| fashion questions |
| and answers |
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|
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 |
Hi Amanda,
My question is about pin striping and what to wear with it. I have a great designer single breasted blazer that is black with small pink pin striping on it. Can I wear just black pants or should I also wear pants that are pinstriped?
Susan Martin
Dear Susan,
Black pants would look great and I also think that gray pants would look fantastic, just to give the outfit a little contrast. I would stay away from pinstripe pants, unless you find a pinstripe that is a perfect match. I am of the opinion that your blazer will look smarter with solid color pants.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
To Amanda,
hello, my name is sarah i'm 16 years old and since about 3 years ago my dream for a career is to be a fashion designer. I'm so interested in it i'm even taking up sewing lessons and always looking at the trends and colours. I just wanted some advice on how I can be a fashion designer and what sort of talent i'm supposed to have, i think u have the best job in the world and i would love to be in your shoes. If u could really help me out i would be very happy, thanks.
- sarah
Dear Sarah,
Thank you for your compliment on my job. I love fashion, so that is why I do what I do.
After you graduate you need to set your sights on a fashion design school. Parsons School of Design in New York is the best of the best. Many great designers have been made there. If you go ahead and get your core things down while you are still in high school, such as sewing and the history of fashion design, it will make your college experience a lot easier. You sound like you have the sewing part down, therefore I would begin reading everything I could find on fashion designers and how they broke into the business. It sounds like you are on the right track; just don't give up on your dream!
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Amanda,
I'll be starting a job soon where I have to wear suits everyday. As I'm fresh out of school and don't have a work wardrobe, I'm always browsing second-hand stores for quality suits. My question is whether double-breasted suits are in style for women. I sometimes see certain suits that I like, and they look like they were made fairly recently, but for some reason I always associate double breasted suits with the 1980's. Thanks!
Amanda
Dear Amanda,
Designers have tried to get double-breasted suits back on their feet, but women do not seem to be taking to them very well the second time around. The 80's are definitely back, but with a softer look. Personally, I prefer single breasted suits, as to me, they are more flattering, but you will not be "out of style" if you go with a double-breast.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Help!
I need some advice on Semi-formal attire. My husband and I are invited to a celebration at the end of January in downtown Chicago, IL at a Ballroom. The invitation says semi-formal - ladies wear cocktail dresses, tea length or formal dresses, men suits. To me this is not the definition of semi-formal. I bought a "little black dress", it is very simple. It is a chiffon type material, A-Line, tank straps, boat neck with a v-shaped back. I was thinking about shear black nylons with black pumps. Is this proper for semi-formal? Any info would be great.
Thanks, Dee
Dear Dee,
You can wear your "little black dress" as long as it is mid-calf or longer. If it is short, you should not wear it if the invitation said semi-formal. You can wear sheer black nylons and pumps; just make sure your shoes are not the heavy looking pumps that would be worn with a business suit. They need to be playful and fun with a chiffon dress. They should not look too heavy for this light dress.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Amanda,
I am a 32 year old boot lover and for a while, it was not acceptable to wear your boots outside your jeans. Lately, I've been seeing it in catalogues, but not out and about. I just bought a really cute pair, but its too cold to show them off with a skirt, so my question is: Is it OK to wear your boots outside your jeans or pants?
Robin
Dear Robin,
Yes, you can wear your boots on the outside of your jeans this season. You have to be careful, as this can look very fashionable, but you can also look like you are stuck in another decade. I would research this a little, to be sure before I go for this look that I don't look like a fashion victim.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Amanda,
I'm 42. Is it appropriate for me to wear black fishnets, ever, and especially with a dark brown (almost burgundy) knee-length dress, with black leather slingbacks? The event is just dinner out at a nice (but not fancy) restaurant.
Thanks J.
Dear J,
Yes, it is appropriate for you to wear black fishnets. I love them and wear them frequently. However, I honestly can't picture them with the outfit you are describing. If the skirt is dark brown I would suggest that you not wear black shoes, but maybe I am picturing the outfit wrong and black would look fine. But I may rethink the black with brown.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Amanda,
What is the appropriate length for coat sleeves? Thank you,
Barb Logan
Dear Barb,
When you are holding your arms straight down by your side, close your hands around the bottom of your sleeves; you should be able to touch about half an inch of your sleeves with the tips of your fingers.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Amanda,
I am going to a party that that says "cocktail attire". I have the black dress. My question is about legs and shoes. Can I wear black hose with strappy open toed shoes? I prefer not to go bare legged, even though I live in FL. I am 52 if that matters. Thanks so much for the advice.
Kathy
Dear Kathy,
If you prefer not to go bare, then I suggest you wear closed-toe shoes. It is just not appropriate to wear open-toed shoes with hose.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Amanda,
I am going to a cocktail party. I have the black dress. My question is, can I wear hose (seamless of course) with open, strappy shoes?
Thanks!
Dear Black Dress,
Seamless or not, open-toed shoes should never be worn with nylons. You should either go bare, or opt for a pair of close-toed shoes.
Until next time,
Amanda Mandelli
~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Amanda,
I bought a pair of "off white" / light beige pants with black and pink pin stripes at Ann Taylor yesterday. The sales associate said they would be appropriate to wear in the winter with a black turtleneck and black boots. My husbands comment was, "those are summer pants". What is your opinion. Can I wear these now? Thank you.
Jill Brown, NC
Dear Jill,
Yes, you can wear them now, if they are off-white. I think they will look fabulous with a black turtleneck and black boots as the sales girl told you.
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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Amanda Mandelli's fashion Q & A are copyright Amanda Mandelli
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