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Dear Shopaholic:

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Shirts for him, the latest trends in watches, horizontal don'ts...

GOT A QUESTION? Is your closet a perfect replica of the 1970s? Do you think that the latest fashion trends come from the Home Shopping Network? If you have a pressing fashion dilemma, 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,
My anniversary is coming up, and I wanted to surprise my boyfriend with some additions to his wardrobe. He’s usually very casual, so I’d like to get him something he can wear to the office that is both trendy and smart and will impress his managers. What do you think I should look for?
Devoted But Clueless Girlfriend

Dear Devoted But Clueless,
Well I think clothes for your boyfriend is a great idea. Most guys get impatient when shopping and do not tend to look for something new; their philosophy is, “if it ain’t broke then don’t fix it.” If you want to stay casual but trendy you can always buy him a half-zip cashmere sweater, a 3-button polo-style shirt in merino wool or a V-neck cable knit or plain sweater. All three sweaters are luxurious without taking away from your boyfriend’s casual style. As well they are sleek and sophisticated enough that his managers will notice him but will not think he is trying too hard.

Dear Shopaholic,
My brother has just been confirmed a position in a prestigious law firm. To celebrate, he’s been looking for a watch to go with his new salary. We’ve been arguing incessantly over what kind of style he should get. I think a sleek rectangular face with metal band is the way to go, but he’s bent on getting a traditional circular face with a leather band. Tell me who’s right.
Bickering Siblings

Dear Bickering Siblings,
I happen to agree with both of you. A watch says a lot about the person who is wearing it and a sleek and sophisticated watch shows class and position. Both choices are modern and always in style. Personally, I like a circular face with a metal band and, if your brother is dead set on a circular face, then there are some really gorgeous watches he can choose from that are on a leather strap.

Dear Shopaholic says: If you want him sleek and sophisticated, invest in a V-neck cable knit or 3-button polo-style shirt.

Dear Shopaholic,
This year I am spending Christmas with my boyfriend's family. I will be staying at his Grandfather's place and was wondering what to get as a gift? I've met his grandfather briefly but that's it...I know he likes plants. Also, I will be meeting my boyfriend's biological father for the first time. What could I get as a little something for him? Thanks for your help!
Giftless For Now

Dear Giftless for Now,
Buying gifts for a boyfriend’s family can be tough because you do not know them well enough to know exactly what they might like and at the same time you want to look thoughtful and appreciative for their hospitality. For his grandfather you can always buy him a book on plants, something that identifies and details the variety of plants and their origins. If you enjoy baking I would also come with some Christmas cookies or a cake. That adds a personal touch to your gift and he will appreciate the thoughtfulness of it. For his biological father you need to ask your boyfriend if there is anything in particular that he enjoys. If he likes a particular brand of alcohol you can always pick him up a bottle, or if he is a big movie buff a gift certificate to Best Buy or to a movie theatre is always a winner.

Dear Shopaholic,
I recently started a new job, and it requires a lot of traveling to trade shows and the like. I’m just wondering if I should keep my look business casual at these events, or turn it up a notch since I’ll be interacting with clients when out of the office. What do you think?
Working Girl

Dear Working Girl,
Well, congratulations on the new job – it sounds really exciting! Business casual is fine when you are not meeting new and potential clients, but when you are at a trade show or at a meeting out of town you need to make the best possible impression and a suit jacket will give you that edge. It does not necessarily need to be a complete suit; it can be a mix and match jacket with a co-coordinating top and a dark pair of slacks. When going on a business trip, my clients find it easier to take one or two suit jackets with several tops and a couple pairs of matching pants - that way, they have a multitude of choices.

Dear Shopaholic,
I’m really enamoured with horizontally striped shirts, especially the collared kind, but I find that they tend to make my body look long while the rest of my 5’1” frame looks quite short. Any suggestions on how to get around this?
Shorty

Dear Shorty,
I have a perfect suggestion: Do not wear horizontal stripes. I have yet to come across someone who looks good in horizontal stripes. Vertical stripes elongate your body and make you look taller and thinner especially when they are on a pair of slacks. Horizontal stripes on top chop your short frame up and make you look shorter than you already are. With your height you need a solid colour on top and you can do a stripe or pattern on the bottom.

Dear Shopaholic,
Help! I’d love to incorporate more colour into my wardrobe, but I’ve been into blacks and browns ever since I could remember. I’ve tried some muted pastels here and there, but I just can’t get into it. Plus, I find it hard to find colours that complement my complexion (I’m a redhead with a peaches and cream complexion and green eyes; I burn easily and my cheeks tend to get flushed very easily). Is it hopeless for me?
Big Red

Dear Big Red,
You sound like a typical autumn to me. The reason you are getting frustrated with colour is because you are looking to the wrong palate to add that punch of colour. You were in the right direction with black and brown – chocolate brown, I hope. Autumns cannot wear pastels as they wash you out (and as you have obviously figured out). You need to stay with the warmer and richer tones of the fall season. Add camel, gold, pumpkin, rust, orange, dark tomato red, chartreuse, moss green, olive green, forest green, turquoise, teal blue, or beige, just to name a few. As a side note, all of the mentioned colours look great with black and brown so don’t get rid of those basics. Stay away from the muted pastel tones and stick with a rich palate and you will find it easy to add more colour into your wardrobe. ¤ Erin