Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

My daughter started high school a few months ago and now wants to wear heels to school. Should I let her?

Signed,

Mom hot on her daughter's heels

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Dear M.H.O.H.D.H.,

A better question is how you've managed to keep her out of heels this long! Whatever your answer, more moms should follow your lead and pose this question before letting their daughters wear shoes too adult too soon. However, since most teenagers equate their happiness with their self-image around your daughter's age, wearing heels is not an outrageous request. Assuming she has had some experience with heels or wedges over the years, she's at an age where she's mature enough to take the training shoes off.

Of course as the mom of a teenage girl you should still oversee what she wears and how its worn; as heels go you definitely want to be there to help her pick pairs that she can wear to school without major discomfort. A stacked heel with a small platform, for example, would provide more traction and comfort than a 4" spiked stiletto boot.

There are many sites that offer advice on how to walk in heels and the podiatry risks that you take by wearing them, but ultimately, these are lessons a young woman should learn from her mother. With the proper tutelage (and gel inserts) your daughter should be able to walk through adolescence in any shoe she wants. In fact, giving her permission to wear heels to school may help her see that yes, they may look glamorous to walk in, but it'll take some time before she will be comfortable walking a mile in those shoes. Hell hath no fury like a stiletto heel. Best she learn this lesson early in life.

If she's going out with friends you may want to suggest a pair of these when her heels start to become a hindrance.

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

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

My wedding anniversary is approaching and my wife is impossible to shop for. We're both in great places in our careers so if she wants something she gets it, leaving little room for me to surprise her. She's not much of a girlie girl, so I'm limited to what I can buy, and she yells at me if I spend too much.

Do you have any practical advice or good gift suggestions?

Signed,

Anniversary Gift Dilemma

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Dear A.G.D.,

If a tree grew every time a man said he had to find a gift for an "impossible to shop for" woman we'd all be living like The Swiss Family Robinson. Like most, you're spinning your wheels to produce a thoughtful, heartfelt and anniversary-worthy gift in a matter of days when it takes proper planning, attention to detail and a keen sense of timing to execute an annual gift of any sort.

Without proper planning you have to improvise. The first improvised step to consider would be calling for reinforcements. Contact one or two of her closest friends to ask if there's anything she's talked about wanting recently. You should also call the women closest to you and gain their insight about what would (or wouldn't) work as far as a gift goes. With any luck, brainstorming with the people who know you two best as a couple should plant a gift idea in your head or at least point you in the right direction.

Next, consider the sentimentality of the gift. If you decide to go with any suggestion made, even if its a very good one, think of how you can add a personal touch. A piece of jewelry, for example, is made that much more special with an inscription. And lastly, ask yourself (or your assistant) this: does the woman that has everything really have everything to make her demanding life easier? Take into account her routine and think about how your gift could be thoughtful, useful and a daily reminder of you.

In the future, plan to work smarter and not scramble harder as your anniversary nears. Keep a (hidden) running tab of anything she mentions in passing that may come in handy for future gift-giving situations like anniversaries and birthdays. Keep the list updated, crossing off the things she buys while highlighting what she forgets.

Though to be fair, some of the challenges you face have been made even tougher as most working women live their lives in overdrive. Decades of pressure to perform and produce like men at work have caused them to be independent even if they're not. Who needs a thoughtful parter when you have a thorough PDA? Instant gratification has become the new coping mechanism for most women, leaving little room for the men in their lives to reward them for working so hard. If they want it, its theirs, no questions asked, no time wasted.

This is why, above all else, your anniversary gift should be a reminder to your wife that she may spend her days like a man but she's still a woman. And all women, whether their careers allow them to admit it or not, have a soft side. Look at this as your own opportunity to show your wife that if she can evolve, so can you; don't be afraid to get in touch with your feminine side...of gift giving at least.

If you want to go a little more by the book, check out this site for a list of traditional and non-traditional anniversary gifts.

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

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I'm a petite girl and usually just make do with pants that are too long or tops that don't quite fit through the torso. While I make it work, most friends have suggested to me to get everything tailored. Can I justify spending more on the tailoring than what I spent on the outfit?

Sincerely,

In need of Ann Tailor

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Dear I.N.O.A.T.,

Your petite problem is in fact quite large. So many people settle for their clothing's short-and-long comings that its hard to decipher if the downward economy has all but phased out tailors or if people have taken off the rack clothing's "ready-to-wear" moniker too literally.

In your case, a great place to start would be with brands that offer petite sizing. This should help alleviate some of your tailoring needs while getting you into clothing that is properly proportioned for your body type. But that's putting the shopping cart before the closet. Your first plan of action should be recon work for your current wardrobe. Plan to spend a weekend trying on the things that you recall living in your closet that may need alterations. There's nothing worse than having a wardrobe riddled with things you wish you could wear if it weren't for the fit.

If the pile of alterations outsizes what's left hanging in your closet then you shouldn't plan for any retail therapy until you have found a tailor that you trust to execute the fit you envision. Take however many pieces at a time that works best for your schedule and budget, but every trip you take to pickup alterations should also be looked at as a trip to take something else in, excuse the pun.

Once everything in the pile is tailored and you're ready to shop again, consider perusing sale sections and designer discount stores for deals. Buying marked down items creates the financial buffer you'll need to employ a good tailor. In the long run, the money you're not spending on new, potentially ill-fitting items, will balance out the tailoring costs (especially if the tailoring cost is still below what you would have paid retail for it). You'll never have to just "make do" with your wardrobe again, and that kind of assurance is priceless.

Need help finding a tailor that fits you? Try these tips on for size.

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

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I have a friend who's constantly borrowing my clothing. If she returns them at all they come back in dire need of care. How can I politely tell her to launder my things before she returns them or really, how do I get her to stop borrowing from me altogether?

Signed,

Best Fashion Friend

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Dear B.F.F.,

You sound like a nice person. So nice in fact that your friend is either knowingly walking all over you, or blissfully unaware of the damage she's doing to your friendship - and not to mention your wardrobe.

The next time she asks to borrow something (assuming she does in fact ask) you need to seize that moment to remind her of how one-sided this business of borrowing has been. Make sure you relay to her how inconvenient - and costly! - her obsession with your closet is, and that a few boundaries need to be set.

First, she is not allowed to wear anything before you've had the opportunity to do so. Next, make her aware of anything that is completely off limits including jewelry - sentimental or otherwise, shoes, intimates and personal products (e.g. perfumes, lotions, makeup, etc.). If she does borrow something, she has to return it in the same, or better, condition than when she acquired it. This also means holding her accountable for replacing anything that she ruins. Lastly, she must borrow and return things in a timely manner. You can negotiate on how large a window of time she has but it would be wise to keep track of the things she borrows just to make sure everything you loan out is indeed returned.

As said before, you sound like a nice person. A nice person who doesn't deserve to have a friend walk all over you, quite possibly in your shoes no less. If you confront her and set forth ground rules she'll either agree or disagree, but let her answer surprise you. You don't want to go into a situation like this with preconceived notions. If your friendship is as strong as you would like to believe, she shouldn't have a problem respecting your wardrobe wishes and you'll get your clothing back without losing your friend. But on the off chance she decides that the new rules are for the birds, then let her fly. Life's too short for fair-weathered fashion friends.

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

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I want a pair of UGG boots but I can't justify the price. A lot of companies now make their own version of "UGG's" and sometime's they're half the price! Is the quality of the "knock-offs" that bad that I shouldn't bother with them or are they worth looking into?

Signed,

Carbon Copy Boot Print

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Dear C.C.B.P.,

Every year its said that UGG boots are on the decline as more and more competitors try to recreate their signature "classic short" style. These boots have slowly become a staple for many a man and woman's winter wardrobe and just like any good pair of boots, they're going to cost you.

What sets UGG apart from their competitors is the same thing that separates designers from their imitation doppelgangers - the workmanship and materials. As their website boasts:

UGG® Australia uses only the highest-grade sheepskin available. Twin-face sheepskin is used in many of our core products. A piece of twin-face sheepskin has been treated on both the fleece side, and the skin side, providing the soft comfort UGG® Australia is famous for. Grade-A sheepskin is extremely dense and soft, which provides for a more comfortable and durable material. Lesser quality material and synthetics can be coarse, scratchy, and non-breathable. Grade-A sheepskin breathes naturally, wicking away moisture, and allowing air to circulate freely. Fleece breathes, wicks moisture away, and allows air to circulate, keeping feet dry. Sheepskin is naturally thermostatic thus keeping bare feet close to your natural body temperature regardless of the temperature outside.

Only when you can find a brand of sheepskin boots that can promise you the same for a fraction of UGG's cost will you have found a deal. If you can't justify the price now then revisit the idea next fall/winter after you've: had time to search for a comparable brand; sought out department stores that may include UGG's in their post-season markdowns; and/or created a 'boots or barefoot' fund to help you save. Bottom line: don't be sheepish about paying for quality footwear.

Check out UGG counterfeit education to learn more about why buying counterfeit items is baaa'd, what they as a company are doing about it, how to protect yourself and how you can help.

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

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I was compelled to write to you after I read one of your posts. You told a reader that if she has a limited budget that she should focus on well-tailored clothing and nice dresses instead of trendy pieces. However, I'm in the same boat as she is, except I like being a little flashier than your typical shift dress, a string of pearls and heels.

Is there a way to stand out and be trendy while you're on a budget?

Signed,

Trendy Thriftster

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Dear T.T.,

To be trendy and on a budget, you must first learn the importance of editing; not every seasonal trend is your friend. Before stepping foot into any store, take the time to pick apart current fads by using fashion magazines. Create a list of the season's looks and must-have items that you believe will work for you. You'll want to start your fashion perusing up to three months prior to the actual season you want to dress for as most fashion magazines, like fashion collections, are always a season ahead to entice and titillate those who 'have' and those who 'have to save'.

Once you have an idea of what you're looking for, most clothing and accessories - trendy or otherwise - can be found as a "look for less" at your local designer discount stores, secondhand shops, online or through DIY crafting.

The idea here is to apply what you've absorbed from your ready-to-wear reading research and start looking for items on the designer discount end of things to duplicate what appeals most to your trendy sensibilities, while staying within your budget. You still want to use the tips provided in this post and interweave wardrobe staples with trendy clothing and accessories to round out the look. A white oxford and black pants, for example, could be made more contemporary through personal styling and of-the-moment accessories.

Just remember that what you wear should be a reflection of your personal style and not just what designer's dictate. Finding the right balance is key. As Tommy Hilfiger was once quoted as saying: "Trying too hard to follow every trend? You want to look fashionable and put-together, not like you hit every sale rack this season."

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

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I read an article recently that men's hats are making a comeback? Is that true?

Signed,

Lidded Lad

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Dear L.L.,

When did men's hats go out of style? In one version or another, hats have been a stead-fast accessory for men (and women) since time immemorial. Most fashion archivist would agree that hats were created out of necessity, primarily to keep the head cool and protected. However, today's use of hats is one part fashion, one part function with an emphasis on the fashion portion.

The resurgence you and the article are probably pointing towards is the rise in male celebrities topping off their outfits as of late for identity protection and of course, the cool factor. Remember Ashton Kutcher's obsession with trucker hats in 2003? Legions of fans took to the cap craze like lemmings to an Ed Hardy-Von Dutch sea. Today, the only persons not aware of its decline in popularity seems to be the cast of 'Jersey Shore'.

Today's trendy topper for men is the fedora which can currently be seen on just about every major male celeb, with Justin Timberlake, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt and Hugh Jackman leading the pack. Other popular styles to not go unmentioned include: the pub cap, the newsboy cap, the ivy "driving" cap, the porkpie and of course, the baseball cap. (A hat glossary below will help you identify any styles you can't remember off the top of your head.)

Most of the hats mentioned are currently in the fashion queue, but each style remains only as popular as its captive audience. Even if the style you settle on isn't in-style according to Hollywood at the moment, it doesn't matter. Once you find the style that suits you best, you come to realize that hats can dress up or down any outfit; can be worn year around, keeping your head cool in the summer and warm in the winter; and with so many variations in the form of styles, materials and design flourishes, its nearly impossible to not find one that suits you. Hats are like a cup of coffee on the go: although you're fine without one, its always best to put a lid on it.

This website is great for its extensive and affordable hat selection, but also its "Hat University" which not only provides a glossary of hats, but a sizing chart, a section on care, cleaning and even has a section for hat etiquette. Consider this your guide to putting your best fit forward.

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