One Hollywood Stars: workwear

Showing posts with label workwear. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Reader Question: Comfy (& Cute!) Flats

I finally understand what you've been saying about flats. I wore flats to drop off my son at daycare and they tore up my feet, which never happens to me in heels. But I didn't want to carry my son to daycare in heels. Post on flats for the working mom?

Oh have I been there. Well, not that exact scenario, but the whole flats rip up your feet part. The problem is, I don't have a magic flat that will work for every single person. Everyone's feet are different and shoes hit each person differently, so while I LOVE my Tory Burch reva flats, other people find them to rub wrong. And I know people who love Sofft flats, but they make me blister terribly. The only thing you can do is trial and error. I know, it sucks. But to narrow down your trial options, I've gathered a list of the brands and designers known for being the best when it comes to comfort and wearability.

Cole Haan with Nike Air technology, $158 @

Wears like a sneaker!

Sofft, $95

The name says it all

Me Too, $88.95 @

Well priced

Sam Edelman, $109.95 @

A brand that has worked for me

Sperry Top-Sider, $108 @

These have a great tread on the bottom so you aren't walking flat on the ground

TOMS, $73.95 @

TOMS now have a ballet flat!!! So the comfort of the original, but none of the grotesque shape

Tory Burch, $195 @

My personal favorite

Sperry Top-Sider, $89.95

A classic style

@Available in more colors

Friday, September 2, 2011

Do: Dress Up For Work

One should always always put her best foot forward in the workplace. Just because it's okay to wear jeans and flip flops to your office doesn't mean you actually should. Take pride in yourself and in your work and put some effort into your look. No one will take a hoodie wearing, flip flop sporting woman seriously, and you're less likely to move up the work ladder. Uch, hoodies. *shudder*

There's no better time to update your work wardrobe than now. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the fall for one reason: fall work clothes. Seriously, this is my favoritest season for work attire. The herringbones, the tweeds. The wines, grays, and pumpkins. The jackets, the pumps, the perfect cardigan weather. It all makes me so happy. *swoon*

I've culled the interwebs for some fun fall work pieces for you. Check them out below. If I worked, I'd be all over a few of these. Oh how I love fall.

Ann Taylor, $88

Yigal Azrouel, $795

Anthropologie, $78 @ *

Restricted, $85

Vince Camuto, $89 @

Nine West, $79 @

Corso Como, $129 @

J.Crew, jacket: $188, skirt: $118 @ *

Cynthia Rowley, was $365, sale $259

Cynthia Rowley, was $295, sale $149 @ *

Diane von Furstenberg, $325 @

Banana Republic, $89.50

Banana Republic, $150

ASOS, $64.03 @

ASOS, $45.74 @

Anthropologie, $148

Ann Taylor, $78

Alexander McQueen, $955

Vanessa Bruno Athe, $350

@Available in more colors

* EWP Fave

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

How Much Is That Doggy In The Window?

As you know, I've just moved to a new neighborhood in Chicago, which means lots of new stores to check out! Lucky for me (and unluck for Mr. EWP), within 2-3 blocks of me there is a Club Monaco, Marc Jacobs, Intermix, Scoop, Cynthia Rowley, and Nanette Lepore, just to name a few stores. I'm in heaven.

I am a ridiculous sucker for Nanette Lepore. Her dresses and, well, everything are just so tailored, chic, and feminine. I want all of them. All the time. And those jerks over at Nanette Lepore must know this about me, because they change the window display ALL. THE. TIME. Every time I walk by with little miss BabyWP in her stroller, there is a new dress, top, something in the window. And they all make me swoon.

But this one I had to share because for the first time since having Miss BabyWP, I wished I was back at work. Why? Because then I would have somewhere to wear this:

Nanette Lepore, $398

Look at those darling pin stripes! And the perfect grey! And the shape flattering ruffled waist! *SWOON*

Well, I know how much that doggy in the window is, and I hope someone can find it a good home, because I just can't bring it home with me right now.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Reader Question - Laptop Bags

dear EWP,
i am in need of a better way to transport my work computer. i am not sure where to start looking and then i realized i should start with you! my work supplied this hideous big BACKPACK for carrying my laptop, this is not conducive to squeezing on the EL or not looking like a student. I have been carrying my computer home in a regular shoulder bag which is pretty uncomfortable and also not padded so probably not good when i accidentally hit the turnstiles and other hard surfaces while commuting.
my challenge to you is that i need a laptop bag that is comfortable to carry (we're talking comfortable to walk with for 1/2 mile or so and stand with for long periods). it can have a casual look since it will just go back and forth from my casual office, obviously you'll never let me get something totally practical-looking (i.e. ugly) but i just want you to know it doesn't have to look serious and professional (but it can).
can you help?
your lopsided, lugging laptop friend

Of course I can help! We can't let you go around carrying a backpack anymore. Oh the horror! And clearly one of those across the shoulder messenger bag would be just as bad. There's only one option here: a tote type bag.

Since it has to go to work, I'd stick with neutrals to keep it still professional. No hot pink computer bags for you. Laptop bags are wonderful because they have padded pockets inside to keep your computer protected from the jostling of travel.

Here are a few I saw that I liked, all with padded pockets for your laptop:

Hayden-Harnett, $198 @

Travelon, was $89.99, sale $51.99@

Mango Tango, was $64.99, sale $36.79

Kenneth Cole Reaction, was $119.99, sale $87.99

Kate Spade, $325 @

Franklin Covey, was $199.99, sale $71.99 @

Franklin Covey, was $99.99, sale $55.99

CODi, was $168, sale $63.99 @

Clava, was $170, sale $136 @

But a padded laptop bag isn't your only option. You could just get a nice tote and use a padded laptop sleeve to keep your laptop protected. This is actually the route I would take. There are much cuter options in the world of totes.

Below are a couple sleeves that would work and an example of a non-laptop tote.

Samsonite, was $29.99, sale $26.99

Skechers, was $27.99, sale $22.39

Kate Spade, $325 @

@ Available in more colors

Hope that was helpful!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Reader Question: Transition Work Clothes

I gained some weight with my baby and still haven't lost quite a bit of it, so I have to buy new clothes. I don't want to spend a ton since I plan on getting back to my old size ASAP, but I need some basics for when I go back to work. Even though I love skirts, they really aren't a work possibility because my work's dress code requires hose with skirts and I HATE hose. Plus, my super comfy work shoes would look horrendous with anything but pants. Anyways, what are some basics that I should get and where do you think is the best place to get said basics? Any input would be helpful!

As this reader is in the medical field and required to be on her feet all day, I will, for once, not pass judgment on the comfy shoe choice.

There are a few points that will affect my answer to this one: first, since these are just transitional clothes, you won't want to spend a fortune, so I'm keeping this to sale items. Second, I'm guessing you aren't really sure of how things fit you since your body is continually changing, so I would venture to say that online shopping is out of the question. Lastly, you have a new baby, so scouring lots of stores for your pieces is out of the question, so we'll keep this limited to just a couple stores.

Since you are firmly against the skirts and dresses (sadness! that's like 90% of my work wardrobe), that really just leaves us with tops and pants. You know I love a cardigan for layering year-round, and I love a ruffled blouse.

While I may find a couple tops at Nordstrom and every once in a blue moon I can find something decent at Macys, there are two stores that I think you could go in and completely fill your work wardrobe: Banana Republic and J. Crew. I swear about 80% of my work attire comes from just those two stores. I'm serious. They just do nice, mid-range, work clothes very well. I also really like Club Monaco, but their items are pricier and I wouldn't suggest you buy a $190 skirt that will be too big for you in just another couple months.

So my advice: hit up your local Banana Republic and J. Crew, scour the entire store, and try everything on. Even things you think you might not like, you won't know for sure until you've seen it on.

I took the liberty of perusing BR's and J.C.'s sale sections online and have posted some cute options below. Keep in mind, though, online sale items may not be available in your local store. But you can always 1) buy it online and return it at your local store at no charge if it doesn't fit, or 2) if you like it and don't see your size, ask your local store to look up in their system which location does have your size and have it mailed to you.