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_5580239.jpgQ. First, I LOVE your site!! I just bought this dress in navy. Navy is a tough color. What type and color shoe can I wear to keep it elegant and fashionable for an evening summer cocktail party. I love the dress but the color is difficult. I like navy and camel but would that work?

A. Cute dress! Navy looks especially chic this season and finding the right color shoe is not as daunting as you might think. I’m not sure if camel would be my first choice for evening; instead, look for black, silver, light neutrals and more. Red can also be a fun choice if you’re feeling bold. Here are a few options ranging from simple and subtle to statement-making, depending on your mood:
Q. I am looking for a stylish, sturdy bag to carry my laptop and paperwork as I trek from one meeting to another. I want something that’s not your basic black briefcase, but that is large and sturdy enough for everyday use for a long time.

-Bag Lady


A. Laptop bags aren’t necessarily the most stylish bags to carry everyday, but I did find big enough handbags that would carry and still protect your laptop plus specific bags built to carry your computer. Plus, these bags will carry all of your other essentials as well. I’ve categorized big bag and laptop bag, now you choose.

Big enough to carry your laptop and daily essentials:

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1. Foley + Corinna Glazed Jet Setter Jr Tote, $528 at shopbop.com
2. Rebecca Minkoff Market Tote with Scarf, $675 at shopbop.com
3. Jill Stuart Handbags Noho Victoria Tote, $402 at shopbop.com
4. Tory Burch Embossed Lux T Jordana Tote, $495 at shopbop.com

Bags with specific interior pocket to hold your computer:
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1. Knomo Josselin, $299 at zappos.com
2. Knomo Toyah, $254 at zappos.com
3. Nine West Laptop Tote, $99 at ninewest.com
4. Francesco Biasia ‘Nika’ Laptop Satchel, $538 at nordstrom.com
5. cinda b Takin’ Care of Business, $96 at ebags.com

Target also has a nice selection of laptop bags at affordable prices:
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1. Mango Tango Quilted Faux Suede Laptop Bag, $44.99
2. Mango Tango Canvas Stripe Laptop Bag, $39.99
3. Mango Tango Faux Croc Laptop Bag, $47.99
4. Mango Tango Faux Leather Quilt-Lined Laptop Carrying Case, $59.99
5. Isaac Mizrahi for Target® Notebook Computer Tote, $39.99
_5622850.jpgQ. I am attending a Black Tie Wedding this weekend. I purchased a black halter style gown. My question is …Do I wear a necklace? What type of jewelry would go with the dress?

A. Generally, you should not wear a necklace with a halter style dress. Instead, go for dramatic earrings and a cuff bracelet or cocktail ring.
219276_4520.jpgQ. I just bought this pair of orange capris that I love. I’m looking for other color combinations besides the typical standby of an off-white top and sandals. Any suggestions?

A. Of course, you can always pair your orange bottoms with neutrals like white, off-white and navy, but this summer, we’re all about mixing up colors. Try wearing your orange capris with other citrus shades like lemon and lime. Or try one of these colorful printed tops below:

As for shoes, metallic gold looks great with orange, as does brown, navy and of course tan/neutrals.
Q. I’m trying to protect my hair and the skin on my face from the summer sun, so I went looking for a nice hat that would cover my face and hair but with a brim that wasn’t so broad that I look like Breakfast at Tiffany’s. My bathing suits are all different colors — black, navy, brown, even some purple thrown in. What I really want is a canvas hat with a little bit of a metallic sheen. But everything I see out there is black, black, black, or straw. I can’t find what I’m looking for anywhere! Does such a thing exist? Can you help?-Thanks, (Going) Mad Hatter

BKM400-lg.jpgA. Finding a sun hat with a small brim can be very difficult, after all, it’s the brim that protects your face from the sun. You might want to try a bucket or cowboy hat as an alternative to the typical wide-brimmed hat. As for colors, there are plenty of options other than black, and canvas is certainly an option, but why the aversion to straw? There are many chic straw options available - and they look great with virtually any swimsuit color, including the ones you mentioned.

We had a hard time finding a small-brimmed, non straw metallic hat, but the Hat Attack metallic linen sunhat with piping shown here somewhat fits the bill. It does have a brim, but the floppy style makes it youthful and not too Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Scroll through some more options you may like:

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