Dressing Young (Part 1)

Parent Cafe
4061

<p>Oh, Mafool! That’s too funny! I seem to recall from your fb pic that you are a brunette with a chin length bob - we seem to gravitate to similar styles. </p>

<p>Yes, I think I had last year’s colors - that’s why the dress was at TJMaxx. The turquoise cardigan was just luck. It was also at TJM’s and it happened to match the one shade of turquoise perfectly. I recently wore the dress with black pumps to an evening gathering and it made it look much dressier.</p>

4062

<p>sewhappy, love the sandals! It is too bad that Cole Haan shoes do not work for my feet. They look awesome. </p>

<p>Last night I climbed some big lava rocks in my Sperry wedges to watch the beautiful sunset. Piece of cake! Hiking shoes? Who needs them! :cool:</p>

4063

<p>BB, Bwahahahaha. BTW, I can’t wear Cole Haan either. Wide metatarsal, narrow heel, high instep. Is that your foot configuration too?</p>

<p>I love reading about the outfits you guys are putting together.</p>

4064

<p>I’m on an “ordering-shoes” binge. Just ordered these – could not resist the discount.</p>

<p>[Kork-Ease&#174</a>; Silva Cork Sneakers - Garnet Hill](<a href=“http://www.garnethill.com/kork-ease-26-23174-3b-silva-cork-sneakers/womens-fashion/seasonal-highlights/summer-cravings-savings-event/205479?isCrossSell=true]Kork-Ease®”>http://www.garnethill.com/kork-ease-26-23174-3b-silva-cork-sneakers/womens-fashion/seasonal-highlights/summer-cravings-savings-event/205479?isCrossSell=true)</p>

4065

<p>Hah. Even an ol’ (formerly) fat guy has to get new shoes. Men’s shoes are such a wasteland right now. I had worn out both my black and brown loafers and was having no luck for something that bridges the gap from dressy casual to a sport coat and slacks. Everything looks like something from the Soviet Union or bowling shoes or iPod hipster ad. I have lace-ups, but they always feel too much for wearing with a pair of khakis, but boat shoes and running shoes aren’t quite right, either!</p>

<p>So, I figured maybe I’d go old school, with a couple pair of basic [Bass</a> Weejuns](<a href=“http://www.zappos.com/images/z/5/9/3/593883-p-2x.jpg]Bass”>http://www.zappos.com/images/z/5/9/3/593883-p-2x.jpg) or something. It’s not my favorite style, but at least it kind of bridges that gap and hits a sweet spot that will get a lot of wear. </p>

<p>I ended up with something in that general vein, but little variation and soft low-gloss calfskin leather. These things are gorgeous. Not as formal as a wing tip, not as casual as Docksiders and no socks.</p>

<p>[In</a> chili red calfskin](<a href=“http://www.allenedmonds.com/wcsstore/AllenEdmonds/Attachment/images/database/47716.jpg]In”>http://www.allenedmonds.com/wcsstore/AllenEdmonds/Attachment/images/database/47716.jpg)</p>

<p>[In</a> black calfskin](<a href=“http://www.allenedmonds.com/wcsstore/AllenEdmonds/Attachment/images/database/47711.jpg]In”>http://www.allenedmonds.com/wcsstore/AllenEdmonds/Attachment/images/database/47711.jpg)</p>

<p>What do you think? [Matching</a> belt?](<a href=“http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/819MmsWE7BL._SL1500_.jpg]Matching”>http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/819MmsWE7BL._SL1500_.jpg)</p>

4066

<p>ID - I highly recommend a blog written by Maxminimus, for men’s style and men’s shoes. Plus the guy is a fantastic writer. He has a day job heading up a consultancy:).</p>

4067

<p>We’re invited to a school fundraiser at a local country club, beginning at 7 PM–heavy hors d’oeurves, auction, etc. The invitation reads “business casual”. Last year’s event was fairly dressy, but can’t recall what the invitation said about dress…What would you wear to such an event?</p>

4068

<p>Hate that code, not useful for women. Usually means the men will be in khakis and polos or button-downs, many women will be in not-too-fancy cocktail dresses, or a nice shift, especially given that it’s summer and at a country club. If this is the South, men may even wear blazers. If it’s Northern California, heck, the guys are all in jeans.</p>

4069

<p>Alum - I recently did a stint as a career counselor at a small liberal arts college in PA. I told the young women with whom I worked that I believed “business casual” was an evil plot developed by a male network to confound women and make them feel inadequate. As one woman said, it reduces us to checking out what other women are wearing and evaluating how we measured up!</p>

<p>Panhandlegal - I think the dress that Mafool and I own (we each have our own personal copy) is the perfect style that would straddle whatever most women wore. I think with summer, I would opt for some variation of a shift, a floral print, a not-too-dressy fabric and nice wedge sandals. Lots of nice straw bags this year. </p>

<p>If your legs are pale, buy some of Laura Gellers body bronzer powder - it is great for just doing you legs and feet.</p>

4070

<p>wnp - Truer words were never spoken. I just sit and listen to the women in the Corporette blog comments try to decipher all this - change in some industries and regions is so slow.</p>

4071

<p>Paging NMinn!! Neiman and Saks’ end of season sales are online! Lots of cute shoes. :slight_smile: Must. Stay. Off. Those. Websites!!</p>

4072

<p>But Bunsen - you keep the economy growing!</p>

4073

<p>ID can you come dress my husband? :)</p>

<p>On his good days he dresses like an absent minded professor.</p>

4074

<p>Mathmom- my Daughter tells my husband he dresses like a 12 yr old.</p>

4075

<p>Would it be terrible if I ordered a third one of these wonderful Garnet Hill sweaters? Already have the Stargazer Lilies and Painterly Birds. Am lusting for the Yellow Rose.</p>

<p>[Modern</a> Merino Cardigan - Garnet Hill](<a href=“http://www.garnethill.com/modern-merino-cardigan/womens-fashion/sweaters/cardigans-wraps/13115]Modern”>http://www.garnethill.com/modern-merino-cardigan/womens-fashion/sweaters/cardigans-wraps/13115)</p>

4076

<p>Back from the cabin/lake. Thanks BB!!! Off to shop! I hate not having internet at the cabin!</p>

4077

<p>Regarding the “business casual” party dress code (#4067, above)…Are you suggesting a ‘sun’ dress would be appropriate, Alumother? I’d think that would be either too casual or too ‘cocktaily’. I’m really confused by this term!!!</p>

4078

<p>I think a sun dress or casual skirt outfit would be fine for the business casual event, especially since it is at a country club. Like what you would wear out for lunch or brunch at a nice restaurant.</p>

4079

<p>I wouldn’t do a sun dress, because that usually means bare shoulders and a lot of collarbone, and I don’t do that for business. But a sheath dress will have sleeves, even if only cap, and a little more coverage. A skirt and top would be fine, but I’d choose a blouse that is nice enough to stand on its own, as opposed to a tee, in a color, or a pattern. No satin, silk that’s not way too shiny would be good. </p>

<p>See why I hate this code:)? It’s not quite like shopping or a brunch. More authoritative. Of course, since you don’t actually WORK there, you don’t have to abide by the letter of the law. Avoid sequins, avoid casual pants, you are probably OK…</p>

4080

<p>sewhappy - nothing wrong with having a signature style…</p>