The Workday Reading: June 11, 2015
Jun 11, 2015
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1) Beginning a new project or venture? Quartz discusses why you should just dive in instead of planning to start after you get a cup of coffee, start the laundry, etc..
2) The red and white canvas weekender is the perfect travel bag, beach bag, or gym bag. An amazing, stylish buy at $69.
3) Levo League offers some tips on dressing for job interviews. I completely agree that you should try your outfit on the night before.
4) Looking for flat shoes for evening events or weddings? These Anna Baguiere flats are phenomenal. For something less expensive, try these fun Betsey Johnson flats.
5) Several airlines are changing their frequent flier programs after discovering that having so many “elite” categories has weakened the impact of being loyal.
6) Need nail polish colors for summer? My favorite hues for the perfect pedi are Essie Geranium and Essie Watermelon.
7) Hey, 90s kids! Crystal Pepsi is coming back.
8) There is so much cute jewelry at BaubleBar right now. I adore these Voyager ear jackets. This Montego bib necklace is so unique. And these stone-accented threader drops are simple and sophisticated.
9) J.Crew responds to the recent drop in sales by firing 175 employees. And I’m not sure putting the Madewell designer in charge will solve anything. #reviveJCrew
10) Summer is a great time to pick up a new book. My recent faves? Dead Wake, The Royal We, and All the Light We Cannot See.
*image found here.
another vote for
All the Light We cannot See – Great read!
I loooooooooved The Royal We. The Fug Girls did a talk and signing at Kramerbooks in DC a couple of months ago, and they’re delightful.
I was there! SO delightful!!
Just finished “The Royal We.” So good! Also I know it’s fiction, but I can only imagine what the real-life Bex (aka Kate Middleton) has to handle with the British press and the Royal Palace watching her every move and fashion choice.
In number 3, what do you think of wearing dresses for interviews, as she mentions? I absolutely hate suits and feel uncomfortable in them, but I always feel obligated to wear one for an interview. I’m much more of a dress and skirt and blouse type of person (with a nice 3″ heel). I’d love to wear an elegant shift and heels for an interview. I’d feel much better.
Greetings MK – Personally, I think a tailored dress in a neutral color WITH sleeves is appropriate for an interview. However, I would avoid a skirt and blouse by itself. The “power” in power suit comes from the jacket which conveys authority and professionalism. It’s like a guy wearing a dress shirt and tie but no jacket – looks kind of juvenile. As you are a dress person, I would consider a shift dress with a coordinating jacket – you will be comfortable in your dress, look super professional, and ward off chills from overly-air conditioned offices. If you don’t have this combination in your closet already, you can purchase something suitable for interviews along with other work and after-work functions. I know not everyone is a fan these days, but I’ve got a closetful of J.Crew suiting – they always have several options in their Super 120’s line, along with Italian wool. They have a new one-button jacket which I love – a little more fitted and less boxy-suity than the two-button version. Good luck!
Wow – that’s awesome that Buzzfeed gave CHS and #reviveJCrew a shout out in the article. Let’s hope J Crew takes note.
If you read J.Crew’s responses to my comments in the last WSJ article, they don’t seem to willing to admit that their problem is more than just a few t-shirts and sweaters. They don’t seem to get that the quality of the whole line is off, and the styles aren’t creating enough excitement to make up for it.
Jcrew prices seem a lot cheaper than they used to- there is always a coupon or sale. Cheaper clothes=cheaper quality? Perhaps Jcrew has just changed their brand an everyone should move on?
I think one of the things that’s so frustrating for me is this: The clothes are cheaper quality. The initial prices are higher. Then there’s a weird sale (30% off summer shorts and sandals, 40% off skirts and dresses, etc) ever week. But the company is still writing product descriptions that contain phrases like “this silk is sourced from the finest mills in all of Europe” and “Our Italian craftsman hired the finest elves in all the land to hand sew your shoes.”
Basically, they’re selling the craftsmanship and mystique of the “old JCrew” while refusing to acknowledge they’ve changed. So if they know the old way, or pretending to do things the old way, sells, why not just do that?
#7, I have always wondered why if you can make clear cola you wouldn’t do so all the time. I’m so curious about the process.
#9, wow, I read about the new lead designer and that just seems like a strange assumption that because Madewell is doing well with their audience that he could translate that to J Crew customers. But I guess they’re willing to let him try.
On a side note, you are totally famous now! That’s multiple articles mentions in one month. Go Belle!
Greetings Monica – Regarding Crystal Pepsi, I think it’s the same reason manufacturers do not make “clear” beer. Anyone remember Zima . . . ?
That’s exactly what I thought about Madewell. Madewell seems to be selling because their look has always been this breezy, loose, minimal, youthful style that the hipsters have kind of adopted. Additionally, they make decent bags, shoes, and jewelry the rest of us can buy. I don’t know why making J.Crew more like Madewell (which I’m assuming is the plan) rescues J.Crew? But who knows, maybe he’ll “get it,” and do good things. Here’s hoping.
On the Crystal Pepsi, it’s because we eat with our eyes. We expect things to taste how they look, and it’s jarring to have a clear beverage taste like something we’ve been conditioned to associate with brown.