Posts filed under 'Q&A'
Q: Where I can find low heel or flat pointy black shoes for wide feet? The pair I have is feeling a little tight.
A: For current season shoes, Nordstrom is our favorite place to shop. Even better, they have a special shoe section featuring shoes in wide widths. Look for the "Wide Width" section under the "More Ways to Shop" header in the side navigation of the shoe department.
Zappos also makes it easy to find wide width shoes. Here’s where to browse Zappos’ wide width shoe selection.
And here’s three styles of pointy black shoes that are worth a look:
Pictured: Linea Paolo ‘Venezia’ Slingback Pump | $89.95 at Nordstrom
Circa Joan & David ‘Dominico’ Pump | $88.95 at Nordstrom
Linea Paolo ‘Alba’ Flat | $89.95 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 1st, 2007
Q: Maybe you should give some suggestions on what female engineers should wear to an interview too.
A:
We recently ran an article advising men what to wear to an engineering interview at a technology startup, and we got a request to give some advice to women engineers.
Like we said in the men’s article, the ideal interview outfit blends the professionalism required of a job interview with the casual spirit of a tech startup.
Here’s three foolproof interview outfits:
(1) Button-down Shirt + Dark Rinse Jeans.
The women’s version of the men’s foolproof outfit.
(2) Cardigan Twinset + High Waist Trousers.
On-trend trousers paired with a business casual classic.
(3) Cropped Jacket + Knit Shirt + Dark Rinse Jeans.
Mix it up with a standout structured jacket (like the one pictured at left) and the most formal of jeans.
Finish off each outfit with a structured handbag and a pair of low heels or flats.
Pictured: J Crew Linen-Cotton Colette Jacket | $235 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.
May 31st, 2007
Q: How do you match a tie to a shirt?
Omiru is pleased to bring you the answer to this style question from Ryan Sovereign, one half of the design duo behind the quietly provocative neckwear line Sovereign Beck.
A: Generally, a tie should either totally match the shirt, like when you buy those tie/shirt combo’s at Kmart, or it shouldn’t match at all. I most often go with light pink, light blue or white…the safe route. My design partner, Will, is a bit more risqué with his tie/shirt combos. Truthfully, though, I really can’t lay down any hard and fast rules, since it all depends on what the wearer is capable of pulling off. And if you can match a patterned shirt with a patterned tie, you’re doing something right!
Want to learn how to match a patterned shirt with a patterned tie? Omiru shows you how to mix and match patterns.
Pictured: Beetles Tie | $90 at Sovereign Beck.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
May 30th, 2007
Q: I have three pairs of boots: knee-high, calf-high, and ankle-high. What kind of pants/jeans/skirts go well with each pair?
A: Here’s what to wear with each type of boot:
Knee-high boots: Knee-high boots provide enough coverage that you can show some skin. Miniskirts are a chic option, though knee-length skirts also work. If you do pair a knee-length skirt with the knee-high boots, however, remember to let a bit of leg peek out between the two.
Calf-high boots: Our favorite look for calf-high boots calls for a skirt that hits above your knee. Pants and jeans also work for calf-high boots.
Ankle-high boots: While it’s technically fashion forward to pair them with leggings/tights and skirts, we’d recommend pairing ankle boots with long pants only.
Pictured: MICHAEL Michael Kors ‘Studio’ Ankle Boot | $188.95 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.
May 29th, 2007
Q: I’m attending a business conference in Miami with my boyfriend in July. I want to look fashion-forward but not out of place. What should I wear to the day gallery sessions and the after parties?
A: Miami style is fashion-forward and very body conscious. But since you’ll be there on business, balance that image consciousness with business-appropriate attire that will help you beat the humidity and the heat.
For your day sessions, we have four outfit suggestions:
(1) Button-down shirt + Wide Belt + Pencil Skirt
(2) Cropped Jacket + Patterned Sheath Dress
(3) Floaty Blouse + Pencil Skirt
(4) Shirtdress
As for the evening after parties, remember that you’re still at a business conference. Avoid overtly sexy styles, like deep plunging necklines and strapless dresses. We’d recommend either wearing a dress–wrap dresses are simple and chic–or a blouse-skirt combination. Stand out from the crowd not for the silhouette–but for the colors and the patterns you choose to wear. Don’t be afraid to sport bright colors–they’re both on-trend and appropriate for Miami’s tropical weather.
One last thing–afternoon thunderstorms are quite common during the summer. Don’t forget your umbrella and rain jacket!
Pictured: Crochet Button Shirtdress | $148 at Banana Republic.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
May 24th, 2007
Q: Where can I go for cool jeans? I’m in my mid-thirties and have a mortgage, so I’m looking for a good style to value ratio. What are the different “fits†I need to be on the lookout for?
A: For a good style-to-value ratio, choose (1) a pair of jeans that fit you well and (2) a timeless style such as the original blue jean, slightly faded blue jeans, or dark denim. Really, the brand name is less important than how the jeans fit on you and how you feel in them.
As for the pricing of the "cool" denim brands, they run in several tiers. Here’s an approximate price breakdown of the men’s denim market:
Under $100: Cheap Monday
$100-$150: Lucky, Mavi, Paper Denim & Cloth
$150-$200: Kasil Jeans, Diesel, Joe’s Jeans, Citizens of Humanity, 7 for All Mankind, True Religion, AG Jeans, Chip & Pepper
$200+: Evisu, Rock & Republic, Earnest Sewn
As for the different denim fits, there are five major styles to look out for.
(1) Classic Fit jeans have a mid-level rise and an easy, loose fit.
(2) Relaxed Fit jeans have a loose, relaxed fit through the thigh and feature a low to mid-level rise.
(3) Straight Leg jeans, like their name implies, have a straight-cut leg and a low to mid-level rise.
(4) Boot Cut jeans also have a low to mid-level rise and have a leg that widens from the knee down to the ankle.
(5) Skinny jeans have an extra slim leg and generally a lower rise.
Pictured: Kasil Victory Jean in Midnight | $187 at Revolve Clothing.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
May 23rd, 2007
Q: Do you think high waisted wide belts will be the new fashion? How do you wear them?
A: Wide belts are an ongoing trend, and coupled with this season’s emphasis on a higher waistline, high waisted wide belts are on-trend.
Our favorite high waisted wide belt look pairs the belt with a high waisted pencil skirt. When the wide belt and the pencil skirt are the same color, the look is not only slimming, but your legs appear to be super long, making you look taller.
Pictured: Soft Gloss Snake Wide Belt | $8.80 at Forever 21.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
May 22nd, 2007
Q: I’m 5 feet tall, curvy, and love skinny jeans. Just think of me as a five foot Beyonce. What brand is best for me?
A: Off the cuff, we recommend Babyphat jeans, as they are designed to fit women with curves. But for personalized recommendations, we’d also suggest taking a look at Zafu.com. They’ve tried on and tested hundreds of jeans, and after filling out a short questionnaire (it took me less than 5 minutes), they give you your best jean recommendations.
Pictured: Babyphat Monarch Wash Skinny Jeans| $69 at Babyphat.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
May 18th, 2007
Q: Is it ok to wear sheer black pantyhose with an above-the-knee black cocktail dress?
A: Depending on the occasion, it may or may not be necessary to pair your cocktail dress with pantyhose.
Rule of thumb? The dressier the occasion, the more necessary it is to wear pantyhose.
But to answer your question, it is OK to wear sheer black pantyhose with an above-the-knee black cocktail dress. In fact, the head-to-toe black ensemble will visually elongate your body, making you look taller and thinner. And dark colored pantyhose does wonders in making your legs look slimmer.
With regards to shoes, just make sure that the shoes are closed-toe if you’re wearing pantyhose.
Pictured: Diana Striped Organza Halter Dress | $298 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.
May 17th, 2007
Q: I’ve got an interview at a software startup next week. What should I wear? I hear that the company is very informal, but I think I should dress up anyways.
A: Technology companies have a long history of casual dress. There, jeans and a t-shirt are everyday style–they aren’t reserved for Casual Fridays.
The ideal interview outfit not only makes you look like the professional you are, but also respects this casual dress tradition. Mix casual and formal elements–such as a button-down shirt (remember to iron it!) and jeans.
Feeling stuck? Here’s a foolproof interview outfit: Button-down Shirt + Colored Undershirt + Dark Rinse Jeans + Loafers. Bonus points for you if you choose a patterned–instead of striped–button-down shirt.
Here’s 2 extra tips for your interview:
(1) No Suits Allowed. Should you wear a suit to an engineering interview, don’t be surprised if you’re weeded out as a "poor culture fit."
(2) Wear Good Shoes: Even though your outfit may be casual in feel, dress it up with your Good shoes. If they need a pick-me-up, remember to shine them pre-interview.
Pictured: Fitted Dotted Diamond Dress Shirt | $78 at Banana Republic.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
May 16th, 2007
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