Have you met my favorite dress to wear to the office?
the j.crew pleated dress
I initially spied this dress in a lilac shade during the spring of 2019. At the time, I was offended that not only did J.Crew fail to offer it in tall, but also that the J.Crew Twitter account advised to try it in a regular size. The person running the account clearly didn’t get that this dress was meant to be worn in the office and therefore, the standard length hem needs to err on the conservative side. I attempted to put the dress out of my mind.
Salt in the wound when one of my friends sent a screenshot of it and told me how it screamed “LUCINDA!” It would also scream inappropriate office wear as the hemline would creep too high.
Cut to a berry colorway, an ivory (“sesame”) colorway, a black colorway, and a navy colorway eventually all being offered in tall. During the spring days of 2020, it was marked down to next-to-nothing and I was optimistic about returning to the office, eventually at least. I had no any plans to return to work post-baby at that point or that my then-and-now company had even returned to the office. However I had struggled with my height versus appropriate hemlines enough to know that I needed to snap up the dresses while they were available.
I took the black colorway out for its maiden voyage three years later.
I am wearing this dress in a size ten tall.
the hermès oran sandals
Unlike hoarding the J.Crew Pleated Dress for three years, I took the Hermès Oran sandals on their maiden voyage a mere two days after making the big purchase. With the exception of skidding a bit on some of the floor surfaces, as the soles were not scuffed up enough, I have to say that the office was a great place to break them in.
Let’s discuss sizing. I tried on a size 11 in the “gold” / tan. I skeptically inquired whether they were available in a size larger; yes, a size 12. No shame in having a large shoe size, I am six feet tall which necessitates a larger foot. Smaller feet on taller women equals back pain, just ask Brooke Shields.
I digress.
CityCenter Hermès did have the 12 and it was the perfect fit.
dress: J.Crew • sandals: Hermès • sunglasses: Karen Walker • handbag: Louis Vuitton • earrings: J.Crew • ring: David Yurman • necklace: David Yurman • initial necklace: Maya Brenner • watch: Cartier (also here)