Recently in Where Can I Find... Category

Q. Where can I find some reasonably priced short-sleeved summer dresses? I love the ease and comfort of one-piece dressing, but I don’t want to wear strapless or spaghetti straps to work. I KNOW that I can wear a cardigan or a jacket—but there goes the ease of one-piece dressing! I am having a hard time finding them, and would love some help.
-A Little Arm Cover

A. There are short sleeve dresses galore, and just a click away on multiple listings in our sweet sites section. When the temperatures hit the 80s and 90s outdoors and the indoor air seems to be stuck on 60 degrees (damn those guys in suits who keep it so cold), we girls are left with a pile of cardys hanging over our desk chair. A short sleeve dress is the solution for looking polished and appropriate without being chilled to the bone. Check out some of my suggestions:

1. INC International Concepts® Printed Shirtdress with Full Skirt, $109 at macys.com
2. Maggy London Military-Style Belted Short-Sleeve Dress, $128 at macys.com
3. Adrianna Papell Print Matte Jersey Dress, $118 at nordstrom.com
4. BCBGMAXAZRIA Contrast Belt Shirtdress, $238 at nordstrom.com
5. Silk wrap dress, $130 at bananarepublic.com
6. Silk floral-print dress, $110 at bananarepublic.com

Q. My favorite tank top from last summer was Susana Monaco. When I went to buy another one for this summer, I realized she changed the styles and no longer makes the one that fit me perfectly. Any secrets to finding leftovers from last year?
-Tanked Last Year

A. That can be nearly impossible when the item is a year old. While many chain retail stores like J.Crew and Banana Republic make the same tees and tanks each year, designers like Susana Monaco have to keep their designs fresh. Best bet is to try some of her newer styles or find a tank top from another designer and if you love it, buy two. Or as a last resort try ebay.com, but for a tank it may not be worth the auction.
Here are two possible replacements from the same designer:




left: Susana Monaco Jennifer Tank Tunic, $113 at shopbop.com



right: Susana Monaco Urban Gather Tank, $102 at shopbop.com

Q. Summer is here and I can’t wait to be out of school and done with “teacher clothes” for a few months. I’m looking for a pair of white pants to wear to daytime social events (backyard parties), but would prefer them to be chic and sexy enough that I can wear them out at night. Also, I’m on a tight budget, so I would appreciate some suggestions under $50.
-Tight Budget in White

A. You need a pair of white pants that work day and night. And best bets for finding a pair within your budget of under $50 is to stick with the large retail chains like oldnavy.com, gap.com, delias.com and target.com. I was able to find several pairs that should fulfill your needs to go from casual get-togethers to chic parties:

1. Wide-Leg Cuffed Trousers, $32.50 at oldnavy.com
2. Sunkissed khakis, $34.99 at gap.com
3. Quinn Low-Rise Sailor Flare, $39.50 at delias.com
4. Rubbish® ‘Sadie’ Pants, $38 at nordstrom.com
5. Ultimate Linen Trousers, $32.50 at alloy.com

Q. I recently bought this pair of shorts from Anthropologie. I’m having trouble finding a shirt of the right length and style to go with them. Most of my t-shirts are too long, and look lumpy when they cover up the sash, but they look weird tucked in. Do you have any suggestions? I’m 5’ 4” and a size 4.
- Shirts for Shorts

A. I shopped multiple sites and found looks that were fitted enough to look smooth and stylish when tucked into your new shorts. I also made a point of shopping for colored tops to show you the variety of colors and patterns that will work with the shorts rather than playing it safe with white tanks and t-shirts. And a quick tip, be willing to swap out the belt once in a while (assuming it is not attached) and wear a different belt like a stripe or pattern to get even more mileage from your shorts.

1. Airy ribbon washed favorite tank, $19.99 at jcrew.com
2. Polka-dot short-sleeve slim shirt, $58 at jcrew.com
3. Short-sleeve slim shirt in botanical Liberty Fabric, $98 at jcrew.com
4. Cap-sleeve ruched top, $39 at bananarepublic.com
5. Free People Sundial Racerback Tank, $24.99 at urbanoutfitters.com

Q. I have been addicted to your website for years. It is so helpful for many reasons. I am writing to you for advice on finding a bathing suit. I am a 34D sometimes DD, but a size 6 on bottom. I am having the hardest time finding appropriate bathing suits (I am 38 years old) that don’t make me look pregnant in the middle, but fit nicely in the breast area. I usually wear halter type tankini’s, but lately the cuts are so low that I feel like I have to squeeze into it. Any suggestions or ideas on where to find decent bathing suits that are made for a woman and not a young girl?
- Suit Yourself from Long Island

A. I found several options that will fit a size D-DD cup size and offer coverage so you don’t feel uncomfortable at the beach or pool. Sites like jcrew.com and figleaves.com offer swimwear sections specifically for D-cups and you can buy separates to insure you get the right support on top and the coverage on your bottom half. Don’t forget to check out our swim style recipe with more swimsuit tips and suggestions.

1. D-cup solid halter tank (available in 5 colors), $74 at jcrew.com
2. D-cup solid halter tank top (available in 6 colors), $57 at jcrew.com
3. Contrast Waist Suit, $152 at couturecandy.com
4. Women’s Regular Solid Ruched V-neck Tankini Swimsuit, $69.50 at landsend.com
5. Next by Athena Tiny Bubbles Tankini Top (D & DD-Cups), $56 at macys.com