Recently in Style Rules Category

Q. I love this feature of your site and will often peruse the archives. While I have always liked the skirt with knee length boots look, I have never been able to wear this style. My problem is that I am short (5’1), have small feet (size 5-5.5) and have thick calves. I have a difficult time finding a skirt that looks good with my chunky legs and a pair of boots that will fit around my big calves. By the way, I live in Los Angeles and want to rock this look either at work or on the weekend. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

A. We will probably catch a lot of flack for this answer but here’s the truth: tall boots with a skirt is probably not the most flattering option for your petite frame and “chunky” legs. It’s always important not to be a slave to fashion and the hot “look of the moment” but to recognize what works for you as an individual. Sadly, there are often trends we love that no matter how hard we try, we just can’t pull them off (ankle boots and tights anyone?)

Rather than pair boots with your skirts, opt for pumps or heels without ankle straps and opaque tights in a similar color to your shoe - this will help to elongate and slim your legs to offer the most flattering silhouette for you. Make sure your skirt hits at or just above your knee. However, if you still want to give the boots and skirt look a try, opt for a skirt that hits above or well above your knee, a slim dark boot with a heel and dark tights.

Here are a few tall boots with heels that should fit your small feet and thick calves:

1. Fitzwell Norah/Wide Calf, $129.70 at zappos.com
2. rsvp Denisa (Wide Calf), $150 at zappos.com
3. rsvp Derisa (Wide Calf), $126 at zappos.com

Q. Ankle Boots are everywhere this Fall. I’m happy about this, since my calves are too dense for mid-shaft boots, but more importantly because I live in Florida, where Autumn is a stylish state of mind, and not much else. I have no idea how to actually WEAR the ubiquitous ankle boot. I know they can be paired with trousers to give the effect of wearing a full on boot—but what else? How do I pair an ankle boot with skirts or dresses? Most importantly: how does someone who isn’t 5’10” and 115 lbs wear an ankle boot without making their legs look shorter/wider?

A. True, ankle boots, or booties, are everywhere this fall, worn with everything from skinny jeans to dresses and skirts. This doesn’t mean it’s a trend for everyone, however. Those with shapely calves may have a hard time wearing ankle boots with a skirt or dress since the boots tend to make even thin calves look a little thicker. If you’re petite or have short legs, be aware that booties will chop inches off the length of your leg, though this can be compensated for with a high heel.

If you think you’re ready to give ankle boots a try, here are some chic options:

1. Wear your ankle boots with skinny jeans
2. Wear them with dresses or skirts that hit just above the knee or higher, below the knee is harder to pull off. You can wear this look bare-legged or with opaque tights.

Here are a few visuals, on the left is from shopbop.com and the rest are from bananarepublic.com:

Q. I’m still confused whether it’s OK to wear white after Labor Day. Fashion myth or fashion rule?

A. We thought we put this issue to rest last year, but many of you still aren’t sure if it is acceptable to wear white after Labor Day. There are those who strictly adhere to this antiquated rule, but we promise, you won’t be arrested by the fashion police for wearing white in October (or November or December…)

Essential to pulling this look off is to ensure that your fabrics are weather appropriate - in other words, no linen, eyelet or gauzy white fabrics.

Willing to wear white? Start simple with a white blouse as a layering piece like the look shown right from Collette Dinnigan’s Fall 2008 collection. Feeling more daring? Try white jeans or winter white wool pants with a black chunky knit sweater. Generally, white sweaters, coats and jackets are also a “do”.  White bags and shoes are harder to pull off, so put them away until next spring just to be safe.

Q. What’s the deal with the new fall sandals that are on the market - I’m curious if you are to wear them with tights or strictly bare leg?? I’ve seen a few I want to purchase but I’m unsure how to pull them off! Any tips would be great!

A. Tights are the way to go when the weather gets cold. Whether you choose a basic dark tight as seen on the Thakoon runways (below, left) or a fun patterned tight as seen on the D&G runways (below, center and right), you can wear these sandals through the fall season.

Q. I have some dress pants I purchase about 6 months ago that need to be hemmed. I’m 5 ft tall and will be wearing them with heels, the problem is I don’t know where the hem should hit the heel and the front of the pants.

A. When hemming pants, visit the tailor wearing shoes with the heel height you will wear most often. When hemmed, the pants should touch your instep in front and cover 1/2 to 3/4 of your heel in the back.