The Neutral Oxfords Every Work Wardrobe Needs

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Today's pick comes from Racked Philly editor Julie Davis.

Bass Women's Ely-2 Oxford, $59.94 at Amazon

On a search for a pair of work-appropriate oxfords, I took a cue from my fifth grade self and decided to go with a pair of bucks. The Bass Ely-2 fit the description of what I was looking for: neutral in color, minimal in profile, and priced under $100.

I went with the "sea rock" color, which is more of a taupe with the tiniest tinge of green. The gum sole has a bit of a purple tint that really pops against the suede upper, but doesn't make too loud of a statement. You might want to go with the wide width if you don't have narrow feet.

Racked New York contributor Claudia Saide: I have this obsession with backpacks, so when I noticed an entire display of them by Mossimo at Target, you can imagine my excitement. I mean, the store was stocked with four or five different tribal printed versions, and I wanted each one more than the next. Priced at $23.99, it was a total no-brainer. My only problem was deciding which one to buy. I ended up with the multicolored geo print version, but I may just head back for one in black and white. This is exactly how I will be carrying my beach read and towel this summer.

Today's pick comes from Racked Dallas editor Anna Caplan: I've been looking for clarity ever since I was a teenager. (I'm talking the skin kind.) And after two kids, my face and hormones are well-acquainted—a partnership that has resulted in hyper-pigmentation, dullness, partial oiliness, the list goes on. You name it, my face has, yes, faced it.

Recently, the evening after one of the best facials ever at ESPA at Dallas's Joule Hotel, I started using the spa's made-in-England Optimal Skin ProSerum ($85). After giving many serums a chance in the past, let's just say I had low expectations. Fast forward just a week later, and I was sold. Made of luscious extracts like turmeric and white lupin, this gorgeously infused product absorbs almost instantly into your skin, yet you don't have to use that much (three or four drops) to see quick results. Already, my skin looks healthier (no blush for me!) and less dry. Oh, Optimal Skin ProSerum, where have you been all my life?

Racked Boston editor Susie Kostaras: A fuchsia lip has proven to be my foolproof pick-me-up when I'm having a bad day or battling the last bit of winter blahs. It's also my salute to warmer weather—making pink lipstick an undeniable cornerstone in my cosmetics collection. My favorite is the richly-pigmented Rouge Artist Intense from Make Up For Ever in #36. It's not totally matte, but it stays on for hours as if it were. Plus, it builds super-well during the course of a day, meaning you can easily wear it from morning to the wee hours of the following morning without worrying about dryness, feathering, or loss of color.

Racked NY editor Tiffany Yannetta: I moved into a new apartment a few months ago, but have only had large groups of friends over twice. I'm always nervous that my guests are going to get drunk and break all our glassware, but after a trip to the home goods store Jung Lee in New York, I found the answer: acrylic!

These Diamante Tumblers by Mario Luca Giusti are a little expensive at $17 a pop, but they won't smash into pieces if someone slams them down too hard after taking a shot. (It happens.) They also look like crystal, so they're a lot fancier than red Solo cups.
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