Up in Arms Over Dresses for Summer
Dear Fashion Police: My favorite annual gripe is summer dresses. I am a woman “of a certain age,” who, while possessing a good enough figure, should never again bare her upper arms in public. Every year at this time, department stores are a sea of sleeveless or short cap-sleeve dresses. Don’t they know there are many women who would love a few extra inches of fabric? I have not bought a summer dress at a department store for years and probably never will again because of this shortsightedness.
--ARMED AND DANGEROUS
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Dear Armed: We’re sure there are armies of women who would love sleeves on their summer dresses, but hey--people in hell want ice water.
But hope springs eternal. We know there will come a day when consumers won’t always be at the mercy of designers and manufacturers.
Until then, the majority of those dresses will be sleeveless. Summers are usually warm, after all. But don’t despair--we have two ideas that may work for you.
First, see if you can find a sleeveless dress that has a bit of extra room in the bodice (the top). This might allow you to wear a T-shirt underneath.
Or you could wear the dress with a light shawl in silk or linen. Granted, this won’t work if you’re running around doing errands or gardening, but for parties or an evening out, it just might do the trick.
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Dear Fashion Police: Help! I am a woman who is going to a high school reunion in September that is an evening affair. The dress is “party/casual.” What should I wear?
--GRADUATE
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Dear Grad: Is there no end to these wacky interpretive dress codes? This “party/casual” oxymoron conjures up horrible images like an evening gown with tennis shoes or jeans with one of those fake tuxedo-front T-shirts.
What the host probably meant was something on the dressy side, but not over the top. The weather will be a factor, but we’re thinking something between a short day dress and a full-on cocktail or dinner dress. Instead of black, opt for some color, and add some fun accessories--such as a silk shawl or costume jewelry--if that’s your style.
If you opt for pants, bypass jeans in favor of slim-fitting pants and a sweater (tunic, cardigan or jewel-neck Angora), a colorful blouse (worn tucked or untucked) or a cropped jacket and top.
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Dear Fashion Police: When I was young, I was taught that a gentleman always removed his cap when entering a building and at the dinner table. Ball caps are very popular in today’s society. Does this rule still apply?
--MANNERED
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Dear Mannered: Yes, it does--despite the fact that we live in a society that is becoming more casual by the minute. But just because more men are doing it doesn’t mean it’s OK.
Baseball caps should always be removed when entering a building. That’s the rule if you’re at Carnegie Hall or Taco Bell. Shame on older men who do this and should know better, shame on younger men for not caring enough to learn the proper etiquette, and shame on their parents for not teaching them. There, I think we’ve covered just about everyone.
Some men wear baseball caps so often that they become almost an extra appendage. Whether these men do it to shade their skin from the sun, or because they like the look or the cap hides a receding hairline, it doesn’t matter. If you don’t want the world to know you’re going bald, stay home.
Those exempted from this rule are men undergoing medical treatment that has caused their hair to fall out. They may feel uncomfortable being hatless in public. They may keep their hats on. The rest of you, off with them!
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Write to Fashion Police, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, fax to (213) 237-4888, or send e-mail to socalliving@latimes.com.
