Fashion Q&A: How can I get mom to ditch dorky 'uniform'?
By Jean Patteson
The Orlando Sentinel
(MCT)
Q: My mom wears a typical "mom uniform" all summer long. That means scoop-neck T-shirts, pastel cotton pants and sometimes a cardigan. She looks OK — not stylish, but OK — until she tries to dress it up with black patent-leather sandals and sheer black knee-highs. She looks like a dork. I think she would look better if she just wore flip-flops, but she won't do that. Can you tell her what kind of shoes to wear for a dressed-up look? She might listen to you.
A: I can make some suggestions, but it's up to your mom to decide whether they suit her. There's no such thing as one-style-fits-all.
I would definitely lose the black knee-highs with summer sandals. Dark hosiery works better with closed-toe shoes in the cooler months. Black patent sandals are in vogue right now — Mom got that right — but in my opinion they look best with black, white or bright clothes. They're a bit harsh with pastels.
What would I put with pale-colored pants? For a casual look, any shade of brown or one of the wonderful mid-tone colors that are popular this summer. To dress up Mom's outfits, how about sandals in silver, gold or bronze? They'd add a little shine without overwhelming the soft shades she favors.
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TEST MAKEUP ON FACE
Q: I have the worst luck choosing foundation. I can't find a color to match my face. It looks fine when I test it inside my wrist, but once I get home and put it on my face, it usually looks too pale. I just can't afford many more mistakes.
A: Your biggest mistake: not testing foundation on your face. You don't wear it on your wrist, so why test it there?
Dot and blend likely colors on your jawline, nose, cheeks and forehead. Buy the one that is closest to your skin tone in all four areas. Some women use two foundations — a lighter one on the bridge of the nose, across the top of the cheekbones and under the eyes; a darker one down the center of the face and blended outward.
And when shopping, take a hand mirror with you so you can step outside and check the foundation colors in natural light
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POCKET POLOS SCARCE
Q: Where have men's polo shirts with chest pockets gone? I can't believe every manufacturer would have eliminated pockets. Where's a guy supposed to put his pen or sunglasses? I have checked about every store in town with no luck.
If you cannot find those brands at the malls, you definitely will find them online. Type "pocket polo shirts" into the search box, and you should be delighted at how many pop up.
Meanwhile, readers, if you have seen men's pocket polos in stores, do tell where.
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LOST & FOUND
Lost: Mary is looking for a long-line bra, size 38C, with just two fasteners at the back, not the standard three. Suggestions?
Poppy is trying to track down skirts and pants by XCVI. Janey wants to know where she can find the "amazing" Organic Wear Eye Makeup Remover Pads that were supplied in a B&B she stayed in recently. She didn't note the brand name.
Felicity wonders whether anyone can recommend disposable garment shields to protect her clothing from perspiration.
Found: Lawrence can purchase Sculptees shape-wear tank tops and boxer briefs at most department stores.
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