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Dear Shopaholic:

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Redneck styles, white blazer pairings, fancy dinner garb...

GOT A QUESTION? Can't find what to wear? Wondering if your wardrobe is too boring? Always on the verge of crying when you hit the mall? 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,
Help! I’m a redneck girl that wants to dress sexy without losing that country/redneck look for my boyfriend. How can I do it?
Gretchen Wilson Ain’t Got Nothing On Me

Dear Gretchen Wilson Ain’t Got Nothing On Me,
The whole cowboy look is really in right now, and believe it or not, fashion is about taking the trends that suit you and adding in a whole lot of your own personal style. There are several things that you can do to dress up your look. Cowboy boots with a sexy pair of jeans and a trendy top, like a lingerie top or a halter, is a great way to dress up your cowboy boots. Add in a bit of the bohemian look by doing a peasant skirt with a cute blouse tied in a knot at the waist. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to take the basics that you love and add in a little funk. A cool belt or chunky necklace can help dress up any outfit, and they look amazing matched with jeans, a cowboy hat, or a great pair of cowboy boots.

Dear Shopaholic,
I’ve purchased a cute sporty white blazer and am looking forward to incorporating it into my wardrobe. But, after several pairings with jeans and a printed tee, I’m out of ideas. How can I get maximum use of my jacket without wearing the same drab thing day in and day out?
Pairings Are Not My Forte

Dear Pairings Are Not My Forte,
One of the major pieces that I had all my clients purchase this season was a white blazer. It is the easiest item to mix and match in your wardrobe and it is a great way to add colour to your summer wardrobe without being too drastic. Other than jeans, your white blazer goes great with black, brown, navy or grey slacks. Add a vintage tee underneath and you’ve got a really hip look. As well, cropped pants or capris are another bottom that looks great with a white blazer. And lastly, you can pair your blazer with a classic skirt – printed or solid, pencil or flowy – as long as the jacket is a cropped style you cannot go wrong.

Dear Shopaholic,
Is it okay to wear skinny leg jeans if your legs aren’t the skinniest they could be? Will it look all right or will I have to wait until my legs shrink??
Ami

Dear Ami,
While I personally love the skinny jean look, especially tucked in to a really gorgeous high-heeled dress boot, it is a really difficult trend to wear. Yes, your legs have to be quite thin and if they are not, then wearing a jean that is tight to the leg will only accentuate the fact that you have a slightly thicker leg. For now, stay with a boot cut or something with a straighter leg.

Dear Shopaholic says: For an upscale night without the hassle, try pairing black slacks with a dressy top and pumps. Score these looks at The Gap and Guess?.

Dear Shopaholic,
I’m meeting my boyfriend’s parents for the first time at their daughter’s high school graduation dinner. The restaurant has been booked, and it’s a pretty swanky place with lots of chandeliers and tuxedoed waiters. The kind of place where they give you five forks for dinner, and have someone in the washroom waiting to give you soap and a spritz of hairspray. Not really my kind of place, but I would like to make a good impression. I don’t own any cocktail dresses or heels outside of my prom get-up, and don’t think I can stomach being overly primped for the night. What do you suggest that screams, “I’m not trying too hard,” and yet says, “I look like a presentable young lady who knows how to dress herself, don’t I”?
Cassandra

Dear Cassandra,
My first question is, what is everyone else wearing? The easiest thing to do is dress similar to everyone else – that way, you won’t feel over- or under-dressed. You can dress one of two ways. Wear a dressy pair of black slacks (tuxedo style) with a dressy top and a high-heeled pump. For the top wear something that is sophisticated, maybe with some beading on it. The other thing you can do is wear a dressy skirt with a dressed up tank, and take a pashmina that you can throw over your shoulders.

Dear Shopaholic,
My friend and I recently had a very long and heated conversation about all the things that bug us about each other, and she insinuated that I dress too provocatively to be taken seriously. Well, she implied other things too, but I won’t discuss them here. Personally, I like my style, and I like to wear tailored clothes (or “tight-fitting clothes,” depending on perception), especially when I’m just hanging out. Yes, sometimes my tops are too low-cut or my minis are hiked too high, but it makes me feel confident and I’m much too comfortable with myself to be self-conscious about anything. I can see where she’s coming from, though. Is there a way to keep this sexy style of mine without offending those around me?
Jezebel in Leather Boots

Dear Jezebel in Leather Boots,
In my opinion, miniskirts after a certain age are just not appropriate, no matter how gorgeous your legs are and how in shape your body is. Tight fitting clothes are all right in certain instances. A low cut shirt with a bit of cleavage with a conservative jean, a great flowy skirt, or a pair of cropped pants I can see, but if your friends are expressing a concern, maybe you need to tone it down a bit. Tight clothing and miniskirts are not all right in the corporate world. You just don’t need to attract negative attention, which is exactly what you will get from your female colleagues. Other then ditching the mini skirts, if you are confident wearing low cut tops – not plunging necklines – then I say go for it. ¤ Erin