unisex fashion

We Answered Your Wardrobe-Basics Questions

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Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers

In our semi-regular advice column, “Ask the Strategist,” we answer your most burning shopping questions by surveying friends, calling up experts, and drawing on our own personal experience. In our Friday, September 13, edition, our fashion writers Liza Corsillo and Ambar Pardilla answered your questions live in the comments. Over 50 questions were submitted, and here are some of our favorite answers. To read all the queries, scroll to the comments here. And to be kept in the loop about our next Q&A, sign up for the Strategist newsletter here.

Where can I find classy but approachable clothes for my six-foot-two husband?

claire.gunner
September 13, 2024 at 1:14 AM
Where could my 6'2" husband shop for classy but approachable clothes that he could wear out to, say, a nice restaurant? Something in between a t-shirt and jeans and a suit.

Also looking for petite-friendly tall boots (knee high or just below), with a heel no higher than 2.5"!
Rec 1
Go to conversation

Our answer:

Madewell Three-Button Sweater Polo Shirt in Merino Wool
Madewell Three-Button Sweater Polo Shirt in Merino Wool
$98
$98
Photo: Madewell
$98 at Madewell
Buy
lizacorsillo
September 13, 2024 at 5:11 PM
Madewell's mens clothing is particularly good right now and they nail the in-between-casual-and-dressy thing. I like this polo sweater because it has a collar but is comfy: https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-100009682-15734918?sid=stratlive09132024&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.madewell.com%2Fp%2Fmens%2Fclothing%2Fpolos%2Fthree-button-sweater-polo-shirt-in-merino-wool%2FNR733%2F

My twin brother is that same height and he's had a lot of luck with Quince in the last year. This pair of performance chinos have a good amount of stretch and come in multiple inseams:
quince.sjv.io/ZQoYmk
Rec 1
Go to conversation

Where can I find stylish stretchy pants?

dwirls
September 11, 2024 at 4:41 PM
Is anyone doing good stretchy-waist pants (that don't look like pajamas)?
Rec 5
Go to conversation

Our answer:

Spanx The Perfect Pant, Kick Flare
Spanx The Perfect Pant, Kick Flare
From $148
From $148
From $148 at Spanx
Buy
lizacorsillo
September 13, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Ambar and I were just talking about how Spanx has gotten really good for regular clothing! She has this pair of stretchy pants that are very cute, professional, and don't cost as much as High Sport pants: https://fave.co/3XF88tV

They also come in a wide leg:
https://fave.co/3Zpp1u2
Rec
Go to conversation

Help me find jewelry for under $100!

nedra
September 11, 2024 at 10:16 PM
Affordable (under $100) jewelry for Fall, or at least brands you can find for cheap on eBay. I realized I know nothing about jewelry brands, and all the ones I see on fashion blogs are so out of my price range.
Rec 2
Go to conversation

Our answer:

Effy ENY Sterling Silver & 10MM Freshwater Pearl Huggie Earring
Effy ENY Sterling Silver & 10MM Freshwater Pearl Huggie Earring
$205
$205 at Saks OFF 5TH
Buy
ambar.pardilla
September 13, 2024 at 5:07 PM
I've gone down all sorts of jewelry rabbit holes, and Saks Off Fifth regularly comes up (especially on Reddit) as a good place to find things. Go to your nearest T.J. Maxx's jewelry counter — there's always lots of super-cheap pieces of reasonable quality. I once found a De Beers dupe there!
Rec
Go to conversation

I’m a new mom. Help me find new jeans that fit.

caitlin.macnealm0y2zrr0
September 11, 2024 at 4:39 PM
I'm a millennial new mom, and I need new jeans that actually fit. What's a style and brand of denim that is stylish but comfortable enough that I won't hate myself while hanging out on the floor with my kid? I'm looking for something stylish but timeless enough that these jeans will last me a few seasons at least. Bonus if they are reasonably priced.
Rec 6
Go to conversation

Our answer:

Madewell The Perfect Vintage Jean
Madewell The Perfect Vintage Jean
$128
$128
$128 at Madewell
Buy
Go to conversation

What are a good alternative to cheeky-style Tommy Johns?

linz.scanlon
September 12, 2024 at 3:01 AM
I loved Tommy John’s cheeky underwear but they seem to be phasing them out. Any good cheeky style undies out there? What about comfy push-up bras without tons of padding for days you need a little oomph? Spanx sold some through Nordstrom a few years ago but mine need replacing. Thanks!!
Rec 1
Go to conversation

Our answer:

Skims Cotton-Jersey Cheeky Tanga
Skims Cotton-Jersey Cheeky Tanga
$20
$20 at Nordstrom
Buy
$20 at Skims
Buy
ambar.pardilla
September 13, 2024 at 4:48 PM
Get a few tangas (a cross between a brief and a thong) from Skims. https://nordstrom.sjv.io/y2a4bv

And go for On Gossamer's aptly-named Bump It Up Push-Up Bra. https://fave.co/3ZihuwW
Rec
Go to conversation

I want an inexpensive white button-down. Can you help?

lizzie.c.hart
September 11, 2024 at 4:02 PM
Women's white button down-- classic not too expensive for someone who spills on themselves a lot!
Rec 3
Go to conversation

Our answer:

Everlane the Boxy Oxford
Everlane the Boxy Oxford
$88
$88
$88 at Everlane
Buy
ambar.pardilla
September 13, 2024 at 4:18 PM
I literally wrote our guide to the best button-downs, so I have thought about them more than anyone probably should. I have been buying J.Crew shirts for a decade — the Garçon (tailored) and the Étienne (oversized) are the new ones now. I'm a big fan of Everlane's Boxy Oxford. Old Navy makes a nice one that's almost always on sale.
Rec
Go to conversation

Can you help me find flats I can wear all day — with no blisters.

coolbeannes
September 11, 2024 at 10:24 PM
Office-appropriate flats + boots that are comfortable enough to wear all day without blisters.
Rec 1
Go to conversation

Our suggestion:

Rothy’s The Square Mary Jane
Rothy’s The Square Mary Jane
$159
$159
$159 at Rothy’s
Buy
lizacorsillo
September 13, 2024 at 4:39 PM
Do you have a pair of Rothy's Mary Janes? I recently got a pair and wore them for the first time walking all over Manhattan all day without socks, not even the hint of a blister. https://fave.co/3XstQjg

They also make a few different pairs of boots that look dressed up but feel like sweatpants for your feet. (slippers for your feet?) They are comfortable!
Rec
Go to conversation

And a commenter also suggests:

cathy91
September 12, 2024 at 4:02 PM
I've loved the Madewell Greta ballet flats I purchased. I felt comfortable enough in them that I took them on a trip and walked all day in them.
Rec
Go to conversation

Does the perfect wfh sweater exist?

jenco2
September 12, 2024 at 1:17 AM
I’m looking for a couple new favorite sweaters. I still wfh, so I would like one that looks okay on Zoom calls. And another for the weekend that I can throw on when I’m running errands or wrangling my almost 2 year old. Budget preferably under $200 per
Rec 3
Go to conversation

In this case, a commenter beat us to it (and we agree)!

crain81
September 12, 2024 at 7:41 AM
I also have a 2 year old and a one year old. I stocked up on Land’s End machine washable cashmere sweaters that don’t send me down an emotional garbage chute every time one of them wipes BBQ sauce/snot/yogurt on them.
Rec 1
Go to conversation
Land’s End Women’s Cashmere Sweater
Land’s End Women’s Cashmere Sweater
$245
$245
$245 at Lands' End
Buy

The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

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We Answered Your Wardrobe-Basics Questions