The Reasonably Prudent Law Student

Business Casual Superstar #488: A Totally Romantic Skirt

December 8, 2011 by humarashid

Generally, I am of the opinion that when it comes to what you wear to work, “romantic” should not be one of the words used to describe your outfit. “Pretty,” yes. “Delicate,” sure. “Feminine,” no reason why not. But “romantic?” Yeah, um, no.

However, I totally have to make an exception for the gorgeous skirt that I built this ensemble around. I’m majorly coveting it, and I had to share it with all of you. To be fair, there’s nothing racy about this skirt or this outfit. It’s a knee-length skirt, totally opaque, no cut-outs, none of that nonsense. It’s just that it’s trimmed with lace, and that’s a very feminine fabric, and the effect is just lovely, so as soon as I saw it, the first word that flashed in my head was “romantic.”

Also, it didn’t help that ModCloth’s item description totally banked on that image as well. They even directly refer to romance novels! Oh, we’re hopeless.

Love in Literature Skirt ………. $42.99
Pleaser Vanity Women’s Pumps in Black Patent ………. $31.45
Bold Champagne & Black Necklace ………. $16.06

There! Isn’t that a fabulous skirt? So whimsical and pretty, and what a great color. I adore that rust color. That kind of dark pumpkin-y orange goes well with purple, but I confess that I just didn’t want to use a neutral color, or go all matchy-matchy with white. I like the way the purple and orange work together. Ideally I might have chosen a pretty deep or royal purple sweater with 3/4 sleeves, but with my budget, my options were slightly limited, and a comfy tee works just as well. Besides, the skirt is fancy enough: the top doesn’t need to compete.

I know brown would have worked well, but I felt like going for black with the shoes and a matching necklace. Patent just seemed like a fun choice – more fun that matte – and I wanted a black and white necklace to tie in the white lace on the skirt, and to stand out a bit from the purple shirt.

Sigh.

I really adore this skirt, you guys. I don’t know why.

Posted in Business Casual Superstar | Tagged General | Leave a Comment »

Business Casual Superstar #487: A Classic Sweaterdress Outfit Inspired By Emma Stone

December 5, 2011 by humarashid

Sweaterdresses are awesome. They make for a great, simple, comfortable look that is absolutely perfect for this time of year. Plus, a sweaterdress with a nice bag and nice shoes and not much else makes a great statement. That’s what I had in mind for today’s look, which is inspired by Emma Stone.

And here is what I came up with:

Cotton Ribbed Turtleneck Sweaterdress in Black ………. $24.50
Sam & Libby Anistacia Shoes in Black ………. $25.99
Aldo Fretwell Bag ………. $48

I couldn’t get a picture of that dress in black, but yes, it’s indeed supposed to be a simple, black, turtlenecked sweater dress. The belt is not included, and I’m glad for that, because I don’t like it that much. And I have a general aversion to dresses that are already belted. I would much rather prefer to belt them on my own, with belts I already have, or not at all, and not have to deal with empty belt loops.

I went with this dress because it’s got short sleeves. Emma’s is sleeveless, which might be appropriate enough in some offices, and inappropriate in others. I figured I’d play it safe and go with sleeves that wouldn’t be objectionable. It’s also a perfect, office-appropriate length.

I paired it with peep toe pumps, which are generally office-appropriate, and threw in a purple bag, because purple works so well with black.

And there we have a lovely, comfortable look inspired by Emma Stone!

Posted in Business Casual Superstar | Tagged Celebrity Style | Leave a Comment »

OMGah That Dress: Everything about this McQueen is unbelievable

December 4, 2011 by humarashid

You guys, I can’t even. Just … just see for yourself.

Alexander McQueen

I ADORE the color combination: the dusky, rosy pink oatmeal? The deep, rich crimson? YES PLEASE.

I love the built-in shrug. Delicate and pretty and demure.

The printed border is reminiscent of Indian saris, and so intricate and pretty, while the overall look of this gown is Grecian, in a way, at least to me, probably because of the skirt peeking out at the bottom. Wrinkly and crepey and delicate.

There is just something so luxurious about this dress. Wearing it would feel like being swaddled in silk. It’s so utterly, completely feminine, especially with that dusky rose oatmeal, but so strong and powerful and intense with that dark red.

Good God, I want this.

Posted in Business Casual Superstar | Tagged OMGah | Leave a Comment »

Business Casual Superstar #486: Punjammies! Help Indian women rescued from forced prostitution!

December 2, 2011 by humarashid

Now, okay, I confess, this isn’t actually a business-casual find. In fact, you can’t even wear this on Casual Friday. You can basically only wear this in your bedroom, or around the house, or to your high school on “Pajama Day” during Homecoming week. (God, I loved Homecoming week.)

That’s because Punjammies are pajamas. Jammies. Jams. Pajama itself is actually an example of “Hobson Jobson,” a Hindi/Urdu/Arabic word that was Anglicized and adopted into English. Pajama is the Urdu/Hindi word meaning “pants.” But, like, loose pants, I guess. Because the word for trousers, actual pants, is “patloon” (puh-th-loon).

In fact, “Hobson Jobson” is itself an example of Hobson Jobson. It was coined when the British man who presumably coined it observed a bunch of Indian Shiite Muslims hitting themselves on the chests with their hands or metal chains or knives while yelling, “Ya Hasan! Ya Husain!”, the names of the two grandsons of Muhammad (S). It’s a Shiite thing, during the Islamic month of Muharram. So that’s kind of funny. The Hobson-Jobson-as-Hobson-Jobson thing, not the self-flagellation. Not that I’m denigrating what anyone believes to be a religious rite/custom or anything.

You know what? I’m not saying anything.

Except that Punjammies are awesome.

Click for the website and TONS of gorgeous pajama tops and bottoms!

They are 100% cotton (with polyester borders, usually) pajama tops and bottoms made by Indian women (Punjab, from which the brand borrows a syllable and association, is a province in India and Pakistan) rescued from forced prostitution.

Aren’t they lovely? I think these are my favorite (even though I haven’t looked through all of the offerings, just most) because they’re so incredibly colorful and happy. Of course, this might just be the Power Ranger bedsheets all over again. Andy took me to Linens ‘n’ Things last week to get new bedsheets and I picked the Power Ranger ones, and I went home and tried them on but they made me really happy, and all that excess happiness made it difficult to sleep, so he has to take me back to Linens ‘n’ Things this weekend so I can return them.

I found out about Punjammies from my lovely friend Jenny Evrard. We were super good friends in high school and have remained friends since, and she is exceedingly awesome. So, here’s the deal. I need y’all to head right over to Jenny’s Etsy Shop, Tallulah’s Treasures and poke around. I need you to look at all of her gorgeous jewelry and, I don’t know, maybe buy something. Dooooo itttttt.

(And no, I am not being compensated in any way for this. I just wanted to share Jenny’s lovely creations. She’s one of the most talented people I know in many ways, but especially in joo-ree-making.)

Punjammies, like I said, help Indian women who were rescued from forced prostitution. Proceeds from sales provide fair-trade wages, savings accounts, and recovery care for these women.

And these pajamas are absolutely beautiful – way more beautiful than the pajamas I usually buy from VS or Target. (I do seriously love the flannel pajama shorts at Target. I love flannel, period. I’d say I only loved it in the winter, but let’s not lie: I’m cold ALL THE TIME.)

So if you’re the kind of person that loves having relatively unique, eye-catching, pretty things, these pajamas are going to be right up your alley.

In addition, if you’d like to donate to this project, you can learn more about that here.

Posted in Business Casual Superstar, Islam/Culture | Tagged General | Leave a Comment »

OMGah That Dress: Check out this insane purple.

December 1, 2011 by humarashid

Wow. Seriously. OMGah, that dress.

What a lovely, intense color! I absolutely adore this thing. I would TOTALLY rock it. Check out the gorgeous detailing at the waist, and the drama of that skirt. Love.

Posted in Business Casual Superstar | Tagged OMGah | Leave a Comment »

Women’s Head Coverings in Different Religions

November 29, 2011 by humarashid

I liked this. I liked the idea of it.

Posted in Islam/Culture | Leave a Comment »

Business Casual Superstar #485: She Sells Sea Shells By the Sea Shore

November 29, 2011 by humarashid

Man, is anyone else exhausted by this Black Friday/Cyber Monday mess? I sat both of them out. Frankly, I find BF/CM intimidating. I find most things intimidating, really, but that’s my cross to bear. I don’t want you guys to worry about it. And if I find you worrying…

>:(

Anyway, I was browsing the Ann Taylor Loft sale – not to buy anything, just to look around – and found myself paying particular attention to the shells. I don’t know about you guys, but I don’t have enough of them. Shells are great for under suits, and I also like wearing them with cardigans and flats for a business casual look, or a slightly dress casual look (when I’m running errands but don’t want to look like a slouch).

So I thought I’d put together a little collection of shells to be worn with fancy-schmancy suits, and with flats and a sweater for a prim little casual look. Let’s get started! As always, click the picture to purchase.

$40-$45

I love the color red. I wear it often enough. My handbag, as you guys saw, is red. Two of them are, at any rate: my Longchamp and a Liz Claiborne leather tote that my BFF Nida gave me when I graduated from law school (it’s gorgeous and perfectly my taste – we rarely shop together but that girl always gets things I just love; I have no idea how she does it!).

But what I really like about this is the beading or sequins or whatever up top. I like shiny things, you guys. I can’t help it. Once, Andy gave me a big jar of nuts and bolts to play with, and I was happy alllll day. But then I learned that he removed those nuts and bolts from my car, so I wasn’t happy after that. After I set something that he owned on fire, though, I felt better.

$19.99

It’s purple-y, but with sparkle. Slight sheen, really.

$20.99

I like shells with tiny little prints like this. And I like the gentle pleating at the top.

$39.99

I also like colorblock, often enough. And this color pattern is nice. I would totally wear this, with my black editor pants, silver ballet flats, and a lovely cropped grey crochet sweater. And maybe something yellow in my hair. Yellow flower. Yellow ribbon. Something yellow, for a bright splash of color.

I had two great tops to show you from Ann Taylor but the site was down for maintenance and otherwise being buggy for HOURS, so they don’t get any linkbacks.

This image represents what I feel like when I want to buy something and the website is like LOL NO NICE TRY.

$27.99

It’s shimmery and it’s got a drape neck. Therefore, I like it. I like drape necks a lot. I like anything that adds interest around the neckline, really, now that I think of it. Not always, but usually.

I’d wear this with a bold splash of color. A colored sweater. Brightly colored flats or heels. Or I’d throw on a bright red trench and leave it open while I ran errands, weather permitting. I’m a big fan of bright trenches and not buttoning them up.

…I don’t know what’s wrong with me.

$47.40

OMGah, I love this top. It’s everything I love put together: red, silk(y), pleated. (OK, I don’t always love pleats. Sometimes I hate them. But whatever, give me this one, yeah?) How great would this look under a suit jacket? And it’s a great top to wear out with skinny pants and the highest heels you can find. (Not me, though. I’d just fall over. And look ridiculous, like a child playing dress up.)

$13.99

Now, everyone’s all “DON’T SHOP AT EXPRESS IF YOU’RE A LAWYER!!1!” I’ve heard all that. I just don’t agree.

The reason is that Express’s clothes are too sexy. That’s fine, I get that. I don’t think, however, that ALL their clothes are ‘too sexy,’ or even ‘sexy.’ I think this top, while fitted, and quite feminine (due to the lace, which is a very feminine fabric/accent to use), isn’t all that sexy. Your sweater puppies certainly won’t be hanging out. There aren’t any cut-outs. There’s nothing overtly sexy about it.

The other reason is that Express’s clothes may fit women better than they should. Especially if the women in question, you know, buy the size that they normally wear.

This crap about ‘buying a size up’ so that your clothes are slightly looser and not form-fitting and you don’t tempt anyone in the office or give the ol’ boys an excuse not to take you seriously is just that – crap. I’m not advising any of you to prance around the office in a tight pencil skirt and this top and nothing else. (Well, shoes.)

All I’m saying is that this top is cute. It’s flattering. It’s not going to leave your sweater puppies out there for the world to ogle. It’ll look great with a blazer.

So forget that crap about not shopping at Express if you want to be taken seriously in the corporate world. If you like this top, if you also think it would look sharp with a blazer and a skirt, get it. It’s that simple.

Anyway, there we have it! A bunch of shells. Hopefully, you saw something you liked.

Posted in Business Casual Superstar | Tagged Collections | Leave a Comment »

Not A Business Casual Superstar: But Srsly OMGAH That Dress

November 28, 2011 by humarashid

You’ve probably figured out by now that this is not a Business Casual Superstar post. There is no way you could wear this dress on its own and be considered a business casual superstar. I’m not sure that even a blazer, my favorite stand-by as far as chameleon-ing up my casual fashion to business casual fashion, would make a dent in the beauty and teh secks of this dress.

Seriously, you guys, OMGAH, that dress.

Right?

(Also, it would be a killer maternity dress for those fancy occasions when you don’t want to wear a Russian circus tent that has been bedazzled or fairly doused with glitter.)

Arnold Scaasi, 1958

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Posted in Business Casual Superstar | Tagged General | Leave a Comment »

Well, this is awkward.

November 16, 2011 by humarashid

Last week, I was obscenely busy. And I’ve spent most of this week so far hopped up on various pain meds – whichever pills I can shove into my mouth, really, since I’m not all that picky – and see no reason for any of this changing before Friday.

(Girl talk: cramps. Bad ones. As usual. Uteruses are not your friends. Uterii?)

So I’ll be back next week when I can actually devote some thought to planning out posts and having some sort of theme (perhaps weeklong!) going with my outfits.

Translation: when I am lucid.

For now, I am just going to read Lemony Snicket books. Or I will, once the words stop being fuzzy and crawling around the page like little caterpillars. Caterpillii?

Until then, here is a picture of something.

Posted in Coffee, Tea, Me | Leave a Comment »

Business Casual Superstar #484: Earrings, Earrings, Earrings!

November 3, 2011 by humarashid

Whenever I wear my hair either fully up or half-up, I always grab a pair of earrings. If I know I’m headed to a rather formal setting (more emphasis on business rather than casual) I’ll go with something small and short, something that barely hangs a half inch off my earlobe. If I’m headed to a less formal work setting (more emphasis on casual rather than business) I’ll wear something a little longer. No worries, I save the supremely dangly earrings for nights out. Those don’t really belong in many offices, anyway.

(Although I have a friend who works at a marketing firm, a pretty artsy one, and she can always get away with super dangly earrings, especially if the rest of her outfit is kind of minimalist, so this isn’t a hard and fast rule, just a general one that I personally use.)

So today, I want to share some earrings I like. Some will be formal-ish: small and conservative. Some will be slightly more daring and a little dangly. All will be under $25, because I don’t like spending more than that for earrings – a personal hang-up. It’s why I love going to the little art fairs in my town where local jewelry makers offer their wares: I can always find relatively unique (ie, not mass-produced) jewelry, especially earrings, for a fraction of what I’d pay for similar pieces at a store.

Check your town newsletter or website for similar fairs – I’m sure there are some going on in your area! There are also regional ones, and other, similar festivals like the Renaissance Fair and other cultural festivities going on will often also be a place where local jewelry makers will show up with their goods. If you’re a thrifter, I’m sure you’re aware of how to find great, unique pieces at local Goodwill stores. Regrettably, I am not a thrifter. I just get bored and wander off to go buy candy in the middle (okay, beginning) of my thrifting excursion.

It’s become a problem. Basically, any time I’m frustrated while shopping, especially if I’m trying to buy pants that actually fit my petite, ridiculously short, narrow-waisted lower half, I just wander off and buy candy.

Anyway, here we go! Earrings, earrings, earrings! As always, click to purchase.