Talking Fashion

Every other week Deputy Editor of the Sunday Source Suzanne D'Amato and washingtonpost.com Fashion and Beauty Editor Janet Bennett Kelly are here to talk fashion. Want to know where to find perfect black slacks? Which new designers are rocking the runway? Why certain celebs just can't seem to find a dress that fits? They're here to help.

They were online Tuesday, May 13, at 11 a.m. ET.

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Suzanne D'Amato: Good morning, everyone. Janet and I are amply caffeinated and ready to take questions about spring fashion. We've got a couple of stories for you to check out, too: Visit the TrendSpotter page for my fashion column, The Look, plus information on local shopping events and beauty product reviews. And Janet's got a new feature on white accessories to set off spring's colorful palette. (Links to follow.)

As ever, we have some great beauty goodies to give away to the two chatters with the best questions, tips or insights: four tinted lip glosses from M.A.C. and a trio of moisturizing products from Wei East. At the end of the hour, we'll announce who's won our contest.

OK, let's talk shop!

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Chicago, Ill.: This is not a fashion question per se but I'm hoping you can help. I am a tall, relatively thin woman, and have wide hips, but not much of a butt. This leads to all my pants, if they fit in the hips, sagging in the rear. I know I am not the only woman who has this problem, I see it all too often on the street! Can this problem be remedied by a tailor? Thanks!

Janet Bennett Kelly: I think finding a good tailor will be the answer. You just have to make sure that when he/she fixes the pants, you don't wind up with the opposite of sagging. Not a good look either.

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washingtonpost.com: Sunday Source Trend Spotter

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washingtonpost.com: White On: Our Favorite All-White Picks

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Arlington, Va.: I need your help! I have a pair of gold metallic peep toes that I love, but have seen better days. Can you recommend a designer shoe repair store in the D.C. metro area. I need to wear these shoes to a function in 2 weeks. They are scuffed and I would hate to have to throw out my favorite shoes!

Thank you!

Janet Bennett Kelly: You can try Fortuna Shoe Repair in Bethesda - it's on Woodmont Ave. They'll tell you what they can do to fix. I have to tell you, though, metallic shoes are not so easy to repair from my own personal experience. If they're just lightly scuffed, though, you should be okay.

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Washington, D.C.: This is an embarrassingly rudimentary question. I'm a woman in my mid-twenties, I know very little about fashion, and I'm getting tired of "grad student casual." Can you recommend any good books/resources for learning how to dress well or spiff up a wardrobe? I already page through catalogs and magazines, as well as keeping my eyes open to see what people around me wear.

Thanks!

Suzanne D'Amato: I've heard good things about Lucky Magazine's "Shopping Manual," and I also like "Dress Your Best," by the "What Not To Wear" hosts. One innovative book on building a wardrobe that I read only recently is Susan Redstone's "Just Try It On!." It's about structuring your shopping according to the time clothes arrive in stores, rather than according to your last-minute needs. I thought it was truly innovative (and a lot more interesting than the body-type approach). Check these three titles out and let me know what you think!

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Baltimore, Md.: Hi! I have a June wedding question. Instead of a rehearsal dinner, my friend is having a cocktail party at a chic contemporary restaurant in Manhattan. Do you have any suggestions for appropriate attire? It's a fashionable crowd. Also, I'm only 5'1". Thanks for your help!

Janet Bennett Kelly: You definitely need something short and sassy. I'd look at Barneys Co-op in Georgetown or Bethesda, Cusp in Georgetown or in Saks Fifth Avenue's contemporary department. Maybe Intermix in Gtown as well. I'm not sure whether all of them have petite depts., though.

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Washington, D.C.: Dear Ms. D'Amato,

The photo of you that runs on this Web site, and in the print edition of the Post, is lovely. However, the photo makes it clear that you are very young. It does not appear as though you've lived through even one full fashion cycle as an adult. So how would you understand what fashion trends mean versus, for example, timeless style? That type of understanding comes through experience, and you simply haven't lived long enough to expound on matters of fashion and style.

Suzanne D'Amato: Thanks for writing. Let's see...this year marks my tenth as a fashion writer. I've been a staff writer at Vogue magazine, and the fashion news editor at Teen Vogue magazine. I was a contributing writer to New York Magazine's shopping guide, and I've contributed to The Post's fashion coverage for nearly four years. By no means would I claim that mine is the definitive voice on all things style, but I think I'm qualified to throw my opinion into the pot every now and again.

That said, thanks for the compliment. I guess that eye cream must be working its magic! (Or is it all the red wine?)

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Potomac, Md.: Hi -- I always enjoy your discussions and even forward them to my daughter who is in college in California. I have a question about skin care. I have fair skin and have read recently that most sun protection products on the market really don't do the job because they are only UVB protecting and not UVA protecting. Do you have any recommendations regarding products that have both? Thank you.

Janet Bennett Kelly: Hi, there, Potomac,

Good question. I can refer you to our monthly Skin Sense column on washingtonpost.com/fashionandbeauty. The dermatologist who writes this monthly column recommends Aveeno, which has both UVA/UVB protection. Look for an SPF of 30. You should be able to find it in any drug store. Another option is Neutrogena sunscreen with helioplex -- it offers UVA and UVB protection as well.

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Black and brown all over: Hi Suzanne and Janet,

Lately I've seen several fashion columns/articles talking about the combination of black and brown (as in a brown shirt with black pants, not brown shoes with black pants). Most of the comments have been against that combination, with one person noting that it is actually fashionable this season. I've always liked the combination of black and brown and have been wearing it for years. Have I been a faux pas all this time or just fashion forward? Please advise!

Suzanne D'Amato: I think it's all in how you combine it. You want the combination to look artful, by which I mean intentional. An all-brown ensemble with black shoes looks like a mistake. A dark brown top with black slacks is better, but still a bit boring. What about pairing a black dress with a chunky wood necklace, woven brown slingbacks and a textured scarf that combines the two hues? Now you're saying something.

Incidentally, this principle also applies to brown and gray, navy and black, navy and gray...you get the picture.

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Washington, D.C.: The style books you mentioned are good ones. For those of us who aren't sure what works for us personally, I really recommend "Style Rx: Dressing the Body You Have to Create the Body You Want" by Bridgette Raes. She really breaks it down and explains lots of things I hadn't really thought about like why high contrast works on some people and not on others or even how facial features affect why some clothes look better than others on an individual. IMHO, she really cracks the code!

Suzanne D'Amato: You know, we had that book in the office and I found it very disappointing. The photos are in black and white, which for fashion is really not ideal because color does so much to contribute to one's overall look. And the advice is mostly body-type oriented. For some folks, that's fine because all they care about is maximizing X or minimizing Y, but I would argue that there's quite a bit more to style than that.

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Kensington, Md.: Thanks for the advice on long vs. short dresses for the black tie gala -- you were spot on. I got a great short black dress at Bloomies in Chevy Chase. I should have asked about shoes -- where would you recommend shopping for party shoes?

Thanks

Janet Bennett Kelly: I'd go for something in the metallic family -- maybe a strappy sandal in pewter. And I bet you could find something at the same place you bought the dress -- Bloomie's, I've noticed, has a damn good shoe selection. Maybe even some shoes on sale at this point.

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Old Town, Alexandria, Va.: I bought some shoes this weekend that I could not pass up as they were the last pair and on sale (and super-cute) -- the problem is that they are a half-size too big. Does anyone have any good suggestions about how to make them fit a little better (inserts, maybe)?

Suzanne D'Amato: Foot Petals makes a product that you might check out -- it's called Tip Toes and it's intended to keep feet from sliding forward in open-toe shoes, but I believe it can be used for too-big shoes as well. If you try it, let us know what you think.

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Washington, D.C.: I want to treat myself to a new, nice purse, and could spend a few hundred bucks. Can you recommend a brand and style? It needs to be big enough for a New Yorker, a couple of diapers and a sippy cup and go over my shoulder. I want to look like I'm in style, but not be too "of the (2008) moment" when I'm carrying it in 2010.

Janet Bennett Kelly: Cole-Haan has a good selection of roomy handbags that don't have many heavy-looking metal attachments on them that are going to date some of the hot bags you see now. They're also not too outrageously priced. I've also seen some Maxx Studio purses that I like at Loehmann's.

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Washington, D.C.: I will be a guest at a daytime outdoor wedding of an older couple in June. I asked the bride about the dress code, and all she said was not formal and not casual. Could you give some help as to what would be appropriate? I haven't gone to a wedding in several years, and all those were formal, night affairs.

Suzanne D'Amato: First, you might ask the bride to give you some more specifics! "Not formal and not casual" -- what kind of advice is that? But I digress...

What about a daytime dress that reads "formal" in the details -- perhaps it's cotton but has rich satin trim at the hem, or some pretty pleating at the bodice? Something that's a step above a sundress would work well here, I think. In terms of shoes and other accessories, I'd just wear what you love. If the bride wants to see her guests in a range of motley attire, she's going to get her wish with advice like that.

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Arlington, Va.: I often hear recommendations to buy "quality over quantity." My question is...how can you tell quality when it comes to clothes? I don't think you can just go by price, as more expensive doesn't necessarily mean better. Is it stitching? What else should I be on the lookout in my search for quality?

Janet Bennett Kelly: Look for quality in materials -- is it made of all cotton, wool, linen? And by all means, look at the stitching -- on the hem, button holes, pockets. If the hem is already falling apart, that's probably a good indication that quality is an issue.

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Winchester, Va.: Hi,

I will be making a formal presentation in June. I must wear hose, and will be wearing a black or navy (skirt) suit with black shoes. What would be the most flattering hose color? (Black is out).

Thanks!

Janet Bennett Kelly: I think Suzanne addressed this same question last week. Her opinion was a shade of gray or taupe would work best with black; the same goes for navy.

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Greater Providence, R.I.: What is the one item this season that signals a woman over 40 is appropriately au courant?

Suzanne D'Amato: I'd look to a chic accessory that riffs on this season's "tribal" trend. A carved wood cuff bracelet or an ikat-print clutch will get you in step with the season without overdoing it. And this look is far more sophisticated than all of the grass greens and acid yellows out there right now. You lived through the 1980s -- no need to revisit the decade so soon.

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Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.: I have a problem. With my pants. See, I walk to the Metro everyday and due to the distance, I wear flats while I walk and change into heels at the office. While I proudly reject the tennis shoes with pants trend of many Washingtonians, I find that my pants are too long for my cute flats and they drag on the ground. Shorter pants won't really help because I need the length for the heels once I get to the office. A friend of mine used to clip her pants up with butterfly clips but I feel a bit foolish with office supplies dangling around. Any suggestions to save my pants?

Suzanne D'Amato: What about trying a shoe with a slight wedge or platform to get you off the ground, but without the pain of trotting around in spiky heels? Naturalizer has some espadrille styles that you might consider -- they have a heel to keep your hems from dragging, and they're known for being a comfort-first brand.

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Takoma Park, Md.: Help! Can you make a black wool suit summery or should I just put it up until the fall?

Janet Bennett Kelly: I think that depends on the weight of the wool. There are certain wools that I'd consider all weather. In any event, you can make it look more summery with a sleeveless ruffly blouse, maybe in silk. And you can leave the jacket at home and switch it for a lightweight sweater.

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For Baltimore: This is for the chatter asking about what to wear to the rehearsal cocktail party in Manhattan. If you don't have the time to hit DC/G-town between now and June, you may want to check a few of the local boutiques in Fed Hill (Holly G), Fells Point (Cupcake), Canton (Nectar) or anything on The Avenue, in Hampden. If budget is an issue, my fallback has always been an LBD with hot shoes. If you can brave the parking at Towson Towne, I'd look at White House/Black Market or Nordstrom for the dress and hit up Nordstrom Rack for (many pairs of) shoes. I've stretched a $200 budget into at least four outfits that way. Good luck!

Janet Bennett Kelly: For the Baltimore woman in search of a party dress for a Manhattan rehearsal dinner. This chatter is giving you more local recommendations.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi ladies -- I love ballet flats and have a pair or four. In the winter I'll wear them with opaque tights or those knee-high stockings when wearing pants. But now that it's summer, I am wearing them sans tights/stockings and they are killing my feet with blisters. Does anyone have recommendations for something to wear inside the shoes when wearing dresses/skirts and bare legs? Much appreciated....

Janet Bennett Kelly: There's something called Summer Scented insoles from www.summersoles.com.

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Philadelphia, Pa.: I wear size 10 or 11 shoes depending on the style and my feet are middle of the road in terms of width. I don't think it's too much to ask for shoes that are stylish and comfortable, but I've had many sales people give me the "You Amazon" stink eye when I say 10 or 11. I really want to upgrade my shoe collection, but I need a little guidance on where I can actually get it done.

Suzanne D'Amato: As the proud wner of size-11s myself, I thoroughly agree -- I'm sick of venturing into a chic boutique and being treated as though the size of my feet constitutes some sort of moral deficiency. Online is the best place for gals like us, though it does mean you do a fair amount of buying and returning -- the folks at my local FedEx drop-off know me well. Try Barefoot Tess, Piperlime, Net-A-Porter and J. Crew. BT in particular is great because you can email them to get the exact length of a shoe in inches, and I like Piperlime because they offer free shipping and (just as important) free returns.

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Downtown: For those who seek tailoring recommendations, I have to recommend Christopher Kim. His place is on M (at 20th I think -- it is near the CVS). I have taken several difficult jobs and he has not only done great jobs, but is completely professional the entire time. He is expensive but I take clothes I got on sale (e.g. a J.Crew suit or a Milly dress) and the clothes fit perfectly when he is done.

Janet Bennett Kelly: Thanks for the recommendation. A good tailor is a must!

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Pants issue...: Ooooh, I hate that about D.C! I might scream if I see one more woman on the Metro wearing flats with too-long pants. Ladies, PLEASE take Suzanne's advice and get a pair of "walking" shoes with a heel.

Suzanne D'Amato: Apparently this is a loaded subject for some. Who knew?

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Fairfax, Va.: Good morning ladies,

I would love to get your take on the fashion of Jenna Bush's wedding. I thought Jenna and Barbara looked fabulous. It was great to see a BM dress that a person would willing wear. Laura, on the other hand, did not look so fab. Her dress seemed very heavy for the outdoor occasion. Your thoughts?

Janet Bennett Kelly: I thought her dress was a pretty color, but I was not wild about the style; the dress made her look way too buxom. I have definitely seen her look much better.

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Falls Church, Va. : I bought a pair of cute silver ballet flats to wear during my wedding reception. The big day has come and gone, and now I'm trying to find a way to incorporate these shoes into my wardrobe. Other than jeans, any suggestions on outfits?

Suzanne D'Amato: Silver is a neutral and flats go anywhere, so you have a lot of options. Just keep your clothing palette on the cool side of the spectrum: lavender rather than peach, bright white rather than cream, vibrant grass green as opposed to soft seafoam, and so on. Other than that, anything goes, be it a full skirt or a minidress, skinny denim or wide-leg sailor slacks.

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Washington, D.C.: I really hate going shopping for new bras and now I really must. Where's the best place to go to get a proper fitting and not spend all day doing it? Reasonable prices wouldn't hurt. Can one just drop in or is it best to make an appointment?

Janet Bennett Kelly: I recommend Sylene in Chevy Chase and Underwraps in Bethesda. I have had personal experience with both, and they both take fitting seriously. Neither will take you all day or even close. I guess you could make an appointment if you are particularly rushed for time.

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Summer Approaches!: Hi Suzanne and Janet,

I'm a mom of two boys who's anticipating lots of sweaty summer days coming up. Last summer I got by with basically two lightweight cotton skirts (I DETEST shorts -- they make my thighs look sausage-y), T-shirts with camisoles underneath and flip flops. Considering that most of my time will be at the playground, pool or lounging at home, what are a couple of new things I could get to play in and still look reasonably fashionable, should I decide to drag them to Starbucks for a treat?

Thanks!

Suzanne D'Amato: You might add some wide-leg linen slacks -- as comfortable as a skirt, but they pack more polish. And perhaps a pretty, colorful cotton dress (I'm thinking Rachel Pally or Ella Moss here) for when you want something that goes from the playground to a casual dinner out. Shoe-wise, something with a bit more structure and style than a flip-flop might be good: Try espadrilles or a low wedge sandal.

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Washington, D.C.: Do they make a strapless bra that is more like a bandeau top? I hate that gummy stuff that lines regular strapless bras (especially when it's hot and humid out!) but want that same look. I'm relatively small so it's not really an issue of support. Thanks!

Janet Bennett Kelly: Wacoal makes a strapless bra that's particularly suited for petites.

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Alexandria, Va. to Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.:: Margaret Lilly from Lilly's closet suggested a great thing to my me and my friends: Zakkerz, they hold up your pant legs without creating a crease. Good luck.

Suzanne D'Amato: Interesting. Thanks for the tip!

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Janet Bennett Kelly: Thanks for joining us today. Where did the time go? Suzanne and I felt as if the hour flew by -- hope you felt the same. And now for our prizes. For the chatter who came up with the Zakkerz tip, you get the trio of moisturizers from Wei East, and for the person who asked about sunscreen, our thanks for bringing that question up will be four tinted lipglosses from M.A.C. Please e-mail Suzanne at trendspotter@washpost.com with your full name and mailing address and we'll get those right out to you!

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Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.