Ask the Editor: Vol. VI, No. Sixteen

Another day, another mystery illness. We had the house tested for mold, that’s not it. We got the radon system fixed, that wasn’t it. I think I’m just paying the price for not doing enough for my health in my 30s…or 20s. So this sudden, debilitating acid reflux is really fun. But I’m improving, thanks to prescription strength antacid, and climbing out of the primordial ooze. Luckily the mailbag has some new queries, so let’s dive in.

Hi Abra,

My company built a new tower and is not RTO five days per week. Our floor (legal) is also suits/dresses three days per week. I have been working from my home since 2020 so the suits I bought in the 2010s are too small with skinny leg pants. Can you help me rebuild? Fine spending some money but need suits that last because I will likely be semi-retiring in 2-3 years.

Sincerely, Emma

Congratulations on the pending semi-retirement, condolences on the return to suiting. I just completed a legislative sessions where I wore a blazer for 65 straight days, and woof, I was not ready. So let’s learn what we can from my icy cold plunge back into work wear, shall we?

First, this is a great time to be suit shopping because the sales are sublime. Theory has amazing markdowns right now. These fluid flare pants give you a silhouette that is wide, but not too wide. They are final sale, so if you don’t know your size, size up and take them to Nordstrom for tailoring.

Reiss is also having an incredible sale. I bought this chartreuse suit, which may not be the most versatile, but it is the most chic. I’m also going to get a ton of mileage out of the blazer, wearing it with all of my navy separates.

Ann Taylor is also having a pretty good sale. I’m a big fan of white with black pinstripes as a chic summer suit. I’m also a huge fan of this top/skirt combo, which is so chic with a chunky necklace and a flat shoe.

Second, pick two neutral colors to act as “parents,” then blend in other colors as “aunties.” I wear black and navy, and mix in chartreuse, light blue and ivory. I plan on doing this color family again in 2027. Another color family would be chocolate brown and tan, mixing ivory, berry hues, and greens. If you want it all neutral, do black and grey, using navy, light blue, and white as accents. This way, you never end up with pieces you can’t pair and items that never get worn.

Third, make sure everything fits. It doesn’t get worn if you can’t zip it or it hangs off of you. I get all my tailoring done at Nordstrom — it’s fast, it’s reliable, and since I buy many of my pieces there, affordable-ish.

Finally, make sure you have comfortable shoes for all of the outfits. I had two outfits that I could only wear with a pair of pumps that weren’t great for walking, so they were rarely worn. Comfortable shoes are a must at this age.

DM: Do you really like your Helix mattress?

For those of you who missed my Instagram story: Helix sent me a free mattress because they saw a post I did complaining about how I could no longer sit on my bed without hip pain. I took their quiz, and picked the mattress that met my criteria. But I told them from the start that I wouldn’t promote the product if we hated it, I’d just pay to ship the mattress back.

Gifted or not, I love this mattress. My hips feel so much better. I loved it enough that I bought one for the “big girl” room that I’m working on for Sloane. Now, I’m working on finding the right pillow to help my neck pain.

Abs,

Please tell me what sandals you’re wearing. Sarah said they were Crocs and I called her a liar to her face.

xx, MS

Sometimes your friends go to lunch without you and decide to troll you by sending e-mails to your blog account. But, tis true, my favorite every day, casual summer sandals are Crocs. I feel such shame in my heart, but not on my feet. If you can’t bring yourself to wear them, I understand. I also recommend these Franco Sarto sandals and these Margaux sandals, which I left in a hotel spa locker and are now sold out. I need to go cry a bit.

Dear Abra.

Long time reader and fan! We are the same age, and one of my new aging experiences is needing more supportive shoes. It’s been problematic this summer as I am wearing more sandals, and cute sandals often have no arch support. Can you help me to find casual, everyday, black sandals that have good arch support and don’t look like my grandma would wear them?

Allison

I asked a friend who needs good arch support for recommendations and she gave me three ranked from least supportive to most supportive. On the least supportive, but still more supportive than your average sandal, we have these from Eileen Fisher. On the medium side, these Vionic crossover slides. On the most supportive, she said she buys these Aetrex sandals in the espadrille style to hide the giant arch pad.

And since I just realized all the choices she sent me come in colors other than black (sorry, I may have missed telling her that), I found this simple double strap from Vionic. They’re simple enough any one can wear them.

Hi Abra,

Thanks for the post on aging solutions for hair. Mine is becoming very dry and I can’t find a decent shampoo/conditioner combo to help. Do you have one I could buy at a store and not online?

Lisa

For an offline choice, I recommend Aveda Cherry Almond. It will soften anyone’s hair to the point where, when I use it, I have to rotate in another shampoo every 3rd or 4th wash or my fine hair becomes limp. Any Aveda Salon will have it. For a drugstore choice, try this one from Eva NYC available at Target.

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