Q I am a nurse and work in the emergency room of a large city hospital. When I'm not in white or green uniform, I wear pink. I have pink suits, pink blouses, pink dresses, even pink shoes. After the sterile white of the hospital I find pink feminine and cheerful. Then last month I was elected president of a nurses' organisation, so I will have to chair meetings and make speeches. I've been told rather pointedly that pink is not a businesslike colour and I agree. I'm short and have a good figure. What goes with pink? Can I keep certain pink favourites as accessories? Help! A Faxed between fashion shows, Isaac Mizrahi's answer arrived fast and clear: 'Anything goes with pink if it's handled properly.' Mizrahi goes on to say: 'I do think it would be courageous of you to try the all-pink look in a conservative setting. But if you are afraid of not being taken seriously, you might try a black suit with a pink blouse. Or a pink sweater set with camel trousers. A pink coat over grey flannel is heaven.' Q I'm getting ready to go on a cruise this winter with my husband and I'm not looking forward to it as much as I should. He likes to spend a lot of time around the pool and I hate it because I never feel confident about the way I look. While I am quite slim, I have a very full bust and burst through practically every suit I buy. What should I look for in a suit that is likely to flatter me? A I went to Miriam Ruzow of Gottex of Israel with your problem. She says that to find a suit that is flattering, comfortable and well-fitting you must first look at its inner construction. 'These include power-net linings, underwires, soft or foam padding or hard cups. One of these is sure to fit well and give you an attractive shape.' She also suggests trying different necklines - from square shapes to mock surplices - for a more pleasing look. 'One of our new silhouettes this season has a high neck to protect from sunburning. We've also done a new halter that has a lot of support and is very flattering.' As to colours and patterns, the range is extremely wide. But, Ruzow says, check out the stripes. 'We engineer these very carefully so they flatter the figure. Some of the optical illusions amaze even me.' If the size of your bust causes so much discomfort, you might consider consulting a plastic surgeon.
Q My husband has a bad body image. He is overweight but not fat. As an ex-football player, he is very conscious of this excess weight and whenever he buys clothes he goes for the extra-large size, although he could comfortably fit into a large. As a result his shirts, pants and jackets make him look much bigger than he is. How can I persuade him to buy the right size? When I really insist, he just walks out of the store, saying I'm a tyrant. Am I? A Real tyrants don't lose arguments. Beyond that, it appears that you are fighting a losing battle. Give up on him and concentrate on your own looks.
Q My mother is a single parent with a full-time job. Since my kid brother is only six, she has little time to look around to find clothes for herself. She keeps in great shape and has just started to date again. My grandmother and I would love to buy her an outfit but we don't know what to get. I've been told that the answer is to find a personal shopper. If so, how do I go about it? A Susan Olden, who heads the Saks Fifth Avenue personal shopping service, says you have the right idea. She adds that most major department stores have a personal shopping service, so find out what stores and designers your mother prefers. 'Contact the stores and set up an appointment for your mother. A good personal shopper will discuss her lifestyle and individual needs before she begins finding the right outfit for her.' Olden cautions, however, that while personal shopping can be a real time saver for a busy woman, it is not a one-time thing. 'Personal shoppers are there not just to find one outfit but to help women build a wardrobe that is consistent with the pieces they already have. In the long run I feel sure that your busy mother would benefit from maintaining a relationship with a personal shopper.'
