Recently in Style Rules Category

Q. Can I wear black sheer hose and traditional black suede pumps to an after work event with the dress below? Or is that too dated looking? Or should I wear a trendier platform-y, peep-toe pump with tights? Can I wear tights with traditional black suede pumps? Or is that too early ’90s?
-Black Mix

A. Wow, you’re sounding quite flummoxed. For an after work event, you may want to go with a trendier pair of shoes like a peep toe with opaque tights. The point of an after work event is to take a small step away from office  conservative garb without overstepping and baring too much. While black sheer hose and suede pumps will be just fine, I think you can get a little more stylish with this dress. I also like the idea of opaque tights since this dress seems a bit mini.

Q. Do nude or black hose make thick calves look thinner?
-Color Choice

A. Hosiery, no matter the color, is a compression type garment that helps smooth the look of your legs so that clothes fit better. For a slightly slimmer look, choose black hosiery or even black opaque will do a little more to create the illusion of thinness.

Q. I live in the Boston Area and I found a cute pair of peep toe shoes. I was wondering if it’s still ok to wear peep toe in the Fall?
-Hide and Seek Feet

A.  This seems to be a very popular question lately, so let’s settle it once and for all: yes, you can wear your peep toes well into Fall and colder weather. Wear your legs bare until the temperatures drop and you get goose bumps and then slide on opaque tights and wear your peep toes into November and even December if the peep toes are a full pump and cover your foot everywhere else. Just be sure to wear opaque tights and not sheer hosiery and tuck the seams of the tights under your toes so they don’t show through the “hole.”

Q. I have a black tie wedding in Chicago.  Do I have to wear a long dress?
-Formal Fear

A. Black tie does not require wearing a long gown anymore, but the invite does expect you to wear a sophisticated, elegant and feminine dress. Think upscale cocktail dress, with a hem that hits around the knee or just below it. Skip animal prints, white dresses, mini lengths, chunky jewelry and your everyday handbag. Carry a clutch, put on your best jewelry that works with the dress, pull on your heels, walk with good posture and smile often.

Q. I love the new high rise jeans.  The majority of those that I have found are trouser cut with wider legs. I live in my Minnetonkas, which look cute with the jeans, but living in Chicago, they aren’t going to cut it in the winter.  What type of shoes do you suggest I wear with them? 
-High Rise Wonder

A. The key is to keep the illusion of a long tall body even if you’re not model height.  Make sure your wide leg, high-waisted trousers are hemmed at a length that doesn’t drag on the ground or cover your foot completely, even when wearing boots or shoes. Keep your tops fitted, wear thinner layering pieces or belt cardigans at your waist.  Pair your new jeans with everything from heels and flats to boots. Of course, when you hem them, you’ll have to make a decision of which shoe you’ll wear most—flats or boots with a heel —since that will make the difference on the final length.

Seven for All Mankind Ginger Lightweight Mercer Trouser Jeans shown here with heels at the perfect length. $143 at tobi.com