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Fashion Questions: Fashion Questions About Color

Cathie Answers
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Fashion and Style Questions

I am going to a wedding 1st week of May and have a medium blue cocktail dress that is about 6-8 inches below the knee. Wedding is in NJ.. What color and type of shoe should I wear & also what color stockings?

          

With a medium blue dress you have several options. You can try metallic, beige, off white or black patent leather.

Since the wedding is in New Jersey and the weather may be cool you can wear a sling back or pump style shoe with nude color hosiery. You can wear sandal style shoes but without stockings. Today the young women do not wear hose. You look dated and web footed when you wear hose with sandal or peep toe shoes. If you decide to go with sandals get a pedicure and apply bronzer to white legs.


I'm trying to make a decision on this pair of Steve Madden cowboy boots. I've ordered both the dark brown and the cognac, and I can return whichever one I don't
want free of charge, but I'm worried that even when they arrive I won't be able to make a decision. At first I thought the cognac would look more "cowboy-ish", but the more I look at the darker ones, the more I think they look more authentic. I'm planning to wear them mostly with jeans and cutoffs, and I tend to not tan very much if that makes any difference!

Can you recommend one or the other? You can base it on color or what it'll go with or anything, and obviously I'm not asking you to make a final decision here, but any
advice you can give me would be great!

Since you are planning to wear these boots with jeans and cutoffs and you have fair skin the lighter color might look better than the dark brown. With that said try both pairs on with your cutoffs and see which pair flatters you the most.


I am wearing a midnight blue bridesmaid dress that is cocktail length to a May wedding. What color pantyhose or tights would go?

You might want to check with the bride to see what style shoes she would like the bridesmaids to wear. Tights are a little heavy looking for a May wedding. With a midnight blue bridesmaid dress wear nude (skin color) stockings and pumps or sling back style shoes. If you are wearing sandals or peep-toe style shoes don't wear stockings, it is not considered stylish today. If you don't wear stockings get a pedicure and use bronzer on white legs. You might want to read "Are Stockings Obsolete?"


What color shoes to wear with a navy dress and colored blazer?

         

You can wear black patent leather shoes and a black patent leather handbag. Of course you can wear navy shoes with a navy dress and colored (red, green, pink, etc.) blazer. You can then carry a navy handbag or a bag that is the same color as the blazer.


I'm going to a wedding in Texas the first week of March. I'm planning to wear a little black dress with a wrap. I don't know if I should wear sandals or pumps and what color of hosiery I should wear, black or nude?

     

You can wear pumps or sandals with your “LBD.” Since it is spring choose nude color stockings. As far as shoe style black or silver metallic* shoes can be worn. If the weather is cold and you may want to wear sheers and black pumps. Sandals are perfectly correct also but you don’t wear stockings with sandals. (You will get a web footed look with hosiery.)

Other choices would be sling backs with nude sandal foot sheers or peeptoe style shoes without stockings.

If you decide on sandals or peep toes get a manicure and use a bronzer on white legs.

Always look in the mirror to decide which combination looks best on you.

* If you want to wear silver metallic go with sandal style shoes. A silver metallic pump might be too much.

I am trying to make a "rocking outfit". I have a black/white graphic tee with silver studs, an over-sized gray cardigan sweater and black suede boots. I am going to buy jean leggings to go inside the boots. What color should I get?

  From the description of your outfit, black jean leggings or just black leggings would be my choice.


I'm wearing a jewel tone dress with a black patent belt in early March. I have a great pair of black patent peep toe heels. Can I wear black tights with the
peep toe pumps or do I need to wear a closed toe shoe?

It is very stylish to wear black tights with peep toe style shoes. Be sure to try your dress, tights and shoes on, check in the mirror and be sure it looks good together and flattering on you.

       


I have a navy blue top that I plan to wear with white pants. What style and color of shoes should I wear with this color combination?

                            

You have a number of choices. You can wear skin tone shoes with a matching purse, black patent leather shoes and matching handbag, or a metallic shoe with a navy handbag or matching metallic handbag. Navy shoes and a navy, navy & white or white handbag would also work. If you can find shoes in white that match your pants exactly you can carry a colored handbag like red. Wear white shoes in warm weather climates and spring & summer seasons.

You can wear a classic pump or platform pump style anytime. If you are going someplace fancy you can wear sling backs, peep-toes, or sandal style shoes. Let me know if we can be of more help.


I am going to a formal wedding on New Year's Eve. I want to wear a long velvet skirt and a chiffon blouse. The top is a matte black (a lined bodice and sheer sleeves) and the skirt, being velvet, is a deep black. My question is can I wear different shades of black together?

      
Yes you can mix different shades of black. Velvet and chiffon are a great combination. Be sure the outfit flatters your figure type and age.


What color of stockings and shoes should I wear with a dark red satin cocktail dress?

       

With a dark red dress you can wear black shoes and black sheer or nude color stockings.

If you have attractive legs and would like to call attention to them try wearing dressy stockings with simple style black shoes (pumps or slingbacks).

You could also try black suede shoes with sequins or other decorations with sheer stockings. Again you will draw attention to your leg and ankle areas.

Metallic shoes might be an option also. Try some different combinations to see which is most flattering on you.

Sandal style shoes would also work but you can't wear stockings with them without looking web footed. If you want to wear sandals with the dress get a pedicure and wear a bronzer on your legs if they are white.

If the weather is cold wearing a closed toe shoe will be more comfortable.


I am planning on a Caribbean cruise during Christmas. Is it OK to wear white?

You can wear white all year long. It's a perfect color for cruising in the Caribbean. Just choose styles that flatter your figure type, and are appropriate for your age and the activity you will be doing.

Hello, I bought an outfit online, each piece being from a different retailer: a pink fur coat, a vintage pink and white stripe sweater dress and pink fur ear muffs. Although I knew that the picture resolution would vary between the websites, I still hoped that the products would arrive almost matching. My hopes were crushed when I discovered each item was light years away from matching the others. My question is, how can I still where this outfit while making it look like the different shades of pink were on purpose, what can I use to tie all these shades of pink together?

You might want to try and find shoes that match the pink ear muffs and that might pull it all together.

Looking at the photos you might be able to wear the dress (it's fabulous) with the jacket but forget the ear muffs. Maybe white ear muffs or pale pink (match the jacket) will work with the dress and jacket. You can also look for shoes that match the pink in the dress and wear the jacket but forget the hot pink ear muffs. Play around with some different combinations and see which look the best.



I am wearing a Nicole Miller knee length silver dress to a black tie event. What color shoes would look best with this?

You have a number of choices as far as color goes. However since it is black tie (formal), try silver metallic or black. Choose a dressy style shoe like sandals, peep-toes or sling backs.


Can I wear black tights with suede peep toe pumps to an evening wedding in December?

 

 Yes you can wear black tights with suede peep toe pumps to a December evening wedding.

 


I am wearing a black dress with dark purple shoes to a wedding. What do you recommend in the way of hosiery?

                                  

You have a number of options. Black tights, or black opaque stockings would look good with your black dress and dark purple shoes. Another idea would be sheer black hosiery. Try on the different options with your dress and see which looks best.


I recently purchased a leather "Coach" handbag on Sale (from the summer 2009 updated vintage collection). It is pale pink with a subtle hint of metallic in it. The sales clerk told me that I'd be able to use the bag year round. I'm reluctant to do so because of the color. Can I trust the clerk or did she just want to make the sale?

Yes colored handbags are the rage. You can wear a pale pink handbag with solid color outfits like navy, black, brown or gray.

If you are wearing separates, wear a solid color top, a blouse with pink in it, or choose a pink cashmere sweater. A neutral (khaki) color trench coat or jacket or the same color jacket or coat as your dress, pants or skirt will top your outfit off.


I am wearing a navy blue cocktail dress to a wedding in October. What style/color of shoe would look best?

As far as styles go, you can wear sandals, sling backs, peepholes, or pumps with a cocktail dress. Choose colors like silver (in sandal styles), black suede, black patent, or black satin.

Sandals are appropriate to wear all year long. However it is out of date to wear hosiery with them because you get a web footed look.

Black sling backs, peepholes, or pumps are stylish with navy blue. Black and blue combinations are very “now”!

Sling backs are more dressy than pumps but you can wear hosiery with both of these styles.

Also black opaque or sheer hose can be worn with with peep-toes or pumps.

Try different shoes and accessories on with your dress. See which
looks best and wear what you feel most confident in.


Is it acceptable to wear white pants or skirts after Labor Day?

  Yes, it is acceptable to wear white clothing after Labor Day. Off white looks more stylish in the winter.

I will be attending a very fancy evening wedding on Labor Day weekend. I have a beige dress with sheer over jacket. The dress is mid calf length. The jacket has some bead work and is about 4" shorter than the dress. I need to wear low heels. What color shoes and hose should I wear?

Low heeled metallic or beige sandals sound perfect. You might want to buy a few pairs and try them with your dress to see which look the best. You shouldn't wear stockings with sandals or you'll look web-footed. If you want to wear hose wear beige (match your dress) or metallic sling back shoes with skin color hosiery.


What color tights do you wear with gray, brown or black?

Black tights look good with grey, brown and black. Solid color tights are most versatile because they can be worn for casual and/or dressy occasions and go with everything. For casual events you might choose black ribbed tights or small/tiny patterns in black and brown that you can wear with black or brown or grey and black combinations. Try mixing and matching. Check the mirror to see what combinations look best before venturing out.

I am wearing a black skirt suit to a formal presentation later this week. I want to wear burgundy pumps with it. The suit is formal style, a fitted jacket with white collar and cuffs, and a below the knee skirt . What color hosiery should I wear?

Hanes has a stocking called “Barely Black.” It is a sheer black/gray color that would look great. Take a look at the color and see if you can find a similar color in the brand you like best. Nude or skin color would be my next choice.

What color underwear should you wear under white clothing like slacks, skirts and shorts; black, white or nude?


  Nude underwear is the best choice. However white usually works if the fabric of the clothing is opaque. Black underwear under white only draws attention to your butt. Black is a no, no.

Can I wear a bright red dress to my brothers September wedding?

The bride should be the center of attention at her wedding. A bright red dress might draw attention away from the bride. Consider a lighter color red or another color. If it is an evening wedding you can wear a black dress.


Ask Cathie Your
Fashion/Style Questions




This Skirt is
Too Short!
Not in good Taste.


Too much cleavge,
looks cheap!