Conversations / Live Q&A

Does it have to be silk? Echo Scarves has some large ones in the colors you're looking for in a linen blend.  Otherwise, definitely try Loehmann's and Filene's Basement. In my experience they both have quite a good inventory of  wraps.

Sounds appetizingly pretty. How about a strappy sandal in a silver or gold tone?

What about casual jackets as opposed to stuffy suit jackets? (Provided that you're not required to wear a suit to your new job, of course.) There are tons of great safari and military-style jackets available right now that look great over simple dresses -- look at Express, Limited and Talbot's stores, and the Boden website has some cute options, too. Just keep the silhouette tailored and body-conscious -- not too casual or sloppy. And as far as shoes go, I just recently fell in love with Marais -- cute low heels and wedges that seem ideal for the terrain in question. (Bear in mind that the website is a teensy bit annoying, but the shoes are adorable.)

To help with city walking + hot summer days, I'd invest in a few extra work skirts -- A-line and pencil cuts to start -- and some basic sheath dresses that you can dress up with a blazer or cardigan once you get to the office. For blouses, opt for classic button-up shirts, silk or jersey sleeveless tops (not camisoles) for wearing under jackets/cardigans and high-quality short-sleeve knit tops. In terms of color, keep the more substantial, more expensive pieces in a neutral palette -- black, cream, khaki, gray -- and add pops of color through less-expensive tops, accessories and jewelry. One last tip -- consignment shops are a great place to start for basic workwear.

If you're willing to spend big bucks, I'd try Christian Louboutin or Manolo Blahnik. I've seen taupe shoes by both designers in lower heels than these.  For more affordable options, try Elie Tahari or Stuart Weitzman. And also check out Zappo's to be sure.

I think you can't go wrong going with either black or khaki. They're both neutrals that will work well with anything in your wardrobe.

Glad that we could help! Thanks for saying so.

So far this spring, I've already bought two wide-brimmed hats from the men's department at H&M, which run bigger than their women's options (but the women's hats also come in a range of sizes, not just one-size-fits-all). You might want to look at the selection at Proper Topper, though they'll cost you a bit more. Chatters, any other suggestions for online sites for summer hats?

I'll do my best, but to be honest I've always been a Levis 501 kind of guy, so I'm no expert on designer jeans. I do think that 501s in the selvedge denim or original dark rinse are about the most rock and roll jeans you can wear, whether your rock tends toward Buddy Holly or Fugazi. And you can trust Levis to always have your size. If you don't like the longer rise of the 501s, you can opt for 514s which are basically the same cut but with a shorter rise. With your frame, a shorter rise may lengthen your legs. And sorry but "black" and "stonewash" should really never be in the same sentence as jeans.

First, let's distinguish whether you're male or female ... write back and let us know!

Congratulations! I can only assume it is an evening wedding or else a tuxedo would not even be an option. If this is the case, your best bet is a tailored, two button navy suit (with a white shirt and wedding tie, of course.) If you are looking for something with a slim cut, I recommend you check out Brooks Brothers 1818 line of suits. Their "Fitzgerald" suit is based on a 1960's version with a trimmer cut, higher armholes, and narrow lapels. (This is about the time Americans, Jack "Fitzgerald" Kennedy included, discovered slim Itlaian suits and started to move aaway from the traditional American sack suit.) It will run you about $900 (or $750 if you take advantage of their two-for-one deal sale.) A less expensive option is the Ludlow suit from J Crew. I just picked one of these up, and I have to say it is lovely and fits like a dream. Both suits are fully canvassed and made of high quality lightweight Italian wool. Which short of seersucker, is actually the coolest suit you can wear in summer. The Ludlow will cost you about $600. Either way, you will look great. If either still feel baggy, the tailors at either store will do all the alterations for free. Have fun!

Your best bet is to look for pants with a narrow leg and head to your tailor. Many  of the traditional mens shops like Brooks or J Press make pants that are probably too full for you. Try J Crew or Ralph Lauren or Rugby which all carry narrower leg pants. Then head to Mr. Do's on Wisconsin to get them hemmed. Or if you are ready to step up and get some great pants that really fit, visit Geoffrey Lewis on H St and have the boys fit you with some made-to measure trousers. You won't be disappointed, but more importantly, you won't look like you're wearing your older brother's hand-me-downs.

When you say your feet hurt, do you mean you're getting blisters and the shoes are uncomfortably rubbing your heels? If that's the case, I'd try out a product from Dr. Scholl's that might help the problem. Haven't tried myself  but they look promising.

Take to the cleaners immediately. Do not pass go. Don't try to mess with it yourself if you value the dress.  In my experience, when you try home remedies on things that should be dry cleaned, you're destined to doom.

Thanks for that input. Chatter in search of a large silk shawl, this chatter says try something with more texture if you don't relish a slippery shawl.

Another tip for the reader in search of a shawl. Try this site.

First, I would go through your own closet and find the pieces that you think look really great on you, noting the silhouette, the fabric, the color, etc, and get an idea of what your closet holds. The process will go more smoothly if you have a clear idea of what you feel comfortable in, and a sense of what you already have in your closet. Depending on the stylist's personality, you may feel pressured -- but stick to your guns! Remember that this is your money and your body, and if you don't like the way something looks on you, you don't have to purchase it. On the other hand, make sure that you're prepared to try new things and broaden your horizons -- just not so broad that you end up with a bunch of pieces that don't go with anything you already own. And my last bit of advice: Make sure you eat something beforehand to keep your energy level up, and schedule in a coffee or lunch break between trying on and buying  to give yourself some time to think through your potential purchases.

I would avoid them unless you have long legs and no bulges. Just fyi, though, tight, skinny jeans look appropriate on only a miniscule number of the population, no matter the age.

Twinsets are a good option -- thanks for the suggestion! I went out to the Fair Lakes Loehmann's the day after it switched over to a clearance center, and while I loved it for the insane bargains on super high-end stuff, the quality was pretty hit-or-miss, and it's not for the amateur browser -- think endless racks absolutely jammed with clothing. I found the shoe and bag selection to be pretty disappointing, but there are definitely some sweet deals.

One more time ... are you a male student or a female student?

My pops always said, pay attention to what you put between you and the earth--good sheets, good tires, and good shoes. Wise choice to ditch the rubber soled shoes. But you don't need to break the bank when stepping up to higher quality shoes. I recommend buying yourself two pairs of wingtips--one in black and one in brown. They will go with everything from suits to chinos. The best brands are Alden, Allen Edmunds, etc. but no need to spend $400. Head to DSW or zappos and you will find tons of less expensive versions. I actually buy my shoes on Ebay. But the key to making these shoes work with a more businesss- casual (my least favorite phrase) look is to make sure your pants are hemmed slightly above the ankle, or as your tailor will tell you with "no break." When your pants pool around your shoes, these wingtips will look too dainty beneath all that fabric. Oh and no loafers. They are not appropriate for the office, not even the fancy Guccis with the horsebits you see all the lobbyists wear. Save those for the country club.

Those are cute -- thanks!

Do you live in the area? In Bethesda, there's a store called Wear It Well where I've seen linen pants. I must say they're kind of scarce this summer, no idea why.

I have many friends who swear by this stuff, though I must confess I've never been able to find it in my local CVS. I use a blister-preventing lotion from Peaches & Boo-Boo in the summer, but I've heard good feedback about using plain old Body Glide.

I would suggest looking for something by designers like Tory Burch or Nanette Lepore. They're a little pricier than you designated but they both offer the kind of dress you say you prefer. Also, J. Crew does have a very pretty white fitted shift for less than $200. You could always accessorize with coral or yellow.

I think that in this case, jeans pass for acceptable interview attire -- so long as they're clean, classic and not overly tight. A slim, straight-leg or trouser-cut jean with a thin, lightweight sweater or a button-up blouse is a good combo, and if there's still concern about not being dressy enough, a nice blazer can work wonders with jeans.

You are actually in the best position to find the right look for you becasue you are willing to pare it down to the essentials. Variety is over-rated. A real man needs no more that a couple pairs of pants, a couple shirts.

I would start with a good pair of chinos--flat front, not too baggy, and hemmed probably an inch or two higher than you are used to. Rugby makes a great slim chino. I think you can wear a white cotton oxford ever day of the year, but if you just have to mix it up, add a plaid shirt for fall/winter and a madras shirt for summer. I just got a great madras shirt from LL Bean Signature. The key to pulling off these basics is proportions. Slimmer shirts, trimmer trousers. Add a pair of levis, a solid knit tie and a navy blazer and you are covered for every occasion save your funeral. It may sound boring, but trust me, boring is in. Let the kids have their graphic tees and red denim. Real men prefer uniforms.

Hi, there,

It's next to impossible to match a shoe color to a dress color unless you have them dyed to match. Anyway, I much prefer the idea of bronze with navy than navy with navy -- too matchy, matchy and not modern. It's not a self-tanner but I am in love with Laura Mercier's body-bronzing makeup. It's good for a one-night deal.

Chatters, any recommendations for someone who does wedding dress alterations in Springfield?

Um ... hmm. Easiest answer = Etsy. If you can't find exactly what you're looking for, odds are you can commission a seller to make exactly what you want. Good luck!

Great advice ... gunning for a prize!

For the chatter whose feet hurt when she doesn't wear hose, here's an idea to try on.

Hmm -- that's a bit of a mystery? Are you wearing eye cream on only one eye? If you're using a kohl pencil, switch to a liquid. And brush a little bit of the same color eye shadow over the liner.  That should make it stay longer. Three times a day is toooo much.

Haha ... you poor thing! For England in the fall, you're going to want to layer, so I'd focus on long-sleeve tees, light sweaters that you can wear over camis or under dresses, some draped cardigans and maybe one or two blazers. Then add a few basic dresses, a couple great pairs of jeans --  skinny, trouser-cut and straight-leg -- and a few pairs of leggings for wearing under long sweaters, tunic tops and dresses. A trench coat is a must, as is a good pair of flat boots for walking. Hope that helps!

This chatter likes lightweight cashmere wraps from Nordstrom for keeping away the chill.

A Continuous Lean, Valet, All Plaid Out and Ivy Style are my favorite sites, but there are TONS. Check the blogrolls on these sites for more inspiration. Just be careful not to be just a trendspotter. I use these places for inspiration and then head to ebay. Buying whatever product these sites are currently in love with is the surest way to look like every other guy that reads the site.

And yes, I am a big proponent of the shorter leg. Maybe not to the Thom Browne extreme, but I do think pants look best on me when they fall straight. The difference between no break and a small break is one of personal taste. But generally, men tend to leave way too much material at the bottom of their pants, making them look like a sloppy teenager. Better to look like you are waiting for the flood than waiting for the school bus.

For the chatter in search of linen pants, this chatter likes J Jill et al.

A few weeks ago we got feedback from a chatter who'd gone to Dress Barn and had tons of luck finding affordable, versatile dresses, so that's one idea. Otherwise, I'd recommend Anthropologie, J. Crew, Club Monaco, Max Studio or BCBG. And if you're willing to spend a bit more, try Reiss or Karen Millen in Georgetown.

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience -- hope that chatter sticks with a personal shopper and doesn't get handed off to a salesperson. Another reminder to not be afraid to stand up for yourself and make sure you get quality service!

I saw some recently at Banana Republic -- some stores carry petites.

Agreed. Baby powder does absorb oil but I agree -- take to the cleaners ASAP after you get something stained.

It may not sound as painless as you want. But toss it, toss it all and start over. One pair chinos, one pair levis, three white cotton oxfords, and a pair or wingtips or canvas sneakers and he will look better than 90% of the men his age. Ok ok, sounds so boring. How about a pair of green go-to-hell chinos in the mix or a nice bright blue ginham shirt? Maybe just a colorful ribbon belt. Patterns and colors are usually to blame for a wardrobe looking dated. That's why I prefer timeless basics. And don't worry about starting over. Most new clothes today don't actually look that new. Most mens shops have perfected the worn in look. Summer is around the corner. Start clean!

I'd opt for a pump or wedge sandal in nude, flesh-toned or blush leather or neutral linen, which not only go with everything but also have the added perk of making your legs look longer.

Thanks for the feedback!

Great. Thanks for the suggestions on sunhats and linen pants!

Thanks!

It's sockless season, so I feel your pain. Get yourself some Goldbond and sprinkle some powder in your shoes beforee bed. And try not to wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row. Socks help, but if you are like me and prefer a barre ankle, you can opt for some loafer socks from Gold Toe.

Thanks for sharing!

Good tip! One more thing -- I studied abroad twice, and the second time I knew to pack an extra (empty) carry-on bag for all the stuff I knew I'd buy. Probably one of the smartest things I did while I was in college ...

As long as they're not really wide, I think you're safe with what you own.

Try a trim cut cotton suit and pair it with a gingham shirt and some canvas sneakers or desert boots. It's a casual look that is both mature and professional. Add a tie and he's ready for the big meeting, lose the jacket and he can burn the midnight oil with his fellow creatives.

Men are stubborn. I suggest you do some fashion espionage, figure out his sizes, and go buy him some new duds. And then give away his pleated pants. He can't wear what he can't find!

Black shoes, no black suits (ever), and for a description of wedding ties, I send you to the expert, Will at A Suitable Wardrobe. http://asuitablewardrobe.dynend.com/2010/01/wedding-ties.html

One common misconceotion that guys have (especially bigger guys) is that a slim cut means that it will be tighter or too small. Nonsense. You can get a slim cut pant in a 40 waist if need be and it will be as comfortable as your baggiest trousers. And pleated pants do not actually give you more room, that's another myth. Usually they just make you look bigger. Find him some comfy, slimmer pants a half inch bigger at the waist than he usually wears and let him try those babies on. He'll love them, and he'll love you when he realizes he needs to take them to get taken in just a bit.