Recently in Style Rules Category

Q. Is it okay to wear a black suede peep toe 3.5” heel in June? I’m standing in a wedding. We were asked to buy our own floor length black dresses.

A. We love putting old fashion rules to rest: suede is no longer reserved just for fall and winter and can be worn year round. What’s more important than the color or fabric of your shoe is the style. For instance, a knee high black suede boot would be too heavy for warm weather. Since your black suede shoes have a peep toe, they are perfectly appropriate and comfortable for warm weather. If they look great with your black gown, then wear them!

Q. Since it is May, is it too late to wear a short sequined jacket over either dressy pants or a mid-calf little black dress with rhinestones straps to a black-tie affair?

A. Sequins have shed their holiday-only reputation and can now be worn virtually year round. I can’t think of anything more chic than pairing a short sequined jacket with a little black dress or dressy pants for a black tie affair in the spring. Go for it!

You can get even more mileage from your sequin jacket by pairing it with a t-shirt or tank top and a pair of jeans, khakis or even shorts for a more casual affair.

More Karen Millen…

Q. Can a 50 year old wear a jean jacket and look age appropriate?

A. Of course! Denim works for every age, the trick is to choose styles that are age appropriate. We recommend skipping this season’s denim-on-denim trend, which can be difficult to pull off even for a 20 year old hipster. Instead, opt for classic denim jackets in darker washes. White denim and dark denim blazers are also great options. Pair your jacket with crisp khakis, white pants, even a dress or skirt. Accessorize with a chic wrapped scarf and you’ve got the perfect age-appropriate look.

Here are some great options for you:

More Eileen Fisher…

Q. I am 5’3” tall, 30 1/2 inch waist, 39” hips and a full rear end. Although I do not follow trends but wear what works for me, I saw some very nice inexpensive skinny, distressed jeans on the NY&Co. site. Would skinny jeans work for my shape or should I stick with boot-cut and trouser cut styles?

A. Yes, curvy women can wear skinny jeans! Just be sure to style them in a way that flatters your figure. We covered this topic in the fall, but here’s how to wear it for spring:

The cuffed distressed pair shown here from nyandcompany.com looks great with a pair of heeled sandals, tall wedges or the season’s new platform clog. The heels will add height and instantly slim your legs.

If you’re looking to minimize your hips and thighs, try a pretty summer tunic or a lightweight boyfriend cardigan paired with a tank. If the length of your loose-fitting top hits right below the widest part of your thigh, it will have a slimming effect.

Q. What do you recommend wearing to a Spring/Summer wedding that isn’t a destination wedding, isn’t a Yacht Club wedding, is really just an afternoon church wedding (4:30), followed by a reception at a local golf course country club? I know that It isn’t too formal, nothing evening like.

I guess my real confusion is that with all of the bright florals, geometric prints, black, white, red and animal prints this year, is that really appropriate for an afternoon wedding? Is that too bold? Any help you could offer on dress, shoes and accessories would be great. I’m about 5’9”, hourglass figure, blond hair, brown eyes - and will have a good tan after a week on vacation. I was thinking a nude shoe - but that’s as far as I’ve gotten. I always love being fashion forward (the bride is a fellow fashionista), but also want to be appropriate for the crowd/event.

A. Great question: can you wear bold prints to a semi-formal or non-formal wedding? Yes, absolutely! An afternoon wedding followed by a country club reception is the perfect opportunity to wear a pretty dress in a fabulous print or bright color. Actually, the dress code is quite similar to the options we suggested for the yacht club wedding. Your choice to wear nude colored shoes is perfectly appropriate and on-trend as well.