Style Dilemma Solved: Sports Memorabilia

Baffled in Bal'mer: What do I do? I'm invited to a 50th birthday bash for a dear friend and colleague - he's a huge sports fanatic, and the party is at the Sports Memorabilia Museum at Camden Yards. The requested attire: jerseys, except for any he hates (ex: Tarheels or Yankees). I have one beloved Phils jersey, but am unsure of whether I'll be committing a faux pax by donning it.

Dear Baffled: There are very few times when it's acceptable for a relatively stylish woman (we won't go to the male side of things) to wear a plain ol' sweatshirt. Granted, a jersey isn't quite a sweatshirt, and granted, the pro-sports-wear makers are savvier than they used to be in producing feminine cuts, but still...

This, however, is one of those times when you wear your beloved jersey, throw on jeans and a T underneath, and go for it. As for footwear, you could snag some fashion sense there (along with the fit and color of your jeans) with a hip "fashion sneaker" (dontcha love that moniker?) or a leather boot under your jeans (please no skinny jeans tucked in on this one!)

Oh, and wish your friend a happy 50th - and tell him that he's entirely supported in his Tarheel/Giants hatred (says this Philly girl - E - A - G - L - E - S! Iggles!)

Style Dilemma: Birthday in Freezing Cold NYC

Scarlet writes: So we're going to NYC this weekend for my birthday and it's going to be super cold and we'll be walking a lot, but I want to look stylish and trendy. Thoughts?

Scarlet, first of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! A Weekend in NYC is a perfect way to spend a birthday, in my book. But then, I'm the one who giddily spent her honeymoon there, so...

Secondly, down to business.

1) Coat checks are your friend (make like a boy going to a bachelor party, and keep some singles on hand for the nice people who "watch" your coat)

2) Scarves are always a fab accessory (as is not freezing)

3) Boots. Preferably something flat. Think equestrian or, better yet, farmer (but please no Uggs!). Don't know how you feel about the "tucked in look," but this is one of the few times I agree with it - with no-nonsense, eternally flattering farm-related boots (think rugged, like the Frye version at right, or elegant, more like the Ralph Lauren pair I didn't win on e-Bay last week). And I love them non-chalantly with tights and a flowy dress (but only for inside this freezing cold weekend!)

4) Layers - under the coat you're going to check at the restaurants, museums and clubs.

5) If you must wear a skirt (and I don't mind saying that you'd be insane to), Tights. Capital "T."

6) Be a Lady. Wear gloves. I'm still in love with the now "so over" longer-sleeved versions. But a demure, cashmere-lined (must have lined) pair of leather will do. Color? Your choice. If it's too cold for gloves, go Totally Silly and wear an off-the-wall pair of mittens, but keep the rest of your ensemble sedate.

As far as tops, cowl neck sweaters and graceful dolman-sleeve sweaters (perfect opportunity to wear one before spring, for example) are some of my cold weather friends. But always put a presentable and stylish cami or T underneath, in case whereever you are is sauna-like. Or wear a tunic like the Target version at right, and make my grandmother ("Make sure your coat covers your bottom!") happy.

Bottoms? Jeans. Trouser jeans. Thank goodness they're back. Or dressier trousers. (But neither with the tunic. Stay skinnier with a tunic.) Good thing about these? They're usually wool. That's a good thing in the cold.