<p>I’m sitting at the bus stop and laughing. A lady walked by wearing an outfit staright out of the WSJ link: pressed dark wash jeans, white blouse, striped seersucker jacket! She must have just had a job interview! She had nice strappy sandals on, too! :)</p>
<p>Speaking of sandals… Gourmetmom, what kind did you have in mind? Low heel, high heel, wedge, etc.? I’ve noticed that navy is one of the colors almost entirely missing from the current footwear displays. I’m going shopping tomorrow, and I will report my findings.</p>
<p>Hi Bunsen - thanks for being my personal shopper! Ideally, I like a 3" to 3-1/2" heel or a wedge without a platform - something refined would look best with the dresses I have in mind, although they are run of the mill dinner dresses - nothing glitzy at all. </p>
<p>I’ve had no luck anywhere. Ferragamo makes a retro sandal with a low heel, which would probably look okay, but my H would notice the clunky heel and make several snide comments, i.e., something his grandmother used to wear. I think they’re cute.</p>
<p>Gourmetmom,
I am impressed/amazed that your husband would notice your shoes, let alone make snide comments.</p>
<p>However: if you think that they are cute…you get to wear them. Ask your husband to walk around for a day in moderate heels–3 inches?-- then he may express an opinion!</p>
<p>Following up on the “business casual” function held at a local country club. It was a lovely affair, but the women weren’t dressed like a business casual office at all! Invitations should have read “Casual Cocktail”~ Lots of dresses, lots of cleavage, lots of strappy sandals and wedges, some closed-toe pumps. Some slacks, but dresses were dominate. Several dresses/skirts with cardigans. </p>
<p>One fave in my view–black slacks and a nice white blouse with a ruffled neckline worn by a tall, lanky brunette who wore simple black flats–she looked stunning in such a simple outfit…I wore a sleeveless knit dress with a coordinating jacket, (didn’t put the jacket on until we left as the room was a bit warm, possibly due to my frequent hot flashes LOL!).with open-toed neutral flats. I was comfortable and appropriate… </p>
<p>I also noticed that the young women, 35-40ish and younger, were bare-legged while several of us who were older wore sheer hose. I noticed a couple of women my age who were bare-legged and, frankly, they would’ve looked better if they’d worn hose. I am never sure about that, so I took a few mental notes!..</p>
<p>The men–no surprise–were lucky. Mostly golf shirts and sport coats. Some didn’t wear jackets and they were fine. I also noticed there were several men without socks! Guess that’s also a bit trendy–but don’t believe it would be considered ‘business casual’…I overheard a couple of the younger men commenting on the ‘no socks’ thing! One guy remarked that he never wore socks! A couple of them had on fun designs–argyle socks, etc…Funny the men were addressing their footwear!!</p>
<p>Sewhappy - those wedges are cute and the reviews are very good. They are a bit too casual for the two dresses I’m trying to match, but they would look great with cropped pants and casual dresses. The natural color is pretty - I just ordered a straw wedge that hasn’t arrived yet, but if it doesn’t work out, I may buy those instead.</p>
<p>I find the product reviews that GH includes so helpful, especially concerning fit. </p>
<p>Couldn’t beat the price and it will be great around the pool instead of a swimming suit, especially when I’m entertaining 12 year old boys. Even though I’m 5’7", it hits just at the top of the knee - very modest.</p>
<p>Panhand, thanks for the observations on the business casual affair. I am really intrigued by this notion of sheer pantyhose. It seems like an easier way to go then constantly applying bronzers! Does anyone have a good recommendation on a sheer pantyhose that works well in summer? If I’m wearing a casual skirt to the grocery, I’ll inflict my spider veins on the world. If it’s a social event, I believe I’ll go with pantyhose unless I develop a true tan this summer.</p>
<p>Right now searching for shoes for my 17-yr-old who is off soon for six weeks at a University that will be hot with no air conditioning. She is tall and does not like a heel but flip flops are uncomfortable for her. She is into fashion and does not want a shoe that looks sensible. She is also very much a dress and skirt girl. Frye flats fit her really well but I’m not finding anything too cute in their sandals. Usually she wears flats but I’m thinking she needs at least one good sandal.</p>
<p>(Obsessing about her shoes is helping me avoid the prospect of having her gone most of the summer - ugh)</p>
<p>OK, I’m looking for a chambray or linen dress to wear to a wedding in two weeks. The wedding is at a farm/winery so on the casual side. The couple is already married and returning “home” for a hometown reception so no wedding before. Knowing the guests they will dress “country club casual.” The shoes will be the Sperry’s. When I google, every dress I find is sold out. I’m bringing either a sweater or a pashmina or shawl in case it’s cool. The reception starts at 6. If anyone is bored and wants to find me a dress I’m open to links. I have a backup dress if I don’t find anything, but had a hankering for chambray and I’m abit of a linen lover. I’m just under 6 ft. tall so can’t do any short junior stuff which is always an issue. Chambray must be “in” this year.</p>
<p>Oh I like that one…I looked at the Talbot’s store by me, but didn’t look on line. Good find and I know just what size I wear for Talbot’s. Thanks. I can wear that for work, too, with a jacket!</p>
<p>Gourmetmom, it is my pleasure - I love looking at shoes! Sometimes, such looking results in buying. While eating breakfast, I scanned the usual suspects: Nordy’s, NM/BG and Sacks. Then I turned to my discounters, and in both cases the selection of dressier sandals in navy was very limited.</p>
<p>Here is one I like (perhaps a bit too blue):</p>
<p>I somewhat agree with your husband on the Ferragamo sandal: the chunky heel does not mesh well with the elegant strapping (although I do like the sandal and would wear it). I think the sandal in question would have looked priceless with a wedge heel of the same height!</p>
<p>I agree with all of you about thst WSJ article. It is insane that this person offered up this advice for corporate interviewing across the board. There is no way her outfit as described would be remotely appropriate for an interview outfit in many places. Then she contradicted herself by saying that you are often better off too dressy than too casual in an interview. </p>
<p>Gourmetmom, A couple of seasons ago, Nordstrom was showing a ton of strappy navy, almost black sandals ( I know because I was looking for black at the time and they were all blue!) but I think the reason you are having a very hard time finding navy is that they are showing neutrals or metallics with practically everything.</p>
<p>One of the most “common” looks in our crowd of men at summer parties is the shorts and tassel loafers with no socks. In fact those guys go sockless even if they have a sportcoat and pants on. Been that way for decades. I’m convinced it’s because they spent the better part of their youth in Topsiders…although I had to laugh because now that these guys are “older” they sometimes wear socks with their Topsiders but never with their loafers. And it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if a few of these captains of industry ditch the socks in the office on hot summer days. They can be so funny because they do “check each other out” to see what is being worn by each other.</p>
<p>So many great shoe choices. I love the Ferragamo slingback - it’s perfect! Hard to believe the heel is only 3-1/2" - it looks higher. I only see a 6-1/2 at Bluefly, but now that I know it exists, I can go on the hunt!</p>
<p>I’ve noticed too, roshke, lots of metallics and neutrals, but no blue - boo hoo. I have my recently acquired varnished cork sandals, which are neutral, as a backup. I just think the blue would look great.</p>
<p>Hi Alumother - I love Paul Green - without question, it’s the most comfortable shoe made. I had a pair of slides a few years ago that sublime and I always mean to buy another pair.</p>
<p>Donna Karan always made great sheer hosiery - I haven’t worn them in years, so I’m not sure if this is still true. I’ve graduated to tights in the winter and bronzer/self tanner in summer, probably because I rarely wear a closed shoe in the summer - once I break out the sandals, I don’t go back until well after Labor Day.</p>
<p>I am not usually a Talbot’s shopper, but went in last week to check out their walking shorts, which are always great summer staples. They definitely are trying to update their image. There are still some older looking pieces, but several cute linen tops and dresses on sale caught my eye. I ended up buying this great little linen dress that was on sale for all of $50! I got it in the light blue, looks just like chambray -not shown online but is in the store. Comes with a self-belt not shown in the photo, which makes it very casual, but could easily be dressed up for an outdoor summer party. Best part is it fit with zero alteration. </p>
While eating breakfast, I scanned the usual suspects: Nordy’s, NM/BG and Sacks. Then I turned to my discounters, and in both cases the selection of dressier sandals in navy was very limited.</p>