Q: I am a bit lost on how to style navy skirts for winter. Which color tights should I wear? And how can I coordinate a top without ending up looking like I'm wearing something that belongs on a schoolgirl? I prefer a more office-casual kind of style, with fun or artistic accessories and touches, rather than polished or preppy.
A: I love this question because it illustrates how we ladies frequently think of navy as a narrowly nautical/preppy color — and it gives me the chance to prove how versatile it can be.
But first, let's talk tights. In my opinion, charcoal or heather gray tights are the most versatile. They work well with navy in a variety of mixes. You can try a charcoal sweater, navy skirt, charcoal tights and black boots — a combination that creates instant cohesion through repeating that dark gray shade. Or play with a palette of blues by doing a cobalt blue blouse, midnight blue brooch or necklace, navy skirt and charcoal tights.
Burgundy also plays nicely with navy. If you're bold enough to go for burgundy legs, it makes another great color for tights. Burgundy brings out the richness of navy, plus it creates a great bridge to other dusty colors. Try a burgundy blazer or cardigan, olive green top, navy skirt, and burgundy tights with cognac boots. In fact, explore all the jewel tones and dusty shades in your closet, since navy pairs beautifully with mustard, teal, purple, emerald and magenta.
Still struggling? Here's my favorite cheat: Track down a printed multicolored scarf with navy in the print. Then pull colors from the print to create your outfit. A scarf with navy, turquoise, pink and mustard will unify an outfit that includes a turquoise top, navy skirt, burgundy tights (close relative to pink) and brown boots (close relative to mustard).
Q: I struggle to find earrings that go with statement necklaces, especially when one or the other contains colored stones or beads. Most of my earrings tend to detract from or contrast with the necklaces. If I go without either the earrings or necklace, my look seems incomplete; earrings tend to disappear into my curly hair or my neck feels too open. Any advice?
A: With a statement necklace, I always default to studs. Since the necklace and earrings are close to each other, you don't want them to compete. Long, dangly earrings will visually group with a big necklace — and together they look like a lot of jewelry. However, my ears are entirely exposed because of my short hair, so all earrings are quite visible on me. In this reader's case, she has thick, curly hair that can obscure small earrings. A large stud might work, but another option is the simple drop earring. Whatever you pick, you want your earrings to stay fairly close to your lobes. Something with a single gem or small dangly element should work in most cases.
What to do if your necklace has colored stones or beads, and you prefer that they don't perfectly match your earrings? Try studs or drops in whatever metal is used for the necklace's hardware. If doing this creates a visual disconnect for you, repeat that same metal in your bracelet or watch. In other words, match your bracelet and earrings and let the necklace stand alone.
