Have a clothing crisis? Are you style-impaired? Fashionably challenged? Unsure what trend to wear? Have no fear. TODAY style contributor Stacy London tackles some of your burning fashion dilemmas.
Q: I love the new cropped swing jackets but I have no clue how to wear them or if I even need to try. I'm 5-foot-2 and definitely not the size of a model. When I try them on I feel chunky, but they are so cute on the rack. Is there any hope for me? — Amanda Staggs, Pontotoc, Miss.
Dear Cropped Jacket Junkie, You are right: What looks cute on a hanger doesn't necessarily look good on you. If you are petite and curvy, cropped jackets, especially swing jackets, will not flatter your body proportions. Because these jackets are cropped, they break up the visual line of the body and make you look shorter and stouter instead of longer and leaner. Basically, it's like wearing a tent on your upper half.
If you have a large chest, this jacket only serves to exaggerate that area. In addition, these jackets have no discernible waistline, which is the key visual cue for creating a slimmer body silhouette. Instead, try a cropped trench that accents your waist — rather than adding volume to it — and hits at the hip. If you go for a more fitted silhouette in the torso and waist, you will look slimmer and your leg line will be longer, hence you will look taller in stature! And honestly, just as cute!
Jacket: NY & CO $69.95, magenta cropped trench available at NY & CO retail stores
Turtleneck: Zara $39, gray ribbed turtleneck available at Zara retail stores
Slacks: Banana Republic $98, martin fit lightweight wool trouser #583162 in black available at Banana Republic retail stores
Shoes: rsvp @ Zappos.com $154, Avonnah boot in black available at
Earrings: Marissa B Jewelry $60, smoky topaz available at all Von Maur stores 563.388.2200
Bracelet: Alanna Bess $488, Luna Bracelet multicolor zircon, black garnet, tourmalated quartz, 18k vermeil available at: Elliott Lucca $378, Estella Large Tote in Dove Patent available at
Q: Hi Stacy! Big fan! I'm 40 years old, tall and have great legs. I bought a pair of "skinny" jeans about seven months ago and I must say they look pretty good. I have yet to wear them in public because I'm a tad nervous. First, I'm not really sure what to wear them with. And second, am I too old? — Paige Eaton, Roanoke, Va.
Dear Jean Hipster, Of course you can wear skinny jeans at 40 IF you do indeed have the right body silhouette AND you wear them age appropriately. If you are naturally tall and slim, skinny jeans will flatter you. Dress them in a sophisticated, adult way. Don't try to chase your youth by wearing something JUST BECAUSE it's trendy. Skip the tank top and sneakers to avoid looking like an overgrown teenager and go for expensive-looking pieces like a silk blouse with boots and a luxurious camel coat. Make the jeans work for you both in fit and in age group. However, if you have a large chest, think twice. The bigger you are on top and the smaller you are on the bottom, the more you will have to use your clothes to bridge the proportional gap between the two. So, instead of a skinny jean, perhaps try a trouser jean with some width in the leg to BALANCE your top half. Otherwise, you are good to go!
Coat: Ann Taylor Loft $179, camel coat available at Ann Taylor Loft retail stores
Blouse: Banana Republic $79, silk tie-neck knot print blouse #606799 available at Banana Republic retail stores
Jean: UNIQLO $49.50, women's skinny-fit jeans in Navy available at Uniqlo Soho 546 Broadway, NYC or by calling 1-877-4UNIQLO order at www.Customer.Orders@uniqlo-usa.com
Earrings: Catalina De La Torre $180, 18k gold vermeil over silver, Swarovski crystal available atcatalinadelatorre.comRing: Anna Beck-Flores Collection $250, sterling silver and vermeil available by calling 1.818.487.7050
Handbag: Jamin Puech $11,800, Gouri — leather tote in havana brown available at: Jamin Puech NYC or by calling 212.431.5200
Q: I was watching "What Not to Wear" when you appeared horrified by the idea of wearing hose. I know it's not really the style now to wear nylons, but I have terrible spider veins on my white legs. What do I do now that skirts are knee-length and those veins are so obvious? Any advice? — Jill Jones, Effingham, Ill.
Dear Pale Legs, First of all, the only "hose" I really hate are the semi-sheer ones in "suntan" or "black." They look dated and remind me of a time when women would walk to work in their suits, those hose, white sweat socks and white leather aerobic sneakers. Blech. Might as well throw in a whole can of hairspray, too. Too ’80s! Stay away from anything that has a mid-range "denier" number that indicates the sheerness of the hose (10 is very sheer, 30 is semi-sheer and 50 is opaque).
I recommend a good self-tanner for the pale-leg situation, but also realize that won't help with spider veins. Look for opaque tights and try them in a subtle color, like a burgundy or deep purple, when wearing a neutral-color knee-length skirt or suit. They will hide your legs and add a visual punch to your outfits!
Jacket: T Tahari @ Macy's $218, Blanca jacket in gray melange available at select Macy's Blouse: Club Monaco $89, Paoloa shirt in white available at Club Monaco retail stores
Skirt: T Tahari @ Macy's $78, Bellona skirt in gray melange available at select Macy's
Opaque tights: Club Monaco $24, violet opaque tights available at Club Monaco retail stores
Shoes: Nine West $135, Boutique 9 Ginga dark red suede pump available at select Nine West retail stores and www.ninewest.com
Handbag: Nine West $79, Double Delight patent tote in black available at or by calling 1.800.999.1877 for stores
Q: I am 56, about a size 6-8. My daughter says never, unless tights. Sometimes in colder months I want something on my legs and tights aren't always the look I want. I understand in the summer with self-tanner, but what about the rest of the year? Thanks so much. — Barbara Rose, Charleston, W. Va.
Dear Great Pantyhose Debater! First, there's no need to fight with your daughter! As I said above, not all hose are bad. When looking for something to wear in winter, heavy wool tights are not the only option. There are many lightweight alternatives. One of my favorites is a textured nylon tight that is not much heavier in weight than regular pantyhose but is opaque and has a subtle pattern. These are great for work and weekend wear. Pair them with a satin blouse and skirt for work and use texture and shine to create a visually powerful outfit. Or wear them with a sweater and a denim skirt and boots on the weekend for a more country feel.
Jacket: Zara $79, black ruffled blazer available at Zara retail stores
Blouse: Banana Republic $79, silk eyelet blouse #606878 in red available at Banana Republic retail stores
Skirt: ESPRIT $109.50 tweed skirt available at select ESPRIT retail stores and
Textured tights: xhiliration @ Target $6.99, sparkle ribbed tights available at Target retail stores
Shoes: ALDO $70, Manoca patent oxford bootie in black available at and retail stores
Bracelets: Louie Louie $95, gold wire bangles with amethyst beads available at Halls, Kansas City 1.800-624.4034
Handbag: Zara Terez $260, Tudor City clutch in black Italian pebbled leather available at
Q: I'm in a wedding in December. We are wearing knee-length black cocktail dresses. Is it OK to go bare-legged in December? I hate pantyhose. — JoAnn Bryden, Lincoln, R.I.
Dear Bare-Legged in December, I love bare legs in all seasons, so if you want to go with bare, go for it. However, just remember there are great options for covering your legs in the evening. Fishnets never go out of style for cocktail attire. If you feel like those weigh down your legs, try a nude sheer hose with a black back seam. They are endlessly sexy and alluring and a great compliment to evening wear, especially if your dress shows a lot of skin on top.
Dress: ABS @ Lord & Taylor $190, Ladies Knit Dress in black available at Lord & Taylor department stores
Fishnets: H&M $12.90, fishnet stockings in Black available at H&M retail stores
Shoes: Paris Hilton @ Zappos.com $83, Chico heels in pewter available at
Necklace: Kenneth Jay Lane $200, jet crystal and black diamond braid necklace #4496NJCBD18 available at Saks 5th Ave Stores
Bracelet: RJ Graziano $125, gunmetal plate and jet stone cuff available by calling 212.685.1248
Handbag: Santi $220, mirrored stone clutch # FTB3194 in black/gray available at
Q: I am a curvy, petite woman (I'm 5'2") who also happens to be five months pregnant. Finding affordable maternity clothes that fit is a big challenge. Do you have any recommendations for maternity clothes that would both fit and flatter the curvy, petite woman? — Kristin MacLeod, Chelmsford, Mass.
Dear Bun in the Oven, Five months pregnant and petite and curvy? Make life easy on yourself and stick to dresses made with stretch materials that will grow with you. Many of the major maternity brands are now doing petite lines. And while mass retailers don't always do maternity for petites, you can find bargains that will be worth your while to take to a tailor for a few extra dollars and have them hemmed to the correct length! You don't need to buy oodles of stuff.
Remember that you can dress up plainer pieces with fun accessories. Wear stacked solid-heel boots for more support if you want to wear heels, and have fun with bags and jewelry. And congrats on your upcoming bundle of joy!
Dress: Mimi Maternity @ Destination Maternity $108, belted print sweater dress in red available atTights: Nine West $16.50 for 2 pairs, black opaque tights available at Nine West retail stores
Earrings: Alanna Bess $98, emerald-cut earrings in 14k vermeil and smoky quartz available at
Bracelet: RJ Graziano $185, gold plate 10-row bracelet available by calling 212.685.1248
Ring: Isharya $143, black wood and ruby available at
Handbag: Christian Livingston $115, patent croc tote in black #BH7009 available by calling 1.800.388.9711