Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I have a pretty straightforward question: why are there so many conflicting opinions on whether you can wear white clothing and shoes after Labor Day? Can you explain to me why I can or can't?

Signed,

Labor Day Great White Debate

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Dear L.D.G.W.D.,

According to fashion etiquette, white clothing, shoes and accessories should only be worn between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The origin of the rule was based on the class system of the early 1900's. As more families improved their financial standing in the country, they also wanted to improve their social standing. Lacking the social graces of families who had inherited wealth for generations, the nouveau riche, as they were called, turned to these established families for advice.

Many of these wealthy families lived in major northern cities and would retreat to summer homes during the warm months. Today, what they considered resort wear would be more or less something we'd envision from the Victorian era. As it was learned, white clothing deflected heat and therefore became a summer wardrobe staple. Labor Day came to be seen as the last day of summer and this is when most families would head back to the hustle and bustle of the city, leaving their delicate whites in their summer homes until they returned around Memorial Day. After sharing this practice with their new money doppelgangers, word quickly spread amongst the growing middle class.

This ideology quickly became a steadfast rule of fashion etiquette amongst the 'haves' while the 'have not's', who could not afford the luxury of summer homes and separate wardrobes, were made out to be of a lower class. However, once the country entered the '50s era, many things began to change: women's liberation, the civil right's movement and several wars not only reshaped our countries views, but also the way we dressed.

Ever since then, this debate has raged on. You have those who believe in upholding the rules of fashion however they may have come to be, and then you have those who are hellbent on bending them. Personally, I like reserving white clothing and accessories for summer just because it gives me something to look forward to. Regionally, I could understand how some would want to be excused from the rule but as far as I'm concerned, come hell or hellish temperatures, I still adhere to the old fashion rule. Ultimately, its a personal choice and whether you decide to break with tradition or keep it alive is completely up to you.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: ShoppingSavage@gmail.com

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I am a 32-year old guy who has to wear a suit to work everyday. When I walk into my office building every morning all the guys - including myself - look like clones of one another. I want to stand out a bit more, but not by being over the top. Can you help?

Signed,

Corporate Carbon Copy

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Dear C.C.C.,

A suit may seem limiting at first but the cut, color and style are yours for the perfecting if you take the time to have it properly tailored. Most suits purchased off the rack are cut using standard patterns, which means it fits your frame but wasn't fitted for your frame. Take each suit you own to an expert tailor to have them take a look at the quality of the construction and what alterations they would suggest for the best fit. Short of buying bespoke suits, this is a great way to customize suiting you already own as well as have a professional second opinion when trying to decide on the next style suit to invest in.

Once you're properly suited for work, the next area of interest should be your shirt and tie combinations. A solid shirt and tie can read safe, so experiment with blending unexpected colors and patterns. Men's fashion magazines are a great resource for this. They are also great at highlighting additional men's professional accessories that you may want to incorporate into your look. For example, a pocket square would add polish to your suit jacket, just as cuff links would to your shirt. Even a bow tie and/or suspenders would break up the monotony of wearing a standard tie and belt.

Another suggestion would be to look at tweaking your appearance. You'd be surprised at how much of a difference a minor makeover can accomplish. Something as subtle as a new hairstyle or even a few extra sessions in the gym can make a noticeable difference.

Lastly, remember to uphold the basic fashion fundamentals: make sure that your belt and shoes coordinate, own more than black trouser socks and keep all of your clothing clean and crisp. Detailing is what separates the boys from the men; or in your case, the drones from the dandies.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: ShoppingSavage@gmail.com

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I want to try out this trend of mixing punk rock with feminine looks. I keep seeing all these cool looking military boots I want to wear in magazines and in stores. But does this trend translate into the real world? How can I wear these boots without looking like I'm trying too hard to be trendy?

Signed,

Tough for Tulle

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Dear T.f.T.,

Today's "tough tulle" trend is very reminiscent of the early '90s look with Dr. Martens's boots. Back then girls wore them with long-waisted floral dresses, tights, lumberjack plaid shirts, unforgiving high-waisted jeans (now affectionately referred to as "mom jeans"), pork pie hats and long chains with inane charms.

Many of these 'grunge era' fashions have returned to the spotlight of fashion - with a much needed facelift - and could be paired with the well-grounded footwear you seek. For example, this style boot would look great with skinny jeans or leggings and an oversized shirt (think plaid button-up or v-neck pocket tee) with a thin belt to accentuate the waist and to give the outfit a modern silhouette. A vest is another great accessory for these boots. Throwing on a vest over a sundress or with a t-shirt and jeans will make them seem that much more cohesive with your look.

With proper styling and accessories you could even wear them at night with a LBD. My suggestion would be to try heavy eye liner with minimal makeup, lip gloss instead of lipstick and your hair simply parted down the center.

It may take some time, but before long you'll be able to incorporate these boots into your wardrobe without so much as a second thought. You'll surprise yourself at how easily they can be worn with a softer look to give it some edge or complete the tough look you're going for. Now all that's left to do is to find the pair that suits you best. And once purchased, you should wear them right out of the store. Boots are made for walking, as the saying goes, and there's no time like the present to take that first step.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: ShoppingSavage@gmail.com

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

For the past few weeks I have been complaining to my friends about the increasing amount of wrinkles on my forehead and around my mouth and eyes. They have tried to convince me to look into getting botox but I'm not so sure. What do you think I should do?

Signed,

Worried About Wrinkles

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Dear W.A.W.,

Its no wonder your friends immediately defaulted to encouraging botox: we live in an age of technology and quick-fixes that even instant gratification seems like dial-up internet.

Having bared witness to the pro's and cons of botox, I would suggest you explore all of your options before going under the needle. You should look for an esthetician to help treat the wrinkles and ask their advice for skin care products that will aid the smoothing process over time for a more gradual and natural look.

But before starting any treatment you should take a picture of your face - hair pulled back, without makeup - and then once a month for six months after you've started a facial regimen to see if there is any change in your wrinkles or overall skin quality. If in six months you are still not satisfied with the results then it may be time to try botox.

However, I highly caution you to do your homework before undergoing what could potentially be a drastic change to your appearance. Ask a friend who's already undergone the procedure for the name of their doctor (or the one they wish they had gone to) and even then you should research said doctor's credentials - if nothing else make sure they're board certified - and overall reputation.

Even though its quite apparent that the art of aging gracefully lost its appeal to the allure of looking like a teenager when you're well past the days of getting carded, there's something to be said for those individuals who are proud to sport their wrinkles like a badge of honor. Getting rid of them means removing facial markers that tell the story of your life. Wrinkles, like beauty, are only skin deep and botox, as hard as it may be to hear, is not beauty in a bottle. It's more like a quick fix to a non-existent problem. And you know what they say: if it ain't broke, don't botox it.

Check out this site for more DIY wrinkle-repair tips and tricks.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: ShoppingSavage@gmail.com

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I have 7-year-old identical twin boys that I adore to dress in matching outfits. My friends are telling me that I should stop and let them decide what they'd like to wear and create their own sense of style but I just can't help myself! Am I wrong for wanting to match their clothing or are my friends overreacting?

Signed,

Mother of Twins

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Dear M.O.T.,

I'm actually surprised you are just getting this reaction from your friends. It sounds like you have had six blissful uninterrupted years of dressing your sons in head-to-toe matching outfits. However, now is the time to start letting them choose what they would like to wear. Ultimately it's what's best for the boys...and for you.

If you think about things from their perspective you'd see that twins have it hard enough without the added attention from coordinating outfits. They have to work twice as hard to be seen as individuals. From an early age they are constantly being compared to one another so the sooner they develop their own sense of identity and style the better off they are at avoiding added pressures of sibling rivalry.

If you are completely in charge of assembling their outfits, let them help you. It won't take much coercion to get them to open up about what they like and don't like to be dressed in. You will also want them - and their opinions - with you when it's time to get them new clothing. If identical outfits are chosen, try to convince them (or more importantly, yourself) to either go for different colors or settle on the idea of buying them both, but not letting them wear them at the same time. Reiterate how valuable setting yourself apart through personal style can be and give them the freedom to do so.

I'm sure this isn't what you wanted to hear M.O.T. but one day when your boys are all grown up leading separate lives - and maintaining separate wardrobes - you will thank yourself. I know it may be heartbreaking now, but you've had your fun and now you must cut the umbilical cord....both of them.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: ShoppingSavage@gmail.com

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

Every now and then when its in my budget I splurge on new work clothes and get great feedback and compliments from my co-workers, but mostly my "fashion sense" is overlooked. I don't need a compliment every day at work but I also don't need a silent reminder that I'm not dressed as nicely as everyone knows I can. So Shopping Savage, how can I maintain a stylish look for work without much effort or it costing me the fortune that I don't have?

Signed,

Sometimes Work Hottie

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Dear S.W.H.,

Always appearing polished and well-dressed has little to do with new outfits and everything to do with consistency and attention to detail. If your budget is limited, then the best way to be consistent is to care for your work clothing. Start to invest in well-tailored separates and solid colored dresses instead of trendy pieces that are eye catching or easily identifiable. Plan to replace or repair anything that you wear to work that has stains, fraying hemlines or any other form of damage.

Spend the last 30-minutes before bed each night deciding on what you are going to wear for work the next day. (Take into account any meetings, lunch dates or after-work commitments.) Use accessories, layers (think cardigans, blazers, etc.), hair styles and even makeup to give old outfits a new look. Fashion magazines are great springboards for what trends are on the horizon, what to think about buying next, for DIY (do it yourself) fashion projects and how to re-imagine wearing your wardrobe as a whole.

For the first few days of this process, you may receive the kind of attention you are seeking, but once you begin to appear pulled-together for work each day you may notice a steep decline in the compliments. This generally happens when you raise the bar and meet your new (personal) standards on a daily basis. You seem to associate your co-workers accolades to the clothing you were wearing that day, when in fact, what they were picking up on was the positive energy emitting from you. If you are pleased with what you're wearing, it's written all over your demeanor; the same could be said for when you are not as happy with your appearance.

So don't wear something expressly for compliments because you may or may not get them. And don't beat yourself up over a "bad outfit" or point out all the flaws when someone pays you a compliment on something you weren't sure about. Untie your self-esteem from your wardrobe. Ultimately, what people are complimenting is you, not the outfit. So when someone acknowledges your outfit that day just say "thank you" with a smile. And when the day comes when the compliments aren't doled out when you believe they should be, still proceed through the day as if they were. Remember, the key here is consistency - not just for your outward appearance, but for your inner "appearance" as well.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: ShoppingSavage@gmail.com