in too hot water, or maybe your washer is an older one which is harder on clothes? And also beware of the stain stick – it may be too industrial of a product to use on delicate fabrics.

      I do wash my BR luxe tees and then stretch them out before drying on the drying rack. But for work sweaters and other work clothes, I try not to wash them at all for a while, and then dry clean. If I wash sweaters I wash them on cold/cold in the delicate cycle and only use a tiny bit of detergent, then stretch by hand to the desired shape and dry flat.

      I would definitely take them back and complain, though, it can’t hurt!

      1. ^^Second the check on your washer settings. My sweaters didn’t stop piling until I came home and started using my mom’s oggie-delux side-load washer. It’s kinda silly to go buy a new washer JUST to save your clothes, but when you’re in the market for one again, it does make a difference.

        In my old, top-load washer, I noticed that my clothes looked better if I filled the washer with as much as I could without overloading it. This seemed to help keep the more delicate fabrics in one piece in my washer that didn’t have a gentle cycle.

      2. On the washer note, several years ago I noticed that a lot of my clothes seemed to be getting streaky faded spots for some reason. Our washer was pretty much shot (it was a hand me down from hubby’s parents), and, when we got a new one, the problem stopped. I still have no idea what about the washer was doing it, but it seems like it was something.

        BTW, I’ve taken to washing almost all of my less than super-tough clothing on the “handwash” cycle of my washer, even if it says to wash normally (basically everything other than jeans, work-out type clothes, and things that are too old to really care about) with Woolite. I figure, I’m doing some things in that cycle, so it’s not much of an extra expense/trouble to do the rest. Those clothes get rack dried, too (things that are prone to wrinkling get dried for 5-10 minutes, then hung on the rack.)

    6. The only stain stick I can vouch for is the Tide pen. The others I’ve tried (Clorox and CVS brands) left stains on my clothing. The Tide pen on the other hand, is magic, even on silk. However, I would not throw these shirts in the wash unless it’s delicate with woolite and not much else. And definitely no heated drying unless and until you’ve figured out the stain is gone.

      Something else to try especially on white shirts (more dangerous with colors): soaking a few minutes with Oxyclean. I love that stuff. Use it for everything.

      1. Just realized these are SWEATERS … I thought they were shirts. I never put sweaters in the washing machine. I either send them to the dry cleaners (rarely) or handwash them with Woolite and put to dry on a towel.

      2. Agree with the Woolite suggestion for delicate fabrics.

        Is this a hard or soft water problem? I am lucky to live in a city with neither, but I’ve noticed that clothes fall apart/fade/react with detergent much more quickly when I lived in cities with hard water.

        1. Hmmm…this is a good point. I believe I do live in a hard water town, and I was living out of state until about 2 years ago, around the time my clothes started falling apart!

          1. I think they have hard water detergents. Look around online. It may help (though quality is def on a downhill trajectory everywhere so . . . . I feel your pain).

    7. I second the recommendation of Oxyclean. I use it on everything and I’ve never had a problem with anything. Also, Shout advance spray is my go-to remedy for tough stains (I have two kids ages 1 and 4, so I know stains). I’ve never had it turn anything and I’ve used it on some delicate items.
      Secret solid will stain things on occassion, but only rarely.

      Finally, I get better results washing things on cold and using gentle cycles. Don’t overdry your clothes.

      I hear you on the lesser quality of things. Everywhere that I used to shop has gone down a notch.

  12. Does anyone have advice on getting through an awkward stage while growing your hair out? I have very short hair (a pixie cut), and I’m really bored with it, so I’m thinking of growing it out. The hat discussion seems rather timely but, unfortunately, I’m not sure I could pull that off at work.

    1. Bobby pins and handbands are your friends. I keep a whole container of bobby pins in my desk drawer for the awkward stage (which I just made it thru – thank gawd!). When you’re growing out, hair that looks fine at home just doesn’t any more once you’ve been at the office a few hours.

      Also, take heart in the fact that if you keep your hair trimmed frequently while growing out, no one else will think it’s awkward or in-between but you.

      1. Bobby pins and handbands are your friends. I keep a whole container of bobby pins in my desk drawer for the awkward stage (which I just made it thru – thank gawd!). When you’re growing out, hair that looks fine at home just doesn’t any more once you’ve been at the office a few hours.

        Also, take heart in the fact that if you keep your hair trimmed frequently while growing out, no one else will think it’s awkward or in-between but you.

        1. I do have a goal! I want a cut that’s right around chin-length.

          I have tried to grow it a few times, but it’s so frizzy. A couple of my friends got Brazilian blow outs, so now I think I’m going to grow it just a little and then get one of those.

          Thanks for the suggestions!

          1. Is your hair generally thick, wavy, and/or prone to frizz? Mine is, and I find that it looks just awful anywhere from about chin-length to shoulder-length, whether “growing out” or “purposeful”. Therefore, I either keep it really short like you presumably have now, or wear it longer than shoulder-length (when it is heavy enough to weigh itself down). Just a friendly warning that if your hair is frizzy in the growing-out stage, it may not look good at your goal stage. Have you had chin-length before?

          2. MM — Very thick, very frizzy, and medium wavy. It’s just wavy enough to be wavy, but not wavy enough to be cute. I have had it longer (between chin and shoulder) before and didn’t really like it because of the texture.

            I’m so intrigued by the Brazilian blow out, though. Have you tried that?

          3. Sounds like your hair is just like mine! No, I have not tried the brazilian blowout. I actually like my wave (for now, at least), so I use a lot of mousse to play it up instead.

    2. Did this a couple times. Once you get a few inches, you can start wearing it up in small claw clips. With it wet, take a section about 2-3 inches wide, and twist it back and clip it. Do this all the way around your head until you have a pile on the top back, and then pin down any hair that’s still falling down. Finish with hairspray or spray gel. It’s a fool-proof way to get a coiffed-up look in 90 seconds or less, and cuts out the dry time. Doing it wet keeps it looking a little more “artistic” and a little less “messy.” Works best with naturally curly or wavy hair, but I’ve done it with straight hair for my friends, too.

    3. My hair stylist saved my life while I was growing my hair out. Somehow, she managed to trim it so it held a nice looking shape until the next trim. Growing out the bangs still required the assistance of headbands, bobby pins, and an occasional hair spray fiesta.

      Another thing that helped me was finding the right products. I have curly hair, and the Bumble and Bumble curl creme worked well when combined with a good stiff hair wax that keeps my bangs from falling into my eyes.

  13. I did some fall shopping yesterday and wanted to report in –

    – Limited pants – $40 each (currently all pants/jeans at the Limited are $40), and available in a variety of cuts and lengths. Good quality (albeit washable synthetic derived…which totally works for me ;-) ).
    – Gap Outlet – I bought my first pair of leggings since 1992… I’m excited b/c they’re uber comfortable. They also have good quality chinos/khaki pants for $25.
    – Gap – Tried on the ‘premium pants’ and was sorely disappointed – just not comfortable at all.

    Question – now that I own leggings, what shoes go with them? And if I wear ballet flats, do I wear socks? (Once the thermometer hits 60 or below, I’m all about the warm footwear!)

    1. Boots! If I remember correctly, you’re short (like me), so I’d recommend a heel and probably the same color family as the leggings. But any height–from ankle-type bootie to knee-high–will be smashing. Enjoy fall!

      1. So wowed that you remember I’m short – good point on the same color (glad I went w/ black leggings – easy to pair). Am going on a boot hunt later!

      1. Thanks — It’s amazing how much effort it takes (at least for me) to pull of a “casual” or “simple” outfit! ;-)

    3. I tried on GAP’s Perfect Trouser in the “Curvy” fit, long length the other day, and was almost impressed – the material is a bit thin and they’re not lined (and I’m waiting for them to go on sale before I buy them), but they drape beautifully and do actually work on small waist/big hips. And they were actually long enough (thank goodness!). I’d imagine they’d work just fine in a business casual non-law or smaller law firm.

      1. I ordered the GAP’s Perfect Trouser in the “Curvy” fit-long length-also..unfortunately on me they ran too short. Tall girls over 6 feet beware, there isn’t enough hem to let them out.

      2. …and the material is VERY thin. I could’ve lived without the lining, that’s just me :-).

      3. Gap’s new Curvy Denim Trouser fits perfectly- room in the butt and no gapping at the waist-and is a quality fabric. I had tried on the same size in a different hemline of the same fit before I bought the trousers online, as the trousers weren’t yet available in stores. It’s better than “denim” trousers I had purchased at Loft a few months ago, that were very lightweight and draped awkwardly.

      4. I am a pear, and tried the “Curvy” fit a week or two ago and it really didn’t work for me because the fabric did what the ads said — it skimmed my curves, which made me look like a lightbulb on the bottom half! I got frustrated and gave up. Yesterday, I decided to try some of the other cuts in the hope one might be more wide-leg, and lo and behold, the “Perfect Trouser” actually worked. I had to go up a size (to 14) for them to fit my butt/hips/thighs, so I will need to have the waist taken in, but I really liked the fabric and the drape. I think they will be good daily wear staple black (and charcoal) work pants for me.

        Note to self: Try larger sizes rather than only “curvy” fits everywhere else too . . . .

      5. I just tried on all the new Gap pants yesterday. Loved the modern bootcut, not too excited about the perfect trouser (they were too wide-legged for me). But I am obsessed with the jeans – the perfect bootcut and sexy bootcut were both awesome! And it was Gap Card Tuesday, so everything was 10% off. Plus I bought a cute top there that I have gotten about 10 compliments on today at work. I may have to become a regular Gap shopper!

    4. What about legwarmers? Is that too 80s? (Serious question)

      Maybe the fact that I felt the need to put “serious question” in () answers my question…

      1. I think if you were around the first time that leg warmers were worn, you can’t wear them outside of an actual dance class (and only if your legs are actually cold). If you were too young for them the first time, I think you can get a pass but then you probably aren’t reading this blog . . . .
        (For what it’s worth I secretly own 2 pairs anyway. They make me happy. I wear them at home.)

      3. No legwarmers as of yet, though I’m still waiting for scrunchy socks to come back (though I doubt I would re-hash the wearing-two-different-colored-socks part of my childhood) … but I refuse to wear stirrup pants (I saw a pair yesterday) – I remember them as uncomfortable to have on my feet.

        1. I’ve seen women wear legwarmers to commute in the winter here. I suppose they actually make a lot of sense, if you are wearing a suit skirt or dress to work in -40 degree temps.

          1. That does sound like a good idea, but does it look silly? Of course, when I think leg warmers, I can’t help but think of them as the ones that I had the first time around, mid-80’s, in Barbie-doll pink. (They came with my Barbie “Lookin’ Good, Feelin’ Great Workout, …er, . . . record.)

            I wonder if you could get away with leggings over tights/hose and under a skirt suit for commuting? I live in Tennessee, so I probably should just bear it (it’s not usually below freezing), but I’m a wuss.

          2. i’ve seen this. they were just plain black, and it looked like a good idea. I think H&M had them at one point last year. I wouldn’t wear them for everyday, but for commuting, it seemed like a good idea.

        2. You saw stirrup pants in a store?!?!?!?

          That is one trend that does not need to return.

          But people probably said that about leggings and leg warmers, yet here I am, seriously considering the possibility.

      4. I’ll admit, I have been known to rock a pair of leg warmers with leggings and a chunky cable knit sweater to go to the market on a cold winter day. Although, I am a firm believer that in non-professional settings, anything goes (well, not anything, but you get what I’m saying). I know a lot of people don’t like the look but I do and I think I own it! I think if you’re questioning it you might not be as confident, though, and it might not look “right” on you. Does that make sense?

      5. I bust out the legwarmers on those super-cold days when I have to go to federal or appeals court or I have a hearing in front of a judge that has fits if women wear pants. They keep me toasty from the knees down and (unlike boots) I can pop them into my briefcase after I clear security. I have two pairs, both in basic black.

        I did use them for an 80s theme costume party a few years ago, though!

  14. ChicagoK, I dry-clean almost EVERYTHING, even my “nicer” t-shirts from AT or Banana or J. Crew. I would never throw a sweater in the washer, ever. Between dry-cleanings, I might throw a sweater in the dryer with a wet towel and a Bounce sheet, but dry-cleaning is the only way to preserve clothing, IMHO.

    I occasionally launder a “nice” t-shirt, but I hang it up on a puffy hanger to dry. Anything stained goes straight to the dry cleaner.

    Between my husband’s lawyer clothes and mine, we spend $200/month dry-cleaning clothes. I consider it a cost of working, like child care and gas.

    1. Same here. Our drycleaner loves us so much she buys our children stuffed animals. And I fear we are ruining the environment (not to mention all the paper I use at work; oy!). But there it is.

      1. I am at the cleaner’s weekly … in Texas, the chain Men’s Wearhouse (men’s suits and so forth) has launched a dry cleaners. Clever guys. Anyway, they take very good care of clothes, give you a cardboard holder for the return of hangers, and use eco-friendly chemicals/processes. It’s slightly more than mom and pop places here, which tend to produce men’s shirts which smell of other people’s smells. I spend <$10 on 5 shirts per week for my husband. Yes, more for my jackets, thin sweaters etc., but they have a coupon special now of 25% off 5+ dry cleaning items…and have coupons in the fall/winter months for sweater deals. For some people, MW cleaners is even better as they have no-charge pick up and deliver. But NOT to office buildings :( I wouldn' t leave my clothes outside anyway.

    2. My family spends that much on dry cleaning (and shirt washing for my husband) every month, and I just chalk it up to being a 2 professional family too.

      Also, ChicagoK, ever since I had a child, I change my clothes as soon as I get home. Like, walk in the door, through the living room to the bedroom to put on my grubbies. I have noticed that my work clothes stay cleaner, and my other clothes that wear like iron (mainly a variety of Lands End layerable t-shirts in a variety of styles and lengths) just get tossed in the wash.

      1. Great point. I am generally straight into yoga pants when I get home (who wants to sit around in a suit skirt longer than they have to?) but for some reason wasn’t in this situation. I’ve heard those Land’s End shirts mentioned on there before, I need to get myself some!

    3. WOW. That’s more than my (lawyer) significant other and I spend on dry cleaning + laundering + clothes + accessories in a typical month. I know we’ve have these conversations before, but wow, I never cease to be amazed.

    4. Thanks for the reply Housecounsel. I would never think to take Tshirts and the like to the drycleaners, but the sweaters I suppose I should have (even though it says handwash cold on the label). We probably spend $40 a month at the cleaners, although we seem to have exceptionally affordable cleaners around here (I think they do the cleaning onsite instead of having to send it out?) because I used to spend $20 a week in a smaller city for my clothes and the S/Os shirt laundering.

  15. I tried this dress in grey at Bloomingdales last week. Very cute but too short for me at 5’8. Sadness.

  16. Just wondering if any non-curvy readers have recommendations for trouser jeans? Or for that matter, any jeans – bootcut or straight – w/o a low rise? I’ve got relatively narrow hips compared to my waist, to put a positive spin on my proportions, and a pretty flat butt – in other words, Theory pants give me the best fit I’ve found. Seems like every brand I’ve tried on gives me grandpa butt even when it’s too tight in the waist.

    1. Second AD’s request for advice. I only wish I had a recommendation myself! I’m in the same boat and never find anything that fits me right. I always end up buying to fit my hips/butt and then have it pinch uncomfortably in the waist. (Yes, that means the dreaded muffin-top unless I add Spanx or other control wear.) I worry that buying to fit my waist and having the hips/butt altered may result in weird proportions with pockets. I remember a few years ago having a pair of Mavi jeans (not trouser though) that fit like a dream, but I don’t remember the cut.

      1. Have you tried J Brand? I have a pair and they don’t quite fit my rather large behind – they seem cut for fairly straight figures. So they might work great for you.

  17. I went shopping at Nordstorm Rack a few days ago for the first time. Could someone explain their return policy to me? They don’t take back designer goods … but isn’t that the majority of their stuff?

    1. I brought a dress there last year that said they took back anything within 60 days. Unfortunately, I was out of town a lot and didn’t make it in time for even that. I am not aware of the designer goods limitation – is that on the receipt?

      1. Just the super high end designer stuff-they usually only have 1-2 rounders of designer stuff and it will say on that display that it’s not returnable. The rest of the stuff is subject to a 30 day return period, I believe (not nearly as fantastic as the regular store’s policy).

  18. General, off-topic: Thanks to all for this site, comments and threads. As I am the only female in my fed gov office, surrounded by 50-something guys, it is a nice break for “conversation” w/the girls. Please keep it up (until I find a better fitting work situation…:) ) !

  19. Can’t remember whether I posted this before but since ot might bw helpful I’ll repost. If you have slightly wide feet like me I highly recommend investing on a wooden shoe stretcher plus a stretch spray. I got both from my cobbler for about $35 and have slowly been stretching all of my shoes (at the rate of one a day, sometimes they need more time). This has made the shoes go from unbearable to wearable, or in some cases, to downright comfy! I’ve only tried it with leather shoes but it has worked with two real patent leather shoes as well. Hope that helps someone!

  20. Threadjack on a dress question… I am lucky enough to have the chance to go to the Toronto International Film Festival next week. My husband and I both work in the arts, but on the more business side of things. I’m trying to figure out what to wear to the openings and a few parties- I think cocktail attire is probably good for the party, but movie theaters are cold and I’m not exactly going to be walking the red carpet.

    I found this dress, and actually liked it even though I thought the front knot would do all the wrong things, but maybe it’s too dark for early September?

    http://bit.ly/95vVPd

    Anyone from the film industry or Toronto who could offer advice? Actually, any advice at all would be appreciated. It seems like I could kind of go the funky route (skinny jeans and tuxedo blazer) or more dressy.

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