A skirt is a many splendored thing. It can camouflage a multitude of lower body flaws, create curves where there are none, dress up a simple t-shirt and sandals, keep you cool as a cucumber in the summer heat, and just plain make you feel like a girly-girl.

Apparently there is a growing male population interested in getting in on the sweet skirt action. No, not chasing skirts--wearing skirts. They're adding some cargo pockets on the side and calling them Utilikilts. (I like the red version myself.)

Natalie asked, "What do Las F have to say about guys wearing Utilikilts or other fashion kiltwear?"

We can understand why men might want to wear them (staying cool, roomy pockets, heritage pride), but in general, we recommend avoiding them unless you like having people ask you a lot of questions or looking at you like you have six heads. But hey, if you enjoy copious amounts of attention, go for it, guys!

Dear LasF, I have just switched from glasses to contacts and have decided to invest in some sunglasses. I was wondering if you could tell me what are some good styles and what looks good on what face type.

Thanks,

Tegan K

Isaac Mizrahi, $19.99



Tegan, congratulations on your recent liberation from glasses! I recently acquired contacts as well and they have changed my life. I love my funky glasses, but MAN is it nice to be able to wear my hot sunglasses and still see!

There are a lot of issues to consider with buying new shades. They are a fashion statement, but they also function as a vital way to protect your peepers from dangers UV rays. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind:

Mossimo, $16.99




Coach April Sunglasses, $168

Where sunglasses are concerned, the bigger the better! You want to have as much of your eye area covered as possible since sunglasses are supposed to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Wrap around sunglasses are a safe bet.


Check for UV protection. Do NOT
buy sunglasses without that UV sticker! Any pair of shades you're considering needs to have 99-100% UV protection. Don't settle for less. See this article on the negative effects that the sun can have on your eyes and how to counteract them.



Your eyes should not be visible through the shades. This rules out a lot of the trendy glasses, but it's worth it.

Last, but certainly not least, Wear your shades all year round. A cloudy day does not protect you from UV rays. You are getting exposed to them whether or not the sun is visible.

So where do you find fashionable shades? Well, my first question to you is: What is your price range? Personally, I never spend more than about $20 on a pair of peeper covers, but that's because I tend to lose them. And the bigger and more pressing question, really, is--what will look good on you?

Dolce and Gabbana, $114


The very best way to find a great pair of shades is to go looking for them. Frequent your usual clothing haunts--often the places that have clothes you like will also have shades you like. Be open-minded, though--don't be afraid to try styles that you think won't look good. You never know what's going to compliment your face until you try it on.

Make sure your hair is styled as you normally style it. If you're a ponytail gal, then wear a ponytail; if you generally let your locks flow, then keep them down. You want everything about your appearance to be as typical as possible.


Pick a style that matches your personality and typical fashion philosophy. If you're normally this type of dresser:




Then don't choose shades like this!



Hope this helps, Tegan!

...but I love Natalie Portman. Such lovely bone structure. Such pretty eyes. Such a feminine, interesting face. With her hair this short, she seems to be channeling one of the ultimate fashionistas, Audrey Hepburn.

In spite of her sometimes-wooden acting, the lady really is quite elegant. Besides, you really can't talk bad about Luke and Leia's momma, right? And she doesn't seem to take herself too seriously, as evidenced by her latest stint on SNL.

In spite of all this, I cannot bring myself to love this dress. The color and cut are beyond hideous; there is absolutely nothing flattering about it. It almost looks as if she borrowed a frock from the costume closet of the 1960's Star Trek series. I guess she has been in a few sci-fi flicks...

Solution: A dress in a softer fabric and a more flattering shade along with a fitted waistline and a more flattering, open neckline. But keep your hair pixie-short and your make-up simple, Natalie! I'm loving it!

Tappydancer asks:

Hey Fashionistas! I've been reading your blog for a while and would like to say that I love it! I'm going spring clothes shopping soon, and want to know what wardrobe staples evryone should have for spring. Thanks!

Hey Tappydancer,

Thanks for reading! Spring is definitely on its way, and all good fashionistas are getting ready for it. From where I sit, there aren't a whole lot of new trends this season. Metallics are still very popular, as is the whole bohemian fashion-broomstick skirts and the like. So what's a well-dressed gal to do? Find fun twists on traditional favorites, of course! Some must-haves on my list this year:



A Patterned Skirt. I recently purchased this black and white skirt at the Loft, and I love it! It's feminine and a welcome break from the box pleat skirts everyone is wearing. Those don't work for me at all so I'm pleased to see the trends a little bit more balanced this season. The black and white flowers are a classic motif that you'll be delighted to wear every spring. Black and white seems to be making quite a splash this year--so have fun with a trend that'll make you feel like Audrey Hepburn in Charade!



Looking for something a little more adventurous? Try this green number.





Denim Capris This year's capris are dark and stylish. I'm on my way to Ann Taylor now to buy these pants. They're perfect with strappy sandals for an evening out, or flip-flips for a day on the beach! And speaking of shoes...



Strappy Wedges are going to be big this season. The great thing about these shoes is that you can wear them with long pants without getting the hem caught under your heel. This makes this year's wedges the perfect seasonal transition item-you can wear them with long pants, but also enjoy your pretty new pedicure!



New Accessory Item: Mother of PearlIn my opinion this is going to be a very hot item this year. Mother of pearl is classy and elegant without ever being too flashy. I love these thongs from Ann Taylor and these earrings, available at Macy's. I see them everywhere, but I had some trouble finding them online. Check your local department store.

Hope that helps you all! Have fun!

Since we at Las F are all about empowering women to be their feminine best, I thought it would be fun to write a little piece about the things real ladies do--things that have been lost in today's fast-paced society. This isn't as much intended to be an etiquette column as it is intended to give some pointers.

Send thank-you notes. Many, many, many people don't do this. If you've received a gift, it's appropriate to thank the person. It's an acknowledgement of the time and consideration they spent on YOU. You should do this even if the gift is a dud. Be imaginative. "Dear Aunt Essie, thanks for the purple socks you knitted for me. I like the unusual color, and I'm honored that you'd take the time to hand-make something just for me!" Timeline? After receiving the gift, you generally have three weeks to write a short note expressing your thanks.




Use good posture. I find that working out regularly helps this quite a bit. In addition, using good posture will give the aura of confidence, a great asset to any girl in all avenues of life.

Practice walking at home. Get out your trusty full-length mirror, or have someone videotape you walking. This will give you a good idea of how other people see you walking. Put one foot slightly in front of the other. Avoid swinging your hips too much unless you're on the catwalk. Keep your head up and don't slap your feet on the ground--it will cause problems.




Wear a foundation. We've addressed this before, but it deserves another mention. In this day of post-hippie let-it-all-hang-out sloppiness, the proper underclothes have gotten a bad rap. You'll be amazed at the improvements good underclothes make on your figure!

Pamper yourself--remember the basics. See this article
for more pointers.






Last of all, Be aware of what looks work for you, and stick with them. Be true to yourself, your face, and your figure. Don't be afraid to experiment, but if something doesn't make you look and feel fabulous, it's not worth your time or your money.




A true lady doesn't need to follow fashions. Her impeccable taste is always in style!