We just celebrated Labor Day, dear readers, and that means two things: 1) we can see an end in sight to sweat-soaked summer afternoons (delightful mental image, right?); and 2) we can begin to think about more important things…like what we’re going to wear this fall!

It seems appropriate – in light of the recent holiday – to focus on a fashion trend that’s still going strong after three seasons: workwear.  What my grandfather wore to his job at the mill as a part of his uniform can now be found on runways and editorial layouts, albeit at a slightly higher price point.  The cool part is that many of the hottest pieces are being designed by or in conjunction with the oldest of old-school workwear brands.

Red Wing Shoes, for example, have been around for over 100 years, having shod everyone from troops in World War II to subjects in Norman Rockwell paintings.  I vaguely remember seeing really chunky styles on farmers in my grandparents’ small town when I was younger.

So what are these boots doing at Neiman Marcus?  Looks like Red Wing has gone upscale with the Iron Ranger Boot, a made-in-the-USA (that’s a hallmark of “real” workwear, by the way) all, leather mid-ankle boot that would look killer with dark denim or chinos.  At $270, they’re certainly an investment, but the leather sole and hand stitching will last you for years to come.

Levi’s is another storied brand with a long and storied history of dressing miners and hipsters alike.  The Levi’s® Workwear by Filson – Duffle Bag is a new twist on an old standby, taking rigid denim into the accessories aisle.  Throw in a bridle-leather-and-brass adjustable strap, and you have a nifty way to take this trend with you on travel or just to the gym.  It clocks in at $228 which is – again – on the pricey side.  But it’s lined in canvas and has reinforced seams, so you could potentially carry this far beyond the life of the trend.  It will still look good, trust me.

If you’ve never heard of Filson, don’t worry; they’re another one of those workwear brands that has quietly supplied waders, long johns, and quilted vests to the hunters and gatherers among us.  This Women’s Wool Bomber Jacket, however, is just plain adorable.

For the gents, there’s nothing more emblematic of this trend than a sturdy shirt, like the Long Sleeve Vintage Workshirt from Steven Alan.  Actually, I could totally see a gal pulling off this shirt, too, with boyfriend jeans or khakis and some boat shoes.  It’s available in four colors and – drumroll please – it’s on sale for over half off!  Seventy-five dollars is certainly no small sum for a shirt, but the construction of this button-down can weather any sartorial storm.  Go for the pink version; you can thank me later.

Last but not least is an item that I shudder to even say out loud: Denim Overall Dress from Rugby.  The last time I wore overalls, they were paired with Doc Martens and a choker necklace.  Yes, it was the 90’s.  And yes, Claire Danes made me do it.

So…I guess overalls are back?  No, I know they are.  I’m just having a hard time dealing with it.  I mean, yeah, they’re handy when you’re painting a house or nailing dry wall, but a dress?  And here’s the kicker: it’s almost sold out!  Only x-small remains!  And it’s $200!  Gosh, dear readers, I’m just not sure I’m ready to embrace this workwear look, but I would have been remiss not to tell you about it.

Now stop shopping, and get back to work.

You remember these guys, don’t you?

“Have you seen the movie “Catch Me If You Can”?  The opening sequence is amazing, all mod silhouettes and swingin’ tunes.  What I like best about the film, though, is its romanticizing of airplane flight.  What a treat to get to fly!  A gal donned her best dress, a guy donned his best suit, and off they were to the terminal, heels clacking against linoleum and hats tipped to say hi.

My, how far we’ve fallen.  I mean, it’s not entirely riders’ faults.  Who wants to get all dressed up just to take off their shoes and carry their moisturizer in a quart-size bag?  I can’t abide by the sweatpants and tees, but I’ll be the first to admit it’s much easier to wear Birkenstocks than to carry a Birkin bag.  At least there are still a few ways to be stylish while flying the friendly skies.  And this Stephanie Johnson toiletry bag is simply perfect for the fashionable flier.

Don’t let the outside fool you: the faux-fur, turquoise-banded bag is all business inside, with multiple compartments for every (non-liquid) item you need to travel. Velcro and zippers ensure easy access to your goodies, and the clutch-like closure means nobody will know what you’re carrying.  Johnson is known for her innovative take on utilitarian pieces, and this bag is no exception.  It’s in great shape (never used) and your seatmate is sure to be asking, “Where’d you get that?!”  Just smile and tell her, “I got it at Goodwill.”

Link to come soon!

Any purchase made at a Goodwill Retail Store or on  DC Goodwill Ebay Store funds Goodwill’s mission of training and employment programs for people with disadvantages or disabilities. Copyright Goodwill of Greater Washington.

This is what it's all about: another graduation class of the Green Pathway DC program prepares to enter the workforce.

Happy Labor Day!  For 75 years, Goodwill of Greater Washington has been educating, training, employing and placing people with disadvantages and disabilities, creating a stronger workforce and a more vital community.  We’re tremendously proud of our Success Stories and every person who has participated in our Training & Employment programs.

Whether you’re spend the day at a picnic or parade, we invite you to take a moment to click on the link below and watch a video of our Green Pathway DC Class of June 2010. They tell us about their life changing experiences with Goodwill’s Job Training Program, and leave some encouraging words for those who will go through the program after them.  What a great way to celebrate this holiday…

A Few Words from our Graduates

30 in 30

I’m hitting a major milestone in 30 days. I’ll be saying goodbye to my twenties and welcoming my thirties. Using this milestone as an excuse, I’ve decided to do a major overhaul of my closet. There are plenty of things that just don’t have a place in my closet anymore, and I’ve come up with my set of guidelines to determine if I should keep it or if it’s time to say goodbye.

If I wore it in college…

I graduated 8 years ago. It’s painful to get rid of anything that has a Michigan State University logo on it, but c’mon… sporting pink baby doll t-shirts is not a look I need to rock.

If I can’t wear it without being in pain…

Back before I realized that credit cards are not my friends, I had a shoe-buying habit. It happens. But I look at some of the shoes I’ve only worn a couple times and realized, as cute as they are, wanting to get home just to take off my shoes is something I don’t need to do anymore.

If it’s too short…

I have skirts and dresses that are begging to be worn, but there really is no place to wear them. My office environment definitely doesn’t allow for that look and when I go out, it’s just asking for catcalls on U Street while walking in something that I know to be much too short. I’d rather be comfortable.

If I’ve never worn it…

I’m probably never going to wear it. Those impulse buys that are usually from a major sale where it seemed too good to pass up are just taking up space.

All this cleaning is going to make room for some new, more sophisticated looks. I don’t think a major transformation is in order—I can say with certainty that my finances would not allow for that—however I think it’s time to grow up a little. There is the inevitable nostalgia that comes with going through your closet and “I remember wearing this to…” but it’s time to create new memories.

So yes, a month from being 30. I’m more excited than any other emotion, which I think is a good way to approach this major milestone.

Now for the big question—what will I wear to my party?

That’s me.  Today.  Yesterday.  And probably tomorrow.

Let me explain.  Last week, my poor right knee said “ENOUGH.  I’ve had it with your spinning classes, your steps, and especially your INFERNAL 4-INCH HEELS!  I’m just not going to work anymore!  I quit!”   There I was, at work, and my knee was as good as its word.  I got up from my chair to make my way to the coffee machine, and my knee wobbled and buckled.  Hmpf.

The orthopedist took one look at my swollen knee and said “lace-up athletic shoes for you.”  To which I say, how does one look fashionable, or ten pounds thinner, in a shoe of such proportions?  The nurse confirmed that even my ugly Clark’s sandals (above) weren’t supportive enough!  She said I need a lace-up shoe!  Ptooey!  And a knee brace. 

Accessorize THIS:
 

Second opinion time.  Luckily, the physical therapist was of a different mind.  She said the Clark’s are okay, and I breathed a sigh of relief.  Now, I’m embarking on a search far and wide for shoes that are knee-friendly and that I don’t absolutely hate.  It’s quite an undertaking.  Let me share some of my research with you.

I started with my old faithful, Aerosoles.  I was not disappointed.  They are especially great with sandals and wedges.  I settled on these wedges which were half price, $29.99:

Lace-up shoes were much harder to find in a style that I didn’t absolutely despise.  They are fine to wear with yoga clothes, casual dog-walking gear, or athletic wear, but try finding some you can wear to the office.  The best I could do was these by Ecco:

They’re really not too bad.  I was most upset that according to the nurse, I couldn’t even wear something like a cute, supportive flat because it didn’t lace up.  I could live with something like this:

Thank you, Nice Physical Therapist Lady, for not making me wear lace-up shoes all the time. 

My next move will be to find a higher heel that doesn’t absolutely destroy my knee, and that isn’t ugly as sin.  Cole Haan is on the list.  It will require some scrimping and saving on my part, but my knee will certainly thank me.  I’m thinking about something like this pump (ouch, $299):

So that’s my story.  Readers, do you have any similar stories to share with me?  What did you do?  Did you find any cute shoes that helped you through an injury?  [FYI, ballet flats won't work for me because they have no support.  Total Massive Bummer.]  My story does have a happy ending.  In a month or two, my knee should be A-OK as long as I do strength training and stretching exercises.  I might even be able to wear stilettos on special occasions.  I better be.

Carry on!  More Cargo, that is!  This week, we have 2 perfectly stylee pairs of gray cargo pants for you.  These pants were found at the South Dakota Avenue branch of Goodwill in NE DC.  With Fall just around the corner (although it’s hard to imagine when it’s 92 degrees today), the basic, solid cargo pant can help your cute sparkly tank tops go from Summer to Fall.  They replace the shorts you have been wearing with something full length.  Add a cardigan, and you’re outtie.

The first pair is by Urban Outfitters, Size 4.  They have a drawstring waist and also a button closure, and they have ruching at the ankles.  I love this particular detail.  You can ruch it tight or ruch it loose for 2 different looks, and you can adjust them to your shoe’s heel height, too.  Ingenious!

The second pair is by Old Navy, Size 4 as well.  (Larger size 4.)  They are slightly darker gray than the first pair, and they are more traditional in terms of styling.  Cargo pockets where you would expect them, low-rise cut, and boot cut legs.  The fabric is very soft and has some stretch.  Voila:

Get a pair of these season-stretchers while it’s still 9000 degrees out.  It’s DC:  You know it will be 40 degrees in no time.  Be prepared.

Any purchase made at a Goodwill Retail Store or on http://stores.ebay.com/DC-Goodwill-Retail-Store  funds Goodwill’s mission of training and employment programs for people with disadvantages or disabilities. Copyright Goodwill of Greater Washington.