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Help me: a few unrelated questions

Andrea H

I didn't buy anything at NAS except for jewelry and underwear, but browsing it and reading everyone's posts here have led me to consideration of what I might need and want this fall. (It's also made me itch for some things I definitely don't need, like the Spanx faux leather leggings and that TNF puffer, so I'm sitting on my hands and credit card right now.) But anyway, this has further led me to some questions I hope you fine ladies can help me with.

1.) The socks/booties problem. Last fall I tried several times to put on cropped jeans or rolled boyfriend jeans with booties and failed. Socks showing looked wrong and any socks that didn't show slid down into the booties after about 12 steps. So I immediately changed out of the jeans or the boots or both. What am I missing? I am almost certainly going to buy these: http://www.thefryecompany.com/.....goryId=107 after lusting for them all last year and I'd like to wear them with other than full length pants if possible.

2.) The poncho problem. I'm inexplicably drawn to them, but how do you wear one out of the house? How do you carry a bag? Do they only work with crossbody purses or clutches? I hate crossbody bags and there's no way my crap fits in a clutch. I think I just answered my own question.

3.) The gray jeans search. I'd like some. Most of my jeans are Lucky Brand, Gap, or Loft, and they're not showing any. I'd prefer a cropped skinny or straight, or slim boyfriends, but open to other styles. Suggestions? Or is the fact that a cursory web search is unrevealing proof gray jeans are way off trend this year?

4.) The advertising things you apparently can't buy problem. In June, while getting my hair done, I was looking at the July Glamour, which was apparently the Olympics issue, which meant they had a lot of athleisure features. (LOL, of course.) Which is my own personal jam. And they featured this silver Rebecca Minkoff backpack which looked as if it was made from aluminum foil (and, y'know, the tears of angels.) It was not on the Minkoff website in June. It is not on the Minkoff website now. Why is Glamour magazine showing me things that are not for sale?

Sorry this is so long, and many thanks in advance.

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Nishaa

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hahaha, tears of angels!!!

Alas, I have no solution to that problem. Here in Canada, almost everything I see in magazines or for that matter online is not for sale here, or is priced so that only angels can afford it. So there is that.

Re #3, grey jeans, I suspect some will show up eventually since grey is a pretty universally popular colour for denim. The trouble then will be narrowing down the wash you like best. I had the grey skimmer jeans from GAP a few years ago and decided that I really did not care for the grey of them. I will also be in the market for a new pair this season.

Re ponchos: I like the look a lot (especially the more restrained versions) but just won't do them. They are stupid for my climate and life so it is a trend I won't be adopting. Full stop. The only way I can see doing it would be an indoor layering piece.

Re booties with socks: the no-show socks that work best in my opinion have a little silicone grip on the back that helps to hold them. Even these are problematic for me because I have narrow heels. So eventually they fall off. I (gasp) sometimes wear booties without socks at all in that narrow 3 week window when booties with rolled up or cropped pants are actually suitable in my climate. The season is super short for me -- I soon have to go into full lengths. The other option is booties that have a taller shaft.

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

#1 - not sure if this would work for you, but I sometimes fold my thin nylon knee high socks down so they don't show - they are pretty close fitting so don't slide down.
#2 - I have quite a few short handled handbags, satchels I think they are called. They are large enough to carry what I need (more than a clutch would fit but not as much as a big tote bag holds - wallet, glasses, sunglasses, small hairbrush, small makeup pouch, phone). That works for me with ponchos. I just carry the bag in my hand, not over the shoulder.
#3 - I'd also love some grey jeans, but usually can only wear certain brands and cuts - LOFT, Eddie Bauer, Gap, some Banana Republic - I think there are some grey jeans out there, just not in the brands that I wear.
#4 - YES I KNOW - I can't tell you how many times I've tried to find something from a magazine and it's nowhere to be found - big mystery.

Muffin

Veteran

The socks problem is the only I can offer my solution for--I wear my Ice Breaker or SmartWool micro length running socks. They come up over the foot and heel and stop before the ankle. This works for most of my boots and I bring a pair when I am trying on new.

Agree grey jeans will show up (& probably the RM bag too). NAS seems to be the earliest showing of Fall but more retailers will follow shortly. I'm trying to get better about following Angie's advice of shopping early in the season but I'm still slow to learn on this one.

As far as RM backpack- I wonder if you contacted their customer service if they might be of help on the release date?

Aziraphale

Veteran

Hi Andrea, I can't help with the other problems, but for me the sock with booties problem is handily solved by wearing ordinary trouser socks and folding them over once. This seems to work no matter what brand the sock, although I tend prefer thin socks over thick ones. The folded-down sock is always at least an inch below the top of the bootie, so you can't see them.

Grey jeans will be available at some point, but they seem to come in waves. I bought a pair about two or three years ago, and haven't seen many in the stores lately.

Traci

Veteran

Funny enough, yesterday Carter shared an awesome pair of burgundy ponte pants she got at Costco and so I ran off to Costco to look for them. The ponte pants weren't there, but I got a great pair of gray slim boyfriend jeans. I've been on the lookout for a pair of gray jeans to love for a couple of years now. Just keep looking EVERYWHERE!

eta: for the socks and booties thing, my socks do often show. How do you feel about a thin trouser sock in a color that coordinates with your pants?

rabbit

Veteran

Like Muffin I wear athletic socks with booties. No show socks with 1/4 inch or less of material covering the ankle work with most booties. With oxfords and other low cut shoes I wear no show socks where the cut is this low, or even lower vamped: http://www.zappos.com/converse.....36:2016072

I buy various brands, but I think the material matters, the somewhat grippy, stretchy, and spongy athletic sock material works better then thin dress materials at staying in place in my experience.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

With higher-shaft booties I wear the ankle-length athletic socks rabbit mentions. I haven't had shooties like the Fryes you linked to, but I just got the Sarto kinda-shootie at NAS so I'll have to see if those work or if I need a no-show-under-slip-on-sneakers type of sock like the Converse ones rabbit linked to. I'd also go barefoot in warmer weather, which it probably would be if I'm wearing crops and exposing my shins.

Re gray jeans, colored denim (i.e. not blue or black) definitely seems to be coming back in for fall this year, so I'm sure the options will begin proliferating soon. My current gray pairs are from Eddie Bauer and J. Jill, and I think I got a pair from BR but that was 3-4 years ago now.

SARTO By Franco Sarto 'Garfield' Western Bootie (Women)

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carter

Veteran

1. I have the short trouser sock things in my Amazon cart at the moment. I haven't tried them yet, but the reviews are good.

ETA: just saw that you need socks for shoeties, so these won't work for that purpose. Maybe there's a lower version?

2. I wore a poncho several times last year. I can't remember having an issue with my bag. I generally wear a hobo with a shoulder strap. The poncho is packed, or I'd go pull it out to investigate.

3. The gray jeans are just starting to come out, I think. All the finds are from Nordstrom, but I imagine that at least Gap and Loft will have one shortly.

4. Can't help you with this one.

FITU Fitu Women's 10 Pairs Pack Nylon Ankle High Tights Hosiery Socks

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Wit & Wisdom 'Ab-solution' Stretch Skinny Jeans (Nordstrom Exclusive)

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Anonymous

I actually like the no show socks from loft. They're the only ones that have worked for me, and I've tried several. I haven't tried the smart wool ones, which would be my next choice to try.

For a handbag with poncho, I would probably go with a satchel and carry it over my wrist.

We wear a lot of the same Jean brands. I've worn a lot of lucky brand jeans over the years. Haven't looked gray jeans. The only gray bottoms I have are a loft modern tall skinny cord from last year.

kkards

Veteran

#1. I've mosty solved that problem by not wearing socks. A little body glide if needed and I'm good to go. If Ido wear sock I wear running socks as others have mentioned, but usasuly with higher shaft booties then you have shown
#2. I wear shawls, instead of ponchos, but as indoor wear, not outdoor....to help regulate the tempature in my office....so no help there.
#3. Think carter's got you covered there
#4. Do you still have the magazine? check to see if there is a date available? Some background....magazines are put together really far in advance, so often they are shooting samples. And sometimes for many different reasons, these samples arent/can't be manufactored.

Anonymous

Regarding the socks, I buy Sperry. They stay on no matter what. I wear them with my Sperry topsiders and my booties that I wear in the colder months.

crazyone

Veteran

I tried these jeans on at Nordstrom yesterday (they are part of the NAS sale). They fit pretty well (needed hemming) but I don't know how you feel about distressing. I didn't end up buying them, but they could be an option for you. Warning: they are extremely low rise.

Hudson Jeans 'Krista' Ankle Jeans (Stormy Hor)

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Diana

Veteran

1: socks. For booties I find athletic anklets work the best as they are made to stay in place while working out. I like microfiber ones as they are thinner. I also look for ones with ribbing around the instep as they hold in place better. Get something that matches the boot color if you can (so avoid neon and bright white).

2: I don't wear ponchos because of the coat and bag problems so I wish I knew the answer to this too!

3: I find my grey jeans incredibly useful. I have a light grey girlfriend pair from gap that I wear year round and charcoal super skinny/jeggings for winter. Both are extremely versatile and a true neutral for me (vs blue denim which is sometimes too "colored."). I've seen both colors in stores lately so I encourage you to keep looking.

4: wish I knew the answer to this too! For older items it can work to look on eBay. You can save searches and have them send you an email if one gets posted.

Andrea H

Thanks so much, all!

1.) I've tried athletic no-show socks with the booties I have (higher shaft than the ones I'm considering) and they all slide down into the boots too. It may be a function of the boots or of my triangle feet or both. But I think I just needed permission to try going sockless altogether, which I will do.

2.) Satchels seem to be the consensus for handling the poncho/bag quandary.

3.) Thanks for the reassurance that gray jeans are out there and that more will show up as we head into fall. And that other people like them too. I will keep my eyes open.

4.) So, an item in a July magazine issue might not be available till fall possibly? Eh. I'll probably be over the aluminum foil/tears of angels bag by then. Seems more efficient for them to show you things you can actually impulse buy.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I love grey jeans, and have a variety of washes/lengths. Just keep looking and you'll find some.

I agree with the advice on the short socks with silicone trim for booties. If they are peep toe you'll have to go barefoot, though.

I have found time and time again that items are mentioned in magazines but nowhere to be found at the time the magazine is published. It must have something to do with samples provided to the magazines without actual availability date. For example last month I saw some floral velvet Sam Edelman booties that looked very nice to me but they don't exist yet online.

Cerinda

Veteran

Did you happen to see these?

Jen7 Stretch Skinny Jeans (Vapor Grey)

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Sal

Veteran

Haha, I love all your questions and answers provided by lovely forum members:)

JAileen

Veteran

Oh boy, I love ponchos! I'm in Seattle right now which has a great climate for them. At home, it's 99F so obviously I don't want to wear a poncho there. I saw two women sharing a poncho on the ferry!

I have several, from very lightweight to a blanket like weight. As far as a purse goes, I love a crossbody, but haven't worn a crossbody with the ponchos, just a shoulder bag. A hobo, actually.

I agree with Diana's suggestion of athletic sockies. I also have these low cut socks that I bought at the Rack. They have some silicone inside the heel and they don't slip down. I wore them with Cons today and walked all over the place with no problems. I will not tolerate socks that slip down.

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RobinF

Veteran

Another poncho fan here! I love them for the in-between seasons. But I also love cross-body bags so usually just use those with it. I have the same issue with shorter boots and usually just wear athletic no-show socks but my boots aren't as low as the ones you are looking at. Plus my season for cropped jeans with boots is very short.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

All the non-slip socks do slip on me, too, but the ones with the silicone slip slower.

Joy

Veteran

1. I wear Smartwool from REI, although it is available other places too; or tights. I need something for warmth on cold feet and to prevent rubbing of boot or bootie on my ankle bones.
2. I mostly wear ponchos indoors but like really thin soft ones that can fit under a coat.
3. Gray jeans: I learned the hard way to be careful of the shade of grey. Some look dirty, which can be a RATE look. I prefer a clear grey with no yellow or green tones in it.
4. I always think that anything shown in a fashion magazine will be snapped up immediately. Try EBay.

Smartwool PhD Run Elite Micro 3 Pair Pack

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Smartwool Secret Sleuth 3-Pack

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KUT from the Kloth 'Diana' Stretch Skinny Jeans (Grey)

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Nishaa

I have a pair of the ones jaileen showed, and they also slip. Triangular feet.:-(
I fold regular socks, some stay, some don't. Sometimes I do go without, but those are few and if your feet sweat, unlike mine, not very advisable.

I also have a pair of cords in lighter grey with amazing versatility. I can't do white. So light grey is the substitute. Just waiting for the right pair of straight jeans to call me.

With ponchos, satchels like everyone said at elbow or in hands. I've exactly ONE. Poncho that is.