High-Waisted Woman in Search of Her Perfect Match--in Blue Jeans
Dear Fashion Police: I am a 42-year-old woman, 5 feet, 6 inches and a size 8, and I cannot find a pair of jeans that fit. The problem is that I am fairly high-waisted and practically all of the jeans that I have tried recently are not. I’ve tried buying a size larger, but the rise still isn’t right, and the waist gapes a lot. I have tried on jeans for tall women, but then the legs are too long. Where can I find some jeans that fit and won’t cut off my oxygen when I sit down?
--WHAT A WAIST
Dear What: It sounds like you’ve already been through the first suggestion we usually give for something like this: Try on a bunch of different types of jeans to see which work best. Since you’re still jeans-less, we’ll skip to our second suggestion: Levi’s Original Spin program, where you can create your own custom jeans for $55. Starting with a base model, you can choose everything from how you want it to fit to the color and weight of the denim, fly style, and length.
The only caveat is that you’ll have to go to one of their stores that has the program, so if you live in California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Illinois New York, Texas, Virginia or Washington, you’re in luck. You can find out more about Original Spin via the Web site: https://www.us.levi.com, or call (800) USA-LEVI.
If any jeans-wearers would like to offer suggestions on where else to find high-waisted denim, we’d love to hear from you.
*
Dear Fashion Police: Now that we are in the holiday season, I painfully recall your sartorial advice regarding office Christmas parties. You nixed all appropriate attire (such as trousers with subtle pattern of holly, or virtually anything with seasonal colors). I hope you will reconsider. Must a holiday party resemble a wake, with all the women in black and all the men in dark suits?
--NOT A GRINCH
Dear Not: Don’t you think you’d know better after all this time than to misquote the Fashion Police? Honestly. To accuse us of nixing “all appropriate attire” and encouraging women to dress in black and men in dark suits . . . it’s too much, it really is. Excuse us for just a moment.
Now then. What we did say was this: People invited to office holiday parties should not use the occasion to stray far from their regular work attire in an attempt to show people what lies beneath. In other words, if you’re a pinstriped-suit kind of guy, it’s best not to show up to the party wearing your full-on Gene-Simmons-from-KISS outfit to let everyone know how much you love ‘70s glam rock.
I also suggested staying “within the confines of good taste.” We realize that can be interpreted so many different ways, but Christmas ties that light up and jingle bell jewelry aren’t in the realm.
Why all of this advice? Because an office party is not the time to show your co-workers what a wacky stylemeister you are. The higher-ups may be watching to see how you handle yourself in social settings--how much you drink, how you interact with people, and whether you dress appropriately, or like a Vegas hooker.
Think of this as an opportunity to show everyone how you can really pull yourself together. Stores now are filled with beautiful holiday clothes. If a dark suit seems too funereal, try a leather jacket (one with lapels or a zip front) or three-button sport coat with a jewel-tone silk shirt and slacks. For something even more casual, go for a turtleneck sweater with some pleated or slim, flat-front pants.
Women can break out of the little black dress thing and try pantsuits or separates (sweaters or blouses with pants or skirts) in some of the brighter tones being offered this season: hot pink, ivory, moss green. There are accessories galore to choose from, including embroidered shawls and beaded handbags--certainly enough of everything that no party has to resemble a wake.
*
Write to Fashion Police, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, fax to (213) 237-4888, or send e-mail to socalliving@latimes.com.
