Suit of the Week: White House Black Market
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For busy working women, the suit is often the easiest outfit to throw on in the morning. In general, this feature is not about interview suits for women, which should be as classic and basic as you get — instead, this feature is about the slightly different suit that is fashionable, yet professional. Also: we just updated our big roundup for the best women's suits!
What is your favorite shade for pink workwear, if you have one? I do love the pink on this hot pink suit from White House Black Market.
Maybe this is a better conversation for a separate post — but I'm curious if people have opinions between pale bubblegum pink, dusty coral pink, or the hotter fuchsia pinks like this one. I think they all can be great, although I'd guess the dustier pinks are the easiest to wear if you don't want a lot of attention.
The hot pink here does look great if you want to stand out, though — and I think you'd get a lot of use from both pieces, especially as colored pants are coming back in style. White House Black Market also has a ton of matching pieces if you like the monotone look — I particularly like this pretty shell.
The suiting pieces are $84-$165, including a sheath dress, slim ankle pants, high-rise bootcut pants, and more. Pieces are available in sizes 00-14 in regular, some petites, and the pants have different length options including short, regular and long.
As of 2026, some of our latest favorite pink suits for women include saturated pinks from Boden, White House Black Market, and Eloquii, as well as pale pinks from Ann Taylor, Argent, and Tahari (plus).
Sales of note for 4/17:
- Nordstrom – Beauty savings event, up to 25% off – nice price on Black Honey
- Ann Taylor – Cyber Spring! 50% off everything + free shipping
- Boden – 25% off everything (thru Sun, then 15% off)
- Brooklinen – 25% off sitewide — we have and love these sateen sheets
- Evereve – 1000+ items on sale, including lots from Alex Mill, Michael Stars, Sanctuary, Rails, Xirena, and Z-Supply
- Express – $29 dresses
- J.Crew – 30% off all dresses
- J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything, and extra 50% off clearance
- Lands' End – 50% off full price styles and 60% off all clearance and sale – lots of ponte dresses come down under $25, and this packable raincoat in gingham is too cute
- Loft – Friends & Family event, 50% off entire purchase + free shipping
- Macy's – 25% off already reduced prices + 15% off beauty & fragrance
- M.M.LaFleur – Spring Sale Event – Buy More, save more! 10% off $250+, 15% off $500+, 20% off $750+, 25% off $1000+ (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off if you find any exclusions.)
- Sephora – Spring sale! 20%, 15%, or 10% off depending on your membership tier; ends 4/20. Here's everything I recommend in the sale!
- Talbots – Spring sale! 40% off + extra 15% off all markdowns
- TOCCIN – Use code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off!
- Vivrelle – Looking to own less stuff but still try trends? Use code CORPORETTE for a free month, and borrow high-end designer clothes and bags!
I need help breaking up with a friend, or at least limiting the in-person weekends that we have. I feel incredibly guilty about this, but here’s a little background – friend and I have a 20 year age gap. She has never been married and has no children. She started out as my mentor 10 years ago and we became friends. I left the company we worked for and moved away from the city she lives in about 5 years ago. We are now about a 5 hour drive apart. We used to visit each other every few months, which eventually became every year.
I visited her recently (I usually go to her because she has a guest room and I do not) and the whole time, I badly wanted to just go home. For starters, she is a hoarder and her home very much stresses me out. But I’ve realized it’s not just her home. SHE stresses me out too. She only wants to talk about things that are stressful to me…I can only deflect so much over the course of an entire weekend. She asks me questions about my finances (I have a history of being bad with my finances and I told her about this years ago, although I wish I hadn’t). She gossips about old coworkers (often laced with lies) and wants to talk about weight (something we’ve both struggled with but I do not want to talk about it). I find myself tired and cranky after the first 12 hours and completely exhausted by the time it’s time to leave. I just think this relationship has run its course, but here’s where the guilt comes in – she is from another country and has very little family outside of her elderly parents, and very few close friends. A few years ago, she asked for my personal information to put me into her will and as a beneficiary on her 401k accounts. That, along with the fact that she does not have many close relationships, make me feel like I need to stay friends with her. I feel a sense of obligation. She has given me so much – mentorship and a listening board when I needed it, beautiful presents, etc. At the end of our last visit, she mentioned coming to me next time, and I loathe that idea. She stressed me out a lot last time she was here, and she takes over my bedroom (I sleep on the couch because she is too tall for my couch). I know I can say I don’t have room for a visitor, but how long can I put off visiting her? What do I even say when that time comes?
I don’t know what to tell you. I distanced myself some from a similar friend recently, and she took extreme offense and cut me off altogether. I had been doing some favors for her that she really needed help with after an injury, so I worry about how she is doing. She had also done some really valuable favors for me, but I have a much bigger network, so I’m okay. I think from the start that disparate sense of need was a tension in the relationship, but I hate the whole idea that friendships between people who have more to give and people who really need it are somehow doomed!
I don’t think you need to break up with her. There is a huge spectrum of friendships between “monthly overnight visits” and going no-contact. It sounds like being in close proximity for extended stays isn’t workable, which is a much easier boundary to set. Perhaps try out occasional phone calls instead? You can’t make new old friends, and people ebb and flow with life changes. Perhaps you can think of her like an aunt, or mother, or grandparent, rather than a bestie, and proceed accordingly.
I agree with this. I would try something like Cat suggested.
Say “oh I know we talked about you coming to see me, but I know I’ll need to be in Your City for (xyz excuse) anyway next year – let’s catch up then?” and then book a hotel rather than stay with her, and see her for a breakfast or dinner?
if you don’t want to keep seeing each other IRL ever again, that won’t work, but for a shorter in-person encounter, maybe?
Right, I wonder if the shorter encounter is better overall. Less time for fraught topics to come up, and if they do, there is a set end point.
Set a plan (months out) to meet up midway for the day. You’ll avoid the stress of being at someone’s house and the hassle factor ensures it’s not that often. Agree with the above poster to view her like an aunt you mostly like. I have some amazing mentors but bunking together would feel like too much. Friendships go through changes and it’s a shame to throw out shared experiences and that kind of history over no real argument. Also, recognize friendships are a two way street. All the years of listening to you and offering advice can withstand a little gossip about old coworkers, especially given how easy it is to deflect.
Don’t let her stay at your house. Book a hotel the next time you visit her.
You can tell her the truth or you can slow fade. I’ve always preferred the latter.
Slow fade isn’t kind, the person is often just confused. But hey at least your ego is still intact
+1. Slow fades are cruel for anyone more than a casual acquaintance.
Totally. I was slow faded by a close friend and it was so confusing. Each time she responded would feel like she was back in my life, followed by another ghosting round. I still don’t know what went wrong, and it saddens me.
Either communicate that you are taking a step back and maintain that boundary, or communicate that it is over and maintain that.
But the passive fade is cruel.
I disagree. Life is long and a friendship that isn’t working today could down the road. Just pull back accordingly.
A slow fade is less likely for me to want to rekindle a relationship than someone who is honest with me about what to expect from them. I’m not offended if someone says “I need a break, check back in a couple years if you’re in a place to pick back up.”
Interesting, if someone told me they needed a break from me, it would need to be a permanent break. If they just backed off and were “busy” or ‘couldn’t fit a visit in’ for a few months, I would welcome them back with open arms when they had time again.
I hate that people do this at all because it feels like it puts people in the position of having to wonder about hostile intent when going through the normal ebbs and flows of long term friendships.
If you do want to maintain the relationship, I think booking a hotel is a viable option. You can tell her you don’t have room to host her and are only available for dinner the Tuesday that she is in town and you hope she enjoys the city.
You can also set and enforce boundaries that work for you now. You don’t have to listen to gossip; you can redirect. “We have so little time together, I’d rather hear what you are up to these days! How is your ceramics class?” If she insists, you can be more blunt: “I don’t want to gossip; let’s find another topic.” If she is offended or doesn’t honor your wishes, you can walk away.
And if she brings up finances, weight, or anything else you don’t want to talk about, you can also set boundaries and enforce them. “Thanks for your concern but I don’t want to turn our time together into an advising session. Let’s go check out the new exhibit at the art museum!”
I forgot to add: if she has added you as a beneficiary or included you in her will, she can take that away if she wants and it is not your baggage to worry about. Her lack of other friends is also not your problem to solve, and you do not need to provide your presence as a shield against her feeling lonely because she hasn’t made other friends.
OP here – I think she would be extremely offended if I stayed in a hotel, and I have no other reason to visit her small city. I guess I’m partially venting, partially looking for how to fade things out.
Switch to phone calls instead of overnight visits to her! Having kids and a stressful life is more than enough justification to not be able to fit in trips.
So I’d stop visiting, just don’t find the time. But if you do, just tell her you don’t like staying in people’s homes. This is a very reasonable adult position to take.
Yes, too old for this, can’t interrupt my routine, have to sleep in my own bed, etc. are very common feelings to have as we get older!
if she reaches out to schedule, be busy in a ‘crazy season’ and say that you’d be glad to grab a meal with her if she’s in town, but that you’re not up to a longer visit.
if she doesn’t reach out to schedule, then… say nothing and keep in touch like normal otherwise and don’t bring it up!
This is terrible advice given the relationship history. It keeps the other person on the hook and ups the likelihood of a visit. It’s also pretty unethical given past give and takes. It’s OK to use your words and say that you’re not up for sleepovers anymore and that it’s better to just check in occasionally. And then do check in by phone now and then if you’re ok with that. And I’d say that while you’re not mad or anything that you’re no longer comfortable being on their financial plans given the way life has sort of taken you in opposite directions. Do not let her spend her money on you—she deserves a frank conversation so she can plan to aid a charity or some other recipient with clear eyes on where things actually stand.
If you need a response to her being aghast at a hotel try a breezy, “Oh it’s no bother” or “I found a good deal/I had points to use up”. Another idea for the visit would be to plan something that becomes more of the conversation that takes a bunch of time. Going to a festival, renting bikes to take on a trail, a volunteer activity together, etc. Hopefully that will shake up some stale conversations and make for more enjoyable time together.
How about saying that lately you have been having bad sleep issues and that is why you need to stay in a hotel? It could also help limit your time with her – you have recently been prone to bad migraines so you need to have shorter visits. I don’t see any harm with little white lies like this, assuming that you enjoy her company apart from her home issues. Also maybe next time do an activity or see a show together, so you are not just sitting down talking.
OP–I’m hearing a lot of you worrying about her feelings, and being afraid to speak up TO HER about your feelings.
You might want to unpack this with another friend or a therapist, but it’s OK to disappoint others to protect yourself. Boundaries are OK, even if they lead to disappointment in another person. YOU deserve to have your feelings honored too.
* If she’s offended re a hotel when she visits, then she can not come. That’s OK.
* If she’s offended when you’re at a hotel in her city, that’s still OK–you can stick firm and say, “My company’s already paid for this room, so I’m going to stay here because I love hotels!” or whatever. Just because she insists, you don’t have to go along.
* If she’s upset when you change the subject from things YOU don’t want to discuss, then that’s her upset to manage, but you are not responsible for her feelings.
And I also echo what others have said–just because she had done you kindnesses in the past, or has few friends…it is not your burden to bear a tongue-biting friendship where you can’t be yourself, or you always feel stressed around her, forever. That’s not true friendship–that’s a burden of obligation you’re placing on yourself, and it’s no necessary. Taking care of yourself, protecting your peace–that deserves space in your life too.
It might be okay with you and with a therapist, but I promise you that it is not always okay with a person who takes offense easily? Maybe I’m not responsible for someone else’s feelings, but I’m definitely the person who will end up dealing with their reactions and their choices!
People here talk a lot about the necessary obligations of friendship, how important it is to do things we don’t feel like doing, show up, not flake, and so on. I don’t think obligations are optional or mean it’s not a true friendship?
You don’t have to “deal with” their reaction. You can just observe and let them react. It’s uncomfortable if you have conditioned yourself to avoid awkwardness at all costs and to manage their feelings for them, but that’s your choice.
You seem to be suggesting that the only way people react is by expressing feelings that are only a problem if they make people uncomfortable. But people have many other ways to react that aren’t expressing feelings!
I wonder if OP feels stressed not because she’s weak or “conditioned herself to avoid awkwardness at all costs and to manage others’ feelings for them,” but because this friend has a pattern of retaliating or threatening retaliation?
This therapy speak goes both ways. I can “set a boundary” that I can’t take phone calls every single day of the week, but my friend can say that “their needs aren’t being met” and that I’m “giving them the silent treatment” and am “abusive.”
And you don’t have to assuage that friend’s feelings. She can feel that way, she can lob accusations, she can rant and rave. You can choose to play the game and take on her angst, or not. You can tell her you are sad to hear she feels that way, but that you cannot connect with her as frequently as she wants, and then just not answer her calls. It’s not your responsibility to prevent her from having feelings she doesn’t like.
There’s a difference between feeling like you need to manage someone else’s feelings and just being a jerk to others without regard. Things like saying you prefer to stay at a hotel are reasonable and healthy in speaking up for your needs. Things like suddenly fading because it’s more comfortable for you than being honest fall into the latter. Things like not feeling responsible for her friendships is normal boundaries–you can’t control that, nor feel like you should. But only maintaining a friendship when it’s benefiting you professionally seems sort of in the latter category. (And get off of her financial stuff. That’s a bad dynamic that shouldn’t have been accepted to begin with. It may be awkward, but it will be freeing. )
I don’t have to do anything. Of course someone else’s feelings aren’t my “responsibility.” I don’t have to have any friends at all! But people who want to have and keep friends actually do consider other people’s feelings.
Just in this thread, there’s someone who says that if a friend told them they wanted to take a break, it would have to be permanent, but they’d happily get back together with someone if they said they were just too busy for a while. Presumably this is because they appreciate it when people spare their feelings. This is common.
I swear a lot of therapy advice is designed to isolate the patient and make them more and more reliant on therapy.
OP literally opens her comment by stating that she needs help breaking up.
I assumed the help was to avoid things really blowing up in a bad way, not advice on how to blow things up. Also she made it an either/or, so it sounded like what she definitely wants is no overnight stays, even if this results in a break up, not that she specifically never wants to interact with this person again. That was how I understood things.
Late, but don’t break up, just set new boundaries. My parents were offended when I switched to staying at hotels but I just told them I wanted to be able to hop in the pool every day. Just set up your next visit that way and after that send her a link to where it would be fun for her to stay, like a Bed and Breakfast. Tell her you guys have aged out of couch surfing!
I try not to wear pink because I feel like it’s too feminine.
This almost feels like a tr0ll comment. But I’ll bite. I can’t do overly feminine things, like flowy skirts or the ruffle puff trend–those items look silly on me. But I think pink can be a stunning option if the shade matches your own complexion. I don’t put it in a “feminine” box.
✨ Sorry about the internalized misogyny ✨
It’s not for me either, gender squicks me out but I’m old enough that there wasn’t much education on that as a kid.
Have you found that dressing less feminine makes you feel better or makes others treat you better?
This made me laugh since I associate this color and cut with a mentor whose lifestyle, habits, and persona were all masculine coded by the standards of a much more gendered era.
And femininity to you is … bad?
My big, burly, macho-man father loves to wear this shade. He looks great in it.
i love this!
One of the last pictures I have of me with my father (when he was 81) shows us both in the same color of bright orchid pink, his being a polo shirt.
Oh, I’d definitely wear something like this to work. It’s a feminine color but the cut is very work-appropriate, at least in my office. And I feel like a deep jewel tone like this suit (I think my mom would call it “geranium pink”) is less cutesy than a pastel.
Come to think of it, I have a couple of pink blazers (one Barbie pink, the other more of a blush color) and I wear them a lot. For me, it’s less the color than the style. Those pink floral prairie dresses make me look like I wandered away from my sister wives in Target, but they look cute and ironic on young people.
Makes sense, I don’t wear blue because it feels too masculine. We’re both very normal people. This is normal.
You know what’s funny, pink is all the rage with the preteen boy set these days. Watch a little league game or youth basketball game and you’ll see all kinds of pink bats and cleats and other drip. Purple too.
I have a Rothy’s gift card and am thinking of getting the Espadrille Mary Jane in a neutral color but am questioning where this falls on the frumpy-fashionable spectrum. My new year’s resolution is to be more current looking. I’m open to other casual Rothy’s styles if you have recommendations.
Rothys will help you be comfortable but it will not help you be fashionable or less frumpy.
Rothy’s don’t strike me as frumpy so much as an ubiquitous basic. Like the office version of Keds.
Sorry, those do look frumpy. Like, there are cool Mary Janes and cool espadrilles and somehow Rothy’s has combined them in a way that looks like it is for a literal baby doll.
I like the loafers / drivers.
There is absolutely no such thing as a cool Mary Jane.
Frumpy.
I agree. Some Rothy’s are nondescript; some are cute; these are frumpy.
does anyone have any experience with functional medicine for dementia or extreme fatigue? thx
Dementia isn’t something you treat that way. It is critical to be followed by neurologist that specializes in memory disorders/dementia.
Extreme fatigue is fairly vague, and it depends what the cause is. I mean, if it is extreme fatigue related to a progressive neurologic disorder that is accompanied by dementia, then sometimes modafinil and even ritalin can be helpful. Obviously, getting good sleep, treating mood disorders, eating well and some daily exercise (this includes walking) and routine can be really helpful for both dementia and extreme fatigue. But extreme fatigue needs an extensive work up by a real doctor – not functional medicine – for the many treatable causes.