STYLIST ADVICE

Fashion Stylist Advice: When you need fashion advice, style tips & what to wear & how to wear it, ask our stylist Sharon Haver & her team of contributing fashion, beauty, and style experts!

Ankle Bracelet Dilemma… Wrap it Up or Wrap it Under

Ankle Bracelet Dilemma... Wrap it Up or Wrap it Under I am hoping you can settle a debate. I am wondering what is the proper way to wear an anklet. My cohort believes that it is acceptable to wear an anklet underneath stockings, where I believe it is not. And though I may be willing to concede that it is OK to wear an anklet under nude stockings, (however begrudgingly) I believe it is NEVER OK to wear an anklet under colored stockings. Am I wrong? Please advise. (Hyde Park, MA) There are those who are fans of wearing anklets, also known as ankle bracelets. Then there are those who simple just don't see them as being a particularly chic

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Putting a Name On Your Style… Classic Conundrum

Putting a Name On Your Style… Classic Conundrum Is there is such a thing as classic dramatic? I am trying to update my look, but I feel as if I'm still dressing too trendy for my age (32). I like the look of a classic crisp white button-up top with a blazer, chunky jewelry, and black slacks for work. I love that look! However, I'm not sure how to keep within those lines? Can you help me refine this style? Help!!! (New Rochelle, NY) Classic dramatic? I'm sure you can find that down an aisle at Blockbusters! Sweetie, discover a style that makes you feel great about yourself rather than assimilate to some kooky way of conforming. The eighties may

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Gotta Have It… The 80’s Cotton Candy Pink Petticoat Skirt

Gotta Have It… The 80's Cotton Candy Pink Petticoat Skirt I signed onto your lovely site, and saw "Bag It Off the Runway" which caught my eye. Next to the headline on that page, there is a picture of a lady wearing a pink puffy skirt. I am 100% interested in buying it. Can I purchase it or is it just for show? If it is for show, do you know any other websites that would have skirts like this and would you happen to know the name of the designer? Also, do you have a place on the website where you can see everything available for purchase? Thank you so much. (Plainview , NY) Sweetcakes, you can take the

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What to Wear to Date an Older Man

Help, I want to stay young while dating an older man! I have a unique, creative and daring style, but I have met someone who is polished, somewhat conservative and in a position of power and respect at work. He is a good bit older than me and I am confused about how I should dress. I do not want to give up my stylish side, but I feel that I need a more conservative approach due to our work. He is happy with my youthful look, but I feel that it boosts his ego and makes me look too young. I am 30 and I don't want to dress too old or too young. Any suggestions? (Myrtle, MS) I

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How to Appear Taller When You’re Petite With Short Legs

How to Appear Taller When You're Petite With Short Legs I am very short (4ft, 11inches) and have short legs. What can I wear to make myself look taller and long legged? (Nantwich, Cheshire, England) >> Check out our Petite Clothing Shopping Guide It's not as difficult as it seems to create the appearance of height. When you're vertically challenged, the best way to look taller is to stick to a single color from head to toe, or monochromatic colors that blend well together. Once a color break is introduced, your body automatically becomes visually divided, and that will accentuate your petiteness. The trick to create the illusion of longer legs is to draw the eye upwards. Keep to well-fitting,

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Matching Accessories… Do Fashion Etiquette Rules Still Apply?

Matching Accessories... Do Fashion Etiquette Rules Still Apply? Dear Sharon: Latest fashion trends indicate that it is acceptable these days not to tie in shoe color with a matching belt and/or handbag. [img133|right]However, ingrained in my mind, by my mother from when I was growing up, are basic fashion etiquette rules- which include: · Never wear a lighter colored shoe than your pants, skirt, or dress·Never wear more than 4 colors combined ·When you wear the same color top and bottom it has to be an exact match-- especially when it comes to black or navy ·And, your belt, handbag and like accessories are to match the color or tie in with your shoes... textures are a whole other novel!

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Bargain Beauty Secrets… More Celebrity Tricks On the Cheap

Bargain Beauty Secrets… More Celebrity Tricks On the Cheap I read your column about celebrity beauty secrets and heard that the book's author was coming out with a follow-up. Please let me know whether Diane Irons recently released a softcover called "Bargain Basement Beauty Secrets" or something with a similar title, and if so, where I can purchase it? (New York, NY) Beauty author Diane Irons has just released, Bargain Beauty Secrets: Tips and Tricks for Looking Great and Feeling Fabulous (Sourcebooks, Inc.). The book is available on Amazon.com and major bookstores. Chock full of more quirky beauty and hair tips. Here are few to whet your appetite: Repair broken lipstick by heating the broken piece with a match until

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Black is Not Always Black… Problem Free Ways to Combine Shades of the Ultimate Neutral

Black is Not Always Black… Problem Free Ways to Combine Shades of the Ultimate Neutral Are there any guidelines on mixing and matching black separates? If they are not the same shade of black should you not wear them together? I feel that as long as they are not drastically different it is okay. I don't have a huge budget for clothes and I tend to gravitate towards simple black items. Is this a bad thing? (Birmingham, AL) This is an excellent question and a style point that is commonly ignored. Most people assume that black is black and technically defined as the absence of color, but it's not always that simple. It may have a greenish, purplish, or reddish

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Red Lipstick, the 24/7 Face Brightener… Who says a bold lip is limited to the night?

Red Lipstick, the 24/7 Face Brightener... Who says a bold lip is limited to the night? I have been getting mixed advice on this topic that truly affects me. I love red lipstick, the darker shades-- mostly brownish reds and burgundy reds that look the best with my coloring compared to any other color--BUT, I have been reading that reds are for night and I should pick something lighter for day. I asked a woman at the Elizabeth Arden counter and one at the Estee Lauder counter and they both said it was fine for day because I could pull it off. Is this true? Estee Lauder even picked out a red for me, "Very Red" from their Futurist Line,

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Low Rise Jeans… High Marks to Defy Age

Low Rise Jeans… High Marks to Defy Age I am in dire need of expert fashion advice. I am 36 years old with two young children under 10. Am I too old to wear ultra low-rise jeans and/or smart, casual ultra low rise pants? I am very thin with very good abdominals. The low cut fits well and my husband and I think they look very good, but is this style simply reserved for young women? Also, I bought my very first pair of open toed shoes. They are silver high heel dress shoes. My husband thinks they look like something a "Hoochie Mama" would wear. I don't even know how to wear them-period! What color clothing can I wear

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How to Remove Shoe Odor- Tips to Keep Your Feet Smelling Great

 Please tell me if there is anything I can do about my smelly sandals! I don't know what to clean them with to get the odor out. (Nahunta, GA) When the smell of your own shoe makes you keel over, you know it's way past time to stomp out killer foot stink. Prevention is best: Bathe regularly, wash between your toes and, dry thoroughly.Follow the J. Sisters' advice and give feet a spritz of Sea Breeze before putting shoes on. If your feet tend to perspire a lot and you want the look of a bare leg, try to wear shoes that you can inconspicuously wear cotton peds to absorb perspiration. A charcoal-based inner sole, like Odor Eaters will also

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Pool Party Freak Out… How to Look Hot When You’re Not Wearing A Lot

Pool Party Freak Out… How to Look Hot When You're Not Wearing A Lot I'm invited to a pool party tomorrow at the home of a guy I really like. The problem is that he's 26, I'm 30. All of his friends are young! I want to look good, but, hey, I have the body of a 30 year old! I'm not in bad shape, but I'm 5'1 and have an hourglass figure that's heavier on the bottom with a small waist and, 36C chest. What can I possibly wear and be comfortable in? Please help 'cause cellulite sucks! (Fuquay-Varina, NC) Awmoygawd, exposing one's flesh when you're dying to impress… not a relaxing event! But get over it. The guy

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Cher-ing Style… What to Wear to Look Hip at a Concert

Cher-ing Style… What to Wear to Look Hip at a Concert I am distraught! I'm going to a Cher concert in August, here in Houston Texas and have not been to a concert in twenty years. I don't know what's in fashion as I am a stay-at-home mom of a 4 year old and 1 year old. I am 39 and I feel I have kept my body up okay but probably could use a new makeover. My main concern is not looking like I am still stuck in the 80's or 90's. I want to blend in, not necessarily stand out. Any help, please?? (Damon, TX) Sweetness, do as Cher does: Make the most of what you've got and

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