To turtleneck or not...

Dear Fashion Andrea,

People compliment me on my long and thin neck, and tell me how great I'd look wearing turtlenecks. I understand that turtlenecks can be a great item, especially under jumpers or suits, and I know turtle necks would be a nice choice for my conservative business office. However, in addition to my long and thin neck, I also have a sizeable chest. I generally avoid high necked shirts because of this. So tell me Fashion Andrea - can I pull off wearing a turtleneck? I thought a black one with a straight collar (not a folded one!) might look best, but I still avoid them like the plague in stores! Help!

Sincerely,
ATP (or, Are Turtlenecks the Plague?)



Okay, ATP,

Here's my issue with the turtleneck. I feel as though a turtleneck says, "Hi, I'm to be paired with a mini jumper and be very mod from the 60s or with a shoulder padded jacket from the 80's." I am not a fan, but mind you, I have a moderately sizable chest as well. Here's the thing. Even with a small chest a really high neck will make your boobs look extra saggy or like they are coming out of your stomach. And neither is a flattering look. And, Sugar, you do have a lovely neck, but why would you want to cover it and your sexy clavicle? Instead why not try something a little more fun, and also something that Michael Kors would be more okay with- A cowl neck! But here's the thing, I know you and I know what you like to wear. A cowl neck is sexy, slightly revealing, but nothing that will give too much away. But, if you're feeling the need to try one, try one that isn't too high, but not a mock (because a mock just says evil villain in a James Bond movie). Make sure it shows off how long your lovely neck is, but it doesn't take away from anything. Try black first, then maybe move on to more bold colors (or camel. But you know how I love camel on you).

Men's shirts...

Today I was reading in gq about the fitted shirt on a man. I was looking through pictures of Taylor Lautner, wearing fitted button down with a skinny tie, and it made me realize (or just remember my passion) that I love men's clothes. It's not just sheer luck that a man is sexy. If a man knows how to dress themself, wears clothes that fit, and spends 5 minutes on his hair... WHOOO, sexiness is happening. And don't get me wrong, I know that a lot of women are totally team Jacob, but I am not. Here is my point and case- Taylor Lautner- not my cup of tea. But in a properly fitting dress shirt? He looks good. And beyond that, look at Alexander Skarsgard... Now, there's my cup of tea. But here's the thing. I know he's a big man, but his tie is too short. He's got a great fitting jacket, and the shirt is amazingly tailored to him... But the tie kills it all. It's too short. Don't get me wrong, like I said, my total cup of tea.

An update

If anyone was waiting on the edge of their seat for a new post, here's the explanation of my absence. I am working on a quilted purse complete with piping and I keep having to work on my machine. I will post pictures and everything, but here's a teaser. It's quilted but it is brown and robin's egg blue and baby pink and mint and there are deer every where. I'll post asap.

BACK!

I had to take a break, but I am back the night before Halloween. After I made cupcakes, of course. If you're wondering what I'm wearing tomorrow, I will be going as greed as part of the 7 deadly sins.

Anyway, onto my question of the evening. What is with all of the metallic shorts and pants I've seen lately? I've seen these things a lot lately and I have to say... shiny is not flattering. It kind of makes your (anyone's) ass look huge and it's just kind of silly. I know Halloween is tomorrow, but I don't think that there is any other day that shimery silver shorts should be worn. Especially sequined silver shorts.

I say this because I love Marie Claire, but I have to say, I'm pretty disappointed with the feature on shiny shorts. The other mentions of things like "Stripes are the new neutral" and shorts in fall really made me smile. But I think it's really fascinating how a print, stripes, has become so essential in the wardrobe that it is actually now being called a neutral. I know a lot of people don't like wearing stripes, but I think that stripes are for anyone (see my love of my striped boyfriend cardigan), you just have to find the ones you love. I know people say that it makes you look bigger than you are, but not if it fits properly.

Heels are great, but...

According to Nina Garcia, fashion guru, and my personal hero, Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars are a must have. Throw them on with a skirt, pants, jeans, shorts, leggings and a dress, they can suit. And think about it, you can get them in nearly every color, different patterns, and even design them yourself. They're a great utilitarian shoe. They work in a pit, painting, walking, running to a sale (or from paparazzi) and they aren't too expensive. You put in laces with pink broken hearts and gray brass knuckles in the classic black and white low tops, and they are no longer Chuck Taylors, they are Andrea's Chuck Taylors. One of my favorite past times is designing different ones on the website, and then realizing nothing fits me like black and white low tops with some sort of pink and black lace. So go, PLAY!

http://www.converse.com/?CSID=44_kwid/#/products/shoes/converseOne

2 Days Later

I shall entertain readers with this:

http://tightsarenotpants.com/

Because they aren't. I am part of team Tights are not Pants. And I'm over people who don't understand that. I wear them under skirts all the time, but I think that this should be shared.

Okay, here's winging it...

I'm passing out, maybe I'll have a blog or 2 for tomorrow. Sigh...