Category Archives: Fashion

What retro fashion do you never want to see again?

July 14, 20085:45 p.m.

woman displaying 80s fashionHypercolor — the heat-sensitive clothing that turns colors and was big in the ’80s — is back again, according to the LA Times. And, if you’ve spent any time in a mall in the past few months, you’ve probably seen jelly sandals, giant polka dots, neon-on-black, denim cutoffs and other familiar fashions.

I must confess that I’m not a big fan of 1980s styles, even when I experienced them the first time around. Please, please, please, designers everywhere: Just say no to stonewash, friendship bracelets, French-rolled jeans, Andy Warhol-inspired sweatshirts, side ponytails and layered scrunchy socks.

What retro fashions do you think designers should leave in the past?

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Fashion | Comments (2)

Hard-to-fit fashion frustrations can be infuriating

June 20, 20085:10 p.m.

woman shopping for clothingEarlier this week, WichiTalk featured a story for which Bonnie Bing interviewed women who wear petite sizes. They told her about how difficult it can be to find properly fitting clothing that is also age-appropriate. This week, we’ve heard from women who wear tall sizes who simply cannot find clothes that fit at all. (Bonnie will share some of their grievances in her Monday column, so watch for that.)

Do you have shopping frustrations? Are your feet incredibly narrow? Your athletic calves too big for many slim-fitting pants? Share your fashion frustrations or tips on where you shop to soothe your sizing stresses.

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Fashion | Comments (2)

What’s your take on the hosiery debate?

June 16, 20085:36 p.m.

hosiery.jpgDress codes and fashionistas doesn’t always see eye-to-eye when it comes to panty hose. The question has been referenced in national media in recent weeks, including when Mid American Credit Union president Jim Holt wrote a Wall Street Journal columnist to ask her whether other companies had a panty hose policy in place.

See Tuesday’s WichiTalk for Eagle columnist Bonnie Bing’s insight on the issue, as well as one local expert’s advice.

In the meantime, what do you think? Are panty hose tacky and outdated? Professional and stylish? Click on “comments” to share your opinion.

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Fashion | Comments (6)

Turn on your TV to learn more about the Divine Makeover event

June 10, 200810:23 a.m.

Bonnie Bing mugTune in to KAKE, Channel 10 at 11 a.m. today to see The Eagle’s Bonnie Bing. She’ll be on TV to talk about the June 21st Wichita Eagle Sisterhood of the Divine Makeover event. It’s a benefit for Dress for Success, a nonprofit organization that provides professional attire, mentoring and other resources to help women find and keep a job.

Judges have already selected three local deserving women who will receive a head-to-toe makeover. Their new looks will be revealed at the luncheon. Those who attend will take home great prizes and have  a chance to win an on-the-spot makeover.

Tickets for the June 21 Divine Makeover luncheon at the Wichita Marriott, with all proceeds going to Dress for Success, are $40. A table for 10 is $400. For tickets, call 316-945-8779.

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Fashion | Comments (2)

Did you pass down your wedding gown?

June 9, 20083:08 p.m.

Bride and motherWe’re working on a story for Wednesday’s WichiTalk about a local woman who wore her granddaughter’s wedding gown for a recent 60th wedding anniversary celebration.

Did you wear your grandmother’s or mother’s wedding dress when you were married? Is your daughter planning to wear your gown at an upcoming ceremony? Or do you have your dress stored away for a future family member to wear?

Tell us about how you shared — or plan to share — your wedding dress.

My family fashion connection at my wedding wasn’t the gown, but one of the accessories: I wore a string of pearls that my mother wore to her wedding 33 years ago. The beautiful necklace belonged to her mother. On Mother’s Day this year, Mom gave me the pearls to keep. I hope to keep the tradition going by sharing them with a family member in the future for her wedding.

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Fashion, Relationships | Comments (5)

Trade a tip for reusing your “trash” and win

May 14, 200812:17 p.m.

“Rubbish” book cover“Rubbish! Reuse Your Refuse” by Kate Shoup is a new book out this spring dedicated to helping you turn your “garbage” into cute crafts. For example, the book offers photos and gives instructions on how to turn pieces of aluminum cans, credit cards, poker chips and wine corks into jewelry. Other projects that caught our eye: An iPod cover made from an old record album cover and a colorful clutch purse made from the webbing of a lawn chair.

In this era of green and inexpensive living, we want to know how you turn your trash into treasures. Do you use drink bottles to create decorative vases? Broken dishes to make colorful mosaic stepping stones for your garden?

Click on “comments” to share a tip. At 5 p.m. Tuesday, we’ll randomly select one participant to win a free copy of “Rubbish” (John Wiley & Sons, $19.99).

UPDATE: Congrats to coppercorn, who we randomly selected as the winner in our giveaway. Thanks to all who participated!

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Fashion, Random thoughts | Comments (11)

What was your most extravagant wedding detail?

April 14, 20084:48 p.m.

BrideToday’s WichiTalk cover story shares tips and anecdotes from local residents who had or plan to have simple, inexpensive weddings.

But now we’re curious what lavish touches local residents have included in their wedding plans. Did you pay big bucks for a designer gown? Have an expensive floral arrangement on every table at the reception? Custom order favors for all of your 500 guests?

Click on “comments” below to tell us about your extravagant wedding detail.

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Fashion, Relationships, Shopping | Comments (1)

What’s your signature fashion statement?

April 4, 200810:38 a.m.

woman with necklaceAudrey Hepburn danced in her black capris, Elizabeth Taylor dripped in diamonds, and Nancy Pelosi governs over the U.S. House of Representatives with pearls.

All of these women had a signature fashion statement that made them stand out. What’s yours?

Do you have a favorite pair of earrings that you always wear? Do you have an article of clothing or a pair of shoes that are quintessential you? We want to hear about them. We are looking for people who make a signature fashion statement with an article of clothing, jewelry or shoes for an upcoming WichiTalk story. Click on “comments” and tell us about your signature fashion statement.

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Fashion | Comments (2)

Share your bridesmaid’s photo — good or bad

Jan. 11, 20086:38 p.m.

women in gown 1The “always a bridesmaid” pop culture phenomenon comes to the big screen in “27 Dresses” starring Katherine Heigl of “Grey’s Anatomy” fame. If you can’t wait until next week, when it opens nationally, check out the sneak preview at 2:25 p.m. Sunday at Warren Theatre (west).

In the meantime, check out Uglydress.com for a good laugh.

And dig out your bridesmaid’s photo archive. We’re collecting photos of local women in their favorite — or most hated — bridesmaid’s dress. If it’s a dress you detest and think we need to see to believe, send it in. If it’s a beautiful gown that you truly could wear to other non-wedding events again and again, we want to hear about it. Please e-mail a photo of you wearing the dress, a description of the dress and your name, hometown and daytime phone number to wichitalk@wichitaeagle.com.

We also want to know how many times you’ve been a bridesmaid.
Can you top Jane in “27 Dresses”? We’re curious to know which woman in Wichita has been a bridesmaid the most number of times.

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Fashion, Movies, Photography, Uncategorized | Comments (4)

If the shoe fits . . .

May 30, 20068:18 a.m.

I have a difficult time finding a shoe that fits and is fun. The front part of my foot is medium width. My heel is narrow.

I’ve finally learned that if a shoe doesn’t fit in the store, it isn’t going to be transformed into a shoe that fits at home.

Any ideas on where to find a shoe to fit? And do you have your own shoe horror story? Share it with us!

Posted by Karen Shideler

By Lori O'Toole Buselt | Filed under Fashion, Health & Fitness, Shopping | Comments (0)