A:  These are certainly sexy motorcycle boots!  With standout boots like these, you want to keep the rest of your look relatively simple.  Pair your boots with items that aren’t blatantly sexy–with provocative items, less is more.  Three outfit ideas for you:

(1) Classic Cool: A slim jean in a dark wash and a black turtleneck would complement the boots’ edginess without competing with it.
(2) Menswear Inspired: Wear a crisp, fitted white button down shirt, slim jeans, and a cropped, fitted black blazer. Bonus points for a skinny tie.
(3) Technicolor: Use color as a secondary focal point with a brightly colored overcoat or handbag.  Round out the rest of the look with layered sweaters and a pair of ultra-cool grey jeans.

Pictured: Carlos by Carlos Santana Women’s Pistol Boot | $149.99 at Shoes.com.

A:  There are no hard and fast rules for layering necklines.  However, we have two guidelines that will help sort out the eyecatching combinations from the ones that are just so-so.

Guideline 1: Layer Necklines of Contrasting Shapes
Try a deep-v wrap neckline, for example, over a scoopneck top or a camisole.  Contrasting shapes create visual interest for the eye and, as such, more sophisticated combinations.

Guideline 2: Find Pleasing Proportions Through Your Balance Point
The distance between necklines should be in a pleasing proportion to your own body type.  One technique that helps you discover this pleasing proportion has to do with finding your balance point. 

If you measure your face from the top of your forehead to your chin and then drop down the same distance to your chest area, you’ve found your balance point.  This balance point is the most flattering spot for a necklace or blouse to hit.  From Stonehenge to the architecture of ancient Greece to the art of the Renaissance, there appears to be a cognitive preference towards the Golden Ratio (1:1.618).  Try the Golden Ratio to find the most flattering spot for the second neckline. 

Here’s an example: If the distance from the top of your forehead to your chin is 9 inches, your first balance point (and the mot flattering spot for your first neckline) is going to be 9 inches down from your chin.  The most flattering spot for your second neckline is going to be approximately 14.5 inches (calculation: 9 in x 1.618) down from your chin. 

Pictured: Laila Azhar Standing Cowl Neck Dress + Diane von Furstenberg Caridad Top | $385 and $225, respectively, at Shopbop.

A:  The best fashion makes a woman look alluringly stylish, while projecting an image of good self-esteem.  In our humble opinion, wearing skirts that are too short or tops that are too low cut can detract from dignity of the person who wears them.

Flatter your curves with well cut clothes that accentuate your figure without being overt.  Don’t waste money on filler items to build an outfit around clothes that make you uncomfortable. Depending on your age and your body type, a few inches above the knee is usually the most attractive length for a short skirt. Longer pencil skirts can be very flattering and quite sexy as well.

Tights will not hide the fact that the skirt is too short–so say goodbye to the teal skirt and update your look with a skirt that is flattering for your body type - you will look great and feel great!

You can make your blazer less “country club” by changing the buttons from gold to a dark navy blue (if they aren’t already).  Changing buttons is a fairly simple task for a tailor and shouldn’t be too pricey. 
   
As for what to wear with your blue blazer, you can’t go wrong with jeans, as long as they aren’t too similar in color.  You can wear blue, of course, but you can experiment with other colors, such as a darker gray denim.  For more formal occasions, you can still look young in gray pants, such as chinos or flannel trousers. Earthy tones such as brown or olive also work here.  Avoid khakis, which will give your blue blazer an older feel.  As for fit, look for pants that are well fitted and slimmer rather than baggier.

For shirts, a crisp white oxford works well here (when doesn’t it work well?).  You can make the blue blazer more casual by wearing a graphic tee.  For something different, though, try a windowpane plaid or smaller gingham shirt, but don’t get too crazy here.  For those blazers that are dark and inky (the ones I like), a skinny-but-not-too-skinny tie looks great here especially in a dark purpleish/gray. 

Complete the look with brown shoes, a brown belt and even a crisp white pocket square.  You could even get away with wearing white sneakers, but be careful – if they’re too athletic-looking you might give off the Jerry Seinfeld vibe. What to wear?  You can’t go wrong with lowtop Jack Purcells. 

A: 
Even though your dress code may be casual, it’s best practice to dress professionally by choosing a boot that complements your business casual attire.  Rain boots, though functional, often have a playful feel, so it’s your challenge to find one that is not frivolous looking.  Rule of thumb?  When wearing rain boots to work, choose a boot in a classic style. 

We recommend:

Hunter Original Sparkle Boot | $113.95 at Zappos
Love the classic buckle detailing.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Casual Rain Boots | $193.95 at Zappos
You don’t have to sacrifice style when the weather gets wet with these chic drawstring-tie boots.

(Pictured) Aquatalia by Marvin K. Wasabi Boot | $238.95 at Zappos
Patent leather kicks the style quotient of these rain boots up three notches.  We know they’re expensive, but they would look sophisticated paired with a trench coat at work or with a cute jacket and jeans on the weekends - a worthwhile investment.

Style Note: If you happen to work in a more conservative office (e.g. law firm), skip on the rain boots at work and bring an extra pair of dressy shoes with you in your bag.

Especially since the wedding will be held during the evening, you’re going to want richer, more sophisticated colors and fabrics.  The black color raises the sophistication bar and will help ensure that you’re appropriately dressed for the event. 

In any case, every woman needs a Little Black Dress.  So–go out and buy it!

A: 
The technology to create cultured diamonds is pretty advanced–as such, these cultured diamonds are the same as natural diamonds in terms of atomic structure, and visually, you can’t tell the difference between a natural and a synthetic stone.  Of course, these facts aren’t advertised by De Beers. 

That said, how you choose to express your commitment to your fiancee should not be dictated by Madison Avenue–or by the whims of fashion.  A ring can be very beautiful whether it contains natural or cultured stones.  The decision should be guided by (1) your finances, and (2) what you and your significant other find beautiful. 

Perhaps a less expensive ring that allows you to invest in a home sooner suits your needs (as a couple) better.  Or maybe you want to trade natural for cultured in order to purchase a larger stone.  Remember the old adage that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  An earnest heart is the best gift of all.

Photo Credit: Stephend9.

A: 
High waisted pants are at once figure flattering and hard to wear.  While they visually lengthen the leg line (and make you look taller), they look best on those who are blessed with flat stomachs.  Any kind of wrinkling or pudging on the abdomen adds visual volume exactly where you don’t want it. 

So what do you do if your stomach isn’t perfectly flat?  Two things:
(1) Look for high waisted pants in heavier, stiffer fabrics to avoid the wrinkle issue.
(2) Try bodyshaping undergarments, like Spanx, to rein in a tummy.

Since high waisted pants shorten the torso, we like to see them paired with puffed sleeve fitted blouses.  The height in the shoulder of the blouse draws the eye upward and a fitted blouse balances out the volume of the pants.  As a college student on a budget, you can always buy a pair of high waisted jeans at the Gap and pair them with a simple v-neck  sweater or a white wrap puffed sleeve blouse.  The puffed sleeve blouse creates a more feminine look, but it would flatter your curves.  If you’re looking for a less feminine look, however, you can try a pinstriped high waisted trouser pant with a fitted v-neck sweater or a standard button-down.

Pictured: Original "Just Below" Trousers | $38 (sale) at Gap.

A:  Rain boots are fun and playful, with bright colors and bold patterns.  Should you choose a patterned boot, be aware of potentially clashing patterns between the boots and pants.  Rule of thumb with patterns?  If the patterns are the same (e.g. stripes with stripes), vary the size of the pattern.  But if the patterns are different (e.g. checks with dots), tie the two patterns together by keeping the size of the pattern the same. 

Beyond that rule of thumb, any pair of casual pants can work.  Rain boots are, by nature, casual shoes–so pair them with pants that evoke the same casual feel.  Have fun with your combinations–try a striped pant with a floral boot for an unexpected splash of style.  Or wear bright yellow rain boots with a periwinkle blue trench.