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Dear Shopaholic:

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Waist-proof, finding the right length, Swatch switching...

GOT A QUESTION? Have a pressing question about fashion? E-mail our resident Shopaholic at help@happygrrls.com. Don't worry, she won't laugh at you - at least not to your face.

Dear Shopaholic,
I really love empire-waisted dresses, but I can't seem to find one that doesn't make me somehow look pregnant. Should I say good-bye to this obsession?
Forlornly Dressed

Dear Forlornly Dressed,
I am sorry to tell you this but I have yet to see a woman who looks good in an empire waisted dress. They must be out there because manufacturers continue to produce these high waisted dresses. Just a little history for you, the Empire style started in the early 19th century, but began as a blouse. The empire style gathers under the breasts and then falls straight to the floor, creating a square like shape. Since the fabric falls away from the body it does create a long line which can make you look taller but gives you no shape, as it does not come in at the waist. I'm sorry but it might be time to say good-bye to the unflattering empire-waisted dresses.

Dear Shopaholic,
I am going on vacation and I need to buy some swimwear. I had a C-section not too long ago, so I have this horrible tummy and I need to know what the best kind of swimsuit would be for me. Any ideas?
Lillian

Dear Lillian,
Shopping for swimwear is a nightmare for most women and it is definitely not something we look forward to. My first suggestion

Dear Shopaholic says: to tighten the tummy instantly, go for a one-piece.

is to go to a store that offers you one-on-one service. There are several specialty swimsuit stores in this city but my favorite is Melmira Swimsuits on Yonge Street. If you are uncomfortable with your tummy, then I would suggest that you stick with a one-piece swimsuit. Also, a swimsuit that has rouching or draped fabric over your tummy will conceal any areas you feel uncomfortable showing.

Dear Shopaholic,
I've bought a boho style red dress for a friend's wedding and I'm struggling to know what colour accessories to wear with it. Please help!
C. L. D.

Dear C.L.D.,
There are several ways that you can accessorize a red dress. It really depends in which season you are wearing the dress. For the spring/summer season I would suggest a cream or beige coloured shoe and accessories like a beaded or satin purse, a pashmina, in case it gets cool, or a cardigan in the same colour as your shoe. For the fall/winter season, you have a number of choices. You could wear a brown, black or metallic shoe with corresponding accessories or even the cream or beige shoe you bought for the summer. Accessories such as a broach or your favourite necklace are season-less pieces that can help embellish your new red dress.

Dear Shopaholic,
I have really short legs (genetics, unfortunately) and since the weather is co-operating now, I'd love to wear more dresses and skirts. Unfortunately, longer dresses call out the fact that my legs aren't exactly goddess-like, while shorter skirts and mini-skirts seem to be okay but make me very self-conscious every time I bend down to pick up something. Do you have any suggestions as to what I can wear?
Stumpy

Dear Stumpy,

Dear Shopaholic says: this is the perfect skirt length (left); choose the other and you could run into trouble.

Finding the right skirt length is a common problem but there is a simple answer to your question. I always tell my petite clients to keep their skirt lengths above their knees. Wearing longer skirts only accentuates the fact that you are shorter, while skirts that sit above your knee are fun and are the correct proportion for your height. Obviously the length of your skirt is at your discretion but you should choose a length that is age-appropriate. If you are over 30 I would forget the mini-skirts and try one of this season's hottest trends, a shorter tweed skirt.

Dear Shopaholic,
Is there any way to dress up a casual tee?
H. T.

Dear H.T.
There are about a hundred ways to dress up a casual tee so let me start with the easiest. Changing your pants, adding a piece of jewelry, a scarf, or a different pair of shoes can completely alter the look of a casual t-shirt. For example:

1. Dressy jeans with high heels, a thick belt worn over the waistband with your favourite tee pulled underneath the belt.
2. Black pants, your t-shirt, with a strand of pearls or your favourite evening necklace with a dressy clutch style bag.
3. Your favourite t-shirt with a sweater tied around your neck (the preppy look), your favourite capris, either with an open toe high heel or a open back flat shoe.
4. Or simply a plain t-shirt, your favourite pair of jeans and a shrunken suit jacket over top, maybe with a broach for some colour.

These are just a few of the ways that you can dress up a casual tee, but there really are no rules, so have fun with your t-shirts and enjoy trying something different.

Dear Shopaholic,
I'm trading in my old Swatch for a nicer model. Where do you suggest I look for the latest and greatest?
Time Is Ticking

Dear Time is Ticking,
Part of the reason that living in a city like Toronto is so incredible is that when you are ready to invest in a new piece of jewelry or clothing there are lots of shops to check out. Places like the Sunglass Hut, jewelry stores in malls (Peoples Jewellers, La Swiss, and European Jewellery), The Bay, Sears, Holt Renfrew, Royal De Versailles, and Birks, all carry various watches at all price points. The question is how much do you want to spend and what style are you looking for? The best way to find a style that suits you is to look through magazines as well as going into the stores and trying on the various styles.

Dear Shopaholic,
I enjoy the great outdoors as much as the next girl, but whenever I go camping I always seem to pack the wrong things. Sometimes I don't pack enough and freeze my butt off at night, and sometimes I pack too much and have to have several friends help me carry my bags…which doesn't bode well for my popularity. What are the essentials I should not leave home without?
Clueless About Packing

Dear Clueless about Packing,
Unfortunately, I may not be the most qualified person to answer this question, as I am guilty of over packing myself. But with camping or when you are going on any trip the key is to bring pieces that you can layer. That way if you are cold you can add a long sleeved t-shirt, a sweatshirt and a jacket, or if you are warm you can take off those pieces and reveal a tank or t-shirt. Your packing checklist should include:

• A couple of t-shirts or tanks, keep it simple
• 1 long sleeved t-shirt
• 1 sweatshirt or fleece type pull-over
• A warm jacket to be worn over the sweatshirt if need be, or a vest to act as a layer for the fleece sweatshirt
• 1 pair of jeans (not your favorite pair)
• A couple of pairs of sweatpants or light weight capris (your jeans can be worn over them)
• A couple pairs of shorts (if you get cold, a pair of sweatpants can be worn over them)
• Warm socks

The main goal of a camping trip is to relax and enjoy your surroundings as well as the people that you came with, not lugging around a heavy suitcase filled with items that you just do not need. Keep it simple and use my checklist as a guide that can be altered depending on the length of time you are going away and the season's weather conditions. ¤ Erin