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Readers just had a great discussion on what “extremely comfortable business casual shoes” everyone loves — so I thought I’d round them up for the group. What pair of shoes do you think is your most comfortable business casual shoe? Do you have different shoes for conferences or business travel?
I feel like this is now an evergreen item, but has anyone found any flats for fall that are a) appropriate for a business-leaning business casual office and b) actually very comfortable for both lots of walking and standing? I have a great pair of suede flats from Nordstrom (for like $100) but they are from before COVID and each year I have auditioned replacements that haven’t worked either right out of the box or after a day of FAFO on the walking front.
Extremely Comfortable Business Casual Shoes in 2025
Specific styles the readers loved included these options that were mentioned by name:
Boden’s Ballet Flats
One reader mentioned that she loves Boden’s ballet flats. They have a few different styles, but these flexible ones have been reader favorites in the past — they currently come in 8 colors, in sizes 36-42, for $129.
Vionic’s Ballet Flats
Another classic ballet flat mentioned by the readers is the Vionic Klara — I love that it comes in narrow, medium, and wide sizes. Right now you can find it for $140 in 8 colors, in sizes 5-13, at Nordstrom, Zappos, and Vionic.
Vionic Uptown Loafer
Another vote from Vionic, this time from a reader who loves their Uptown loafer to “get me through conference days with tons of walking.” I hear that! Vionic emphasizes that they’re a “packable loafer” because they can collapse flat; they also have a lightweight, flexible sole. Vionic has the widest range of colors (FOURTEEN!), available in medium and wide sizes 5-13 — but you can also find the show at Nordstrom, Zappos, and DSW.
Vionic actually has an entire collection in the Uptown line including sandals, sneakers, Mary Jane flats, mules, and more, all under $150.
Aerosoles Loafer
Not a fan of Vionic (or looking for a more classic loafer)? Another reader said she loved the Aerosoles Winona loafer, which also looks great. The shoe includes Aerosole’s “OrthoLite Aerofly footbed” as well as a Diamond Flex sole.
This particular style looks like it may be on its way to being discontinued as there are some sold out sizes (but most sizes are in stock). It’s available in 3 colors for $80, with most sizes 6-11 still available. You can find it at DSW and Amazon.
Clarks Mary Jane FLats
One reader noted, “A coworker was wearing a pair of patent leather Clark’s MJ flats with pointed toes that were so cute and didn’t look comfort at all. I bought them and love, comfortable out of the box.” Nice!
This is the main Mary Jane flat that Clarks offers — it looks like there was also a strappier version (well, one with two straps) that is down to lucky sizes at Macy’s. The pictured shoe is available at Zappos and DSW for $60-$76. Clarks also has a few newer Mary Janes out with rounder toes, available at Clarks.com and Nordstrom.
More Comfortable Business Casual Shoes for Women
Some of the other reader favorites that we’ve rounded up include these categories…
Comfortable Flats for Work In General
The Best Business Casual Sneakers
Sneakers aren’t appropriate for every office — know yours!
“Comfort” Shoes Great for Your Commute
There are a ton of other brands out there that might be a bit too chunky for the office, but are great for running around town and staying comfortable. Some brands to consider: FLY London, Dansko, Eileen Fisher, Børn, and Miz Mooz.
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.
Today we’re rounding up a trend I’ve noticed: the double-breasted sweater blazer. Are you wearing them to work? What pants are you wearing them with — and when are you wearing it unbuttoned?
The Best Double-Breasted Sweater Blazers for Work Outfits
Amanda & Chelsea
If you want to try the trend, this black double-breasted option from Amanda & Chelsea looks great — it’s $41 at Nordstrom Rack and available in sizes XS-XL.
Yes, yes, boring as it’s also the Workwear Report today, but I was excited to see that Elizabeth had found yet another double-breasted sweater blazer! In a lot of the pictures they seem to be buttoning only the closest button, as if it’s single-breasted… I’m not sure if that would look right in real life, but your mileage may vary.
The knit blazer comes in sizes XXS-XL for $158, at Anthro; it’s available in four colors including red, beige, black, and a leopard print.
M.M.LaFleur
We’ve featured M.M.LaFleur’s double breasted knit jardigan for one of our weekend open threads — I feel like this would lay beautifully when it’s buttoned. It was $359, but most colors are $249 now; black has the most sizes in stock.
Tuckernuck
If you like a boxier, more relaxed fit, look no further than Tuckernuck. As they note, “this 100% cotton sweater is the ultimate transitional piece. Keeping you cool on warm fall days and warm on chilly days this cardigan is a must have for your closet. With gold-tone buttons and a boxy fit, pair it with jeans, a button down, cross body, and heels for the ultimate fall office look.” Nice!
I tend to think of this as the OG of double-breasted sweater blazers: the Sofia jacket from L’Agence has been around for several years now. I like the patch pockets, the three-quarter length sleeves, and the general polish — this one has a bit more substance than some of the drapier options (including shoulder pads, if I remember correctly).
The sweater blazer is $395-$450; you can currently find it in beige, white, and a dusty pink at various spots — and L’Agence has a few exclusive colors including a deep pink, black, and a “pale jade” (some colors as low as $237!).
By Malene Birger
Our most expensive pick features two trends: the double-breasted sweater blazer as well as the very long, wide sleeves popularized by Khaite; that trend can be a bit tricky to make work if you’re wearing it at your desk typing (and eating and etc) while wearing the sweater so this one may work best as outerwear, but maybe I’m wrong. (Oof, just checked sizes and they are down to lucky sizes — so clearly some women are making it work!)
The sweater is a wool/cotton blend, and is $580 at Neiman Marcus; they have it in both ivory and black. (Like the look? Here’s a random dupe I found on Amazon.)
What to Wear If You Don’t Like Double-Breasted Sweater Blazers
Not into the double-breasted look? These are some of our other favorite sweater blazers, lady jackets, and cardigans…
The Best Sweater Blazers for Work
Great Lady Sweater Jackets for the Office and Beyond
Hunting for a great double-breasted blazer or suit? As of 2025, this Ann Taylor version is really affordable and comes in great basic colors, and Argent always has classic versions in lots of colors, as does L’Agence (in knits as well as blazers). Some other latest favorites are below:
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Do you limit your information diet at all — e.g., limiting the time you spend on gossip sites or social media sites where the algorithm controls what you see? What about general news and, these days, political news? On the flip side, is there information that you make yourself consume even though you don’t necessarily want to — either to bear witness to what’s happening in the world, educate yourself on boring topics, or more?
I was just reading a story about how Orlando Bloom actually owns Katy Perry’s mansion, which Chris Pratt is currently renting, which is part of a huge 5-year debacle where she and the owner agreed to buy the mansion and then he reneged.
How did I find this story? Um, not sure. (Actually, I think it was a sponsored link at the bottom of a WSJ story about Lisa Cook.) Did I read this story more closely than I have a lot of news stories lately? Sadly, yes. Do I particularly care or like about any of these people? Nope, not really.
The Rooster Story
Today was a one-off, but I do feel like continually over the years I’ve had to pull myself back from some not-great information consumption habits, like spending hours (daily!) on gossip sites like Oh No They Didn’t or reading too closely news that just does not affect my life at all.
In the 1940 screwball comedy His Girl Friday, there’s a joke near the end where they’ve gotten all the details on bad government actors and Hildy (the reporter and main character, played by Rosalind Russel) is writing the front page story, and Walter (her editor and love interest, played by Cary Grant) is on the phone with the typesetters, removing stories left and right to make room for the story. “Take Hitler and stick him on the funny pages!” he says, and a minute later “no, no, keep the rooster story… that’s human interest.”
So I think of these stories as “rooster stories” — ones that truly do not matter in the scheme of things but are interesting to us in the moment. Sometimes it’s a tragedy that you’re following way too closely… or a law suit… or an engagement… but sometimes it’s just random stuff you click on because the headline is interesting.
(Or, these days, those awful AITA/Reddit type posts that you find everywhere from your Facebook feed to 30-page slideshows on MSN…)
I try to limit my own consumption of rooster stories, I guess, in a few ways. First, I try to read my newspapers first thing in the morning, ideally before I have to take my youngest to school — there is limited time, and while I do let myself click on dumb stories, I’m only allowed to read the first paragraph before I move on. (This is a system that does work for newspapers, which should be written in reverse pyramid form, but does not work for those horrible slideshows where they drag every thought out.) Personally I try to read The New York Times daily, and The Wall Street Journal on Sundays, and I should probably make specific days to read my other paid subscriptions also.
Second, I use screentime tools to limit the time I can spend on various apps or websites where not much good comes from it — in iOS you can limit your own screentime, and I also like the app Forrest (either on my iPhone or as a Chrome Extension) to set time periods where those sites are just totally blocked for me.
Finally, while celebrity gossip is always fun, I really try to limit it really strictly — if anything is truly important or earth shattering I’ll hear about it through conversation. I no longer allow myself to go to websites like ONTD, and I try to avoid following accounts like @deuxmoi (or unfollow them if I’ve broken down).
Readers, how about you — do you limit what information you consume? How do you do it, and why do you do it? Do you notice differences in yourself when you’re either consuming too much or less than you have?
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
It’s been far too long since we discussed winter skincare — as the weather gets colder, let’s talk about it. What are your favorite cold weather skincare products to keep your face soft and glowy (or at least, not itchy, tight, and chafed?)? Here are some of mine… what are yours?
The Most Luxurious Moisturizer I’ve Found: BioElements (And Elemis)
I’ve loved this Bioelements moisturizer for years (and, just a little bit goes a long way!). It’s a really thick, luxurious cream with a pleasant, slight fragrance (lemony maybe?). This is my go-to in winter.
As I mentioned the other day, I recently was gifted a jar of Elemis’s new anti-aging face cream and it’s really lovely and luxurious also — it truly will be giving Bioelements a run for its money this coming year.
I will sometimes use this in combination with COS’s Snail Mucin, but honestly this particular cream is rich enough that I don’t feel like I need it.
Another favorite that feels really luxurious: this neck cream from InnBeauty, which I only just got but am liking a lot.
MY FAVORITE WINTER SUNSCREEN: CeraVe
If I’ve showered at night, I’ll use the Bioelements moisturizer above and luxuriate in it all night long. I often have to talk myself into putting sunscreen on in the morning when it’s gray and dreary (and a lot of times actually pitch black outside when I’m getting up). This one from CeraVe is my favorite for a morning face lotion/sunscreen combo. It’s super affordable, and this one actually has zinc oxide in it, so I feel like it does go a long way.
(If I’m showering in the morning and using the Bioelements mositurizer, I try to use my regular summer sunscreen, which is invariably a Japanese sunscreen. Lately I’m liking this one to wear on top of moisturizer because it has a slightly mattifying effect.)
(Here’s our last discussion on everyone’s favorite sunscreens…)
My Favorite Face Exfoliator: Drunk Elephant & The Ordinary
I’ve mentioned these few products before a bunch of times, and I still love them — just to be totally clear, though, do NOT use them together! (And do not use them with any other actives!)
If you have 20 minutes to spare, the Drunk Elephant BabyFacial is amazing — I just feel like my skin looks so much less ashy and dull once I’m done.
(BabyFacial is often sold with a facial oil… I am not a fan of that one at all, but maybe that’s me.)
The other product I use the most is this dark purple one from The Ordinary, which is so strong that you’re only supposed to use it for 5-10 minutes — in my life this works out to “slather it on the minute before I hop in the shower and tidy up a bit.”
I also really like Paula’s Choice BHA Exfoliant, although in my mind I’m using it more for occasional blackheads and less for general skin “zhushing” if that makes sense. You’re not supposed to use it with any actives, and your skin should be dry when applying it — so it’s best to apply right before bedtime on nights when you aren’t using any other products like retinols. This means that I mostly forget about it, but I’m trying to be better this winter.
My Favorite for Scalp Care: Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
I’ve had this glycolic toner for a few years and really liked it for dandruff and itchy scalp — I’ll put a little bit on before my shower and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then shampoo and condition as normal. It doesn’t tingle or feel like it’s doing anything while it’s sitting on your head — but I always feel like my skin is refreshed afterwards.
We recently had a post where Elizabeth mentioned that she uses this to take care of dry feet in winter — she blew my mind! I’ll definitely be trying that this winter.
My Favorite Nighttime Hand Cream: Gold Bond or Caudalie
For my hands, elbows, forearms, etc., I try to use this overnight cream from Gold Bond. Again, it’s really affordable for a retinol product, and I feel like it makes a difference.
Another favorite is this luxurious one from Caudalie — it smells fantastic and feels lux going on. It isn’t too dear at $16, but the tube is about 1/3 the size of the Gold Bond cream.
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.
There are a TON of great pull-on work pants out there right now, so I thought I’d round up some favorites.
Which are your favorite pull-on work pants for work? What pant is the best balance between comfort and polish for your career and situation?
Classic Plus-Size Pants for Work (Many With Zippers)
Great Pull-On Work Pants for 2025: A Closer Look
Let’s take a closer look at some of our recent favorites for pull-on pants for work outfits…
Eileen Fisher
These Eileen Fisher pants are the OG reader favorite pull-on pants — readers used to call them “magic pants” because they felt like pajamas but looked like regular pants. Well well… They come in regular, petite, and plus sizes (and occasionally plus-size petites, as well), all for just under $200.
Athleta
Readers love almost every pant from Athleta — we’ve had readers note that they wear the Brooklyn, the Pinnacle, and the Endless for work. One reader commented, “I bought the Athleta Endless High Rise Pant and wear them basically for every flight I take. The zippered pockets are clutch when travelling, and they’re professional enough (with a nicer top) to wear them on work travel!”
Nice! As a bonus, yes it is a pull-on style. Pants generally range from $99-$129 (full priced), they come in regular, plus, tall, and petite sizes (00-24, 00P-14P, and 0T-16T).
Spanx
Spanx’s Perfect Pants have been reader favorites for years — and many of the styles are pull-on. Even nicer, they’re one of the few options these days where you can find plus-size petites (up to 3XP!).
The pants are generally $148-$168; keep an eye on both Nordstrom and Spanx.com for good sales. (Spanx.com may also have a wider range of colors!)
Theory
Ankle pants aren’t the height of trendiness right now, but if you want to bypass uber-trendy things like the cropped kick flare, they’re still a solid choice (and look great with loafers, as seen here). In any event, Theory’s best-selling Treeca pants have been around for years — and I love that a bunch of styles are pull-on. Another nice thing: if you’re looking for a fabric other than ponte, there are a ton of great options — at the moment they’re available in linen, wool flannel (one of our favorite fabrics for warm dress pants!), and triacetate (aka “admiral crepe”) — and you can find even more options on Theory.com.
Do pay attention to whether they’re a pull-on style when you’re ordering, though, if that’s what you want — “Pull On” should be in the product name.
The pants are generally $245-$255 full price; Theory and Nordstrom both have a number of Treeca pants on sale in summerweight fabrics (as low as $117!). They’re available in sizes 00-18.
Quince
Quince gets mixed reviews from readers, but if you’re looking for a pair of pull-on pants under $50 (especially in tall or petite sizes), there are great options.
Their ultra-stretch ponte bootcut pants are the main ones I’m thinking of here. They currently come in five colors, sizes XS-XL, in FOUR inseam lengths: 28, 30, 32, and 34 (so do check them out if you’re tall!). if you’re having problems finding petite or tall sizes, do check them out because they offer inseams from 28″-34″. (They also make a bunch of pull-on denim styles if you can wear jeans to work!)
Old Navy
Old Navy Pixie pants have been around forever, and many of the trendier styles are pull-on pants. These wide leg pants are particularly great because they come in a wide range of sizes: XS-4X, XSP-XLP, and ST-XXLT (as well as maternity pants!).
The pants are $45-$54 at Old Navy, but watch for frequent sales. Another great budget spot to keep an eye on: Loft.
Eddie Bauer
Another good option for affordable pull-on pants: Eddie Bauer! These are $80 new, available in regular, petite, and tall sizes. As Elizabeth noted in a morning workwear report:
These ankle pants from Eddie Bauer were recommended by a reader recently as a substitute for the Eileen Fisher crepe pants, and I really like them. They have a thick elastic waistband, a mid-rise, and a lightweight polyester/spandex blend that looks like it would resist wrinkles pretty well.
. . . I would wear these for long flights, paired with a soft T-shirt and a wrap cardigan. I think you could also wear these in a more casual office with a printed blouse and a sweater blazer.
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
You wouldn’t have thought it would be that difficult… but every so often I see something styled on a website that sticks with me as “wow, that’s a dumb way to wear a suit.” I thought I’d round some up for fun… Readers, have you seen any “just, why?” stylings for suits? Do share… what are your best tips on how NOT to wear a suit?
How Not to Wear a Suit: With Your Blazer Tied Around Your Waist
Why yes, that’s a blazer tied around her waist. I mean, if you’re in some survivalist situation — like a zombie apocalypse! — I suppose it could be smart, because you never know when you’ll get cold or need shelter from the sun… but this doesn’t seem the best for every day.
How Not to Wear a Suit: With a Scarfy Tunic
One of the ones I often think about is from a long time ago (we used it as the initial illustration in our post on what to wear beneath a suit jacket, which I think still has good advice!), so I apologize the tiny photo… for some reason I thought squinting at the screen was a good idea until like 2018.
Bloomingdales, circa 2013
How Not to Wear a Suit: With Your Pants Tucked Into Knee-High Boots
This otherwise lovely suit from Elie Tahari may just be one of those situations where the eye needs to adjust — maybe this will be the hot new look next year! But I would not recommend wearing suit pants tucked into knee high boots unless you’re in military uniform… but maybe I’m wrong. Readers, what are your thoughts?
How Not to Wear a Skirt Suit: With Knee-High Socks
Skirt suits are super conservative! It’s hard to go wrong with a skirt suit!
Um…
I think this is how it can go wrong. I would not wear knee-high socks with Mary Jane heels with a skirt suit, but maybe that’s just me. (I otherwise love the Dolce & Gabbana suit!)
Readers, what are your thoughts? Can you remember any others I’ve mentioned through the years?
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
How does hunger affect your work, including mood, productivity, and more? Do you need to actively manage it throughout the day, such as having small snacks or a regular lunch time you do not miss? Have you ever noticed (or suspected) that hunger was negatively affecting a colleague?
I think I’ve written before about how I was recently diagnosed with ADHD, and I couldn’t resist screenshotting a tweet (that I now cannot find, darn it) that said something to the effect of “I waited too long to eat and now I’m mean and also crying — an ADHD memoir.” And man, that hit home! I’ve also noticed this with my kids, particularly when they were younger and didn’t recognize hunger as well. If there are mood and behavior problems, half of the time it’s because they’re hangry.
I am fully guilty of being one of those people who will get so focused on my work that lunchtime passes me by — the number of times that I’m eating my first true meal of the day at 3:30 p.m. is far too many.
It’s kind of funny because years ago I had a colleague (a superior) who was also guilty of this, and it would drive me nuts — I was actually thinking of her when we talked about the worst coworker habits. She would get mean, irrational, emotional — and suddenly I’d realize it was 4:00 p.m. and we’d been working since 10:00 a.m. cloistered in one of the small conference rooms at the law firm, and she probably hadn’t eaten all day (or hydrated at all). I think she thought I was overly obsessed with food because I kept suggesting a lunch or dinner break, but it was the best way I knew to manage her moods and be able to work with her in harmony.
Eating regularly, recognizing hunger — all of this is now seen as part of “executive functioning skills,” a phrase I didn’t know back in those days of being trapped in a conference room with my colleague. There’s even a term for easy lunches and dinners when you’re just out of spoons for the day: low-executive-functioning dinners.
Personally, I tend to try to fight this by keeping a lot of things immediately at my desk. I sit down with a 32-oz. bottle of water, not a single glass. I try to have a washed apple in front of me while I’m working. And yes, I have way too many protein bars and the like scattered near my workplace. (It’s been too long since we discussed great snacks for the office!) I’m not sure if it’s blood sugar or what, but eating small snacks keeps my energy and mood stable in ways that just drinking water alone does not.
I tend to think of my longtime favorite Jimmy Dean frozen egg sandwiches as my “I’m too hungry to decide what to eat” meal, but I’ll also take a spoonful of peanut butter if the four minutes to make the Jimmy Dean just isn’t going to happen in that moment. When I worked at a law firm, even if I couldn’t get away for lunch I could go to the break room and make myself a glass of milk with a little bit of coffee to get a few calories in.
Readers, maybe a weird question for today, but I can’t be the only one who has this issue: How does hunger affect your work, including mood, productivity, and more? Do you need to actively manage it throughout the day, such as having small snacks or a regular lunch time you do not miss? Have you ever noticed (or suspected) that hunger was negatively affecting a colleague?
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I saw a really interesting article the other day on MSN, noting that Gen Z isn’t interested in middle management (apparently, in a trend called “consciously unbossing”) and I thought it might make an interesting discussion here. If you’ve recently considered yourself middle management, what do you think the pros and cons are to middle management? Do you understand the lack of interest in becoming middle management? Do you think companies should (or will) change, or that Gen Z should (or will) reframe their attitudes?
According to MSN, “research shows that over half of Gen Z have no interest in pursuing middle management roles. There is an understandable reason for this: these roles are known for their high levels of burnout and may initially seem at odds with Gen Z’s values of autonomy, flexibility and personal well-being.”
(The article defines middle managers as those who are “responsible for both their team’s performance and the implementation of broader organizational strategies,” unlike supervisors, who “primarily focus on overseeing day-to-day tasks.”)
MSN goes on to suggest that Gen Zers just need an attitude adjustment, and should “refram[e] these roles to align with your values and aspirations [in order to] see it as a rewarding opportunity rather than a burden.”
Research from recruitment company Robert Walters has found that more than half of Gen Z workers (52%) don’t want to be middle managers – with 16% refusing to ever take on a role that involves having direct line reports. When further probed about why middle-management roles don’t appeal, workers pointed to stagnating wages and little trade-off; 69% of Gen Z recipients said that middle management is “too high stress, low reward”.
Harper’s Bazaar notes that we might see senior management absorbing some of the responsibility that has traditionally been middle managers.
What are your thoughts, readers — do you think middle management has more cons than pros, or is there a misunderstanding here? Do you think the company systems should change, or Gen Z should change their framing of the issue?
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
We haven’t talked about winter business casual in a long time — so let’s discuss! Readers, what do you think is off limits for winter business casual outfits? What do you think adds polish? How do you deal with layers, commutes, and more?
Wondering what not to wear for winter business casual? Here are some thoughts — every office is different, though, so know yours.
Probably Not OK:
heavy winter boots — change into office shoes once you get to work
anything that makes a ton of sound when you walk down the hallway
anything not opaque that is worn as pants (this can be a problem with some leggings!)
anything marketed as loungewear, such as fuzzy knit pants
sports hoodies or hoodies shaped like them (you maybe can get away with cashmere hoodies at some offices)
anything wildly inappropriate for the outside temperatures — think halter tops, shorts, bare legs, etc.
Maybe OK:
pants with five-pockets, cut like denim — especially corduroys or velvet pants
slip skirts — these are so common now that I think many people are wearing them to work, but whether they’re appropriate for work is an office-by-office determination. For my $.02 the worst offenders are those with lace at the bottom.
super slouchy oversized sweaters — depends on how you style them
over the knee boots (I would have put these in the “probably not OK” category, but they’ve been trendy for so long at this point that I think they’re a lot more accepted.)
workwear from athleisure brands, such as Athleta
patterned tights (know your office)
Are Doc Marten Boots Business Casual?
I often get asked if Doc Marten boots are business casual. While every office is different, I would think that solid black or brown Docs are fine for most offices, but the more colorful, wilder iterations aren’t. As always, though, if your shoes are making a ton of noise, the way that some boots with platforms or thick soles do, then they’re not appropriate for work.
Are Frye Boots Business Casual?
Frye boots are having a resurgence, so let’s discuss — a lot of this comes down to how loud they are in the hallway, and I would say that the styles that look more Western or motorcycle-inspired are less appropriate for work. So the Campus14L would be fine, but the Billy or Veronica boots are a know your office situation.
Tips For Your Commute to Work in Winter
It should be noted up front that if you’re in the middle of a horrible snow storm, you will hopefully get credit just for showing up at work.
That said, for other, less extreme weather days, there are some rules. If your regular footwear isn’t going to stand up to the weather, that’s OK — buy some waterproof boots or shoes with a serious tread, and then change into pumps or loafers or whatever at the office. (I’m always a fan of the shoe collection that lives at the office.)
Whatever coat you wear, I beg of you to make sure that it is long enough for your work outfit — if your sweater is poking out the bottom of your coat, that looks horrible. I’ve also always thought that dresses or skirts require at least a knee-length coat, but maybe that’s me.
How to Layer for Warmth at Work with Winter Business Casual Clothes
It can be tricky to get the layers right with your work outfits, especially because in the winter, in some offices, it may feel Arctic outside, but toasty warm inside thanks to heaters. I’ve always preferred silk long johns to layer under office pants — they block the wind but don’t add bulk or warmth to your outfit. They’re also a lot more breathable than just wearing tights beneath pants.
If you’re wearing sweaters or blazers that you prefer to dry clean rarely, I recommend avoiding sleeveless base layers such as camisoles — it keeps your underarms and any wandering deodorant away from the nicer pieces.
Easy Outfits for a Winter Business Casual Look
I often think winter is the easiest time to look polished, because it’s so easy to add a third piece — and with third pieces you can have so much more fun with colors.
Winter fabrics also lend themselves to a lot more texture (cabled knits, velvets, tweed, and more), which means it’s easy to make more sophisticated monotone outfits.
A few easy outfit ideas for winter business casual:
A monotone outfit with at least three different textures.
The “column of color” — typically done with a neutral color for your base layer (such as a blouse and pants) and then a more colorful blazer or third piece. Instead of a different color or pattern, you can also go for a notably different texture.
Shades of one color — for example, a gray sweater with gray trousers and a silver necklace.
Great Third Pieces to Add to Winter Business Casual Looks
For my $.02, a cardigan will dress down any outfit, and a blazer will dress it up. There’s a bit of a spectrum for the other items — so a sweater jacket that looks like a blazer will be a medium option that makes the outfit slightly more formal, but still on the more casual side. And a lady jacket that looks more like a cardigan will be a bit more on the casual side.
You can also get that “slightly dressy” look by combining structured pieces with more flowy, drapey pieces. Drapey trousers paired with a more structured Chanel-style jacket, for example, or crisp trousers paired with a slouchy cardigan.
Other Favorite Winter Business Casual Clothes for Women
Warm Pants for Business Casual Outfits
As noted above, know your office before wearing a pant with 5 pockets (i.e., cut like jeans) — but you can often find a ton of corduroy and velvet pants that feel so much warmer in the winter.
Our General Favorite Warm Dress Pants for Winter
Hunting for warm dress pants for winter? We like fabrics like wool flannel, wool blends, corduroy, and velvet — but know your office before wearing pants cut like denim, with 5 pockets (especially corduroy and velvet). In 2024, for wool flannel, check Aritzia, Loft, Talbots*, and Nordstrom. For great wool and wool blends, check out Banana Republic, J.Crew, and M.M.LaFleur.
For 2024, some of our all-time favorite cords (mostly for casual offices) include the Kut from the Kloth ones at Nordstrom, available in regular, petite, and plus sizes. If you prefer a tighter fit, check out corduroy from denim brands like AG; if you prefer a looser but still tailored look check out NYDJ cords. I love these cropped, flared cords from Tuckernuck.
A Trick To Make Any Pants Warm: Silk Long Johns
Another favorite way to warm up in the winter, especially if wind is a part of your commute: silk long johns! They don’t add bulk under pants, and they don’t make you too warm once you’re inside — but they do an excellent job of blocking the wind.
Another Great Trick: Fleece Tights
Readers have loved fleece tights for years! In recent years you can even find fleece tights that look like pantyhose. Plush Tights have been a longstanding favorite, but you can find a lot of more affordable options at Amazon.
Some of our favorite silk-cashmere sweaters for work include these from LaLigne and Brooks Brothers; if you’re looking to splurge, Akris has a bunch right now.
In 2024, Buck Mason has a lot of silk-cashmere-wool blend sweaters, including this turtleneck and this crewneck – APC also has some!
If you’re hunting for wool-cashmere sweaters in 2024, check out this lovely one from Kule, and Vince also has some. This Jenni Kayne cardigan/sweater jacket is fabulous. On the more casual side, Summersalt has a bunch!
Hunting for sweaters in a wool-alpaca blend? Stay tuned for our full roundup, but as of 2023 check out AllSaints and Buck Mason.
How to Do Business Casual in Cold Weather On Your Commute
Professional Coats to Keep You Warm in Cold Weather
Although puffer coats have come a long way, I still think the most professional outerwear is a knee-length wool blend coat. It looks good with skirts and dresses because of its length, and the “wool blend” aspect is important because a 100%-wool coat can be really itchy. (I’ve always preferred a wool/cashmere blend.)
I would vote for practical features such as pockets and a buttoned neckline (as opposed to some of the deep-V coats we’ve seen recently).
As far as fit, make sure you can wear a thick sweater or a blazer beneath the coat — this may mean sizing up a bit.
Cold Weather Boots for Work Outfits
As of 2024, some of our favorite general boots for work outfits include the ones below…
This depends heavily on where you live and what kind of circumstances you expect to encounter on a) your commute and b) your quest for lunch. If you’re in tundra-like conditions you may just want to get a pair of proper snow boots to commute in (we’ve even talked about packable snow boots for interviews!)
For NYC winters I’ve always felt that you can usually find a fairly clear path on the sidewalk if you have a short commute, and have always thought heeled boots or booties were the best. If you think you’ll encounter a bunch of snow or slush I’d recommend wearing a skirt (perhaps with fleece tights) so you can avoid getting your pant hems wet.
If you’re worried about encountering ice, definitely go with flat shoes with a good grip (unless you’re a total pro in heels).
Commuting to Work in Bad Weather
Great Weatherproof Shoes
Great Weatherproof Knee-High Boots
I mentioned this above, but I’ve always found a heeled boot or bootie the best for commuting, albeit with a relatively low heel (1.5-2.5″) if you’ll be walking a ton.
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I’m often amused to stumble on older clothing pieces that we’ve featured here on Corporette® … sometimes they still look good, or I remember liking them. Other times, the styling or the featured piece of clothing is just… fug.
Anyway, I started thinking… it might be fun to share some previously featured pictures with you guys, and discuss — would you wear these items today? If so, how would you style them in 2024? If you’ve replaced items like this in your closet, what are you wearing instead of them?
First up, some of the things we featured on October 28 over the years…
October 28, 2016: A Mixed Media Blouse
I don’t think there’s anything particularly dated or ugly about this blouse… but that gray trim really bugs me. I’m not a fan of gray in general, but there’s also something in the thickness, or the layering, or the fact that it extends down into a Y shape… either way, yeah, not my cup of tea in 2024.
V-Neck Blouses for Work in 2024
If you’re hunting for a blouse like this in 2024, what you really want is this reader favorite blouse from Ann Taylor — it’s a mix of a silky fabric and a jersey fabric, is a pretty V-neck with no buttons, and comes in a zillion new colors and patterns very often.
Other V-necked blouses we’ve featured recently include these options…
I’m curious what you guys think about our Suit of the Week pick on October 28, 2015 — I saw the image and almost immediately said “ugh,” but… is that just me? Looking at Ann Taylor’s current offerings, the collarless jackets they have are much simpler, and much less fitted, so maybe that’s what I’m picking up on. Huh.
October 28, 2014: A Cashmere Cardigan
I remember this one so clearly because I LOVED this sweater and yet could never quite bring myself to pull the trigger to buy it. Looking back though it’s really lovely — I like the waffle knit texture mixed with the smoother knit, the three quarter sleeves, and the buckle closure always looked great. This was before the big sweater jacket trend began, for what it’s worth.
Cardigan Jackets for the Office in 2024
I would say that if you like the look of this today in 2024, you probably want a sweater jacket — I’ll list our favorites below. I also really liked this peplum cardigan in the recent Amazon Prime day sales and I feel like they’re similar.
October 28, 2013: A Rick Owens Blazer
I don’t remember posting this one, but I really like it now — if I found it in a thrift shop or on Poshmark I’d be thrilled. As I noted at the time, “I’m in love with this lamb suede two button crossover front jacket by Rick Owens… the shearling lining, the stretch wool under sleeves, and the stand up collar…”
I feel like it’s very much on trend for 2024 – brown is big, double-breasted looks are big, and I kind of think peplums are coming back. These days you’d see it styled with wide trousers and sneakers, perhaps.
October 28, 2011: A Silk Shell
This blue ruffled top was our pick for Frugal Friday — a silk blouse marked down to $41. You guys know I love blue, but the cobalt here is just a bit too… blue. And the ruffle is not my cup of tea. I think it probably would have been a favorite of mine back in 2011, though.
Our Favorite Sleeveless Blouses for Work in 2024
If you were hunting for something like this today, there are still a ton of options — Vince Camuto has made a sleeveless ruffled top that is a bit blousier, but otherwise very similar.
October 28, 2010: An Unusual Silk Wrap Blouse
This top was a budget find at The Outnet — as I noted at the time, “I really like this unusual silk wrap blouse from Kova & T. Love the red piping, the abstract black and white pattern, the high waist — it strikes me as a chic and cool look.”
Weirdly enough it looks very 80s to my eye now — I think it’s the red and black plus the abstract pattern. I’d probably pass it by in a thrift shop.
Our Favorite Silk Blouses in General in 2024
October 28, 2009: A Reader Favorite Faux-Wrap Dress
This dress was a reader favorite for YEARS back in the day — the ruched faux wrap dress from Suzi Chin. Maybe I’m crazy, but I don’t think it looks that dated, beyond the fugly peep toe platform shoes. You can see why we all loved it for work: nice high V, comfortable ruching at the waist, and sleeves that were just a bit more than cap sleeves.
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.
We’ve gone on several hunts for sweater jackets and regular blazers over the years — but not the lady jacket, which often crosses a lot of similar boundaries. Let’s take a look at what’s out there — readers, do tell us: which are your favorite lady jackets for work? How are you wearing lady jackets to the office?
I often think of J.Crew as having popularized the term “lady jacket” (we’ve featured items as far back as 2017!), but it’s become a really popular style at a lot of workwear retailers this year. So what is it?
To my mind, a lady jacket is:
a boxy third piece, often worn open
often made out of a sweater knit or a tweed
that has a slightly cropped fit, either just at the waist or a bit above it
generally does not have a lapel or collar
often has patch pockets on the lower half of the jacket
often has prominent, often shiny, buttons
In looking around for this piece I’ve seen a lot of pieces that I think would still include in a lady jacket roundup, if only because they have that cropped-Chanel-like jacket shape, if not the vibe. I’ve seen leather ones, faux fur ones, denim ones… ones with sequins and metallic threads, ones with collars and v-necks.
For my $.02, I really dislike the lady jackets with pockets on the top half of the jacket (invariably flap pockets), like this Theory suit. But this is just personal preference!
I’ve put together a few more Qs and As defining the matter at the bottom of the post if you care to read further… these are just my observations from hunting around stores right now.
TLDR: Our Favorite Lady Jackets for Work Outfits
Our Favorite Sweater Blazers for Work
Our Latest Favorite Blazers To Wear as Separates (In General)
The Best SWEATER Lady Jackets for Work
ba&sh
We’ve featured this sweater from ba&sh before, and it’s nice to see that there are now a TON of colors, including some patterns. I like the wide knit and gold buttons.
The sweater is a bestseller at Bloomingdale’s for $266-$380, available in sizes XS-XL (0-4); you can also get it at ba&sh and Shopbop.
J.Crew
I often think of J.Crew as the place for popularizing the term “lady jacket,” but maybe I’m wrong — but they do have a BUNCH of different styles on their website.
The Emilie (pictured) has been around for a while and has that cropped, boxy fit, gold buttons, and tiny patch pockets. The jacket is 100% cotton and machine washable.
It’s available in sizes XXS-3X, in 4 different colorways, for $128-$138 new (but currently on sale for $76-$82).link
Boden
Boden doesn’t call their Holly Knitted Jacket a “lady jacket,” but it sure looks like it to me. Boxy cut, gold-tone buttons, pockets… I like the fact that it’s 100% cotton and machine washable, too.
It comes in 10 colorways (so many preppy options!!) in sizes 2-22. The jacket is $180 and “selling like hot cakes.”
This longer knit cardigan is also nice if you want a more traditional sweater jacket.
All of the options are available in sizes XXS-XXL, in regular and petite sizes.
The pictured jacket is marked to $104 today (and apparently that’s a dark green, not a black, in the stripes!).
CeCe
Department store brand CeCe has a number of colors available in their texture cardigan. It’s available in sizes XXS-XXL in several colors at Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s.
NVLT
This sweater lady jacket from NVLT looks great. It’s available at Anthropologie in sizes XXS-XL in four colorways, with verrrrry limited availability in petites and plus sizes as well.
Our Latest Favorite Lined Lady Jackets for Chanel-Like Style
The more traditional style of “lady jackets” (as used by J.Crew for at least 8 years now) tend to be made from tweed or boucle blends, have a lining at least in part, and have a more business formal vibe. (Think about traditional Chanel jackets… or even the mom in Gilmore Girls.)
More Questions About Lady Jackets and Work Outfits
Does a Lady Jacket Count as Business Casual?
Yes, this absolutely counts as business casual — particularly if worn with other business casual pieces, such as work pants, trousers, or more.
Can You Wear Lady Jackets to Offices With a Formal, Conservative Dress Code?
Again, absolutely — although the ones that are lined and in a tweed will be more appropriate everyday wear, particularly with dresses and pants. The more unstructured, cardigan-y lady jackets should also be fine, but depending on what you’re wearing them with (and how they look after a few washes) they may be better left for casual days and not Big Meetings.
How is a Lady Sweater Jacket Different From a Sweater Blazer or Sweater Jacket?
A lot of retailers aren’t delineating between a lady jacket, a lady sweater jacket, and a sweater jacket. In my opinion, I would call a sweater jacket anything that is made from a substantial sweater-like knit and operates as a third piece. The fabric has to have a substantial heft to it, or else I think it’s just a cardigan.
Sweater blazers (again, this is maybe just in my mind!) have a more traditional, longer cut that ends around your hips. They often have lapels, and tend to be a sleeker knit, unlike the chunkier, open weaves of sweater lady jackets.
How is a Lady Jacket Different From a Cardigan?
It’s important to note that a lady jacket isn’t necessarily a sweater, although it often is. (There are other versions that, I think, would still count as lady jackets but are made of a more traditional tweed-like material with lining and so forth.)
So what is the difference between a lady jacket and a cardigan? As noted above, I think it comes down to heft and shape. Cardigans can be many shapes, with buttons and lapels and patterns and matching shells — whereas lady jackets tend to just be the boxy cut. The thing that makes it a jacket and not a cardigan, though, is the heft of the material — they hang independently.
Can A Lady Jacket Be Part of a Suit?
Again, this is just my thinking here — but I usually think of lady jackets as separates in the business world; if you want a more formal business outfit the “column of color” often works great with a solid black bottom, black tank or tee, and then the lady jacket.
THAT SAID, they’re definitely often sold with matching skirts — often mini skirts. (Think of Cher’s yellow suit in Clueless.) Super cute, but not appropriate for every office.
The other way you may see lady jackets incorporated into suits is either as an alternate jacket to a more traditional blazer — a different fabric that complements or matches the color of the pants or dress exactly. (I feel like Boss has done this, but can’t find a good example at the moment.)
Always happy to talk to aspiring pilots 🙂 My grandfather was a pilot, my dad was a pilot, my mom was a flight attendant, and my husband is a pilot – we are an aviation family for sure!
HOW TO GET IN Traditionally, there have been two ways to get the necessary training: join the military or go to one of the couple colleges that specializes in aviation (Embry-Riddle, North Dakota, there might be others). The colleges and the necessary flight hours are eye-wateringly expensive; 25 years ago, the cost was $100k for the 4 year degree and the flight certificates. For the military, your daughter would do ROTC at any college of her choice (or a service academy, if she’s very athletic). She could go to college for free on an ROTC scholarship, but she won’t know if she got a pilot “slot” until her senior year; she’d have to be ok with any other job in the military in case she isn’t picked for aviation. While the Marines do have some fixed wing ( = airplanes vs rotary wing = helicopters) assets, her options in the military are really the Air Force or the Navy. The Navy is more fighters, while the Air Force has cargo jets, flying gas stations, radar planes, and more in addition to fighters. For the last 20-ish years or so, flying for the military has come with an 8 year obligation that starts after the pilot finishes 1.5-2 year flight school, so basically a 10 year commitment. That big commitment is because the cost is so expensive and they spend so much time training baby pilots.
I don’t know if you’ve seen headlines about the looming pilot shortage, but because there’s a mandatory federal retirement age for pilots at age 65, the airlines have been trying to get creative with how to fill their ranks. All of the legacy carriers (= United, American, Delta = the big guys that have been around since the beginning of commercial aviation) have now opened their own flight “academies.” You’ll have to research these. I don’t know anything about their requirements (do you need a bachelor’s to enter? what if you have an associate’s and will finish your bachelor’s while there?) or their cost (is there a cost? if not, do you owe a commitment like the military? student loans?) or their target audience (mid-career job changers? 18 year old students?).
WORK-LIFE Most people have no idea what pilot and flight attendant schedules look like. Unless they’re trying to earn extra money, they work typically no more than 15 days per month. A pilot or FA signs up to work a certain number of hours per month. As a baby pilot, she’ll “sit reserve” (on call). Brand new pilots get the super short calls – e.g., be here at the airport in 2 hours. For those calls, you have to be located within X minutes of the airport. When you’ve got a few months under your belt, you get more notice, and can be within X hours of the airport. When you get enough seniority, you’ll get a regular schedule. What’s “enough?” When my dad started flying, the airlines were full of WWII pilots and he had to sit reserve for years, and the pay is pretty crappy. Today, baby pilots are only sitting reserve for 6 months because senior pilots are retiring so rapidly.
A regular schedule is called a “line.” You hold a line and you bid a line. When enough pilots above you have retired that you graduate off reserve, you’re said to have enough seniority to “hold a line.” Certain lines always go to the seniormost pilots – the ones with a 36 hour layover in Turks & Caicos, for example 😉 A baby pilot won’t have the necessary seniority to hold that line; the more senior pilots will snap that one up. A young pilot will be able to hold a crappy line with icky hours and destinations, but it’ll be yours and you can plan around it.
Pilots and FAs put in their bids every month for the different lines based on what they want to do. Have a dentist appt on the 21st? Great, arrange to be home that day. Recital on the 30th? Ditto. Pilots and FAs always “go out on a trip” for 2-4, rarely 5, days at a time. You, passenger, are only going from hub-to-destination, but your crew has other places to go, so that plane will get freshened up and go out again in 90-ish mins. The crew will do 3-5 “legs” in a domestic day, depending on the length of legs.
This may vary by airline, but FAs and pilots sign up to fly a number of hours/trips per month.
Pilots and FAs have federally mandated crew rest requirements, so there’s a limit to how many hours they can work. At the end of day 1, the crew will check and see that they’re staying in the Airport Hilton or whatever tonight, so they’ll call for the airport shuttle, and they’ll pick them up, and each crewmember will check into their own hotel room, all paid, and they’ll meet up in the morning in the lobby and catch the airport van again. The rooms are paid but food is not, but there is a modest per diem. And they’ll do this for 2-4-5 days: fly to 3-5 cities per day, stay at a hotel, go back to the airport and fly to another 3-5 cities… Yes, it’s absolutely exhausting. But you choose your schedule! And say you personally hate the Hilton in Cleveland that the airline has a contract with…well, just don’t bid Cleveland again. And you can choose how many days you’re home between trips.
My dad died when I was young (car accident, not aviation) and my mom was always able to help out and be as hands-on as she wanted to be (she was an awesome Girl Scout Cookie Mom <3) and she could always make recitals and that sort of thing. But there were plenty of things she wasn’t around for because she had literal places to be. The older you get, the better your schedule gets (because it’s just you and your friends bidding that Turks & Caicos trip). But when she was home, she was available during the day, which was great for helping out at school.
DOWNSIDES Did I mention this life can be a grind?
Need I mention winter storms or computer meltdowns?
The aviation business is cyclical. Is there money to be made for pilots? Yes. Is it guaranteed? Nope. Wait half an hour for some airline to have some crisis. My mom is fully convinced that airlines never actually make money if you balance out the bad years with the good years. And what happens when there’s a downturn? Layoffs and furloughs. Which means your income dries up and the only thing you’re good at isn’t a viable way to make money. For a sample crisis, American Airlines is in a bunch of pain right now because they had ordered a bunch of new Boeings that are years delayed and so AA is flying older planes that aren’t as fuel effecient which is decreasing profits – airline execs have to have crystal balls to do their jobs well. AA is hurting so badly they’ve turned off their pilot hiring, even though they have the oldest pilot workforce in the US.
Union contracts expire and you’ll work years without a contract. Strikes are not uncommon.
There are other ideas just on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t remember them, so this will have to do. Hope this helps!
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Wondering where to find designer plus-size clothing for professional women?
As readers have noted in the past, trendy, fast-fashion spots abound for plus-size work attire — so finding quality fabrics and classic styles for polished looks can be difficult. We wanted to do a roundup of high-end brands and websites that include investment pieces made of high-quality fabrics to add to your everyday workwear collection.
We’ll also note a few options if you’re in the market for a date-night outfit or special occasion.
We also want to hear from you: What are your go-to brands or fashion sites when seeking out designer plus-size clothing for professional women that’ll last, in terms of style and substance? Here are some of the interesting companies we know of in this space — we’d love to hear if you know of any others!
The Best Places to Shop for Designer Plus-Size Work Clothes
These are some of the best spots for designer plus-size work clothes as of 2024… admittedly, a fairly broad interpretation because this category is such a narrow one! Our favorite spots for work outfit shopping are in bold!
Custom made-to-order French flannel suit at VigilanteLabs, $3,685
Plus-Size Designer Brands to Thrift
These brands aren’t being made anymore, but you may still see them on the resale sites or in thrift stores:
11 Honore
Anna Scholz
Alice Alexander
HENNING (sold to Universal Standard)
M.M.LaFleur (used to be available up to size 4X, now only 00-20)
Marée Pour Toi
Navabi
Of Mercer
Simone Aviv
White House | Black Market (not quite designer, but they briefly made plus sizes)
Violetta by Mango – Mango still makes plus sizes but they’ve closed the
Further Notes on Where to Find Designer Plus-Size Clothing for Professional Women
Gravitas: Founded in 2012, Gravitas offers workwear basics in classic styles; many have a hidden shapewear component. Dresses are around $275.
Jibri: With sizes from 10–28, Jibri offers off the rack pieces as well as pieces that are handmade-to-order. Celebrities who’ve worn this line include Jill Scott, Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes, Tess Holiday, and Gabourey Sidibe.
Kiyonna: Since 1996, American-made Kiyonna has been offering multiple colors, fabrics, and styles for plus-size fashions size 10–32, particularly their popular and flattering wrap dresses and cocktail dresses. (The brand also shows up in some of the high-end style stores like Nordstrom, as well as on Amazon!)
Lafayette 148 New York: Available online and in some department stores and at their own locations around the U.S., the high-end retailer sells blouses, suits, skirts, dresses, and other must-haves made from the finest European fabrics, up to size 24.
Marina Rinaldi / Persona by Marina Rinaldi: Part of the Max Mara family, the brand has more traditional dresses and more whimsical, casual options as well. You can find the brand at designer stores; prices range from around $210–$1000+.
Nic + Zoe: This brand is guilty of some… bold patterns, shall we say — but if that isn’t quite your style, some of their solids are great for workwear, including their popular Twirl dress and skirt, their four-way cardigan, the riding jacket, and the “Perfect” line of pants. You can find them at a bunch of retailers, including Nordstrom and Amazon.
PLVSH Style: With this retailer, you can either opt for a style box, or shop online for a range of high-end items size 14 and up. Prices range from $80–$280+.
Rita Phil Custom Fashion: Like the name suggests, this skirt designer can do custom orders, and the site’s FAQ page states there is “no size limit.” (BuzzFeed’s Kristin Chirico also gave it her seal of approval.)
Universal Standard: This line has been receiving high praise from fashion mags, blogs, and our own readers for its workwear options. They are offering an executive workwear kit that includes eight pieces where you can choose the color and size for each piece, and they do the rest.
Other Possibilities for Designer Plus Size Clothing for Professional Women
Subscription Boxes for Plus Sizes
There are a number of style box options for high-end, plus-size items: You tell them what you want, and they will make it so: Gwynnie Bee, Plvsh, Dia & Co, and Stitch Fix.
Made to Measure Clothes
Another option is bespoke professional clothing — check out our previous roundups of where to get custom blouses, blazers, dresses and suiting!
Readers, have you tried any nicer options for plus-size designer clothes workwear lately? What’s the number one thing you look for when you seek out investment pieces from plus-size labels? Fit? Fabric? Style? Do tell…
More Reader Favorites for Plus-Sized Work Clothes
The Best Plus-Size Pants for Work Outfits
Plus-Size Sweater Jackets
Sweater jackets are a great third piece — they elevate more casual outfits and make more tailored outfits feel “friendlier” and more accessible.
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Readers had a great threadjack a while ago discussing ways to get the spark back — it’s a topic that comes up a lot, so I thought I’d round up their responses. (Two other good threadjacks on the same topic: here and here.)
Readers, have you felt like the romance in your marriage or partnership has had a lull? What have you done to get the spark back? Have you felt like it’s a recurring problem?
(We’re having the same discussion over at CorporetteMoms today — but you’re welcome to discuss postpartum/parenthood stress issues here as well, of course.)
How to Get the Spark Back
Date Each Other
One reader noted that,
Dating again got our spark back. We do a ‘date night’ every Saturday night. We alternate between going out and staying in. Even with the pandemic this is possible. Even grandparents giving the kids dinner while you go out for dinner, or a Saturday afternoon playdate at a friend’s house etc. If we stay in we do something like watch a movie with fancy cocktails or play a strip version of some boardgame.
Read Come As You Are
A number of readers highly recommended the book, Come As You Are, by Emily Nagoski Ph.D. (There is a newer revised and updated version of the book.)
One woman noted, “it really enlightened me about the true nature of desire for both men and women – we have a lot of myths and misconceptions around it.”
Focus on Intimacy, Not Sex
One reader noted that people have different needs over the course of their lives, and it isn’t necessarily a problem to “fix.” As she put it,
In my view, it’s okay for sex to wax and wane as long as intimacy remains – hugging, touching, caring, however that looks for you. I do not believe that your partner should prioritize sex over your mental or physical health, or that you should prioritize your partner’s sex drive over your own feelings/need for space/whatever it may be. The path is going to look different for everyone, but I feel bad reading these posts where women seem to be really hard on themselves for something that I view as very natural.
Others have noticed that taking sex off the table has been helpful. One woman noted, “Going on dates and making out afterward with their SO with no expectation of s-x has been transformative for a lot of women. Even if it never results in intercourse, there’s more connection and desire.”
Consider Scheduling Sex
Readers have had a lot of debates over the years over whether “just doing it” can get you back in the mood, even if (in the OP’s case) the sex was middling at best.
One woman shared how this helped her:
I think sometimes you need to have just ok sex to get back in the groove. I can’t speak for other women, but I don’t really miss sex when I’m not having it. Once I start having it regularly, I start wanting it more. And the sex itself may not even be lackluster – you may not be in the mood, but if you “just do it” you may find out that it ends up being pretty good/satisfying, if not exactly mind blowing.
Meanwhile, another woman likened it to day-old hamburgers:
[B]lah sex MAKES THE PROBLEM WORSE. It kills your desire.
Consider this: if you and your husband normally have healthy, delicious, and satisfying dinners, you don’t mind if you do Burger King or a frozen meal once in a while. Now imagine that every meal your husband gets is delicious and satisfying, but every meal you get is a day-old hamburger. Now picture someone telling you that the solution is to not mind the day-old hamburger and just have the meal, because not every meal has to be great.
Treat Depression
To the extent that depression is involved, readers suggested taking a closer look at your antidepressants — on one hand some antidepressants can tank your sex drive, or perhaps your dose is too high or too low.
Get Therapy (For Yourself or as a Couple)
Readers suggested asking key questions such as, do you know why you feel this way? Do you not feel empowered to change it?
Stop Worrying About It
One reader suggested that worrying about it might be doing more harm than good. “Maybe you can tackle it with fresh eyes or see your husband anew after you get away from it for a bit. Probably it’s not a great time for a solo trip, but you could get involved with a solo hobby, escape for a bath every evening, rewatch all your favorite chick flicks, or something. For loneliness, contact your friends, get a massage, snuggle a pet or a pillow.”
Readers, have you felt like the romance in your marriage or partnership has had a lull? What have you done to get the spark back? Have you felt like it’s a recurring problem?
The days of the “@[insert username] blocked you” page appear to be over. X owner Elon Musk announced a new change to allowing blocked users to see posts of the accounts that blocked them.
Blocked accounts still won’t be able to interact with those accounts but they’ll be able to see their posts. A source from X told the new blocked access feature is being implemented because users can already see and interact with accounts that have blocked them by switching to a non-blocked account.
Musk has wanted to disable the block feature on X for awhile now. More than a year ago, he first expressed (or technically, Twitter) except for direct messages. He wrote that blocking would become “deleted as a ‘feature’” as well as saying “It makes no sense.”
Last May, announced it would implement the blocked viewer change to the platform without including a solid implementation or rollout date. The post said the change would be implemented to give users with blocked accounts the ability to “identify and report any potential bad content that you previously could not view.”
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.
It’s been a few years where skirts have felt out of style — but I’m seeing a lot of signs that point to them coming back, so let’s discuss. What skirts are you wearing to work? Do you find you prefer more tailored looks like pencil skirts (whatever length), textured looks (knit, pleats, leather), or voluminous looks (wider maxi skirts, A-line midi skirts)? Are you wearing some of the more boudoir-inspired looks to work, like slip skirts?
There are a bunch of great knit skirts out right now, from low end to high end. I particularly love them because the let you play with texture, and elevate monotone outfits.
Sweater skirts can be tricky because they can be clingy and staticky — a silky underlayer like a slip or slipshorts is essential to make them comfortable, IMHO. (You could also go with shapewear if you want to, or try a static electricity spray.) Tighter skirts may be too va-va-voom for work — but you may also find that they lose their shape throughout the day and fit very differently than the skirt you bought.
If you love MM.LaFleur‘s jardigan, they now have a skirt in that option (jardigan material). Amour Vert also has one that’s more of a ribbed knit. Another good option: this Target skirt (in regular and plus).
Some great knit skirts in plus sizes, as well as the J.Crew skirt pictured, include this longer option from Eloquii and this sweeping option from Talbots.
Pleated Skirts
Maybe I’m wrong, but I feel like it’s been a while since pleated skirts have been in style for work outfits — I’m even seeing them with suits. There are a bunch out right now that are far more sophisticated than the private school uniform skirts.
Long pencil skirts for work: yea or nay, readers? For my $.02, a lot depends on which shoes you wear with them. I tend to prefer the look of knee-high boots worn with these skirts, but a mid-calf length boot also works — I feel like loafers may also have a place here. Mary Jane flats can be tricky to pull off, but do try them with long skirts if you already have them in your closet.
Another textural element we’re seeing: lots of leather skirts from workwear brands. I think the best ones are below the knee with a bit of an A-line shape to them. Of course, know your office before wearing a leather skirt to work!
Unlike other midi skirts, I’d avoid wearing these with leather boots (at least, as the default) because the colors and textures of the leathers might clash in an unpleasant way. Instead, I like them as shown with classic pumps or Mary Jane pumps.
I’m not a huge fan of the clog-ish shoes pictured in the Mango picture (far left), but I think it gives you an idea of how they might work with a stacked flat like loafers.
This pleated faux leather skirt from Banana Republic Factory straddles several trends, but in the best way possible. J.Crew also has a number of leather (or faux leather) skirts right now, although a lot of them are too short for most workplaces. This Madewell skirt is a bestseller, but note that the closer pockets are to the traditional denim 5-pocket layout, the more likely it is that the skirt will read as very casual.
Looking for plus-size leather skirts for work? The pictured Ann Taylor and Tuckernuck one come in cusp sizes (to 18 and XXL, respectively); you can also find options at Eloquii and NYDJ.
Readers, over to you — what skirts are you wearing to work? How are you wearing them?
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
What tops can you wear with wide leg trousers and wide leg pants work? Can you wear the same office tops you wore with skinnier ankle pants?
I’ve often said that workwear follows denim trends in large part because of the tops — when we switched from bootcuts to skinnies back about 15 years ago the workwear pants became shorter and skinnier, and the tops became more flowy and untucked (or, ha, French tucked). Now that wider legs (for both denim and work pants) are back, we’re going through yet another period of change — and a big part of that is changing up the blouses and sweaters we wear on top as well.
Readers had a great conversation on this, and I thought I’d add my own two cents as well… here are the best tips on what to wear with wide leg pants.
Our Latest Favorite Wide Leg Trousers
Before we get started, here are some of our latest favorite wide leg trousers:
Wear a Fitted Short-Sleeve Sweater with Wide Leg Trousers
Readers suggested this one, and I totally agree: a fitted short-sleeve sweater (aka a sweater tee) can be the perfect thing to wear with wide leg trousers.
Some of Our Latest Favorite Short-Sleeve Sweaters
Wear a Silk T-Shirt with Wide-Leg Pants
Some readers noted that they loved to wear silk t-shirts with wide leg pants.
If you’re opposed to tucking things in, a fitted t-shirt can be great — they can either sit at the top of your pants, be folded underneath to hit at the perfect spot, or even tucked in.
Of course, if you really want the sleekest look, you can wear a bodysuit with trousers. Although you may be thinking these are club wear, there are actually a bunch that solid workwear brands are making — including bodysuit blouses.
Our Latest Favorite Bodysuits for Work Outfits
How to Wear Blazers with Wide Leg Pants
One of the easiest ways to make an outfit is to add a blazer, polished sweater, or other third piece… but knowing exactly which ones to pair with wide leg pants can be just as tricky as pairing tops with wide leg pants.
(Obviously, if your wide leg trousers have a matching blazer, buy that one — it will give you the option to wear it as a suit, and you’ll know that the pieces are designed to go together!)
Which Shrunken Blazers to Wear with Wide Leg Pants
A shrunken, fitted blazer keeps the idea of low volume on top mixed with higher volume on the bottom.
Our Latest Favorite Shrunken Blazers
A Cropped Lady Jacket Goes Well with Wide Leg Pants
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
We’ve started collecting all of our year-long suggestions along these lines with the tag Little Things. Check them all out here!)
Kat’s Little Things
Kat is the founder of Corporette; you can read about Kat and all of Kat’s posts here.
The Bug Bite Thing
Not to brag, but mosquitoes LOVE me. I’ll be sitting at a table or walking outside with several other people in my family and I’ll be the only one to walk away covered in bug bites.
They may love me, but I HATE being itchy. I also hate covering myself in bug spray, and even those little repelling bracelets are too smelly. (And I never remember to charge my Thermocell when I need to.)
We bought this Bug Bite Thing a while ago, but this was the first summer I used it, and I have to say I really like it — no chemicals or anything involved. The idea is that if you can get to your bug bite quickly (I’d say I’ve felt relief if I got to it within 48 hours) then you can suck the itchy part out of the bug bite. Here’s the description from the website:
Bug Bite Thing is a suction tool that alleviates the itching, stinging, and swelling from bug bites and stings. How? It extracts the insect saliva/venom left behind under the skin. When you remove the irritant, your body stops producing the reaction. A chemical-free solution for bites and stings? It’s a thing!
An important note is that the Bug Bite Thing is a two-in-one kind of thing — you can flip it around to adjust to the area you’re sucking, with a smaller head perfect for bites on your finger or things like that.
(If you are like me, note that mosquitos are also weak fliers — so a fan helps a lot!)
Filthy Olive Brine
I’ve written before of my love of martinis — I used to be an “up with a twist” kind of girl, but lately I’m preferring them dirty. If you also prefer your martinis extra dirty, you may be aware of the problem: you take out a few olives for your martini, then add some juice to your glass… and now your olive jar is sadly low on juice.
My husband prefers his martinis extra extra dirty, so I finally broke down and bought this Filthy Olive Brine, cute little pouches that are JUST “premium olive brine.” We’ve bought them several times at this point.
We used one of those typical wheel-y pizza cutters for years (something like this KitchenAid one) and it did the job just fine, until the blade eventually became dull. After way too many times struggling with it (and realizing we no longer own a knife sharpener), I did some googling and found out about this rocker style of pizza cutter.
I bought this one, and it works great! The blade is very sharp, so it cuts quickly and easily. Plus, it’s dishwasher safe and comes with a cover for safe storage.
We bought the 16″ size, which is labeled as “most versatile size option,” for under $25 at Amazon. The other sizes are 12″, 14″, and 20″.
Uniball Jetstream Ballpoint Pen
These are my very favorite pens, and they have been for years. But to quote LeVar Burton, “You don’t have to take my word for it”: They were also recently dubbed “the best everyday ballpoint pen” by Wirecutter, and they have 4.8 stars on Amazon with 3,000+ reviews.
I love these pens because you never have to scribble to get the ink going, they’re comfortable to hold, they write smoothly and don’t smudge, and they make a stronger/thicker line than most ballpoints. Whenever I use a different pen when one of these isn’t handy, it’s just not the same!
Ann writes our morning posts at CorporetteMoms — you can read all of Ann’s posts here.
LightDims Light-Blocking LED Covers
I thought I was the only one who cannot stand tiny LED lights in hotel rooms. Apparently, I am not the only one.
These blackout stickers make those tiny, distracting lights disappear. Each sheet includes a range of precut shapes that you can stick over those annoying lights. Just slide one into your suitcase for a better night’s sleep.
These tiny paint pens have been a godsend for doing touch-ups on my kitchen cabinets, hallways, door frames, and any other surfaces that a klutzy human might find themselves crashing into. You just fill them up with leftover paint and the seal keeps it fresh until you need it. I have these loaded up and ready to go with my cabinet, trim, and wall colors, and I use them way more often than I would have predicted.
These refillable pens are available at Amazon in packages of two and five. If you have more than two colors in your house, go ahead and spring for all five.
Balloon Buddy Electric Air Inflator
Without a doubt, the best under-$20 purchase I’ve made this summer is this balloon inflator from Target. We had a milestone birthday in our house this summer, so I resolved to be the kind of mom who surprises her kids with elaborate decorations on their birthdays. I used this nifty little machine to blow up dozens of balloons and used this tape to throw together a festive balloon arch in less than 20 minutes.
I’ve been working with a dietitian for the last year on improving my nutrition and gut health, and I’ve discovered that the key to feeling my best is making sure I’m getting enough protein and fiber during the day.
These tiny bags of roasted edamame from The Only Bean make for a delicious 3 p.m. snack and have 11 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber each. The buffalo flavor is my favorite, but the sriracha is a close second.
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Are you a superstar employee? Do you strive to be one, or did you used to aspire to be one? On the flip side, do you manage a superstar employee (or several)?
Against this background, you wouldn’t think it would be hard to stand out if you were still interested in being a superstar employee — but The Wall Street Journal (gift link) recently had an article for managers on “whether “superstar employees are worth it.” I was particularly intrigued to see that career experts have identified an ideal career “evolution” for such superstar employees, “to get the most out of stars.”
Superstar Employees: The Solo Years
The researchers found that young stars had great output (in one study, measured by comparing numbers of patents amongst employees) that “peaked at 20 to 25 years into their career, with an average 35% drop in output every 10 years therafter.”
During this “establishment” phase, they postulated that employees were trying to make a name for themselves, and managers’ should “shield them from distracting tasks and red tape [with a support team or assistant to take care of everyday work]. Leaders should also give young stars a lot of leeway, giving them assignments that play to their strengths and aspirations, keeping them invigorated. And stars should get exclusive access to senior leadership as mentors.”
(This is also interesting because I wonder who wouldn’t excel given those tools, especially compared to peers who don’t have the same perks.)
After the Superstar’s Peak
But, as noted, superstar employees peak — at least as far as solo work is concerned. The studies showed that superstar employees could become great mentors and experts, and in studies were more motivated to mentor. They suggested that bosses should give these fading superstars “formal training and coaching for that role. They should collaborate with stars to figure out how the top performers want to transition to a leadership role.”
They continued,
Then, bosses should put stars alongside younger, high-potential employees, and reward them for both their own output and their positive impact on mentees’ performance and retention. Bosses might also track stars’ performance with metrics like the number of promotions among mentees and improvement in mentees’ performance rating.
Have you found that your careers have evolved this way, readers? If you manage people, do you recognize these evolutionary steps? Do you find that people get “stuck” at certain stages, or fail to make the leaps, either due to burn out, a changed attitude, or more? How do you think this specifically plays out for women in the workplace?
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I’ve been reading a lot about scams recently and, to be honest, always thought it was something senior citizens fell victim to. (Or, of course, people trying to marry into Nigerian royalty.) One of the stories I read recently sent me to Chase Bank‘s tips on spotting scams, and what I saw there surprised me.
Here’s one of the scams going around that you might fall prey to: a “sale” on your favorite brand. “Scammers create ads on social media offering merchandise at great prices and set up bogus websites that all look exactly like genuine retailers. They’ll collect personal information or ask you to pay with a digital payment platform like Zelle® when you go to “check out.”” Then, the merchandise never shows up.
The site provided more details:
I was scrolling on social and saw a sale ad for one of my favorite brands. It looked just like other ads I’d bought from before. The discount was really good, so I clicked on it and went to what looked exactly like their website, even with the free shipping headline.
When I went to check out, I thought it was odd I couldn’t find a place for my credit card, just options for digital payment platforms like Zelle®. But I thought no big deal and paid with Zelle®. I got suspicious when I didn’t get a confirmation email right away like I usually do. I waited about three weeks, but the merchandise never showed up. I tried to put in a claim for fraud with my bank, but I was told there’s no way to get my money back.
Yikes. I’m not sure if I would have been suspicious if the only means of payment was cash — but now I definitely will be on the alert, and I thought I’d pass along to you guys also.
Readers, have you been hit by any scams? What would you tell your pre-scammed self, if you could?
