Well-Fitted

It's the "tip" that everyone and their mother's brother (almost literally) has heard: the fastest way to make a woman's clothes fit and look better is to wear The Right Bra.

17,300,000 results in a web search. Vicky's touts it with miracles and angels. "As Seen on TV" ads offer all sorts of ways to adjust what you have, the latest being the round thingy that slides your straps together and "makes you look at least a cup size bigger."

Right.

But the right one, well-fitted, honestly will do wonders for how things look and feel. I've written about my troubles, and lately I've had a hard time finding one that fits. I haven't taken my own advice and Gone Fitting, but rather I attempted an online purchase because I just plain ol' didn't have time to go to a store. It sorta worked. What I found works better than the ancient, worn out things I'd been wearing, but it's just not quite right.

I'm still not convinced that The Right Bra is out there for me, though I've certainly found ones that Fit Better.

But for those who really need the update, there are absolutely local options. Nordstrom's has a competent department, and Bethesda's Sylene and Vienna's Trousseau are touted - at least to brides-to-be and those looking for undergarments for formalwear (though they both serve the general public, too). In the Post, Brigid Schulte gives us a first-hand account of what it's like to be fitted by an expert. Amusing, frank, and, yes, helpful...it's a fun read that will motivate you out the door to Get Fitted.

Style in Print: The Black Dress

What: wapo.com describes it as "Valerie Steele, author of the new book, "The Black Dress," discusses what arguably could be the most important item in any woman's wardrobe." Steele is Director and chief curator at New York's FIT - and undisputably an authority on the topic.

When: Tuesday, 4 December, 11am EST

Where: Online - if you can't "attend," post questions ahead of time and read the transcript later

Procrastination Tool: post.com Oscar Dress Quiz

If you're procrastinating til the final bell like me (even though I have a whole list of prioritized things I should be doing), use up 5 minutes with a fun (but mildly easy) Oscar dress quiz on post.com.

Ok, so I only got 11 of 12, but...that one was pretty difficult, unlike the others, which are relativley iconic.

Givhan On Pointe in Milan

In yesterday's report from Milan, The Post's Robin Givhan hit on two points that say everything there is to say about fashion - to me, at least. Style and high end fashion are about incredible beauty and refinement, even when they play on them or wreck havoc on them. It's said too often that the runways are about the unattainable, and certainly this can put Everywoman off, but it is what makes it the runway and not the Dollar Store. Givhan writes it perfectly:

"How can a designer send out a seemingly simple pair of narrow navy trousers topped with a close-fitting ribbed sweater and leave one marveling at the beauty of it all? What makes his work so much more astounding than the trousers and sweater you might pick up for a quarter of the price at Banana Republic? The difference begins, of course, with the fabric. Even a quick glance reveals its elegant sheen and luxurious drape. Then come the details: in the perfect proportion of the trousers and the impeccable fit of the sweater. The lean silhouette is grounded with chunky heels that keep everything from looking too fragile. [...]

A designer has to master his details the same way any creative person must. Just as a chef understands why a quarter teaspoon of a spice is just right and a half teaspoon is too much, Simons understand that in fashion, transformations come in millimeters."

I couldn't have written it better myself. And in fact, I didn't - she did. Thanks, Robin, for expressing it.

Now, if I could just get over my runway envy...sitting there...seeing it all...

Style Dilemmas: The Post to the Rescue?

Yesterday, two of the Post's style denizens, Suzanne D'Amato and Janet Bennett Kelly (Deputy Editor, Sunday Source, Fashion and Beauty Editor, washingtonpost.com, respectively), spent an hour online Talking Fashion and helping solve style dilemmas for the style weary. They kicked off with a rant you read here quite a bit,

"Don't know about you, but this is exactly the time of year when I feel as if I haven't a thing to wear! If you're facing the same problem and sick and tired of all your [in this case] winter clothes, let Suzanne and me know what strategies you have to deal with it."

Now I realize that I could be committing style-writing sins here, and could find myself blacklisted in the DC fashion scene (ok, so I'm being a little dramatic - but who knows - I haven't met either of the women - I have no idea what they're like. And a little bit of blacklisting never hurt anybody's publicity...).

I wasn't impressed.

Apart from a few bright moments (recommending a trapeze or shift dresses for a woman wanting to update her wardrobe, and the "But wait -- you're in London! Why are you writing to us when you could be at Topshop?!" response - my favorite), the ladies' recommendations seemed as staid as D.C. fashion is rumored to be.

Of course, because it's an online chat, and folks send questions in, maybe this was all they could do. That caveat aside, this could have been a fun, witty chat with some interesting suggestions.

For example, a courthouse bride asked for recommendations on style and colors. Janet recommended (kudos on this point) "going short," then sent the bride-to-be to Reem Acra because "they also do less formal." Wouldn't that have been the perfect place to recommend a retro wedding suit or shift dress, per their earlier answer? Reem Acra? Especially when the bride mentioned that she wants to wear a "simple, off-the-rack dress," and is having a small lunch afterwards.

Sure, I could be jumping to conclusions, but I'm guessing that maybe the couple is looking to not blow the bank on the wedding, but still make it special. A $50 Isaac Mizrahi party dress from Target would do the trick much better, in my opinion. Or, if she's willing to pay a little more, J. Crew's Vanessa dress paired (ok, so I took the website recommendation, but for once it's right) with their Piazza cotton jacket. So Audrey, and so lovely in navy - perfectly unexpected for an April bride. Toss a pair of brightly colored pumps on, and you're going to wow your hubby-to-be and the whole courthouse. Just don't wear the pearls (unless they're heirloom from grandma - that's what wedding style is about, for heaven's sake) - too expected.

I do have to thank them, though, for telling the grad student to ditch the Uggs. Phew.