Iris Apfel poses backstage at Monse - Sept. 2016 - New York Fashion Week at Art Beam on Sept. 9, 2016, in New York City.
Astrid Stawiarz | Getty Images (TNS)
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: How do I decide if I’m wearing too many accessories? The other day I was going to a fancy dinner so I wore rhinestones: earrings, necklace and a rhinestone belt. My boyfriend laughed out loud and said it was way too many rhinestones for one outfit. After he said that, I took off the belt (which I thought looked cute). Who was right?
— Melissa H.
Dear Melissa: Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but often it’s better left unsaid. There is no right answer to accessorizing. The quote attributed to Coco Chanel goes something like, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take off one thing.” I’m not convinced she said that, nor that it is always the right thing to do. Look at photos of Iris Apfel, who, at age 101, is a fashion icon. She is the embodiment of more-is-just-right when it comes to accessorizing.
Speaking of looking in the mirror …
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: On a recent vacation cruise, I saw a woman at breakfast wearing running tights that were almost the exact same color as her skin tone. She was wearing a longish top that covered (barely) her rear. I did a double take, thinking she wasn’t wearing pants! Will you please tell your readers they should avoid tights that mimic the color of their skin?
— Elizabeth L.
Dear Elizabeth: Consider it done! My advice always is to look in the mirror before you leave the house. It’s simple to do and it can save us all from embarrassing mistakes.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I’m confused about a new style I’ve been seeing for spring/summer. What’s up with blazer jackets without sleeves? Or sleeveless vests worn as tops (without a shirt underneath). To me, it looks like something is missing.
— Jenni B.
Dear Jenni: Your reaction is an understandable response. Remember the “cold shoulder” rage years back where women wore tops with a cutout leaving the shoulder bared but arms covered? At the time, they too looked like “something was missing.” Some women still favor these tops. They’re cooler in the heat and cover the upper arm, which isn’t usually a woman’s best feature. In many cases you could wear a regular bra without concern about showing the straps.
That said, you don’t see these open-shoulder tops much in stores anymore. Same goes for the jacket without sleeves and the vest without a shirt beneath. They’ll be in style for a while, but they’re not worth a big investment if you want to be in style a few years from now.
Angelic Readers 1
Mindy F. writes, “For your reader who wasn’t happy about her hairstylist using a brush to blow-dry her hair without sanitizing it between clients, I would have no problem handing my stylist MY round brush to use to style my hair with. Problem solved.” From Ellen: Hairstylists often are quite picky about the tools they use, so this might not work, but give it a try.
Angelic Readers 2
From Carol L.: “In response to your reader who wrote about thigh chafe, I’d like to recommend a new product from Monistat Care: Chafing Relief Powder Gel. It works great! The price on amazon.com ($20.69 for 1.5 ounces) often is less than drugstores charge.”
Reader Rant
From R.K.: “I give up! I have a closet full of beautiful shoes from designer to midrange to no-name in size 11 narrow that still fit beautifully. But, when I go to stores now, or buy online, the ‘narrows’ fit like mediums or wides, and my toes and/or heels hang over the edges! I’ve actually tried on size 12 and 13 narrows that are too short and too wide. Shoe stores say their selections are being reduced or not available. But the sizes? I can’t put an insole into a sandal to make it fit better if my toes hang over and I slide out of the shoe.”
Send your questions and rants – on style, shopping, fashion, makeup and beauty – to [email protected].
