From My Inbox

I am flattered by the amount of detailed (although often incorrect) attention you pay to my dress habits. However, I feel sorry for anyone who is so intrigued by boring me that they would expend the amount of energy you do commenting on it. Even worse for someone with quite the amount of vitriol. There cannot be much of a life here. I am so terribly sorry that you are so bored.
Wendy Dackson


Thanks for writing! Many posters recognize themselves (or think they do) on SOS; usually, they've given up on style long ago, and are really crying to be helped. We do try to address the most common mistakes, like overdoing the old vintage stuff, and matching bright colors. It's tricky, but it can be done.

Start with a very few well fitting basics, like a (gray? dark beige?) skirt that skims the hips, with a swing hem, and a nice wrap shirt, in a saturated color (blue? bright green?) over. Some medium wedges in a muted croco tone are good for walking, and flatter the ankles as well. A jacket with a little structure (not soft material) that closes at the proper button, is great over. Don't overdo the matching bright accessories; a necklace, or a bangle or two, in your favorite color, is good. That's a pretty basic ensemble, but will take you many places. If you want to branch out, be careful of adding competing details like embroidery or diaphanous print scarves. Less is more.

BTW, I don't find SOS boring. Although the problems are often repeated, there are many different solutions for different situations, and I do enjoy helping whenever I can, even if it does involve some pointers that are difficult to absorb by some, and that I have to drive home.