Talking Fashion: Advice on What to Wear and Where to Find It

Janet Bennett Kelly and Michelle Thomas discussed fashion trends and answered questions on Tuesday, June 30 at 11 a.m. ET.

You can also find previous Talking Fashion Live Q&As here.

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Janet Bennett Kelly: Good morning, all, and welcome to Talking Fashion. Since we're inundated with all things Michael Jackson, anyone have thoughts about the King of Pop's sense of style? Do tell. As always, we've got goodies for you: Clinique after-sun balm and a new Benefit fragrance, Something About Sophia. Questions? Michelle and I are here to help.

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Alexandria, Va.: Where is the most affordable place to buy shoes? I think that I need to buy more shoes to update my wardrobe, but I am on a budget.

Janet Bennett Kelly: You can get a very good deal at DSW, but it's definitely a hit-or-miss thing. It's like discounters Loehmann's and Filene's, you have to keep going and trying. I once scored a pair of high-end Italian shoes at DSW for about a third of their original price, so ....

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Washington, D.C.: I am a bridesmaid in a wedding in Chicago in October. I just received the dress -- its about two sizes too big. I can't get it tailored at the store where I purchased the dress because its only in Chicago. Does anyone have any recommendations of someone with experience tailoring formal dresses in D.C. or metro accessible in Virginia for a reasonable price? The dress is floor length (slight train) and satiny material. There is also some boning in the bodice. Thank you!

Janet Bennett Kelly: I can't vouch for how much it will cost, but I know that Parkway Custom Dry Cleaning in Chevy Chase (301-652-3377) does a quality job in tailoring formal dresses. Anyone have a good experience in getting a bridesmaid dress tailored?

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Silver Spring, Md.: I'd like to wear pretty heels, but absolutely can't stand to have my feet hurt. I keep hearing that good quality high heels are actually comfortable. Trying on a shoe in the store and walking on it for 2 minutes really isn't a test. What should I look for in a high heel that would make it reasonably comfortable to wear to a party or wedding where there's a certain amount of walking, standing, dancing?

Janet Bennett Kelly: You're right; it's hard to tell from walking around in shoes for two minutes whether they're going to work for you in the long run. You might try Cole Haan, which offers a selection of heels with Nike air soles that are reputedly quite comfortable. Other than that, if you're searching for comfort, look for shoes with high-quality leather and some padding in the sole for cushion.

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Arlington, Va.: I graduated a year ago from an all-girls high school, and I have a ton of polo shirts. They're nice, so I don't want to just get rid of them (Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, Vineyard Vines), but they're also a little boxy, and I feel kind of boring when I wear them with jeans or cords. Is there any way to make these a little more stylish and a little less prepped out? The only thing I've seen before is pinning them in the back so they're a little more nipped in at the waist, but I don't know if this is actually an acceptable fashion or just a prep school thing. Advice?

Michelle Thomas: Ah, polo shirts. They're sort of inherently preppy, don't you think? So I think the best approach is to work with the preppy, but give it a little on-trend edge. Have your shirts taken in by a tailor to get that fitted shape, then you might try dying them into a funky neon or ultra-bright shade. Good luck!

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Denim land, USA: Hey Ladies! I'm sure you probably get this question all the time, but I'm trying to find some really cute going-out jeans for less than $100. I apparently have a super-weird body shape, because I can never find any that fit. My thighs are the main sticking point. Literally. Once I find something that fits them, I'm almost always left with way too much fabric in the hip and crotch areas. Where can I get some jeans that don't look like riding pants on me? Thanks!

Michelle Thomas: You might check out the new line CJ by Cookie Johnson, which is sold at Nordstrom. Cookie (Magic Johnson's wife)partnered with the founder of Seven Jeans and current owner of Rich & Skinny to design the line, which is marketed to women with curvier thighs, butts and waists. It might be a better fit for you. If you try it out, let us know how you like it!

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Bridesmaid dress tailoring: I once had to get a bridesmaid dress 3 sizes too big, then have it tailored to fit my 6-months pregnant belly (and the rest of me). I did it at Youngs' Tailor in Arlington, about 1 block from the Court House metro station. They're my regular dry cleaners too (for six years now), and I frequently get things tailored there.

Janet Bennett Kelly: For the bridesmaid searching for a tailor that's Metro-accessible, Youngs sounds like a good bet!

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Affordable good shoes: Go to an outlet mall-- anyone, doesn't really matter which one. They all have discount shoe stores, and multiples of them. If you hit all of the shoe outlet stores and shop carefully, you are bound to find a good pair at a great price. I go to the Queenstown, Md. Outlet which has a couple of great shoe stores.

Janet Bennett Kelly: For the discount shoe searcher, shopping the outlets is a super idea. And, this weekend, they're bound to have even more specials.

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Washington, D.C.: What are some of your favorite boutiques to shop in the area -- the more obscure, the better!

Janet Bennett Kelly: I think the most off-the-beaten track place I shop is Pirjo in Bethesda. They stock a lot of European designers -- Lilith, Rundholz, Marithe and Francois Girbaud -- that nobody else in town does. They also carry quite a good selection of costume jewelry (Alexis Bittar and others not as expensive). Last time I was in saw lots of lightweight long scarves in yummy colors. Michelle, what are your faves?

Michelle Thomas: I love the DC's secret(ish), easy-to-miss upstairs boutiques. My favorite is U Street's vintage jewelry emporium, Legendary Beast. Owner Anne Fox stocks an almost overwhelming selection of funky, unique jewelry, and it's organized mostly by style, at a wide range of prices. It's fantastic. I also love Mercedes Bien for vintage clothing and accessories. It's upstairs on 18th Street in Adams Morgan, but it's only open on weekends.

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Mother of the Bride outfit: Hi ladies. My mother is wearing a beautiful wine colored, knee length dress and a cute short matching jacket to my October wedding. We are not sure what shoes would go with the outfit since she has a hard time wearing a high heels -- any suggestions on color, style and hose would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Janet Bennett Kelly: What's the material on the dress? I might look for something in black suede or patent leather or maybe satin, depending on how formal the dress is. I see that Stuart Weitzman has a gorgeous pair of suede black peep-toes, but they might be too high. There's a place called Rangoni-Firenze in Chevy Chase (it's next to the Nanette Lepore store), which stocks a variety of styles and heel heights. I'd recommend looking there.

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Reston, Va.: I second the suggestion to hit the outlets for shoes. I know Leesburg is having major sales this weekend, but try to get there just before the stores open, because it can get seriously nuts there.

Janet Bennett Kelly: Here's a recommendation from a chatter about the Leesburg outlet with a warning -- get there early.

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Cleveland, Ohio: I'd love to hear from people who have a credit card from a specific store (e.g., Banana Republic, J. Crew) and how happy they are with the extra benefits they get as a card member (e.g., free tailoring, coupons). I definitely shop most often at a couple of stores, as does my husband, so I'm thinking of getting a card at one or both so I at least get something in return for spending my hard-earned money there!

Michelle Thomas: I love my Banana Republic card -- I get free shipping and accrue rewards points at any of the brand's sister stores (Gap, Piperlime and Old Navy) and get free tailoring & exclusive coupons at BR. It's sometimes daunting to think how much I've spent to get all the benefits, so I just try to ignore that part :) Chatters, what cards do you think are worth their weight?

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Jeans that fit the thighs, hips, and waist: Try the Eva fit at Express. It's a "curvy" fit, which means that the thigh and hip areas are sized a bit bigger than the waist. I have muscular thighs and a smallish waist, and these are the best-fitting jeans. Plus, they're $60 (or less)!

Michelle Thomas: Great tip! Thanks.

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Arlington, Va.: I've been to parties/weddings the past two weekends that were outside (under a tent) and in the rain. What shoes should I wear in the future that won't get muddy and disgusting -- and not the crocs ballet flats, either, they don't look like serious shoes. Or is there no solution besides like professional shoe cleaning post-event?

Janet Bennett Kelly: Other than recommending that the party throwers get a floor for the tent, I would recommend a shoe with rubber sole. It's surprising how many brands now make shoes -- some dressy ones, too -- that have rubber soles.

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Georgetown, D.C.: My friends and I are 20somethings who enjoy shopping together on the weekends, and while living in Georgetown is fun, we need something new. Where would you suggest we venture to for a shopping day?

Michelle Thomas: How about working your way down King Street in Old Town Alexandria? It's a beautiful area, and offers lots of great boutiques.

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Midwest: I need some help finding casual/weekend summer skirts. My old stand-by, J. Crew, seems only to have flouncy versions with too much volume and miniskirts this season. I want the straight-cut mini style, but closer to knee-length. A chino-type fabric would be good, but I'm open to other options, and it should be a style that looks good with untucked shirts, as I'm not a fan of tucking in. Any ideas?

Janet Bennett Kelly: Flouncy is in this season. But, do you have a Club Monaco near you? They feature more tailored looks in clothes, as does Banana Republic.

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Re: fitted shirts: I'm quite new to paying attention to clothes and how they fit, but I've finally realized that shirts and blouses look better on me when they're more fitted at the waist. You recommended that a previous poster have her polo shirts taken in by a tailor. How do you find a tailor that can do this? Is it a standard enough skill that any dry cleaners that does alternations would be able to handle it? I've only had pants hemmed and things like that at the dry cleaners.

Michelle Thomas: Fitting a shirt or blouse at the waist is typically a simple alteration that most tailors should be able to do just fine. I have mine done at a dry cleaners, in fact. But I'd suggest asking around for recommendations or reading up on some customer reviews of local tailors at Yelp.com.

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Triangle, Va.: Help -- I ruined a shirt by ironing it with a too hot iron. It is an inexpensive cotton shirt I bought a few years ago, but it fit really well. Besides dyeing it a darker color (tempted...), what can I do?

Janet Bennett Kelly: Have you looked at the Web site, The Laundress, which features a section called "Ask the Laundress." You fill out a form with your question and send it in. I'd try that route before dyeing, though that might be your best option in the end.

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Fairfax, Va.: Please help! Where can I get a wedding dress cleaned and stored properly? Bonus points if the shop is in Northern Virginia.

By the way, what's up with so many stores on U St. going out of business? I was there this past weekend, and there were so many huge sales and places leaving that I was at a loss. I was happy to pick up some bargains (jewelry and a great shirt), but it was sad, too.

Janet Bennett Kelly: Try Imperial Gown Restoration -- although they're locally based, they will arrange to pick up your gown. The phone number is 703-573-4696. They're located off of Lee Highway at 2814-C Merrilee Dr., Fairfax.

It's not only U Street where stores are closing. They're going out of biz all over the country. In Chevy Chase, D.C., Harriet Kassman, which has been in business for more than 30 years, just announced it's going out of business. Blame the economy.

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Swim suit woes: Any thoughts on stores in the D.C. area with a good selection of swim suits? Unfortunately, I have a really specific idea of what I want -- tankini with boy shorts, preferably with an underwire. I'd love some suggestions of where to look -- everywhere I go seems to either be all string bikinis or all old lady skirted suits.

Thanks!

Janet Bennett Kelly: I have to say that bathing suit selection around here is not so hot. How about South Moon Under? Any chatters have good luck finding a swim suit with style?

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Wheaton, Md.: I'm going out to LA in a few weeks, and I'd like to go shopping, not Rodeo Drive style but more like Catch Can -- small independent places with some trendy or even old time classic things. Do you know of areas on the Westside (staying in Santa Monica)or near Los Feliz that would meet that criteria? Thanks -- I love your chats and look forward to them.

Michelle Thomas: I just returned from a trip to LA last week, but sadly for me (and fortunately for my wallet) I didn't get the chance to browse LA's many fab boutiques. If I were you, I'd peruse the many interesting, independent shops on Abbot Kinney Boulevard near Venice Beach. Other spots on the list for my next visit (but closer to West Hollywood): American Rag, Satine Boutique and Creatures of Comfort. So much good shopping!

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Store credit cards: I have a BR card, too -- even though I haven't bought much at Banana Republic proper in a long time, I've used accrued rewards at Gap and Piperlime, so it all works out. However, a word of caution -- I was recently considering a suit at BR in Tysons and when I inquired about (free) tailoring, I was told that a)they only do hemming now and b) I should dry clean the whole thing before having it tailored because the material would shrink. I ended up not buying the suit, as I prefer for my suits to not shrink, and if I was already going to dry-clean it and pay a tailor to alter the jacket, I was unlikely to return to BR just to have the pants hemmed!

So, long story short, unless you're truly obsessed with a certain store/chain, you may be better off using a generic credit card that offers cash rewards.

Michelle Thomas: Oh, boo. Thanks for the input.

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New York, N.Y.: Have you tried any of the online sample sale sites like Gilt or One Kings Lane? What do you think?

Janet Bennett Kelly: Although I admit I haven't bought anything to date, I get the Gilt Group e-mails almost daily and love to look at what's on sale. I'm disappointed much of the time and when I find something I like, it's usually sold out. Any chatters have a better experience?

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Store cards: I have a Victoria's Secret card, and I love the benefits I get. I buy all my underwear there, anyway, so it's nice to get coupons in the mail. I regularly get a coupon for a free pair of (cotton) panties and $10 off any bra (which, if you need a new bra, is a significant percentage). Also, I get a heads-up days in advance of the semi-annual sale, so I can buy stuff online before it's all gone, and I often get $10 rewards coupons which you can use on anything. They also send out a $10 gift card for your birthday every year. I'm a fan, but make sure you pay your bill every month. The finance charges are not cheap.

Michelle Thomas: Indeed, the key to any of these cards is to pay it off in full, asap. Thanks!

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Re: Alterations: Try Diana's Couture & Bridal in Georgetown: 1624 Wisconsin Ave NW. I've had many formal dresses altered there, including a very difficult alteration to my wedding dress. Diana isn't warm & fuzzy (or cheap), but she's darn good!

Janet Bennett Kelly: For the bridesmaid looking to have her dress altered, here's a suggestion -- Diana's Couture & Bridal. Thanks much!

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Silver Spring. Md.: I am a guy looking for some summery long pants, flat fronts preferably.

Also, I'm searching for some fitted shirts, as I am a skinny guy.

I'm not trying to spend too much money -- $60 and $30 respectively, would be good.

Ideas?

Michelle Thomas: Hm, perhaps J.Crew for summery pants? I'm not sure exactly what you are looking for. However, a reader in a recent chat suggested Express for fitted men's shirts. You also might try European-based stores such as Zara, H&M or Sisley.

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New York, N.Y.: Hey, I just bought some new perfume--Charmer, by Oiseau. It's supposed to be notes of black raspberries, vanilla, coconut, and lemon. It smells a little like burnt sugar to me. Not in a bad way, in a creme brulee way, and it's what I would categorize as a light and ultra-feminine scent.

I've never really been a perfume person, but I'm trying to improve. Can you give me some guidelines for wearing something like this? You know: always. Never. Never before evening. Only when in bakeries. Any words of wisdom?

Janet Bennett Kelly: Only when in bakeries. No, just kidding. Wearing perfume is so personal; what's one person's dream fragrance is another's nightmare. In general, lighter scents work better for day and more complex ones should be reserved for evening.

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Washington, D.C.: A suggestion for Triangle, Va. with the scorched shirt -- if it is a style that isn't too hard to make, you can post on DIY site etsy.com to see what someone would charge for making a copy of it. I did this with a favorite dress of mine and loved the results, and the price was great as well.

Janet Bennett Kelly: What a good idea for the chatter with the shirt that got scorched by her too-hot iron.

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Bethesda, MD: I was just in Santa Monica for work and was able to steal some time away to go shopping. There is a long strip of shops right near the beach called 3rd Street Promenade that had a bunch of great stores. They're probably more recognizable names that we are used to, but their stock was more interesting and they had some hard to find pieces. For example, their H&M at the Promenade was carrying the Matthew Williamson collaboration collection, and their Banana Republic had the entire line of BR Monogram. So while I can't vouch for the independent stores, even the chains are worth stopping by for their unique selection.

Michelle Thomas: Yes -- the shops at Santa Monica's 3rd Street Promenade are primarily chains, but they are huge versions. The 3rd Street Forever 21 has THREE enormous levels and seemed to sell nearly everything available on the Web site. Amazing. And dangerous.

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L.A. Shopping: The Main Street area in Santa Monica, near the border of Venice Beach, has some great, cute boutiques (note this is NOT the 3rd St Promenade area, which is mostly chain shops). I used to live just a few blocks from there and would peruse all the time.

Michelle Thomas: More LA suggestions. Thanks!

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Hagerstown, Md.: What do I wear to a wedding at a Palm Springs resort? I'm not sure of the vibe that's most appropriate. Many thanks!

Janet Bennett Kelly: From what I know about Palm Springs, I'd say go with a less formal look for your outfit. Rather than a black cocktail dress, maybe look for a floral maxi.

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Tees: I love wearing t-shirts in bright colors that I can dress up for work with jewelry and nice slacks or a skirts. Right now I'm wearing a fuchsia crew with pearls! Any suggestions on places I can get good quality inexpensive tees with a good color selection?

Janet Bennett Kelly: Try American Apparel. If you're locally based, they have a store in Georgetown.

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Perfume advice: My father gave me some perfume when I turned thirteen (anyone remember Blue Jeans?), and wrote this in my card: "Remember, a little makes you smell pretty. Too much just makes you smell."

Michelle Thomas: Hah! I love it.

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Pennsylvania: For Mother of the Bride Dress: my mother wore a similar dress for my wedding. She got shoes in a sort of gold champagne color which picked up the sparkly golden rhinestone buttons on the jacket...she looked lovely for our autumn wedding. See if there's a detail on your mother's outfit that the shoes can pick up on.

Janet Bennett Kelly: For the chatter asking about what shoes her mother should wear with a wine-colored dress, this Pennsylvania chatter suggests coordinating the shoes with a detail in your mother's dress. Good idea.

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What to look for in heels: Oooh! I can help with this one. I'm a size 16W (used to be a 20W) and I live in my high heels. There are a few things to look for which will increase your comfort.

1) Real leather is always going to be more comfortable than synthetic materials. Leather will conform to your foot after several wearings and will usually become very supple.

2) Look for flexibility in the shoe. Better quality shoes don't use glue on the entire sole, they only use it on the sides. This makes the sole much more flexible so you can walk more naturally, rather than clomping around.

3) Look for a heel that is slightly curved, rather than straight. It helps with back pain. The straight heels tend to make you walk too far forward on the ball of your foot and throw your lower back out of whack.

4) Check the rise of the shoe in the back -- shoes that are too high on the back of your ankle will kill after a while and usually cause blisters.

5) Be careful of how far up your foot the front of the shoe falls. The most comfortable heels have a little toe cleavage. The ones that cut higher up might dig in to your foot (because feet begin to swell throughout the day) by the end of the day.

Finally? Have fun! Heels are so much fun and can really make an outfit!

Janet Bennett Kelly: This chatter knows her stuff when it comes to knowing what to look for when searching for comfy heels.

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Janet Bennett Kelly: We gotta run. Thank you all for your great questions and ideas. The chatter who came up with posting on Etsy to see if someone could copy her scorched shirt gets the Clinique after-sun balm and the Benefit perfume goes to the person who suggested Express's Eva jeans for curvy thighs. Write to us at fashion@washpost.com, and we'll get those out to asap. See you in two weeks.

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