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Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.

I recently pulled an old Polo Ralph Lauren sweater out of my closet for a casual office day, and one of my younger colleagues told me I was very “on trend.” I didn’t tell her that the sweater in question was nearly as old as she was, and took the compliment with a smile. Preppy is back (did it ever leave?), so we might as well grab some of these comfy cardigans and lean into it.

This cream colored one will go nicely with just about anything this fall. I would wear it to work with a blue oxford and black trousers. 

The sweater is $268 at Nordstrom and comes in sizes XS-XL.

Sales of note for 9/11:

Outfit Details: Ulla Johnson Top, Ulla Johnson Shorts (more sizes here), Ulla Johnson Bag, Ulla Johnson Shoes

I’m always drawn to a look that has a little contrast built into it. Satin, lace, draping and romantic details are all things I naturally gravitate toward, but I like them best when there’s something in the mix that keeps them from feeling too sweet.

Outfit Details: Ulla Johnson Top, Ulla Johnson Shorts (more sizes here), Ulla Johnson Bag, Ulla Johnson Shoes | Ulla Johnson Top, Ulla Johnson Shorts, Ulla Johnson Bag & Ulla Johnson Shoes

Sometimes that comes from the clothes themselves, and sometimes it’s the accessory that changes the whole direction. Leopard against lace, a calf-hair bag with silk pants, pearl-adorned sandals paired with a tee, or a sculptural earring against a drapey top. Texture makes the outfit richer, pattern gives it more bite, and a little shine can shift the mood completely.

I think that contrast is what keeps a feminine look feeling modern and personal. Pretty, but not precious. Polished, but never too proper.

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

I like the cool, almost organic silver details on this affordable belt from Quince.

The belt is available sizes XS-XL in three colorways: black with silver (pictured), black with gold, and an espresso with gold; it’s $58 at Quince.

(Incidentally! The readers have been discussing whether you should always wear a belt when your pants have belt loops both here and here. For my $.02, I never wear a belt with jeans, but then I almost never tuck… I think the cleaner the tuck, the more the belt loops are on display, and the more it looks like you need a belt. On the flip side, if you’re wearing a sweater, T-shirt, or other untucked top then the belt loops don’t matter much.

I totally agree with the commenters who noted that a belt can interrupt an outfit, as well as be uncomfortable, but I think tailoring is the answer here — if you’re getting your pants tailored well enough that you don’t need a belt, it’s an easy fix to have the belt loops removed.)

Sales of note for 9/11:

For Shaina Rainford, Bask & Lather Co. began with something deeply personal: family, hair loss, and a desire to find a solution that actually worked.

Today, that personal journey has evolved into a rapidly growing haircare company with a devoted community, a major social commerce presence, and a philosophy rooted in a refreshingly simple promise: “Grow It And Keep It Too.”

At the helm is Rainford, Founder and CEO of Bask & Lather Co., who launched the brand in 2020 after experiencing significant hair loss alongside her younger sister. Drawing inspiration from natural remedies and the Scalp Stimulator Hair Growth Oil originally created by her mother, Rainford transformed a family solution into a business centered on helping consumers nurture healthy hair and retain the length they work hard to achieve.

From a Family Remedy to a Growing Beauty Brand

Bask & Lather’s approach is centered on consistency, healthy routines and real results. Rather than treating scalp care as an afterthought, the brand encourages customers to think about the scalp as the foundation of their overall haircare regimen.

That message has resonated with consumers. Through social commerce, creator partnerships and an engaged online community, Bask & Lather has built significant demand and was recognized as a top haircare brand on TikTok Shop U.S. during both the first and second quarters of 2026.

Rainford’s entrepreneurial journey has also garnered recognition beyond beauty. According to her company biography, Bask & Lather achieved 1,400% growth between 2024 and 2025 and scaled without outside investors. Rainford was named to Inc. Magazine’s Female Founders 500 list in 2026, while Bask & Lather was recognized on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies and selected for BeautyMatter’s 2026 FUTURE50 list.

The Bask & Lather Products to Know

At the heart of the brand is its Scalp Stimulator, one of Bask & Lather’s signature products. Made with cold-pressed oils and ingredients including rosemary and mint, hemp seed oil and grapeseed oil, the formula was created to nourish the scalp and support healthy scalp stimulation with regular use.

The Strong Hold Edge Control has also emerged as a bestseller. Formulated with ingredients including argan and castor oils, it was designed to lay and soften edges while delivering a strong hold without leaving behind white streaks. The formula works across hair textures, including natural, relaxed and 4C hair.

For additional moisture, the Stimulating Scalp & Hair Balm combines mango butter, shea butter, beeswax, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, peppermint, rosemary, lemongrass, vitamin E and dried lavender in a targeted scalp and hair treatment.

Meanwhile, the lightweight Hair Elixir Oil focuses on sealing in moisture, helping prevent breakage and supporting length retention with Jamaican black castor oil, apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil, lavender essential oil and vitamins B, C and E.

Introducing the Scalp Therapy System

Bask & Lather is taking its scalp-first philosophy even further with its new Scalp Therapy System, bringing dedicated scalp care into every stage of wash day.

The four-step collection includes a Scalp Soothing Pre-Shampoo to soothe and detangle; a Scalp Balancing Shampoo to gently remove buildup; a Scalp Restoring Conditioner to soften and detangle; and a Scalp Moisturizing Leave-In Treatment created to provide moisture while supporting length retention.

Across the collection, formulas incorporate ingredients such as aloe vera, mint, niacinamide, babassu oil, agave extract, rosemary, biotin and silk peptides.

It’s an expansion that feels particularly aligned with what Rainford has built from the beginning. Bask & Lather isn’t simply selling the idea of longer hair; the brand is encouraging consumers to develop the routines and scalp-care practices that can help them maintain healthy hair over time.

Shaina Rainford Is Building With Purpose

What makes Rainford’s story particularly compelling is the evolution from solving a problem within her own family to creating products now used by a much larger community.

As Bask & Lather continues to expand, Rainford remains closely connected to the brand’s original mission: real people, real routines and real results.

From a mother’s homemade hair oil to a nationally recognized beauty business, Bask & Lather’s trajectory demonstrates what can happen when personal experience, community and entrepreneurship intersect.

And with its newest collection placing even greater emphasis on scalp health, the brand’s message remains consistent: growing your hair is only part of the journey. Keeping it healthy is just as important.

Learn more and shop Bask & Lather: Bask & Lather Co.

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The WSJ recently had a helpful article, How to Press Your Case When Your Airplane Seat Gets Downgraded [gift link]. I thought it might be interesting to discuss here and share other business travel hacks!

Have you ever had your airplane seat downgraded, either when traveling for work or for fun? How did you handle it? More broadly, what are your best travel hacks for when things go wrong — delayed or canceled flights, lost luggage, missed connections, hotel problems, and other travel emergencies?

First, the WSJ’s advice –

What’s a traveler to do? Stay on top of your reservation and know your rights, whether you get advance notice of seat changes or find out at the airport, like Prati. Don’t just take it as another travel unpleasantry and move on. You might not get all you’re hoping for, or anything in some cases, but you should make your case.

The first step is to try to get ahead of any plane swaps and resulting seat downgrades when you find out in advance rather than at the last minute.

They quote one woman who says she checks her booked flights weekly and contacts the airline as soon as she notices a seat switch.

The WSJ also notes that you are entitled to a refund if your seat is downgraded through no fault of your own… but the rules are different and more complicated when you get downgraded from one cabin to another, and different rules apply depending on whether you’re leaving from the US (in which case murky DOT rules apply) or leaving from Europe or the UK (with clearer, more robust rules).

Readers, have you ever had that happen to you? How did you handle it?

Psst: We’ve discussed readers’ favorite items for business travel, tips for packing for a one-day business trip, and shared great gift ideas for people who travel often — as well as discussed top tips for frequent work travel over on CorporetteMoms.

Stock photo via Pexels / Gustavo Fring.