Style SOS

Q.  This summer, there are so many cute prints I'd love to wear, especially the florals and plaids. I recently bought a blue floral top and plaid headband. Do you think these two prints could be worn together or do they clash too much?
-Lotta Prints

A.  Go ahead, mix it up! Prints that appear to clash, like plaids and florals, can actually look fantastic together. The trick is to make sure the prints share common colors. For example, wear your blue floral-printed top with a plaid headband in a similar color of blue. The effect tricks the eye and makes the multi-prints seem less busy and more harmonious.




1. Fabric Headband, $24.50 at jcrew.com
2. Free People Sea Breeze Floral Tank, $68 at nordstrom.com
3. Fabric Headband, $24.50 at jcrew.com
4. Slub Silk Zoey Tank, $82 at jcrew.com
   

Q.  Summer is almost here, and I need help. I have narrow, sloping shoulders and want to look good in summery tops that are affordable. When I wear halter tops, my shoulders look small, and my hips look big. What style of tops would look best on me?
-Narrow Shoulders

A.  There are a couple of tricks to widening the look of your shoulders and creating a balance with your lower body. Look for tops with diagonal lines, stripes, or ribbing that angle toward the outer part of the shoulders; this makes narrow, sloping shoulders look wider. Also, boatnecks, deep V-necks, and other wide necklines help broaden the shoulders. Check out these tops that will flatter your figure and help you achieve that wider-shoulder look--all are under $30!




1. Slub Stripe Rebecca Top, $29.50 at alloy.com
2. Polka Dot Tee, $26.50 at alloy.com
3. Self Esteem Striped Hoodie Tee, $19.99 at fashionbug.com
4. Striped Sweater Top, $17.50 at wetseal.com
5. Daytrip Pieced Top, $28 at buckle.com

Q.  I'm 5'5" with curves and an hourglass shape. Do you think a miniskirt would look good on me, or am I too curvy for that kind of skirt?
-Mini Me

A.  You have the perfect body to rock a miniskirt! Your hourglass silhouette is perfectly balanced, and your curves are in all the right places to wear a short skirt that shows off great legs and curves. Go for a solid-colored mini in a denim, neutral, or trendy bright color, and you'll be ready to rule summer.




1. Color Mini Skirt (Sizes 3-11), $19.50 at wetseal.com
2. Stretch Chino Mini (Sizes 4-12), $48 (sale) at jcrew.com
3. Low-Rise Denim Mini (Sizes 18-30), $19.99 (sale) at oldnavy.com
4. Brooklyn Bright Mini (Sizes 1/2-13/14), $34.50 at delias.com
5. Linen Mini (Sizes 0-20), $18 (sale) at oldnavy.com
6. Watercolor Mini (Sizes 1-25), $26.50-$28.50 at alloy.com

Q.  I have gym class after lunch, and I change into my gym clothes and a sports bra. When gym is over, I change back into school clothes, but I leave my sports bra on, because I have track practice right after school. How do I keep my bra from smelling of stinky sweat throughout the day?
-Stinky Supporter

A.  Besides a good deodorant and body spray, try out this sports bra. It's the Reebok Scented Seamless Short Bra Top and will work wonders on stinky sweat. As your body heats up during gym class and throughout the day, the bra generates a fresh peppermint scent. Also, the Play Dry® technology in the bra manages moisture to keep you dry--how cool!

Q.  It's almost time for pool weather and I'm in need of a swimsuit that covers my bikini area. All the swimsuits I see are so revealing that you'd need to have a bikini wax to wear them. Can you help me find a swimsuit that is stylish and covers me?
-Cover Girl

A.  There are many kinds of swimsuits, some with bikini bottoms designed to be very revealing, others made to suit more modest tastes. The swimsuit styles that are ideal for covering the bikini area are the skirted swimsuit, the boy short swimsuit, and the swimdress. The following swimsuits will keep you covered in style by the poolside, and you'll no longer need to stress about over-exposure. Have fun!




1. Betsey Johnson Beauty Floral-Print Bikini Top & Ruffled Skirted Bottom, $98 (top) and $96 (bottom) at macys.com

2. Kenneth Cole Reaction Underwire Halter & Skirted Bottom with Ruffled Hem, $46 (top) and $60 (bottom) at macys.com

3. Military Halter Bikini Top & Belted Boy Short, $34.50 (top) and $39.50 (bottom) at gap.com

4. Hurley Point of Hue Top & Penelope Board Short, $48.50 (top) and $38.50 (bottom) at alloy.com

5. Juicy Couture Beach Chiffon Halter Swimdress, $164 at nordstrom.com

6. Solid Halter Tank Dress, $80 at jcrew.com

Q.  I would like to know what kind of casual sandals would look good with a teal blue sundress and downplay my large calves and thick ankles. I usually wear a 3-inch heel, so it would be super if you can find some cute sandals with similar heels. Thanks!
-Livin' Large

A.  With numerous sandal styles to choose from this season, knowing what works (and doesn't work) for your body type will save you a lot of time searching through the shoe racks. Since you have thick calves and ankles, avoid sandals with ankle straps and wedges that tie around your ankle; the straps cut off the length of the legs, and as a result, calves and ankles look wider and thicker. Instead, look for slingback or thong sandals and wedges that don't have ankle straps or ties. The absence of straps near the ankles will elongate your legs and calves. For color options, go with nudes, metallics, or lightly-colored shoes with touches of teal to go with your sundress.


1. Mia "Tango" Sandal, $59.99 at shoes.com
2. Baby Phat "Silvie" Wedge, $56 at zappos.com
3. Tommy Hilfiger "Clara" Slingback Wedge, $70 at macys.com
4. Franco Sarto "Baby" Sandal, $88.95 at nordstrom.com 

Q.  My 16th birthday is coming up next month, and I get to pick out a piece of real jewelry as a present. I would like to get a bracelet I'll have forever made out of platinum or white gold. My arms are thin and most bracelets usually look huge on me. I would like to know what kind of bracelets you recommend. Thanks!
-Sweet Sixteen

A.  A bracelet is a good choice when it comes to building a fine jewelry collection, especially when it is made out of gold or platinum. With proper care, the bracelet will last a very long time. Look for fine and delicate bracelets that counterbalance your thin arms and make them look fuller and more balanced. Thin arms look best with thin bracelets.



1. Venetian Link Bracelet in 18k White Gold, $275 at bluenile.com
2. Floral Bar-Link Bracelet In 14kt White Gold, $140 (sale) at ross-simons.com
3. Faceted Bar Link Bracelet in Platinum, $425 at bluenile.com
4. 14kt White Gold & Rhodium Figaro Ball Bracelet, $125 at ice.com
5. Shiny Bangle Bracelet, 14KW Gold, $95 at fortunoff.com
6. Bead Link Bracelet in Platinum, $425 at bluenile.com

Q.  I have a pleated halter top that's golden in color. What would go best with it on the bottom?
-Golden Girl

A. There are several stylish options to create a casual or dressy look when paired with your gold halter top. If you're going for a casual look, pair your halter top with jeans. Light wash denim jeans are in trend right now, and nothing beats a crisp pair of white jeans or pants for summer. Shorts are another casual option for warm weather days. When you want a dressier look, go for a full, flirty cotton skirt that's both breezy and beautiful.
    

2. Alexa Low-Rise Crop, $34.50 at delias.com
3. Adam + Eve Khaki Linen Gold Stripe Trouser Shorts, $74.99 at bluefly.com
4. Bolly Skirt, $42.50 at alloy.com

Q.  Help! I need a new swimsuit for summer that makes me look like I have some curves. I have a straight figure with very little or no curves. What style would look good on me?
-Blind Curves

A.  A straight or boyish body type can create the look of curves with swimsuit styles that have cut-outs, such as one-piece halter swimsuits with cut-outs and monokinis. The monokini is similar to a bikini, except the top and bottom parts are connected in the middle and cut-outs show off your sides--it's perfect for creating an hourglass look. In addition to cut-out details, diagonal stripes, bows, and ruffles on a swimsuit also help increase the look of curves with sweet summer style.




1. Xhilaration Bold Stripe Monokini, $29.99 at target.com
2. Hot Kiss Show & Tell Monokini, $66 at buckle.com
3. Natural Cut-Out Halter One-Piece, $50 at gap.com
4. La Blanca Spot On Monokini with Rings, $103 at figleaves.com
5. Mossimo Swirl Monokini, $34.99 at target.com
6. Lux Balneario One-Piece, $88 at urbanoutfitters.com

Q.  Help! I'm a plus-size teen looking for a complete outfit idea to wear to graduation. I'm top-heavy with slimmer hips and legs, and I definitely prefer wearing skirts and tops than dresses. I also have size 10 wide feet. Can you find a cute outfit for me?
-Gorgeous Grad

A.  To balance out your figure, choose a dark-colored top to make you appear less top-heavy. Then pair it with a pleated or full skirt that is hemmed at the knee in a light or bright color. The overall look de-emphasizes your top-half and brings focus to your hips and legs. Show off your beautiful features in this black and white outfit that's sure to get high honors.


The pattern on this silver medallion necklace is the inspiration for this outfit and is repeated throughout the ensemble.

Anna Beck Silver Medallion Necklace, $150 at maxandchloe.com









This black V-neck top has adorable sequined trim, and the all-cotton fabric is lightweight and breathable--perfect for warm weather.

Sequined Z Top by Abby Z, $39.99 (sale) at alight.com










The geometric print of this cotton skirt mimics the pattern in the necklace.

Black and White Geo Print Flounce Skirt, $38 at torrid.com











These silver metallic sandals have tiny rhinestone insets that have a similar shape to the pattern on the necklace, and the heels are comfortably low enough so you can confidently walk up to get your diploma in style.   

J. Reneé "Maryanne" Slingback, $79.95 at nordstrom.com