Since I am keeping you up to date on current fashion trends, it is with great trepidation that I write about stripes.  Trepidation because this morning I decided to wear a blue and  white horizontal striped t-shirt with my denim skirt.  When looking in the mirror, I was reminded of what my great aunt Ruthie used to say when presented with a similarly dressed woman.  “She looks like barrel-house Bessie with the middle wire busted”, think about it. 

But in the interest of full reporting and keeping in mind that many women are not short waisted with more “waist” than they need.  I decided to go ahead with this column on stripes. 

When wearing stripes, please take a good, unbiased look in the mirror before you venture out. 

The first is a striped BCBG Maxazaria striped dress from Nordstroms, retailing at $128.  It’s bright and fun and if you are tiny or 5’6” with small hips, it’s a great option. http://bit.ly/HyiCz0

Next is a JCrew Striped Dolman Sleeve Shirt for only $39.50.  This will work for almost any figure type unless you are very chesty, but then you are probably aren’t shopping at JCrew anyway.  http://bit.ly/Hxd7CQ

If you have small hips and are larger on top than the bottom, try this navy gondola striped skirt from JCrew.  It sells for $128.00.  Pair it with a solid color shirt or tee and you are ready to go. http://bit.ly/Ixvfa5

For those of you I’ve scared into thinking, “maybe stripes are not for me”, don’t give up.  I found these two great Kate Spade striped bags at Nordstroms.  The first is a pink striped tote for $318 http://bit.ly/I0uTuA and the second is a green striped satchel for $278 http://bit.ly/IeUsr3.  I’ve seen them at Nordstroms and both are really cute. 

If these bags are over budget, but you still want to add stripes to your wardrobe, what about a striped scarf.  This is a great one, again from Nordstroms for only $34 http://bit.ly/IgLe0q

Still haven’t found the stripes for you.   How about shoes?  They never make your butt look big.  Zappos has these great Tommy Hilfiger Francine’s for $79

http://bit.ly/HF8ggD  $79.  They are cute, striped and affordable.

But if you really want a shoe splurge, how about these these Kate Spade New York Cary.  They are way over my budget at $350, but they were so cute, I just had to include them http://bit.ly/Hzx0F5.

See, there is a stripe for everyone.

Happy Shopping!

Gabby