Hi Mona,

I have a red sleeveless A-line dress. It's 75% wool, so I'd like to wear it in the winter. Since it's sleeveless, I tried wearing a long sleeve black top under the dress but it looks weird...I have no idea how to match it with other clothes - any suggestions?

 

Dear Classics Lover,

Your dress reminds me of something that I inherited from my older sister when I was a kid. It was red wool with black buttons and it was sleeveless. It was very cheery and chic. I loved it!

Since I'm not sure what the collar looks like, I'm imagining that it's a jewel-neck. If so, I would try it with a black long sleeve turtleneck or a collared blouse. The reason the long sleeves didn't look good previously was because you didn't have something to balance it at the neckline - that's my guess. The blouse would look great in an ivory or possibly white. It could be silk or cotton, I think that would probably look good.

You could also be very bold and go with a fuchsia or hot pink turtleneck. Not sure how easy it is to find that and again, not knowing exactly what the dress looks like, it's hard to tell. Also, you should be able to coordinate it with light grey or charcoal. So not a large range and it will be hard to tell what will really look good until you try it. If you have to shop for something to go with it, take it with you, along with the shoes that you have that might work with it. Get opinions from various people, but don't listen to people who are too conservative. If you want to look fashionable, they will ruin your fun.

Thanks for contacting Advice on Fashion!

Dear Advice: Is it appropriate to carry a python handbag in warm weather, or is usually seen more in winter? I found a really nice Kate Spade on sale, and the leather does have a lot of white in it, but I have never had the leather-embossed python before, and don't want to look out of place carrying it. I live in Houston, TX. Thanks

Dear Charming Snake Bag Owner:

I was a little puzzled by your question because I think of python as a warm weather type of print (or skin). Just to make sure, I went online and looked up python bags. They come in a variety of natural and artificial colors so I guess I would have to say that it depends mostly on the color. Incidentally, February's issue of Vogue does a feature on python so it should be big this spring and summer.

I believe that if your bag is very dark brown or black, it begins to look like more of a winter bag but lighter colors, such as caramel, white or even turquoise could be great in summer or winter. Also, it depends on what you wear it with.

A brown or caramel python bag would look great with African-inspired clothing and accessories which will be a trend for summer but it could look very heavy with suits or more tailored clothing, so I might wear darker-colored python for evening with softer or lighter-weight fabrics.

Python, in my mind, can be very nice. Python has a glamorous appeal but paired with the wrong thing it can look too glitzy. So lots of metal, such as in gold earrings, necklaces or bracelets should be kept minimal unless you want to be seen as a "lady who lunches". It can be funky or glamorous depending on how you accessorize but either way python can go year round depending on everything else that you will be wearing.

Another thing about python is that your shoes should look every bit as glamorous, so never just grab your bag when you're in a hurry and wear it with tennis shoes, clogs, or ballet flats (well, maybe ballet flats). Heels would be best with your python bag. Matching a python bag with python shoes would probably be too much but a coordinating leather shoe would be good.

To go a little further, white, metallic or other light-colored pythons should never be worn in fall or winter - unless you live in a very warm weather climate.

I guess the most important thing to remember about wearing python it is not something that can just be thrown on. It requires that the whole outfit be thought about - otherwise, you'll look like you didn't take time to get properly dressed. That is the challenge of wearing python.

I hope this was helpful.

Thanks for contacting Advice on Fashion!

I recently purchased two swing-style jackets. Should I wear straight-leg or flare-leg pants with these jackets. I am 5'3", 125 lbs.

Dear Swing-Style ,

With a swing jacket, you should balance the wideness on top with slimness on bottom. Otherwise, the effect will be "too much", especially since you are petite. Ideally, wear the straight-leg pants, leggings or a pencil skirt.

Thanks,

AdviceonFashion.com

How will a pink t shirt with a pink collar showing look with a white sweater...plz advice???

Dear Pretty in Pink:

A Pink t-shirt and a pink collar will look very cute with a white sweater. It sounds very 80's or very preppy. Make sure that what you're wearing actually fits with the image you're trying to portray.

In other words, is it too sweet-looking for you? Do you want to look sweet-looking and innocent? Be careful with this look, as it may look outdated or on the other hand it could look very fashion-forward. Without a photo to see, it is hard for me to give you too much advice.

Thank you so much for contacting Advice on Fashion.

Dear AoF: I'm going to a wedding in the Carribean. I'm soo clueless as to what to wear. I would like something elegant in a cream or off-white color. It's going to be @ a beach location. Any suggestions?

Dear Exotic Wedding Guest,

Whew! Weddings always take a little bit of thought, especially if you're going to be out of the country and somewhere tropical.

First of all, white or cream are almost always out for wedding guests. Even if the bride isn't wearing traditional white, cream, or champagne, people might, at first glance, think you're the bride. Family of the bride will probably have a problem with you wearing white...even thought it would be so pretty on the beach.

First of all, I would try to find out generally what the bride is planning to wear...sometimes brides are secretive about that, so just try to speak in generalities. If she's wearing a more structured, big wedding dress, which is unusual for a beach wedding, then you have permission to wear something somewhat more structured yourself. If she's going more casual, such as a soft and flowy slip dress, then you have to be careful to come up with something different.

In other words, if she's wearing something with spaghetti straps, then you should avoid them at all costs, unless you're her sister. Sisters can get away with that - usually. If she's wearing strapless, then you should wear straps. You get the idea. Weddings are about the bride (not really even the groom) so it's your job to be beautiful but not outshine her. Which may be hard, let's face it!

Anyway, a print is probably a good idea, and since you were fantasizing about something white, you could maybe do a soft print that's pale, with some white in it. You could do something 30's-ish, that would be pretty.

In looking for something online, I found this website that has some beautiful styles - you don't want to wear full-length, I believe, unless the invitation says formal, but these are really pretty and if you could find something like these in a "tea length" (about calf-length), it would look beautiful. Either look for it in a print or a pastel-ish color. If you want to go bold, you could probably get away with bright red, or even jewel-tones, but be careful with them.

That means avoiding dark purple, bright blue, and intense greens (my bias). Here's another link for a pretty dress that comes in a lot of colors, avoid the darker colors. http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/dresses/weddingsparties/PRDOVR~96061/96061.jsp

For a beach wedding, you don't want to be too structured - so you can wear bias-cut, soft and drapey and even shift dresses would be nice as long as they aren't too structured (in other words darts that hold you in too much).

Another option is to go with something in cotton. That's a nice idea, it will go with the atmosphere and you could look casual and upbeat...but not too casual. I like this dress by Anthropologie, although I do think it's long. I would go with a shorter length.

http://www.anthropologie.com. Go to dresses and then find Southern-Facing-Slope Dress.

Depending on what dress you choose, I would find a very cool shawl to go over it. Solid pashmina is always nice in a tropical color - you don't have to absolutely coordinate the dress with the shawl. In other words, let's say you end up with a pink dress. You can wear a pale blue shawl or you could go with a tapestry type print.

Oh! I just had the most lovely idea. A strapless dress with a scarf tied on your head - a la Rhoda from Mary Tyler Moore fame...(Google it!) But that depends on how bold you are.

Careful with wearing flip-flops. They can look very casual and others may be towering over you. A little bit of a heel is good, even if you do sink in the sand.

I hope this helps. Have fun in the Caribbean and thanks for contacting AdviceonFashion.com.