Things I Hope Kassie Brings to DSS

Things I Hope Kassie Brings to DSS by DCCeline featuring bettye muller shoes

Bettye muller shoes, $328
Bettye muller shoes, $199
Lillybee summer shoes, $75
Suede shoes, $75
Bruno Magli sling back shoes, $360
Shoes, $238
Tory Burch sandal, $495
Chie mihara shoes, $75
Green Patent Wedges by Butter, $325
Metallic Strappy Sandals by Kelsi Dagger, $88
Suede Coclico Sandals in Red, $338

Please, Miss Kassie, please. You know how much I love me some simply soles.

Gone Shopping!

At least that will be the sign hung on my condo door tonight. Leaving The Beans at home with H and the laundry (and rumors that he's having a friend over to smoke stogies), hooking up with BlueSuitGirl, and heading to The Mall.

Yes.

The Mall.

Before you jump all over me for it, here's my rationale:

• Need affordable (but not cheap) work clothes
• Need clothes that fit
• Need to do it in one evening

 And Banana's having a one-night 25% off $100 or more sale.

I've long been a proponent of their suiting pieces. They generally fit me well (or used to, we'll see), are made well (only reason I'm about to retire my grey pinstriped suit is because I wore it with flats one too many times and have frayed the hem), and won't break the bank entirely. Their wool-blend pieces fit right into the "you get what you pay for" range of quality over cost.

So. We'll just have to see whether Banana or any of the other standbys (I've been known to find fun pieces even at places like Ann Taylor or Express) come through.

They'd better. I meet my new Big Boss on Thursday.

 

Here's thinking...

A navy suit with cute puffy sleeves? (Banana)

Ruffled sweater(s). Love the doubled up look here, but doubt I can pull it off on this post-baby bosom. (Banana)

Cropped, boxy tweed jacket. I'm a sucker for a bracelet or 3/4 sleeve. Ever so ladylike. (Ann)

More navy, in a fitted yet comfy sweater that will be waaaay too hot for the office, but I'll wear anyway because somehow it's sculptured bulk is flattering (Ann)

Part of my sought-after pieces - cute jackets. As a broad-shouldered girl, it's hard for me to find ones that fit well, but maybe, just maybe, these ruffles and rosettes will work (Nick & Mo, Nordstrom)

And not anywhere on the range of "work," "value," or "practical," this adorable mini. A girl has to have something to wear to the DSS, right? (Tory Burch, Nordstrom)

Style Dilemma Solved: Sue Over Tory

Back in May, Vivien asked whether to splurge on Tory Burch's Reva or Sue London "London Slipper" flats. She reported in on her results.

While she did take a look at the Nine West pair suggested, the colors just didn't do it for her. Fair enough. So she hit martin + osa to see the London Slipper. They were remarkably comfortable. As were Tory's version.

In the end, and after much deliberation (we're right there with you, Vivien; I guarantee that everyone reading this post has hemmed and hawed over some apparel purchase excessively), she wrote that she's opting for the London Slipper in Malay (hoorah! my favorite), and maybe a second pair in Magnum or Reef (at right, decidedly understated).

Vivien, I applaud your decision. I'm a fan of anything not on everyone else (read: the Tory Burch Reva). When I was out shopping for shoes yesterday, I was very nearly appalled at the number of Tory copies and every day I walk down the streets of DC, I see a bazillion Revas on feet. True, lovely colors, and the logo is not "logo-y," but really, I can't stand to have my feet (or any other part of me, for that matter) look like anyone else.

Thanks for reporting in...

Style Dilemma: Burch or London?

Vivien writes:

I've been trying to find Sue London's "London Slipper" forever, and I can't seem to find any boutiques or department stores that carry them in D.C. Would you know of any places that do carry them?

Also, do you think they're worth buying? I'm trying to decide between Tory Burch's Reva Flats, or a pair of Sue London's London Slippers...any suggestions would be great!

Vivien:

First, Sue London's "London Slipper" (above right, in my favorite Malay) can be found at Martin + Osa in Tyson's. It's a great store with tailored casual clothes inspired by a traveling couple from Kansas. (They left Kansas in 1917 to photograph Africa and the Pacific.)

Secondly, if you've read any of my missives on flats, you'll know I feel for you. Choices between flats are always tough. My answer: it depends on what you're looking for. Both options you name are great higher end flats. But here are the factors I'd consider.

1) Fit. Plain old try them all on (and pray you can remember how they fit between stores). One may come across as the clear winner.

2) What are you really looking for? A comfortable flat or a style piece, or both? There may be other options out there, like Nine West's Tuti, which may fit better.

3) Price. Tory's (right middle, in equestrian orange) are just a leeeetle bit more expensive, at nearly $200 to Sue's $130. Then you can jump down to $70 for the Tuti.

4) Color. Once you have the right fit & price, there are color choices with each option, though the London Slipper tends to neutrals. Are you the sort of gal who just has to match her metals? If so, then Tory's are gold logo only, so that would rule out silver jewelry (but only if you must keep them matching; not matching doesn't bother me in the least - in fact, I relish it!).

Good luck in your search, and let us know what you decide!

Shopping for a Cause - It's True

So it's shopping disguised as a charity benefit. I donated! And I promise, M & H, that I'm not going to blow the bank on anything extravagant. I'm just going to replace my goopy Laura Mercier mascara (it gets those clumps up at the rim that ooze over when I screw it closed - a mess, and too much to deal with, despite how much I like the mascara itself) and replensih my Kiehl's eye cream (works wonders), and maybe, just maybe, if they carry my signature Paloma (which I don't think they do), I'll replace it (I'm completely empty! I've been scentless for weeks now!). But that's it. I promise. Sort of.

But more importantly, The Tory Pants Fit (and who says you can't loose weight overnight)! How very exciting. It's really way too warm to wear them, but they fit perfectly, and are sailor-tailored. I paired with my Chie Mihara pumps and one of my Romanian iie. I was buzzing around this morning trying to figure out what to wear. I was trying to figure out what to wear without repeating my favorite brown blazer, and I mumbled out loud about my go-to iie being a possibility.

"I don't think that's going to work," interjected H.

So I tried to explain that the tailored sailor could juxtapose nicely with the boho of the blouse. As good as he usually is at this, he didn't get it. Until I put it on.

"That works," he approved.

And so my shoes are off under my desk, trying to save my poor, injured back from my style decision to wear these pants and no flats (they're just too long, flats aren't possible). I have no idea how I hurt my back, but I'm back in The Land of the Flats. I only hope the photographer catches me tonight, and not my physical therapist.