StyleBakery.com | Ask The Style Chefs

Colors To Pair With Gray Velvet

November 30, 2007

Q. I bought a pair of velvet trousers in gray (Boden Wideleg Washed Velvet Trousers from bodenusa.com). Note: the coloring on the model is truer to the gray in real life than the color on the image of the pants. They are a lighter gray, with a slight very light purple hue. They’re super comfortable, and work appropriate. But I’m having a hard time finding colors that coordinate well with them, other than brown and black. What other color tops I could wear with them?
-Soft and Comfy

A. First off -YUM. Love these pants! Take a cue from what the models is wearing and choose some colors to add to the richness of the gray velvet. Look for jewel tone or brighter sweaters like ruby, plum, deep purple, olive and teal. Beyond sweaters, search for tops with shine to give the pants a kick towards dressy.

1. Double Breasted Bell Sleeve Cardigan, $118 at freepeople.com
2. Merino wool turtleneck sweater, $78 at bananarepublic.com
3. Long-sleeve scoopneck sweater, $68 at bananarepublic.com

Shoe Smell

November 29, 2007

Q. Thank you for all the help you’ve given me in the past! I LOVE your website. I have noticed that my shoes, especially my leather ballet flats, have started to have a less than pleasant odor. How do I clean them and prevent the smell without ruining the leather?
-Smelly Situation

A. Simply head to your local pharmacy and pick up a shoe deodorizer spray or powder. If that doesn’t help then ask your neighborhood shoe repair guy for a suggestion (perhaps a deordorizing insole you can put inside the shoe) or make an appointment with a podiatrist if perhaps you have a continuing foot smell. Constant wear of shoes with bare feet will inevitably mean you’re transferring foot sweat into the fabric of the shoe. Be sure to give the shoes a day of rest in between wearings.

Shoes To Wear With Ivory Dress for Winter

November 28, 2007

Q. I am stuck on what shoes to wear with this dress..it is winter! Is this white/ivory dress okay to wear in December?
-Dress Distress

A. I do think the dress is a bit light in fabric for December and probably best kept for spring through summer unless you’re headed to a location that is warm. But if you really love it, then pair with sassy, embellished evening shoes like the ones I picked and just dash from the car to the party in a warm coat.

1. J. Reneé ‘Stardust’ Sandal, $89.95 at nordstrom.com
2. A. Marinelli ‘Rella’ Sandal, $94.95 at nordstrom.com
3. Martinez Valero ‘Desiree’ Sandal, $139.95 at nordstrom.com

Penchant for Plaid

November 27, 2007

Q. It is about that time again, for the office holiday party season. I was hoping you could point me in the direction of something that would be suitable for such an occasion. I know red/green plaids were big as a last year fashion but I was hoping to find something this year. My ideal dress would be full length plaid/tartan dress and thought you would be the perfect person to ask.  —Seeking in Portland

A. I would have thought it would have been one stop shopping from Ralph Lauren, but this year he skipped much of his tartans and plaids for chic black. So I searched elsewhere and came up with a few options from a strapless wonder to long length glam and a few day to evening options that can be dazzled with a pair of sparkly shoes.

1. Wool Jacquard Black Watch Dress, $498 at brooksbrothers.com
2. L.A.M.B. Plaid Dolly Dress, $385 at saks.com
3. Ralph Lauren Toby Taffeta Tartan Skirt, $398 at ralphlauren.com
4. J Crew Kerin dress, $450 at jcrew.com
5. Donna Ricco Plaid Taffeta Shirtdress, $158 at nordstrom.com

Navy In the Fall and Winter?

November 26, 2007

Q. A business associate had a colleague comment on the fact that she was wearing a navy suit which is only appropriate in summer. The suit was modern, tailored with belt and year round weight. She was wearing a soft blue shell under. Your thoughts on navy in fall and winter?

A. When did navy become appropriate only for summer months? If it were navy linen, then heck yes, put it away until next year, but clearly the business colleague doesn’t have much fashion knowledge. Navy is an all year round color. It if weren’t, what would men do since they seem to live in navy suits all year long? For women, we’re lucky we can wear navy in winter as wool dresses, slim cashmere sweaters, navy plaid pants, navy pinstriped pencil skirts… You can pair navy with plum, burgundy, olive, ruby, purple and more to give the color richness in winter.

Colors To Pair With Gray Velvet

Shoe Smell

Shoes To Wear With Ivory Dress for Winter

Penchant for Plaid

Navy In the Fall and Winter?

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Colors To Pair With Gray Velvet

Shoe Smell

Shoes To Wear With Ivory Dress for Winter

Penchant for Plaid

Navy In the Fall and Winter?

get the scoop

like us on facebook!

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