Reader Q & A: Beauty, Fashion & Lifestyle

Today I’m fielding beauty, fashion and lifestyle questions from readers here at Dressed for My Day. I never know what kind of questions I’m going to receive when I ask for them. This time you gals really came through with some great ones. In fact, I received so many I’m only able to answer a handful of them today. But I’ll answer the rest of them in a future post very soon.

Let’s get started!

Question: I’d love to wear flare leg jeans, but I can’t wear heels higher than 1” or pointy toe shoes due to foot issues. What would you suggest?

Answer: First up, gals let’s remember you absolutely do not have to wear every style of jeans. In fact, I’m seeing more straight leg and relaxed fit jeans than any other styles right now. And both of those styles pair beautifully with all kinds of flats, including loafers, sneakers, sandals and ballet flats.

That said, if you really want to wear flare leg jeans, I’d suggest wearing that 1” heel. Even a little elevation will give you a longer leg silhouette. On the other hand, if you want to wear your fashion sneakers, such as Converse or Keds or the like, those can look very fresh and contemporary with these jeans. I’d just keep your top sporty, something that makes your sneakers look like an intentional choice rather than a default. Make sense? Also, still keep the hem of the jeans about 1/2″ from the floor.

Question: How should I select the sunglasses I wear? Shape, size and color?

Answer: That’s probably fodder for a future blog post! But meanwhile, I can give you a few pointers to help you choose glasses you can wear with confidence. Keep in mind, you’re going to have to figure out what shape of face you have. Here’s a link to a website that might help you determine your face shape.

• If you have an oval shaped face you can wear just about any frames you’d like.
• Oval shaped faces are also a nice backdrop for squared frames.
• Heart-shaped faces tend to have small chins. So you’ll want to choose smaller frames, cat-eye frames or rimless glasses. Large frames will “take over” your face.
• If you have a square shaped face, I suggest rounding off the hard edges with round or oval frames.
• If your face is square in shape avoid small frames that will “get lost” on you.
• Keep in mind that black frames tend to look larger than colored frames.

• If your face is circular, you’ll want to select frames that are wide enough to go a little beyond the broadest part of your face. Avoid round or oval glasses and opt for those with more angles.
• If you’re hiking, golfing, watching a baseball game or doing anything that requires you to see long distances, you might want to select brown or amber lenses, which improve depth perception.
• But black and grey lenses are best if you live in an area where it’s equally sunny and cloudy because they help reduce glare, prevent eye fatigue and provide ample protection for your eyes.

• Blue lenses reduce glare, so they’re great for spending time on the water or in the snow on a sunny day.
• Finally green lenses are perhaps the best all around shades. They make shadows darker and colors brighter, reduce glare and are good for cloudy and sunny days.
• As far as the color of the rims, choose a color that works best with your wardrobe. Black works with any wardrobe, but remember they will appear larger than other colors on your face.

Question: I need help with what to wear to my daughter’s upcoming baby shower. It will be in mid-April in North Carolina in either a restaurant or the home of a friend. Could you point me in the right direction?

Answer: These days I notice women wearing just about everything to bridal and baby showers. But if you want to look fashionable, I think you’re wise to consider some dressier options. Plus, as the mother of the mom-to-be I know you want to look especially pretty for this event.

You mentioned potentially wearing a dress, so I think that’s a great option. You also mentioned being larger on top, short waisted with long legs and comfortable in casual swing dresses. While a swing dress might work, don’t rule out a wrap or faux wrap dress. They’re generally universally flattering.

Finally, you mentioned that you don’t love to shop and you wanted some suggestions for where to get the job done. I think one of the best options would be to shop through Nordstrom’s Trunk Club. (If you click through my link, you’ll get to work with my stylist, Jessica!)

There is no fee to sign up with Trunk Club. Each Trunk has a $25 styling fee (waived for Nordstrom cardmembers) that’s credited toward your final purchase.

After you sign up, you’ll be given the opportunity to share all the details of your body type, style preferences and upcoming event with your stylist. She’ll then put together a trunk full of all the items you need in multiple styles and send it to you so that you can “shop” in the comfort and privacy of your home. You’ll have three days to try them on and return (for free!!!) anything you don’t want or need. You only pay for what you keep.

And yes, your Trunk Club stylist can send you clothes, shoes, under garments, jewelry, handbags and anything else you might need to pull your look together. And you get to set the price points for these items, too. So don’t worry about her sending you things you can’t afford. That won’t happen.

Honestly, there just isn’t a good reason not to try Trunk Club, especially for special events like this one. And since you have a little time to work on this, I think scheduling a trunk for later this month or March would be a perfect option. If you have further questions about Trunk Club, check it out here or ask me in the comments below.

Question: I love the look of wearing blazers with jeans, but I would need a coat during this time of year here in the Chicago area. Do you wear a coat/jacket over the blazer, or if you’re wearing a blazer do you just not wear a coat? 

Answer: I find myself wearing my blazers frequently even during the cold months here in Cincinnati, but then I’ve been told this has been a very mild winter. So what do I know? Ha! Seriously, I do have a couple of options for you.

I purchased my puffer coat (similar) large for this very reason. While I sometimes wear a size small in coats and usually wear a size medium, I opted for a size large coat (similar) so that I could wear all the layers I might need under it. I did this on the recommendation of several readers who are seasoned veterans of the cold winters, and I’m so glad I did. So, yes, I frequently wear my blazers under this coat (similar).

But you could also go at this problem from the opposite direction. If you have room under your blazer, you can layer underneath and wear the blazer as your outer garment. I’ve definitely worn a camisole, long sleeve t-shirt and this light weight hoodie under my blazer. When I added in gloves and a thick cashmere scarf, I was warm. You might could wear a cardigan under your blazer that you would then remove, if desired, once you were inside and toasty warm.

Question: How do we keep our skin care routines fairly simple and not add complexity with perhaps needless steps or products? What steps and/or product categories would you consider essential?

Answer: I completely agree with you. I don’t want to buy unnecessary products either. Here are the skincare products I’ve determined are necessary for me, especially in my mid-50s: (I’m linking to products I have used and liked in the past, but I’m not necessarily using them now.)

• gentle cleanser
• toner
• Vitamin C
• Retinol cream
• Salycylic Acid cream
• sunscreen
• moisturizer
• night cream

Even that list sounds like a lot doesn’t it? But sometimes you can find products that combine some of those elements, like a moisturizer or foundation with ample sunscreen included.

My biggest suggestion when it comes to not wasting money and buying only what you know you’ll use and love is to make an appointment with someone who represents some of the better skincare and cosmetic brands, such as Mary Kay, Coleen Rothschild or Rodan + Fields. When I’ve used a comprehensive skincare plan from brands such as these I’ve seen the best results. Currently I’ve been testing the Rodan + Fields Redefine regimen and I’m loving it. But I’ve also committed to a friend of mine to test products from Mary Kay. So I’ll get back with you gals when I’ve settled on one brand.

Another Q&A Coming Soon…

In an effort to keep this post readable, I’m going to stop here for today. If I didn’t get to your question, I apologize and I’ll address it in another post…soon. Maybe I’ll start making these a monthly feature if you gals like it. Let me know in the comments section below.

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Blessed for My Day

Well, guess what. This year is an election year. Do you remember the uncertainty and anxiety and division that characterized our country during the last presidential election year? I’ll admit, ever since the first time I voted in a presidential election, I’ve grown anxious during the days leading up to the vote. And I’m sure many in our country will be spewing venom or fretting anxiously or polarizing our communities this year.

But I’ve decided that this year will be different for me. Let’s decide to be witnesses for the steadfast peace we can have with the Lord this year. He tells us over 360 times in the Bible to “not be anxious.” Instead we can depend on Him to anchor us during these tense and polarizing days. Let’s show people that we are secure, at peace, and not afraid of tomorrow because we know Who holds each day.

I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. ~ Psalm 18:1-2