Ask Belle Roundup April 9, 2012

Apr 9, 2012

Hi Belle,

I know you buy clothes on eBay. I’ve tried several times, with varied success. Do you have any strategy / tips / suggestions for buying quality items on eBay? If something doesn’t fit quite right, do you return it? 

Thanks so much, eBay Illiterate

Very rarely can an item purchased on eBay be returned.  This is why I only buy brands where I am certain of my size or items that can be easily tailored.  If I do end up with an item that does not fit, I try to give it away or sell it on eBay for cost.  This is also why I always ask the seller for measurements if they are not provided.

As for eBay tips, I keep a list of items that I’m looking to buy.  Nanette Lepore suits, J.Crew pencil skirts, Kate Spade jewelry, Rebecca Minkoff bags, Milly dresses, Cole Haan heels etc.  Then, once a week or so, I jump on eBay and go looking for items.  I’ve found some amazing dresses and suits for less than $75.  

Lastly, feedback is king.  I don’t buy from anyone who has less than 99% positive feedback especially if they’ve only sold a few items.

Dear Belle,

I’m searching for a pair of summer sandals that won’t bust my budget.  I want to spend around $75, do you have any suggestions for a casual summer sandal?

Kelly

I prefer a structured sandal to leather thong sandal.  They offer more support, better traction and they look a little more “dressed up” than a thong or God forbid, a plastic flip flop.  Here are some options under-$75:

From the Left: Seychelles Caw Sandal (DSW, $50)DV Pansey Sandal (Piperlime, $69), Aldo Sprouls Sandal ($60)

Full disclosure, I own the pair in the middle.  I love them.  They’re the perfect mix of casual and structure.  I still need a metallic sandal to wear with summer dresses (these are just a tuch too masculine-Gladiator for that), but I love this pair with denim and casual attire.  I love them so much in fact, that I’ve stopped myself from buying the neon pink pair at least twice this week.

The other two pair are great all-purpose summer sandals.  They would look lovely with denim or dresses.  And I think that if you work in a more casual office, you could even get away with them at work.  

Belle,

What do you think about building a wardrobe around a particular color palette – do you recommend it? I’ve often thought that staying to a group of colors would help me create outfits more easily, but I’m drawn to a variety of different colors and oftentimes I’m not sure how to pair them, or if they’ll really work with what I already have in my closet.

Thanks, Heidi

If you came to my house and opened my closet right now, you’d notice two things: my mad organizational skills and the fact that I don’t really own any brown (I have one camel sweater.).  In the winter, I wear black.  In the summer, I wear navy, often referred to in my house as “summer black.”  And during the year, I mix in greys and whites depending on season.  

This did not start out as a conscious decision.  The truth is, I just hate tan.  I find it to be so boring and dependable.  If I were a psychologist, I would probably say that my hatred stems from the fact that my Father used to buy my school clothes, and most often, would dress me in khaki pants and sweaters.  Or khaki pants and button downs.  I called it the Safari Look, all I needed was the pith hat.  But I digress…

There are many woman who stick to a certain color palette to keep things simpler.  My advice? Choose one neutral that works for you and then build from there.  A navy wardrobe or grey wardrobe mixed with jewel tones could be really pretty.  You could also do a black wardrobe mixed with shades of white, ivory and grey and then, add in brights and bolds as needed.  If you think this could make your life easier, why not try it?  Just make sure to choose the color palette that is most flattering on you.

Ask The Edit, Style

share this post

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. s-p-s says:

    For Heidi, I've found it helpful to sift through my closet to assess which colors I keep buying, most enjoy wearing, and feel best in – and to weed out all the things that don't make me feel or look good! This editing seems to help my style preferences emerge, and to help me build a wardrobe in a more logical way (and indeed, along the lines of Belle's suggestions, adding lots of navy and grey to work with all those jewel tones!) Even if you don't stick to just one color family or just one neutral, you might be able to more quickly assess whether any new item would work with at least a fair number of items in your current wardrobe.

  2. Lane says:

    As a folllow up on the third “ask Belle” today… For someone who has a lot of navy and tan in the closet, what are a couple of good colors to pair with my navy, white, and tan pieces that don't make me feel like I'm overdoing a nautical look? Also, what pieces would you recommend to start with to mix a new neutral into the wardrobe (excluding a nice suit jacket, unless you happen to know someone giving it away, ha!)??

  3. Belle says:

    Lane: I'd say yellow, orange, kelly green, different shades of blue.

    Pencil skirt, silk blouse, scarf, trousers.

  4. Dorcas says:

    I have red hair; therefore, I focus my wardrobe around a rich brown (not tan). I wear black when formality is required, but otherwise my clothes are browns or other tones that compliment my skin and hair. (I'd rather look my best than wear my favorite color – purple which can make me look ill.) The benefit: like garanimals, the majority of my wardrobe is interchangeable!

  5. Kay says:

    I recently bought the Seychelles sandals for the summer, and I can attest that they are very comfortable. I'm glad to know that my new shoes are “Belle-approved”!

    Also, as someone else who really doesn't wear brown, I'd love your advice on boots. (I know, a little unseasonal, but I like to buy them off-season to keep the price down). I don't want to get the same cognac boot that I see absolutely everyone wearing, but what's a good, goes-with-almost-everything alternative to black?

  6. anon says:

    I tried on those DV Pansey Sandals at Bloomingdales today in gold. Definitely agree they are great (and comfy — run true to size), but too much leather to wear with anything shorter than ankle pants. Too much leather for a dress. Going to try those Aldo's next.

  7. Sam says:

    I always tried to buy a variety of colors when I went shopping, just to have variety, but I'm getting to the point that I'm just going to stick with what I gravitate towards (blues/grays). Makes it easier to come up with outfits, and I can always add different colors with accessories. If it works, why fight it?

    I'm probably buying the Seychelles sandals too…

  8. Heidi says:

    Belle: thanks for answering my question! Given my degree of color ADD, I was secretly glad that you didn't recommend choosing only a handful of colors to wear, but instead suggested to work around a well-thought out neutral.

    SPS: good follow on comment – thanks!

Join The List

Stay up to date on the latest from Capitol Hill Style!

sUBSCRIBE

Ask Me Anything: March 2024

It’s almost the end of March, so let’s get to some of the reader questions that came in through Instagram last night. Time for Ask Me Anything.

4

READ MORE 

Recent Posts

The Find: A Cute Spring Dress

Need a cute dress for a spring event? Something simple and easy to wear, something you can dress up or down? This is the dress for you.

2

READ MORE 

Beauty Review: Bondi Boost

As I age, I notice many changes in my body. Most are fine. Some are frustrating. Like many women, I lost a lot of hair in my postpartum phase. Being anemic for more than a year after, it didn’t grow back in to its former glory. So I’ve tried any number of shampoos, pills and […]

2

READ MORE 

VIEW ALL POSTS

Ask the Edit, Style, Top Posts | March 28, 2024

Ask Me Anything: March 2024

It’s almost the end of March, so let’s get to some of the reader questions that came in through Instagram last night. Time for Ask Me Anything.

4

READ MORE 

Fantastic Finds, Posts, Style | March 28, 2024

The Find: A Cute Spring Dress

Need a cute dress for a spring event? Something simple and easy to wear, something you can dress up or down? This is the dress for you.

2

READ MORE 

Beauty, Posts | March 27, 2024

Beauty Review: Bondi Boost

As I age, I notice many changes in my body. Most are fine. Some are frustrating. Like many women, I lost a lot of hair in my postpartum phase. Being anemic for more than a year after, it didn’t grow back in to its former glory. So I’ve tried any number of shampoos, pills and […]

2

READ MORE 

Fantastic Finds, Posts, Style | March 27, 2024

The Find: Shirts That Don’t Gape

I remember when Rochelle Behrens launched The Shirt — a button-down blouse with anti-gape technology (a patented internal button that keeps the look smooth). The idea seemed brilliant, but at the time, my bust didn’t require an extra button. One baby later, I understand the need for some extra security.

6

READ MORE 

RECENT POSTS

©2023 CAPITOL HILL STYLE | SITE BY LEIGH THE STUDIO