It’s always great when we receive a listener email. It’s like we’re a modern yet less buttoned-up Dear Abby! Hope we’ve helped.
Dear Style Guys,
I would love it if you would do a segment on where young women can find appropriate, yet fashionable pieces for the office. It’s hard to find a skirt in this town that isn’t thigh high, make me look old or cause me to miss a mortgage payment. This is an on-going discussion with my professional female friends. We don’t know where to shop or how to turn classic business attire into stand-out business attire. When I visit big box stores that are in my price range I feel like screaming.
I live in a very nice neighbourhood which is home to mostly 45-55 women who have given up on fashion altogether. I see them hanging out in yoga wear carrying expensive bags. I fear I will become one of them.
I remember my mother looking so polished and well-dressed when I was a young but she used to sew her own classic and elegant wardrobe. She even sewed my high school graduation dress – a replica of Chanel dress I found in a magazine. It was stunning.
Please help,
Frustrated professional
Dear Frustrated,
Props to you for wanting to look stylish, professional and put together. It’s a jungle out there, for sure. Especially on a budget it’s not easy to what you’re looking for. Here are some tips:
– Find a tailor! Sometimes when you find that perfect number but it’s a bit too long or loose, just get it altered. Take it in, bring it up, cinch it where it needs to be cinched. Many women don’t use tailors and it’s a must. It’s not as expensive as you think, especially if you find an affordable piece of clothing.
– Accessorize with classic jewelry. You know that brooch your mother wears? Maybe you think it’s too old for you but in fact if you wear it in a more modern way you will turn heads and look like a million bucks. Try pinning a cute scarf, on a hat, or on a simple jacket (that you’ve had tailored).
– See a stylist, or just ask the shop-owners. Don’t be embarrassed about asking for help. We all get stuck in ruts and give up (well you do, we don’t). Let someone else pick out your clothes and try them on. Don’t turn your nose up at it until you’ve got it on in front of a full-length mirror.
– Buy your investment pieces in neutral colours. You won’t get away with wearing that red blazer more than once a month before you turn into, the girl with the red blazer. Buy black, grey and brown suiting and jackets, then spice them up with variety. These are the investment pieces so spend a little extra for top quality.
Love, the Style Guys
LISTEN TO THIS SEGMENT FROM FRIDAY OCTOBER 11, 2013:
