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Sales of note for 9.16.24
- Nordstrom – Summer Sale, save up to 60%
- Ann Taylor – Extra 30% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – 15% off new styles
- Eloquii – Extra 50% off sale
- J.Crew – 30% off wear-now styles
- J.Crew Factory – (ends 9/16 PM): 40% off everything + extra 70% off sale with code
- Lo & Sons – Warehouse sale, up to 70% off
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – Extra 25% off all tops + markdowns
- Target – Car-seat trade-in event through 9/28 — bring in an old car seat to get a 20% discount on other baby/toddler stuff.
- White House Black Market – 40% off select styles
Some of our latest posts here at Corporette…
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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…
Anon
I’d like to buy 1-2 casual dresses that can be dressed up with a scarf for my trip to Austria in November. I’d like something that can be worth comfortably during the day (like a T-shirt dress or something), but that would also be appropriate for getting some standing-room tickets at the opera and symphony. I’m a size 12 pear with an increasing stomach size (sigh). I look best in A-line dresses with a defined waist and for some reason, Boden never, ever works on me even though I love the aesthetic. Also, I have a gift card to REI so if any of the outdoor-casual brands come to mind, that would be especially great. TIA!
Anonymous
I’d try some of the brands at Title 9. Also a size 12 pear and a lot of Prana and Toad&Co works for me – but they are better if you are on the short side. I’m 5’8″ and a lot of styles run too short
.
Housecounsel
Agree on Prana. I especially like the Berry dress but also look at Jola, Leigh and Mandoline on the river site. I am 5’6″ and the length of Prana dresses is usually just right.
meara
I am the same size and have found some nice dresses from Royal Robbins (they also have some I don’t like at all) and REI carries some of their things (and sometimes has different inventory than the brand’s website)
Ribena
How about Wool&? I really like their designs.
Ms B
J. Jill. Many A-line and empire waist options.
Old Navy
I LOVE the Old Navy swing dresses for this – they are perfect for travel, and in basic colors, like black or grey or navy, can be dressed up day or night. They don’t wrinkle and come in different sleeve lengths (I think the 3/4 is particularly nice for dressing up). The high neck looks nice with scarves or accent necklaces. You could probably belt it but I don’t.
They are also very forgiving (I typically have a healthy belly, and they do not accentuate it or have too much fabric to make you look overwhelmed, and I’m currently wearing one of these dresses while 9.5 months pregnant, and it still works somehow, even when I’ve outgrown many of my maternity clothes…magic).
I’m not a big Old Navy fan, but this dress feels higher quality than a lot of their stuff, and it’s so cheap that’s it’s worth a try!
Anonymous
I tried Boden tall and that cured the short waist. I like Tahari dresses, they work well for my mature pear shape.
Anonymous
I like Uniqlo’s jersey dresses. Comfy and they often have beautiful colors that can be dressed up with a matching scarf or jacket.
Me vs We
Single for 3 yrs, totally good with it. Then I met someone and now we are 3 dates in and I am all in my head about whether he likes me likes me or just kinda likes me. Sigh. How do I morph from a full grown adult into a Wonder Years character in only 3 dates?!
(Also, this guy is either actually interested or he is someone who is naturally affectionate and it means nothing. Not sure which and feeling like I just have to let it play out to find out. Why is that so difficult to do? Why does being Type A and in control professionally make it so difficult to just let it ride and wait to see in my personal life?)
Anonymous
I am not Type A, but I am long-time single and suddenly in a relationship and trying to figure it all out, seemingly like it is my first time. The one thing I keep telling myself, and which has borne out, is that pushing too early is likely to backfire. And holding back from letting your feelings grow is not going to make his grow. It’s been 3 dates. In reality, he may not be sure yet. (I wasn’t, and my BF wasn’t, but we stuck it out and we are now.) Or he may be trying to figure out the same about you. Or he may be anxious about speaking up too soon. So my best strategy has been to share how I am feeling in real time and not demand a response. At some point it will become clear.
Anon
Aw, yes that’s what the early stages of romance are like! Fwiw, it sounds like he likes you! Some people are naturally affectionate and flirty for sure, but if you’ve gone on three dates and he continues asking you out and wanting to see you, he’s not just looking for someone to flirt with.
Ellen
Yes, take your time. If he is any good, he will go on your schedule. The last thing you want is to be hurt, so do not assume he automatically wants you to have $ex with him right away, and if you don’t he will run. If that is him, fine, let him run, but if/when the time is right, both you (and he) will know when you can take your panties off. Until then, go with the flow, and enjoy it!
Housecounsel
This dress is lovely on my college junior daughter and also on the dozens of high school seniors who wore it to their grad parties this past year. Seriously, it is everywhere, but I have not seen it on an actual professional adult even in casual settings.
anon
I think it’s a nightgown, no?
Anonymous
It’s a nightgown.
Worry about yourself
I like the color and silhouette, but I agree, it’s not something I’d feel comfortable wearing outside my apartment.
Worry about yourself
Derf, I stand corrected, it is actual lingerie! My brain this week . . .
Anon
This whole dialog reminds me of the Friends episode where Rachel tries to surprise Joshua with sexy lingerie and his parents bust in so she plays it off like a dress. “I’m going to report back…USA…not ready…”.
anon
ahahaha, yes, so much this. USA … NOT ready. Scribbled on a notepad.
Anon
Yes! I just went and watched that clip on YouTube, lol.
Ellen
Me neither. It is not for going out in public. It is a nightgown, and one reserved for only men that you are sleepeing with, b/c it is designed to be $exy! The last thing you want is to be lounging in your apartment alone, and then have a building fire alarm go offl forcing you to go out in public wearing only this. This kind of thing seems to happen to me often, so I wear flannel/fleece pajamas which show NOTHING to anyone who thinks they will get a cheap look at my boobies! FOOEY on them!
Anon
Yikes, this is literally lingerie.
Anon
I lost my job today, just as I thought I was going to. This is the second career setback in a year. I feel like a failure and just like giving up. Please tell me it gets better. I thought it was coming, but I am devastated.
Anonymous
Hugs. Be kind to yourself. You are not a failure you are just a low point. Better things are ahead!!
Ellen
Of course. If I had a dollar for every job I lost, I would have at least 6 dollars, and that is not even counting the CIT job I had where I should have left earlier b/c the head counselor was jelous of me. No, OP, things WILL get better!
Remember: If you want any of these, meditate with me, and you WILL get it! Repeat, thinking hard and saying “UMMMMMMMM!”
1) You WILL get a better job!
2) You WILL be happy in your work life!
3) You WILL get a decent boyfriend who will MARRY you!
4) You WILL move into a great home with him and
5) you WILL have children who you will be proud of!
If I’ve left anything off, please feel free to meditate thinking of these! YAY!!
Vicky Austin
It does get better. It’ll get better tonight when you get to go home and have a glass of wine or whatever your treat of choice is, and it’ll get better on Monday when you’re ready to tackle the world again, and it’ll get better when the offers start rolling in and you have your pick. :) Lots of hugs.
pugsnbourbon
I am so sorry. Please be kind to yourself, especially this weekend. It will get better, and please know that several internet strangers are rooting for you.
Coach Laura
It will get better and you can recover.
My advice: Give yourself the weekend to be sad and mourn. On Monday, get dressed and go early to have coffee/tea at a coffee shop and bring a planning notebook or your laptop and write out your plan. Plan to work 4-6 hours a day and plan rewards for achieving them like a desert, a home-cooked treat or a fancy cocktail with a friend after business hours. Contact friends and use LinkedIn. Set a goal of talking to X number of people a day. Commit to work your plan. Read Ask A Manager’s archives for tips. Post here for commiseration. Work out a little bit daily or at least go for a walk or do some stretches to fight tension and stress. See if there is a job-seekers networking group through your local unemployment office. Take weekends off. If you really do feel like giving up, call the Crisis Center in your city.
Anon
I think this is good advice except for the 4-6 hours a day of job-searching. In my experience, that’s way too long and it only led to frustration for me. Aim for 1-3 hours, maybe more if you land on some great opportunity that requires more time, and then unplug the rest of the time. Don’t stay near your email waiting for interview opportunities and don’t refresh the job boards endlessly. I tried to do my searching in the window between 8-10 am with another check once in the afternoon. That helped keep it manageable.
Sorry that you’re dealing with this. Job searching is the literal worst.
Is it Friday yet?
Agreed – personally, there were only so many jobs that appropriately matched my experience, so 4-6 hours per day would have been an exercise in futility. I would sit down for 4-6 hours once or maybe twice a week, find everything appropriate that had been posted since the last time I’d looked, and then send applications. The rest of the time – try not to think about it and enjoy all the free time! I read so many books, rode my horses every day, went to museums/touristed in my home city, started rock climbing – in between job searching and helping care for my terminally ill mother. Point being, OP, you’ll get through this, job searching sucks, so take care of yourself while you’re doing it. Definitely take the weekend (or the next week, if you need it) off. Good luck!
Worry about yourself
Right. Job hunting can take hours a day at first, as you’re updating your resume, crafting cover letter templates, catching up on all the existing job postings out there, and contacting people you know, and researching/cold contacting companies you’d like to work at. Eventually that slows down, and you’re just checking the job boards for new postings each day. Hopefully though, you start spending a good amount of time on phone screens and in-person interviews!
Coach Laura
Yeah, I should have clarified that 4-6 hours isn’t necessary unless the OP needs the structure of an office-type day: Some people do to help them feel more “normal”. As she completes the ramp-up tasks, the hours per day may decrease. And those hours could include researching, resume tweaking and reading Ask A Manager and other job hunting/employment blogs for ideas.
Anon
I found that what worked best was to aim for a certain number of “inputs” per week: ex., 5 job applications a day for at least 4 days, or at least 25 job applications a week. I counted “applications” to include interviews. Keep a spreadsheet: date, company name, job title, application method (LinkedIn, email, etc.), type of “application” (application, first interview, phone screen, etc.), notes.
Inputs eventually mean an output (a job). Focus on the inputs.
Anon
Adding on to this– my definition of inputs also included emails to people asking them to have coffee and thank you notes to those people (which meant I’d met them). I tried to do 5 things a day. I found that if I didn’t include these networking type activities, then I just wouldn’t do them. There also were not 5 jobs a day to apply to in my city when I was applying for jobs.
Anon
Again, be careful with those goals, OP. “5 applications a day” felt freaking impossible to me when it was a stretch to find 2-3 per week that met my interests and qualifications. Just run your own race and you’ll be fine.
Anon
There’s a reason I said “Ex.”
If the OP truly can’t find jobs to apply to, then she should: improve her job search skills, look into moving, and/or improve her skill set and Network. Maybe her “input” would be “took free webinar” or “joined professional org,” but those inputs need to be there.
Anonymous
I’m so sorry. It may not feel like it now, but this is a path to better appreciation elsewhere. The feeling like folks have it out for you is the absolute worst. For me at least, that period of not knowing was career pain: Creativity can’t happen, productivity is sucked down as you worry and navigate trying to figure out success and feeling joy is hard. You’re freed of this now. The next lily pad you jump to holds opportunity to get these career feel-goods all back. Sending good vibes that you find the right fit ahead. In my own experience, I was shocked by just how much happier and energized I became elsewhere. Like people respected my ideas, they wanted me to come up with and lead new projects and I became surrounded by a team that wasn’t just talented but a lot nicer and more ethical. I know you don’t want to hear this now while it’s still so fresh. But I hope you don’t let a bad work experience take you down. This isn’t just the start of a path to a more secure situation but could also be the beginning of getting much happier and feeling much more appreciated in your work life all around. Take some time mourn. But then dust off and look around. Things might be tough right away. But you have potential for “new” again, and that can be a (admittedly hard won) thing that’s far better than where you started.
Anon
This is such good advice and absolutely true. There is a better opportunity out there, personal growth and greater happiness.
ItGetsBetter!
+1,000,000
i had a horrible end to my last position and found my dream job around the corner. my ego still has some old, but healing, bruises – but remember that “fit” is complicated and a termination can be such a blessing in disguise
Anon
Thank you. I am OP, and I was in a really bad place today. Reading this really helped.
Anon
Thinking about you this weekend and hoping you are able to find some peace as you figure out your next moves. I feel confident that this time next year, your life will look totally different and you will look back on this situation as a necessary step toward finding your career happiness.
Irish Midori
This. Losing my job was, in the short term, one of the worst experiences of my life, and in the long term, one of the best. It pushed me out of a job that I knew deep down was a bad fit, but never would have had the courage to leave on my own. There’s better around the corner. Take a sec to catch your breath and mourn, and then find that exciting new opportunity.
Gigi
It will absolutely get better. Hugs.
Anon
I lost my job a few years ago. I woke up every morning feeling a weight on my chest. It hurt for a long time because of the sense of rejection and shame I felt. But now it is a distant memory and I feel less anxiety day to day because my current job is so much better – I am a respected member of the team, and if the worst happens again, I know there is light on the other side. Some organizations and jobs truly suck. They are dysfunctional. Don’t let a bad situation color your whole outlook. Give yourself space to process, spend time with people you love, and know that it WILL get better. Lots of amazing, good, talented people go through this very thing! You will be ok.
White or Cream Blanket?
I often see these blankets sold for cheap when I visit Mexico, though I’m not sure if they’re Mexican or just sold to tourists. Typically they’re striped with different colors. However, I am trying to find one that is white or cream either entirely or as much as possible so I can have it dyed to match something in my home. Does anyone know where to find this or if this even exists?
Anonymous
A quick g00gle search turned up a solid tan option on this website:
https://www.mexicanblankets.com/
Anon
I’m an attorney that will be offering mediation to my practice next year. I’m taking a few local CLEs but my state doesn’t have many topics to train the mediators despite ADR being very popular here. If anyone sees any webinars, online or recorded CLEs for mediators that are not state specific, please let me know!
Anon
New York State Bar Assn does a 2-day Intro to ADR and Mediation program that is insanely cheap (I think it was like ~$200 for 16 hrs of CLE). They do it in NYC twice a year. I did it in 2018 (as a corporate person who needed in-person experiential CLE) and it was great. Not state-specific despite who put it on. Recommend. They also do an advanced ADR one at least once a year that past participants were raving about.
Anon
Thank you!
The original Scarlett
UC Berkeley has an extension course that’s supposed to be good. I would recommend shadowing a mediator if you have a relationship with someone you respect who closes deals – it’s hard to get the experience in the room on the other side of the table, which tends to be critical to understand to do it well unless you’re talking b2b mediation, which would have a similar dynamic.
Diana Barry
I am doing seasonal changeover of my closet and I have a J Crew super 120s navy pantsuit that I don’t wear any more – would anyone want it? Like for cost of shipping plus $5? Size 8 jacket, pants are a size 6. I also have
a BR tweed jacket in navy/white, a bit casual, size 8. You can email me at dianabarry r e t t e at g m a i l if you’re interested!
Abby
I always love seeing you post these because it’s so nice and I wish it was in my size!
The original Scarlett
+1!
Junior Associate
+1!
Interior Design help
I want to hire an interior designer who charges by the hour, not one who gets a commission off the pieces I buy. I ‘m having trouble finding someone; everyone I contact seems shocked by the idea that I want advice not influenced by their possible cut. I also (horror) may buy some pieces used.
Any experience with this? Any one familiar with the world have ideas?
Thx.
PhD Feelings
I have considered a doctorate for some years. I applied to a program, stalked the website for news, and 2 days ago I saw I’d been accepted. So why do I suddenly feel mixed feelings? I haven’t told anyone about this and I don’t know why I am anything other than excited. Even journaling is not cluing me in. I typically love school and expected to be elated to be accepted into a program. What gives and how do I turn this from feeling like this into the excitement I thought I’d be having?
Any stories to commiserate or advice to give would be great!
Anon
Maybe this is your gut telling you that you don’t actually want or need a PhD. That you are more about the chase of applying than the reality of what it means for your life and job. That’s OK.
Anonymous
Well, we don’t know you or your personality or background, so it’s going to be hard for a bunch of internet strangers to tell you why you’re reacting the way you are.
However, it sounds utterly normal and human to have mixed emotions when we’re suddenly ACTUALLY faced with something that is going to change our lives in a big way. Excitement and risk and anxiety are good buddies and hang out together. Just like I always feel anxious butterflies when I’m about ready to give a big speech that I’m excited about. It doesn’t mean something is wrong with me. Or when I get the Big Opportunity and then suddenly start wondering what I’ve done to myself and why I disrupted my comfortable life in this way and why I’m taking this risk. Or when I’m on a long trip to Exciting Place and get a bit worn out with the adventure and just want to take a break and sleep in my own bed for a night or two.
Senior Attorney
Also: Just because you start doesn’t mean you have to finish.
Anonymous
This is true, but it’s often very difficult to remember in the culture academia tends to breed.
Anonymous
Why do you want a PhD? What would your PhD be in? What do you expect to be your professional trajectory after you graduate? Are you fully funded, or are you likely to have to take on debt before you’re done? Do you know what your teaching load would be?
I don’t want to be a downer, but tenure-track career prospects in academia are…not good. If you’re not feeling the excitement you expected, there are some very, very good reasons to sit with that for a minute and interrogate why. Even setting aside the dire career prospects for a lot of PhDs, these programs are not often kind to the people in them. I have a very good friend in an employment-friendly STEM PhD program, who started her program because she loved research and she also had loved her experiences in school so far: she will tell you straight out that her PhD program has almost broken her, and that if she had a do-over she never would have started.
YMMV depending on your field, temperament, and a lot of other factors, obviously. I’m just a lady on the internet and I don’t know you and your truth, but I work on the staff side in higher ed so I have a front row seat to the carnage.
Anon
Agree with all of this, as the spouse of a professor. Finishing the PhD isn’t easy, but it’s about a billion times easier than getting a tenure-track job in academia, especially at a research institution. My husband is one of the very lucky ones who ended up with the kind of job he wanted (TT at a research school). Most of his classmates from his top 5 PhD program weren’t so lucky, and I think a lot of them feel the time, effort and financial sacrifice of the degree was not worth it. (Note that even if you have a full ride for tuition and a stipend, the degree is still a financial sacrifice, especially for those in STEM fields who could easily be earning $100k+ without a PhD and will be lucky to get a $40k/year stipend. And since the degree normally takes 5-8 years, the lost earnings add up.)
I would also think about what options exist for you outside of academia, whether you need a PhD for that job, and whether a PhD will translate to higher pay in that industry. If your PhD is in biology or electrical engineering, you may be able to work in industry and use a lot of what you learned, be paid more than someone with just a master’s degree, and feel like your PhD program wasn’t a waste. But if your PhD is in pure math or literature, it will probably be hard to find a job in industry that lets you use research skills in those fields or rewards your degree financially.
Another anon
Chiming in with one more viewpoint: I’m in the 3rd year of my job as a tenure-track assistant professor in a medical school. I’ve seen every type of PhD student from super happy to despondent, and I’ve been several of those types at different times.
OP hasn’t said that she’s looking for a career in academia or a tenure-track position, so I don’t think we should dissuade her based upon that assumption. She also hasn’t said why she’s interested in a PhD, so it’s hard to give specific advice. Some thoughts:
– Think about what you want from this degree and whether this specific program will provide it. Think about what trade-offs you’ll be willing to make to accomplish this.
– Financial considerations: it sounds like you’re not right out of college, so I agree with the others that it’s worth considering the finances carefully. For a lot of students in the sciences the stipend can cover living expenses and it is meant to be a way for a young person with no dependents and a long career ahead of them to be supported during their degree. Do this if you love it and not because you think there is a lucrative job waiting at the other end.
– While you might not want to be an academic, my feeling is that PhD programs by their nature train people to be highly specialized. Will further specialization help you career or life-wise?
– PhD programs are not like any other school, which is great for some people (me!) and less great for others who have always loved school, then find graduate school to be not what they expected.
But to answer your actual question – what to do to get excited about this? I’d say, go visit the program. Spend time talking to the students and to recent grads. Are they happy? Are they getting what they came for? Are the employment prospects in your field good?
If you are psyched to do this, don’t let the random internet strangers turn you away. It’s going to be hard (it’s meant to be), you’ll learn so much about yourself and about your field, and you’ll be a different person on the other side. I often think that science has brought me most of the best things and most of the worst things in my life. I’ve traveled, made lifelong friends, and had experiences that I never would have had in any other job. I really can’t picture what my life would be like today if I hadn’t gone to grad school. I also know plenty of people who probably shouldn’t have gotten a PhD, but did, then are stuck trying to find a way to use it. They’d have been happier in another career. The biggest thing I’d change if I could would be to have a more portable career: I’d love to be able to say, I want to live in X city, and just go there and have a job! Always jealous of all of you who can do that. Good luck with your decision, OP.
Anon
Shoe recos:
– I bought a pointy toed flat from Amazon essentials and it is great! A fraction of the price of Rothy’s at $20, good fit, no breakin period, looks like leather though it’s synthetic. No arch support but that is not different from Allbirds or Rothys.
– On a similar note I also bought the Clarks Maypearl Milla bootie on recommendations here, much pricier but it looks quite chic with the pointy toe and buckle detail. Seems to just fit without socks, and I hope it will ease up a bit and I can wear it with footed tights.
– Finally, I have been looking at fleece tights and ended up buying that on the river site as well, waiting to receive it and will update on quality and fit!
MagicUnicorn
On the Clarks: is I can wear them barefoot, I find shoes are a tad looser with footed tights. In fact, that’s how I break in shoes that are a hair too snug.
MagicUnicorn
*I find I can wear…
Anonymous
Links?
EM
I am nearly a year in to my government job (GS12) and I love it. Does anyone have recommendations as to how to begin to plan trying for SES? There is no such career path in my branch, so I’ll need to make changes…but I don’t know how. Thanks.
Ellen
Dad told me that GS12 and GS13 are the top staff level jobs and beyond that, you get some more responsibility and accountability. The people in government jobs that are on the hot seat now have GS 14-17 jobs, which are mostly SES. I would think twice, b/c you cannot work 9-5 and the few extra dollars you get may not be worth it if you want life/work balance. But if that is what you want, go for it, but remember that if you do, your boyfriend may not like it. Best of luck to you, Dad says! And happy weekend!!!!! Yay!!!!!
Anonymous
Did you come in to gov with a lot of outside experience? To work up from a GS-12 is a long path to SES’er. Some departments (DOJ comes to mind) have SES development programs you’re eligible as a 13 but realistically more likely to attend as a 14 or a 15.
Making the jump from a 13 into 14 will be hard as you transition to management, so I’d focus on that first while researching those pipeline programs and the agencies that offer them.
EM
I come with 15 years in the private sector. My predecessor was actually a 13, but our director separated the job into 2 new ones. The supervisory tasks went to the new 13, and the actual work went to the 12 (me.) The newly-hired 13 has no idea how to actually do my job, but she is very good at managing workload and organizing the necessary training requirements set by HR.
Anonymous
There will be some sort of leadership programs in your branch; in DoD, we have ELDP, Executive Leadership Development Program. In addition, the Army has a Mentor Program that matches you with a GS-14 or 15 who will help guide you, the Air Force has Career Field Development Teams that plot out your career paths.
So the programs are probably out there, just need to find them. But, please know, any brand new GS-12 that is already asking how to get to SES is going to be off putting. Recommend just becoming great at your job and leadership (higher grade) opportunities will naturally come your way.
EM
I was looking for the Mentor Program but couldn’t find one on our installation. My question largely stems from the fact that on our installation and in the Garrison, there ARE no SES’s. So there is little-to-no advancement opportunities here. I am trying to figure out how to manage my career within this framework. I am willing to move.
MagicUnicorn
Today was my last day at my much-love job of many years (I am leaving for a huge promotion at another firm) and I am having so many feelings. It’s the right decision. No question here, just, gah. Feelings.
MagicUnicorn
Autocorrect is not my friend today.
Anonymous
Hugs. And congrats on the promotion!
MagicUnicorn
Thank you!
Anonymous
Looking for thoughts from likeminded ladies. I’m in the market for a high quality classic purse. I’m considering designer (specifically I really like the Chanel classic flap bag). Assuming cost isn’t a concern, the issues I’m weighing are: is it tacky to have an obviously designer bag? I have always thought logos are tacky, and I don’t want people who know how much a Chanel costs to judge me. However, I haven’t seen another bag that compares. Thoughts?
Kp
Christine Lagarde often carries Hermes Bolide or Birkin. Chanel flap is similarly quality beyond fashion IMO.
Eliza
First, Christine Lagarde occupies space few women do.
Second, obvious logos are tacky.
midtown anon
Get what you want! I wanted the flap for years, and now I’m lusting after a Kelly…
DC
What would you wear to a military graduation? East coast, mid November, outdoors, business casual. The graduate will be in a green camouflage uniform.
I’m leaning toward cream/ivory top and black pants. Meh?
I’ve checked Pinterest and Instagram hashtags and I’m not finding much inspiration.
nuqotw
Cream top / black pants sounds like it’s probably fine. I’m assuming you are not active duty yourself; if so you presumably would have a prescribed uniform.
What kind of military graduation? I teach at a service academy and guests attending graduation wear pretty much the same thing as they would wear to any other graduation.
DC
OCS :)
Velma
East Coast mid-November means you will be wearing a coat. I’d focus on that–maybe a wool coat, if you have one, and a nice pair of leather gloves?
DC
That sounds lovely! I didn’t think about how different the weather will be. It’s going to be 90 this week where I am, so coats aren’t on my mind yet.
Anonymous
Graduations like basic training last about an hour, hopefully yours is shorter since it’s November on the East Coast. (Outside? Yikes, unless this is like Fort Jackson or Fort Benning East Coast?) So footwear is key; a “nice” shoe is going to very cold very fast on bleachers or pavement. Either use a foot warmer/hot hands in your boots or something with a lug sole that will help keep your feet warm. And a scarf.
You will see all sorts of things at this graduation. Clotheswise, and otherwise. But I would recommend nicer than jeans but not a suit. Somewhere in between.
T
It’s going to absolutely run the gamut in terms of attire, but your proposed outfit sounds fine. I typically wore my normal business casual to military events – work appropriate dress plus cardigan or blazer. Bring a jacket and wear reasonable shoes. Make sure you have ID.
Anonymous
Looking for black pants recs for work. I am size 14-16, and as I’m losing weight I am finding my trusty plus sizes don’t fit well anymore. I do still have a belly, but would love to try for something tailored/straight. Machine washable is preferred. My go to used to be Ann Taylor but the fits now don’t work for me.