Q: My job has just introduced a new business casual dress code: the necklines of all women’s shirts must be at the collar-bone or higher! I’ve always read that if you’re really busty you shouldn’t wear crew necks, but how do I balance that with this stupid dress code? And more than that wear does one even find camisoles/ non-knit shells with a neckline that high?
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A:
It sounds like your company is being unreasonably strict in its dress policy, but perhaps "business casual" has been wrongly interpreted by some of your co-workers. By deeming that womens’ blouses should have necklines to the collar bone, they are ruling out the risk of any visible cleavage.
Unfortunately for you, the v-neck is by far the most flattering cut for a large bust. Furthermore, to find shells or camisoles that reach the collar bone would be very difficult. You could try crew neck light weight cotton t-shirts as the underpinning and then let the lines of v-neck blouses or sweaters work to your advantage. However, this is still not a graceful, figure flattering look for you.
Some blouses the have a higher neck but a loose silhouette (like the example below), which would be pretty with a long, dark wide legged pant for work (and jeans on the weekend). The key here is to balance the proportions of tops to bottoms to create an overall long line. Finish off the outfit with big earrings or bracelets to help draw the eye away from the bust.
Long story short, you’ll have to submit to crewnecks and boatnecks to comply with company policy, but you can work within these guidelines to create moderately flattering looks. Final style tip? To look your best in these cuts, be sure to invest in very good bras.
Have a great tip about how to balance dress codes and figure flattery?
Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Silk Micro Dot Cap Sleeve Top | $68 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.
Posted by Trisha on January 15th, 2008 in Q&A, Women, Women's |
We asked: Is Roaring 20s Fashion In or Out?
You said: In, with an overwhelming 81% of the vote!
Style tip? Dropped waist dresses, like the gorgeously cheap chic ruby dress to the left, are a godsend for shortwaisted women (those with short torsos and long legs).
Next question: Light blue denim–so 80s, yet somehow relevant today. Would you wear it? Cast your
vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Dolly Pleat Tunic | $20 at Forever 21.
Posted by Trisha on January 14th, 2008 in Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women |
Q: My husband and I will be touring southern Africa. We are from the most southern area of Arizona and see that the temps in S.A. are quite cool in May…in fact, they look cold! I heard from a lady who was headed to Africa the next week that every color other than the khakis and brown tones were not allowed. Has anyone heard of this clothing color rule?
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: How ironic, as I read your question, I was having tea with a good friend from Knysna, South Africa. She had never heard of color restrictions on safari–unless you are on a walking safari (in which case your game lodge should inform you of restrictions).
To be practical, you may want to wear khaki clothes so as not to show dirt and dust and (should the weather be warmer than expected) to deflect some heat. If you get cold, as you suggest, you may want to look for darker colors, which will hold in the heat.
In the cities, my friend said to expect colors similar to those worn in Miami - bright and tropical. Dress in layers, as the temperatures will vary dramatically throughout the day and evening. It cools down a lot in the evenings, and FYI a lot of buildings aren’t heated.
As for where to find clothes, Orvis online has great travel clothes. One last tip? Remember to bring practical shoes and a hat.
Have a great tip about what to wear on safari?
Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Corners of the Globe Safari Shirt | $69 at Orvis.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
Posted by Trisha on January 11th, 2008 in Men, Men's, Q&A, Women, Women's |
Q: I just bought a black blazer, but I don’t know what to wear with it to keep the young look (I’m only 15). What colors would go best with it?
A: Since you’re only 15, you’re right in wanting to keep the look young. A black blazer is a classy, sophisticated addition to your wardrobe, but it can also age your look if paired with the wrong garments.
Create a fresh, young look around the black blazer by pairing it with dark rinse (or grey) jeans. Add a statement top–such as a striped sweater, a graphic tee, or a brightly colored cami. Finish off the look by adding a pair of boots and draping a thin scarf around your neck.
As for colors, any and every color goes well with black. You can try a formal look with a polished white, or you can go bold with metallics or bright colors. Or keep the look refined with a light grey.
Have a great tip about youthful looks with a black blazer?
Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Career Black Blazer | $29.80 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.
Posted by Trisha on January 10th, 2008 in Q&A, Women, Women's |
Q: What is the ideal shirt length on a guy wearing a button down shirt untucked? Is it really ugly if it is too long? It seems that if the shirt shows underneath a closed blazer, it would be bad.
A:
The ideal shirt length for a guy, whether it’s a button down, a polo, or a t-shirt, is halfway down the zipper (assuming your pants actually fit you).
If you wear something over the shirt - a sweater, a vest, a jacket, a blazer – tuck your shirt in, unless it’s a properly fitted t-shirt.
While we’re on the subject of fit, make sure the rest of the shirt fits. As with jackets, you should fit your shirt based on how it fits on your shoulders. This is because you can shorten a shirt’s sleeves or length, and you can take it in at the waist, but you can’t change the shoulder (it’s also a comfort thing). The shoulder seam (the line of the shirt that connects the body of the shirt to the sleeve) should rest in the little gap between that little bump at the end of your collarbone and your arm.
- If you’re wearing a short-sleeve shirt, the sleeve should rest in the middle of your bicep, halfway between your elbow and shoulder.
- If you’re wearing a long sleeve shirt, the sleeve should end in the little gap on the side of your wrist (or, alternatively, about ¼ inch below the wrist bone).
- If you’re wearing a button down, the buttons should not stretch the shirt when buttoned. The collar should fit snugly – but not tightly – whether buttoned or not.
For basically everything I’ve just written but with pictures, check out Details’ guide on how to fit a shirt.
Style tip: This may all sound a lot, but trust me, if you find a shirt that fits properly in the shoulders, as described above, chances are, the rest will fit accordingly. The bottom line: focus on the shoulder fit, and you’ll probably be all right.
Have a great tip about shirt length–or how to fit a shirt?
Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Slim Fit Multi Stripe Dress Shirt| $98 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.
Posted by Trisha on January 9th, 2008 in Men, Men's, Q&A |
Q: I have tiny calves and have been looking for a cool pair of knee high boots. Can you suggest a brand that tailors to smaller calf sizes? It seems anymore that everyone makes bigger boots, but not small ones. I’m a runner who is 5’8†and all skinny leg.
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: The good news is that you’re blessed with slender calves. The bad news is that designers find that more women have oversized (rather than skinny) calves–and your boot selections are limited.
With your slender calves, you’re going to want to look for two things: soft materials and stretchiness (since boots cut in stretchy materials have a narrower cut). Combined, soft material and stretch should hug even the skinniest of calves. Start your search with this Donald J Pilner boot, which features soft suede and stretch material. While it was designed to stretch for oversized calves, it may just fit your legs without stretching.
Worse comes to worse, if you find that the soft, stretchy boots are still oversized for your calves, you can have a shoemaker take them in (or splurge for custom boots).
Have a great tip about where to find knee high boots for skinny calves?
Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Donald J Pilner Doris Boot | $338.95 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.
Posted by Trisha on January 8th, 2008 in Q&A, Women, Women's |
We asked: Is Leopard Print In or Out?
You said: Out. 29% voted Leopard Print In, while the vast majority (71%) voted it Out or On the Way Out.
Style tip? Should you choose to wear leopard print, do it differently. How about trying Leopard Print in an unusual color, like this blue Tibi dress?
Next question: 1920s Fashion–bowler hats, flapper-esque drop waist dresses, chic ballet flats. Would you wear it? Cast your
vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Tibi Leopard Shift Dress | $174 (sale) at Shopbop.
Posted by Trisha on January 7th, 2008 in Trend, Trend Predictives, What's In and What's Out, Women |
Announcing the launch of Capessa on Yahoo! Health, a community of real women telling real stories.
You’ll find stories on anything and everything from health and fitness to relationships to beauty and style. And you’ll find me talking about Style for All Shapes and Sizes.
Posted by Trisha on January 6th, 2008 in News |
Q: I have a fabulous pair of black wide leg trousers and although they have faded they still look good. The problem is I can no longer wear them with black. What dark colours can I substitute?
A: Your instincts are spot on: you don’t want to pair these trousers with black, since that will only draw attention to the fading. Plus it’s near impossible to match different shades of black, and you only want to wear two black items together if they’re a perfect match.
Though you’re down a pair of black trousers, you’re up a pair of (super) dark grey trousers. So treat the faded black wide-leg trousers like you would a pair of dark grey pants.
Dark grey pairs well with all kinds of bright colors. Crack open any fashion magazine from this season, and you’ll see grey paired with bright blue, grassy green, sunny yellow, or even shades of purple.
Be bold with your fashion choices, and have fun!
Have a great tip about what to wear with (or what to do with) faded black pants?
Share it with us in the comments!
Pictured: Cashmere Henley | $188 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.
Posted by Trisha on January 4th, 2008 in Q&A, Women, Women's |
Q: I’m a schoolteacher, and I would like to find a nice coat that I can wear over my long skirts and dresses to work–but could also possibly be paired with pants during the cold, snowy days. Any suggestions on where to find the perfect coat?
A: When coat shopping, fit is key, so we recommend going to department stores where you can try on coats from a variety of brands. As for fit, you should be looking for a snug fit in the shoulders (and for the most flattering look, high armholes).
Given that the coat will be paired with long skirts and dresses, look for a long coat. You can let your skirts and dresses show from under the coat, so long as the overall look is loose. If you have a highly structured coat, over, say, a pencil skirt, you’re going to want to fully cover the skirt. But if the shapes of the skirt/dress and coat are less severe, a bit of skirt peeking out never hurt anyone.
Here’s a few affordable coats you may want to start with:
Nick & Mo Audrey Tweed Coat | $98 at Nordstrom
Oversized buttons and a cinched waist give this coat some flair.
London Fog Double Breasted Wool Trench Coat | $188 at Nordstrom
You can’t go wrong with a classic trenchcoat.
Jessica Simpson Platter Collar Coat | $188 at Nordstrom
Love the belt and the oversized collar.
Pictured: MICHAEL Michael Kors Belted Wool Coat | $228 at Nordstrom
The standup collar and the metal dome buttons make this coat quietly dramatic.
Have a great tip about where to find the perfect coat?
Share it with us in the comments!
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
Posted by Trisha on January 3rd, 2008 in Q&A, Women, Women's |
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