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Q. I have a sequin shrug/jacket and I don't know what shoes to wear with it. Can you help?

A. For most occasions, we recommend wearing just one shiny piece at a time, so try pairing a suede pump or leather bootie with your sequin jacket. For a dressier occasion, however, you can get away with a metallic or shiny shoe with your jacket, provided the rest of your look is more subdued (i.e. a little black dress). Below are some pairings for inspiration.

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r47p26y.jpg.gifQ. I own a pair of PRPS bootcut jeans and I'm 5'6". I can't figure out what to do with the long inseam issue. I don't want to get them altered because it would destroy the look of the jean. I tried wearing 4" heels and the legs still are too long. Is it appropriate to fold them up a bit and still wear with boots or is that tacky?

A. Cuffing a pair of bootcut jeans isn't tacky, but it can be tricky. You can try doing a wide cuff to see how it looks, as long as it looks neat you can "shorten" your jeans using this method without looking like a fashion victim. However, since you already own the jeans, they aren't worth anything to you if you don't wear them. We suggest taking them to a good tailor and having the minimum amount of length hemmed - an inch or two shouldn't have a major impact on the silhouette of the jean. Be sure to ask your tailor to use the original hem of the jean for the best look.

right: Prps Daytona Bootcut Jean, singer22.com

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Q. I am over 60 but wear a size 4 petite. I have purchased a pair of black leggings and have not worn them yet because there is nothing worse (in my opinion) than not dressing for your age. I have two long tunic blouses - one that I purchased a few years ago in Paris and love and another one that I purchased recently. I have always worn the first with pants but would love to change the look. My question is- am I too old to wear leggings? I paired the outfit with some flats and it looked cute, but I am thinking maybe for an evening out at a restaurant rather than a day outfit. I live in a college town and do not want to look ridiculous! Am I wrong?

A. There's no doubt that leggings are a huge trend this season. On the runways we saw everything from basic black to shredded and studded styles paired with pumps and ankle booties. However, leggings do have a place in a more sophisticated and classic wardrobe.

Start with a basic pair of leggings in a substantial knit fabric (no thin hosiery leggings) and dark color - forego this season's embellished or patterned styles. Wear them with a pretty tunic blouse or sweater paired with a gorgeous flat or knee high boot. Here are two sophisticated and age appropriate looks to wear day or night:

Q. I've been seeing a lot of tie-dye skinny jeans on my favorite clothing websites. At first, I thought it was kinda ridiculous, but I must admit that it's growing on me. Should I splurge and buy into this trend, or is it something that only celebrities can really pull off successfully?

A. The news is that bleached and tie-dyed denim will be around for at least another season, having popped up on a few of the spring 2010 runways. So if you're digging the look, go for it, and pair them with everything from boyfriend blazers to chunky knit sweaters. And, there's no need to splurge with these options under $100:

Q. Will boyfriend blazers be in style during the fall?

A. The answer is a resounding YES! If you were lucky enough to buy a boyfriend blazer in the spring, then you're all set. If not here are a few options for you in every price range:

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Q. I have been eyeing a metallic tote to add some dimension to my mostly neutral wardrobe. Would a metallic tote look out of season in the winter? Thanks so much for your help! I love your website!

A. While not as "hot' as they have been in past seasons, there are many gorgeous metallic handbags out there right now. They can absolutely be worn in the winter and are great for brightening up a neutral wardrobe. Another handbag color to consider is red. Not only is red super hot this season, but it's a classic color that is ideal for adding dimension to a neutral wardrobe since it pairs well with so many colors. Here are some tote options for you to consider:

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Q. I'd like some help with my summer-to-fall transitioning! I just bought a fabulous knee-length white linen skirt during the rash of Labor Day sales, and I'd like to wear it to work. It's still summer weather where I live (in the 80s). Should I pair it with black tights and flats? Or, since it's September and technically Fall, should I pack it in the closet for next spring? Any help would be appreciated.

A. Though we're all for wearing white after Labor Day, linen can be tricky. If you live in a warm climate, you can still wear this tropical fabric as long as the weather is still hot. Here in the northeast, it's already getting chilly, so it is no longer appropriate to wear linen.

If you're still experiencing summer weather and would like to wear your white linen skirt, we suggest pairing it with black, an eternally chic combination. As for wearing black tights, if it's warm enough for linen, then it is too warm for tights, so go barelegged instead.

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Q. For some reason I stuggle with wearing patent leather shoes. I have a couple of pairs of shoes that are patent; one is navy and one is dark red. I don't wear them because I question if it's the right time of year. What season is it appropriate to wear patent or is it always ok to do so? Please set me straight.

A. Patent leather used to be strictly a spring and summer skin, but in recent years, it has not only been okay to wear in the fall and winter, it has actually been a trend (read this post from last year). For fall, we love patent leathers in black, red, navy and purple, but more important than the color is the style of your shoe. If the silhouette is fall-appropriate, then go for it. Below are some patent accessories that are new for fall for inspiration:

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Q. I am not too old, 49, but now I hear from my daughter, 26, that wearing pantyhose are out of style, and she never wears them, not even in the dead of winter, because only old grandmas wear them. Is this true? This past winter I decided to just wear pants to the office and not look silly wearing a skirt with no panty hose, in the below zero New England weather, however, I would like the option of wearing a suit with a skirt in the winter. What is your advice on panty hose or no panty hose? Thanks.

A. In the fashion world, hosiery tends to come in and out of style. However, whether to go bare-legged or not is more than just about what's "in". If you feel more comfortable in hosiery when the weather is cool, then by all means go for it. Regardless of trends, you can always opt for ultra sheer nude hosiery that matches your skin tone or opaque tights.

That being said, hosiery is very much in style for fall - aren't you lucky! The Fall 2009 runways showed everything from sheer hosiery to funky patterns, prints and embellishments from virtually every designer. Here's some proof of hosiery's fabulousness for your daughter:

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left to right: Collette Dinnigan, Elie Saab, Limi Feu, Chanel, Valentino, Stella McCartney - photos courtesy of style.com

Q. I bought a pair of linen colored linen pants. Can you help me figure out what color shirt to wear? For example, can I do white even though the pants are more "Natural" in color? Or should I do a brown. And what about shoes? I have a great pair of bronze/bone slingbacks that look great with the pant, but again, don't know what color shirt to wear with them.

A. The great thing about a natural colored linen pant is that it looks great with EVERYTHING. Crisp white paired with natural linen is a classic chic look, add in brown and bronze and you've got the timeless "safari" mix of hues. In addition to this neutral mix, natural linen looks great with pale blush colors, black and brights like turquoise, red, yellow, green, pink and orange, to name a few. Here is some inspiration for mixing colors with natural:

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