Advice

ASK THE MAVEN: Type a question in the comment box below and I’ll answer and publish it here. Anything on the hows and whys of fashion is fair game!

* Thanks to Karen for the first question: “I have a khaki knee lenght corduroy skirt not sure what shoes to wear with it.”

Well Karen, corduroy is by nature a casual fabric, so you’ll want more casual shoes. Since fall is upon us, I would suggest first and foremost a knee-high brown boot. Flat or heeled, leather, suede, or pleather, these boots will cover your legs in cold weather and provide a more casual look. You could do black boots, or any other complimentary color (like burgundy, navy, forest green, etc.), but I prefer brown with khaki. If you don’t have boots, try wedge loafers or mary janes (or flat loafers or mary janes). You could also do suede or corduroy flats or skimmers for an even more casual look. Your corduroy skirt will look best with opaque colored tights. If you are younger than 30 you can pull off brighter or lighter colors, but if you are older than 30 stick to darker colors like navy, burgundy, forest green, or brown (or black).

Hope that helps and thanks for your question!

* Yay! Question number two is from Dash who asks about appropriate wedding wear for a casual beach wedding during the warm season in India.

Well, Dash, I would advise a sleeveless (but not spaghetti strap) surplice empire waist short dress. What does this mean? First, the most important factor: an empire waist. This means that the waist of the dress falls just below the bustline and should not go any lower than your natural waist. This style is popular right now and helps conceal “trouble” areas like a larger tummy or wider hips. The lower, skirt-portion of the dress should be A-line or full. In the heat I would advise a floaty fabric like chiffon or a cotton-rayon blend. Something that will not wilt and cling in the humidity. Crisp cotton can do this nicely.

I advise no spaghetti straps because these make fuller breasts or hips look ill-proportioned. If you are self-conscious about upper-arms, butterfly sleeves (which are sort of like floaty A-line cap sleeves) can camouflage anything you don’t like. With a bust that is only “slightly” larger, a surplice top can be very forgiving. This means that the two parts of the front cross over each other to come under the bustline, instead of being sewn down the front or being one piece. This accentuates the bust, but if not quite so low cut, prevents it from being risque or showing too much cleavage. You could also do a lower scoop neck (anything too high will make you look square, anything too low will make you look like a hoochie mama) instead of a surplice.

Since you are 5′3″, I would advise that the skirt come above the knee, especially if you have good legs, but not too high. Low wedges would also be appropriate for a casual beach wedding, if you feel comfortable wearing them on the sand. They might actually prevent sand from getting in your sandals!

If you don’t know where to look for a dress like the one I described, and since the wedding is in India, you might consider getting one custom made and tailored. I have heard from friends who travel in India that this is extremely cheap and this would ensure a perfect fit, which always makes one look better. This would also let you use some of the fabulously dyed fabrics there, if it is not an all-white wedding. Also, natives are more likely to know what fabrics will keep you cool.

I hope that helps and enjoy the wedding! You will look fabulous!

 * Yay! Another question! Well, Carolyn, on the question of nylons, I think you could manage going without, especially if you’re going to wear open-toed shoes or sandals. However, personally I think that going with just a black (and probably fairly loose and shapeless) skirt and a blouse is really not special enough for a formal event. Your purple velvet dress sounds fun, but velvet (even at a formal event) is a pretty winter-weight fabric, even for evening wear.

If you like the black skirt idea, I’d suggest investing in a separate formal black skirt in the ballgown style (you know, A-line, probably of satin or other mid-weight fabric, tulle underneath) and a stylish wrap-top with collar and sleeves. As you seem to indicate that you don’t like your arms (or perhaps it was the bolero or wraps you don’t like) and didn’t give your age range, I can’t say what’s exactly appropriate, but something with three-quarter-length sleeves (should com just below your elbow) will show off more shapely forearms and make you look thinner.

Also, though you claim to like comfort, I highly suggest something other than low-heeled black sandals. Remember, unless you’re dancing, you’ll probably be sitting for most of the evening and nothing glams up an outfit like a lovely pair of stiletto heels. Just give it some thought. If your husband’s going to be looking sharp in his dress blues, you’ll want to look just as good!

*Okay Tiffanyy – I think you’re asking me how to dress? I think I can understand why your family calls the way you dress “hoochie mama.” Your main problem seems to be tight clothing. You are short and have a small frame, so you don’t want to overwhelm your body, but at the same time, tight all over can look either too sexy or just plain too tight.

Here’s my advice: You need to balance your shapes. If you want to wear tight skinny jeans, you might consider doing a looser top like a babydoll top or a more floaty tunic. If you’re going to do this, make sure the top isn’t too long (a babydoll top should come somewhere between your hip bone (where your thigh bone connects to your pelvis) and just below your bum. Anything longer is basically a dress. If you want to go tighter on top, try it with something like an A-line skirt or a wider-leg pant. Structured pieces like a fitted (but not skin-tight) button-up shirt or a jacket will also get rid of the “hoochie mama” thing.

I take it the “hoochie mama” stuff extends to shoes? I have to say, nothing says “hoochie mama” more to me than platform shoes. Stay away from platform flipflops, sneakers, sandals, high-heels, etc. Just because you are short does not mean you have to literally increase your height. Try wearing some ballet flats or kitten-heeled pumps. Synthetic fibers, particularly polyester, also say “hoochie mama” to me. Try going for more natural fabrics or natural-synthetic blends (like a cotton shirt with 2% spandex for stretch, instead of 50% cotton, 50% spandex). Stay away from 100% polyester at all costs.

Also, you should keep to your own style. Don’t be afraid to dress like a latina, but you don’t have to be a hoochie latina. Keep your hair the way you like it; the clothes will make the difference.

You said you used to dress punk. What made you stop? You don’t have to go totally punk, but you can certainly throw in a few punk-type-things, particularly in accessories. You seem to be fairly young (high school?) so you can experiment with more trendy things. But stick to what you like and keep the basics of proportion in mind: small on top, big on bottom, and vice versa. Never both. And good luck!

Ooops! Sorry dearlings, I’ve been neglecting you! So first, to Kay: boots, pants, and flats, huh? Boots can be worn under all kinds of long pants, or over slim-fit or skinny-leg pants, especially jeans. Boots should never be worn with shorts, unless you want to evoke Daisy Duke. Stiletto knee-high boots can be worn with tailored gaucho-style pants, but otherwise only with long pants or skirts. It is always okay to wear flats! Especially ballet flats or canvas flats. I wear them with jeans, skirts, shorts, capris, etc.

If you like flip-flops, canvas flats are a good alternative that are not quite as sloppy-looking (especially if your flip-flops are the plastic and foam kind).

If you are short, but thin, I would stay away from tight tops, skirts, and stilettos, especially if you feel strange wearing them. I would suggest a floaty or A-line knee-length skirt and flats or kitten heels (like stilettos, only with a much lower heel). An A-line skirt will balance out a narrow frame. In fact, you could even go with a gathered skirt to give you hips and more oomph on the bottom.

If you want a curvier figure in your jeans, I’d suggest wearing flares or boot-cut. Something that goes in at the knee will accentuate or give you hips. A slightly higher-waisted pencil skirt with a tucked-in blouse would also be really cute.

My advice is just to experiment with different looks and see what you like on yourself. If all you wear is jeans and flip-flops, you need to expand your horizons! (I’ll let you in on a little secret: for most of high school, all I wore was jeans, tee-shirts, and tennis shoes, and now I’m practically a fashion maven. So you’re not alone! You too, can find your own style!)

Judy: No green, tan, or denim, eh? My suggestion? Pink! Or maybe a red. But pink is always cute with brown. Maybe a cute pink skirt? Nothing too short, of course. Hot pink or pearly pale, or anything in between, all of them work with brown. Turquoise is another really great color to go with brown. Is it certain shades of green and blue, or is there flexibility? Because you could always go with lighter colors, like mint green or pale blue.

Tiffany (another one, eh?) and her black halter and short date: I sincerely hope this isn’t too late and I apologize for not paying more attention to my comments, but here’s my advice: Try some kitten heels or a low wedge. Flats can sometimes not look dressy enough, especially with cocktail-length dresses. Kitten heels would be a good alternative. Or, just go with the heels and be taller than your date!

But since you said you don’t want to do that, I’d go with kitten heels in black or a soft shimmery gold. Not sparkly, shimmery, to echo the cream satin. Pointy-toed flats are also nice. Here is an example from Target of shimmery gold kitten heels.

Thanks Susan, for your question on fitting dresses to top-heavy gals: Here’s my advice; it’s your wedding, you’re getting married. Dress fittings are musts for brides because everyone wants their dress to fit perfectly. So, my advice is to find a dress you like, fit it to your top, and have it taken in at the waist by a professional seamstress. Or, you can sometimes have dresses made for not that expensive, especially if you can find an independent seamstress.

As for what to wear? If it’s an informal wedding and doesn’t take place in a church, I’ve always liked the 1950s-style dresses. If you’ve got a bigger bust than waist, you could possibly pull of a full, belted shirt dress, which would look really cute in white. Otherwise, as a full-figured girl myself, I’d suggest something strapless, but with lots of structure and possibly boning. We curvy girls look good in something corset-like. Since you’re busty, I would not suggest anything without either a bra or boning support. So no halter tops, please.

Hope that helps!