workplace & what-to-wear woes #5
white dress edit, how to make connections remotely, and my viral grandma
Happy Thursday! I hope everyone is having a wonderful week. It’s peak summer here in NYC. I got a blowout on Sunday and it lasted a total of two days (even with extensive hairspray / dry shampoo) because of the heat.
A highlight of my week has been my grandma’s speech going mega-viral on Reels. She is truly the anti-Harrison Butker, as she’s 88 and has a PhD in classics. Predictably, the comments are a mix of fellow empowered women—and women tearing each other down. If you haven’t already seen it, it’s worth your time.
A feminist who also has fun. My grandparents (Helen and Jay) at my dad’s 60th / sister’s 21st birthday last year. They regularly clock 10k steps per day…which might be the secret to their sake chugging (pictured).
Let’s dive in!
A workplace woe
Q: I’m starting a new job remotely in my current country and moving once my visa is issued. How do I build strong connections with leaders and co-workers remotely?
Congratulations on the new job!!! Relationship building is a perpetual challenge in remote roles. A few tips to build connection:
Set up one-on-ones with cross-functional team members. I assume that you’re already setting up one-on-ones with your direct reports / managers. However, take it a step further and get to know your cross-functional teammates. Even if you don’t work with them on a daily basis, they’re great allies to have!
Make yourself indispensable on industry trends. If you have a shared Slack / Teams / Skype channel, make it a habit to drop in interesting articles and thought leadership relevant to your industry. An easy way to foster conversation and build your own personal brand!
Keep it casual. People love giving advice about moving / being neighborhood mascots! If you’re relocating to where your co-workers are based, tap them for info! What neighborhoods are best? Any resources they can recommend?
A what-to-wear woe
Q: Do you have recommendations for white dresses? I know you just got engaged. Looking for white dresses that feel special (also recently got engaged!), but casual enough that I can wear for non-bridal occasions.
I have you covered! I rifled through thousands of white dresses to strike this exact balance. I wanted to invest in pieces I’m going to wear multiple times.
Case in point: I may wear a family wedding dress. If that comes to fruition, I’m allocating that budget to fun rehearsal dinner / after-party dresses I’ll happily sport to other events!
As a first step, I highly recommend checking out @littlewhitelooks. It’s an Instagram account wholly dedicated to white dresses. What a genius account idea!!! (@thecurated_bride is another specifically for brides). A must-visit for brides, graduates, and anyone looking for a curated selection of white dresses.
The scalloped strap dress ($171): After nearly a dozen dress purchases, I wore this scalloped strap dress to my family engagement party. Well-priced and fits beautifully.
Difficult to see the scallop detail in this picture (way better showcased by its e-commerce imagery!)
The floral dress ($315): This dress is a splurge, but a purchase I know I’ll have for life. When I got engaged, I wanted a more casual (yet special!) white dress I could wear to multiple events. This one perfectly fit the bill.
Hand-embroidered by female artisans in Colombia, this dress delivers on ease and design. I paired with my beloved $53 jean jacket.
The eyelet puff-sleeve dress ($298): Club Monaco isn’t a brand I hear about a ton. And I have a few hypotheses why. First of all, their commission rate isn’t super high (3% on ShopMy vs. 15%+ for other brands). That explains why we don’t hear about them a lot from content creators.
BUT I walked into their Fifth Avenue store the other day and was beyond impressed. Lots of versatile dresses with edge. This eyelet dress is a perfect example!
The poplin mini dress ($119): Banana Republic has re-entered the fray. Over the past few seasons, their styles have felt way more fresh—at an approachable price point. I love the ruched detail on this mini dress, and would work for brides and beyond!
The simple shift dress ($148): This dress is very Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy—so chic. You could easily wear with kitten heels and a wrap for a summer party, or with special jewelry / accessories for a bridal moment. Simple dresses like this (at a good price point) are deceptively hard to find!
The perfect bridal wedges…that aren’t so bridal ($225). Not a white dress, but I snagged these satin Penelope Chilvers wedges when I was in London a few months ago. They *feel* bridal—I wore them to my family engagement party. Yet, they’re super versatile and can easily be paired with sundresses (I’ve already done this a few times). A great elevated basic.
On another note, this Cut article about inflation and dress prices is a must-read. Mid-range designers are now charging $700 for simple dresses 😮. Hopefully this edit helps you avoid some of this price creep!
In case you missed it
My mom’s career journey (going back to school for her MSW at 57)
The best resale platform out there (way better than eBay, Poshmark, or ThredUp)
Three women who prove it’s never too late to try something new
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Another great read, thank you!