A quick post from your desperate Editrix in between lap dances

"I think it is stupid to wear stiletos to work, unless you are working as a *umm* professional dancer. For those in government, private industry, law, sales, and so on, I think it looks out of place and a little desperate. JMHO"

Normally, reader comments don't get to me.

Even the really spiteful, personal attacks that might've brought me to tears or anger months ago don't really pack a punch anymore.

But this one, excerpted above, in response to yesterday's very tongue in cheek analysis of the 'heels and sex' research has me about as riled up as I've been in months. So much so that I abandoned my half-written A-line skirt follow-up to address not so much the author -because frankly, I bet her beliefs have quite the following in DC- but more the meat of what she's actually asserting.

Now, it's unclear to me whether Ms. Anonymous used hyperbole in her comment for comedic effect or because she actually believes stilettos in "serious" offices smack of lap-dancing and desperation. Either way, what is clear is her gross generalization that all stilettos are five inches high and propped up by a translucent plastic platform and her assumption that all women who wear these shoes do so only for the effect they'll have on the men in the workplace -- at least that's how I interpreted the "desperate" bit.

I'll have Ms. Anonymous know that today, on this beautiful 70+ degree day, I'm rocking a stem-skinny four-inch grey suede stiletto peep-toe, and not once have I had the inclination to wrap myself around a chubby, depressed businessman nursing an overpriced gin and tonic or felt a desire to flaunt my lengthened legs in front of my male colleagues.

For most of us who step into stilettos day in and day out during the work week, not only do we have the common sense to select something elegant -not to mention temper our clothing, as appropriate- but the motivation behind our choice of footwear is a whole lot less complicated than you think: we just like looking thinner and feeling taller.

Unlike these women, who I think we can all agree stand before us as head-shakingly embarrassing examples of how not to dress if you want to be respected:

Sophia "Will Strip for Singles" Bush outside the Ports 1961 show

Ali "Built for the Pole" LarterAngie "Handjobs for Smack" Harmon at Carolina HerreraMandy "Whore" Moore outside the tents at Peter Som
Some skank model at the Vera Wang Lavender Label show

A quick post from your desperate Editrix in between lap dances

"I think it is stupid to wear stiletos to work, unless you are working as a *umm* professional dancer. For those in government, private industry, law, sales, and so on, I think it looks out of place and a little desperate. JMHO"

Normally, reader comments don't get to me.

Even the really spiteful, personal attacks that might've brought me to tears or anger months ago don't really pack a punch anymore.

But this one, excerpted above, in response to yesterday's very tongue in cheek analysis of the 'heels and sex' research has me about as riled up as I've been in months. So much so that I abandoned my half-written A-line skirt follow-up to address not so much the author -because frankly, I bet her beliefs have quite the following in DC- but more the meat of what she's actually asserting.

Now, it's unclear to me whether Ms. Anonymous used hyperbole in her comment for comedic effect or because she actually believes stilettos in "serious" offices smack of lap-dancing and desperation. Either way, what is clear is her gross generalization that all stilettos are five inches high and propped up by a translucent plastic platform and her assumption that all women who wear these shoes do so only for the effect they'll have on the men in the workplace -- at least that's how I interpreted the "desperate" bit.

I'll have Ms. Anonymous know that today, on this beautiful 70+ degree day, I'm rocking a stem-skinny four-inch grey suede stiletto peep-toe, and not once have I had the inclination to wrap myself around a chubby, depressed businessman nursing an overpriced gin and tonic or felt a desire to flaunt my lengthened legs in front of my male colleagues.

For most of us who step into stilettos day in and day out during the work week, not only do we have the common sense to select something elegant -not to mention temper our clothing, as appropriate- but the motivation behind our choice of footwear is a whole lot less complicated than you think: we just like looking thinner and feeling taller.

Unlike these women, who I think we can all agree stand before us as head-shakingly embarrassing examples of how not to dress if you want to be respected:

Sophia "Will Strip for Singles" Bush outside the Ports 1961 show

Ali "Built for the Pole" LarterAngie "Handjobs for Smack" Harmon at Carolina HerreraMandy "Whore" Moore outside the tents at Peter Som
Some skank model at the Vera Wang Lavender Label show

How to A+ the A-line

Oh, the A-line...it's been such a good long time since I had one of your kind flush up against and around my lower-half.

I used to love you.

I used to write about you.

I used to wear you. A lot.

Like so many passions of days past, however, the flame of your novelty after so many years and so many wears finally flick-flick-flickered into indifference, out of which rose my newfound desire for your less housewifey, more mistressy slim-to-the-bod pencil counterpart.

But just because I'm not presently enamored with a particular look doesn't mean the rest of you shouldn't be and that I can't answer your questions pertaining thereto.

So, if you're a fan and regular wearer of the A-line but aren't sure with which above-the-waist wardrobe components to pair this cute cut for the most flattering effect, check back here later today for a few suggestions.

How to A+ the A-line

Oh, the A-line...it's been such a good long time since I had one of your kind flush up against and around my lower-half.

I used to love you.

I used to write about you.

I used to wear you. A lot.

Like so many passions of days past, however, the flame of your novelty after so many years and so many wears finally flick-flick-flickered into indifference, out of which rose my newfound desire for your less housewifey, more mistressy slim-to-the-bod pencil counterpart.

But just because I'm not presently enamored with a particular look doesn't mean the rest of you shouldn't be and that I can't answer your questions pertaining thereto.

So, if you're a fan and regular wearer of the A-line but aren't sure with which above-the-waist wardrobe components to pair this cute cut for the most flattering effect, check back here later today for a few suggestions.

16 reasons why you shouldn't settle for a blah blouse

You always talk about 'showpiece' necklines, and while I know I need to stop wearing the same boring button-up shirts and scoopneck tops week in and week out, when I'm in a store and actually searching for something, I'm always at a loss. Exactly what qualifies [as a showpiece neckline]?

I may not be qualified to offer advice on true bargain hunting.

I'm probably not the girl to whom you should come for an all-sizes-are-equally-beautiful pep talk.

And I'm definitely not fashion-forward enough to recognize (much less understand) the obvious brilliance behind the denim-n'-stars extravaganza Lagerfeld and Pilati sent down their runways in Paris last Fall.

But as John Rambo sagely imparted in First Blood and reinforced in installments two through four, one must not permit one's weaknesses -or outside reminders thereof- to detract from exercising one's strengths. He had his cross-bow, and I, well, I have the ability to identify, locate and put forth for my readers a flat-out fabulous collection of showpiece necklines.

Necklines, they're kinda what I do best.

In the office, there is far less we can do below the belt than above; the range in cut and color for professional trousers and skirts is so very narrow, and thus, I greatly encourage you to look beyond the traditional oxfords and twin-set shells to consider any one of the following 16 varieties.*

Maybe not the last one, however, as its extreme volume tests even my sky-high tolerance for frill.

Enjoy.

Petite cowl
($36.50 at asos.com)

Large cowl
($275 at net-a-porter.com)

Petite pleat
($34.99 at gap.com)

Large pleat

($330 at bergdorfgoodman.com)

Textured
($276 at chickdowntown.com)

Fancy trim

($130 at pinkmascara.com)

Overlay

($128 at activeendeavors.com)

Bateau

($89 at nordstrom.com)

Petite bow

($251 at shopbop.com)

Medium bow
($160 at revolveclothing.com)

Large bow
($228 at saks.com)
Slouchy turtleneck
($17.80 at forever21.com)

Petite neck-framing frill

($89, Club Monaco stores)

Large neck-framing frill
($276 at lisakline.com)

Down-front frill

(£25 at topshop.com)

Asymmetric down-front frill
($1,110 at neimanmarcus.com)

*remember, I'm not so much recommending the specific blouse as I am the type of neckline each blouse represents.

16 reasons why you shouldn't settle for a blah blouse

You always talk about 'showpiece' necklines, and while I know I need to stop wearing the same boring button-up shirts and scoopneck tops week in and week out, when I'm in a store and actually searching for something, I'm always at a loss. Exactly what qualifies [as a showpiece neckline]?

I may not be qualified to offer advice on true bargain hunting.

I'm probably not the girl to whom you should come for an all-sizes-are-equally-beautiful pep talk.

And I'm definitely not fashion-forward enough to recognize (much less understand) the obvious brilliance behind the denim-n'-stars extravaganza Lagerfeld and Pilati sent down their runways in Paris last Fall.

But as John Rambo sagely imparted in First Blood and reinforced in installments two through four, one must not permit one's weaknesses -or outside reminders thereof- to detract from exercising one's strengths. He had his cross-bow, and I, well, I have the ability to identify, locate and put forth for my readers a flat-out fabulous collection of showpiece necklines.

Necklines, they're kinda what I do best.

In the office, there is far less we can do below the belt than above; the range in cut and color for professional trousers and skirts is so very narrow, and thus, I greatly encourage you to look beyond the traditional oxfords and twin-set shells to consider any one of the following 16 varieties.*

Maybe not the last one, however, as its extreme volume tests even my sky-high tolerance for frill.

Enjoy.

Petite cowl
($36.50 at asos.com)

Large cowl
($275 at net-a-porter.com)

Petite pleat
($34.99 at gap.com)

Large pleat

($330 at bergdorfgoodman.com)

Textured
($276 at chickdowntown.com)

Fancy trim

($130 at pinkmascara.com)

Overlay

($128 at activeendeavors.com)

Bateau

($89 at nordstrom.com)

Petite bow

($251 at shopbop.com)

Medium bow
($160 at revolveclothing.com)

Large bow
($228 at saks.com)
Slouchy turtleneck
($17.80 at forever21.com)

Petite neck-framing frill

($89, Club Monaco stores)

Large neck-framing frill
($276 at lisakline.com)

Down-front frill

(£25 at topshop.com)

Asymmetric down-front frill
($1,110 at neimanmarcus.com)

*remember, I'm not so much recommending the specific blouse as I am the type of neckline each blouse represents.

Am I asking too much here?

Ever since the post I wrote over the holidays expressing my frustration over the female to male formal-dress disparity -"the Lachey way," I called it- I've received an inordinate number of e-mails from male readers prompting me to, as one put it, "at least throw up some photos of styles you like and get a dialogue started."

So fine, here are a few pictures of Javier "takes my breath away" Bardem last night at the New York Film Critic's Circle Awards where he took home top prize for his performance in No Country for Old Men -- the film currently atop my must-see-before-Oscar-night list.

What do I like about his look?

For me, men's clothing, just like women's, is 90% fit, 10% swoon-worthy details. Here on Javier, I just love the fit of the jacket and shirt across his barrel chest. The trousers look slightly bunchy in the um, area of interest, but to be honest, after seeing these snaps, I don't really mind so much the snugness.

I suppose my "eh, he can get away with it" allowance is the equivalent of a man rationalizing a hot chick in a pleather push-up bustier top, isn't it?

Yikes.

Anyway, back to Javier's outfit. What I like about his choices are the strong but muted colors and cuts -- I like the gunmetal, I like the spread collar, the slim but not too slim cut of the pants, and of course, who wouldn't give it up for a man whose left eye looks as if it might've met with a Chuck Liddell uppercut? If he were out with a beautifully dressed woman, she would still garner the lion's share of attention (as she should), but he wouldn't look out of place or comparatively under-dressed by her side. That, to me, should be a man's goal. My kind of man's goal, anyway.

Now whether the cuff of those pants hits his shoes just right or the thread-count of his suit is season-appropriate are other issues altogether; on those kinds of specific distinctions I haven't the slightest clue, nor any helpful insight.

So I guess what I'm saying to the men out there who are looking for an ensured second date with me or with any other picky Pollyanna (cue my Kristin Wiig in Knocked Up voice) is make your body look like Javier's, go to a store with one of these pictures, show it to a salesman, buy this exact suit and look just like him.

More of my ideal below:

Am I asking too much here?

Ever since the post I wrote over the holidays expressing my frustration over the female to male formal-dress disparity -"the Lachey way," I called it- I've received an inordinate number of e-mails from male readers prompting me to, as one put it, "at least throw up some photos of styles you like and get a dialogue started."

So fine, here are a few pictures of Javier "takes my breath away" Bardem last night at the New York Film Critic's Circle Awards where he took home top prize for his performance in No Country for Old Men -- the film currently atop my must-see-before-Oscar-night list.

What do I like about his look?

For me, men's clothing, just like women's, is 90% fit, 10% swoon-worthy details. Here on Javier, I just love the fit of the jacket and shirt across his barrel chest. The trousers look slightly bunchy in the um, area of interest, but to be honest, after seeing these snaps, I don't really mind so much the snugness.

I suppose my "eh, he can get away with it" allowance is the equivalent of a man rationalizing a hot chick in a pleather push-up bustier top, isn't it?

Yikes.

Anyway, back to Javier's outfit. What I like about his choices are the strong but muted colors and cuts -- I like the gunmetal, I like the spread collar, the slim but not too slim cut of the pants, and of course, who wouldn't give it up for a man whose left eye looks as if it might've met with a Chuck Liddell uppercut? If he were out with a beautifully dressed woman, she would still garner the lion's share of attention (as she should), but he wouldn't look out of place or comparatively under-dressed by her side. That, to me, should be a man's goal. My kind of man's goal, anyway.

Now whether the cuff of those pants hits his shoes just right or the thread-count of his suit is season-appropriate are other issues altogether; on those kinds of specific distinctions I haven't the slightest clue, nor any helpful insight.

So I guess what I'm saying to the men out there who are looking for an ensured second date with me or with any other picky Pollyanna (cue my Kristin Wiig in Knocked Up voice) is make your body look like Javier's, go to a store with one of these pictures, show it to a salesman, buy this exact suit and look just like him.

More of my ideal below: