Fashion & Beauty Queries: Vol. IV, No. Thirteen

Dear Belle,

I’m on the hunt for a pair of white trousers.  Wide leg, flare leg, straight leg, doesn’t really matter.  The problem is, I can’t find any that are lined.  Not one pair.  Help a girl out because I cannot be flashing my undies at my co-workers.

Sincerely, Isla

Yes, lined pants are incredibly difficult to find.  The extra 75-cents that a polyester lining costs will certainly break a company like Banana Republic.  Not to pick on one retailer, since they’re almost all guilty, but there’s cutting corners and then there’s deciding that white pants made of paper-thin fabric will work just fine without a liner.

These Calvin Klein trousers are lined and affordably priced.  This CeCe wide legged pair are also lined. I also approve of their tabbed front, which gives a smoother front than a button-front.  For a plus-size option, try this Anne Klein pair.

Hi Belle,

I love trench coats, but they’re too fancy for my lifestyle as a SAHM.  I’ve tried all the North Face/Patagonia coats you can imagine, but they’re not very stylish.  I’m not sure why women wear them.  Do you have some other alternatives?

Thank you, Mika

My favorite casual jacket is the field jacket style.  I like this one from Madewell.  This one from Old Navy is also a nice option.

But the must-have jacket on the list is this pale pink one from Gap.

Another option is a sleek bomber jacket.  That’s very trendy right now.  But if you love trenches, you might just try a more casual style.  The Gap offers a very relaxed short trench that’s hooded and water resistant.  It might give you the style you love without the stoodginess.

Quick Question: Do you have any relief ideas for bunions and blisters?  My feet are killing me after a few weeks walking the halls of the Department of Ag.  

If blisters are your issue, the best way to treat them is to prevent them.  Anti-chafe stick or blister-preventing spray are probably the best options.  I use Pre-Heels Spray; it works well enough and can be reapplied during the day.

If you can’t prevent them, you need to cushion them while they heal.  This Bunion Relief pack comes with different spongy wraps to protect delicate skin.  The different shapes and sizes fit comfortably on different parts of your feet.

I also recommend carrying a few band-aids in your wallet, so that you always have them if you need them.

Dear Belle,

My supervisor’s last day is next Friday.  Can you recommend an inexpensive gift?  Perhaps something under-$100?  My co-workers and I want to get her a little something.

-Elissa

Office tchotchkes (paperweights, bookends, etc.) are a popular gift, but I wouldn’t recommend them.  Often, they end up forgotten on a shelf somewhere.  However, a useful office gift would be a nice picture frame, like this one from West Elm.  I also like this Roar + Rabbit frame that has a picture on one side and a mirror on the other.

For something that can be personalized, try stationery.  These chic notebooks from Net-a-Porter are a fun option.  I also love these ones in candy colors with gold stripes.  If those aren’t professional enough for you, a set of monogrammed ‘thank you’ notes from Crane’s are a great gift.

Another gift to consider is a gift certificate to a restaurant or event tickets.  One of my bosses used to complain about all the baseball games he missed with his son, so when he left for a different job, we got him tickets to the Nationals.