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Dear Shopaholic:

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Winter shoes, the great belt debate, skinny pants for wide hips...

GOT A QUESTION? Not sure about that gold top you got from your Aunt Zelda? Have a great outfit that just need that perfect pair of shoes? If you have a pressing fashion dilemma, e-mail our resident Shopaholic at help AT happygrrls DOT com. Don't worry, she won't laugh at your fashion faux pas - at least not to your face.

Dear Shopaholic,
Recently, I purchased a skirt from Goodwill that I just fell in love with. It was pleated, very slimming, dark and dressy, and fell right below my knee. Unwittingly, I tossed it into the wash and, of course, it came out nearly flat. I've tried ironing, but to my eyes the pleats are too difficult to distinguish and I gave up right away. Is there any other way to re-pleat my poor skirt?
Jessica

Dear Jessica,
I would try taking your skirt to a good dry cleaner. They can properly press your pleats back into your skirt.

Dear Shopaholic,
I’m getting ready for the upcoming winter months by supplementing my shoe closet with some new finds. I’m looking for something waterproof and practical, yet feminine. And I really hate Uggs. What do you recommend for the snow?
R. T.

Dear R.T.,
I would suggest going to The Shoe Company, they always have really great winter boots. You can always find really different and feminine boots there. I would look for a pair with a little bit of fur on it, or maybe with a bit of a heel.

Dear Shopaholic,
I am going on an interview tomorrow at a new gym that is opening in the area. The position is for a receptionist. What is the proper attire to wear for an interview at a gym? I was thinking slacks and a blouse with a blazer, but I don't want to look overdressed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Gym Jam

Dear Gym Jam,
I always say it is better to be over-dressed then under-dressed. You should always wear a suit to your first interview, but given the job you are applying for, a pair of slacks and jacket is fine. If you did not want to wear a blouse, you could try a sweater or a dressy-tank, but not a low cut tank. The choice is yours.

Dear Shopaholic says: If your shirt is untucked, you don't have to always wear a belt.

Dear Shopaholic,
I just read on your site that you think a fashion no-no is women who tuck in their shirts and wear a belt. I do like the look of a tucked-in shirt with the lower-waisted pants on tall, thin women. So the question is – if the pants have belt loops, do you HAVE to wear a belt?
Beltless in California

Dear Beltless in California,
Tucking in your shirt is a no-no for short-waisted women, as it only makes them look even more petite. So many dress pants and jeans do have belt loops but most of them are merely for esthetic purposes. You do not have to wear a belt in belt loops. If you are wearing a suit and your shirt is tucked into your pants then yes, you would have to, but if your top is untucked it is not necessary.

Dear Shopaholic,
I’m very slender, but I have impossibly wide hips that pilates just can’t seem to get rid of. I love the look of pencil skirts and skinny pants, but I feel self-conscious because my hips are much wider than my frame. Is there a way that I can get the same silhouette look while minimizing my hips?
Shy About Curves

Dear Shy About Curves,
Most pencil skirts are what they call European style, which means they are slightly closer to the body and hug your behind. If you liked the look, try to find a skirt that falls straight from the hips and is less tailored around the hips and bum area. Skinny pants are a totally separate issue and are a very difficult style to wear. You could always take your boot cut pants and wear them tucked into your boots and make it look like it is a skinny pant.

Dear Shopaholic,
I’m going to a housewarming party thrown by a close friend, and I’m looking for something practical but unique to give her. Do you have any suggestions for what I should be looking for? Any stores that you can recommend?
Nat

Dear Nat,
A bottle of wine and a great bottle stopper is always a great gift, especially if you purchase a sterling silver one and engrave her initials on it. A gift certificate to Williams Sonoma or Caynes is also a great idea, that way she can pick out whatever she would like.

Dear Shopaholic,
I’m a jeans and t-shirt kinda gal, and I love jewelry. I guess my only concern is, what kind of accessories can I pair with such a simple look?
Minimalist Fashionista

Dear Minimalist Fashionista,
I also love the t-shirt and jeans look and I find that if I am running out the house but still want to look cute, I will put on a great baseball cap or paper-boy hat and hoop earrings and I suddenly feel a little more pulled together. Also, you can always just throw on a pendant necklace or a belt over top of your t-shirt.

Dear Shopaholic,
We all know fashion styles are very cyclical. Which looks would you like to see come back into fashion? Which ones can you do without?
Bree

Dear Bree
I love when designers take an old trend and bring it back with a twist – that way it is new again. But I prefer to see new and different trends emerging rather then the old being recycled. When the skinny jean came back, it was an homage to Audrey Hepburn and her famous skinny black pants. The way the jean is being worn with oversized tops, tucked into a boot, or with a platform shoe is a great update to an old trend. ¤ Erin