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Dear Shopaholic:

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Bad gifts, fall shoes, dressy denim...

GOT A QUESTION? Do you get your fashion cues from Flashdance? Is your bowl haircut tiring you out? Do you feel like you're always five thousand steps behind the latest trends? 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 boyfriend gave me a hideous sweater as a birthday gift. It's green with a snowflake pattern on the cuffs of the sleeve and around the collar. Now that winter is right around the corner, he'll be expecting me to wear it. I didn't have the heart to tell him that I don't much care for it. What would you do?
D.K.

Wash your sweater and pray that it shrinks. Now it should fit your puppy. Don't have one? Get one! He'll have to understand when he sees that only your puppy can fit into it.

Dear Shopaholic,
What's in for fall shoes?
W.P.

Pointed toe boots are in every store this season. Check out Bata for a pair in black or caramel. While the pointed toe boot looks great on most people, it's not quite my thing [hey, me too! What's up with those hideous shoes? - Chris], and thankfully you'll find square toe boots around too.

Dear Shopaholic,
I own way too many little black dresses. Whenever I go to a special occasion, I end up wearing one of them. I'm starting to suspect that people will notice this and think I don't have anything else to wear. However, I don't want to buy a new dress every time I go out. How do I update this look?
Y.F.

Try using a wrap or throw since the weather is getting quite chilly now. Or maybe add a sash around your fitted black dress for some drama. I would also suggest those large rose pins to add to your dress strap for a splash of colour. Anything goes with black, so have fun with some colour.

Dear Shopaholic,
I'm accompanying my boyfriend to his office party. I want to me a great impression, but I'm unsure of what to wear. The event is described as casual, but it will be held at a hotel in the evening. What do you suggest?
Clueless

I suggest a simple shift dress. You can throw on a blazer to look more professional or go with some bold jewelry to dress it up. The look says simple and elegant.

Dear Shopaholic,
I'm looking for a fall jacket, nothing too dressy but not too casual. What's in right now?
C.J.

I love denim and it's so versatile. Look for a ¾ length denim jacket. Denim can be casual, but can also be dressed up depending on your attire and accessories.

Dear Shopaholic,
What's the best top to pair with a pair of gray slacks? Shoes?
N.G.

I can't think of anything that doesn't go with gray. Gray is like black: anything goes.

Dear Shopaholic,
I want to wear a strapless top without a bra. But sometimes it gets cold, and you know how that can be. How do I hide things I don't want to show?
Nippled

Sorry, I can't help you out here. I don't prefer to sport any duct tape (how attractive is that anyways?) I think a strapless and lightly padded bra is the best solution. ¤ Phan