Fashion - Corporette.com https://corporette.com/category/fashion/ A work fashion blog offering fashion, lifestyle, and career advice for overachieving chicks Tue, 28 Nov 2023 18:59:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.2 https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/corporette-favicon-150x150.png Fashion - Corporette.com https://corporette.com/category/fashion/ 32 32 Happy Cyber Monday! What Are the Best Deals You’re Seeing? https://corporette.com/happy-cyber-monday-2023/ https://corporette.com/happy-cyber-monday-2023/#comments Mon, 27 Nov 2023 15:59:38 +0000 https://corporette.com/?p=160276

There are a TON of great sales for Cyber Monday today! What have you gotten so far -- and what are you eyeing for today?

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group of store bags read #CYBER Monday and SALE

There are a TON of great Cyber Monday sales today! There are a few differences between Friday deals and Monday deals; although I think today is better. Some big notes:

Great Sales of Note

Workwear sales of note for 11.27.23

Our favorites are in bold!

Furniture & Housewares

Kid- and Family-Related Sales

  • Amazon – Up to 25% off car seats, strollers and more from Britax & BOB Gear
  • BabyJogger – 25% off everything
  • Bloomingdale’s – 20% off on select UppaBaby, Maxi-Cosi, Stokke, Bugaboo, Thule, and more
  • Carter’s – 50-60% off entire site; extra 20% off cyber deals with code
  • Crate & Kids – Up to 50% off everything plus free shipping sitewide; save 10% off full price items
  • J.Crew Crewcuts – 50% off everything + free shipping
  • Hanna Andersson – 50% off everything + extra 20% off clearance
  • ErgoBaby – 40% off Omni Breeze Carrier, 25% off Evolve 3-in-1 bouncer, $100 off Metro+Stroller
  • Graco – Up to 30% off car seats
  • Nordstrom – Big deals on CRANE BABY, Joolz, Baby Jogger Summit, Petunia Pickle Bottom, TWELVElittle and Posh Peanut
  • Old Navy – 50% off everything, ends today
  • SNOO / Happiest Baby – 35% off SNOO, up to 60% sitewide (ends today)
  • Target – Up to 40% off nursery furniture, plus sales on HALO Innovations, Graco, activity gyms, and Safety 1st strollers and cribs
  • Pottery Barn Baby – Up to 70% off toys, gifts, plyaroom furniture and more
  • Strolleria – Save 20% on select UPPABaby strollers, up to 25% off Bugaboo, up to 50% off Joolz, and additional deals on Silver Cross, Veer, Doona, Wonderfold, dadada, Clek, and Thule
  • Walmart – Savings on Maxi-Cosi car seats, adventure wagons, rocker recliners, security cameras and more!

Specific Products on Sale

Bags, Shoes & Accessories On Sale

Beauty, Lingerie, and Loungewear On Sale

Work Clothes on Sale

Office Supplies and Furniture On Sale

Image of presents via Stencil.

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]]> https://corporette.com/happy-cyber-monday-2023/feed/ 3 The Best Black Friday Sales https://corporette.com/the-best-black-friday-sales/ https://corporette.com/the-best-black-friday-sales/#respond Fri, 24 Nov 2023 17:30:11 +0000 https://corporette.com/?p=159474

There are a bunch of noteworthy Black Friday sales this year!

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sign in shop window says SAVE UP TO 50% BLACK FRIDAY NOW IS THE TIME TO SAVE!

There are a TON of great Black Friday sales today! Some big notes:

Great Sales of Note

✨✨✨Workwear sales of note for Black Friday 2023✨✨✨

Our favorites are in bold!

Furniture & Housewares

Specific Products on Sale

(These were the prices we were seeing on Friday…)

Bags, Shoes & Accessories On Sale

Beauty, Lingerie, and Loungewear On Sale

Work Clothes on Sale

Office Supplies and Furniture On Sale

Image of shop window sign that says “Black Friday” via Stencil.

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]]> https://corporette.com/the-best-black-friday-sales/feed/ 0 6 Stylish Day to Night Work Dresses https://corporette.com/day-to-night-work-dresses/ https://corporette.com/day-to-night-work-dresses/#comments Thu, 16 Nov 2023 18:45:00 +0000 https://corporette.com/?p=159573

'Tis the season -- if you're hunting for the best day to night work dresses so you can easily go from work to cocktail parties and more, these are our favorites.

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collage of 3 day to night work dresses

It can be really, really tricky to find a great dress that is polished and sedate enough to wear to work, but then is interesting or elegant enough to also go to a cocktail party or holiday party after work. So let’s discuss — what are you looking for in day to night work dresses? Do you add additional details like a statement necklace or ring to make it feel more festive?

These are some of the most polished, elegant day to night work dresses that I love…

Stylish Day to Night Work Dresses

Marycrafts

navy dress with tie detail at waist

This dress is almost always under $50, and feels fancy because of the twist detail at the waist. It’s available in sizes 0-22, at Amazon, in a bunch of colors.

Karen Kane

black stretchy dress with V-neck and cascading ruffle-ish detail that begins at waist and goes down side of skirt

This Cascade dress has been a reader favorite for years because it’s so easy to wear — it’s stretchy, it’s flattering, it’s a little bit dramatic, and you can hand wash it. Score! It’s $118 full price at Nordstrom and other retailers, often available in sizes XS-3X as well as petites.

Adrianna Papell

burgundy fuchsia dress with three-quarter sleeves and tie waist detail at waist

Aw, I’m kind of excited to see this Adrianna Pappell dress back in stock — it was a reader favorite for years, and then it disappeared for a bit. But it’s a great dress for day to night looks.

It’s $129-$159 at Nordstrom and other retailers, available in regular and plus sizes.

M.M.LaFleur

black dress with wide neckline, dolman sleeves, and drapey detail at waist

I’ve always thought M.M.LaFleur’s Jillian dress was a gorgeous, elegant dress that would be just as appropriate in a conference room as well as at a cocktail party. It comes in a bunch of different colors, and a new “everyday satin” fabric, for $365 full price. (There are a lot marked down to $220 right now, though!)

Black Halo

dress with asymmetric detail at neckline

In general, Black Halo makes beautiful, stylish, super polished dresses — it’s hard to think of an item of theirs, over the years, that wouldn’t be appropriate for both day to night. The pictured dress, the Jackie, is their classic, and also comes in a jumpsuit form. It’s $375-$435 at Nordstrom and other retailers.

The Fold

hot pink dress with folded, draped detail at the top and an asymmetric diagonal(ish) line going down the front of the skirt, ending in a front slit

Man – we have featured so many drool-worthy dresses and blazers from The Fold over the years, it’s hard to say which is my favorite, but this hot pink dress may just be it. SO. FABULOUS. One of their iconic dresses, the Arlington, is also great for day-to-night looks.

The pictured dress is $595 at TheFold.com.

What are you looking for in a day to night dress, readers?

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]]> https://corporette.com/day-to-night-work-dresses/feed/ 3 The Hunt: Classic Sweaters for Work https://corporette.com/classic-sweaters-for-work/ https://corporette.com/classic-sweaters-for-work/#comments Tue, 07 Nov 2023 17:46:00 +0000 https://corporette.com/?p=128126

What sweaters are you loving right now? Are you wearing cashmere, merino, alpaca, or something else? Do you prefer sweater jackets or cardigans? Do tell...

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collage of 5 classic sweaters for work including a black 100% cotton sweater blazer, a gray 100% cashmere crewneck, a green acrylic cardigan, a navy shawl-collar pullover in silk-cashmere, and a blue cardigan in silk-wool.

Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.

We haven’t done a hunt for classic sweaters for work for a long time, readers, so let’s discuss — what sweaters (and types of sweaters) are you loving right now? Are you wearing cashmere, merino, alpaca, or something else? Do you prefer sweater jackets or cardigans? Which sweaters do you have in multiple colors, and which ones are worth the splurge? Do tell…

First, let’s look at a few basic categories of classic sweaters….

{related: do check out our regularly updated list of wardrobe essentials for work!}

Table of Contents

Pictured at top: black 100% cotton sweater blazer / gray 100% cashmere crewneck / green extremely affordable cardigan (& regular) / navy shawl-collar pullover in silk-cashmere blend / blue cardigan in silk-wool blend

Our Favorite Sweater Jackets for the Office

collage of 5 women wearing the best sweater jackets for the office in 2023-24
Pictured above, great sweater jackets for the office as of 2023: black* / olive* / black* / navy / black (also this $70 one, and Kat loves this one*!) (* available in plus sizes; see our roundup for more)

{related: The Ultimate Guide to Business Casual for Women}

Classic Sweaters for Work in 100% Natural Fibers

A lot of our readers have expressed a preference for sweaters with only natural fibers, so we’re rounding up some specifically sweaters with 100% natural fibers for work.

If you want to do the professorial layered look with sweaters, such as with a crisp collar peeking out of your sweater, we also rounded up a bunch of great fake collars aka dickies.

The Best 100% Cotton Sweaters for Work

collage of 5 women wearing 100% cotton sweaters for work
Our favorite 100% cotton sweaters for work as of 2023 include: green* / white* / navy / blue short-sleeved* / navy twinset (also check J.Crew Factory,* J.Crew, and Quince!) (* = plus sizes) (Looking to splurge? Check here or here.)

{related: tips on creating a capsule wardrobe for work}

Great 100% Cashmere Sweaters for Work and Weekend

collage of 5 cashmere sweaters for work
Pictured above, some of the classic cashmere sweaters for work (as of 2023): 1) Nordstrom Cashmere* 2) Quince ($50!) 3) Vince* 4) J.Crew* 5) Naadam (Not pictured, but also check out Talbots,* Lands’ End,* and Brooks Brothers!) If you’re looking for something fancier try TSE, Loro Piana, Akris, Autumn Cashmere, or (more casual) Jenni Kayne. (Asterisks have plus sizes also!)

Other Classic Sweaters for Work in 100% Natural Fibers Like Merino, Silk, and More

Stay tuned for our roundups of sweaters in other natural fabrics… Some notes:

Our all-time favorite 100% merino sweaters for work include Uniqlo, Everlane, Banana Republic, J.Crew, and Lands’ End.

Cashmere Blends

As of October 2023, you can find cotton-cashmere sweaters at L.L.Bean, Quince, Reformation, Mersea, and Alex Mill; you can also sometimes find them from brands like Nordstrom Signature.

Some of our favorite silk-cashmere sweaters for work include these from LaLigne and Brooks Brothers; if you’re looking to splurge, Akris has a bunch right now.

Buck Mason has a lot of silk-cashmere-wool blend sweaters, including this turtleneck and this crewneck.

If you’re hunting for wool-cashmere sweaters, check out this lovely one from Kule.

Wool Blends

Silk-wool sweaters are hard to find, but Tory Burch’s bestselling cardigan fits the bill.

Hunting for sweaters in a wool-alpaca blend? Stay tuned for our full roundup, but as of 2023 check out AllSaints and Buck Mason.

{related: how to look great for work every day}

Great Sweater Tees (Perfect for Layering!)

collage of women wearing work-appropriate short-sleeve sweaters, aka sweater tees
Some of our favorite short-sleeve sweaters for 2023 include Quince ($45!), Ann Taylor, J.Crew,* and this Amazon bestseller. (* plus sizes too!) If you’re hunting for something fancier, check out Kule or The Reset. (Try code CORPORETTE10 for 10% off.) As of Sept. 2023, Nordstrom and Anthropologie both have a huge selection of sweater tees.

{related: the minimalist’s guide to dressing for work}

Classic Cardigans We Love

collage of four women wearing classic cardigans as twinsets for work in mint, blue, lavender, and pink
Pictured above, some of our favorite classic, stylish cardigans for the office as of 2023: mint* / blue* / lavender / pink* (* come in plus sizes too!) (not pictured but also)

Pashminas, Ruanas, and Other Sweater Wraps

These aren’t technically sweaters, but they’re often made from knits. I’ve always loved them because you can wear them on TOP of bulkier sweaters or blazers to add another warm layer, whether you’re sitting in your office or out and about. (They also make a great lap blanket when your legs are cold at the office!)

collage of women wearing office pashminas or travel wraps in black, green, gray and lavender
Some of our favorite office pashminas as of 2023: black / green / gray (lighter weight) / lavender ($20!!). If you’re looking for more of a ruana jacket, I highly recommend the Brooks Brothers’ ones!

Reader-Favorite Sweaters for Work Outfits

Note that not all of these are 100% natural fibers, but we’ve tried to note the details wherever possible!

A Great Sweater for Layering Under Suit Jackets: Brooks Brothers Silk-Cashmere Shawl Collar Sweater

a silk-cashmere shawl sweater from Brooks Brothers

Brooks Brothers has had a version of this style for more than a decade at this point, and I think that’s because it’s a perfect sweater. It’s soft, it’s lightweight, it’s a little bit luxe, and that high shawl neckline looks great under suit jackets and blazers as well as by itself. You can dress it up with a tailored suit, or dress it down with jeans.

The sweater is $168, available in sizes XS-XL, at Brooks Brothers.

An Investment Cardigan in Wool-Silk: Tory Burch Simone

blue cardigan in wool-silk blend

The Tory Burch Simone cardigan has been around for years — maybe since the very beginning of the blog, although it had a slightly longer length in years past. The new version of the Simone cardigan is made of wool and silk and is a bestseller at Tory Burch.

It currently comes in seven solid colors for $398. You can also find it at Tory Burch, Neiman Marcus, Saks, and other department stores.

A Great Warm Sweater With Interesting Prints: Talbots Audrey Cashmere Sweater

professional woman models cashmere sweater with crew neck; it has a bright pink floral print against an ivory background

Readers have loved the Audrey cashmere sweater for years — it’s warm and polished but definitely has a conservative vibe with its high neckline. The sweater comes in solid colors and interesting prints in regular, petite, plus, and plus petites for around $200.

The O.G. Jacket-Cardigan: M.M.LaFleur Woolf Jardigan

gray skirt suit made out of sweater material

M.M.LaFleur was the first company, as far as I know, to come out with the idea of a jacket-cardigan hybrid called the “jardigan” — the idea is that it’s cozy and soft like a cardigan, and less structured than a blazer, but like a blazer, it has some structure and adds polish and authority to your work outfit as a separate or “third piece.”

The brand has a number of jardigans now — a cropped version, this longer version, and even a belted version with lapels — but the Woolf remains a bestseller.

The jardigan is $295 and available in several neutral colors as well as a few seasonal colors. Note that both Nordstrom and Zappos sometimes carry the sweater jacket in the more neutral colors.

A 100% Cotton Sweater Jacket: J.Crew Factory Schoolboy Sweater Blazer

schoolboy sweater blazer from j.crew factory in color Loden

Sweater blazers have been a huge trend lately, and for good reason — like jardigans, they add polish and structure while also being cozy and comfy.

We’ve done a full roundup of our favorite sweater jackets for the office (as well as a roundup for plus-size sweater jackets!) but one of the longest-running reader favorite is the J.Crew Factory Sweater Blazer.

Not only is it affordable (full price is $138, but there are frequent sales!), but it comes in regular sizes XXS-3X as well as some petite sizes.

A Lightweight Cardigan for Warmer Months: Nic + Zoe 4-Way Convertible Sweater

bubblegum pink linen sweater that can be worn 4 ways

This 4-way convertible sweater keeps coming out in new colors (and sometimes even prints), and it’s a reader favorite because it’s so versatile.

It has hidden buttons to help you wear it multiple ways — wear it wrapped as a sweater (as shown) for a sleek look by itself, as an open cardigan when you want a lightweight top layer, or as a knotted or twisted shrunken sweater when you want more of a shrug (such as with an empire waist or pretty much any dress).

I’ve found it’s a perfect sweater to wear over sleeveless dresses in summer when you want a bit more coverage!

It’s available in regular and plus sizes at Nordstrom, Amazon, and many other department stores for just around $100. (The fabric is usually a linen-viscose blend, but Nic + Zoe just came out with a cotton-viscose blend.)

A Lightweight Knee-Length Cardigan: Halogen Longline Cardigan

woman wears navy sweater, white tank, and black pants

Longer cardigans like this come in and out of fashion, but I’ve always been a fan of wearing them as a softer look with sheath dresses or skirts. This particular cardigan has been around for years and keeps coming back in new colors.

It’s incredibly soft, and in my experience makes a great lightweight layer on warmer days.

It’s available in regular and plus sizes at Nordstrom for under $100.

An Affordable Cardigan That Feels Like a Blazer: Karen Scott Shawl Cardigan

plus-sized model wears a gray sweater jacket with a shawl collar, a white blouse and black work pants

This one is super affordable — in fact, it often comes down to under $20. We’ve featured it in our full roundup of our favorite sweater jackets for the office, but in truth this feels a bit softer and less structured than most sweater jackets. I have it in purple and have given it to two other women in my family for gifts; I find it adds a dash of polish to everything from trousers to jeans.

It comes in many colors in regular, petite, and plus sizes, and it’s $49-$54 full price. This one goes in and out of stock all the time, especially as it often dips pretty low on sale — all links are good as of Oct. 2023.

Readers, what are your favorite classic sweaters for work?

Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!

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]]> https://corporette.com/classic-sweaters-for-work/feed/ 1 Our Favorite Hair Products in 2023 https://corporette.com/favorite-hair-products-in-2023/ https://corporette.com/favorite-hair-products-in-2023/#comments Thu, 19 Oct 2023 17:01:00 +0000 https://corporette.com/?p=157579

We asked each Corporette writer to share their favorite shampoos, conditioners, and other hair styling products -- what are yours?

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woman flips her hair forward

It’s been a while since we talked about our favorite hair products — what are yours, readers? We asked each Corporette writer to share their favorite shampoos, conditioners, and other hair styling products!

Elizabeth’s Favorite Hair Products for Her Fine, Wavy/Curly Hair

I have very fine, wavy/curly hair (something like a 2B/3A hybrid if you’re into curl types), so I like products that don’t weigh it down too much. My current routine starts with the Ouai Fine Hair Shampoo and Conditioner. The products smell nice, and you can buy the huge refills at Sephora or Ulta to cut down on plastic waste.

Once a week I also use the Detox Shampoo from the same line to help get rid of any product or dry shampoo that may be lingering. The brand isn’t cheap, but I stock up whenever I have a coupon code.

For folks with fine hair, styling products can be a challenge. Select the wrong one and you look like a stringy mess all day. After a lot of trial and error, if I’m blowing my hair out, I usually use some kind of heat protectant like Drybar’s Prep Rally or the Color Wow Dream Coat. Those seem to provide some protection from heat damage without weighing everything down.

If I’m doing a curly/wavy style, the routine is a little more involved. I start by applying R+Co’s Twister Curl Primer to damp hair, then spritz my whole head with a continuous spray bottle to bring it back to sopping wet. Then I section and comb out my hair with a Denman brush to distribute the product and make some curl clumps.

Once I’ve got a bit of a style in place, I either add some medium-hold gel or some mousse to finish things off. Honestly, blow-drying is quicker most of the time, but once I stopped shelling out several hundred dollars for smoothing treatments every few months, I learned to embrace the curls most days.

Ann’s Favorite Hair Products for Her Straight Hair

When it comes to hair products, I’m always open to trying something new. But I have a few favorites that are working for my straight hair right now. I just started coloring my hair, so I have a big bottle of Tresemme’s Keratin Smooth Color Shampoo to protect my new look. I alternate that with Aveeno’s Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Shampoo when my hair and scalp start feeling a little greasy.

Weekly, I apply a clay mask like this to keep my scalp happy so I only have to wash every other day. I also swim, so UltraSwim’s Chlorine Removal Shampoo is in the mix as well.

I’m not that particular about conditioner, but I love Herbal Essences Bio:renew Repairing Hair Mask — I use it once or twice a week and it makes my hair feel super soft.

Because my hair is very straight, it’s easy to manage and style. I use this Kristin Ess Style Assist Blow Dry Mist Heat Protectant Spray and massage a dollop of Moroccanoil Volumizing Mousse before drying with a round brush for volume.

Kate’s Favorite Hair Products for Her Fine, Straight, Short Hair

My hair routine is simple because my hair is easy to take care of. (Half of it is buzzed, for one.)

I discovered Amika’s Normcore Signature Shampoo several years ago when I found out the kids’ salon my son went to used Amika. After I bought the shampoo for him, eventually I started using it myself (my CorporetteMoms review). Recently, my mom switched to it as well! I really like the smell of this shampoo (apparently it’s “amber vanilla”?), and it always leaves my hair soft and shiny. It’s cruelty-free, too.

Afterward, I blow it dry with a cheapo small round brush. (Amika recommends Normcore for fine to medium hair, 1–2c.)

I only use one styling product, and it’s from Sexy Hair, a brand my hairstylist uses in her salon. I use their Style Sexy Hair Frenzy Matte Texturing Paste to add a little volume and definition to my fine hair, which my asymmetrical style needs in various spots.

The product doesn’t take away the softness or shine from my shampoo, it smells nice, and it’s cruelty-free. When I first started using it, I had a very short pixie cut, and it was great for that, too.

Kat’s Favorite Hair Products for Her Curly, Dry Hair That Takes Forever to Dry

I saw a meme once where someone asked a curly girl what her hair routine is, and her reply was, “I don’t think you’re emotionally prepared for this conversation.” So, um, buckle up.

I’ve been following the Curly Girl method exclusively since 2020. I’d flirted with it in previous years, but during the pandemic I decided that since we weren’t going anywhere, I had lots of time to experiment with different curly hair methods. (Is it weird that I would kind of classify my curly hair as a hobby?) If you’re interested in trying to follow it, I highly recommend the r/curlyhair subreddit, as well as their Holy Grail list of products — I’ve tried almost all of them. (My favorite influencer was Janelle O’Shaughnassy on YouTube, but it looks like she’s stopped posting for the moment..)

There’s a saying in the curly community that the process is more important than the products, and I do generally agree with that — but some of the more time-intensive processes I’ve tried, like the bowl method, just don’t net a huge enough difference for me to do them. (Other processes I just haven’t mastered yet, like the Denman brush or finger curling.)

My General Curly Hair Routine

For wash day, I alternate through a variety of different shampoos and conditioners. I generally only wash my hair with shampoo once a week, so all of these last a long time. (I’ll get to exact products in a bit…)

Anyway: my current wash day process is thus: I shampoo my hair, condition my hair (then combing it out with a wide-toothed comb), and then rinse it all out. At the end, I turn off the water, and — while my hair is still dripping wet, still standing in the shower, I flip my head upside down and 1) apply leave-in conditioner, 2) apply a curl cream/mousse 3) brush with the Denman, 4) scrunch out as much water as I can, 5) add a cheap gel like LA Looks, and 6) (while my hair is still upside down) “plop” using a moisture-sucking hair wrap/cap. I generally use some combination of scrunching and “praying hands” to apply the products, but I’m not devoted to either of them. (Sometimes I will separate my hair into distinct clumps after step 3, then skip step 4, but I’ve gotten away from that as it’s started to get colder in favor of getting my hair as dry as possible before I put it in the cap/wrap.)

But wait, there’s more!

THEN, I get dressed, put on my makeup, et cetera (letting the wrap/cap soak up more water). Before I blow it dry, I remove the now soaked cap, flip my hair upside down again, blot my hair with a t-shirt to get any excess moisture out, and then add another layer of a better quality gel. I use duck clips to clip my hair out of my face (and give a bit of volume)… then, on to the blow dryer.

To blow dry my hair, I absolutely love my Shark blowdryer and diffuser, and it takes about another 10-15 minutes for my hair to be mostly dry (80%, maybe?). My interest wanes after 5 minutes, to be honest, so whenever possible I try to blow dry it as much as I can, and then let it air dry — in a few hours when it’s totally dry, hopefully the gel will have dried in a cast.

The common phrase for curly girls is to “scrunch out the crunch,” but I don’t actually like to scrunch at this point — instead, I flip my head over yet again and “clap out the crunch,” basically applauding with my hair between my two palms. (If it’s late enough I may just go to sleep with the crunchy cast; that’s another great way to get rid of the cast.)

My CoWash Routine

A few days after my wash day, I’ll do a cowash routine — I don’t use shampoo, which can be stripping, and instead use a dedicated cowashing product or just 3X the amount of conditioner so I can get enough slip to scrub my scalp. Then the rest of my routine is pretty much the same.

My Refreshing Routine

I shower daily, even if I’m not getting my hair fully soaked every time. I used to wear a shower cap, but lately I just put my hair up in a claw clip, leaving the ends out so it’s kind of like a floppy ponytail. I wash my body and face, and then grab handfuls of water under the spray to scrunch into the ponytail; ideally it’s about 50% wet.

(I’ve also used a big bowl for this step of wetting the ends — some people like this because the resulting water in the bowl ends up with runoff from the products you put in on wash day, and then those products get reapplied as you scrunch the bowl’s water into your hair.)

When I step out of the shower, I flip my head and use a ultra fine water mister to get the rest of my hair slightly damp — and then I plop my hair it in this great mesh cap I love. (You could instead do this with the “fishnets on your head” routine, but I’ve never gotten that to work.) I’ll do my skin routine, get dressed, and do makeup, then take my hair out of the mesh cap and clip it up with duck clips. It’s usually dry within 20-30 minutes from this point forward.

(Some days I will also mist my hair with this “curl energizing & refreshing spray,” but it’s usually a sign that I really just need to shampoo or cowash my hair. Another sure sign: my hair is totally frizzy and my curls are all flat.)

How I Maintain My Curls Overnight

Sleeping is one of something else that curly girls talk about. There’s the pineapple (a super high ponytail), there are hair wraps, there are a ton of different techniques! The one that I’ve found works best for me is a “cooling gaitor” I bought back when we thought those might be good protection from Covid (they are definitely not).

I just put the gaitor around my neck, then pull it up over my face and around the top of my hair, kind of like a headband that continues all the way up. I look a bit like a nun, I guess. Sexy!

It’s cheap and easy, not sweat-inducing, and my curls come out of it mostly in tact and not overly frizzed.

My Favorite Curly Hair Products

Shampoos & Basic Conditioners: At the moment my collection includes drugstore brands like Kinky Curly’s Knot Today/Come Clean shampoo and conditioner set, the Trader Joe’s tea tree tingle set, Giovanni’s Deep Moisture set, and Not Your Mother’s Blue Sea Kale & Pure Coconut Water (it’s in the middle of their hydration range).

Every six or so washes I do a clarifying wash with Suave. (There actually isn’t that much product buildup as you might expect from all these products because as far as I remember they’re all Curly Girl approved products and rinse out without the need for sulfates, but a clarifying shampoo still helps!)

CoWashes: Cantu, and Trader Joe’s — I also have an extraordinarily old bottle of Devacurl’s cowash that I found in my parents’ house… I think I’ve heard chatter that the formula has changed, though, so YMMV). The two cheap conditioners I use for this purpose (because I take 3x as much conditioner as usual to get enough slip to really scrub my scalp) are Suave’s coconut one or the Vo5 lime one.

Leave-In Conditioners: I alternate between As I Am, Curls Blueberry Bliss, Ecoslay Rice Leave-in, NYM’s Tahitian leave-in detangling spray, and sometimes just the basic Kinky Curly conditioner. (One surprising thing about the past few years is how much conditioner my hair can take — I’ve loaded it up and my hair hasn’t felt weighted or greasy at all.)

Curl Cream / Mousse (Middle Step): I’m still figuring out what I like here, to be honest. I seem to get the best results from Kinky Clean curling custard or drugstore mousse (I like Herbal Essences or Giovanni ones). I also sometimes use Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curl Stimulator, as well as Curlsmith’s Feather-Light Protein Cream, as well as the Cantu curl enhancing cream.

Gels: My first gel is always the super cheap LA Looks. I’m pretty loyal to the fancy ones for my second gel, though, switching almost exclusively between Ouidad’s Climate Control Gel and Ecoslay’s Orange Marmalade.

Tools: Turbo Twisties, mesh Scrunch It cap, wide-toothed comb, Denman brush (or sometimes a Tangle Teezer), Shark blowdryer and diffuser, cooling gaitor, thermal heat cap

Extra masks and other treatments: I’ll do these as needed/when I have time…

For when my hair is feeling dry/frizzy then I’ll do Olaplex No. 3, Vo5 hot oil, Ecoslay’s Banana Cream Deep Conditioner, or NYM’s butter masque. (Ideally I’ll do them about 30 minutes before my shower, with a heated cap on.)

When my hair is feeling frizzy and limp I’ve been experimenting with adding protein (although too much protein can also make your hair frizzy, I guess?) like with Ecoslay’s protein shake — I also get good results from an apple cider vinegar rinse (you dilute it with water first). (I have tried the rice water rinse and hoo boy was that nasty, so perhaps I let it soak too long.)

If my scalp feels itchy or dry, I love Kiehls’ Magic Elixir and Briogeo’s scalp reviver. I also make sure to scrub my head extra well on my wash/cowash days, and sometimes before a wash I’ll use this metal scalp massager is also good for circulation, which in turn is good for scalp health. (I have one of these palm-sized scalp massagers but I find it hard to use with my long hair, for what it’s worth.)

Also, yay gray hair: I’ve heard that you should keep your gray hair from getting “brassy,” so I’ve also been experimenting with purple shampoo (I like Shea Moisture), but at about 15% gray I don’t seem to need it very often. I feel like it lightens the rest of my brown hair, but maybe it’s just the gray being lightened? Hmmn.

(If you’ve made it this far, CONGRATULATIONS!)

Readers, do tell: What are your favorite hair products? Anything you’ve been meaning to try lately?

The post Our Favorite Hair Products in 2023 appeared first on Corporette.com.

]]> https://corporette.com/favorite-hair-products-in-2023/feed/ 11 The Best 100% Cotton Sweaters for Work https://corporette.com/the-best-cotton-sweaters-for-work/ Tue, 17 Oct 2023 17:29:00 +0000 https://corporette.com/?p=157518

100% cotton, organic cotton sweaters, and all cotton sweaters can be really difficult to find. So we went on a hunt for the best cotton sweaters for work!

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collage of 5 women wearing trendy all-cotton sweaters for work

Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.

One of my mentors was recently on the hunt for a plain white sweater but could not wear any wool next to her body. I’ve often heard this refrain from readers — they want a 100% cotton sweater, or a 100% silk sweater, or a cashmere without wool, or cotton/cashmere, or so forth. So I’m going to try to start a series — first up, let’s hunt for the best plain cotton sweaters for work.

Pictured on homepage: green / white.

Why Are All-Cotton Sweaters Hard to Find?

All-cotton sweaters can be a bit hard to find for a number of reasons. First, they tend to be generally lightweight — a lot of sweaters have blended cotton with wool, cashmere, or other warmer fibers in order to make a warmer sweater.

Another reason all-cotton sweaters haven’t been very popular lately is they don’t tend to hold their shape very well — so a lot of sweaters may be made of cotton blended with spandex or nylon in order to give it a bit more shape retention.

Finally, all cotton sweaters can feel scratchy to some people, particularly if they’re used to wearing blends. Many cotton sweaters may be blended with things like angora or eco-friendly, recycled fabrics for a softer feel.

Where to Find Great Cotton Sweaters for Work

In general, some of the reader-favorite stores that carry 100% cotton sweaters for work include Brooks Brothers, J.Crew Factory, Amazon Essentials, Quince, Karen Scott, and Amour Vert. Nordstrom also keeps a separate section for 100% cotton sweaters!

Other stores that may be a bit more on the casual side but definitely carry 100% cotton sweaters include pact, Everlane, Lands’ End, and L.L.Bean. (If you prefer to buy men’s cotton sweaters, I haven’t done a full review, but in addition to everything we’ve mentioned already, do check out Amazon seller Lello for basic organic cotton sweaters under $40.)

Our Favorite 100% Cotton Sweaters for Work Outfits (And Beyond!)

collage of 5 women wearing 100% cotton sweaters for work
Our favorite 100% cotton sweaters for work as of 2023 include: green* / white* / navy / blue short-sleeved* / navy twinset (also check J.Crew Factory,* J.Crew, and Quince!) (* = plus sizes) (Looking to splurge? Check here or here.)

The Best Plain Cotton Sweaters for Work

The Best Cotton Sweater Jacket for Women: J.Crew Factory

schoolboy sweater blazer from j.crew factory in color Loden

We just did our big roundup on the best sweater jackets for the office, and J.Crew Factory maintained its spot amongst our favorites. They reliably offer affordable, stylish sweater jackets in basic colors up to size 3X. Currently, all of the sweater jackets in stock are 100% cotton — nice.

If you’re willing to splurge, check State of Cotton — their sweater jackets are pricey but beautiful, and 100% cotton. If you want something a bit more oversized but still affordable, Quince offers a 100% organic cotton sweater jacket. Lands’ End also has a lovely “fine gauge” cotton sweater blazer in a bunch of different colors, in regular, petite, plus, and plus petites.

The Best Cotton Sweater Lady Jacket: J.Crew

woman wears 100% cotton sweater lady jacket

The “sweater lady jacket” is a newer, trendier item. It’s also sometimes called a cropped cardigan, cropped blazer, or Chanel-style jackets for work (as we called them in our roundup), but whatever you call them it can be difficult to find some that aren’t a blend of nylon, wool, rayon, and so on.

J.Crew has a number of sweater lady jackets (as they call them) right now, and the pictured Emilie one is 100% cotton. (Others are not, unfortunately.) The sweater is available in seven colors in sizes XXXS-3X.

(Sister site J.Crew Factory also offers a 100% cotton sweater lady jacket.)

The Best Organic Cotton Sweaters for Work: Amour Vert

woman wears organic cotton sweater with a striped turtleneck underneath it; the sweater has an interesting pattern on the front

Some of the most interesting cotton sweaters for work are also the best organic sweaters for work: Amour Vert. The smaller brand has been a reader favorite for their eco-friendly, natural fibers, as well as their stylish prints and generally affordable prices.

They currently offer a number of long-sleeved organic-cotton sweaters, short-sleeved organic-cotton sweaters, and organic-cotton cardigans.

Other affordable options for organic cotton sweaters: Quince, Everlane, and pact.

The Best Plain Cotton Sweater for Work (AND The Best Cotton Sweater to Wear Under a Suit Jacket): Amazon Essentials

woman wears pretty green V-neck plain cotton sweater with green pants; the cotton sweater is thin enough to fit under a suit jacket

This post was partly inspired by my former boss/mentor, who mentioned in conversation that she was looking for a great cotton sweater to wear under a suit jacket. (Well, more specifically, she was looking for a non-wool sweater, due to allergies.) This has been surprisingly hard to find for this roundup!

One of the best plain cotton sweaters I’ve found that’s thin enough to wear under a suit jacket are the Amazon Essentials ones. They come in crewneck and V-neck styles, in a bunch of colors, for under $35 — and in general they’re available in sizes XS-6X.

Another nice plain cotton option: this sweater from pact.

The Best Cotton Sweater Tee for Work: Lands’ End

woman wears fine gauge cotton sweater tee

This is another fairly difficult category to find good options. Lands’ End has a lovely fine gauge cotton sweater tee in a bunch of colors for regular and plus sizes!

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The Best Cotton Cable Knit Sweater for Work: Karen Scott

woman wears red cotton cable knit sweater

Surprisingly, this is one of the more difficult categories for finding a 100% cotton option. Karen Scott at Macy’s has a bunch of different options in colors, sizes, and shapes (crewneck, V-neck, oversized, etc.), so that would be my first suggestion.

L.L.Bean also has a lovely fisherman’s sweater that looks polished enough to wear to work; it’s available in regular, petite, and plus sizes; Brooks Brothers also has few Supima cable knit sweaters.

On the more casual side of things, pact has a honeycomb textured sweater that’s a bit sweatshirt-like, but in general looks nice.

The Best Cotton Mockneck for Work: Kule

woman smiles while wearing a gray 100% cotton mock neck roll neck; she also wears a brownish skirt and black sunglasses

If you like the mockneck look, I’m in love with this 100% cotton sweater from Kule. They describe it as a “cable knit roll neck pullover,” but to me it looks like a mockneck (and I think the half-turtleneck look is more polished than a rolled neck, but maybe that’s me!). It’s available in four colors, sizes XS-XL, for $238 at Kule.

The Best Cotton Twinset for Work: Brooks Brothers

woman wears 100% cotton twinset cardigan and shell; she is wearing navy with black

Twinsets are always a classic look, even if they aren’t particularly trendy at the moment. If you’re on the hunt for a 100% cotton twinset (whether to wear the pieces together, or just wear the cotton sweater shell and the cotton cardigan separately), there are still a few great options.

One of those options is Brooks Brothers. (Brooks Brothers for classics? I know, you’re shocked.) The pictured Supima cotton cardigan comes in four colors, sizes XS-XL.

Another spot with 100% cotton twinsets: J.Crew Factory; they currently offer 10 colors in sizes XXS-3X. Lands’ End also offers a TON of cotton twinsets in regular, petite, plus, and plus petites.

Some Great Trendy All-Cotton Sweaters for Work

Finally, I thought I’d round up a few of the trendy all-cotton sweaters I’m seeing for work — these don’t fit neatly into any of the categories and the style and cut may be fleeting, but they look great right now.

collage of 5 women wearing trendy all-cotton sweaters for work
Trendy all-cotton sweaters, above: Johnny collar / stripey (also) / oversized cardi / fitted wrap / chunky cardi — also check COS

Where to Find Cotton-Cashmere Sweaters

This isn’t the focus of this article, of course, but on the off chance you’re looking for cotton cashmere sweaters — which can be really hard to find! — I thought I’d round up some names I’m seeing.

As of October 2023, you can find cotton-cashmere sweaters at L.L.Bean, Quince, Reformation, Mersea, and Alex Mill; you can also sometimes find them from brands like Nordstrom Signature.

Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!

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