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Q.  What color shoe should I wear with solid white Bermuda  shorts when paired with a black or brown top? Also, I am only 5’4…what style Bermuda is best for a shorter person…are cuffs OK?
-Shorty Pants 

A. Cuffs on your shorts are fine, but keep the leg of the short cut straight and slim, you do not want a wide leg short on a petite frame - it will make you look shorter and wider.  As for length, choose ones that are at or above the knee.  For shoes, a wedge heel will keep the look stylish and give you a little height. You can look for a pattern, stripe or solid.  If you choose a pattern, you will have a better likelihood of wearing several solid colored tops with your shorts while upping the style quotient of your look.

Q. I am attending my brother-in-law’s wedding in Florida in March. I wanted to ask you if it is appropriate to wear a bright red dress to the rehearsal dinner. They told me that it might look like I am trying to compete with the bride. I am one of the bridesmaids, so for the day of the wedding and reception I am wearing my bridesmaid’s dress. Is this appropriate too or should I dress differently for the reception?
-Red Rose
 

A. A red dress is a fabulous style color choice for any occasion. The style of the dress is more important than the color when evaluating appropriateness —don’t wear anything too showy or with too much skin revealed.  Nobody is going to dress dowdy for the rehearsal dinner and it’s not your intention to outdo the bride.  All eyes will be on the couple, so feel free to look good.

Q. I’m a frequent visitor to your website, and I always find great tips.  I just found out that I’m expecting my first child in the fall, and I’m already starting to think about maternity clothes, but it’s pretty overwhelming.  Do you have any store recommendations?  Do you have any style tips?  I’m short and small framed, but with a larger chest - which will only get larger - and I don’t want to look like a walking tomato in six months!
-Forward Thinking Tummy 

A. Congratulations!  There are so many brands to choose from for your growing belly. Check for sales on sites before you shell out bucks for outfits you’ll only wear a few times. Look for pieces than can translate with an accessory change from day to evening. Try wearing items from your own wardrobe (like babydoll styles) mixed with maternity pieces and even consider buying large sizes of non-maternity clothing, which at times will fit better depending on how your body changes. Some of my favorite maternity sites include: cadeau.com, japaneseweekend.com, bellydancematernity.com, mimimaternity.com, apeainthepod.com, nordstrom.com and babystyle.com (great for sales). Plus there are the basics that work like collections from oldnavy.com, target.com and jcpenney.com.

You’ll also need new bras that give good support as your breasts grow larger. We love the choices on bareneccessities.com and figleaves.com.

Here are a few flattering pieces you’ll get a lot of mileage from:

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left to right: Belly Basics Maternity Double Cowl Neck Dress (also in black), $88 at nordstrom.com; Belly Basics Maternity Wrap Tunic (also in black), $78 at nordstrom.com; Ruched-Waist Skirts (many colors), $16.50 at oldnavy.com

Q. I am having a major problem looking for wedding shoes. HELP ME, I only have a budget of  $110.00 and I want a pair of low-heeled (kitten heel) shoes, light ivory or cream with a round closed toe. I don’t want an open back shoe, but I do want something stylish and definitely comfy, it can even be dyeable. 
-Help me, Help me 

A.  You’ve given yourself quite a list of restrictions for a day that is about love and merriment.  Perhaps you spent all your dough on the dress? Tsk, tsk young lady, you need the whole look to be fabulous!  Alas, I have found a few options that fit into your price, height, style and color requirements. Generally, I loathe dyeable shoes since there is rarely a need to match your shoe color perfectly to a dress, however, this seems to be your best option in your price range. Have a glorious wedding!

Touch Ups Breeze, $54.95Touch Ups Ginger, $54.95Dyeables Darling, $54.95


left to right, from onlineshoes.com: Touch Ups Breeze, $54.95; Touch Ups Ginger, $54.95; Dyeables Darling, $54.95

63705 Red FrtQ. I stumbled across your site recently, and I think it’s great! I purchased this dress to wear to a summer wedding and I was wondering what shoes and bag you recommend wearing with it. Do you think accessories will be too much? 
-Color Please Me
 

A. Keep the accessories simple. I recommend gold jewelry as a good warm color for dresses with many colors.  As for sandals, you have options: for sophistication, choose a nude or natural color; for sass, choose a red strappy; for simple but nice, a pale chocolate; and for drama, go for pale gold. Your clutch or handbag should be gold, natural, white or pale chocolate.

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