Belle’s Workday Reading: January 21, 2015
Jan 21, 2015
I am impatient. Â If I want something, I want it right now. Â If I want to change something or reach a goal, I want it as fast as possible. Â But sometimes, no matter how hard you push, all you can do is make slow, steady progress. Â I’m trying to learn the value of it.
***
1) The Wall Street Journal examines “How Dresses Lost Their Sleeves.” Â As a fan of sleeved-dresses, I’m perplexed by the arguments designer Nanette Lepore used to explain the prevalence of sleeveless dresses on The Today Show.
I really don’t buy the notion that sleeved dresses are harder to make because sleeves are uncomfortable. Â They don’t seem to have any trouble making comfy tops with sleeves. Â I think sleeveless dresses are favored because they’re cheaper to design and make, meaning more profit for the designers.
Looking for a sleeved dress? Â The Black Halo Jackie is my number one choice.
2) This week’s under-$50 bag is actually two bags. Â The first is an uber-chic grey and snakeskin tote in a classic shape. Â The second is a blush colored clutch. Â You do not want to miss this. Â The bag also comes in a black and aqua combo with a snakeskin pouch.
3) 10 Scientifically Proven Ways to Reduce Your Stress.
4) Dorothy Perkins has some lovely, under-$30Â flats right now. Â These rose gold flats come in regular leather and a perforated material. Â If metallics aren’t your thing, these nude flats with a scallop edge are a great basic.
5) LearnVest has a great article on how to know if you’re ready for a “step-up” to your dream job.
6) These Nadri oblong hoop earring are so chic. Â Need something smaller? These Elizabeth & James hoops are a solid choice.
7) Looking for a new job?  Lifehacker Australia discusses common ways people sabotage their job searches (and how to stop).  I couldn’t agree more about spamming your contacts.
8) I love this striped MICHAEL Michael Kors shift dress for springtime casual Fridays. Â This striped sheath dress with an orange accent is perfect for a semi-casual work day.
9) Even if you prefer to work solo (Heaven knows, I do.), we all end up working in groups eventually. Â Here are seven “golden rules” for working well with others.
10) I’m so obsessed with this black Nanette Lepore Folk Art jacket. Â Also in a gorgeous shade of white.
11) Refinery29 has a field guide to buying the right bra for the right occasion. Â This Calvin Klein racerback bra is my everyday go-to.
12) Are you a fan of the Duchess of Cambridge’s sleek style? Â Two of her favorite designers, Issa and Goat, are on sale at The Outnet this week. Â I am in love with this ice blue shift and this collarless wool coat. Â Wear them together for a look that is worthy of royalty.
*image found here.
I completely agree with your assessment of sleeveless dresses taking less fabric. I’ve sewn some dresses and sleeves do take a surprisingly large amount of fabric. I also think selling sleeveless dresses means retailers/designers can count on us buying something to cover up our arms — cardigans, blazers etc — which in turn generates additional profits for them.
Thanks for the blog — my favourite!
I don’t think it is the cost of fabric that is the major consideration. It is the cost of labor. I do think it takes a lot more work to make a dress with sleeves. It is more complicated sewing than sleeveless. It is more complicated to design than sleeveless. I have tried on so many sleeved dresses that are ill-fitting that would have fit fine if they were sleeveless. People are different heights and have different arm sizes, and both affect the fit of a sleeved garment. I suspect one sleeve does not fit most, which is a problem in today’s fast fashion world. That said, I prefer dresses with sleeves!
Re: 10 – LK Bennet shoes are on sale at Gilt today.
#1 – That Black Halo dress is absolutely gorgeous – any chance there are similar ones for a lower price tag?
Adrianne Papell used to make a knock off but I haven’t seen it in awhile. I’ll keep an eye out.
You weren’t kidding about that bag in #2. I need it in my life.
You have a typo/Malaprop in the first line–“inpatient” instead of “impatient.” 🙂
As a woman who comes from a long line of women with big upper arms (the place we carry our weight) and as someone who sews, I can understand why it is harder to make dresses with sleeve. I can remember trying to purchase dresses with sleeves that would fit everywhere but the arms. And having to make lots of adjustments to the sleeves of dress patterns. Most days it was just easier to leave the sleeve off. Just sharing another perspective.
Agreed! I always have trouble with sleeves.
And as an athletic woman with broad shoulders, I have never found a dress that has sleeves that are comfortable. Not even buying two sizes up then tailoring the dress to fit my waist. I, for one, am grateful to have a lot of options for buying sleeveless structured dresses, and stretchier fashionable cardigans to go over them 🙂
Belle, I wanted to flag a typo in the first line – think you mean “impatient?”
Thanks. Fixed.
Arms & chest are the two places women vary the most, where any issue will probably be a big issue. I can see in today’s ‘ready to wear’ fast fashion world, why they’d try to skip them. I also bet that has something to do with the lack of darts in shirts. That’s a highly personal measurement and fit that they can’t make work for everyone off the rack.
I think the reason they’ve stopped making sleeved dresses is all about the money: it’s cheaper to do so *and* they can get you to buy a blazer or cardigan at the same time.
*vigorous head nod*
Ugh, that’s my biggest peeve with the abundance of sleeveless dresses. I want to be able to just throw on a dress and shoes and go, maybe a belt too, but that’s it. With a sleeveless dress, I have to think of the outfit, and it’s not like I can wear the same black blazer 3 days in a row.
I just know that my sleeved dresses must have stretch….
Love your weekly reading! since you’ve written before about your frustration of Congress using Hill staffers as pawns, thought you might appreciate this read: https://www.rollcall.com/news/congress_is_good_at_shrinking_one_part_of_government-239368-1.html?zkMobileView=false
I’ve never not seen those Calvin Klein bras at TJ Maxx for sub-$20. they are my favorite, and I am wearing the racerback right now.
Bought that snakeskin bag pretty much as soon I could fumble my credit card out of my purse. I shamelessly used expedited shipping using leftover cash on a target gift card so I could have it this weekend. Thanks for the find!!