| 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,
I am attending an evening black tie event. Should I wear a floor, ankle, or just below the knee dress? Also, with most gowns I have seen, they have low backs and are sleeveless. How should I cover for warmth?
Thanks.
Dear Black Tie,
If the invitation said "black tie" and is after 5pm, I would suggest you wear a floor length gown. As far as keeping warm, I would either try to find a cape or shawl that looks appropriate with the dress you select. If the party is being held inside, as I am assuming it is, you should only be cold for a few minutes, so if you are not able to find a cape, you should be ok.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Amanda - HELP!
We are having a casual dress Christmas party this year for our Company and jeans are OK! My question is this...
I found a cute Lord & Taylor black jacket blazer (hip length) and a sparkly crew neck, sleeveless sweater for underneath. I am wearing jeans, but don't know if I should wear dark denim or my stoned washed denim? I can't decide which one looks better. Can you help!?!
Sheryl Sittig
Dear Sheryl,
I would suggest you go with the lighter denim. There really is no rule, but I like to wear lighter denim if I am wearing a darker top and vice versa. I think your washed out denim will look great!
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Amanda,
Is it a must to match your shoes with your purse? Can you wear black shoes and carry a red purse?
Dear Red Purse,
No, it is no longer a must to match your shoes to your purse. In fact it could even fall into the category of "old fashioned" if you do. If you wear black shoes and carry a red purse, it will be fine.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Hi,
Is it, or is it not faux pas to wear boots on the outside of your pants? I'm mainly talking about casual boots with jeans, khakis, etc.
Thanks, Melissa.
Dear Melissa,
I will not say that it is a fashion faux pas to wear your boots on the outside of your pants. It has actually been shown quite a bit for the last couple of seasons. While it is not my personal taste, I don't think it will be a bad thing if you decide to do it.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Amanda,
What color hose do you wear with red shoes? Is it ever appropriate to wear black hose?
Dear Red Shoes,
If the shoes are a bright red, I would go with a trendier pair of hose, such as fishnet, textured, or patterned. If they are a dark red, the trendier hose would look great also, but you could still wear just a sheer black.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Amanda,
I recently bought a pair of awesome tights. They are made by Anne Klein and are olive with a cream pin stripe down the legs. What can I wear them with?
Sonya
Dear Sonya,
I would suggest your wear a cream coloured, or maybe even a brown corduroy skirt. You could always wear pants with them, but that would kind of defeat the purpose of cute Anne Klein tights. You just need to match the tights up to a cute skirt and maybe a bulky sweater. I think that would look very earthy and fun.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Amanda,
I have a pair of brown corduroy pants and I was wondering what color shoes match them?
Dear Corduroy,
Well, obviously you could go with brown. And depending on what colour top you wear, you could also go with black. I love brown and pink together, so again, if you wear the right top you could maybe do a soft pink leather boot. You have plenty of options with brown pants.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Amanda,
Got one quick question. What color shoes would you wear with a gray suit. I am not into wearing suits a lot but I have a funeral to go to so it was the option I had. Please let me know when you get a moment V/R.
Stephanie
Dear Stephanie,
With a gray suit, I would wear black shoes, especially if you are attending a funeral. There are several options you have, but for a solemn event like a funeral, I would definitely go with black.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Amanda,
I know this is a simple question but was wondering when wearing a somewhat sheer white shirt with black pin stripe pants what color bra would you wear under that ...black or white... Sincerely,
Patty
Dear Patty,
It all depends on the look you are going for. If you are going for a more classic look, I would wear a white bra, but if you are going for a more funky, trendy look, then black or even coloured is the way to go.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Amanda,
I have recently begun to lose weight and I am looking to mature my wardrobe. I am 22 and I am still in school but I want to start looking my age and feeling confident about portraying my own style. I adore the clothes they wear on Sex and the City and I would really like to start getting rid of my old clothes. It is really overwhelming and I am having serious doubts about whether I can suit such a style. I was wondering if you have any advice on how to achieve my goal. It is a huge dream of mine. I am also wondering if you know any good shops to find vintage fashion pieces. I hope you can help.
Thanks, Lea
Dear Lea
In order to dress over the edge, like the Sex and the City girls, you can have all of the designer clothes on the planet, but you have to have the confidence to pull it off. When looking for cute things that are fashion forward, you have to buy what you like. You can't go into a store and think, would Carrie wear this? You have to think, do I like this and will it look good on me? We all have our own style, like Carrie, we just have to figure out what that style is and evolve it.
There are several great vintage sites on the Internet to explore, and also there are great ones in New York in the village. This sounds off the wall, but if you live near or in New York, you can go to the thrift stores or the Salvation Army in the Hamptons and find great designer duds.
Just remember to make sure you really like the clothes you are buying and have the confidence to pull it off.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Amanda,
I am going to a Christmas party and am wearing a knee-length black skirt. I have a pair of black satin high-heeled slides that I would like to wear. My question is should I wear black or neutral hose? The party starts at 6:00 with dinner and a play afterwards. Thanks, Amanda!
Anne Sindberg
Dear Anne,
If you are planning on wearing a black knee-length skirt and black shoes after 6:00pm, I would wear sheer black hose.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Amanda,
I'm going to be wearing a knee length grey, tweed like skirt with a 3/4 sleeve black cardigan and black, round toe high heel pumps to a dinner party. Also, it's December and cold outside. Now, my shoes are closed toe, so I know its okay to wear nylons. But should I, and what color if I should?
Courtney Bean
Dear Courtney,
If you feel more comfortable with nylons on in the winter, you should definitely wear them. I would suggest you wear a black sheer, or if you like them, a fishnet, patterned or textured. This will make your outfit look very chic, and fishnets look their best with this seasons tweed skirts.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Hi there,
I was wondering... Yesterday, I bought 2 pair of Levi's 516 slim fit blue jeans. I would like to shrink them so they would be a bit tighter... How do I do that? Hot water? Over dry them? Thanks so much.
Adrian
Dear Adrian,
If you want your Levi's permanently tightened, you should wash them in hot water. But if you think you may want to wear them the way you bought them one day, I would just dry them on a higher setting than recommended. When you just over-dry them instead of washing them in hot water, jeans tend to stretch out somewhat after a few hours of wear.
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
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