Due to work, health, and life, I have not had time to update this blog for quite sometime. You all may have guessed this already, but wanted to make it official. If you still have questions about fashion, styling, jewelry, or work etiquette, please feel free to submit a question at my Tumblr. And because I can't leave you with nothing, here's some of the fall/winter shoes, coats, and jackets that have really stood out for me.

And that's all she wrote for today folks. But I think I'm finally feeling motivated to start doing some more vicarious shopping, so drop some ideas in the ask box above (or if you submit or ask on my Tumblr, I'll transfer the question here. 

So tell me dear readers, what are YOUR favorite new item of clothing for the season. Its a toss up for me between a Cole Haan burgundy flared winter coat (which I can't find an exact picture of) and these knee-high boots from Børn. 

READERS NOTE: before I jump back in....OMG....I'm here.  I know.  I keep disappearing for prolonged periods. I'm sorry. Its a combination of work, my health, and August being...well....August.  Hopefully as fall approaches (my absolute favorite fashion month - bar-none) I will be re-motivated to post much, much more frequently.  But in the meantime, I apologize profusely.  Now, moving on from self-flagellation...unless you're into that sort of thing...this post IS about leather after all.

Worthington Leather Pencil Skirt at JCP ($98.99 - a straightforward black pencil skirt - though the picture looks brown to me.  I like it though because, rather than being too tight or too shiny, the seams and zipper dress it down enough for me to make me think that it would be more work appropriate than many others I saw.  One note, based on the info on the website, it does appear to be real leather.*)
Vince Camuto Faux Leather Trim Striped Pencil Skirt at Nordstroms ($89 - this skirt falls on the less is more side of the leather camp - but I think the stripes give it some interest as well. It also comes in red and black.  I like how the side and waist piping in leather gives just that bit of edge that the less adventurous might be looking for.  Paired with either a simple black button down or perhaps a very light, silk deep burgundy button down, I think this would look amazing for fall.  Plus emerald and darker greens are SO in this season.  But for work, PLEASE do not pair it with high heeled gladiator sandals...just for me okay ladies. :-P)
Exact Stretch Studded Trim Pencil Skirt at The Limited ($69.95 - so this skirt obviously takes the idea of leather trim and one ups it by adding studding.  I'm not sure how I feel about it other than....intrigued. For a skirt that involves STUDDED LEATHER, its surprisingly lady-like.  And the price is right - even if you only wear it on nights out.  I don't know - might be worth a look see.  Again - everything else would have to be very primly styled - perhaps a gray shell with a black blazer?)

Riverside Colorblocked Pencil Skirt from Ann Taylor ($109 - I have to say - I really LOVE the color of this skirt, this darker merlot is right on trend and would work beautifully to mix with the other on-trend seasonal jewel tones (like eggplant and teal.)  I also think the color-blocked side panels serve a practical purpose here - leather can be constricting, but with these side panels you can be allowed greater freedom of movement.  And I think the merlot color gives this an overall more refined look.  Its definitely one of my favorite for the "full" leather effect out there.)  Leather Waist Pencil Skirt from Neiman Marcus Last Call ($69.00 - most sizes still available.  This is a Labor's Day Sale.  Okay - I think this is the PERFECT execution of leather in a work skirt - the contrasting color of the leather adds interest and brings attention to it but it remains classy. Plus mixing brown and black is fashion forward without being too aggressive or "weird."  You won't scare any of the older employees at your office, but the younger employees will think you're cool.  And I like the cut of this skirt for people who don't look good in traditional pencil skirts.  A real consideration for people looking for leather accents!!  Its even available in  most sizes.)

Bailey 44 'She Walk in Beauty' Faux Leather Pencil Skirt at Nordstroms ($196 - so this is at the very top of your price range, which is a bit steep for something that is likely a trendy item - but I *do* love me some navy.  Again, much like with the AT skirt above, the side panels would allow for movement but here there is no colorblocking, which I know some would prefer.  On the other hand, I actually like the seam on the front of the AT skirt above.  I think the differences add up to a taste preference more than anything ... as well as a $100 price difference of course.)
Classiques Entier Leather Trim Jacquard Pencil Skirt at Nordstroms ($178 - so, if I had to guess, I would guess that you are going to be seeing SO much jacquard this season that you may get royally sick of it.  But I really like this version with leather trim at the hips and pockets.  Another example of just a little leather rather than a lot, but jacquard will never go entirely out of style - so I think this skirt might have real staying power, meaning that the price tag might actually be worth it.  And Classiques Entier is a fairly decent quality line.  Try pairing with a dark emerald green to be so on trend you might explode.)
ASOS CURVE Exclusive leather pencil skirt with jersey trim at ASOS ($89.44 - so sorry Blair, this one isn't for you, but I wanted to highlight this for my readers who shop in the women's section.  ASOS CURVE has a few cool looking leather skirts right now, but I like this one as a potential work skirt - the color is more neutral than black and if you perhaps go a size up (to avoid too much cling - don't no one want cling at work) I think it could look great.  Plus, again, the jersey trip would allow for movement.  A nice option!  P.S. The skirt also comes in black if you're into that sort of thing.)

*FINAL EDITOR'S NOTE: I haven't specifically addressed it in this post, but the plus side to your budget is that essentially all of these options are faux leather - so your concerns about vegan options are likely moot.  In any case where the leather was not faux, I would have noted it.

So dear readers (if I have any left after my prolonged absences) - would you wear these skirts to work?  What do you think about leather in the workplace.  What does your WORKPLACE think about leather in the workplace.  Or am I just really uncool and is leather totally okay.  Its okay, you can call me a fuddy-duddy, I go to bed 9:30 most nights.  I have embraced my fuddy-duddiness in all its glory.  LEAVE NOTES.  SEND MESSAGES.  I'm happy to be back and need motivation to stay back!  :-)

So - basic interview suits.  They are an essential wardrobe staple for anyone going into a "business"-like or law field (my friends in academia tell me they get buy just fine without them...I can't quite get my mind around that fact.)  Now, I think suiting is one of the few places where women could take some sartorial lessons from our X-chromosome deficient brethren; generally as men move up in the world and start buying nicer suits, they also start getting those suits tailored as a matter of course.  Yes there *are* men's off-the-rack suits, but even Men's Suits departments at stores like JC Penney have a tailoring department.  So while I think the ideal would be for us to find The Suit that fits our body perfectly and makes us look trim and fitted in a comfortable suit, we might be better off finding a really nice suit that comes close and then getting it tailored so that it goes all the way.  Does that make sense?  

Okay - moving on.  What I am getting from your question is that you are probably short of waist/torso and that you are finding that the popular brand suits, as epitomized by this J-Crew suit, are simply too long these days.  Well, you are preaching to the choir sister.  I made the mistake of buying one Ann Taylor suit that was too long in the torso and, needless to say, I never wear it because I feel like I'm wearing my mom's suit or something.  (And I know I could just see my above rant about tailoring....but I have since acquired nicer suits so...)  So - I am going to collect a few of my favorite places to find suits for people with slightly shorter torsos or with a more fitted blazer.  One tip - some of these may be over the $350 retail - but they often go on sale - or you should hit up the outlets (the Brooks Brother's outlet brand is actually great and two of my interview suits comes from there.)

I'll start with Brooks Brothers (my favorite suiting - bar none - which has a few items that might work for you.)

But - they are making it more than a little difficult for me to do my job - because all their pencil skirts are sold out on-line (bet they have them in-store though.  Would be worth a call.
Wool Two-Button Jacket at Brooks Brothers ($159.20 - I like that its still a full length jacket - not actively cropped - but it sits high enough on the waist that it won't make a short person look, well, super short.  Nice construction as well.)
Wool One-Button Jacket from Brooks Brothers ($159.20 - a nice, shorter waisted option.  There is also a two-button wool jacket not available in your size on the website - but if you went into the store they might be able to track one down for you.)
Lambswool Blazer in navy from Brooks Brothers ($139.20 - not at all what you were looking for - but I own this blazer - or a similar earlier version and  it is the BEST purchase I've made in years.  It is amazing for work or weekends and I love it so much.  I should buy three more.)

So as I said above, these options all come from the primary Brooks Brothers brand of suiting.  But if you live near a BB outlet, I would go check out their outlet suits, they are made specifically for the outlet and so are cheaper (and I guess lower quality) - but I've never had any issues with them.  Definitely at least worth a look see.

Another place I would look for suits is Nordstroms, especially the Classiques Entier suits at Nordstroms.  I especially like Nordies for this because, if you purchase from them and have (or open) a Nordies debit or credit card, you get a certain amount of tailoring for free.  Here are a few of the suits there I like best.

Classiques Entier Speckled Weave Jacket and Pencil Skirt at Nordstroms ($160.80 and $94.80 - though this jacket has a slightly different peplum cut, I think its still conservative enough to be considered an "interview" suit and would be quite flattering on someone who was short waisted - especially if you have a bit of an x-shape.)
Classiques Entier Platine Weave Jacket and Pencil Skirt at Nordstroms ($160.80 and $94.80 - more traditional suit shape, but I like that its nipped in nicely at the waist and the light gray color would be very flattering for a lot of people.)
Halogen Pinstripe Suit Jacket and Skirt in navy at Nordstroms ($70.80 and $41.40 - I'll confess, I know nothing about the Halogen suiting line - but the price is so good on this suit that I thought I'd throw it out there in case you were interested in giving a deal a chance.)

Another few options for other places where you might find good fits are:

Anne Klein Blazer and Pencil Skirt in gray at Macy's ($150 - Anne Klein has several nice, simple suits at Macy's - not 100% sure about quality but they look like decent interview suits and they come in separates.)
Platinum Washable Wool Jacket (2-button) in navy at Jones NY ($229 - see matching skirt here.)
Boss Black Juicy 6 Jacket ($356.98 - above budget - but maybe keep an eye on it if it goes on sale at the Annual Sale - because its a lovely suit and seems to really fit your needs.)

Okay!  That's enough suits for this morning.  What do people think?  Where do you get your interview suits?  I know I've left out some obvious choices (Theory) - but I did it on purpose - those don't work as well for the shorter and stumpier amongst us.  But feel free to share what the taller and willowier like too.  We clothe everyone around these parts.  :-)  Happy shopping and may interviewing ever be in your favor.