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Question of the Day | 07/15/2008 12:00 am

What is the first thing you notice about the way people are dressed?

© Shutterstock
Joan Ganz Cooney

Joan Ganz Cooney | 07/15/2008 12:00 am

Joan Ganz Cooney Sees the Bigger Picture

I don’t notice any one thing but rather whether I like the total look. After, if I really like the look, I check out the shoes, handbag and earrings.

Liz Smith

Liz Smith | 07/15/2008 12:00 am

Liz Smith Fancies Footwear

Their shoes. I love shoes. I judge men by their footwear; what it is and how well it is kept up. There is no excuse for a man to wear crappy shoes when men’s shoes are the most beautifully designed in the world. On women I like high heels and low heels and stacked heels and sports shoes – whatever. I honestly am a snob about very good quality shoes. But I wear whatever I can get away with. My current favorites are silver rubber soles, called Kitty, and they came from Maxfield at 8825 Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. (My friend Candice Bergen also has these shoes and swears by them.) I just wish Maxfield would get me some new ones from the designer Jean-Michel Cazabat. 

Click here on this text to read my nationally syndicated column.

Candice Bergen

Candice Bergen | 07/15/2008 12:00 am

The Way to Candice Bergen's Heart

Well, the kind of shoes worn by men used to be critical to me. Especially on prospective men. There were just certain shoes that wouldn’t get you in the door. They didn’t have to be expensive. Sneakers, loafers, topsiders were all fine. Just not those clumpy ones. Even if they were Prada.

Read more about: Fashion, Style

66 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Maggi D
Depends on the situation. Had a very nice gal come in and apply for a job in shorts, t-shirt, and baseball cap. She was very intelligent, clean, friendly, easy to talk to - everything I wanted in an employee. BUT I just couldn’t get over the fact that she didn’t care enough to atleast dress appropriately for an interview. Was going to say clean clothes - but know too many people that work in the cattle business to know that dirty clothes may just mean they work hard. I also hated meeting one of my son’s girlfriends that were showing me everything that he saw in private. Like I said earlier - just depends on the situation.
By Maggi D on 07/15/2008 12:14 am
siasp surate
Maggie, I’m glad you brought the topic of ‘depending on the situation’. I completely agree with you. I always dress in professional attire. To me professional attire is the most comfortable. I absolutely hate jeans I own like two pairs of jeans and they almost never see the light of day. I don’t choose to wear other cloths but that does not mean I don’t accept that others like to wear other cloths that are more comfortable to them which is fine by me, as long as you said, fit the situation. I’m in my very early 20’s and my biggest pet peeve is to see young people dress unprofessional to events that require professional attire such as job interviews. I also hate when people wear what they think is professional attire or appropriate attire for the situation but they obviously missed the memo. For example the other day I saw this second year medical student following a doctor around and at first glance she looked fine but then I saw her feet. She was wearing an open toed open heel sandal. I had to fight the urge to ask her if she knew she was wearing open toed and open heel shoe in a HOSPITAL. One time I was at a conference and I saw a bunch of young women wearing flip flops but with heels. I seriously almost had a heart attack- no joke.
By siasp surate on 07/15/2008 2:29 am
Frank Peterson
Hmmmmm- Well the other day a young lady was walking down the street wearing a beautiful full-skirted dress, white witht small red flowers on it with red heels, bare shoulders—she had black hair and the effect was stunning—my idea of class.
By Frank Peterson on 07/15/2008 12:14 am
C A Rose
Their shoes and their finger nails. Unkempt is unkempt!
By C A Rose on 07/15/2008 12:16 am
Bonnie Oliver
Probably whether the person is dressed professionally or casually. I do notice if the person is barefoot and I also notice if everything is buttoned or zipped. Oh oh.
By Bonnie Oliver on 07/15/2008 12:32 am
Peggy Sue
Usually the first thing is the color they are wearing. I love seeing color that is not trendy. And color combinations are interesting.
By Peggy Sue on 07/15/2008 12:43 am
Frannie Em
I would have to say color and style. Hair comes in there as well.
By Frannie Em on 07/15/2008 12:45 am
James the Game
Whether they look pretentious.
By James the Game on 07/15/2008 12:46 am
Buh- Bye
whatever is adorning the torso hits me first
By Buh- Bye on 07/15/2008 1:01 am
Kay Sara
My Alias, I first thought of those beer gut guys who wear too tight tee-shirts that don’t quite cover their bellies. Then that GQ look ties with that dashing look of pants falling down with the crotch down by the knees and the underwear functions as a cumberbund with a baseball hat worn backwards. When you think about it- so funny. They look like they didn’t quite learn how to get dressed. Are their tennis shoes on the wrong feet and the laces tied to the opposite foot? I heard someplace in the US the governor outlawed this buttocks look and now the ACLU is fighting it. However the ACLU is not addressing any women’s issues - I just had a lengthy discussion with the ACLU on the phone over this what must have been an “oversight”.
By Kay Sara on 07/15/2008 5:25 am
HA BIBI
Kay Sara, The ACLU needs a dressing down of a different type.lol:)
By HA BIBI on 07/15/2008 12:57 pm
Kay Sara
Elaine, “right on” (1960’s) or rather “spot on” (2008) ! Don’t want to date myself. I heard Harold Ford Jr. use “spot on” first- now I am hearing it pop up more and more. Just watch- it will be the new ” Paradigm shift” (1980’s)
By Kay Sara on 07/15/2008 7:39 pm
beth willis
Of course, the headstrong effort to settle the droopy drawers dilema has its genesis in Dallas with a city couincilman striving to make low riding jeans a misdemeanor offense. The origin of this drooping drawers originates with a prison system which would provide no belts and one-size -fits -all dungarees. Obviously, the one size did not accommodate all and baggy drawers were born. Also, you may or may not know the story of the butcher who accidentally backed into his grinder and got a little behind got a little behind in his work. Peace and grace
By beth willis on 07/15/2008 1:58 pm
Kay Sara
Beth, enlightenment and a laugh! Thanks!!!!
By Kay Sara on 07/15/2008 7:34 pm
No Way-No How -No McCain
Classic, minimalist, well cut, well proportioned, no prints, no do-das, great posture, immaculate. Love Audrey Hepburn, Jackie, Slim Keith, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. Favorite pix of all time is CZ Guest at Villa Artemis. Love white and sporty. Lee Radziwell often looks fabulous too. This is something I’d wear, although with a small silver/metal quilted clutch…to me the purse is too big for the delicate dress. Loved her book “Happy Times”…hope she is happy…has gone through so much. http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/806884.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9 http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.photographersgallery.c…
By No Way-No How -No McCain on 07/15/2008 1:30 am