Posts filed under 'Q&A'
Q: I’ve seen pictures of guys (Hollywood-types) wearing black ties with white shirts and grey suits. I like the look, but is it business-appropriate? My sense is no - it seems more like a night-out / formal / dressy occasion combination. What do you think?
A:
While the look is decidedly formal, it’s still business appropriate in certain settings. The more visibility, authority, or client contact you have, the more formal your dress should be. And depending on where you’re located, business dress may be more or less formal. Rule of thumb for the US? The further east you are, the more formal the dress.
Love the look, and it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.
Pictured: XMI Silk Tie | $75 at Nordstrom.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
June 20th, 2007
Q: I’m going on a cruise to Alaska in early July, and I was wondering what clothes to bring. How should I dress for the changing weather conditions without looking frumpy?
A:
Alaska tends to be in the 60s and 70s during July, with nighttime temperatures dipping into the 40s and 50s. To adjust for the changing weather conditions as you travel up to Alaska and back, it’s all about layering. Your goal is to be comfortable in every situation–instead of wearing (frumpy) too-thick clothing that isn’t as versatile as you’d like. Here’s six tips that will get you layering your clothes in style:
(1) Start with a body-conscious foundation layer, such as this fitted striped top from J Crew.
(2) Next, place looser-fitting garments over this foundation layer. Stiffer fabrics that will hold their shape can work nicely here.
(3) For the top layer, either (1) provide a stark contrast to, or (2) echo some of the detailing in the garments below.
(4) Let the inner garments peek out from under the outer garments.
(5) Vary the length of the tops and bottoms to get the full layered effect.
(6) Finish the outfit with standout accessories.
Have any other layering tips? Share them with us in the comments!
Pictured: J Crew Rialto Boatneck Sweater | $68 at J Crew.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
June 19th, 2007
Q: I’m getting married in August. Would you please recommend some affordable wedding-appropriate shoes?
A: Before we launch into our wedding shoe picks, we want to share three footwear tips for the bride to be–and other members of the wedding party, for that matter:
(1) Figure Flattery Still Matters.
For figure flattery, the slingback shoes are going to be better than the ankle-wrap shoes. The slingback shoes create a longer, leaner leg line. But then again, the ankle wrap shoes don’t fall off.
(2) Break in Your Shoes Early!
I’d recommend wearing them indoors and pacing back and forth on a hard surface, like linoleum, tile, or hardwood floors. Then when they start to hurt, you can just sit down. This sounds horrifically boring, but you can multitask. I’d recommend readng or watching TV while you do this.
(3) Looking to wear these shoes later? Go Metallic.
Metallic shoes are going to be more versatile than white shoes. Metallic shoes can be paired with other dresses in the future, so you don’t have to go out and buy more special occasion shoes.
And without further ado, here’s our top four picks for bridal shoes, arranged by increasing price:
(1) Touch Ups Faith | $63.95 at Zappos
(2) Kenneth Cole Reaction ‘Rich n’ Post’ Slingback | $78.95 at Nordstrom
(3) Franco Sarto Leslie in Silver Metallic | $82.95 at Zappos
(4) Kate Spade Lover | $298.95 at Zappos
Pictured: Kate Spade Lover | $298.95 at Zappos.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
June 15th, 2007
Q: I’m an attractive 49 year old with a cute figure - I’m 5′3", size 6 and I wondered what you would recommend for casual summer clothes. Empire waist and loose tops make me look pregnant, and yet walking shorts and polo shirts seem so dull! Any suggestions on age appropriate attractive outfits?
A: We have four easy-to-wear fashion formulas for you for casual summer days:
(1) Sleeved Shirtdress
(2) Printed Dress
(3) White Blouse + Belt + City Shorts
(4) Cropped Jacket + Knit Top + City Shorts.
Perhaps more importantly, to turn ordinary outfits into ones that are likely to turn heads, it’s all in the details–and the colors you choose. Instead of a plain polo, for example, try a knit top with delicate pleating–such as this Featherweight Cotton Peasant Top ($42 at J Crew), pictured at left. Or instead of a regular pair of shorts, try a pair with a rolled cuff–or a pair in a different fabric blend. We like these Roll Up Shorts from Generra ($196 at Shopbop).
Pictured: J Crew Featherweight Cotton Peasant Top | $42 at J Crew.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
June 14th, 2007
From Shermie’s wrap dress recommendation to Jennifer’s comprehensive fashion analysis, from KingBob and Hazel’s idea to change at the last minute, to Heather’s layering suggestion, Melissa received a wealth of top-notch style ideas for her train ride.
Says Melissa, "All of the answers were extremely helpful. However, I ended up doing what Hazel suggested. I wore comfy clothes for the train ride then about 45 minutes before the station I changed into my "wow" dress - a cute little halter dress. I arrived around 2:00 pm and it was the perfect dress for a late lunch and a drink on a patio. My beau quite enjoyed the dress commented about it a few times actually."
Congratulations to Hazel, who will be getting a treat from our giveaway closet, and three cheers for the Omiru community for all of your helpful suggestions!
Pictured: Susana Monaco Halter Pocket Dress | $147 at Shopbop.
Style question for the Omiru community? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
June 14th, 2007
Q: My dad is one of those men who is still sporting his awful eighties-style men’s fanny packs. For Father’s Day, I could get him either a classy alternative to fanny pack, or better yet, (if possible), a classy looking leather fanny pack for him to wear instead. What do you think?
A:
The best gift is something that your dad will enjoy, but also something that you are proud to give your dad. While we don’t love the 80s fanny pack look, we like the utility of the idea. Our favorite men’s fanny pack combines both utility and style:
(Pictured) Sando Hip Pack | $125 at Tumi
This compact pack is updated for the 2000s with a retractable key leash.
Should your dad be more open to a fanny pack alternative, we have two more suggestions for you:
Sando Gadget Bag | $145 at Tumi
Perfect for day trips with dual interior compartments and multiple accessories pockets.
T-Tech Flow Sling | $175 at Tumi
Your dad can sling this roomy bag over his shoulder for a casually cool look.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
June 13th, 2007
Q: I have a pair of white tights that I’d really like to wear. How can I wear them without looking overdressed?
A: Because of the current mod influence on fashion, white tights are one of IT legwear trends. However, white tights are notoriously difficult to wear. Not only are they extremely easy to get dirty, but they also visually widen your legs.
The cardinal rules for White tights are as follows:
(1) The look should be modern mod–not hospital nurse.
(2) For the chicest look, echo the white in your tights elsewhere in your outfit.
Beyond that, you have a lot of freedom in constructing an outfit. For a casual look, you might try a loose, summery white sundress over the white tights. Added benefit? The white-on-white combination also will help visually lengthen your body and counteract white’s anti-slimming effects.
The other way we’d recommend introducing the white tights to your wardrobe is to pair them with 60s-inspired shapes. Or pair the stark whiteness of the tights with bold color on a simple silhouette. For a black-and-white look that’s anything but blah, try this short sleeved knit dress by Alice + Olivia.
A less-casual look would pair the white tights with a metallic dress, such as this Metallic Kate Dress/Skirt from Thayer. For a more casual look, try pairing the white tights with a white skirt and a bold, bright top.
Pictured: Alice + Olivia Deco Short Sleeve Knit Dress | $242 at Shopbop.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
June 12th, 2007
Q: I’m 5′2" and have a bust size 32A. What style of swimsuit do you suggest for my size?
A: Your ideal swimsuit will accentuate the bust you have–and make you look more curvy than you are. Here’s three things to look for in a swimsuit:
(1) Styles with a hidden underwire, which will give you extra support.
(2) Styles with removable padding, which will help maximize the bustline you already have.
(3) Bikini tops with shaped cups, which will help to create curves. Tie-front bikini tops, in particular, can be tightened to create the appearance of curves. Ruching also helps to enhance your bustline.
You’ll want to avoid any swimsuit tops that will diminish your curves–such as bandeau style tops or tube-style swimsuits.
Pictured: Wave Stripe Patterned String Bikini Top | $42 at J Crew.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
June 8th, 2007
Asks Melissa, "I am taking an 8 hour train ride, and my beau will be picking me up from the train station. What should I wear? If it was just my family or a friend picking me up, I’d wear something fairly casual. However, as I haven’t seen my beau in a month, I want to wow him when I step off the train. But because I will be travelling for quite sometime I don’t want to be overdone. What to do?"
Tell us, what do you think Melissa should wear on her train ride? Please leave your advice in the comments of this post.
Oh, and the best answer (as chosen by Melissa) by Wednesday, June 13 gets a treat from Omiru’s goodie closet!
June 7th, 2007
Q: Dress socks. At the end of the day i want to rip them off my feet and throw them off the building. What are good dress socks that actually fit a certain foot size, not "Men’s 6-12"?
A:
The best I’ve seen are socks that are sized Medium, Large, and Extra Large–a step above the one size fits all sizing that most sock manufacturers use. For a comfortable, sized dress sock, we’d recommend the socks over at World’s Softest. Featuring patent-pending SoftSeam technology, the socks reduce rubbing and irritation from toe seams.
Pictured: World’s Softest Men’s Dress Crew | $4.99 at World’s Softest.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
June 6th, 2007
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