Ask The Well Dressed Life

Would it be possible for you to feature travel capsules that enable a combo of work and casual. Also I struggle to find good silk like shell tops that can be washed at home rather than dry cleaned that are good for work under suits.

I'm echoing a previous question from another commenter about alternatives to heels. Due to multiple foot surgeries and lots of metal hardware holding my feet together, I cannot wear heels over 1". I'm retired and wear tennis shoes and Birkenstocks most of the time, but I'm struggling to find options for dressier occasions that don't look frumpy or childish. My "go to" dress-up uniform is straight leg or slim black pants, either full or ankle length, paired with a dressier top or sweater. Love this website and group...I've been following you for about 4 years and the content just keeps getting better and better! Thanks!

I’m enjoying your website. You’ve inspired me to clean and reorganize my closet. I loved your suggestions. I haven’t needed to add anything to my closet due to your amazing ‘outfit formula’ suggestions, but am looking forward to spring into summer. Appreciate you!

I have very diverse clothing needs this year. My child is having his Bar Mitzvah and I need two outfits (one for ceremony and one for the party). I need to be budget minded with these purchases because of all the other expenses and because this clothing will not be worn very often. On the other hand, I also need super casual summer clothes. I work at an outdoor preschool and just cannot figure out how to dress in super hot weather in a way that feels comfortable and professional.

Hi Megan, I still follow your posts from the UK and enjoy them very much ...Thank you! I try to find UK equivalent items you post. I found your "How to dress for your body shape" brilliant. Please could you do a post on how to minimise the appearance of problem areas on the body? For example a very fat tummy, bottom or very thick legs when the rest of your shape is more uniform? Many thanks and keep doing what you do. Carol

Love your blog and read it everyday…..You give us a lot of basic pieces. How about a post on what to look for in those rare unusual and statement pieces. I have a LOT of navy, black and white. I think I need more color and that wow factor.

Hi! I am wondering if you could tips on dressing petites? Like proportions/ what styles to avoid/go for? I often feel like I can't wear anything oversized for fear of looking frumpy although I do love that style... Thank you!

Meg, I wondering about partial front/side tucks and how to make them work in profile and from the back. From the front they look good, but then when looking at my profile and at my top from the back, it doesn't look so good. Any advice?

I, like Petunia (below) have no defined waist and I am also short waisted with a larger bust, so if I “front tuck” as is the style these days or use a belt I look like I have no torso, only boobs. Ugh. I have tried lower cut pants to try to move my waist “down” but these do not fit well if you have no waistline and only emphasize the lack of. It would be helpful to have a suggestion for an alternative to a front tuck besides just leaving a shirt untucked. Thanks for all the helpful info.

I love the camel colour of the polo neck and would love a v neck jumper for spring summer is there somewhere I can try. So far either sold out or not such a pretty shade.in uk

Love

I enjoy your posts and think your content plan for this year is spot on. I appreciate that you include petite options when possible. Also, I am interested in trench coats.

So many comments I agree with - capsule options, shoe options for non-heel wearers. I have a request. I love the outfit formulas but working in an office once I get inside, the purse as an accessory does not come into play any longer. I still want to look put-together, but need to do so even without a purse so I look cute all day walking around and in meetings at the office.

Thanks for all you do for us!

I am new to your site. I love the classy, classic styles. I have a few issues dressing my body type and would like a little help.

1. I am a size 10 - have a small waist and larger thighs. Very tough to find pants to fit that are flattering. When I find something that does I buy multiple pairs in black and navy and wear them every day.

How can I camouflage my thighs and find something that I feel good in and not self conscious all day long?

2. I am an Athletic Director and wear dress clothes every day because I cannot wear something casual due to how I look in sport type pants. Jeans are not allowed. Due you have any suggestions?

I look hideous in browns....like I just died hideous. Taupe is the closest I can get to a brown tone. Lots of silver hair here. Color options would help me. You look great in camel and cream but some of us just can't wear it.

This is terrific! I was just wondering about jewelry. I know layering delicate necklaces is very much in style right now but what about the chunky beaded necklaces from a few (several) years ago?

I LOVE all of your outfit inspiration ideas and so look forward to your email each day! I am purchasing each new item in my closet based on your inspiration looks and style tips. You have helped me to look my best ever! Thank you! I consider the oversized sweater outfit options you recently posted to be complete perfection. It’s a uniform I look forward to wearing each day and perfect for my lifestyle. Is there a warmer weather version of this look? Perhaps with a cotton top? I live in Texas so this would be a wonderful option for me for more than half of the year. I’m looking forward to the wonderful plan you have outlined.

Thank you for your fun and informative posts. They have been a bright spot these past couple of years! I would like help adapting the current trends to my body type. The current oversized shapes overwhelm my petite hourglass frame and are not flattering on me (even in petite sizing). I’m 60 and looking for a comfortable yet classy look. Any helpful tips would be so appreciated!

I’d love to see more options for us cool toned gals. I understand the goal to create a cohesive wardrobe with the camel/tan/ivory but that doesn’t work for a lot of us. Sure I already have a wardrobe filled with black and I love my black. I am trying to branch out and develop a navy capsule. I really like navy with denim, for example. So I would welcome navy options. Otherwise I love the ideas for 2022!

Thanks for everything you put together for us! I always enjoy it and find it very helpful. I am interested in information on good, supportive undergarments. I’m losing weight and would like to invest in some quality pieces that help my clothes look nicer. I would also love to see more dresses. How to style them and some modern recommendations for us middle aged ladies. Also, how to wear them in the winter. Thanks!!

Thanks for the great advice! I am always looking for ways and pieces to layer for the big diurnal temperature swings at my job, and also work shoes that are stylish but can also handle dirt roads and cold, slick floors. I'm working booties a lot, are there other options?

I am 76 years old and love your site. I have even purchased some of your suggestions. I would love to see more age appropriate items, especially in shoes. I am addicted to shoes but have not been able to wear anything higher than 1-1/2" in years. I am 5'4" and thin and walk with a cane. How about some stylish ones 😎

I love how a hat can elevate a look, but I have very fine hair, and a “hat head” is a given if I take it off. Any advice on rules of hat wearing etiquette (always a little weird when I still have my ski hat on two hours later in a restaurant…), and/or ways to avoid hat head? Am I just doomed to never wearing hats for fashion, or to committing to a hat I can keep on the entire time? It’d be nice to have options. Thank you for all you do!

I have feedback and a question at the end. :) I just wanted to say I've been reading your posts for three years now and I find them so inspiring and thoughtful, you are a classy woman inside and out, I love your passion for great style and fashion, and I greatly appreciate all your free content! My question to you is around how a person's self image can prevent them from buying clothes that they love. I discovered doing several iterations of the Wardrobe Challenge that my self image at first did not connect with the clothes I loved and put on my Pinterest Board. During the first Challenge, I was able to donate/discard clothes that didn't reflect my style, but I also wasn't purchasing/replacing items that reflected my Pinterest board. I think it was this self-image disconnect that I mentioned. I was thinking, that's not me! It's what I like, but that's not me! Those are the clothes of a classy, put-together woman! But I worked through it slowly and found I had to be brave and break through my own limiting beliefs to wear the clothes I love. When I finally connected to the idea that I will be happier with my wardrobe and self when I purchase items from my Pinterest board (duh! :) ) , it was such a huge lightbulb that went off! I'm forever grateful for that simple yet challenging (!) idea. It's taken me these three years to really understand that disconnect and embrace my style (classic, well-made, simple basics in flattering colors) and I don't think I would have paid attention to it if it wasn't for the wardrobe challenges, so I'm very grateful and excited to know my style. My question to you is, in working with clients, did you find that they bumped up against self image thoughts that prevented them from buying clothes they loved? And if so, how did you help them work through that? This may be interesting fodder for your blog! :) I for one would LOVE to read about that!

Hi! I'm always stumped by shoes; especially with the shorter pant lengths that are currently popular. Could you do a post with pairing shoes with various pants/skirts/dresses? Thanks!