By Jean Patteson

The Orlando Sentinel

(MCT)

Q: My 69-year-old husband has a trim figure except for a small pot belly. He does not like any pressure on his body so he chooses pants with a loose waist and doesn't tighten his belt. When he stands up and walks about, his pants hang below his belly and the crotch almost reaches his knees. With his pants all baggy, I can't admire his nice behind. It seems imprudent to pay a tailor to lower the waistband on casual wear. What casual brands come with a short zipper? He won't wear jeans.

A: Getting someone to wear their pants at the waistline when they have a belly is near impossible, says Craig DeLongy , owner of the John Craig and Current menswear stores in Winter Park, Fla.

"Short of wearing braces (suspenders), it is not going to happen," he says.

Lowering the front waist band is a viable solution. Other than that, steer hubby toward flat-front pants, which often have a shorter rise than pleated styles. (When pleated pants are worn below the belly, the pleats spread wide open and the pockets gape. Not a pretty sight!)

Finding short-rise pants may be a challenge, however. In these poor economic times, many companies who used to make flat-front pants are either out of business or have eliminated the option, says DeLongy.

One brand still offering casual pants with a shorter zipper is Corbin, available at Downeast in Winter Park. Other brands that may fit the need include Ballin, Incotex, Zanella, Gardeur and Berle.

If your husband really wants to feel comfortable (and look stylish), you might mention that suspenders option. Pants hitched up above the belly and secured with suspenders feel more comfortable, look classier and hide the belly much better than pants cinched under the paunch. It's a hard sell — but worth a try.

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PRINTS SAY IT ALL

Q: What jewelry do I wear with a bright, bold-print dress?

A: It's almost impossible to compete with a dress like the one you describe.

And quite unnecessary.

Keep your jewelry to a minimum and leave the dress to make your fashion statement. If you must accessorize, choose just one of the following: a delicate necklace, small hoop earrings or a standout ring. Or, if bold is your style, go with a stack of big bangles up one arm and dynamite shoes.

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CONTRAST TOP, SKIRT

Q: I have a new short, full skirt with a side-tie band at the waist. Most of my tops are baby-doll styles. Would they work with this skirt?

A: Not as well as a fitted top. The name of the game is contrast: Pair fitted tops with full skirts, and vice-versa.

If you combine the fullness of a baby-doll blouse with a full skirt, and you'll end up with an outfit that looks bulky and shapeless.

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LOST & FOUND

Lost: Mildred from Orlando, Fla., is trying to find Griffin Allwhite shoe polish to brighten her white dress shoes.

Lawrence wants to know where he can purchase Sculptees shape-wear tank tops and boxer briefs.

Found: Good news for Beatrice, who is looking for Rimmel London's new Glam Eyes Lash Flirt Mascara. It's available at most drugstores and mass-retailers. Same goes for Rimmel's new Sexy Curves Waterproof Mascara.

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(Fashion writer Jean Patteson welcomes your questions. Mail: Orlando Sentinel, MP-218, P.O. Box 2833, Orlando, FL 32802-2833. E-mail: jpatteson@orlandosentinel.com. Phone: 407-420-5158. Blog: OrlandoSentinel.com/fashionfocus.)