Recently in Fashion Category

Q. I recently purchased a pair of high waist gray denim jeans and have been trying to figure out what top would look good with this style.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  I did see the recent issue of Elle which had a photo shoot with jeans of this kind but they showed a tank top and it is still cold where I live.
-High Waisted

A. High-waisted pants require a slim fitting top to tuck into the jeans to create a long lean look from shoulder to foot.  You can layer a short jacket or sweater or, to still keep the illusion of length, you can add a long thin knit cardigan worn open and loose.

Tuck in a slim top:

1. Soda Blu Short Sleeve Turtleneck, $58 at tobi.com
2. Regatta boatneck, $34 at jcrew.com
3. Velvet Jovitas Top, $75 at tobi.com

Layer one of these over your tucked in top:

4. Camilla sweater jacket, $128 at jcrew.com
5. 12th Street by Cynthia Vincent Cambazola Professor Cardigan, $399 at bluebee.com
6. Tokidoki TD Cable Knit Sweater, $132 at tobi.com

Q. I recently brought a pair of gold shorts and I’m stuck for a top to wear with them for a night out clubbing. I’m 19 and would appreciate your help.
-Club Gold

A. I think back to my clubbing nights, dancing ‘til the wee hours in New York and then heading to Florent in the meatpacking district for tea and toast at 5:30 before heading to bed. And my outfits ranged from a simple tank, cool necklace and jeans to a knockout top with a mini skirt and heels. I recently purchased and have worn once, gold hot pants from American Apparel. They scream ’80s disco. I paired them with a blousy strapless top and gold heels. Here are some other suggestions, depending on the style of your gold shorts, to be a part of the scene.

1. Diesel Lenex Top, $140 at tobi.com
2. Dolman Sleeve Blouse, $68 at ardenb.com
3. Embellished Scoop Neck Tank, $48 at ardenb.com
4.  Ruby Sky Striped Sequin Tube Top, $19.99 at urbanoutfitters.com
5.  Lux Tinseltown Tank, $48 at urbanoutfitters.com

Q. I love the classic English equestrian or country look: riding boots, and skirts, etc.  Is that look severely out of style, or is there a way to update it?  Also, I am short.  Can I pull it off?  If so, how?
-Horsing Around

A. You can always wear your own homage to equestrian style without looking like you’re about to compete in dressage.  Button down fitted shirts, tailored blazer style jackets, riding style boots, genuine rubber riding boots, plus a simple, but stylish leather belt and slim pants. You can even purchase stretch riding pants, but definitely skip the jodhpurs. They are out of style, rarely look good on anyone and will make a short girl look squat. The trick for one who doesn’t ride is to wear just a few items together rather than a complete ensemble, which could appear pretentious or contradictory. So wear your breeches with a comfy cable knit or turtleneck sweater and knee-high boots. And Pair your button down and tailored blazer with jeans and knee-high or ankle boots.

1. Wool hacking jacket, $235 at jcrew.com
2. Grand Prix Hampton II Low Rise Breech, $90 at manhattansaddlery.com
3. David Tate Gateway, $124 at zappos.com
4. rsvp Billie, $140 at zappos.com
5. Rubber Riding Boots (great for rainy days!), $37 at chicksaddlery.com

Q. I’m 16 years old and live in Nebraska.  This is not exactly the fashion capital of the states, but I still like to be chic and stylish.  What can I do with a yellow, brushed cotton, just above the knee yet full, pleated skirt?
-Skirting

A. Your skirt is probably a little too “light” in fabric for cold winters in Nebraska, but once the temperature hits 60, you can start showing it off with bright tops to give the look rich contrast and tanks and short sleeves shirts with sandals when summer arrives.

I like pairing brights together:

1. Jeanne Top, $24.50 at delias.com
2.  Free People Bunny Hill Thermal, $29.99 at urbanoutfitters.com
3. Seamed 3/4 Knit Top, $35 at armaniexchange.com

When Spring/Summer hits, match the hues with a simple top underneath a cardigan:

1. Zip Front Logo Cardigan, $98 at armaniexchange.com
2. Deep V-Neck Polo, $60 at armaniexchange.com
3. Cable Brushed Ruffle Henley, $29.99 at urbanoutfitters.com
4. Jasmine Butterfly Top , $22.50 at delias.com
5. Julia Shirt , $32.50 at delias.com
6. Sequin Bow Back Racer Top, $19.50 at wetseal.com

Q. I read with great interest almost all of the shoe related questions on your site. While I did learn a lot, thank you, I could not find the answer to my question. We are going to my Niece’s wedding in mid-January. I found a lovely burgundy, sweetheart neckline, velvet skirt suit. I just love it. I have a pair of black velvet pumps, but they just don’t look right. I’ve seen some burgundy suede wedges that I like and also black patent leather mid-heel pumps. Could you please  share your expertise on  shoe  color and material(s) that would go best with that burgundy skirt suit? 
- Shoe Stressed Aunt in Michigan

A. Velvet and velvet is too much velvet. And don’t get yourself stuck trying to match burgundy colors, feel free to play up a different burgundy hue. My suggestion would be a black or bronze heel with a satin, suede or patent leather fabric or perhaps something in a pattern with an added detail on the front of the shoe. Skip the wedge, if you plan to dance, wedges don’t allow a person to really strut their stuff.