Navy Dress

Help! I am going to a Bar Mitzvah and am wearing a navy dress with a gathered neckline and bracelet sleeves. The body of the dress is full but it is cut on the bias so it ends up narrower at the bottom and ends just above the knee. I'll belt it with a navy karung belt. What shoes? What bag?

thank you! thank you! thank you!
Cheryl

Navy is tricky to accessorize. I like silver with navy; gray patent or gray suede can make the transition from daytime services to evening party. Pumps

Add a structured clutch in silver or gray quilted leather or fabric.

If you would like to add more color, burgundy is excellent with navy/gray. A pair of chunky burgundy bangles, or garnets on a short necklace, would complete the ensemble.

Navy also works with cream, and with peanut, but the gray/navy combo is more current. A very current look is navy with black. This would require patent leather low profile high heels, a black leather or fabric clutch; perhaps a black sweater with some shiny black beading trim. If you choose the black/navy combo, don't add another accent color; and wear silver tone jewelry.

If this outfit is for the Spring, bright lime or orange sorbet colors will be in, and you can add one of them to a navy ensemble. In that case, try navy pumps, and a bright lime clutch or wrap.

Slingback with Fishnets?

Is it okay to wear black fishnets with black slingback heels or do the shoes have to be pumps?
Thanks, Sab

You could wear a D'Orsay pump, but wearing the fishnet mesh with the slingback heel/strap over, is just too busy. There isn't a rule here, just trying to keep the leg elegant and uncluttered. D'orsays

Cruise Wardrobe

Dear SOS:
I'm looking for suggestions on the type of clothes to wear on an Inside Passage cruise in August. My previous vacations have mostly been to warm-weather locations and I live in a very warm climate, so I don't really know what to expect weather OR fashion wise!

I'm 55, 5'8" tall, size 8 in skirts and tops, size 10 in pants and jeans. I'm blonde (today, anyway) and somewhat fair in coloring, but not the pale, natural blonde look.

I wear fairly tailored, classic clothing with subtle embellishments to work, but I like jeans and tees and boots and sandals in my leisure time. I just don't really see this on a cruise ship, though, and I don't want to wear the sweat suits or flannel shirts that I see in travel mags! I want to be stylish, warm and comfortable without being "prissy".
Any thoughts for both style and appropriate wear?


Here's Cheryle's answer:

In August it will be moderately warm but they go north and view the glaciers so I would suggest clothes that work in layers. I also suggest a sturdy hiking shoe or boot for the excursions as many involved climbing in rugged terrain.

During the day, casual dress is the way to go. Take khakis, or casual pants/skirts, and a few pairs of cropped pants with layering tanks, tops, and sweaters, and a few jackets of varying weight. For evening, there will be at least one formal night and a gown or dressy cocktail dress is the norm. I took one extra just so I would have choices. For the non-formal evenings, dressing for dinner is still appropriate if you plan to attend the main dining room. I took along at least four pretty and comfortable dresses for these evenings. I also took a few skirts and knit tops for days when we chose not to dine in the formal dining room. The casual skirts were also appropriate for days when we were at sea and wandering around the shops and events on the ship.

I hope this helps.
Cheryle

Pants Too Short

Not a question, really, more of a comment. I have noticed lately that most elderly women wear their pants too short. I noticed an elderly woman today, nicely dressed, but her pants were short enough that her whole foot was showing. And she was petite, so its not like it would be difficult to buy pants that are long enough. My Mother and MIL are both guilty of this as well.

Is this a case of getting stuck in a style from the past? Was this ever the "look" when these women were young? Do any of you know or understand the thinking behind this?
Joanne


Too short pants are a real fashion problem.
I think they are caused by:
a)Not really knowing how to angle the hems so that they cover the shoe, in the first place.
b) Gaining weight, and having the pants pull up over the abdomen.
c) Zealous laundry practices causing shrinkage of fabric.
d) Adjusting the elastic waist up, or tightening the belt, or tucking the shirt, all of which would raise the hems.
e) Wearing higher heels, or thicker soles than planned, to raise the foot and interfere with the length.
f) A fear of the break of the hem over the shoe, because it may look sloppy.

Creating the right length for pants requires knowing what's in style; unless the hems are very narrow, they should cover most of the shoe. Other requirements are finding a skillful tailor, having dedicated shoes for the pants, not adjusting the waist up, and not washing the pants in the laundry. It's a wonder that any of us get it right. My DD wears her highest heels to the tailor, and then wears lower heels after the hems are done, to avoid this catastrophe. I've had to swap in the occasional pair of flats, myself.

Don't try to shorten hems to any length that involves bare feet and a fixed measurement from the floor, or length of the inseam. The angle of the shoe, the profile of the shoe itself, the width of the hem, and even the drape of the fabric, affect the hem. It's a tricky alteration.

Pres

High Waist Pants

I am tall, 6', and the new high waisted pants look great on me. I'm in my early 20's so this is my first time in non-low-rise territory. I don't feel like I know how to wear the higher waists to their greatest advantage, can you suggest what type of tops to wear?
Lyra

There are many tops that will look great with high waisted pants.
Look for a sleeveless, or long sleeved very long cowl for the latest look. You can layer this over a cami if you like. Another great look is a halter top that will show off your shoulders; especially one with crossed straps in the back.

For a killer dressy look, wear a tuxedo front white shirt, and loop a man's silk Black Tie around the back of your neck. Don't tie it. Leave the ends uneven in the front. This look is very powerful, so watch out.

For a jacket, a very short double breasted pea jacket looks great over a high waist.

Be careful about a puffy shoulder blouse with long narrow sleeves below. This is too much "stovepipe" for your look.
Congratulations on the terrific pants.

Pres.

Velvet Jacket

I bought a fitted black velvet jacket at Macy's with 3/4 flared embroidered sleeves before the holidays. I'd like to get a little more use out of it before the seasons change. Any ideas for something different. I've done the dark jeans/silk cami thing for the holidays.
Gelinda


Sounds like you had a great outfit for the holidays. Create a "column" under, with a dress, or a monochromatic pants/shirt or skirt/shirt ensemble, then drop the gorgeous jacket over.
With a "tricky" jacket,try a basic shirt dress under. The long sleeves (beige, gray, or even purple)coming out of the flared sleeves is very fresh. Also, Black may work, if the jacket is embroidered/bright enough. Add boots.
BTW, I love the jacket "trick" to change a monochrome base into an outfit with flair. I can sometimes rescue a shirt and pants this way.
(And, I love your jacket.)

Pres

Corduroys

Pres, how do I make a perfect outfit with corduroys? I have recently bought two new pairs: navy wide-legged cuffed trouser and very deep eggplant straight leg ones.

Thanks!
Dancinglady


Dancinglady, Corduroy is a great fabric for casual outfits; it's as rich as velvet, but not as formal. I wouldn't mix corduroy with a denim top, but
many other options exist. For the navy wide legged pants, consider a wrap top in gray, or a gray twin set for casual elegance. Navy is also good with a saturated lime green tee, or lilac satin button front shirt, if you want something bright, and goes perfectly with a beige or tan short jacket in a khaki poplin, like a short trench, if something classic is needed.
Your eggplant cords are great with pink. A dark pink cashmere cowl neck, and deep burgundy short boots, would work. Also, try a pink turtleneck, with a purple V neck or shrug wrap over, with the eggplant. You can use eggplant as a neutral, too; it works with an olive green shirt and red flats.

Congratulations on the great cords!

Black&White Event

First,  of all, love the new site!

I am hoping to wear a silk Pucci-inspired print knee length dress to a black-tie optional event. The "theme " is Black &White. My dress has an empire bodice/halter top in black and the dress flares out in an A-line in a small print of black, white, teal and silver. Would this work and what color shoes and hose? (I'd rather not do bare legs in February) Thanks for any suggestions! 

Halfpint 

Thanks! SOStyled is still under construction, but your question is irresistible. Your dress sounds perfect for your B&W event. 

There are many great options for the accessories, too. I'd pick silver for the hose, and black evening pumps for the shoes. Then, I'd add a structured clutch in a shade of teal (don't match the print color exactly) or (gasp) white.  Black, white, or silver works for the wrap, if you need one, too. 

I think silver tone jewelry goes best with this smashing outfit. 

Pres

Fabric Shoes

Pres, would you discuss patterned fabric shoes? I'm interested in learning some tips. Thanks, Vava. 

Fabric shoes are tricky accessories, and they require well chosen outfits. In NYC just now, the best support for a multiprint patterned shoe is black tights and a slim black skirt. This works beautifully with leopard print flats. 

A fabric shoe should be the only tricky item in any ensemble. If you have a tweedy pump, be careful not to wear other tweedy items (like a jacket) with the shoes. Also, since the pump in the tweed fabric is a clever trick, don't pair this with an ensemble that would be too fussy or formal, like a fitted jacket/full skirt combination. For daytime, always dress down when wearing a patterned fabric pump.

Tweedy pumps go best with jeans.  If you want to wear your tweed pumps with a dressy outfit, the most you should go for is a black, gray, or other neutral, like camel, sheath dress and a coordinating sweater tied around your neck. Never match the pattern of the shoe fabric to other items in the outfit. 

Remember that shoes will go out of style. Printed fabric shoes will go even faster, because not only do the heel, and toe box (profile and toe shape) become dated, the print of the fabric will, as well. 

Printed fabric shoes are great, lighthearted accessories; support them with the proper sleek neutral outfit, and wear them when they are fresh.