So let’s talk about how strongly everyone feels about velour. I had no idea I was courting such controversy by mentioning the full velour jogging suit.
First, I will confess that I still have both the velour pants and the jacket in my possession. I don’t know that I will ever wear them at the same time, but if I do I will keep in mind that many of you would tell me I look like either a cheap tramp or an octogenarian.
Secondly, I do tend to agree that the velour works better as separates. Although one of the girls on “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team” (which really deserves a whole post to itself) had on a bright yellow one and I thought she looked darling.
Third, I don’t really have a third thing. Oh, except to tell you that I’ve also ordered some velour pants in hot pink. But did not order the matching jacket. I have my limits.
The good news is that every time I wear my velour pants, I will think of “Nacho Libre” and say, “When you are a man, sometimes you wear stretchy pants in your room. It’s for fun.”
Now for the questions.
1. TNS asks: “The question I want to ask is if you can wear black and brown together? Sometimes I pair it together and wonder if it’s a big mistake.”
A few weeks ago I stated that wearing brown and black together was a mistake and then I asked the stylist/color wheel expert while I was in Nashville and she told me that they can, in fact, be worn together.
The key is to keep it simple and make sure it all blends together. Don’t just throw on a pair of brown shoes with some black pants. Think along the lines of a nice black sweater with some chocolate brown pants and some black boots. Maybe throw in a leopard print belt for fun.
2. Nicole and Barbara both asked a similar question: “I’ve noticed that scarves seem to be really popular this year. I’m sure you’re not ready to wrap a scarf around your neck in Texas yet, but can you give me some suggestions for putting this look together?”
I am a huge fan of the scarf. The right scarf can pull a totally plain outfit together and make it fab. Plus, they are very versatile.
True story. I wore a hot pink scarf when I went to Deeper Still Las Vegas and then wore it on the plane on the way home. The plane got cold and I totally used my scarf as a blanket. It was brilliant and didn’t instill any kind of germophobia like when I consider using a blanket provided by the airline.
Here are a few cute scarves and some examples of how to wear them.
The best part is you can just throw on jeans, a long sleeve tee and wrap a scarf around your neck and you have yourself an outfit.
It’s almost as easy as a velour jogging suit.
3. Laurie and Rena both asked the same question: “Is there any type of shoe that is comfortable AND stylish for fall and winter?”
Oh yes, there is such thing as a comfortable shoe.
The sad reality is you won’t find it at Target. Or Payless.
The good news is I don’t think you have to pay a fortune to get it.
I just bought these the other day and they are very comfortable, yet totally affordable. They are basically the replacement for my black Reef flip-flops that I wore all summer long.
If you’re looking for some cute sneakers, you may want to try these. I tried them on the other day and they are so comfortable, plus they come in a lot of fun colors. I’m also a big fan of Converse, although they aren’t quite as comfortable.
But the real problem is that sometimes a girl needs something a little dressier which usually means something with a heel.
(Just for the record, when I just typed “heel” the first time, I typed “hell” instead. Coincidence? I think not.)
Heels are a little trickier. Part of the problem is that once your foot gets used to being in flat shoes all the time, it gets angry when forced into a shoe with a heel. It starts a revolt that begins in your toes and ends in your arch. Feet have to be heel-trained.
Back in my days as a pharmaceutical rep, I could walk a million miles in the highest heels you’ve ever seen while carrying a fifty pound bag filled with drugs. When I re-read that sentence I realize it sounds like I was working in some other sort of profession. Anyway, the point is it takes some dedication to wear heels on a regular basis.
However, here are a few pairs of boots and shoes that will hopefully prove to be fairly comfortable.
If not, you can always just carry these in your purse just in case.
4. Ashleigh asks: “What’s up with formal fashion these days? I don’t exactly want to look like I’m going to the prom, but I also don’t want to look like I’m 45 when… I’m not. Any ideas?”
Sadly, I don’t know what’s up with formal fashion these days, but I can assure you it doesn’t involve a velour jogging suit.
The last formal event I attended was close to a decade ago because P and I are very fancy people. But since I like to play pretend, I’ll show you what I might wear if I had an occasion more formal than say next month’s PTO meeting.
I love this. Or something simple like this could be beautiful with the right accessories. Or this is great because it is versatile.
And if this counts as formal fashion, then I would have to have it. I only wish it came in black or some gorgeous red color.
Really you can’t go wrong. Just find something that makes you feel beautiful and you will be.
Have fun. And maybe email me to let me know what people do at formal events.
And I’ll email you back and tell you what people do at crawfish boils.
That’s it for this week.
Y’all have a great Friday.