Danielle, I need help! I am a 50 year old woman who NEVER wears dresses or skirts because I have such skinny legs especially from the knees down. I am 5′ 8″ and weigh about 145 lbs but carry most of this weight between my bust and waistline. Can you recommend the most flattering styles and shapes that I should wear?

I would say my style is conservative, but I don’t want to look like a grandma! Help me add some youth and fun to my look. Could you also give me help with some affordable accessories to bring personality to my outfits? I have difficulty finding shoes in my size; I wear a 10 narrow which visually makes the long skiny legs look worse. Thanks!

Some inside scoop: Ms. Phyllis sent me a pic (I always ask you guys for pics when you email me style or beauty questions because it helps me to help you better, but I never will post them to the site unless you ask me to) and she claims to be 50 but looks not a day over 30! Work it out, Ms. Phyllis. *finger snap*

The key to camouflaging a part of your body is to draw the eye elsewhere. So for instance, if I have a huge pimple on my forehead, I may wear a bright lip color to keep your eyes off the tiny mountain. So the idea is to draw the eye upwards when you want to take the emphasis off skinny legs. You can achieve this with a printed dress or a dress that has an interesting design or gathering of fabric that draws the eye up. Try these:

Same thing with skirts:

You can add texture and visual “weight” to your legs with tights. Solid black tights paired with a conservative dress or skirt will not only “thicken” up your legs, but adds a bit of youthful yet conservative style to your look.

Look no further than Supermodel Iman as inspiration when it comes to adding youth and fun to your look. Iman kills the style and beauty game even for the younger ladies. She always looks stylish and age-appropriate. Even on casual days like when she was spotted in Soho last summer:

Grab some affordable wardrobe staples like a pair of dark denim jeans, a blazer, a v-neck tee that can be worn a million times and mix them with accessory staples like over-sized shades, a statement bag, and costume jewelry. You’ll have limitless wardrobe options even with very few items to work with. Especially if you mix “work week” pieces with “weekend pieces”. For example, I love the look of a dressy fitted tweed jacket with denim.

A statement bag need not cost more than your monthly mortgage payment. You can go for a bag in a lower price point as long as it has character. Let colors like bright green and purple become neutrals.

As for the shoes, I think you’ll love these:

LOL–Just kidding! Look to Nordstrom and Zappos.com for an array of shoes that come in size 10N (Stuart Weitzman also carries 10N, but his shoes are more investment pieces, but if you buy a pair it will last you forever). Unfortunately as you already, the options in 10N are slim. I found these (below) that can be worn with skirts or dresses and jeans:

Hope this all suits you well, Ms. Phyllis!

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If you have a style or beauty question, contact me. I do a lot more behind the scenes work working feverishly to answer your questions than what you see on the site. So ask away!

The Style and Beauty Doctor reader Emma writes in asking, “I’m looking for a casual, sexy outfit for New Year’s Eve. I’m going to a small party in a tiny town so your typical NYC garb isn’t necessarily the norm. I want something festive without being too dressy. I’m most comfortable in jeans so if you have any ideas involving jeans and a great top with fabulous shoes and accessories- please let me know!!!”

Hey Emma!

Some New York fashionistas might go all out and pair cute party tops with anything from a festive a-line skirt to this season’s harem pants, but that’s because in a city this big, you get a taste of every style possible. But outside of NY, those looks may not read as fitting. Pairing a party top with jeans will make your look small town chic. I also love the look of a basic camisole, jeans, and a cute blazer because you can then pile on the accessories and take it to the next level. And if I could wear sequins everyday, I would. Adding one sequin item to a basic outfit adds a touch of NYE glamour.

Check out some cute small town New Year’s Eve options:

(from left to right, starting at top) Theory “Bretta Poet” Cropped Jacket, DIANE von FURSTENBERG Pleated “Matador” Top and SIWY “Hannah” Slim Sequined Pants; DIANE von FURSTENBERG “Dalmas” Embellished Tank; ASOS Button Detail One Sleeve Top; ASOS Floral Embellished Trim Cardigan; ASOS Short Sleeve Cowl Front Blouse; ASOS Snake Effect Lock Leather Purse; Bailey 44 “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” Top; ASOS Iridescent Feather Clutch
; True Religion Crystal Stud “Julie” Skinny Jean in Night Owl Wash
; Blank Studded Skinny Jeans in Black Wash; Joe’s Jeans “Muse” Bootcut Jeans in Perry Wash

(from left to right, starting at top) Reflective Shard Necklace; Mixed Bracelet Trio; Rhinestone Hoops; Faceted Stone Ring; Looped Chain Earrings; Crosses Draped Necklace; Chain Stud Earrings; Dimpled Loop Bracelet.

(from left to right, starting at top) Pleather Strip Bib Necklace; String Chain Earrings; Tear Structured Necklace; Ravishing Rhinestone Necklace; Pearl Rope Earrings; Bejeweled Fringe Earrings; Rhinestone Nub Ring; Cheetah Faux Pearl Necklace; Looped Fringe Necklace.

(from left to right, starting at top) GABBY Ankle Chain High Shoes; SPIRAL Elastic Platfom Shoe; POW Studded Sandal By Boutique; PLOSIVE Platform By Boutique; PENDULUM Boot By Boutique; Steve Madden Cintia; Steve Madden Cassiee; Steve Madden Combine.

If you have a style or beauty question, contact me. Your question could appear on this site!

Brianna,

The best short haircut for a round face is tapered on the sides with lots of volume at the crown. The volume at the top helps to elongate a round face so that it appears slimmer and more oval (which is the “ideal” face shape). Avoid any cut where the hair falls on the widest part of your face as this will only widen the area and make it appear larger.

Round Face Shortcut Dos (volume at the crown):

Round Face Shortcut Don’ts (volume at the widest part of face):

If you have a style or beauty question, contact me. Your question could appear on this site.

Find flattering hairstyles for other face shapes here.

Hey Charlotte!

Characteristics of an inverted triangle are broad shoulders and back paired with noticeably more narrow hips and legs. The key to dressing for this body shape is to balance out the bottom half of the body with A-line hemmed dresses and skirts and wide-leg pants or jeans. Doing so will give the illusion of an hourglass figure, the “ideal” symmetrical shape. Stay away from tapered styles on your bottom half like skinny jeans and pencil skirts–they will only emphasize a T-shape. Also look for open necklines (like v-necks) on shirts and blouses to help keep your bustline visually in proportion with the rest of your body. Understanding your body shape and how to dress to flatter it is the biggest step in the quest to becoming more stylish. Once you have that down, everything else is relatively easy.

One of the most simplest (and economical) ways of being stylish is to choose wardrobe basics with a twist. (For reference, check out Wardrobe Basics). Buy classic items that will never go out of style like a white blouse and jeans, but think a bit outside the box. Instead of your standard white button down blouse, go for one with extra detailing like a bow or in a different shape like a wrap shirt. Or instead of a basic white tee, go for a brightly colored tee with an interesting neckline.

Once you’ve stocked your closest with basics with a twist, you’ll need to add accessories to add character to your wardrobe. Forever 21 is a great place to shop for the latest in accessories because you can get a whole lot without having to pay a whole lot. Plus they get shipments of new merchandise quite often.

Without getting to see a picture of you it’s difficult for me to suggest exact colors that will work for you. Kelly Rowland looks best in cool colors (colors that have a blue base), but you can be close to her skin tone and be warm toned. For more on finding out what colors look best on you, be sure to check out What’s Your Season.

Here are a few examples of clothing that will work with your body type, give you the youthful appearance I’m sure you exude, are very Queen Latifah/Jill Scott/Jennifer Hudson-ish, and that won’t break the bank:

(Note: since it’s fall here in the States it was a little difficult to find clothing that would be suitable for the tropical climate in Ghana. Use the clothing shown below as examples of what to look for when you shop)

Vintage Henley Tee; Roll Cuff Pleat Shirt; Divine Denim Trouser; Pleat-Front Tee; Women’s Plus Belted Kimono-Sleeve Dresses; Purple Burnout Rose Sublimation Print Hanky-hem Dress; Black Key-Hole Mock-Neck Sweater; Black and Fuchsia Zebra Slit Dolman-Sleeve Top; Fuchsia and Black Jeweled Pin Dress

Don’t forget the accessories–they’re what “makes” your outfit!

Zipper Loop Earrings; Hinged Owl Necklace; Panther Wrap Ring; Leopard Square Elastic Bracelet

Looped Fringe Necklace; Shell Chime Earrings; Bar Scale Necklace; F1519 Sunglasses

Beige Wild Cat Photo Print D’Orsay Flat; Purple Snakeskin Urban Gladiator Heel; Black Crinkle Gretchen Peeptoe Bootie.

See also:
How to Be Stylish
Ask Danielle: How Not to Be a Fashion Slave
How to Look Chic
How to Get More Mileage from Your Wardrobe

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If you have a style or beauty question, contact me. Your question could appear on this site! And if you live in the New York City area, check out our personal style and beauty services.

The Style and Beauty Doctor reader Ericka writes in asking, “I just discovered your site and I love, love, love it. I have a question: What is the proper way to apply Mac Studio Fix (NW45) from start to finish?”

Hi Ericka!

Glad you found my site and that you enjoy it.

Studio Fix can be a tricky foundation to wear since it can have the tendency to look “powdery” and “cakey”–even moreso if you have dry skin.

What you want to do first is cleanse and properly moisturize your skin as usual. I like to use a foundation primer like Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer or MAC Prep and Prime Skin to fill in any pores and smooth out the skin (you want a nice foundation to start with so that the Studio Fix doesn’t settle into your pores). Then, give yourself a few spritzes of MAC Fix+ Spray. This will help prep the skin for the Studio Fix. After the Fix+ dries, lightly dip a fluffy powder brush (try MAC #187–its design allows for a more controlled application of powder products plus it can also be used with liquid foundation, bronzer, blush, shimmer, and more) into the Studio Fix. Tap off any excess product and then lightly brush it on your face making sure you get all areas up to the hairline (or else you will get the mask look). It’s a good idea to do light applications and then build up more coverage as needed being extremely careful not to apply too much.

Last, give your face a few more spritzes of Fix+ Spray to help prevent the “cakey” look.

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