Q: I want a skinny suit, but I’m trying not to spend over $1000. Ideally I want cream since I’m very dark brown. I have a beautiful orange on dark orange Dolce tie and I was thinking of going with a gray shirt. Any ideas for me?
A:
You’re right that dark brown skin looks great in light colors–so cream is a good choice for you. We found a narrow-cut, lightweight suit that you may like from Ben Sherman, known for "Carnaby" style fitted shirts and suits.
If it’s not available online in your size, you might want to contact Nordstrom (or other department stores) to see if they have it in stock. Also ask for discounts–you might be able to snag a 10%+ discount from an in-store sale.
As for what to wear with the suit, the tie should complement the color of the shirt and/or suit. We like the cream suit with white shirt look, and with this, we’d recommend finishing off the outfit with a metallic silver patterned tie for a classic look.
Pictured: Ben Sherman ‘Kensington’ Seersucker Suit | $595 at Nordstrom. Note: This suit is currently only available in brown.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
Q: I work in an office where the temperature is always cold, so I’m looking for a fleece or heavy cardigan. I am leaning towards a North Face fleece for comfort, but I think this will look ugly right? Can you recommend something?
A: Skip the North Face fleece. Sure, it’s comfortable and warm, but you sacrifice style. Fleece jackets are fine for outdoorsy activities, but they don’t belong in the office (unless the jacket bears a company logo–but still, tsk tsk).
Layering is a practical way to keep warm without pulling out the fleece jacket. You’d be amazed how warm you can keep by simply combining multiple thin layers. The canonical combo is the v-neck sweater over the blouse over the thin t-shirt. But you can mix things up–try, for example, doubling up on the tees and layering a wrap sweater over them.
Worse comes to worse, try bundling up with a sweater or cozy poncho. Chunky knits are big this season, and they’re the perfect solution for those of us who sit directly underneath a drafty air vent.
Omiru’s take: Like we’ve said, we’ve had our qualms about plaid, but we’re really warming up to it this season. There’s something so rich about the bold pattern and the great shirts that are in stores this season.
Style tip? For women, look for feminine detailing (e.g. ruffles, pleating) to soften the look. For men, create an outfit around the plaid pattern, pairing it with simple pieces–such as dark denim. Want more tips? Check out John’s article about How to Wear Flannel Stylishly and Trisha’s How to Wear a Plaid Shirt Without Looking Like a Man.
Next question: The Handbag: Just as hemlines rise and fall, it goes from big to small, small to big. But what’s your preference? Tell us, are Oversized Handbags In,
or are they Out? Cast your
vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: John Varvatos Cotton Plaid Sportshirt | $134.90 (sale) at Saks Fifth Avenue.
Q: I recently bought a pair of trouser jeans. I have a pear-shaped body (slim upper body and heavier bottom), so where should the flare of the jeans start? What looks the best on a thick-thighed girl like me?
A:
The perfect pair of jeans fits you both at the waist and at the hips. Furthermore, this perfect pair of jeans: (1) Doesn’t gap at the waist (so when you lean over, you don’t reveal your underwear), (2) Contours your bottom so that the seat of your pants doesn’t sag, and (3) Avoids unflattering whiskering around the crotch area.
If you have thick thighs, camouflage them with looser fitting jeans. These jeans should still fit snugly at the waist and through the hip (and contour your behind), but the flare should start at the top of the thigh for optimal figure flattery. What to wear with these trouser jeans? Pair them with a looser-fitting top for a big-over-small look.
Pictured: Baby Phat Original 5-Pocket Jean | $59 at Macys.
Have a great tip about jeans that fit thick thighs?
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.
Q: I’m planning to wear an all red plain wrap dress with belt. What shoes do I match it with?
A: When matching shoes to a dress, the rule is to match the feel of the shoe with the feel of the dress. Is your dress all about glamour? Find a glamourous shoe to match. Similarly, if you’re looking for shoes for a casual sundress, choose a pair of casual shoes. With your red wrap dress, you’re looking for a shoe that’s as classically sophisticated as your dress is.
What about color? You have a few different choices: (1) Match your red dress with a pair of red shoes. But don’t match the shades exactly–it looks like you’re trying too hard.
(2) Add some sparkle with a pair of metallic shoes. The beauty of metallic shoes is their versatility, since they pair with outfits of any color. They’re also a smart answer to multicolored outfits without a dominant color.
(3) If you want to experiment, try pairing the wrap dress with a shoe with a shot of bright color, or a shoe with flashy details. Some of the best dress-shoe pairings have been those that are unexpected. Think: Carrie from Sex and the City.
Pictured: Ted Baker Baba Heels in Gunmetal | $150 at Zappos.
Have a great tip about how to match shoes to a dress?
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.
Q: What is the little hole in a man’s suit jacket for? It’s right above the pocket, not very big, right on the flap part.
A: There are a few common explanations out there. Some will tell you it is simply a way to proudly display your college pin, back when going to college was really special. Another explanation relates to a story from way back in 1840. As the story goes, Queen Victoria gave Prince Albert a bouquet of flowers, and having no place to put it, he cleverly cut a hole in his jacket lapel and put the flowers through it. From then on, the Prince had his tailor make a buttonhole in all his suits.
But as far as I know, the most historically accurate explanation is that the hole was used to tether a man’s top hat so that on windy days it wouldn’t blow off his head.
Nowadays, few men actually wear top hats, so the little hole has become almost functionless (although there are some designers that manufacture top hats that can be tethered). However, some creative sartorialists have found a use for this otherwise pointless buttonhole. My favorite has got to be the putting a pocket watch chain fob through it. Scott Schumann, perhaps better known as “The Sartorialist,†ran a feature in GQ in which he put his iPod headphones through the hole. I have great respect for Mr. Schumann and GQ, but I don’t think it looks all that great.
If you’re thinking of wearing a top hat just so you can use this buttonhole, I’d suggest against it. Ancient is not the same as old school. Leave the top hats to your grandfather and the Monopoly man. Pictured: HUGO ‘Awe/Holl’ Two Button Suit | $795 at Nordstrom.
Have a great tip about how to use this buttonhole?
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.
Q: I want to wear my off-white puffer vest with my dark gray Earnest Sewn Jeans but I have no clue what to wear beneath the vest. Any suggestions, aside from black?
A: You’re on the right track–the key to wearing a puffer vest is layering. Since the puffer vest is, in fact, puffy, you’re going to want a thin layer (or two) underneath. Layering tees work well here, as do thin cable knit sweaters (for texture).
As for the color of the undershirt, off-white and grey does naturally pair well with black, as you suggested. But to spice up the look, combine the neutral off-white and grey with a bright color. My first choice would be orange, which looks lovely with grey jeans and whose warm hue will pair well with the off-white vest. Don’t like orange? A warm shade of bright green will also bring out the best in both neutrals.
You said: Overwhelmingly in, with 79% of the popular vote.
Omiru’s take: It may not be the most slimming color, but The Color White is winning fans this season with its fresh, clean look. We’re hooked too.
Style tip? Go bold with white, and make it the dominant color in your outfit. Pair it with a splash of color for interest. And don’t forget to carry Shout! Wipes to help clean up stains. Want more on White? Here’s some more tips on How to Wear White.
Next question: We’ve always been a bit weary of plaid (the 90s grunge rocker look is still too fresh in our minds), but recently, we’ve changed our tune. Case in Point: John’s article about How to Wear Flannel Stylishly and Trisha’s How to Wear a Plaid Shirt Without Looking Like a Man. Tell us, is Plaid In,
or is it Out? Cast your
vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Stadium Cloth Trench Coat| $345 at J Crew.
What to Wear this Winter? As always, Omiru has you covered. Check us out on SheZoom, where we’re sharing our Top 5 Flattering Winter Trends for every body type.
Posted by Trisha on December 9th, 2007 in News | 2 comments
Q: I am going to a wedding and would love to wear a black dress with gold detail. Would this be ok for daytime as well as evening?
A: Back in the day, it was never OK to wear black to a wedding. Nowadays, however, the wedding etiquette masters have declared black acceptable for evening. Even though black is OK for an evening wedding, it’s frowned upon for a daytime ceremony.
If the wedding is a daytime event, choose a dress in another color–anything but black, white/cream/off-white/etc (too bridal), and metallics (too evening). With bright colors in vogue this season, you’ll be sure to find a wedding-appropriate dress that you can repurpose (for a holiday party, perhaps).
Extra style tip? With minidresses exploding in popularity, take care to find a dress that is appropriate for the celebration. Knee-length or longer dresses are optimal, and just say no to hemlines that are higher than 2 or 3 inches above the knee.
Pictured: Donna Ricco Stretch Satin Sheath Dress | $158 at Nordstrom.
Have a great tip about what to wear to a wedding?
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.
Omiru is a style and shopping guide dedicated to real style for real people. We cover figure flattery, fashion trends, and an assortment of articles aimed at making style accessible to all.
A: 
A: Skip the North Face fleece. Sure, it’s comfortable and warm, but you sacrifice style. Fleece jackets are fine for outdoorsy activities, but they don’t belong in the office (unless the jacket bears a company logo–but still, tsk tsk). 
A: 
A: When matching shoes to a dress, the rule is to match the feel of the shoe with the feel of the dress. Is your dress all about glamour? Find a glamourous shoe to match. Similarly, if you’re looking for shoes for a casual sundress, choose a pair of casual shoes. With your red wrap dress, you’re looking for a shoe that’s as classically sophisticated as your dress is. 
A: You’re on the right track–the key to wearing a puffer vest is layering. Since the puffer vest is, in fact, puffy, you’re going to want a thin layer (or two) underneath. Layering tees work well here, as do thin cable knit sweaters (for texture). 
A: Back in the day, it was never OK to wear black to a wedding. Nowadays, however, the wedding etiquette masters have declared black acceptable for evening. Even though black is OK for an evening wedding, it’s frowned upon for a daytime ceremony. 
