Ask Belle Roundup Vol. III, No. Thirty-Eight

Hi Belle!

I’ve been following your blog for years, and always love your suggestions. I’ve been desperately looking for a faux leather moto jacket that is fairly tailored with few zippers. Ideally in a camel or ivory color. Have you seen any??

Thanks! VB

I found a few in tan and a few in white/ivory.  My two top choices are this tan Calvin Klein jacket and this Kensie snakeskin textured moto-jacket (so awesome!), both $120.  If you are looking for something under-$100, try this Forever21 Femme Moto Jacket or this INC Quilted Moto Jacket.

Dear Belle,

On your suggestion, I purchased three sweater dresses last year and wore them all winter.  They’re plain and I’ve been looking for a few that have more color and pattern to them.  I found a few Milly dresses but they are much more money than I want to spend.  Can you help me find a few dresses that cost less than $125?

Thank you! Lee

Eliza J Colorblock Sweaterdress ($98) // Ivy & Blu Intarsia Sweaterdress ($118) // kensie Stripe Sweaterdress ($89)

The best selection of sweater dresses (or any dresses, really) on the Internet can be found at Nordstrom.  These three dresses are the ones I like best–I’m especially fond of the dress in the middle.  If you’re looking for sweater dresses in different price points, Nordstrom is where I would start.

Also, if you’re serious about buying sweater dresses, there are two fit issues to keep in mind.  First, watch the snugness of the sleeve.  Often women will buy a sweater dress and think that the sleeve-fit issue is no big deal, until the sweater rips under the armpit.  It’s a common problem, so if you think the sleeve is too tight, it probably is.  If the sleeves fit well and you’re still getting the holes under the arms, then the dress is probably too tight in the bust.

Second, pairing tights with colored sweater dresses can be a challenge.  The trick is to find a tight the same color as the prominent color in the dress and match it as closely as possible.  For the dress in the middle, I would choose a medium-charcoal tight like this fleece one from Plush.

Hi Belle,

What is your position on toner?  Do I need one?  Which one?

Anita

Every article I found says that you only “need” toner if you have oily skin.  I have combination skin, and I find that toner is a good way to make sure I remove all of the residue, dead skin and oil.  Toner is also a good choice if you’re looking for light exfoliation.

I’ve used the same toner, Clinique Clarifying Lotion, for years.  It comes in several strength levels designed for different types of skin. I use level 3, but the Clinique website can tell you which one is best for you.

Dear Belle,

All of my co-workers and I were given new iphones and computers as part of our end-of-year bonuses, but now all of our phones look-alike and we’re always mixing them up.  I’m looking for a case that is stylish but professional.  Can you suggest a few?  I want to avoid anything with dots or patterns since that is what most of the secretaries use, and I’m the only female associate in my office.

Love CHS! GL

I don’t know what your exact taste is, but I’ve been looking at leather-printed cases for myself.  I love this iguana case from Neiman Marcus, but it’s more than I wanted to spend.  Instead, I found this Rebecca Minkoff faux-Python case and this Nicole Miller leatherette case.  I also looked at this Rafe mother-of-pearl case and this wood case from Fab with a Redwood burl.

I like the idea of a leather or animal-skin case, but I may end up with something more practical.  I’m always draining my iPhone battery, so I’ve been looking at a Mophie case, which contains a battery pack to boost the iPhone’s shelf life.