Q: When is a woman too old to wear a jumpsuit? I see from the fashion coverage that these one-piece pants/top styles are back. (I had one in the ’80s and loved it.) But I worry that if I wear one now I’ll look silly. Help!
A: You’re never too old to wear a jumpsuit — as long as it’s not crazy tight and doesn’t make you look like you’re auditioning for a Catwoman role.
Look for styles that don’t cling. And here’s one important consideration: Remember that with these one-piece styles, every time you go to the ladies’ room you’re practically going to have to disrobe. And that’s kind of a pain.
Q: Where do you recommend small women find clothes? Many stores have eliminated petite departments or seriously cut back, which really irritates me. Trying to find petite small, a size 2 or 4 is next to impossible!
What do you suggest in the way of walk-in stores?
A: My most trusted resource when it comes to petites is my 5-foot, 100-pound, size-zero sister-in-law, Deb. Her favorite brick-and-mortar stores for petites are Nordstrom, BCBG, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Anthropologie and Topshop.
Selections vary a lot from store to store. She points out that the largest of these stores have better selections than smaller branches. (Their websites have even wider selections.)
H&M and Forever 21 have sizes that run small and often have trendy looks at good prices. A size small at those shops is often equivalent to a regular XS.
Frugal Deb adds, “Though I hate to say it, the best places for petite women to shop are smaller, high-end independently owned boutiques. Wait for sales and pounce.”
Deb says that Ann Taylor has good midprice business attire although the selection is limited. And Banana Republic is best for business basics. “Once you know the pant and jacket style that fits you, Banana Republic keeps the styles constant from year to year so you can order online with confidence,” Deb says.
Q: What is the difference between capris, crops, cutoffs and ankle pants?
A: It’s confusing isn’t it? Crops and ankle pants are the same thing, and you’ll find lots of them in stores now. These are tapered, slim-fitting pants that hit at or just above the ankle bone. They’re also called cigarette pants. It’s a style (in black) often associated with Audrey Hepburn.
Capris are pants that hit midcalf and are not usually tapered. Basically, they look like traditional slacks, but shorter. Ankle/crops/cigarette pants are a much more flattering alternative to capris.
Cutoffs are shorts (usually denim, often ultra short) that look like jeans that have been … cut off. They customarily have a ragged edge.
Bear in mind that some people, stores and catalogs use the words capri and crop interchangeably even though capris are shorter than crops.
Q: I am looking for a white short-sleeve top to wear with a nice business jacket. Not a T but made of a fabric (woven cotton?) that doesn’t show body “lumps.” Below-the-hip length.
A: And I thought this would be so easy! It wasn’t. And who knew that you could pay $950 for a plain white shirt (by Victoria Beckham).
It took a lot of looking but I found several reasonably priced options for you. Lands’ End (landsend.com) has a short-sleeve straight collar “sportshirt” ($20) or straight collar “blouse” ($29) that are traditional button-front styles in a cotton-poly blend generously cut to hide those lumps and bumps. The “square blouse” ($54) by Levi’s (levi.com) in cotton-poly also is a generous cut.
Mango (shop.mango.com) has a cotton-linen blend “chest pocket blouse” ($29.99) that could do the trick or, if you prefer a round neck, no-button model, consider Mango’s “textured blouse” ($29.99).
I'm an avid fashion enthusiast with a deep understanding of style, trends, and the intricacies of clothing choices. Having closely followed the evolution of fashion over the years, I can provide valuable insights and guidance on various fashion-related topics. Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article you provided.
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Jumpsuits for Women: The article suggests that women are concerned about when it's appropriate to wear jumpsuits. I would like to emphasize that age should not be a limiting factor when it comes to fashion. The key is to choose jumpsuits that are not overly tight and maintain a balanced look. The advice here aligns with the general principle of choosing clothing that complements one's body shape and personal style.
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Petite Clothing Recommendations: The article addresses the challenges faced by small women, particularly those looking for petite sizes like 2 or 4. Recommendations include popular stores such as Nordstrom, BCBG, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Anthropologie, and Topshop. Additionally, it suggests that smaller, high-end boutiques can be great for finding unique pieces. The importance of waiting for sales to make these high-end choices more affordable is also highlighted.
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Understanding Different Pant Styles: The article clarifies the confusion around terms like capris, crops, cutoffs, and ankle pants. It distinguishes between capris and crops, emphasizing that crops and ankle pants are essentially the same thing. This information helps readers make informed choices when shopping for pants, particularly those looking for a style associated with icons like Audrey Hepburn.
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Choosing a White Short-Sleeve Top: The article addresses the challenge of finding a white short-sleeve top suitable for business wear. It mentions several reasonably priced options, including Lands’ End and Levi’s, highlighting their generous cuts in cotton-poly blends that are designed to hide any imperfections. The mention of Mango and its cotton-linen blend provides readers with diverse choices for achieving a polished business look.
In summary, the article covers a range of fashion-related topics, addressing concerns and providing practical advice on jumpsuits, shopping for petite sizes, understanding different pant styles, and selecting business-appropriate tops. If you have any specific questions or if there's a particular aspect you'd like to explore further, feel free to let me know!
