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Dear Shopaholic:

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Matching jeans, travel wear, spring jackets...

GOT A QUESTION? Do you think the "Miami Vice" look is due for a comeback? Do you watch VH1's "Back In..." and recognize half of your present wardrobe on the screen? 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,
I don't want to keep taking my Rock and Republic jeans to the dry cleaners all the time because of the Swarovski Crystals. Is it possible to wash in cold inside out and line dry without hurting the crystals?
S. K.

Dear S. K.,
It is possible to wash your jeans yourself, but I would hand wash them inside out. It is a big job and the dry cleaners could probably do it much better, so if it isn’t too inconvenient, I would continue taking your jeans to the dry cleaner. Rock and Republic jeans are too expensive to risk losing a crystal – or worse, ruining the jeans.

Dear Shopaholic,
Can you wear a jean jacket with a pair of blue jeans? I was told that this is a no-no. I was also told that, as long as they don’t match in color, it is an acceptable look. Help!
Lost in the Shopping Land of Denim

Dear Lost in the Shopping Land of Denim,
We have become a very denim-friendly city and it seems like jeans look good with everything – pumps or flats, a crisp white blazer or a tweed jacket – but to be blunt I think wearing a jean jacket that is not the same colour as your jeans is very passé. I find the look comes across as very old-looking and incohesive. You can take that jean jacket and wear it with black pants, a cropped pant, chocolate brown pants, a skirt, but I would suggest you stay away from a pair of jeans unless it is its partner.

Dear Shopaholic says: For a casual look with all the comfort, Capri pants and running shoes are a good bet.

Dear Shopaholic,
I will be traveling to Spain in late March/early April. I want to wear Capri pants but I don't think sandals will make for a good walking shoe. We were told not to wear shorts in Morocco too. What type of shoes can I wear? (The weather should be in the high 60's to high 70's during the day.)
Rose

Dear Rose,
Capri pants and a running shoe is actually not a bad look, I did wear them throughout Europe. Buy yourself those little ankle socks so they will disappear in your shoe and go with a running shoe that is comfortable, like a Puma running shoe, or the very cool Nike Shox. Something that has a bit of style but is comfortable is your best bet.

Dear Shopaholic,
We’re holding a formal company party at a nice hotel, and this is the first year I’ll be attending. The dress code for the men seems easy enough – a suit will do. But I’m not sure what I should be wearing…I asked around, and most of my female co-workers’ answers have ranged from a cocktail dress to a gown. I own neither. Anyway, I was wondering if you had any ideas on what I can wear? The executives will be around, but I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard. I don’t want them to think that I dress like a slob either. Help!
Fickle About Formals

Dear Fickle About Formals,
The best solution for an event like this is the classic black dress. Because the event is formal and it is at a nice hotel, and you are going to be surrounded by your work colleagues as well as the executives, you want to look put together and modern but not too dressy. When you are looking for a black dress look for something sleeveless and keep the dress simple. The simpler the dress, the more times you can wear it and the more ways you can change it up. You can add a broach, a colourful pashmina, a coloured pump, strappy sandal, and the list goes on and on.

Dear Shopaholic,
I’ve finally bounced back from the Christmas debt, and want to treat myself to a new spring jacket. What do you suggest? Are there any trends I should be keeping an eye out for?
C. S.

Dear C. S.,
There are quite a few trends for the season, but it really depends on what you plan on wearing the jacket with. Black and white is a huge trend for the spring season so finding yourself a crisp white jacket – maybe a jacket with a fun detail would be a great buy. Something that you can wear with jeans, black slacks to work, a cropped pant, a skirt, or even this season’s style of pedal pusher, would be a great way to go. If you are looking for more of a novelty jacket, then something with embroidery or one of the brocade jackets of the season would be cute too. Whatever you choose look for something with colour that makes a statement and makes you happy, spring is the season to take risks with your wardrobe. ¤ Erin