| fashion questions |
| and answers |
|---|
|
anthropologie - summer 2004 |
 We thank New York Fashion writer Amanda Mandelli for having written our fashion articles for two years. However, Amanda has now gone on to bigger and better things, and we wish her well.
Meanwhile, we are looking for a local fashion writer, someone who would like to attain some not inconsiderable prominence in the greater Victoria area - even become a fashion maven, perhaps - and share her acute fashion sense with the lively folk of our fair city. |
| Fashion Questions
with Amanda Mandelli |
Dear Amanda,
As everybody knows, the Australian sheepskin boots have been big news over the last year, I would really like a pair my self but before I purchase the classic tall in baby pink I just wanted to know if people will still be wearing them this fall and winter? Because god forbid I wear them out of their era! Thank you very much.
Fiona
Dear Fiona
I would suggest you let the Uggs go. If you are looking for comfort and warmth, by all means go for them, but if you are worried about fashion, I wouldn't wear them this season. You may see people wearing them, but as far as fashion goes, they are passe.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Mandi,
I am going to an outdoor, garden wedding in late September. Is it too late to wear a sleeveless, ankle-length, chiffon-type dress, beige with scattered flowers and a shawl? Can you answer me by email? If I can wear that, should I wear sandal-type or closed-toe shoes?
Thanks so much.
Dear Cape Cod,
If the weather permits, and you are sure to bring along your shawl, that should be fine. With an outdoor garden wedding on the cape, you should not wear anything too dressy or tailored, so the dress you have described to me sounds like it will work well. You should be sure though to wear off-white shoes instead of white and I would go with a closed toe instead of a sandal for this time of year.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Amanda,
I have a terrible time keeping blouses tucked into skirts or pants. Consequently, after 10 minutes I always look like I'm at sixes and sevens. Does anyone make any kind of weights or something that you can clip onto the hem of the blouse to keep it tucked? Do you have any other suggestions? Thanks.
Trish
Dear Trish,
To the best of my knowledge, there are no weights to keep blouses properly tucked in (you may be on to something there). I think that most women have the same problem. What I have found works well are Spanx Power Panties. These are a great product to own to keep away unwanted panty lines, but you can tuck your blouse inside of your Spanx and then put on your skirt or pants. It will definitely keep the shirt where it belongs! You can go to www.spanx.com and order them online.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Amanda;
| I am attending a fall outdoor wedding at dusk at a tennis club with the reception to follow at the Four Season's Hotel. I want to wear something fashionable, versatile enough to go from outdoors to indoors along with being tasteful. Any suggestions? |
neiman marcus - fall 2004 |
Dear Outdoor Wedding,
neiman marcus - summer 2004 |
I would suggest a dress that had a car coat or wrap over it, so that you can make an easy transition from outside to inside. The pictures that I have selected from www.neimanmarcus.com would be perfect, as they are dressy enough to continue on to the Four Seasons, but they are short and mid-lengths so that you will not be over dressed when you are outdoors. |
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Amanda:
| Some rocket scientist decided to schedule our high school reunion for 12 noon on a Saturday in late November, and it will be held in a nice hotel in the NY metro area. I need to assess what would be appropriate for that time of day, as a cocktail dress or gown would probably be too formal. Yet, I want to look polished and not "underdressed". It's probably too early to start scouring the stores for fall apparel. I'm a size 6-8 and of average height, and already have two "little black dresses". Any ideas? |
neiman marcus - fall 2004 |
Wishing it were an evening affair instead,
Lori
Dear Lori,
You are right, a cocktail dress or a gown would be inappropriate for anything at noon. Remember though, it is always better to be underdressed than overdressed.
neiman marcus - fall 2004 |
Now is the perfect time for you to begin looking for fall fashion. Fall apparel starts arriving in stores as early as July 4th. A 'little black dress' might just be the perfect thing for this event, but if you are bored with that idea and want something fresh, I have chosen some things from neimanmarcus.com that might be helpful. Even though dresses make us feel feminine and pretty, it will be totally appropriate to wear pants to this event.
|
If you do not find anything that you 'have to have' for this occasion, remember you can always wear your little black dress with a pair of pumps in a vivid colour such as red or pink.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Amanda,
Please help! I know it's still summer and will be for another month or so, but I have an important question, are Ugg boots in or out? I bought my short, tan colored Uggs a few months ago and have only worn them a few times. An occasion is coming in just a few days where I can wear them, and I need to know if I can. Please tell me, can I wear the Uggs or keep them in the closet? Thanks a bunch!
Lisa
Dear Lisa,
I would suggest keeping the Uggs in the closet. Sometimes it is not a good idea to buy very trendy things at the end of a season. You will usually find that they are going to be old news when you go to wear them again. If you would like to wear the Uggs for their original purpose, which is to keep your feet warm by all means, go ahead. But I would not suggest wearing them for the purpose of fashion.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Amanda,
I am wondering if it is appropriate to wear Dupioni silk into late summer? I have a garden wedding to attend. Thanks. Victoria S.
Dear Victoria,
It will be fine to wear this beautiful fabric into late summer. As long as you do not wear it to a casual event during the day you will be fine.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Amanda,
I am going to be wearing a beautiful Femme de Carriere bright yellow dress that looks almost identical to the black Neiman Marcus Summer 2004 dress that I saw you posted for one of your questions. It is very sheer and I am unsure of what color of shoes to wear with them. Can you please give me some advice? Thank you.
Kristi |
neiman marcus - fall 2004 |
Dear Kristi,
neiman marcus - fall 2004 |
I have selected two pairs of shoes that I think will look beautiful with your yellow dress. They can both be found at neimanmarcus.com. I think that the pink toe pumps would look wonderful and very cutting edge, but you may be more comfortable in a shoe that doesn't stand out quit as much, such as the silver one that I have chosen. |
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Amanda,
I have a light rose long evening skirt with lace at the hem to match and also a jacket. I am wondering if wine high heel strap shoes would look nice. If not, what color shoes?
Dear Wondering,
If your wine shoes seem to blend well with the rose skirt that will be fine. One thing you need to think about is, when people look at you, are your shoes going to be the first thing they notice? You do not want this, especially at a dressier event, such as the one you are probably going to be wearing this evening attire to. Your shoes should blend well and not stick out. If you feel that this is going to be a problem, I would stick to a neutral colour or even a pewter shoe.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Amanda,
Please advise as to proper attire for a 6 pm wedding at a restaurant garden area on the east coast (New Haven, CT), and for the rehearsal dinner at a country club the evening before. Thanks so much.
Mary G. Mitchell, Ph.D.
Medical Student Counseling Center
Dear Mary,
|
When in doubt, wear the little black dress! I think the rehearsal dinner will be the perfect time to wear a dress like the one I have selected from Neiman Marcus. It can be dressed up or down, and this way you will not feel left out of the loop, as far as what others are wearing and whether they are going to be dressy or a little more casual. |
neiman marcus - fall 2004 |
neiman marcus - fall 2004 |
As we all know, a six o'clock wedding is a formal event, unless it is held outside, when it should be considered semi-formal. You should wear an ankle or floor length dress, or jacket and skirt like the one I have selected in the picture. This suit is brocade and that is a lovely fabric to wear for special events, such as weddings. Both pieces can be found at neimanmarcus.com. |
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Amanda,
I am in a real pinch! I am going to a wedding and the dress I was going to wear is Navy. What color shoes can I wear and not be a fashion loser! p.s. I don't have Navy shoes!! HELP ASAP please!!!!!!!!
Cheryl
Dear Cheryl,
I hate to tell you, but with a navy dress there are not many ways to turn. I would suggest a quick trip to the shoe store, as I feel that navy is the way to go.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Amanda,
I'm going to a wedding on Cape Cod. When I bought the black, handkerchief hem, with iridescent pink/red beaded straps dress, I thought it was an evening wedding. Just found out the wedding is at a formal place, around 1pm and I still do not know if it outside or inside. Is black too dark for an afternoon wedding? The reception is at 5pm, and folks have said that is what you dress for, but I think they are being nice since I already bought the dress. HELLPPP...!
Dear Help,
I honestly think your black dress will be fine. As long as it is not floor length, and it is not covered with sequins and beads, you should be good to go. With the wedding being held at a formal place, yet at one o'clock in the afternoon and a reception at 5 o'clock, it is very hard for guests to judge what to wear, but I think you will look great!
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Amanda,
Why do they say that fashion is born in Paris, France? Thanks,
Exotica
Dear Exotica,
In the 1860's, Charles Frederick Worth, founded French Couture. Other designers, such as Madame Paquin, Paul Poiret and Coco Chanel, dominated the fashion world from the 1860's well into the 1920's and 30's.
Haute Couture shops originated in Paris centuries ago, and Paris held international fashion supremacy until World War 2, when the war cut them off from supplies and interfered with the whole fashion scene, as Germany occupied Paris throughout much of that war. America then took its chance to become well known in the fashion industry and succeeded.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
|
Amanda Mandelli's fashion Q & A are copyright Amanda Mandelli
| "beautiful Victoria at your fingertips" |
www.sale
scene.com/victoria
|
|
; all rights reserved; web site by
Aantaris Web Design