Do you love the look of a clean crisp white blouse? I surely do because it is always a winner. It is a year round staple. The white blouse look fabulous with a simple skirt or pants. Nary a photo shoot goes by without someone in this classic vision of beauty and style. But finding the perfect white blouse can be as difficult as finding the perfect swimsuit.

So here are my 8 tips for your white shirt quest

• Shape: Look for a blouse that is tapered and not too boxy
• Design: Vertical darts ensure that tapered look
• Proportion: Make sure if you are wearing un-tucked, that the blouse is not too long and out of proportion for your frame
• Fabric: Cotton with a bit a spandex mixed in is one of the best fabrics, because you avoid wrinkles and the blouse moves with you
• Fit: Sit in the blouse, and see if there is any ‘gap-o sis’ in the front causing a peek-a-boo issue. Try the product ‘No See ‘ems’ (see below) if this is a problem for you, or wear a thin camisole
• Buttons: Make sure the buttons line up properly the buttonholes are not frayed
• Added Touch: French cuffs add an air of elegance, make sure they hit just right below the wrist bone
• Around the Neck: Check the collar, and if it is too high it may chaff your neck

Where to shop:

Start with Banana Republic, as they have a way with the cotton/spandex blend that I favor. Note that BR doesn’t always carry the white blouse, so buy it when you find it.

My ultimate white blouse is from Anne Fontaine (www.annefontaine.com). Scrumptious and the tailoring: impeccable.

If white absolutely washes you out, then opt for ivory or a soft pastel.

Fashionably yours,

Lori Ann

My dry cleaning thoughts:
• Need a dry cleaner? Get a recommendation (think shopping for a mechanic)
• Look to a dry cleaner that changes the solvent often, so clothes don’t come back grey and dingy, and a cleaner that doesn’t over press your clothes causing unsightly sheen on the fabric
• Quality dry cleaning is worth a higher price, so keep your priorities in order
• Consider working with 2 cleaners; one for the fine, expensive stuff (they will often specialize in wedding dresses, vintage clothing and beads/sequins) the other for the everyday-wear.
• Check your cleaning right as you are picking up. This way, if that pesky stain is still there, you can leave for a re-clean. (I think this helps with your relationship with the cleaners, because they know you expect a quality job.)
• Overly dry-cleaning our clothes is the quickest way to ‘kill em’. See below ideas.
• If you stain a ‘dry clean only’ fabric, get to the cleaners within 48hrs and tell them what the stain is (YESSSSSS… they have heard it all)
• If your clothes have body odors, you will have to have them dry cleaned

How to avoid to many tips to the dry cleaners:
• Air out your sturdy fabrics such as wool or wool blends between wearings: Hang the items in a well-ventilated area that lets air circulate on all sides. (I often direct a fan on my clothes.)
• Avoid wearing the same garment two days in a row, air out in-between wearings
• Use one of those fabric fresheners on clothes if they have captured food odors or perfumes/colognes. (Patch test on the inside of the garment to make sure the color is not affected.)

Remember mini skirts? Weren’t they fun? I remember putting them on with a colorful patterned hose and boots and feeling very Ann-Margaret. Ahh… those were the days. Then gravity hits.

One day you look down and see saggy, crepey knees and lower thighs that are a bit chubbier then you remembered. Yikes! When did that happen? Was I dozing off during the sag time? So sad, but for the sake of looking great at any age, I shelved my minis and made some youthful changes.

Here’s my guidance:

Mini skirts are unforgiving: And so, are best left to the under 35 and super-fit. Though there is always an exception to this rule, e.g., forty-something Gwyneth Paltrow, who looks amazing in a short dress, but works out with an über trainer about 100 hours a day. I hear the screaming!

Mini skirts are aging: When you know you are trying too hard to look young, it becomes, well…sad L

What can you do to enjoy the short skirt?

1. Keep your skirts right above the knee, if you have great knees, or right below the knee where the leg curves in (as pictured above). A hunky-dory length for most people is the contour of the knee, where the calf curves in toward the back of the knee.

2. Wearing some sort of leg covering: tights in the winter and tanner in the summer. A self-tanner always makes legs look better and sleeker. With that being said, a tan leg still is not license to wear inappropriately short skirts.

3. Remember, not much is sexier to men then a slim knee length pencil skirt.

PS. If you did not have to ‘google’ Ann Margaret, double-check your knees and consider those white go-go boots for Halloween.

Fashionably yours,

Lori Ann

A JACKET is one of the most versatile clothing items you should own as it gives you that polished and finished look. You can fall in love with them and never be abandoned. Jackets are both loyal and economical. If you have a few solid staples in your closet, jackets will extend their reach tenfold.

How to wear your jacket:

Tall? Longer versions look fabulous on you. And while they’re harder to find you can extend their appearance of a shorter jacket with matching pants/skirt or darker pants/skirts.

Tall and long-waisted? You need a shorter jacket, that is, about mid-hip length or shorter.

Hippy? Longer jackets look good but if you cannot find one, than settle for a mid-hip length and follow the matching pants/skirt or darker pants/skirt rule.

Rectangle shape? Find a darted, shaped jacket and vertical seams to give you the silhouette you seek.

Rounded? Make sure the buttons are close to the breast line and there are no gaps when you button up. If you have a jacket that doesn’t close, then wear an undergarment shaper (you know my personal favorite brand is TC Shapewear) and a luscious scarf.

Petite? Nothing longer than when your hands are at your sides and you curl your fingers toward your palm, the end of the jacket length should be right in the crook of your fingers.

What about a substitute?

A tailored cardigan style sweater is a nice change from your jacket. If they fit well, they can look just as smart. One of my favorite professional looks is a pencil skirt, crisp blouse and a cardigan overtop it all. You never can go wrong with that! Michelle Obama thinks so too.

Again, jacket or cardigan adds that third piece of clothing that sounds out your “power message”-smart, chic, and put together.

Fashionably yours,

Lori Ann