The Vine: August 11, 2006
Okay, folks, just some administrative business before we start today. First of all, the Ask The Readers thing is doing quite well. I’d had it in mind just to run it as a summer feature, but I’d like to keep it going year-round. So: please feel free to send in your ATR questions — about anything. Finance, furniture, which NYC Jamba Juice has the best Orange Dream Machine (45th and Broadway, for the record), sunglasses, condoms, whatever.
Also, I’m hitting the road for a week, so I’ve put up a whole passel of ATR questions to hold you till I get back. In order to preserve my sanity as far as marshalling your responses, please follow the subject-line instructions for each letter — and if you have suggestions for more than one letter, please send your responses to each letter in separate emails. It’s way easier to organize, and also increases the chances that I’ll use one of your suggestions as the main letter (so does signing it). Thanks!
We’ve got a little nailpolish shopping-list action to get us started, and then questions galore. Have fun…
The new Revlon ColorStay nail polish is amazing. You have to buy both the color and the top coat and apply it as directed (no base coat) but it lasts forever, and I am harder on my manicure than anyone ’cause I take half-hour showers and the steam just peels normal nail polish right off. Not this stuff! Sadly, it only comes in boring pinks and reds, but if we all start writing emails to Revlon about that (instead of just me) maybe that will change!
L
Dear L,
Wing Chun seconds your motion on the ColorStay. Here’s what other readers use; suggestions I got more than once are asterisked:
OPI* (go to www.whirlpool.com/idontdodishes to win a free bottle)
L’Oreal Bijou Crystals
Nicole (at salons)
Essie*
Mary Kay
MAC*
Delux Beauty
Sephora
Hard Candy
Zoya
Sally Hansen*
Sinful*
Fingerpaints (available at Sally Beauty Supply)*
Rimmel 60-second-drying brand
Wet ‘n’ Wild
Maybelline Express Finish Advanced Wear
Avon
Jane
China Glaze
Creative Nail Design
Misa
Use a base coat (i.e. OPI’s Chip Skip)
Buy Urban Decay online*
Avoid OPI’s topcoat, which is gloppy
Keep your polish in the fridge
Bed Bath & Beyond’s drugstore overstock section
Sars,
Maybe you or your readers can help with this one. I’m in search of the perfect tank top: high enough not to show cleavage on top, long enough to cover the midriff, thin enough to be cool for the summer, thick enough to not show the outline of…things underneath, small enough armholes to not show things underneath, wide enough straps to not show things underneath, loose but not baggy. Basically, I want a t-shirt without sleeves. If I find it, I will buy two of every color! Am I hallucinating to even imagine such a thing exists?
Save me from just cutting the sleeves off all my favorite t-shirts!
Dear Tank Top,
I would recommend the J. Crew favorite tank, for the following reasons: 1) they’ve revamped it a bit for this season so it’s longer; 2) it’s a perfect weight — thick enough to wear on its own, but thin enough to layer up with more than one; 3) the website is having a sale on a bunch of colors right now.
My other standby is the Delia’s boy tank; it’s not as nicely made, but it’s suuuuuper-long, and it’s that rock-rib material that actually looks pretty good cut up.
Both of these are modest, but not frumpily so.
Readers: suggestions should be labelled “tank top” in the subject line.
Sars:
Do you or your readers have any recommendations for bras and/or places to buy bras for smaller-busted indivduals? I’m talking A to AA here — and yes, I’m a grown woman with two kids. I’ve searched online, but despite the promises of offering AA sizes, I can’t seem to find any that actually do. Also, it’s not an option to go braless — I am a working woman and I can’t go into a meeting in a cold room without two pokey nipples showing up on my chest.
Thanks,
Smaller and smaller
Dear Smaller,
I had to call in the underwire cavalry when I was, like, 13, so I’ll be zero help here; let’s see what the readers have for you.
Readers: suggestions should be labelled “smaller bras” in the subject line.
A question for your readers:
I have a daughter who is about to enter middle school at age 11 1/2. She’s 5’2″ and weighs 85 lbs. She’s a high-level athlete so she has little body fat (translation, minimal breast development, tiny waist and narrow hips).
My problem is finding clothes that fit her! According to size charts at popular kid clothing outlets (i.e. Gap, Old Navy, et cetera) she should wear a size 8 shirt and size 10 pants, but she’s both long-legged and long-waisted, so neither size is really an option. Based on her height, she should wear size 14-16, but everything seems to be made for a kid who weighs 20 pounds more (even the slim stuff). Plus, she’s picky about stuff being too baggy around her waist and hips, and hates anything frilly.
I’m hoping some of your readers have had a similar experience and can make suggestions of where to find clothes cut for a tall, skinny girl that are serviceable, not too girly and won’t require a second mortgage on our home?
Thank you, oh wise one.
Definitely NOT a fashionista
Dear Fash,
I would suggest shopping the boys’ section of the same stores you’ve already tried…but that would have worked when I was her age. Now, everything’s cut way baggier for boys. Still, you might give it a look.
You could also try brands like Athleta or Title Nine; it’s clothing specifically for athletes, but a lot of it is wearable “out,” and you might have some luck in the smaller sizes (although Athleta in particular is not cheap).
Readers: suggestions should be labelled “girl clothes” in the subject line.
Hi Sars,
I need to find black dress pants — simple, right? It can be found in any store at any mall, but I’ve been looking (and looking) for dress pants that aren’t just black with pockets — I’m looking for ones with design at the bottom or designs anywhere on the pants.
I’ve been into all the stores at the mall near my place and I’ve searched some places online — nada.
Have you or your readers seen any place selling “unique” black pants in stores (I live in Toronto) or online?
Thanks!
Hasn’t any designer thought of designing some “different from the usual” black pants?
Dear Pants,
(Hee.) Not to flog J. Crew again, but they used to have a pair of women’s tux pants, which I own and which look very chic and dressy; it doesn’t seem to be available anymore, but you might be able to find it on eBay if that’s fancy enough for you. You can also look at the vintage stores in that little market area off Spadina (…right? My T.O. geo is starting to fade with time) for a pair of men’s tux pants that’s in good shape, and get those altered.
If a simple tux stripe isn’t what you had in mind, head to Bluefly.com, click “pants,” click “dress/work,” click “black,” and see what comes up. I’m seeing some applique pants from BCBG Max Azria that might fit the bill, and Bluefly changes their stock all the time, so if you don’t see anything now, check back in a few days.
Readers: suggestions should be labelled “black pants” in the subject line.
[8/11/06]
Tags: Ask The Readers health and beauty retail
