This question rolled in just as I was about to issue a bulletin on this very subject …
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: My son is getting married in November. I’m wearing a black knee-length sequined sheath. I have an old pair of black sequined pumps that will look fabulous with the dress. I would prefer to wear pantyhose since it is November and also because the shoes are a little tight. Are bare legs still the way to go, or is hosiery OK. And if so, what color would you suggest?
— Sharri B.
Dear Sharri: I have just refined my advice on this frequent question, thanks to some personal trial and error over the past two weeks. The most frequent questions put to The Angel have something to do with what to wear to a wedding. One common dilemma is whether bare legs are the chic option or is hosiery now OK.
In the past I’ve pointed out that bare legs (even in chilly weather) have been popular on runways, red carpets and in fashion layouts, which set the trends. I have advised readers that while bare legs are fine even at the most formal events, hosiery also is perfectly acceptable as long as it’s skin tone and sheer.
I’ve just returned from a wedding where I wore my new bargain ($10!) black sequined mini and consignment store jeweled black shoes (also $10). I was planning to go barelegged. After I put on the dress and was almost out the door, my spouse gently suggested that bare legs were not such a great choice. Another look in the mirror told me that he was completely right. We headed for the wedding, but I made an emergency stop at Macy’s, where I bought two pairs of pantyhose, one black, one flesh tone and raced up the escalator and into the ladies’ room to try them out. The black ones were fabulous, and I urge you to buy some black ones for your son’s wedding.
The very next weekend I had another wedding with another glittery (mostly silver) consignment store dress (new, with tags, $69). I had planned to go with bare legs to this one too, but after the previous week’s experience, I knew I would look better with hose. Before leaving the house this time, I tried on both colors of hosiery and found that the flesh tone looked great and the black was way too dark and offered too much contrast with the dress.
This recent experience has taught me that women generally are better off wearing sheer hosiery to fancy affairs instead of going barelegged. If you’re not sure of the color, try on both flesh tone and black hosiery with the dress you plan to wear and take a hard look in the mirror before you make a choice.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I really love the lightweight printed cotton fabric handbags; however, I would like to know if they can only be carried when wearing solid color clothes or if they can be carried with printed clothes in the same color family as the handbag. I would very much appreciate a reply.
— Sally M.
Dear Sally: Pattern mixing has been big for the past few years and is still going strong. So, feel confident in carrying that patterned bag with patterned clothes. Right now, anything goes. Some of the combos I see in stores seem to clash, but they’re considered high fashion. And if you doubt me, while you’re waiting in line at the grocery store, thumb through Elle, Vogue, Marie Claire, and you’ll see what I mean.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: When putting on necklaces I have a difficult time with clasps. Is there such a thing as a stretchy necklace (for casual wear) that will go over your head and around the neck for people in a hurry?
— Fed Up With Jewelry Clasps
Dear Fed Up: I’m fed up too! Just recently, I had to get out pliers to remove my Kate Spade necklace and had a frustrating 20-minute wrestling match trying to put on a delicate gold necklace from Tiffany. Why do designers pay so little attention to such important issues as putting on and taking off the jewelry they sell us?
Yes, there are thousands of elastic necklaces out there. Search www.etsy.com for “stretch necklace,” and you’ll see loads of options.
Another alternative, of course, is to buy necklaces with long chains to slip over your head without fiddling with the clasp. Charming Charlie (www.charmingcharlie.com) has many styles. Also, I’ve had good luck with magnetic necklace clasps that are easy to install on your existing costume jewelry. Find them for under $10 at www.amazon.com.
For your high-end jewelry, a jeweler can replace the Houdini clasp with something that mere mortals can use. And, although you didn’t ask, check out YouTube for videos on how to use a paper clip to enable you to put on those bracelets that you’ve given up on.
Angelic readers
Barbara B. introduced me to a product I didn’t know existed: “The answer to covering arms while wearing sleeveless tops and dresses is the Sleevey Wonder (www.sleeveywonders.com)” They’re pricey ($44-$75) but worth a look.
Reader rant
“Blonde lament: Why do drugstores stock each type of mascara in three different shades of black, but will carry maybe only one type of brown mascara (which is usually not waterproof)? Many women don’t want ‘doll eyes’ or ‘butterfly lashes.’ The Kardashian look doesn’t appeal to everyone. Tip: When my brown mascara starts drying out, I use it to darken my brows. That’s why waterproof brown mascara is so important to me.”
— Karen C.
Now it’s your turn
Send your questions, rants, tips, favorite finds — on style, shopping, makeup, fashion and beauty — to answerangelellen@gmail.com.
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