Q: Vertical stripes are slimming. I know that, but so does everyone else. Whenever I wear vertical stripes, I feel as if I’m telling the world that I’m trying to look slimmer. (I am, but I hate to be obvious.) How else can I achieve my goal?
A: You could wear black, the most slimming of colors.
But no, everyone probably knows that little trick, too.
Try diagonal stripes. They’re jazzy and upbeat, but they’re also highly distracting. No matter what your perceived figure flaws — too fat, thin, tall, short, full-busted, flat-chested — they’ll appear less obvious under diagonally striped clothing, swimsuits included.
Q: While watching the TV coverage of former President Reagan’s funeral, I was struck by the garb worn by the people viewing his casket. To my eye, most of them looked as if they were dressed for a day at the beach. Are shorts, tank tops and sneakers now considered appropriate attire for such a solemn ceremony?
A: Appropriate attire at a viewing should reflect the solemnity of the occasion and the respect traditionally accorded the dead. This usually means modest, dark clothing.
However, few viewings require people to wait in the hot sun for hours before approaching the casket, as they did for President Reagan. Even so, a less casual approach would have been more appropriate. Even something as simple as khaki pants (or skirt), a black or white shirt (or blouse) and loafers would have been better than shorts, tank tops and sneakers.
Q: What is your opinion of dark lip liner worn with much lighter lipstick?
A: As with many fashion issues, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some women like the look of dark lip liner; others think it looks too artificial.
I think bold lip liner looks best when, after application, it is blended toward the inside of the lips so that the outline is less harsh. Personally, though, I prefer a more natural look, where the lip liner is the same shade and intensity as the lipstick.
LOST
* An Orlando reader is trying to track down blouses by Top Notch, which she used to buy at Catherine’s and in the Regalia catalog.
* Another reader is looking for men’s athletic-style walking shoes by Gravis.
FOUND
* Good news for the reader with diabetes who is looking for a medical bracelet with an expandable band. The bracelets are available from MedicAlert by calling (800) 432-5378 or online at medicalert.com.
* Readers offer the following suggestions for the Orlando reader looking for jackets and pants for tall women: The JCPenney Talls catalog has a big selection of tall sizes. So do the Eddie Bauer catalog (phone: (800) 426-8020; eddiebauer.com), and the Lands’ End catalog (phone: (800) 356-4444; landsend.com), which also offers free hemming on pants. Carlisle, the in-home shopping service that sells by appointment, offers designer-quality fashions with tall-fit trousers and long-torso tops and jackets. For more information, call (407) 694-6753. Also, Tall magazine is a useful resource for women (and men) looking for extra-long clothing. To subscribe, check the Web site tallmagazine.com.
* Here’s another source for lily-of-the-valley fragrance, which several readers wanted: It’s available in cologne, body mist, lotion, room spray and gift sets from Caswell-Massey www.caswellmassey.com.
* The reader from St. Augustine looking for My Sin and Arpege fragrances by Lanvin can order them from The Vermont Country Store. The phone number is (802) 362-8440; Web site is vermontcountrystore.com.
Fashion writer Jean Patteson welcomes your questions. Mail: Orlando Sentinel, MP-240, P.O. Box 2833, Orlando, FL 32802-2833. Phone: (407) 420-5158. E-mail: jpatteson@orlandosentinel.com. *
