For busy working women, the suit is often the easiest outfit to throw on in the morning. In general, this feature is not about interview suits for women, which should be as classic and basic as you get — instead, this feature is about the slightly different suit that is fashionable, yet professional.

Happy Wednesday! I really like this beige textured suit dress on sale at Lord & Taylor. The collarless jacket looks chic — and like it would be a workhouse with a number of different outfits — while the dress looks like a great basic. I do wish L&T had a picture of the dress by itself… but what can you do. It was $320, but is marked to $150 (sizes 0-14). Try code BIG to take an extra 15% off regular items and 20% off sale and clearance. ANNE KLEIN SUIT Textured Belted Jacket Dress

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Travel back in the Corporette time capsule… Here’s what was on our minds oh so many moons ago.

One year ago…

• What to Wear to a Tropical Conference
• The Corporette Guide to The Best Layering Tops
• How to Stay Productive During Your First Trimester of Pregnancy
• What to Pack in Your Office Gym Bag (and What to Wear to Work Out With Coworkers)
• Where to Stash Your Emergency Fund Money
• What Shoes Are Off Limits For Your Office?

Two years ago…

• How to Enjoy Your Vacation (and Leave Work Behind!)
• What Color Is Your Power Lipstick?
• How to Be a Great Worker
• False Eyelashes — and the Office?
• The Corporette Guide to Minimizing Wear and Tear on Heels

Three years ago…

• What jewelry do you wear to the office?
• How seriously do you have to take the “dry clean only” warning?
• How Doable is the Untucked Shirt with Jacket?
• What to Wear to a Sailing Event in Mid-May?

Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.

I don’t think I’ve featured an A-line flowy skirt for a while, and I really like this one from Pendleton. The abstract navy pattern looks gorgeous, and I like how there’s a defined waistband on it. I’d wear it with a pale pink tee and a white blazer, perhaps, for the office. It’s $138 at Amazon. (sizes 2-18). Pendleton Women’s Windward Skirt

Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com.
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I always love the accessories at ShopBop, and they’re always what I hit first when ShopBop has some of its legendary sales. This marble necklace is only 30% off, but the bright red marbles and the interwoven chain make a great statement piece for the office. I particularly like the one marble hanging from the clasp in the back. It was $135, but is now available at ShopBop for $94.50. tuleste market Short Woven Marble Necklace

P.S. Note that Max & Chloe has it in purple as well, although at full price.

P.P.S. Just noticed the Anthropologie Semi-Annual Clearance Sale is on right now — lots of cute accessories there, too.

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What should one wear if you’re officiating a wedding? Reader W has a unique question, so I thought I’d tackle (even if it is a bit farther than our usual topics)…

I suppose because I’m an attorney and all-around upstanding citizen, I’ve been asked to officiate the wedding of a very good friend this summer! I’ve actually performed one wedding already and I wore a somber black suit that was appropriate for the occasion. However, this time around the wedding and reception will be held during the day at a Northeast yacht club in July (meaning WARM) and the dress code is more of a summery semi-formal. Probably not a black wool suit occasion! I was hoping for your advice on what would be appropriate dress. Naturally, I’ve asked the bride what she thinks and was no help at all (“Wear whatever you want!”), but I still want to be respectful of the bride with NO possibility of upstaging/distracting and taking into consideration I will be feature in the ceremony photos. My initial thoughts are no wacky colors, sleeves or a blazer which can be removed after the ceremony, and minimal accessories. Does this mean I should wear a shapeless beige sack? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

First, congratulations; I think that’s quite an honor. I might first ask what the wedding colors are, and if the bride wants you to work within those parameters. Here are my tips:

1) Wear black. Here in NYC, most women wear black for everything, including weddings, but I know in other parts of the country it’s poor form to wear a black dress to a wedding.  I’d talk to the bride about it if you feel uncomfortable — considering that the groom and his men will likely be in black tuxes, it will be a nice visual for all the pictures.

2) If not black, go for a sedate, dark color. If you’re really not comfortable wearing black to a wedding, think navy or gray.  You’re doing something serious and studied, and I think your clothes should reflect that.  Another reason to go for a somber color: as the officiant, you should blend into the scenery. It is the couple’s day, after all — all eyes should be on them when they’re standing before you. Ask the bride what the bridesmaids are wearing and try to choose a color in that family — if you can get a swatch of their fabric that would be best to make sure it doesn’t clash.

3) Wear a dress. This is my $.02, but you do want to be festive! If possible I would stick with a pencil or straight skirt, versus a wider, fuller skirt, but that’s me. A sheath dress would be great, or the Nordstrom faux wrap dress by Suzi Chin (pictured in black above; available in other colors and plus sizes also) would be a great one to wear to officiate, provided the cleavage isn’t too low. (See above re: all eyes should be on the couple.) Maybe I’m crazy but a knee-length dress sounds better than a floor-length dress, but the bride will know better.  If the bridesmaids are wearing shorter dresses, I would particularly consider a knee-length dress.

4) Consider a sparkly wrap in a matching sedate color.  This can be a great investment, as you can reuse it for black tie events — but this way if you have a sparkly wrap with you and feel underdressed, you can wear the wrap around your shoulders.  I’ve pictured a gorgeous one by Armani (for $535 at Saks), but there are much less expensive ones, such as these solid-colored sparkly ones at Yoox for $118, or this lace and sequin one at Macy’s for $38 (available in black and champagne).

5) Wear a pair of sparkly shoes.  If you’re wearing a sedate dress, your accessories can be a bit more on the fun side — sparkly shoes that you can dance in will be fine.

6) Don’t wear satin or other bridesmaidy type things.  Maybe I’ve been a bridesmaid too often, but I always think of the bridesmaids and groomsmen as being the couple’s best drinking buddies.  That is, of course, a high honor as well — but as the officiant you should be a bit more than that.  More serious, more reserved, more respectable.  In other words, no shots until after the wedding ceremony.

If none of this sounds right, think “mother of the bride” type dresses.  I went to one wedding recently where a family friend, a female judge, performed the ceremony, and she looked festive yet serious in a dark navy or black MOB-type sheath dress with a sheer beaded jacket.  For your money, I think you’ll get more mileage out of a simple non-MOB sheath dress plus some great accessories (as recommended above), but it’s up to you.

I’m curious, readers — what would you wear to officiate a wedding?  If a girlfriend were officiating your wedding, what would you want her to wear?

So a little while ago I was introduced to the good folks at Ellington Handbags — and not only did they send me a bag for review, but they’ve also offered to give one to Corporette’s U.S. readers as well! I truly do love my Eva Tote. First, it’s very rocker chic — love the zipper detailing, grommets, the big rings at the handles, and the seaming. The leather is really supple and soft, and it’s designed quite intelligently — for example, their tech pockets are inside another big pocket, which I think will be super helpful for those times where you just want to jam everything into your bag, and then can’t find it later.  (Am I the only one?) There’s an interior keyfob and a light-colored lining, as well as a detachable canvas cross-body strap. Gorgeous.

For the giveaway, if you win you can choose either the Eva (my tote — retails for $229, available in black, gray, cognac, or navy) — or you can choose the slightly more casual nylon twill Mia Folding Tote (retail $169, available in olive and black). In order to win, please leave a comment below (with your email address filled out in the field)– which bag would you choose, and why?

The Rules: Comment on this post (including your email address in the “email address field”), telling us whether you’d choose the Eva or the Mia, and why The winner will be announced on Tuesday, May 22. You must include your email in the email address field so you can be contacted by Kat in the event you win the giveaway. Your information will be held in confidence by Corporette pursuant to The Corporette Privacy Policy, and you will only be contacted by Kat in the event you win the giveaway.  Please note that this contest is only open to residents of the United States.

Disclosure: Please note that Corporette charges advertisers a fee to promote and administer giveaways. Product reviews, as always, adhere to the Corporette Review Policy.

Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.

CUSP by Neiman Marcus is having its “First Cuts Sale,” and there are a ton of great dresses from brands like DvF, Tory Burch, Milly, and more — primarily in lucky sizes. For today’s TPS I’m liking this Robert Rodriguez dress. Throw a cardigan or blazer on top of it and I can see it getting some serious wear in the office — yet for some reason I also get a Jazz Age garden party vibe (which I don’t even think is a thing). The dress was $285, but is now marked to $171 at CUSP (and available in XS-L). Robert Rodriguez Two-Tone Dress

Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com.
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Honestly, today I’m torn between two different Samanta pumps, both available at Amazon. Ultimately I like this Monica Platform Pump better than this one, in large part because that indigo blue is so, so pretty. I love the cutouts, and I always like a deal. It’s 52% off — was $185, now marked to $88.56. Samanta Women’s Monica Platform Pump

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Sure, we all know what basics 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.

I’ve gotten a few requests for suggestions for “lightweight blazers” for hot summer months, so I thought I’d round up a few for today’s Hunt. For my $.02: if you’re really going to be wearing a blazer outside or in another hot environment, linen is the way to go — it just breathes so well. Silk is another good choice, but the tradeoff for all that, um, breathing (for both linen and silk) is the mad wrinkling that occurs. Cotton holds up much better (and I always think a cotton pique fabric looks pretty but professional, while a cotton seersucker can be classic) — if you can find a linen and cotton blend, or silk and cotton blend, that may be the holy grail. Right now I’m seeing a lot of blazers with eyelet details — I honestly don’t think they’re appropriate for most conservative offices, but they can be another option if you’re attending an outdoor event.  Readers, what is your favorite type of blazer to wear on hot days?  Do you have any tricks to keep linen or silk from wrinkling?

(I already featured this $88 Gibson blazer a few weeks ago, or I’d have included it in today’s roundup…looks like it’s available in different colors now, though.)

Pim + Larkin is a new brand to me, but I love the bright, saturated colors available for this linen/cotton/spandex blazer. It’s available in marine (pictured above), tomato, lemon, and a light pink “nudetral” (pictured at right) in sizes XS-L, and there are matching skirts, dresses, and (sigh) Bermuda shorts. The blazer is $79 at Piperlime. Pim + Larkin Colette Blazer

Seersucker is pretty classic, and a lot of places have varieties on it — but I know readers have had success with Land’s End Canvas in the past, so I thought I’d post this one. Although it does look cute with the dotted blouse, I’d probably keep my look more neutral for the office — maybe a white tee and a colorful skirt. It’s $90, and available in sizes 0-14. Women’s Seersucker Blazer

I haven’t tried J.Jill clothes in a while, but this linen and cotton stretch jacket looks great. Do note that it’s available in misses, petites, women’s, and tall sizes, and in arugula (pictured), a chalky blue, a dark red, mushroom brown, and white. It’s $99-$109 at J.Jill. Linen & Cotton Stretch Jacket

I think this silk and cotton tailored jacket looks gorgeous — but it is not returnable, so order carefully! The light gray color, the single button — classic. Was $348, now marked to $98 at Maxstudio.com (sizes 0-12). Silk & Cotton Tailored Jacket

Splendid has a number of cute blazers right now, which is interesting since I always think of them as primarily a t-shirt company (super soft ones, too). Still: this linen blazer (available in paprika, pictured, as well as white) is $148 at Splendid (and it seems to have sold out most other places it was available, so I’m guessing this one’s a winner). It’s $148 at Splendid, available in sizes XS-XL. Linen Blazer

I can’t wear boxier jackets like this, but if you can, this black and white print looks really versatile, and I really like the frayed trim. It’s a cotton/linen blend, and available for $175 at Net-a-Porter. MICHAEL Michael Kors Cotton-blend tweed jacket

I feel like I’ve posted almost all of the Rag & Bone blazers available this season, and I gotta say I’m in love with this one, too! Linen-blend, lined, and I love the fitted, curved look. It’s $495 at Nordstrom (in tangerine, sizes 2-10), and in black at Rag & Bone.

Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!

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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.

Loooove this dress from Akris Punto. I’m digging the asymmetrical V-neck look, which is described by the site as being a “modified” boatneck with a “vent” in it, which apparently has a concealed zipper.  I’m intrigued — does that mean you can lower or raise the depth of the V at will? Interesting. I just think the dress, overall, is stunning. It’s $1250 at Saks Fifth Avenue. Akris Punto Belted Tweed Dress

Pssst: there’s a matching jacket here.

Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail tps@corporette.com.
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