Ask the Editor: Vol. VI, No. Seven

What a fun weekend.

We took Sloane to an absolutely freezing baseball game that went into extra innings, but it was totally worth it to see how excited she was about the fireworks. Keeping her up late made Saturday a challenge though. We also managed to get some yard work done before I got taken down by what I’m hoping is a stomach bug, and not a side effect of my new medication. And then, Sloane and Kyle went on a Daddy-Daughter outing with some friends who have a little girl the same age, so Mommy could sit in the quiet at home and feel like a person for two whole hours.

All I want for Mother’s Day is quiet. Want to get me a gift? Box up a half day of quiet.

But as I recover from feeling pretty cruddy yesterday, let’s dive into the mail bag and the comments section and the DMs for a few reader questions.

I need shoes for an upcoming summer conference in Boston. My feet get cold, so I need something that I can wear with socks, and I’ll be walking to and from the conference center each day. Any recommendations?

Elizabeth

You didn’t say whether you need dress shoes or casual shoes, so I’ll give you both.

For dress shoes, one of my Democratic colleagues at the Legislature wears these lace Bombas socks (lace upper, cotton lower) with chunky loafers, and it’s cute if that’s your vibe. For myself, I would wear the socks, but I would swap the shoe for something less chunky, like this square-toe Mary Jane.

I have to attend a week long work conference later this summer, and I intend to wear these Adidas leopard sneakers with a tan sock. I may also wear these gold sneakers with dresses.

Hello,

I’m embarassingly bad at makeup for a 37 year old. I tried to schedule a makeup class at sephora for some tips and to buy products that match my skin tone, however the store here doesn’t offer them. :(Any ideas for how i can gain some everyday skills, good products and select the right foundations/concealer especially?

LW

So this is the one thing department stores still excel at. Go to a beauty counter — Lancome is a great one for beginners — and you will almost always find a trained consultant, especially at a Nordstrom, but Macy’s often has a great beauty department. They can help you shade match and suggest a few products for you to do a simple look. Even if they don’t offer lessons, Ulta and Sephora also offer shade matching. I recommend buying a medium coverage buildable foundation AND a separate tinted moisturizer for weekends.

Another option is to hire a wedding makeup artist. Ask them to come during the week, if you’re flexible on time, they will probably cut you a decent deal. Show them a Pinterest picture of what you want and they can help you recreate it. I usually show them this one for my skin tone and hair color. But you can personalize your choice however you need.

Finally, if none of those are an option for you, Bobbi Brown has tutorials on YouTube and Master Class that will teach you technique. You just need to practice. The best part is that she uses a minimal number of products and specializes in a look you can recreate in <10 minutes.

How do you judge when your bra is worn out. Especially the ones you spent bra-fitting at a shopmoney on, felt great in when you bought them, and still like the look? Is there some kind of pull on the elastic test? Aworn out foam cup is easy to judge, or saggy fabric in a cheaper bra, but when the whole thing is holding together, how do you know its time?

Katie

I always know my bras are shot because 1) the band is on the tightest hook and still rides up, and 2) even after tightening the straps won’t stay up. Also, check the areas where the wire edge touches the fabric, if you can see the wire, the bra is done for.

Personally, I buy new bras on my birthday. Usually, I pick up two. Then, I keep the other ones for backups. This Natori bra is my favorite.

Do you know if anyone still makes Longline Sports Bras? All the ones I see are cropped and even when i wear them with high-waisted tights they reveal more stomach than I’m comfortable with. I loved the convenience of wearing only one piece on top for summer hiking and biking.

Suze

Longline is in the eye of the beholder. I think if you search for “tank sports bra,” you will find something more applicable to your needs. This is also one of those areas where a “Grandma brand” like Jockey will have a tank with a supportive bra in it, because that’s what their customer base wants, whereas a Alo or Lululemon will have your navel on display for the same reason.

Hi Abra! Reader since my young, single, working days. My 20th college reunion is coming up and i feel so out of style. Spring in the south. I need a casual look for walking around campus, then a cocktail party and finally something between those two! Any thoughts??

Carolyn

Spring in the South says Tuckernuck with its full chest.

For the day time look, let’s say navy shorts with a gingham, relaxed top. (I know, you heard Gingham and thought Dorothy Queen of Kansas, but just have a look. It’s beachy chill, not table cloth.) Add a simple brown sandal and you’re done.

For the cocktail look, this linen maxi from Staud is a dress up-dress down wonder. I’m also not opposed to renting an easy cocktail dress, like this Badgley Mischka one with cool details.

For an in-between look, I like a polo dress or a shirt dress. Try either with a sneaker or a sandal.

Hi!

I’ve shared im looking for wedding adjacent outfits. I also am wondering if maybe you can crowd source wedding registry ideas!

Alison

I am interpreting wedding adjacent to mean rehearsal and bridal brunch, but I may have guessed incorrectly. I think for either occasion you want something that is comfortable to wear and not too expensive. I have had so many friends who spent $750+ on a pre-wedding look and unlike the wedding dress, it’s barely photographed or remembered, and then it lives in the back of the closet.

A square neck dress with a flared skirt always feels like a party. Staud and Reformation both have great ones. A&F has a similar dress for $120.

Besides that specific look, let me suggest some stores. Anthropologie always has cute things not everyone owns. This trapeze dress would be pretty for a shower and then for a honeymoon. Outnet also has the good stuff. For a dressier party, this Bronx & Banco satin dress is great. Also, don’t sleep on The Real Real — this Monique dress is so fun for $175, or this colorful Bronx & Banco.

We didn’t have a wedding registry. I do regret not having one though, because people want to give gifts not cash many times (especially older relatives), and because you wear out the dishes you both owned as singletons within three years of getting married, and then you’re stuck.

If readers have registry suggestions, leave them in the comments.

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