Transitional Pieces Help Us Weather Change
Dear Fashion Police: A few weeks ago it was very warm (about 80 degrees if not more) and I looked in my closet and decided to wear a David Dart black linen jacket with matching black linen pants. When I put it on, even though the weather was perfect for this outfit, I felt rather silly wearing linen in November, so I took it off. I’m from New York City and I’ve always been aware that white shoes after Labor Day were verboten. Even though I am not a fashionista, I was just wondering what your thoughts were on this linen-in-winter question.
--WEATHER OR NOT?
Dear Weather: Kooky weather--including summer-like days in what should be the dead of winter--throw a monkey wrench into our wardrobe planning. One day you’re frolicking in shorts, the next you’re huddling in a wool coat.
It would be nice to be able to tuck away the tank tops and capris once that first nip of coolness hits, but alleged global warming patterns recommend doing otherwise. So instead of sending one season’s worth of clothes into complete hibernation, keep a few transitional pieces out to wear when the weather can’t make up its mind. Microfiber pants and skirts, mid-weight jackets, cotton cardigans and mid-weight sleeveless tops or T-shirts (for layering under jackets and sweaters) are a few things to have at the ready. Scarves and shawls are great for adding a touch of warmth.
Although you may have felt awkward in that linen pantsuit, we’re not offended by it. We’re less concerned with the fabric than we are the style and color. If, for instance, you had worn a pastel lavender linen pantsuit or a flowery sundress, we might take issue. But we actually keep a couple of washed linen pieces for transitional wear and find them to be perfect pieces for those odd warm days.
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Dear Fashion Police: I am writing to you on behalf of my daughter. She’s at her wits’ end regarding buying clothes. She’s 20 years old, 5 feet 8, and has very wide shoulders. She has lost a substantial amount of weight through diet and exercise, although she still has a long way to go. However, since the weight loss her clothing is not fitting her properly. Things that fit her lower figure don’t fit her shoulders and chest. She’d like a winter coat and other clothing that flatter her figure. But a jacket or coat which fits her shoulders is too loose at the waist and hips, and one which fits her waist and hips is too tight at the shoulders. Where can she find something that will be flattering as well as comfortable? She doesn’t have a lot of money.
--IT’S NOT FITTING
Dear It’s: Your daughter has the opposite problem of many women--they’re broad on the bottom, narrower on the top, often referred to as “pear-shaped” by all those figure flaw-obsessed fashion magazines. Your daughter is an “inverted triangle.”
She needs to use the right kinds of clothes to balance her proportions. Her problem with coats, actually, should prove easy to remedy. Have her look for belted coats, which are everywhere this season. Find ones that fit her upper body, and the extra volume below can be taken care of with a cinch of the belt.
We found a short belted trench at Eddie Bauer for $59.99 (www.eddiebauer.com), a long, belted, lined trench from Spiegel for $199.99 (www.spiegel.com) and a gorgeous belted notch-collar Donna Karan “cocoon coat” at eLuxury.com (www.eluxury.com) that breaks her budget at $597.
Cruising through the mall the other day we also noticed belted coats at BCBG and Max Mara stores. And we’re sure the venerable label London Fog has at least a few belted coats and trenches.
Since your daughter is pinching pennies we suggest she start checking out sales and big chain discounters such as TJ Maxx, Loehmann’s and Ross Stores. Have her look for coats with drop-shoulder sleeves or raglan sleeves (with set-in seams slanting from the neck to the underarm,) which will allow her more room up top.
As for other pieces, she should stick with slim-fitting tops, sweaters and blouses, and balance those with fuller bottoms, such as pleated pants and roomy skirts. She should avoid accessories such as colorful scarves and chunky necklaces, which will draw attention to her upper body.
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Write to Fashion Police, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles CA 90012, fax to (213) 237-4888, or send e-mail to jeannine.stein@latimes.com.
