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Q. I am going to Nashville for a wedding in mid-May. Can I wear a white skirt to the rehearsal dinner even though it is before Memorial Day?
-White Wonder
A. It will all depend on the temperature in Nashville at that time and the material of the skirt. No linen, and no too-thin cotton. If it’s warm and the rest of your outfit isn’t too “light” then you can probably pull it off.
Q. I’m so sick of carrying two bags to work. Usually, it’s my purse and another tote bag for mail, magazines, lunch or whatever. And when I bring my laptop into work, that’s three bags total! It’s just too much! Every bag I find big enough seems too athletic or “LL Bean” looking which is just not my style. Any ideas on one classy, stylish bag I can use for work?
-Need to Subtract
A. You need the perfect carryall for just about everything. We call that the BIG bag. You should stick to one large bag that holds the items that were originally in your purse, plus the mags, mail and lunch. Then for the few times you carry your laptop, get yourself a stylish laptop bag or padded sleeve.
When filling your new BIG bag, be aware that we women tend to fill all that extra space with everything we own, making the bag too cumbersome and heavy to carry comfortably. Pare down to just the basics you need for every day. You don’t need to carry all your cosmetics, just powder, lip color, gloss and hand cream. Keep any other additions or nonessential items in your desk drawer, even if it means buying duplicates to keep at home and at work.
I’ve chosen a few bags that I believe will help you carry your daily needs:
left to right: Hype Handbags Cheyenne Satchel, $173 at zappos.com; Marc by Marc Jacobs King Pin Forbidden Shopper, $388 at eluxury.com; Michael Kors ‘Yacht Club Large’ Shopper, $348 at nordstrom.com; L.A.M.B. Devon Tote, $650 at eluxury.com; Michael Kors Big Valley North/South, $368 at nordstrom.com; Cole Haan Paige Collection Large Convertible Tote, $425 at colehaan.com
Laptop sleeves and cases, keep your choice simple and sleek:
left to right: Talene Reilly Reese Laptop Tote, $230 (sale) at lunaboston; Case Closed Bob w/Fashion Girl Lining, $50 (sale) at ebags.com; Kara B Laptop Bags The Euro Briefcase, $86.95 at zappos.com; Timbuk2 Quilted Laptop Sleeve-Large, $35.95 at zappos.com; Mango Tango Faux Croc Laptop Bag, $49.99 (sale) at ebags.com; Acme Made Designer Slim, $149.99 at acmemade.com
Q. One question I’ve never seen asked or addressed by stylists is what the perfect length for pants/jeans/slacks is, no matter what the trend (floods, capris, etc.) is. Would you tell me whereabouts on the foot or ankle they should rest?
-Long & Short of It
A. Pants always look better than capris or shorts. As for length, the longer length is more flattering. Pants should cover the tops of shoes or pumps with just the front of the shoe showing. Unfortunately, we all wear different heel heights, so when you have pants hemmed you need to figure out if you’ll wear a heel or flats/sneakers with the pants. Generally, we wear our dress pants with heels and we succumb to flats and sneakers with our khakis and casual wear. Jeans are the trickiest since we wear them with everything from flip-flops to 4 inch heels. Choose your best looking dark pair for heels and your favorite all-around pair to wear with sneakers, flats and kitten heel heights, then hem them appropriately.
Q. I will be celebrating my upcoming 24th birthday by going on a weekend trip to Las Vegas with my girlfriends. I normally dress in a very preppy manner and need help finding pieces that are more appropriate for Vegas as opposed to Connecticut. I must admit that I am the conservative dresser within my group of friends and would like to look stylish, trendy, and young for once so I can fit in with my girls in Sin City.
-Sin City STyle
A. Since it’s only a weekend, you won’t need much to add a little sass to your preppy wardrobe. Though “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” you are going with friends who will remember and won’t hesitate to remind you. So be aware of any behavior that you may regret later.
For day, cute colorful skirts and tops work just fine, and you probably already have these in your wardrobe. And of course, a bathing suit for lying by the pool. What you need help with is your party attire for going to a show or playing blackjack. Pack your dark jeans and add a sultry top with details like sequins or something that fits your body and shows just a hint of skin like a bare shoulder. I’m sure I don’t have to even say this to you, but here goes: no midriff-baring tops.
Then add a fun cocktail dress and heels. Not the kind of dress you’d wear to a wedding, but a fun jersey mini dress or tunic style. Bring along a medium to high heel sandal or wedge and you can wear the same heels with both the dress and the dark jeans and top. Add a jacket, since it gets cold in the desert and those hotel casinos are always air conditioned to keep you awake and gambling.
Some dress picks to give you inspiration:
left to right: Lux Printed Deep V Kimono Dress, $58 at urbanoutfitters.com; Lux Flutter Sleeve Dress, $58 at urbanoutfitters.com; Solid Egyptian cotton boatneck dress, $98 at jcrew.com
some sexy tops to pair with a jacket or cardigan and dark slim jeans with heels:
left to right: Bow Detail Halter Top, $48 at ardenb.com; One Shoulder Trapeze Top, $58 at ardenb.com; Grosgrain Cross Back Strap Camisole, $59.99 (sale) at armaniexchange.com
some cropped jackets and cardigans to layer over your top or dress:
left to right: Lux Cropped Dolman Jacket, $48 at urbanoutfitters.com; Empire Waist Tie Front Jacket, $128 at ardenb.com; Soft Side Cardigan, $148 at kennethcole.com
Q. What do I wear for an evening wedding in Battery Park in March?
-NYC by Water
A. I assume the wedding will be indoors, so the invite—black tie or not — will determine your clothing. I always wear a dress to a wedding. I’m a fan of dressy cocktail length dresses, they work for all occasions. And please choose a color. I am just as much a victim of owning multiple little black dresses, but I know that when I wear color to events, I always snag more compliments and suddenly walk a little taller. I know the Battery Park area in NYC quite well- it will likely be a bit windy and chilly by the water so bring a wrap and spritz on hairspray to avoid the windblown effect.
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