What to wear style & how to wear it fashion tips - Stylist Advice

Matching A Tie, Without A Sport Coat

I am a college student and going out to a nice dinner that requires me to dress up. I am not wearing a sportcoat, however, I am wearing black dress pants with a navy blue dress shirt. My question is what color tie should I wear? I have a stylish blue one, a nice gold-ish looking one, and a plain black one. (Flint, MI) It's hard to escape the image of randy school boy in his shirt and tie, but there certainly are plenty of situations where wearing a jacket is unnecessary (think lab coat), even though sporting a sportcoat will finish the look. When spurning a jacket, your tie acts as an anchor and introducing a third color, like

Going Commando… The Bare Facts

Going Commando… The Bare Facts I just want to know is it okay to go commando to get rid of visible panty lines? And, can I go to work in the office, barelegged in strappy stiletto sandals with red painted toenails? --(Cork, Ireland) Jeez, sweetie, what kind of "office" do you work in? It's really all about the phraseology, isn't it? Going commando (not wearing undies for those not in the know) is perfectly fine, as long as you are comfortable with it. Many women can feel a little drafty and prefer wearing a flesh-colored seamless thong or clean-lined panty to avoid the dreaded V.P.I. over exposure. You can also go bareback with pantyhose. The bottom line is all in

Bushy Hair Blues, Bye Bye

Bushy Hair Blues, Bye Bye I've had my hair cut from just above my waist to a short bob and it looks really thick and bushy. I have no idea how to style it now… I've tried everything! My face is oval so it should be quite easy, but sadly its not! Any advice would mean a lot. --Tressed Out (Hotmail) Talk about a mop top! Your hair was so long that you could sweep the Sahara dry. It's probably about time that you snipped off your dead head Tressy mane (ooh, you remember Tressy? That doll from the 1960's with the hair that grew and grew). Most women keep their hair super long as a cop out to styling-

Do I dare tell me friend that her taste is atrocious? Sadly, and much to my regret, our dear friend, Miss Lady-- yes, her real name-- will join us for dinner and then we will go out about town. She will often sport (IN THE DEAD OF WINTER, MIND YOU!) summer backless slides. I have gently tried to explain to her that perhaps she should try a more seasonal shoe… perhaps, one that will keep her feet warm, and she laughed, and laughed, and laughed! My friend consulted an elderly woman (I'm sure a part-timer, cleaning up the post-Christmas rubble) at Dillard's, in our fair city of Nashville, and was informed that backless shoes were all the rage year-round. Sharon,

Matching Leathers

How to match leathers for a polished chic look I have chocolate brown leather pants that I would like to wear out in the evening. Is a light brown suede, outdoorsy jacket tacky to wear with these pants? (Kettering, OH) The most important thing about coordinating leather and suede is that the color, weight, and finish blend. For a fairly regular casual night out, you can probably fake them together by pulling in another soft texture, like a cashmere turtleneck . If the occasion is more formal, you may want to add a dressier wool jacket. Ruff hewn leather is very modern, don't match a well-worn finish with something totally done like pearlized, glazed, or patent leather… keep finishes like

Red Belt, But What Shoes And A Purse

Help needed! I found a great red belt to wear with my jeans. My dilemma though is this...what shoes do I wear? I always thought your belt and should match your shoes and purse...does this mean I have to buy some red shoes???? If so, besides a boot, what type of shoe would work? (San Diego, CA) Yaaaaaawn! Sweetness, there is nothing more boring than fashion gone overly literal. Jeans are casual, don't get so serious with them. Red, or any other vivid color, should be used as an accent. Excessively matching a bold color looks ridiculous. Scratch the matchy-matchy by starting to think out of the fashion box. Build personal style that's more spontaneous and ultimately more interesting.

Lose Weight to Get a Boyfriend

Lose Weight to Get a Boyfriend I want to look pretty but I'm kind of fat. Can you help me go on a diet and look very pretty and get a boyfriend? Please help me. (Los Angeles, CA) I'm sorry to tell you that one's weight should not have any effect on whether or not you have a boyfriend. A kind, loving, and caring man (as opposed to a pinhead playboy) is going to fall for your total being and not your dress size. There are plenty of pretty plus size women who lead vital and fulfilling lives, like the large size supermodel, Emme (pictured right) who has her own clothing line. If you feel you want to lose weight,

Accessorizing a Corset Top

Accessorizing a Corset Top I recently bought a black silk shantung corset top, and I have no idea what to wear with it on bottom? (Chicago, IL) Bravo to you, the corset top is one of the strongest silhouettes this season. The super sexiness of it gets a modern fashion bolt when paired with more classic offerings, like a superbly tailored menswear black tuxedo or well-worn flare-leg jeans and high heels. What you don't want to do is wear it with something skimpy or slinky… that look is way too tarty! Before you buy anything (no matter how in love with it that you think you are) it's always best to have something at home that you can wear it

Correct Season to Wear White… Is it ok to wear white after Labor Day?

Correct Season to Wear White... Hi! I need some help. I have a co-worker who showed up to work yesterday in an off-white linen outfit. I told her to send it to the dry cleaners and put it away until next spring. I realize that we are in Southern California and the temperature is in the 80's today, but some fashion rules still apply, right??? (I already told her about the white shoe thing). She asked me to write them down for her so that she will know what to wear and what not to wear (from season to season). Do you have any of that written down somewhere?? Would appreciate any help you can provide. (Pasadena, CA) Rules, my

Boots With Bare Legs

Boots With Bare Legs Is it tacky to wear a skirt with boots and no nylons in the Fall? There is about an 1" to an 1 1/2" between the top of the boot and the start of the skirt. The skirt falls just above the knee. Thanks. (Bothell, WA) Boots worn without pantyhose has been enjoying a run as a very hot look, providing you have great legs to bare. Although trendy, I would freeze my petunias off running around with bare legs in the cold. If you must eschew pantyhose, a little bit of a kneesock peeking out above your boot is totally hip right now. But, what's a bit more modern these days is fishnet hose (particularly

What to wear to the office Christmas party- dresses from Bloomingdales

Update: Bet you've come from a search engine to read FocusOnStyle dress tips on what to wear to an office Christmas party to get it right! WE'VE UPDATED THIS ARCHIVE STORY WITH A NEW VIDEO over at What to Wear to an Office Holiday Party. The original story for this post is below. What to Wear to the Office Christmas Party to look professional, appropriate, and festively chic. Oh, how that old day to evening dress metaphor always gets us tripped up and, there's no bigger tripper-upper than the office holiday party. It is rather absurd to think that just because it's a festive gathering you should arrive at the office wearing a cocktail dress. On the other hand, if your office

Latest Fashions On A Small Budget

Latest Fashions On A Small Budget How can I stay up with the latest fashions on a small budget? (Joplin, MO) It's easy if you stay lean and mean! Keep your core wardrobe to simple shapes in coordinating styles that should last a few seasons. Then, add a couple of trendier, inexpensive pieces to keep your look modern. Think of the scope of your basic wardrobe as to what you can pack in a carry-on bag, accessorize to stretch the look for 5 days of wear. Whenever you see a real bargain that you love- and it works with what you already own- go for it! This way you'll never feel deprived.

Resort Fashion, Palm Beach Style

Resort Fashion, Palm Beach Style I am going to Palm Beach in November. What seasonal rules apply in warm weather resort areas like Palm Beach? Is it okay to wear linen and cotton pastels even though it is November? What would be the appropriate attire for a dinner out? I do not want to look like a tourist? (Baytown, TX) Wherever you travel, it's safe to say, dress in a fabric weight appropriate for the temperature and a color palette appropriate for the season. Even in this time when appears to have come out of a global mall of style, every city around the world still has its own unique little dress code. There are certain mini-trends that just pick-up

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