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Each month, Mary Lou answers (and we post!) a fashion question from one of our site visitors. If you have something you want to know to help pull together your wardrobe with style and confidence, ask away!
We also announce that the monthly question and answer is available to read in our free weekly Dressing Well "Tip of the Week!" You may want to subscribe if you haven't already done so.
Bookmark this page and return back soon to see if your question has been answered!
For July, 2003:
Q: Would you please do a tip on what kinds of shoes (height, style, etc.) to wear with what kinds of pants (tapered, full leg, cropped, dressy). When I look in the mirror, I know something is wrong, but I don't know what. Help!
A: Generally the longer and fuller cut the pant, the more shoe options you have. For instance, a full-length pant that drapes over the foot can look great with very dressy high heels (both sandals and pumps). They can also look great with a sophisticated short or no-heeled shoe peeking out underneath (called skimmers — think of a ballet flat) A tapered pant (i.e. grabbing the ankle) looks best with a medium to low heel (i.e. no higher than 2 inches in height). Loafers are a safe bet. Whether casual or dressy, pants with a slight bell to them look best on most women because they balance out the hip line.
Most of our private clients and participants at our public and corporate seminars have the most trouble selecting shoes for Capri-style pants. Since Capri's are generally a very casual pant, pumps are not the best choice to wear with them. Overly high-heeled shoes can also look too dressy with most Capri's. Mules and medium to flat sandals often look the best. If you wear a cropped pant (ending around the ankle as opposed to mid-calf like a traditional Capri) you have more shoe choices. Most pumps are still too conservative for this style pant. Both high and lower heeled mules and sandals generally flatter this style of pant.