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Updated: Dec 27, 2018 56 Comments · by

What to Wear to Work: Our Favorite Workwear Recommendations from 2017

The Personal Shopper (TPS) | ·

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what to wear to work in 2017Every weekday here at Corporette®, I offer one suggestion for an item that I would wear to work. Sometimes readers love the item, and wow do you guys hate it sometimes. Sometimes *I* love it, sometimes it was just the best I could find given the restraints (for those who haven’t noticed, Monday and Tuesday tend to be pricier items, Wednesday is in the $100-$150 price range, Thursday is in the $50-$100 price range, and Friday is in the “under $50” range.) Still, as the end of the year approaches I thought I’d look back over the past year and choose my personal favorites from the things I recommended… each picture is from one month, starting with January in the upper left-hand corner. Please note that anything marked with an asterisk is still available! (Oh: and please feel free to use this post as an open thread today!) What were your favorite things you bought to wear to work in 2017, ladies? Did we include your favorites from our recommendations for what to wear to work in today's roundup?what to wear to work in 2017 - favorite work outfit recommendations If you’re curious, here are links to the similar roundups from 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2010.

Pictured below: January / February* / March*

what to wear to work 2017: favorite recommendations from Corporette - Frame, MM LaFleur, Shabby Apple

Below: April* / May / June

what to wear to work 2017: favorite recommendations from Corporette - Dana Buchman, Rebecca Taylor, Elie Tahari

Below: July* / August* / September* 

what to wear to work 2017: favorite recommendations from Corporette - Black Halo, Red Fleece, Boden

Below: October* / November* / December*

what to wear to work 2017: favorite recommendations from Corporette - Lands' End, Helene Birman, Mango Looking for one handy Pin? Here you go — please feel free to share! What to wear to work 2017: Favorite recommendations from Kat at Corporette! These dresses, blouses and blazers all make for great building blocks for your work wardrobe -- there are so many awesome work outfit ideas with them.

Sales of note for 9.30.24

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

About Kat

Kat Griffin is the founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Corporette. You can read more about her here.

Comments

  1. Anonymous

    I am usually a Markle fashion fan, but OMG that rotten mushroom hat. No, just no!

    • Ms B

      Eh, give her a break. She probably is not used to wearing or choosing hats and it is going to take her a while to figure out what is the most flatter for her.

      Loved the purse though!!

    • Ms B

      Eh, give her a break. She probably is not used to wearing or choosing hats and it is going to take her a while to figure out what is the most flattering for her.

      Loved the purse though!!

    • TheElms

      I actually liked it. I thought the architectural-ness of it was interesting. I see why someone suggested that brown, but it was an unfortunate color. Maybe in a reddish brown it would have worked.

    • Laura B

      I liked it, but I wish it would have been navy and the whole outfit would’ve been in the navy color scheme instead of brown so it didn’t clash with Harry’s coat.

      • Marie

        I liked it, too. I’m sure the color choice was so that she didn’t clash with or outshine any of the other women in the royal family.

    • Anonymous

      Ha! It was horrible, as was the bag. The boots were fab though, as was the coat, although it seemed slightly too large.

    • givemyregards

      I use feedly and generally like it – although I wouldn’t say it’s perfect. I only use it for relatively smaller blogs though (or larger blogs that only post 1-2x a day, like cup of jo) – if I had a ton of stuff running through it, I might like it a little less.

  3. Anonymous

    Convince me to upgrade my pajamas? I live alone and tend to just wear old tshirts and bottoms, some I’ve had for almost 10 years. I have anxiety and am looking to upgrade my sleep routine/ take sleep more seriously. Do nicer pajamas actually make a difference? I’m not talking crazy expensive – probably gap body or something around that price point.

    • Anonymous

      Yes! There’s something so luxurious about doing something entirely for yourself, that no one else will see or know about. PJs and massages are on that list.

    • givemyregards

      I think this depends on how you personally are affected by the clothes you’re wearing at other times. I do like wearing nice pajamas sometimes, but it doesn’t have an impact on my sleep routine. But I am also not one of those people who has to get dressed in normal clothes in order to be productive when I work from home – my clothes have pretty much no impact on how I’m feeling unless they’re physically uncomfortable.

    • Monday

      Yes! When you’re working on sleeping better, it really helps to consider your bedding and sleepwear. What is going to build positive associations with going to bed/sleeping? How warm or cool do you like to be? Does it bother you if fabric bunches up as you move around? Do you sweat a lot? Do you feel more comfortable sleeping with or without some type of bra?

    • sleepware wardrobe

      I heard Ariana Huffington (who is big on the importance of sleep) suggest having specific items for sleeping and not using them for anything else. I took that to mean your choice of tees, pjs, nightgown, or whatever. The point is that when you change into them, they trigger your brain to prepare for sleep. I tend to like tees too, but especially since I heard this advice, I have been careful to have certain tees only for sleep/night relaxing, and other tees for workouts and other purposes. I do think it makes a difference for me.

      More directly to your point, I believe Huffington also suggested using luxurious sleepwear, so if you like her advice on the first point, you can use her to motivate yourself into the second point.

    • Susan

      Try Winter Silks end of year sale. Who cares if they improve your sleep, washable silks feel yummy

  4. Anonymous

    They make a big difference to me. I have a whole evening routine of washing my face, moisturizing, etc. and it’s very relaxing. I don’t spend a lot either but I really like matching sets.

    • Anonymous

      gorgeous coat. How does Aritizia fit? Debating between the S and M – I’m 5’4 and 133 lbs.

      • Anokha

        I think it depends on the coat — I just bought the Cocoon coat, which runs large. (I’m a XS in the Cocoon, but a S in all their other coats.)

    • tz

      Can you tell me more about the MMLF VIP Sale? Do you have to be on their list etc?

      P.s. I see the Soho skirt is on marked on the VIP sale
      (Can be found on the bottom of the page for the Fey Top (listed above as the February favorite) under “pair with” section)

  6. Anon

    I have a large chest and broad shoulders and I stay as far away as possible from crew necks because they look awful on me. Would turtlenecks be the same?

    • Susan

      Unfortunately yes – I have a similar build and tend to look best in wide necklines – boat neck, ballet neck, V or scoop necks that aren’t cut too low. If you really want to wear a turtleneck I’d suggest layering under a top like that, should work. Also suggest trying scarves – you can wrap like a turtleneck but then drape. Good luck!

  7. Anon1

    Any recommendations for legal recruiters good for T&E/Private Client attorneys in the Boston area? I’ve had some approach me but find it difficult to judge/don’t know much about them. Looking for BigLaw or boutique in or around Boston.

    TIA!

  8. Anon

    Ladies who are or have been on antidepressants – how did you first start taking them? Do you feel that your doctor (and which doctor) thoroughly evaluated you before suggesting? How much of a difference did they make in your day-to-day life?
    I had my first child about 2 years ago and at the time (a couple weeks after birth) it was suggested that I may have PPD. I scoffed because I felt I had every right to be unhappy – just had a baby, no family near by, in a new city with no friends, hospital did not let me sleep by offering zero help with night-long screaming baby, husband refused to put dog in care and was useless during hospital stay because of going back and forth taking care of the dog, and of course things got even worse when we came home with baby. Like, cmon, should I really be upbeat right now? However, the GP suggested it again during last visit when I feel like my family life has stabilized and is as good as it’s probably ever going to get. I don’t feel terribly happy but not particularly unhappy. Just realizing that I probably will never (or at least for many years to come) get to do things on my schedule or exercise as much as I want to or read as many books as I want to. Is that really depression? I am genuinely asking here.

    • Anonymous

      Yes, you sound depressed. I was in a similar situation when I had a baby – no friends locally, family came to visit eventually but not immediately, hospital had a “rooming in” policy where babies sleep in the parents’ rooms from the very beginning – and I was euphoric. To me the joy from the baby vastly outweighed all those minor difficulties/annoyances. I was exhausted, yes, and taking the baby home and being solely responsible for her was a little scary and overwhelming, but I never felt “unhappy.” What you are describing definitely sounds like PPD to me.

    • Anonymous

      I don’t know the answer to your question but it might be worth talking through with a therapist even if just a few visits (1-5 perhaps). I was hesitant to start medication for many years and had a few talks with my therapist that helped clarify if I wanted and how we thought it could help. Then a psychiatrist can be probably more helpful than a GP to prescribe. I suggest a therapist first because they will spend a lot more time talking this out with you. But if you’re short on time I would st least see a psychiatrist and ask their opinion.

    • Ellen

      When my freind Lorri was depressed, she took Lexapro for 6 months and then she got over it with the help of her therepist. She also met a guy who respected her and then was abel to get engaged to him. She still has NOT gotten married but she is much better off then she was.

      Right now, I am hopeing that I too will find a guy to marry me. I will then quit my job and stay home all day with our children.

    • Curious

      Did they give you the little screening with “How often in the past 2 weeks have you…” (felt irritable, had trouble sleeping, felt uninterested in things, felt down or sad, etc.)?

      When I went on antidepressants, I had a score on that that was “moderate” depression, and I was highly functional (working, dating, studying, working out more or less). But things were hard and I just didn’t like anything. The doctor looked at me and said “you’re doing great, but it just doesn’t have to feel hard like this.” So I went for it.

      The first 2 weeks on citalopram were really hard (trouble sleeping, worse anxiety than usual, etc), but wow — once it kicked in, I was so much better. Things just didn’t bug me or get me down and I started feeling joy at odd moments like a walk to work or a lunch on my own. I was scared to do it, but I’m so glad I took the leap. Now (after ~10 mos of citalopram and ~6 mos of therapy) I am both meds and therapy free, and still happy!

      • Anon - OP

        OK, that’s very interesting. Yes, exactly, it was the questionnaire. I’m scoring borderline so they keep making a note to give it to me at each visit. Yes, exactly as you said, I am highly functional, that is I am not failing to perform any aspects of my life (at work – promoted twice recently, so fine, motherhood is fine – always finding fun things to do with my daughter, as housekeeper – I (resentfully) get everything done but I’ve always hated chores, as wife – likely need to do better but feeling generally burnt out from three prior activities in being inventive on that front – which it seems is not uncommon with young kids). Yes, everything feels kind of hard and any deviation from the norm feels unwelcome. Like the holidays are a PITA: I am struggling to have polite conversations about nothing and would rather zone with a book (but I have always felt this way, just used to make a bigger effort).

        How did you find a therapist?

        • Ck

          Why such a big deal to try the med?

          You can always stop it. And it might make an INCREDIBLE difference in your life. Your doctor’s job and expertise is to determine you are a good candidate. Why are you fighting this so much?

          Life doesn’t need to be so hard.

          Medicine can be your bridge. Go for it.

          Talk to your doctor about finding a therapist. That is the best place to start. The best is start the MED and add therapy. It can take awhile to find a doctor, get an appointment, see an effect.

          • Anon1

            I can definitely understand fighting and not wanting to take medicine. I do the same. However, I’ve seen untreated PPD ruin families (long time down the road, not trying to scare you), so if there’s even a chance, I’d see a therapist and work on it. Worst case, really, is a waste of time and some money but you know you’re fine – and took the shot to see if you needed help, which could potentially be a huge benefit long term.

        • Anonymous

          I’m similar to Curious. I spent three years (1) denying my depression because I was highly functional and I thought it wasn’t that bad. I experienced a general lack of enjoyment for anything and, if something scratched my emotional surface, sadness. My doc thought I might have disthymia (mild chronic depression). Citalopram made a world of difference. After I started taking it (really only a weekend of adjustment to it), I felt like my old self again.

          I tried therapy twice, using recommendations from friends. The first time I didn’t click with the therapist, but the second time was great. Honestly, it probably helped me to know that my friend liked the therapist–it helped me create a rapport with her more quickly.

    • Sam

      The PPD part sounds like normal post-baby life. Two years on, it doesn’t sound normal to be sad so much.
      I was exactly the same as you in the hospital – desperately tired, in pain, screaming baby in the room, and no there was no euphoria just tears. I got home from the hospital and was crying. Just the strain of getting out of hospital and putting the baby in carseat and getting baby home seemed undoable, even with DH’s help.

      But. Six months on I felt way better. One year on my baby was sleeping through the night. And two years down I was actually enjoying life. If you are not then yes I’d suggest trying something different.

  9. Godzilla

    I have finally come to terms with paying full price for things. Because of my unique body shape (sigh, that tail), my size cannot be accommodated by sale prices. The end.

    So, any recommendations on cute high waisted p@nties with a vintage look? Points for looking super cute and minimal polyester. Obvs, I’m trying to accommodate a stomach and a booty (+tail) over here. I want to get a gazillion pairs so I don’t want to spend bank but maybe I will.

    • Anonymous

      I love soma vanishing edge. I’m not sure they meet the minimal polyester content requirement, but they come in lots of styles and some I just ordered might meet your requirement for high waisted and vintage looking. I’ve now converted all of my underwear to soma vanishing edge because they don’t move around. They are pricey , but always seem to be on sale if you buy multiples.

    • EM84

      I buy Gap’s basic cotton bikini panties (as these are tha last 100% cotton panties I have found) – 20 pairs in black and 20 in white. They also have similar high-waist style. Both are basic, so may not be exactly what you are looking for.

    • Anon

      I like the Hanky Panky ‘Retro Vikini’ briefs. High waist and good coverage.

  10. Fbook tech question

    Anyone know if it’s possible to reverse-unfollow? As in, make it so *my* updates don’t show up on *their* feed? I know if I “unfollow” someone I won’t see their updates, and I know I could do a post visible to “all friends but X” but neither of those is what I want. I am trying to keep myself from being top-of-mind of this person.

    • Anonymous

      Not that I know of. If you don’t want someone seeing your content, posting to “all friends but X” is really the only way to do it.

    • Anonymous

      Nope, you can just control who sees your posts. Not sure why you don’t want to do that, it sounds exactly like what you’re looking for.

    • Scarlett

      Pretty sure you can block them from getting updates. I know I’ve done this, but it’s been a while – just play around

  11. Sloan Sabbith

    Probably too late….
    Does anyone have any good tips for dealing with grandparents with Alzheimer’s? It creates so much stress for everyone and I miss my grandma. She’s still here. But I miss her. And she’s so irritable. She just told my mom and I we are all “so mean” to her and that she wishes she was dead so we didn’t have to live with her.

    • Ck

      Sorry to hear about your grandmother.

      Some good tips….

      You go to their world. Don’t correct them, disagree, remind, “test” them… Let their reality be ok. It is really hard to do this initially, but this is critical. It decreases their anxiety tremendously.

      Make sure they have a neurologist that specializes in Alzheimer’s disease, and that the doctor is treating her depression. This is very common with Alzheimer’s. Irritability is the sister of depression.

      Learn the art of distraction. In some ways, the memory problem means that while she is upset one minute, she may be smiling the next when the moment passes. You need to learn how to re-direct.

      Go to the Alzheimer’s association website, find the support group in your area and go. Strongly recommend your mother and whomever is caregiving for your grandmother go. There you will live many skills to help deal with the stress, and improve your caregiving.

      You will always miss her. Just try to grab those moments where you see her. HER. They are still there.

      Music is your friend. Old music from when she was young…. Play it regularly. old TV shows. Digital picture frames filled with old pictures are wonderful.

      • Anon1

        I was going to post a response, but you really hit most of my points here. Also, it’s perfectly normal and okay to morn the loss of your grandmother from before – that’s not the same person who is before you now. You still care for and love but let yourself grieve your loss as well. Also realize part of her reactions are her trying to deal with the same. Emphasis on the redirect, as this is often the most effective method, and on not arguing/on going with what they say. Sometimes it’s funny, sometimes it’s nonsensical, sometimes it’s awful, but honestly, going with it is the best thing for them.

      • mascot

        Agree with the above comments. Also, we found that this middle place in the disease progression was awful. The person has some lingering awareness of what’s happening and it’s hard for everyone to process. Once we got past that stage, the mood swings and anger lessened significantly.

      • tz

        (No personal experience with Alzheimer’s disease)

        I heard a beautiful podcast about living in the patient’s world. The host made some wonderful new memories by exploring his mother’s world with her instead of correcting her. Sometimes they turned it into silly stories or adventures and it alleviated everyone’s anxiety.

        Unfortunately, I don’t remember which podcast it was specifically

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