Style Rules

Q. I'm going to a formal military ball and unless I go buy a dress, I only have 3 long dresses choose from. Unfortunately, they're all velvet dresses, although very thin material. One is long sleeved, one is short sleeved and the last has no sleeves. I live in Colorado and the evening will be cool to cold in temperature. What do you suggest?
- Long Dress

A. While Colorado still has some snow I hesitate to say go ahead and wear the velvet. Velvet is truly a late fall, winter fabric. And remember the ball will be indoors. Indoor formal events are a chance to wear a great dress with heels and not be expected to wear hosiery or covered toes.

Q. I can see that this issue has been addressed before, but I am wondering if a 55 year old should always wear hose to the office. Our office is pretty relaxed but "at my age" I wear stockings and wear toeless stockings with sandals and a skirt. The younger women are appalled at the site of hosiery.
- Not Care for Bare

A. If you feel more comfortable wearing hosiery then don't let the younger woman get you feeling down. Let them know their time may come when they'll want a little coverage. While I try to avoid hosiery unless it's tights in winter, I know there will come a time when my confidence with bare legs may falter and I'll want some coverage. We won't all be blessed with Tina Turner's legs later in life. Your best bet is to try to match a sheer hosiery color as close your skin tone as possible. You may have to experiment with a few styles. Look for ones that claim to be virtually invisible. And if you wear a skirt or dress that falls below the knee you may want to dare to go bare in the heat of the summer and try using a body lotion that will gradually give your skin a hint of color. Summer months can be brutal if you wear hosiery in the heat.

Q. We're attending a family wedding in the south in June. My mother has chosen a purple dress. She mentioned she plans to wear white nylons and white pumps (she's in her 70's but very active still). I keep thinking there's something better than white for her. She refuses to go without hose. Any advice?
-White Not?  

A. I've always believed that unless you're under 10 years old, a ballerina or a quirky rock star, an adult should avoid white stockings. Suggest flesh toned hosiery for your mom and try to match the color perfectly so it looks like she has bare legs. Look for another color of pumps she can wear like a neutral cream or light tan, which can be very sophisticated.

Q. I recently purchased a Velvet (brand, not fabric) deep-V, sleeveless, empire waist, black dress. I live in Minnesota, and would like to wear it out for the evening. Would it be okay to wear a Michael Stars burgundy sparkle turtleneck under it? Is there anything else you could suggest? I don't have any fitted jackets or cropped sweaters.
-Wear it in Winter

A. Layering is key when it comes to extending our wardrobe from winter to spring and summer. Consider layering with a turtleneck sweater, v-neck top or even a collared button down shirt - think chic preppy. Add a long necklace that dangles as long as the deep v of the dress for extra lengthening effect. In many cases, it all comes down to trial and error. So try on the sparkled turtleneck and if you like it then wear it. Confidence can win most style battles.

Q. How long can you wear boots for into spring?
-Boots On

A. While I've been surprised to see women wearing boots in 95 degree heat in Florida and California in the summer (how stinky and sweaty!), I still have high fashion hopes that most women know that boots are for cooler temperatures. Typically, the season is late September through March.  You can squeeze in April if your city gets hit with the occasional freak snowstorm or cold snap.

Q. I am hoping you can give me some guidance here. I wear shoes of varying heel heights from flats to 4.5 inches. Is there a length of pant or jean hem that will work for any height heel? I'd like the option of wearing all of my jeans and pants with any of my shoes.
-Flats to Stilettos

A. Ahhh the conundrum of jeans. Unfortunately, there's no perfect length that will give us the option of wearing both heels and flats. My skinny jeans work with flats, my AG's are long enough for heels, my Citizens of Humanity can be worn with some heels, but still scrape the ground if I wear sandals. And then there's the Anlo trousers, the lighter wash Club Monaco's, my off white Paige Premiums that are too long for flip flops, etc.

The majority of us take so much time finding the right pair of jeans, owning several pairs designated for specific "jobs" and hemmed accordingly. Trouser styles look best with stylish shoes that have a slight to higher heel, so skip the flip-flops. If you love two pairs of dark denim, plan one pair for heels and high heeled sandals for evening and one pair that works with ballet flats or casual flat sandals. Light colored jeans are usually casual so you'll wear those with cute kicks and flats or flip-flops. I know it can be frustrating, but realize the bonus that jeans have evolved to cross into all fashion forays from work to play to evening.

Q. I know that rain boots are in season right now, but is it okay to still wear them when it is NOT raining?
-No Puddles

A. All those colorful, printed, patterned rain boots were designed to make splashing through puddles more fun on a dreary day. To wear a rain boot when it’s not raining means choosing a boot that doesn’t scream "rain boot."  Look for boots that have minimal details that are stylish enough to pair with pieces in your wardrobe, while still blending with your outerwear. I dig these four styles for their fashionable to rugged looks. And remember in the winter months to wear a warmer sock since rubber doesn’t offer much insulation.

1. Tretorn Plask W, $129 at zappos.com
2. Sporto Lani, $68.95 at zappos.com
3. La Canadienne Dorina, $258.95 at zappos.com
4. Aquatalia by Marvin K. Nasty, $370 at piperlime.com

Q. I'm a 29-year-old attorney who loves cardigans!  I just went on a cardigan buying spree at J. Crew and now I own three more cardigans but they all have a three-quarter length sleeve.  Since it's winter and I live in New York, I don't want to wear a cami or a short sleeve blouse with them...  Can I wear a long sleeve button down shirt instead or are long sleeves a no-no?
-Long or Short



A. Long Sleeves are definitely a yes with a 3/4 sleeve cardigan. It can be especially chic with a pop of color like a shiny silk blouse or a patterned top. Generally, you should opt for a thin fabric so you don't add unnecessary bulk underneath the cardigan.  Some suggestions:

1. Aqua Ruffle Front Bow Blouse, $31.20 (sale) at bloomingdales.com
2. Carte Blanche by Anja Flynt Long Sleeve Button Front Tunic in Ivory, $235 at couturecandy.com
3. Rag & Bone Wrap Neck Blouse, $168 (sale) at tobi.com
4. Munthe Plus Simonsen Rosalina Tunic, $175 (sale) at tobi.com

Q. I really like the look of tucking my jeans into my boots.  However, whenever I try to do this I think it just looks wrong.  I feel like I always end up with a bulge from the jeans (even with my skinny jeans). Is there a correct way to get the look?  Also what boot do you recommend to achieve this look?
-Baggy Knees

A. We all have that same issue. Usually it’s easier with skinny jeans, but the moment we sit down and get comfortable the jeans start rising in our boots and suddenly it’s baggy jean syndrome when we stand. An old school trick that comes from the horsey set is to attach stretch clips under you foot to either side of your jeans to hold them down when you sit down or move around. It’s a way to get the look that comes from breeches without looking like a throwback from the '80s. Check out doversaddlery.com for pant clips.

Q. Can I carry a black patent leather handbag in the winter?  My mother said only in the Spring.
-Uncertain

A. Where have you and your mother been hangin’? Have you not had access to magazines, TV or walked in a department store lately?  I’m not trying to be harsh, but patent leather has saturated the runways, magazines and is available in some form or fashion in just about every store. So let your mom know what the old rules no longer apply and you can sport your black patent leather bag all year long.