Talking Fashion: Leather jackets, closet makeovers, bra issues, mens' ties, skin regimens

Janet Bennett Kelly and Holly Thomas discussed fashion trends and answered questions on Tuesday, July 14 at 11 a.m. ET.

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

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Janet Bennett Kelly: Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the discussion. What's on your mind today? Holly and I are here to answer your questions, and as always, we love to hear your comments. Spoils for today are Summer Soles stay-dry shoe liners and Advanced Night Repair Serum from Estee Lauder. Let's get going.

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Saving space!: Hi, Janet and Holly,

Yesterday, I bought a package of those As-Seen-on-TV Space Bags that you vacuum the air out of. I'm so excited, because I was able to fit 8 big woolly sweaters and 2 blazers in the "large" size, and two puffy winter coats plus hats, scarves, and gloves in another!

I bought them at Bed, Bath, and Beyond using one of their ubiquitous coupons, so I paid less than $20.

Now, I have tons of space in my closet, and I bet I can trick my partner into thinking I need more clothes.

Holly Thomas: Good find! I swear by Space Bags, especially for winter coats and comforters, blankets, etc. I use one of the hanging versions for cocktail dresses and formal gowns that I don't wear very often. They're the only reason my tiny studio apartment looks even remotely livable!

Janet Bennett Kelly: Good suggestion. I must buy some!

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State College, Penn.: Loved the "Scene In" feature. It was nice to hear real people talking about what they wear and why they wear it. (My favorite was the girl who loved all things Eloise.) The music was a whimsical touch, too. I look forward to more episodes.

Janet Bennett Kelly: Thanks, State College. Glad you liked the video! Another episode is in the works for this Thursday. Tune in.

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Washington, D.C.: Help! I need some new work clothes. I'm in a Banana Republic sale rack rut, and I would like to buy some stylish, professional clothes that aren't from when I first started this job (4 years ago!). Any ideas on stores to explore, besides BR?

Janet Bennett Kelly: As an alternative to Banana, I like Club Monaco. There's a store in Georgetown on M Street. I found a great black cotton tailored jacket there this spring, which is perfect for work and over air-conditioning.

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Alexandria, Va.: My grandmother purchased lots of jewelry (gold over silver, etc.) from Home Shopping. Some of it I will keep and some I could probably sell, but most of it probably isn't worth much on resale or to have appraised. Any idea what I can do with this?

Janet Bennett Kelly: Sounds like a gold mine. Wear what you like now and put the items you don't think you can sell away for a while. Look at them again in several months or a year and you might find your opinion has changed. Otherwise, have any younger sibs or cousins to whom you can give the jewelry you don't want?

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Bethlehem, Penn.: Hello! I'm going to a black tie wedding in August and have a purple cocktail dress with sequin details. I plan on bringing a purse and was thinking about something yellow -- where would I find a dressy yellow clutch?

Holly Thomas: A quick search on Forever 21's web site turned up the Fab Contempo Clutch in a bright lemon shade for $10.50, so if you're bargain-hunting it's worth a look. And check out Asos.com, where you can search by color (although payment is in pounds).

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Charleston, S.C.: I'm interested in investing in a leather jacket for the fall. What trend/style of jacket will survive the seasons? And do you foresee this being a good investment?

Janet Bennett Kelly: A bomber leather jacket is classic and should serve you well for fall, early winter and spring. If you buy one in black or cordovan, it can go with everything in your wardrobe. And good-quality leather wears well and looks even better over time. So, yes, it's a good investment.

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Philadelphia: I have a closet full of clothes but I absolutely qualify for the statistic that "we wear only 20% of our wardrobe, 80% of the time." Or something like that.

I'm thinking about hiring a stylist to do a "closet makeover" to get rid of stuff that isn't flattering or that is just not necessary. Has anyone in the peanut gallery done this? Is it worth the $150? Or should I just recruit a really honest and fashionable friend?

Holly Thomas: I've heard generally good things about hiring a personal shopper/closet stylist, but I'd suggest recruiting a brutally honest, stylish friend first. Make the process fun, though, and do your hair/makeup before you start trying on clothes. On another note, two years ago I attempted to wear every single item in my closet without any repeats. It helped me create a bunch of new outfits and on those days when 5 p.m. rolled around and I hated what I was wearing, those are the pieces that went in the Donate pile. More of a DIY approach, but helpful nonetheless.

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Silk Stain: I need to get a stain out of a silk blouse. Anyone know a good dry cleaner? I thought perhaps someone who specialized in wedding gowns due to the type of fabric. Thanks!

Janet Bennett Kelly: Parkway Cleaners in Chevy Chase is known for their expertise in cleaning wedding gowns. If this is a very special blouse to you, I'd take it there and see what they think they can do to remove the stain.

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All Tied Up: Ladies,

My husband just started a new job that requires ties. After years of working in a business casual environment, he has dozens of fabulous long-sleeved button down dress shirts with bold stripes and some checks as well. We are finding it hard to figure out ties that work and solid color ties seem juvenile. Don't want to buy all solid shirts...please help!

Janet Bennett Kelly: Your husband doesn't have to buy a whole new wardrobe of shirts or only stick with solid ties. When searching for a tie to go with a boldly patterned shirt, look for a more subdued, smaller pattern that picks up one of the colors in the shirt. If you need more help, head to the men's department at Nordstrom's, talk to a salesperson you think has good taste and get suggestions. Bring the shirts!

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Norfolk, Va.: Since my teens I've had a problem with bra straps falling off my shoulders. For a long time I just wore racer-back bras, but they don't work with a lot of pullovers (straps show). About a year ago I remeasured for sizing and realized I wore a very different bra size (34D from 38B), which helped...some. I've also tried different brands/styles, adjusting the straps tighter or looser, etc.

What's the secret to keeping bra straps from sliding off? I tried buying one of those extra strap-holder bands, but it was fussy and irritating to use. There has to be something I'm missing here.

Holly Thomas: Have you been professionally fitted? I'd suggest making an appointment for a fitting at a local lingerie boutique and trying on several different styles. (Coup de Foudre, Sylene and The Full Cup are three good destinations for local chatters.) If you're wearing the right size, the straps are shortened as much as possible and you're still having problems, try Hollywood Fashion Tape or Matchsticks clear tape strips to hold them in place.

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Washington, D.C.: My office has a "no flip-flop" policy, but I have wide feet and find thong style sandals most comfortable. Is there a line across which a flip-flop becomes a sandal? Or is any thong sandal a no-no?

Janet Bennett Kelly: I don't know your office, but I'd say rubber flip-flops -- the kind you wear to the beach or the pool -- are where I'd draw the line. I've seen other thong sandals that I'd say were acceptable in an office, but you have to make that call.

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Reston, Va.: I'm "pushing 30" (as my younger cousin so kindly pointed out when I turned 28) and my skin is changing. I keep reading about products for "maturer skin", but everything I'm seeing is for dryness, and unfortunately my skin's now oilier than it ever was in my teens. Any suggestions for a moisturizer or something that won't make it worse?

Holly Thomas: "Pushing 30" or not, you should definitely consider a moisturizer with SPF - I'm a fan of Clinique's new Superdefense SPF 25 Age Defense moisturizer, which comes in formulas for dry, combination and oily skin. And yes, an SPF moisturizer might make you a little more shiny, but combat it with some pressed powder and blotting papers. If you simply can't bear the extra shine, use an oil-free moisturizer and follow up with a loose mineral makeup packed with SPF. Chatters, any other recommendations?

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Where to find ... ?: The question from an earlier chatter about where to find a yellow clutch reminded me to recommend the site I always go to when I have just such a question: www.shopstyle.com. It's a fantastic search engine of sorts for shopping -- plug in as many or as few search parameters as you want, and it'll show you where (online) to buy the item and how much it'll cost (and what sizes are left). It's also great for price comparisons -- I use it often to find the best deal on a particular pair of shoes, etc. You also can sign up for daily e-mail alerts for deals on your favorite designers. Check it out!

Janet Bennett Kelly: Thanks for the suggestion. We'll do just that.

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Corn Field, Ill.: Just wanted to thank the poster who suggested looking at Patagonia dresses for summer weddings. I wasn't the original submitter, but I did buy several of the dresses, and they are awesome! I've worn them to several weddings this summer and even to work on some exceptionally hot days.

Holly Thomas: Glad you got good advice -- thanks for letting us know!

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Shopping your closet: Tell the Philadelphia person to call Margaret Lilly of Lilly's closet! She worked wonders for me.

Janet Bennett Kelly: For the chatter thinking of hiring a stylist, this chatter suggests Margaret Lilly of Lilly's Closet.

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Bethesda, Md.: Looking for a Bomber -- Nordstrom's Anniversary sale starts this week, and there are several leather jackets on sale. Here's a link to the catalog. Some of them even come in plus sizes.

Janet Bennett Kelly: For the chatter in search of a leather jacket, Nordstrom's has several on sale. Check it out.

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Me, too: I, too, have a purply-pink dress, and was thinking I'd wear silver shoes? I have July and August weddings I was planning on wearing it to (different crowds)...what color purse should I get?

Janet Bennett Kelly: I'm not a fan of matchy-matchy, but since your dress is pretty colorful, I'd match the purse with the shoes. You don't want too many colors going on -- it's distracting.

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Washington, D.C.: If your office has a "no flip flop policy", I really wouldn't wear any shoes that exposes most of the foot. It's really not the most professional look, and any conservative office I've worked it would frown on any type of thong shoe.

Janet Bennett Kelly: Here's a comment on wearing thong-type sandals to the office:

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strapless bras: I have so much trouble finding a strapless bra that's comfortable, stays up, and doesn't make me look flat. Anyone have any suggestions?

Holly Thomas: I've heard rave reviews (and only a few so-so ones) about the Nubra, which you can find at most upscale lingerie shops and BareNecessities.com, as well as the comparable styles from Gap Body. Any chatters who can recommend a great option?

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Re: Bra straps in Norfolk: Hi! I've never had the problem with the straps falling off, but that may be because I've always worn Victoria's Secret bras that fit amazingly. Since you're out in Norfolk, go to the local mall and seek out one of the ladies with a measuring tape. She'll do a proper fitting and find you some bras based on your taste, lifestyle, body frame, etc. I really hope this works out for you because VS makes the best!!

Holly Thomas: A vote for Victoria's Secret for the chatter with problematic bra straps ...

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Rockville, Md.: Hi. I'm getting family pictures taken in two weeks. I'd like for my husband, me, and my one-year-old to match, but not completely, you know? How do you pick out coordinating outfits that will look good in portraits?

Janet Bennett Kelly: Hi, Rockville,

Did you see the Obamas on election night? Michelle Obama had a red and black dress, the president had a striped red tie, Malia wore a red dress and I think Sasha had some shade of red in her outfit. They looked great together.

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Unconventional help with oily facial skin: I have very oily skin. I know it sounds weird, but I heard the following from a dermatologist. I get relief from a facial with Milk of Magnesia! I actually paint it on with a small brush, leave it until it dries, then rinse off with warm water. Once or twice a week really helps keep down the oiliness.

Janet Bennett Kelly: Unusual solution, but if it works for your oily skin, why not?

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D.C.: Settle this, please.

In men's fashion --do socks and belt match the pants or the shoes?

Janet Bennett Kelly: The shoes.

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Arlington, Va.: Good morning! Here's a fashion/etiquette question. My boyfriend and I will be attending a wedding the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. It's a 3 pm wedding with reception to follow at a very nice winery. The families are very traditional and very Southern. It's easy to tell my boyfriend to wear a sharp suit, but what do I pack? I have a great strapless silk maxi dress from South Moon Under in blue tones, but that seems too informal; then again, 3 pm seems to early for a cocktail dress. Help!

Holly Thomas: Strapless, silk and maxi dress seem right on target -- I'd say if "blue tones" means a mostly solid color or very simple print, it should be fine paired with chic sandals and some tasteful gold or silver jewelry. If the dress is super-bohemian and paisley-printed or tie-dyed, you might have a harder time dressing it up for a traditional Southern wedding.

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Ties: When going from zero to daily with ties, it is easy to break the bank. My husband wears ties daily and is a clothes horse (I like to say he would wear a tux to the opening of an envelope). But ties were too expensive for our budget when he started out. We'd go to places like Marshall's and TJMaxx where ties were usually $5-15 each and found some great ones. Plus, if a fab tie only goes with one or two shirts, it's not a total waste of money (as opposed to finding a generic tie that goes with "everything"). So if you are building a tie collection, try some discount stores first, and don't be afraid to buy something unusual.

Janet Bennett Kelly: For the chatter searching for ties for her husband, here's a great suggestion -- try discount stores like Marshall's and TJ Maxx.

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Holly Thomas: For the chatter looking for ties, TheTieBar.com recently popped up on my radar -- you can shop by style, color, pattern or match a tie to the color of a suit, and each one is $15.

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Arlington, Va.: Dear "pushing 30":

I recommend the new sunscreen formulation for the face from LaRoche-Posay. It has "anthelios" and an SPF of 60. It has a really thin, liquid consistency, but dries to a powdery finish. It is great for protecting your skin while not adding extra shine.

"Pushing 40"

Holly Thomas: Thanks for the suggestion!

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To "pushing 30": I have recently pushed past 30, and have similar skin issues to the poster--very oily and break-out prone, but I can't use the harsh stuff made for teenagers. I have had great luck with Dermologica's Medibac Clearing line. They also have an oil-free matte sunscreen.

Holly Thomas: More sunscreen recommendations ...

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Alexandria, Va.: Hello, fashion gurus! A late question, I know, but I have a pair of (patent) leather shoes that are just a bit too tight. I have tried to break them in, and broken some blisters instead! Is there a place that can stretch them out? Can one even stretch patent leather? They're such cute shoes, I'd hate to give them up! Thanks!

Janet Bennett Kelly: Alexandria,

Patent leather will stretch some but not a lot. You could bring them to your local shoe repair store and ask whether it's possible to stretch them more. I feel your pain about giving them up. But blisters are painful.

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Bedford Falls, N.Y.: OK seriously I'm trying to win the night serum and so here's my advice for removing stains from silk blouse for previous poster: crush an aspirin on stain and then put some diluted ammonia on the area -- wait for it to dry and brush away the stain. Hope this helps (the person with the stain and my chances at the night serum because I'm really very wrinkly)!

Holly Thomas: Thanks for the tip!

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Whoa!: Sorry, but in men's fashion, the socks actually need to match the pants! As for the belt, it depends on his proportions. If he needs to elongate his torso, he can try to get a color that works better with his top. Otherwise, working with the pants or shoes is fine.

Janet Bennett Kelly: I stand corrected.

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Washington, D.C.: What is the final verdict on if it is okay to wear a knee length dress to black tie wedding? I get a lot of conflicting answers. Thanks!

Holly Thomas: I think the answer depends mostly on what's going on with the rest of the dress -- for example, a knee-length black silk sheath is light-years apart from a knee-length summer wrap dress. Take the color, fabric and cut into consideration -- if you'd wear it to an after-dinner cocktail party, you should be safe to wear it to a black-tie wedding.

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NYC: I need to get my fiancé a nice suit for our wedding. Looking to spend no more than $600. Any thoughts?

Janet Bennett Kelly: When's the wedding? If it's soon, there are tons of sales going on at department stores and you should be able to get a good suit for that price.

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Family pictures: Rockville, my sisters and I took a group picture a few years back (there were 4 of us of different ages) and we all picked a shade of one color to wear -- we went with purple. It turned out really cute. Might be too matchy for you, but it could work.

Janet Bennett Kelly: For the family picture, here's a chatter who went with shades of purple.

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Midwest: Are denim skirts out, or are they still okay? I'd like to get something in a darker wash, just above the knee -- I think it would be really handy for weekends and casual summer events. However, I didn't know if they were dated or not. Thanks!

Holly Thomas: A dark denim pencil skirt can definitely work as a timeless summer piece -- try it with flat sandals and a crisp white button-down. Or go for a slightly higher hemline and looser cut with flat brown leather boots and a simple white tee.

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Janet Bennett Kelly: We gotta go. Thanks for joining us today. The chatter from Bedford Falls, NY, who advised how to get a stain out of a silk blouse, you're the lucky winner of the advanced night serum (hope it helps!) And for the chatter who suggested discount stores as places to look for ties, the Summer Soles liners are yours. Just send us a note with your address to fashion@washpost.com, and we'll get those goodies right out. See you in two weeks.

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