| 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 |
Amanda,
Hi; I have fashion ideas but I'm not quite good at drawing; what should I do?
Dear Fashion Ideas,
Don't worry, a lot of designers have had ideas in their heads about fashion, but have had trouble putting them down on paper because of their poor drawing skills. To start, you need tracing paper, water coloured pencils, with plenty of colours to choose from and blank sketching paper. You also need to find and print some fashion templates on the Internet. You can go to www.fashion-era.com and find hundreds of them.
Once you have these templates, you simply place them under you first layer of tracing paper and draw on the clothes. This way, you do not have to worry about drawing the actual person, just the clothes. You need to practice, practice, practice! I had this same problem, and after getting the templates and tons of practice, I am actually pretty good at it now, so don't give up. If you have any other questions about your materials, please let me know.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Amanda,
I am 5' tall and am 50 years. I have been on a diet and have 17 of my goal of 25 lbs. I need to get some new clothes, but I still don't have a waist yet. From the bottom of my bra to by navel is 6". What styles or dress cuts would you recommend?
Thank you,
Becky Catlett
Dear Becky,
Finding dresses is a very hard thing when you have a short waist. They seem to make things with such long lines now, somehow forgetting those who are petite. My first suggestion would be to go to the petite section at your favorite department store. You can wear almost anything from this section if you find something you like. However, it is very common for petite sections to only have a small amount of things to choose from. If this is the case in the boutique where you like to do your shopping, it is going to be easier for you to select two-piece things, such as a top and skirt. If you cannot find anything two-piece that you like, you may then have to buy something that is too long-waisted and take it to a good tailor and have it altered.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Amanda,
Is a navy suit dress appropriate for mid summer or does it sound too dark? It has a rose with navy blouse.
Thank you.
Dear Navy,
If your suit is made of a light weight, summer material, it is not too dark to wear during the summer. To me, navy is a nautical summer colour. I think it will be fine, as long as it does not look to heavy and hot.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Amanda,
I am a (young) 50 year old woman; 5 feet 2 inches tall, size 10. I always have to shorten my pants unless I buy petite sizes and I was wondering what the proper length of capris is or cropped pants? I've noticed everyone seems to wear a different length. What would you suggest to be the most flattering for my height? Also I have very bad 'spider' veins on my thighs so I don't like to wear shorts.
Debbie Wells
Dear Debbie,
The proper length of capri or cropped pants is halfway between the knee and the ankle. Pedal pushers and clam diggers come just below the knee. The best length for you is the capri. It will give you more height than the pedal pushers. These will also conceal your spider veins.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Amanda,
Someone told me that black stockings are out of style. Is that true?
Renee
Dear Renee,
No, black stockings are not out of style. You should be careful when wearing them during the summer. You shouldn't wear them during the daytime hours, but they are appropriate for nighttime occasions. During the winter they are great for nighttime also, and do work during the day, but I like to go with a pair of black tights instead, and save the sheer black for evenings.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Amanda,
I just moved to Raleigh, NC from California and the fashion selection is terrible. I am planning a trip to New York City to shop for fall and was wondering if you could tell me when a good time would be to go so that boutiques would have their fall and winter lines out. Do you have any suggestions of where I should go?
Thanks,
Brooke
Dear Brooke,
Wow! Congratulations on your move, even though I am sure it is a culture shock! The best time to go would be the end of July or at the absolute latest, the middle of August. Fall fashions will be arriving very soon, and they come in even sooner in cooler climates. If you wanted to wait until September or October when the weather is wonderful in New York, you could go then to buy winter fashions, which is actually considered fall 2 or holiday.
I would suggest you go to places like Bergdorf's, Macy's, Neiman Marcus and Barney's, because these stores offer such a vast selection and wide price ranges. I also love Banana Republic and Kenneth Cole. However, if money is no problem, then by all means, I would do Prada, Chanel, Christian Dior and all of the many haute couture boutiques so that you can find the absolute best in fall and winter fashion. There are also several little vintage shops in the village that I love, you can pick up some great items from these shops if you like to shop vintage.
Have fun, it's a great place to be!
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Amanda,
Picture this: Chocolate brown, knee-high, chunky boots with a just-above-the-knee, long-sleeved, dark dress with a deep neck line and a bold lavender and hot pink swirl pattern. The dress also has a seventies feel to it with belled sleeves. Also a chocolate brown corduroy newsboy's cap. My question is: Does all of this work together? I'm kind of going for a "seventies with a modern twist" look. I'm 5'6" and weigh 105 lbs and with the chunky tall boots the attention is drawn down, therefore I need something to balance it out: the hat. Am I completely wrong?
Dear Picture This,
Everything you have named sounds great. I am trying hard to picture it in my head, and it sounds like it will all look good together. The only thing that I have qualms about is the "chunky" boots. This is just a personal preference, but I want to address it just the same. Shoes and/or boots with chunky heels and soles have a very dated look about them. While realizing that things always come back into style, the chunky heels have tried to take their turn back into the fashion scene, but I think it has just been too soon. It has only been about ten years since they soared to the top in 1994 and I feel that your wonderful outfit could look dated if you pair it with these boots. Why don't you try a pair of knee-high stilettos? Chunky heels come and go, but stiletto's have made themselves a fashion mainstay and are classics. They can be worn with anything. Keep in mind that this is just one person's fashion opinion. The whole outfit sounds really delightful otherwise, right down to the newsboy cap!
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Amanda,
I am thinking about buying one of those hats that Cameron Diaz wears all the time. I think they are called fedoras. It is black with white pin stripes. My question is: What would go well with a hat like that? What kind of outfit would look cute with that sort of hat? If you could enlighten me, I would appreciate it. Thanks!
Dear,
The hat that you are referring to is called a fedora. Cameron Diaz does love to wear these and looks adorable in them. I think fedoras look great with jeans and a tiny tee to dress it down. The possibilities are really endless. I wouldn't suggest wearing it with a dress or skirt that falls below the knee, but I also think it would look adorable with a micro-mini!
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Amanda,
How far off the floor should cropped pants be? How about capris? Thank you!
Joan Wells
Dear Joan,
Cropped pants and capris are the same length. Both should end about five inches above your ankles.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Amanda,
Two questions ... is it appropriate to wear white to a wedding and do pearls and diamonds go together? Please help I'm going to a wedding in Cape Cod this this coming weekend. Thank You,
Tammy
Dear Tammy,
In response to your first question, no, it is not proper etiquette to wear white to a wedding, even a summer one. But I would feel more relaxed wearing white to a wedding on the Cape if it was outside and in the middle of the day as opposed to late afternoon. I think if you are willing to break a few fashion 'rules', this would be the place and occasion to do so. Cape Cod can be a very relaxed atmosphere and I would feel more comfortable wearing white there than any other place in the world, so, go with your instinct on this one.
As for your second question, yes, pearls and diamonds go together. Just don't overdo it.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Mandi
I have a question that one of my friends asked me, her birthday is this weekend and she wants to wear something more fun that usual, she asked if she could wear leather pants in the summer. They are black; she wanted to know if she could do that or would she get looks??? Thank you,
Krys
Dear Krys,
No, your friend should absolutely not wear leather pants during the summer months. Tell her to leave them in the closet until mid September. Leather is really better for a winter wardrobe, but if your friend lives in a cooler climate it will be fine to wear them in early fall.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Amanda,
I have relocated to upstate New York and I'm starting on my job search. Is it acceptable to go without nylons to an interview? It's July. It seems that not many women wear nylon with suits in the summer. Can you give me some advice? Thanks.
Kerri
Dear Kerri,
Unfortunately, whether it is July or December, you should wear nylons to a job interview. The companies you are interviewing with will undoubtedly let you know if you are required to wear nylons to work everyday, but you should definitely wear them for your interview, regardless of the weather. Good luck!
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Hello there...I have a little question that needs a fast answer. I am attending a funeral on Friday and need to know what color of nylons to wear. I am wearing a black pleated below the knee skirt and a slate blue blouse. I am also wearing black pumps... should I choose natural coloured or black nylons. Please help!
Regards...
Karen Feeley
Dear Karen,
With a black pleated skirt and a slate blue blouse, you should definitely wear black nylons. With all of the dark colours your outfit contains, natural nylons would just stand out too much. Black will make your outfit a little dressier and would be the better choice.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Amanda,
What do you think about wearing gold metallic sandal/shoes with black pants/black camisole and print silk poncho, colors in the poncho are green, fuchsia, orange, yellow, white, and black trim? Please advise. I have this on, but am not sure; usually I stick with the black shoes. Also I'm carrying a green croc bag. Thank you,
Linda Oliverii
Dear Linda,
I think that you should branch out from the black shoes and go for the gold! It will add that certain something to an outfit that already sounds beautiful!
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Allright - here's your chance to have
your fashion questions answered by a cosmopolitan, dyed in the wool fashion expert - so ask away :)
amanda@salescene.com
|
Amanda Mandelli's fashion Q & A are copyright Amanda Mandelli
| "beautiful Victoria at your fingertips" |
www.sale
scene.com/victoria
|
|
... back