Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

My husband is in the military and I've tried taking him shopping for updated casual clothing but he won't budge. Any ideas how I can get him to at least open up to the idea of new clothes?

Signed,

Wife of a Drill Sergeant

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Dear W.O.A.D.S.,

A similar question was posed not long ago by a girl looking to revamp her boyfriend's wardrobe and the same advice applies: proceed with caution. Your husband probably wears army issued attire more than not, undoubtedly leading him to believe his civilian-wear is so under worn he doesn't need anything new, even if you believe the contrary.

So you'll have to initiate revamping his wardrobe. Start out by looking at the brands, sizes and even material composition of what he already owns and looks the best in. Take this information with you as you start to look at adding, and eventually subtracting by way of replacing, out-of-date pieces in his wardrobe.

Just be sure to keep him involved in the process. Although he may grimace at the idea of you spending money on new clothing for him, once you've done the choosing and the charging he'll warm up to the new wears. Most men don't have that much of an invested interest in their appearance due to women taking on the task of keeping their closets current. Without your assistance - or that of his mom, past girlfriends and current girl friends - he would probably be in worse sartorial shape than he is now. With that said, be sure not to throw out anything before consulting him first. Men can become very territorial - and sentimental - when it comes down to the incoming and outgoing of their wardrobes.

For the next phase of operation: closet overhaul, you'll want to try to get him to spend more time in the men's department browsing than you currently do. You want him to take an interest in shopping for himself. Ask him to try on everything you've recently purchased for him and solicit his honest feedback. You may notice after a a few rounds of retail therapy in his honor that he becomes more invested in his casual appearance. The ultimate goal is to not only turn around his wardrobe but his overall approach to shopping for himself. There's no such thing as a clothing commendation but if there was, you would be up for it after you are done with him. Consider your service for the greater clothing good complete: at ease shopper.

On a special note: To your husband, and to all the men and women who serve our great country, thank you.

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

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

While my assistant is on maternity leave, a temp was assigned to me. I've noticed that her style of dress is a bit unprofessional. She wears low cut tops, short skirts and high heels. She's giving all of the guys something to talk about...and the women too. As her direct supervisor - and might I add a happily married man with three great kids - should I say something to her about her clothing, have her reassigned or just wait until my assistant returns and enjoy the view...from a safe distance?

Signed,

Provocative Temp Worker Dilemma

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P.T.W. D.,

I would avoid saying something to her directly. You don't want her to misconstrue your good intentions as a personal assault, or worse: an advance. (Being called into 'HR' for a refresher course on "sexual harassment in the work place", for example, is not the way you want to spend a Monday afternoon.)

The best approach would be to have a female colleague that you trust, and one that has also taken note of your temp's potential wardrobe malfeasance, speak to her one-on-one. Encourage her to invite your temp out for lunch (mainly to get away from prying eyes and ears) and let her in on the office chatter.

If the next day there isn't an immediate improvement in her wardrobe then it may be time to step in. Call her into your office and use your judgement as to whether this should be an open-door discussion. Lead with a brief performance review but address her choice of office attire by asking her how her lunch-date went with your co-worker. That should be enough of a reminder for her to get the hint.

If all else fails, have 'HR' step in to put her back through "office dress code" training. None of these suggestions will make you popular with your male colleagues, but tell them to look at it as one less distraction at work...and if they're married like yourself, an anniversary gift.

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

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I started dating a guy a few months ago and things are going really well. He wines and dines me and is a great conversationalist...but a horrible dresser. I want to drop a few hints in his direction, maybe even pick up a few things for him, but I don't want to scare him off or come across as controlling or materialistic. What's the best approach to handling this situation?

Signed,

Potential Boyfriend Fixer-Upper

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P.B.F-U,

You want to lead with a casual conversation. After strategically - and might I caution stealthily - looking through his closet, ask him when was the last time he went shopping. Don't make this a long discussion or it'll seem obvious what you're up to. Conclude by saying that the next time he does goes shopping you'd like to go with him. Allow a few days to pass and if he doesn't bring up shopping again, then you have license to be "creative". Tell him that your (brother, father, uncle, best gay male friend, whomever) has a birthday coming up soon and you want to start looking for gift ideas and want him to go with you just to get a "guys opinion".

Once you have him in the store he'll be like putty in your well-manicured hands. Start off by suggesting that he look around and see if he likes anything. If he doesn't bite then ask him to be a "model" for your gift and as he's trying things on, point out how great he looks in the new clothing. Have a sales associate - preferably another woman - restate your assessment. At this point, it should be easy to convince him to keep looking around/"modeling".

Pick out three head-to-toe looks for three separate occasions: work, weekends and weeknight dalliances. Let him have final say in how he mixes the looks per category, but be sure he buys at least two looks from each area. This works two ways: #1 - revamping a look from head-to-toe can get expensive so whether he pays, you pay or you divvy it up, he's going to wear the clothes because money was spent on them. #2 - if he really takes to the clothing (and the compliments that you may have to secretly solicit) then everything else in his closet will start to look out of place, which means you have successfully created a man that cares about his appearance, i.e. there will be more shopping trips for him in your future.

But let me end by saying that no one enjoys having their sense of style - or lack thereof - picked apart...especially when the advice wasn't solicited. You could be taking a gamble and the end result is not always predictable. Be sure that its worth the risk; you don't want the P.B. in your acronym to throw those last two letters back at you.

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