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Arts
Dressing down for the holidays
by Miss Joni
Dec 11, 2002

Arts
About Jane and snow and keeping things simple
by Debi Keay
Feb 5, 2003

Arts
The way you wear it
by Miss Joni
Mar 19, 2003

Arts
Style, recovered
by Miss Joni
May 21, 2003

Arts
Fit for shopping
by Miss Joni
Jul 30, 2003

Don't let them dress you
by Debi Keay Jan 1, 2003

Oh boy. The sales are coming. What a great time to waste money. I have a suggestion. Let"s all go to our mirrors, take a good hard look and get real about the clothes we should be wearing. To guide us, here"s some advice a fashion consultant gave me years ago, which is boring and practical and undeniably right. ï There are certain hemlines, proportions and levels of decoration that always flatter you. You"ll go back to them again and again Ö and wind up hating everything else in your closet. ï The best way to look smart and beautiful is to insist on well-made, simple clothes that fit you and will be in style for at least a decade. Every 10 years or so, you"ll notice a major shift in the fashion silhouette. You need to get on board with those, and ignore designer whims that are on their way out before they even make it in. Remember deconstruction, grunge, the waif? What we took from that, and what still looks hip, is close-to-the body fit, creative layering and a sleeve that hits well below the wrist. ï Use accessories to keep up with seasonal trends. Even then, don"t go hog wild. Find one ethnic necklace that goes with lots of outfits - a truly spectacular one with real stones, instead of five or six so-so ones. ï Buying cheap is one thing. Looking cheap is quite another, and should be avoided at all costs. (Unless, of course, you"re making a socio-political statement - that"s for another day.) ï Once you hit 25, you need to wear the best quality you can afford. Pay attention to fabrics and workmanship. Authenticity goes hand in hand with quality. ï "Authentic" means genuine and honest. Don"t wear one thing posing as something else. Examples: Polyester, plastic and rhinestones should revel in their polyester-ness, etc., and should never pose as silk, gold or diamonds. Choose wool or cotton over acrylic, real over faux. ï Matte is more elegant than shiny. However, something shiny up next to your face can put some glow in your complexion. ï Avoid styles that overpower. Look in the mirror. The thing you notice first should come off immediately. Unless it"s your face or skin. ï Celebrate what the good Lord gave you, but remember: What you conceal can be much sexier - and definitely more sophisticated - than what you reveal. Some designers say a long-sleeved dress to the floor is the height of elegance. ï Dress for your age and body type. Always. ï Tight clothes are not flattering. If you gain weight, for heaven"s sake, go out and buy something appropriate for your new shape. ï We"re talking easy fit. Not elephantine. It"s all about balance and artful draping. ï It"s a good idea to have two of the nicest suits you can afford: one for summer, one for winter. Shop until you find cuts that are perfect for you. A well-tailored suit can take you anywhere Ö more than you can say for the pan-ethnic, hey-let"s-drop-some-acid looks retailers are currently so obsessed with. ï Boot-cut pant legs create good balance. ï When in doubt, wear black. ï The things they do to jeans these days are horrifying. The jeans you should wear are basic Levis, Lee"s or Wranglers, allowed to fade naturally. And really, they"re not meant to be worn to the movies. Jeans are for rugged outdoor activities. ï Victoria"s Secret is just trying to get you to spend more money when they pitch 20 different colors of panties. ï You probably don"t need any clothes with writing or logos on them, unless you really are an athlete. Also, go easy on the stripes and prints. ï There are certain colors that make you look rich and elegant. These do not include mauve. Never wear the colors that decorate the lobbies of your local Amerisuites, Ramada or Comfort Inn. ï Stiff fabrics are icky. ï Wear the most stylish, appropriate and well-made shoes you can, at all times. You can get away with outdated clothes before out-of-date shoes. ï Buy the swimsuit that"ll let you have fun at the beach. Then all people will see is your smile. In short, the only reason to buy an article of clothing is because you look great in it. Not because it"s on sale, or it"s pretty, or you think you need it to be cool. Ask yourself, "What"s absolutely brilliant about the looks they"re showing now? How can I interpret that to make it my own? Or should I reject it altogether, and stick with what I know?" Don"t let them dress you. Send "em an e-mail and say enough already on the peasant blouses. And if you find something really great on sale, get one for me, OK?

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