Boots with Skirts

Hi Pres,
After reading your reply on the WNTW board regarding mid calf boots and skirts, I started rethinking the 2 pair of boots I own and hardly ever wear. I never thought of wearing them with skirts. I have attached links to 2 pictures of my boots. Let me know if you think these would be good with skirts. I was thinking my narrow skirts that I have in brown, black and gray. I also have fuller skirts in prints but I'm thinking that would not be so good. What do you think?

Boots 1

Boots 2

Not too long ago, I would have said: No Way. But things have changed, and I think that your boots are great for skirts, especially narrow skirts in neutral colors. The key is wearing tights in the perfect color and weight. For openers, stick with opaque tights in colors that match the boots. Choose a skirt in a contrasting neutral. Brown boots&tights, and a black skirt.

The skirts must be of a certain weight, too. A lightweight, lacy material, or a cotton, will not support the heavy boots. Avoid skirts with ethnic embroidery, or scalloped hems. We want a nice narrow column of wool, etc, to stand tall above the boots. Try knee length, or shorter, skirts first, and then evaluate longer ones. For the ensemble's top, look for something with a little strength, too, like a structured vest over a shirt, or a boxy jacket, not a fitted tee with a tight fitted jacket over. A very nice cardi, with a substantial (not dainty) necklace, should work as well.
Let's see what you can come up with.

Wide Belt for Me?

How do I know what width of belt would work best for me? I love the belted look, but I'm worried about my hourglass figure and the wide belt's effect on the proportions?

Try on one of your knit tops and a skirt that would support a belt. Then, instead of a belt, try a piece of cloth (folded scarf?) that you can fold to different widths. Fold it down to very narrow and now how that looks, "too narrow"; then fold it up to "too wide." (That's how I fit clothes. I go to "definitely too big," and "obviously too small;" eliminate those, and then move down or up from the remaining choices.)

Refold to move at about an inch at a time, down or up, from the wrong width. You can even try a 1/2 inch, if you have the patience. When you hear it sing, then measure, and you'll know the perfect belt width for yourself.

If you are trying a high waisted skirt, fold the waist down a little, and see if your shape looks better. As Stacy says, "Never crowd The Girls." If the waist is too high for you, the effect on your silhouette will be obvious.

Some of the Gang have tried this out for us in our SOStyled Laboratories (LOL):

Siepres:
Pres, I followed your instructions and thought the method was fantastic. I wore a basic black outfit so that there was nothing "tricky" that could interfere with the scarf. I discovered that belts in the 2" to 3" range are great for my shape (my favorite belt is 2.5"). Belts at greater than 3" masked my hourglass figure, and belts less than 2" made me look heavy. I may be able to get away with a 1.5" belt depending on the support pieces, but definitely nothing lower. Skinny belts make me look wide, and wide belts make me look skinny. Go figure.

This is a great idea and very easy to do. My only suggestion would be to pin whatever fabric you're using at the desired width. I didn't do this because I was lazy, but sometimes I had to refold the fabric; and pinning it would have saved me some trouble when transferring the fabric to my waist. This is very helpful! :)

CheryleB:
What a great idea. I have trouble with belt widths too, but I often wear a narrow belt over a jacket or sweater. I am a bit taller and have broader shoulders than many hourglass shaped women; but am quite short waisted so it can look like my chest is almost at my waist if I'm not careful. I have noticed that a dress or top with a wide band between the bust and waist gives great separation, while a belt in the same place gives the appearance of droop. Strange.

Wrap Tops

Where does everyone find the wrap shirts you keep talking about? I live in Montana and only have a Dillards, Penney's and Coldwater Creek to shop in and can't find anything - I just want something long sleeved that is not a button down, and not just a plain v neck sweater
- Please HELP!!!

The SOS Gang to the rescue:

Siepres: I have seen wrap tops at Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic,Gap, Old Navy, and Nordstrom (all of which have online shopping and returns). BUT, they usually only have 1 or 2 styles per season, typically in a limited selection of colors/patterns. I love wrap tops too, but they are hard to find. I'd recommend shopping online and snapping them up as soon as you see one. Wrap tops are very popular, and they usually sell out very, very quickly!

Ili: interesting...i checked gap: one short sleeve one. old navy: none.
here are some from nordstrom.
Wraps


Min: True wrap tops are hard for me to find online but I haven't had much trouble finding faux wrap. In addition to the stores already listed, I've had good luck in the past at Macy's and for a lower price point -Chadwicks. Speigel probably has some as well. I would also suggest that you check online at Dillards and Pennys as they generally have more options on-line than in the B&M stores.


tc45:
I have one true wrap top from victoria's secret. I love the style but the drawback is keeping it in place and looking neat. (Mine is a knit fabric and must be worn with a cami under.) I have found that faux wrap tops work much better for me. They are more convenient and give the same effect.


Pres: Over The Top Wrap Top

Book Discussion: Isaac Mizrachi: How to Have Style

From Siepres:

So, the above titled book finally came to my library, and I decided to
check it out. I have to admit that it's definitely a departure from the
usual fashion books. There was absolutely zero discussion of body
type (except for one section for petites and one for plus sizes), and
most of it was about ... well....I'm not sure it can really be summed
up easily! He talks about working with color, pattern, and breaking
the jeans rut. There's good, practical advice interspersed throughout
each chapter varying from how to apply fake lashes to general skin
care tips. He basically takes 12 women and shows them (and his
audience) how to have style in a different ways. You can describe it
as a fashion book, but the advice included is by no means
comprehensive and it certainly doesn't try to be. It's like he cherry-
picked only the topics he wanted to discuss, and in his defense
they're usually topics glossed over in other books. This is
definitely not a book for amateurs!

Much of the information he provided can be found on SOS, but
his sense of style and his goal for your sense of style are atypical.
He says at one point: You can't listen to other people if you want
your own style. And to some extent, I think he's right. But, then
you have people who don't listen to others and
are walking train wrecks.

Some fun tidbits I liked:

* He mentioned how airlines upgrade coach passengers to first class
based on look (reminded me of you Ili!).

* He hates flesh-tone hose (for you Pres!).

* He recommends splurging on something totally classic and something
that isn't because he says you'll have both forever. This resonated
with me because last year I bought a B/W hounds tooth coat instead of
standard black because I just LOVED it. It was so me that I wore it
as often as I could last year, and this year I've already broken it
out.

* He's a fan of photographs too.

* At a few points, he hints at the "Pres Method" of shopping but
never really explicitly states anything like it.

* He emphasizes how accessories can make or break an outfit and even
shows you how different accessories either work or don't work with
outfits.

* He used real women models!!

Some things that I wasn't crazy about:

* His advice on a bra was just way off.

* To him, I don't think anything has an expiration date. He's all
about recombining old looks with new stuff from your closet.
Sometimes it works; sometimes ..... not so much.

* Some of his outfit choices are a little "runway" in that they verge
on being one of those sartorial fashion failures and may have people
scratching their heads a little.

* He makes almost no concessions for body type. With the plus size
apple shaped woman (who is a genuine plus-size at what I would say is
a 24 or 26), he really creates some bad outfits for her body. Skinny
jeans? Dresses that hit at the wides part of the calf? Double-
breasted coats with no contrasting buttons/stitching/belt??? In
several of her pictures, I think she looks stylish, but a full 2-3
sizes bigger. With the other size 4-12 women, he is usually okay,
although some of the choices are a little questionable and might have
been better with something else.

Overall, I'd recommend you ladies check it out from the library
because there really are tons of cool ideas, but it's definitely not
buy-worthy!



I used to watch his show occasionally and some of his segments
produced just some crazy looking outfits (usually when he was trying
to use a piece past its expiration date - it always looked "off" and
forced, IMO :- )

The airline upgrade is so true. DH is regularly given an upgrade (he
travels much more than I do, and always in a business suit). It's
only happened to me once, but I loved it!

I don't agree that you can't listen to others if you want your own
style. Before WNTW and help from a particular few from the
forum ;- ) I didn't have my own style. Really...no clue. But,
with asking questions, reading, re-reading, taking notes and now even
taking pictures (I'm kinesthetic and visual) it's becoming clear to
me.
The whole three part question extravaganza that Pres helped me with on
SOS has made my life easier. In short, if you're someone without a
clue, help from others will give a starting point, inspiration and
support in your journey.
Halfpint


oh i also needed (and still do, because i make mistakes) the help of
others, i don't want to ever be cocky, LOL hey i remember my past
mistakes, and we're talking this past summer! ;p but i know what you
mean siepres about taking a style and making it your own. there's
place for both schools of thought. for example, i used to be wayy more
liberal with colors, ( i love vibrant/saturated colors) but i had to
hold back the reins when i realized they need to be supported with
neutrals.
Ileana




I don't really think that one can influence anyone else's personal
"style." However, anyone can learn techniques of wardrobe
management that work for any style.

What's really "no style" is following a certain type of "style"
No!
Do you hear me.
And adding nothing of one's own to it. That's not a personal style.
That's the tyranny of "I Give Up."

I hate to keep hammering this, but so much is having the right piece
that works for you, and then having the right support outfit to wear
with it. And, these right pieces move, move, move along.
Pres

MOB Dress Revisited

Sorry, I know you're all tired of this dress, but here's the deal.
We're going to the Marine Corps Birthday Ball next week. It's typically very formal here, DH even bought a new tux-the old one was looking tired. He's wants me to wear the dress, not because he doesn't want me buying a new one but he really likes it on me. I'd like to accommodate, and there will be absolutely no one there who was at the wedding.

Here's the question. Does it LOOK like a MOB dress? You know what I mean! I thought I could change out the wrap and wear different shoes to change things up. Honestly, what do you think?
Would you do it?
Halfpint

SOS to the rescue! Here's a post about the dress, with link.
The MOB

Since the event is maximally formal, I think your dress will rock. But, we have to do those snappy accessories that Pres loves so much and that you (correctly) rejected for the big day, when you had an honored special supportive role. Re-read my posts about the dress for more ideas, too.

And, besides what I (brilliantly, LOL) said there, remember that it's Fall now, so consider some shoes in an animal print, like dark
Leopard.
Nothing with tucks or pleated fabric. Open evening sandals are great, as is a snappy D'orsay pump.

A Pashmina wrap in a deep, dusty pink. (Deep because it's Fall, not June.) Not satin; too matchy.

If I recall, your bag was tiny and fit in your hand? Ostrich in tan or brown would work. Or a beaded thing in another color, like brown.

Don't overwork your hair. More casual is better. Please no curls. A flat ironed, edgy bob thing would be best. Keep the make-up easy if you can: no false eyelashes or professional spackle (LOL) Light pink lips are in style just now.

Keep the bling very modern, not the heirloom jewelry. The ear studs are fine, a squarish bangle in a casual metal, like brushed silver.

As you can see, I've moved the make-up and accessories into the modern mode, so that the magnificent gown stands on its own, and the rest doesn't say wedding party.