Ask Belle Roundup: Vol. IV, No. Eleven

Mar 6, 2014

Hi Belle,

Love the blog, it keeps me current on what to wear.  Question for you:  I read somewhere online that peep toe shoes were a trend for a few years, now they are ‘out of fashion’.  Do you agree?  I hope not because I have several pairs in my closet! 

Thanks, Lisa

Something as simple and classic as a peep toe shoe doesn’t go “out of fashion,” even when the current trends veer elsewhere.  And judging by the large number of open-toe shoes on sale at Neiman Marcus, I think you’re safe.

Hi Belle,

I am about to start a new marketing job at a large firm. My current job allows for laid back, fashion forward attire while my new job will demand something more corporate. I am looking for a new hand bag that is fashionable, functional and will go with almost anything. I love Rachel Zoe, DVF and Rebecca Minkoff. I am looking for something in neutral colors or patterns in a small to medium size but I still want it to make a statement. With only a $150 budget, I am struggling to find the upscale look that I want at a manageable price.

Stay fabulous! A

My honest recommendation would be to save up your money for a few months and buy the higher-priced bag that you want.  Thing of it as a perk of your new job.  But if you really want something now, I do have a few suggestions.

If black is the color you’re after, this Ava satchel from Ivanka Trump is a winner.   This Vince Camuto satchel has a classic shape with understated but fashionable details.  Bluefly is a great place to look for discounted handbags, and this Kelsi Dagger convertible satchel is no exception.

If brown is what you’re after, this Marc New York bag had very similar details to Rachel Zoe’s handbag line.  This Mango bag is on the smaller side of medium, but I love the classic style and details.

Looking for something different? This pine green Kelsi Dagger bag with small studs and this black and snakeskin Olivia + Joy Gatsby satchel are both good choices.

Belle,

Do you have a favorite eyeliner?  I like pencil liner but I can never find one that stays sharp.

Jill

To get a sharp line, you’ll need to sharpen your eyeliner with every use or nearly every use.  You might want to try the Smashbox ‘Always Sharp’ liner which has a twist-up design.  Maybelline also makes a similar self-sharpening liner.

If it’s a fine line you’re after, you may want to try a liquid pencil like Stila’s Stay All Day liner.  Or try a gel liner with an angled brush for a thin, smooth line.

Hi Belle,

I can’t wear thong underwear.  I’ve tried.  They’re not comfortable.  I need something totally seamless to avoid VPL but I can’t find anything.  The seamless briefs they sell at Victoria’s Secret were not as seamless as advertised.  Please help.

Aia

The way I see it you have two solutions: find a seamless boyshort or wear Spanx over your undergarments (this is how most of the women I know avoid VPL under suits and dresses).  The only truly seamless underwear that I have found come from Calvin Klein.  Their Invisibles hipster has laser-cut edges to be truly smooth.

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  1. CH says:

    I second the recommendation for the Calvin Klein laser-cut undies. I wore a pair under my wedding gown (slinky, silky, fitted, no crinoline) because I couldn’t stomach wearing Spanx all night, and they were truly invisible.

  2. Katie says:

    Soma Intimates makes wonderful line-free underwear in all sorts of styles. I simply cannot stand wearing Spanx for any long period of time, and these are an Incredibly comfortable solution to any VPL problem.

    • courtney says:

      TOTALLY agree! Soma’s vanishing edge panties are great! It does take some time to get use to the “sticky” strips but they are awesome.

  3. Yes to Calvin Klein. I have heard great things about Commando, but they were expensive and didn’t really get the job done. But on that note…have you considered going commando? I wouldn’t with a skirt, obviously, but with a pair of pants, sure.

  4. CL says:

    Love the CK Invisibles thong! I think the seam up the center-back prevents wedgies better than any other thongs I’ve tried.
    I tried Hanky Panky, but one-size-fits-all did not work for me. I’m a size 8, and they dug into my hips too much.

  5. Patty says:

    Surprisingly, Patagonia’s underwear can be extremely lightweight, comfortable, seamless and non-VPL-producing. I bought them for hiking and travel but like them for wearing with work clothes, too. Somewhat expensive but on sale sometimes and last forever. And they’re really great for travel. If you have a laundry shortage and have to wash underwear in a hotel room sink, they’re the ones to have. They dry fast.

  6. Neiman’s Last Call often has decent deals on them as well.

  7. Kim says:

    I think the thing to consider when looking for full coverage without panty lines is to consider where the edges of the garment fall on your body. I find that hipster briefs are terrible offenders for visible lines because they bunch or otherwise the edge of the garment sits at a spot on my body where my other clothes tend to fit their most snug. Look into different styles for the one that works for you.

  8. I agree with both saving up for the bag you want rather than settling, and Calvin Klein for seamless panties. You might also want to look at Cosabella. They’re pricy but they’re 100% cotton and seamless…

  9. Lucy says:

    Re: the undies, remember to size up if the panties are digging in! Sometimes a non-smooth fit isn’t because the underwear is bad, but it’s just not sized right for whatever you’ve got going on in your pants 🙂 I definitely buy all over the size spectrum when it comes to finding underwear that fits, and honestly often size up just to keep things comfy.

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