Here's a fun little question for today: how many sneakers do you currently own, and how do you choose which ones to wear with which outfits? In general: how do you wear your sneakers in 2024?

More questions: if you've spent money on designer sneakers, whether Loewe, Balenciaga, Chloe, Golden Goose, etc, what was your thought process? Is there a pair of sneakers that you've been considering forever but feels a bit too pricy? If you've bought multiples of the same sneakers over the years (like me with Converse), which shoe is it? Do you prefer different sneakers for different athletic activities, like running vs. strength training?

(Side question: what do you CALL them? Tennis shoes? Sneakers? Athletic shoes? Sneaks? This can be a regional thing, I think…)

We've rounded up the best sneakers for work outfits, as well as discussed what your weekend sneakers say about you.

How I Wear My Sneakers in 2024

I have a bunch of sneakers right now — I leaned into them after realizing that I was consistently wearing them more than flats, boots, or heels. Some of the ones in my collection, and how I wear them:

Black Converse. I just bought a new pair after having a gray pair for a thousand years; I still can't decide if I want to swap out the white laces for ivory ones to make them less… stark. I like to wear these with bootcut jeans. I've had Chucks for decades at this point, and like I wrote about when we discussed weekend sneakers, I feel like they are very much shoes that show my personality. (WHAT it's saying about my personality I'm not quite sure, but I definitely feel a sisterhood when I see other women wearing them — we're sarcastic? We like stand-up comedy? We have a lil' rebel inside? Hmmn. I considered long and hard splurging for the Comme des Garçons PLAY x Converse with my most recent purchase, but ultimately decided against it.)

Black Adidas. I'm going to have to check my order history — they might be a version of Gazelles with mesh? They're mostly black shoes with white soles and a bit of mesh on the upper. Despite the fact that the shoes have a very similar profile to my Chucks, I do wear them differently — I find myself wearing the Adidas more with “current outfits,” and Converse with more classic ones. Anything that feels trendy to me will probably get Adidas or…

White Cole Haan Grand Pro Topspin platforms. I got these white and blue versions after hearing readers sing their praises — they're very comfortable and feel on trend. I'm hoping to keep them pristine white. I find myself pulling these on with wide-legged, casual styles (like my Spanx Air pants), and will probably try them with some of the cropped flares I bought in the NAS. I don't like the skirt-with-sneakers look for myself, but if I were to do it, these or the Adidas would probably be the shoes that I'd wear.

Blue Asics GT-2000. I've had a version of this shoe for decades at this point. A few years ago, I went to a sneaker store to be fitted and assessed for a sneaker and was supremely amused to walk away with the recommended item: a new pair of GT-2000s. I wear them with workout clothes, which means that during the school year especially (when I throw on workout clothes to get the kids out the door), this is most likely what I'm wearing.

Purple Kiziks (Athens). These are super comfortable, and I love that I can step into them. If we were traveling somewhere and I wanted an alternative to my Asics, I would probably bring these. If I were to get a new pair of Kiziks I'd get one of the more athletic-looking ones with the swoops on the side; I love these for comfort but sometimes they feel a bit off trend, at least for me personally.

White and green Tretorns (Rawlins). I got these on sale in the past year or two, and like them for comfort — their low profile makes them sort of interchangeable with the black Adidas. Now that I have the Cole Haans I find that I'm wearing these less, even though the Cole Haans have significantly more of a sole than the Tretorns so they're taller.

Ranked for for comfort: Chucks (with insoles), Asics, Kiziks, Cole Haan, Tretorn, Adidas.

Ranked for style: Cole Haan, Adidas, Chucks, Tretorn, Kiziks, Asics.

How about you, readers — how many sneakers do you currently own, and how do you choose which ones to wear with which outfits?

Stock photo via Stencil.

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Commenters had a great threadjack the other day about the best stores to step up your work wardrobe, and I thought it would make a great larger discussion here. So do tell, readers: Where do you shop when you're looking for a few great pieces to elevate your collection? What are your favorite stores for when you want to step up your work wardrobe?

The original poster, an in-house lawyer, noted that she was in pretty good shape and “feeling like it's time to step up my work clothes a bit.” She noted that her workplace was pretty casual — no jeans and no sneakers, and that she mostly wears pants and sweaters. She explained she was “tired of shopping at the same mass market stores” and was really looking for recommendations for clothing websites that might be a bit less popular.

We offered general tips on how to step up your working wardrobe when you want a promotion, such as wearing a suit, wearing more structured pieces, wearing a watch, and “sleek-ifying” your hair — but we didn't get into actual stores in that post.

Readers' Favorite Stores to Step Up Their Work Clothes

Some readers noted that independent boutiques could be great for this — a small, local business where you might be able to make a connection with a sales associate who would learn your wardrobe needs and your style. Still, others noted that independent boutiques were more for “fancy SAHMs vs. executive women.”

One reader noted, “I don’t think you need to go the independent boutique route to escape having the same clothes as your office mates. There’s a lot of companies in between. When I wear Brooks Brothers or the occasional Garnet Hill sweater to the office, it’s very clear that nobody else has so much as seen their websites. And I’m in the US, but I also occasionally buy online from Marks & Spencer or Boden because again, they have reasonable clothes that aren’t immediately recognizable.”

Some of the other stores readers called out:

• & Other Stories
• Amour Vert
• Anthropologie
• Aritzia
• Boden
• Brooks Brothers
• Evereve
• Everlane
• Frankie Shop
• Garnet Hill
• Joules (now via Next)
• LaRedoute
• Mango
• Marks & Spencer
• Sézane
• Talbots (a number of readers noted that they can be surprising; here's our roundup of the reader favorites)
• Tuckernuck
• Uniqlo
• Vince
• Zara

The Best Stores to Step Up Your Work Wardrobe (IMHO)

Long ago, we had a “next step” series that included ways to step up your work wardrobe… One of those was a roundup of professional clothing brands for all budgets.

In addition to the ones the readers mentioned, some of the mid-level workwear brands I'd also suggest include Arket, COS, Club Monaco, Karen Millen, Quince, The Reset, Universal Standard, and Wolf & Badger.

Stores that have workwear that's just a bit more expensive include Agnes B, Another Tomorrow, ba&sh, Frances Valentine, Hobbs, Judith & Charles, LK Bennett, Me + Em, Milly, Oak & Fort, Rebecca Taylor, Reiss, Trina Turk, and Tory Burch.

(It's worth noting that if you haven't checked out these stores in a long time, you may want to take a look, as many of them have significantly changed price points… For example, Brooks Brothers used to be a bit more expensive but now focuses on more affordable clothes. Meanwhile, Lafayette 148 New York used to be a bit more affordable (although still pricey); it has now raised prices significantly to the “fancy” zone.)

Obviously, there are a ton more of small brands on the fancier side!

Readers, what are your thoughts — what are your favorite stores to comb through when you're looking for a few great pieces to elevate your collection? What are your favorite stores for when you want to step up your work wardrobe?

Stock photo via Pexels / Ron Lach.

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I was browsing online a while ago and noticed a bunch of cool, dramatic blazers you can buy at Etsy, so I thought I'd round them up! Readers, would you wear dramatic blazers like these to your workplace? In general, do you veer away from trends toward more indie style statements like this, and if so, when? (Are you more inclined to wear dramatic pieces like this only if they're from a $$$$ brand?)

Just as a reminder, we've covered a bunch of more traditional basics, including the 16 best blazers for women this year, investment blazers, Chanel-style blazers, and sweater blazers. We've also talked about how to wear a blazer with something other than a suit, pondered when you can wear a dress + blazer instead of a suit, and, of course, rounded up all of the wardrobe essentials for work.

Our Latest Favorite Dramatic Blazers for Women

As of 2024, our latest favorite unusual, dramatic blazers for women include options from three Etsy sellers; also check out this Cuyana blazer and this unusual merino wool suit from Wolf & Badger. If you're OK with Very Dramatic Blazers, check out this Etsy seller.

Some of Our Latest Favorite Traditional Blazers For Women

Before we get into the more dramatic blazers, these are some of our latest favorite traditional blazers:

Some of the best blazers for women in 2024 — great for wearing as separates! — include options from Cinq à Sept, J.Crew (collarless and collared), Everlane, and Madewell. Hunting for a deal? Check out J.Crew Factory and Amazon (Cicy Bell, The Drop).

Our Latest Favorite Plus-Size Blazers for Women

3 Dramatic Blazers You Can Buy At Etsy

A Tailored Blazer with Drama from Etsy Seller ConceptBG

This blazer caught my eye because it's got such a tailored yet feminine look to it — the frills down the lapel are really unusual, and I like all of the inverted pleats and the slight peplum.

The blazer is available for $168, in two colors, and in sizes XS-3X from Etsy Seller ConceptBG.

There are a ton of great reviews from people happy with the blazer, including comments like “amazing jacket, love the design and it fits perfectly,” as well as “[y]ou won't find anything like [this blazer] again, I'm absolutely happy with this jacket!”

The seller also notes that they DO accept custom measurements, but for a slightly increased price. In general the ConceptBG store is filled with a lot of interesting, unique, dramatic pieces.

A Kind of Punk Blazer from Etsy Seller StudioMariya

The seller describes this blazer as punk and avant-garde, but I think it could be wearable by a lot of people who wouldn't necessarily describe their style in those ways.

I love the fitted waistline and the very drapey cowl. I'm usually not a fan of big buttons, but I don't really mind them here.

The blazer is $119 from Etsy seller StudioMariya; it's available in sizes S-XXL. Reviewers call this jacket “spectacular” and say lots of great things about the seller's effforts to customize pieces to their measurements and preferences.

(Ooh, it looks like she also offers the blazer in white and teal for $124-$148; some versions are in cotton and some are wool.)

Voluminous Dramatic Blazers from Etsy Seller Aakasha

Seller Aakasha offers “unique clothing in natural fibers,” apparently selling them from Bulgaria. Volume is the name of the game with this seller, including this really cool asymmetric blazer — I could see it looking great with a long, voluminous skirt for a special event, but also just with cigarette pants for a more everyday look.

The blazer is a bestseller for Aakasha; it's $143, available in three colors, and sizes XS-4XL. Reviewers note that there's a hidden feature — buttons inside to make the back shorter. Others talk about how they are repeat buyers from her shop and note how well garments are made.

Dramatic Blazers for Special Events

A few other dramatic blazers cropped up in my search, and while they aren't totally appropriate for most offices, they would be great if you wanted a tailored look for a fancy event.

For example, this pearl-studded blazer from StudioShodweCo ($222) is kind of amazing; the same seller has options with sequins and feathers.

Another great option if you're hunting for a dramatic blazer for a special event: Etsy seller LauraGalic has a ton of really dramatic fitted blazers with very, very large fabric flowers on them for around $362 — very cool. (The same seller has blazers with feathers and long trains.)

One final option is seller Fashionpioneer15, who makes a ton of full suits for women with unusual details. For her blazers, this tweed blazer with a super high, pointy shoulder has a definite dramatic flair to it and is available in yellow as well as black. I also like this fitted velvet blazer with a stand collar, which feels like it would be lovely if you wanted a tuxedo vibe. (There's also this really fun yellow blazer with purple feathers.)

Readers, what are your thoughts — would you wear dramatic blazers like this, either for work or special events?

The post 3 Dramatic Blazers You Can Buy at Etsy appeared first on Corporette.com.

What are your favorite colors to wear to work right now? Do you consider yourself an all-black, all-beige, or “pops of color” kind of person (or something else)? What do you think are the best colors for work outfits?

We've talked in the past about how to cultivate style, which prints suit your personal style, and how to look great for work every day, but we haven't really talked about this basic issue of your favorite / the best colors for work outfits.

(Ah, long ago we did talk about the best colors of shoes for work outfits — I'd love to hear your take today!)

{related: The Ultimate Guide to Business Casual for Women}

My $.02 on the Best Colors for Work Outfits

I just saw a funny tweet that said something like “It's time to put away my black summer clothes and bring out my black fall clothes,” and I thought YES because, as noted previously, I wear a lot of black.

(I have tried to shift to navy more as I've gotten older because it is a much more flattering color, but navy shades are so hard to match… so I tend to wear navy tops with denim bottoms or colorful bottoms, especially in summer.)

{related: do check out our regularly updated list of wardrobe essentials for work!}

Then I started thinking about how “pops of color” were so prevalent a while ago, with tons of contrasting and complementary colors. Obviously, I still suggest these kinds of pairings a lot when we're talking about Suit of the Week or whatnot, but for a while it's been somewhat absent from a lot of “what to wear to work” commentary. I have been noticing more colors lately — there have been tons more colorful suits this year, and some of the stylings on shopping websites have definitely brought back color in a big way.

But beigy neutrals have been so popular lately — it feels like it's been several years now where the only thing some bloggers wear is different versions of the same beige outfit. I think it was Amy Poehler who said “good for you, but not for me” — my pale skin looks a bit dead next to beige, and I'm way too prone to spills to wear such a light color. I do suppose it's better for the screen than all black because lighter colors show texture and details better, though, so I try to adopt the general shapes and texture mixing where possible, but in black.

In the background of all this, of course, has been the return of “color seasons” as a popular way to pick out what to wear. (Elizabeth even reviewed her experiences with two online color analysis services!)

I suppose I do this to a certain extent — jewel tones look better on me, and it saves me time when shopping online to be able to automatically narrow the choices to my size and only the colors black, blue, purple, and red. It also does allow me to create something of a capsule wardrobe where everything, in theory, matches.

In any event: I'm curious, readers, whether you associate yourself with dressing in color in any of these ways. Do you wear all black, all the time? Do you stick to your “color season” for clothes? Or do you prefer the minimal all beige look? Do all of the looks strike you as currently popular, or do any feel like they're from yesteryear?

The post What Are Your Favorite Colors for Work Outfits? appeared first on Corporette.com.

What should you look for in interview flats? When, if ever, must you wear heels to an interview? Which are the most stylish kinds of flats for interviews? Reader L wonders:

I'm starting law school in August, and I've heard that heels (3-4″) are a MUST for interviewing and working at a law firm. However, I am a 6′ tall female. I never wear heels, since when I do, I tend to tower over everyone. Would it be appropriate to wear a nice pair of flats in my case?

Great question! We've talked about how to look professional in flats all the time, how to wear heels (if you're used to flats), and whether flats are professional enough for court.

As far as shoe questions go, this is important, so even though we've talked about it a lot, I want to stress it again: you don't need to wear heels to look professional. 

{related: check out our entire Guide to Women's Interview Attire!}

There are a number of reasons why you wouldn't want to wear heels — from feeling too tall (although hey, I say rock it out if you have the height!), to having foot injuries or issues, to just I-don't-wanna-itis.

What to Look For in Interview Flats

A few things that I would note about wearing flats for big events like interviews:

{related: the rules for interview shoes}

a) There are many, many, MANY professional options for flats — and there are many that look like bedroom slippers, sneakers, or other casual shoes. Unless you have ethical objections, look for leather and suede options over faux leather or fabric (and keep your shoes well maintained!), and if you want a sleeker look, consider a slightly pointed toe.

b) Be confident when you wear them. Don't feel like you have to apologize for your flats or explain them away on an interview. Any time any of your clothes or accessories distract you (or an interviewer), you lose.

{related: how to look professional in flats—all the time}

{related: cute flats for the office}

Readers, which are your favorite professional flats? Do you think any styles of flats look more professional than others?  Do you agree with my advice that you CAN interview in flats, even if you're 6′ tall?

The Best Kinds of Interview Flats

Reader-Favorite Polished but Comfortable Flats

We often include good looking, professional flats in our “Coffee Break” posts — but these are some of the reader's favorite flats that have stood the test of time. These would be my first purchases if I were looking…

Some of our favorite comfortable flats for work as of 2024 include M.M.LaFleur, AGL, and French Sole. On the more affordable side, check out Rothy's, Sam Edelman, and Rockport. We've also rounded up the best loafers for work, and our favorite sneakers for work outfits!

Investment Ballet Flats

If you want to make an investment in flats, these are some of the most classic options. AGL and Ferragamo are reader favorites for comfort, while Chloé, Chanel and Valentino are all recognizable status symbols.

Comfortable Low Heels for Work

If you're willing to consider a heel but feel like it must be low, or a “comfort shoe,” we've got you covered…

These are some of our favorite comfortable low heels for work as of 2024… also check out CK Calvin Klein, Trotters, Sam Edelman, and Sarah Flint!

Picture below via Stencil.

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We haven't had an open thread on this in a thousand years: What makes outfits, hair, and makeup look dated? (I know there are a ton of influencers who do “update your millennial looks!” type of things — if you have any favorites, shout them out in the comments!)

{related: how to look great for work every day}

When we last spoke about this (in, ha, 2011), we were coming out of a period with round-toe heels, puff shoulders on blazers, and the new trend that was just starting (that we all hated) was exposed zippers on dresses. (Still a thing, sadly.) Colorblocked dresses were also very popular.

We're in a time period when there are so many trends, all happening all at once, and it's harder than ever to say what looks dated. (Sometimes, for example, I see commenters say that cobalt immediately reads to them as 2011… but it's going to be big again in fall.)

{related: how to do a complete wardrobe revamp}

Interestingly, a lot of commenters in the original thread were discussing the “black bottom, solid color top, black cardigan” look — I don't think there's anything dated about that per se, but I wouldn't say it's a necessarily groundbreaking outfit combo.

There was also an interesting debate on “classic” looks like twinsets + pearls — the consensus at the time was that those looks were classic, not dated.

{related: how to make an outfit look put together}

We had another discussion on style vs. trends a few years ago, with me listing a variety of things that seemed like they were out, like belting cardigans (had been huge in the late aughts!) or wearing brooches and so forth. I still wouldn't say that those things are trendy, but I think if someone were to do it today I'd think of it more as an affectation of style, rather than “Oh that's the same look from the late 2000s.”

That said, if someone were to wear a belted cardigan, with several brooches, with round-toe shoes, with a skirt with an exposed zipper… it would start to look like they haven't updated their wardrobe since that specific time period. (Just add a J.Crew bubble necklace…)

I'm particularly interested to hear what you guys think looks dated for hair and makeup — I'd say sock buns are out, but I still like a good messy bun.

Readers, what are your thoughts? In this day and age, what dates outfit, hair, and makeup?

{related: how to get your style groove back}

Stock graphic via Deposit Photos / pockygallery.

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