This is Alma Loveland from Ollibird. Alma is an artist and designer; the fabric on her Jean Chatsky Laptop Bag is her design.

When I introduced myself and asked if I could take her photo, Alma said she already kind of knew me. It turns out that I had met Alma’s gorgeous redheaded baby and her husband a few months ago. They were waiting for her in the hallway while she was teaching an Illustrator class in Jordan’s studio space, and that baby was too happy for me to resist. Turns out the baby gets that from mama.

This is Victoria Smith from sfgirlbybay. I suggested she wear a Tricorne with this fantastic bow shirt, but she demurred.

The shirt print is made up of little smoking mouths. I so hope there’s a Surgeon General’s warning on the tag.

This lady was one of the Alt sponsors, but she dressed for the occasion. Well done, ma’am.

How genius is Karen’s not-shirt? Creates the effect of wearing two tees, covers the plumber’s crack, and doesn’t add bulk.

Heather’s new booties! Though I know her legs are the star here. If you want those, you’ll need to discuss it with Heather’s mom.

Perfect sleeve by Joslyn from Simple Lovely.

This is the very bright, capable Janel Laban of Apartment Therapy and her enviable haircut. (Hi, Janel! You cutie.)

She says she tells her stylist to aim for “cheap wig.” I couldn’t get my hair to do this if I had a ceramic straight iron and a pact with the Devil, and so it’s all I’ve ever wanted my hair to do.

Janel’s super functional bag is by Highway, which seems to specialize in that sort of thing.

Also, this hat! Janel says her dog freaks out whenever she wears it because it looks like a little animal attacking her head.

This is our very dear and seriously adorable friend Rachel. Rae and I were roomies for just before Bryan and I got engaged, and fortunately for me, she’s not the sort to leave passive aggressive notes on the fridge. She’s more the subtly witty friend who never seems all that funny until you’re spraying red wine out your nose for the third time in a night. Ow.

Bryan strong-armed Rachel into becoming one of Adaptive Path’s first employees years ago, and she’s still there. I have no idea how to describe her job. She’s sort of their resident empath — advisor, bellwether, able to predict whether new policies will make everyone feel vengeful and quitty, etcetera. Rachel is the sort of person in whom it is wise to confide. She’s also a sharp dresser, and that’s really why we’re all here.

The office is casual, and Rae never looks like she’s trying too hard, which fascinates me. It’s easy to look good when you’re dressed up, harder to feel cute when you’re just going about your day, you know? This is the type of thing she’d wear to work if she had plans to head out afterward. (Like I said, the office is casual.) Her jacket is by Plus Four.

For me, good casual dressing requires a lot more effort, or more money than I want to spend on the perfect T-shirt, but Rae always seems to have pulled something over her head and tumbled out into the world looking stylish. Her dress is American Apparel.

Rae is naturally a wee tiny person, and she’s also a vegetarian who bikes everywhere — hence the ability to wear anything made by American Apparel. Her petite frame can be a big challenge when she’s looking for clothes, because she either has to shop at Gymboree or have everything tailored. Her red belt is a Goodwill score.

Her shoes are by Me Too. Rachel refuses to wear uncomfortable shoes, and more than once I’ve had to pep talk her through buying a pair of pumps for a wedding or whatnot. She’s become more open to heels over the years, but she’d like you to note that these are comfortable flats with nice, bouncy rubber soles. Noted.

She got the necklace second hand at Buffalo Exchange and the bangles were a gift from a friend who got them in Vietnam. Rae has very little jewelry, so what she does have is in heavy rotation.

Tomorrow, we’ll have a look at a work outfit for when clients are in the office.