{What do you think of this look?}
Does this FOF achieve summer splendor….or white fright? Read what our style experts think, then tell us if you agree.
Sherrie Mathieson: “‘Sheer madness’ seems like the appropriate phrase for this inappropriate skirt. Too much information! This FOF is trying to look light and breezy, but her outfit is just not flattering. Also, instead of yellow shoes, she should have picked a neutral color to match the rest of her clothing.
Sherrie Mathieson is a leading style expert and Random House author of Steal this Style and Forever Cool.
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Lovey Dash: “I don’t see much wrong with this look. She looks cool, chic, casual and comfy on a warm day. Her bag and shoes are fine. What’s missing is some bronzer and a few bangles. Would she have been better off with a bit of color?…Maybe.”
Lovey Dash is a Beverly Hills-based stylist. She was formerly in VIP sales for Louis Vuitton on Rodeo Drive.
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Donna Perone: “The white dress (I believe it’s a dress–not a skirt) would look lovely with a softer cover-up than the polo — a lightweight shrug, a boat-beck or scoop-neck tee would all work. If she really wants to wear the white polo, she should wear it with khaki shorts for a better silhouette.”
Donna Perone is the founder of Living Fit with Style, a New York-based personal training and styling company.
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Susan Grant: The monochromatic look–with just a touch of color in the shoes–works well. The big “however” is that the sheerness and length of the skirt leaves too much leg exposed. Any garment this sheer is meant to be worn with some sort of liner. A longer length or slacks would serve to conceal what are not this woman’s best feature.
Susan Grant is merchandise manager for Muse, a full-service jewelry showroom.
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Sandra Soich: Her look is not age appropriate. Every element of the outfit is good–the bag, the shoes, the blouse and skirt–but they don’t work
together. If she wore a pair of white linen pants instead of the skirt, this could work.
Sandra Soich is wardrobe stylist to the stars and founder of YourFashionTherapist.com.
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Gail Garramone: I like the idea of a monochromatic look with a tailored top and a flowy skirt, but this needs help. Perhaps a thin gold belt, to focus the eye and bring a sense of order to the outfit.
Gail Garramone is a veteran V.P. of Liz Claiborne Inc. where she traveled around the country with Tim Gunn producing fashion workshops.
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Susan Hersh: Pure white during the summer can be beautiful and elegant, but, this woman looks restricted. I’d prefer a shirt that has more intricate lace or ruffle detailing to continue the soft femininity of the skirt. The yellow flat is fun, but the shoulder bag is heavy-looking for such a feminine outfit. A scaled down the bag in cobalt or turquoise would be a better choice.
Susan Hersh is a Ford model and the host and executive producer of Meet The Experts.
Sherrie Mathieson: “This looks schizophrenic. Our practical FOF (having sought hat sun protection and comfort) starts with a summery, feminine vision for her upper self, then opts for a “hiking” look for her lower body. Rubber bands don’t make for great bracelets, and I have a feeling that the hidden shoulder bag is no more attractive than her sandals. She is a classic example of an FOF who sacrifices style for comfort.”
Robin Mizrahi: “This FOF proves it isn’t easy dressing comfortably and weather-appropriately without looking sloppy. This isn’t a look–just pieces she put on together. From the waist down there is a relaxed harmony — easy breezy, just stepping out and about. Not so with her upper half — the top is just not flattering for a woman with her bust. If she picks up her arm, the elastic at the bottom of the top will rise up and you will see her belly — big no no! This outfit could be helped with a simple shirt change. A soft linen or cotton voile shirt or even a slightly oversized white blouse is all she needs to make this look much better.”‘
FOF Susan Grant: “This certainly doesn’t flatter her nor have any attractive qualities on it’s own. The coat is too voluminous and garishly adorned with flowers and mismatched buttons. Her outfit screams ‘look at me,’ or actually, ‘look away!’”
FOF Lovey Dash: “It is very crafty but not very couture. She could improve this look with black boots, leggings and a black top. She’d be better off without the dress entirely, it’s too glam with the casual coat.”
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Sherrie Mathieson: I love it. This is understated-luxe at it’s best. The palette of neutrals accentuated by warm plums and browns is exquisite. A variety of textures give excitement to this comfortable look. She is a poster child for my personal philosophy for successful style: modern classics, high quality, and dressing to emphasize your best features (notice the lovely ankles). Even her nails are perfectly groomed!
FOF Gail Garramone: “The boots would work better with a less complicated look up top, perhaps a monochromatic one. And the proportion of the shoes to her legs is not right–she looks like she stepped into marshmallows.”
FOF Sherrie Mathieson: “Lynn uses her body as a canvas for the creativity and imagination that we often lose as we become adults. She does not ‘compete,’ by the usual standards. Some may dismiss her as merely eccentric, but I think even within that category some do it well and some don’t. She has a great sense of texture, color, and design. I think she does her ‘art’ very well.”
FOF Terry Gibraltar: This outfit shouts in-control-New-York-working-woman. Head-to-toe black is a bit austere, but she looks quite put together. The dress is a flattering fit that emphasizes her trim waist, is not too short and works well with the very on-trend, over-the-knee boots. If an FOF’s thighs look good, she can always show a little thigh with pride.
FOF Susan Grant: “A clean, fabulous look. The show of skin is totally acceptable as the skirt isn’t offensively short and the distance between the top of the boot and the hemline is minimal. The look of the season captured in a chic, age appropriate way.”
FOF Sherrie Mathieson: The over-the-knee boot (a more sexy style than the classic knee-high boot, and in this case made a bit younger and sexier thanks to the heel) gives great coverage in exchange for that sexual innuendo. The gap between the dress and the boot is judiciously small and has a similar effect of a long sweater or anorak with tights and boots. She did it well…thumbs up!
FOF Gail Garramone: “Simple but powerful. It works because the wearer is thin and tall enough to pull it off. It also works because it is all black, which offers a slimming silhouette. There is just enough room between the top of the boot and the length of the skirt. An FOF should never wear a miniskirt with pumps or lower boots unless she is Tina Turner about to go on stage.”