Fashion Q&A: Taking steps to find the right length for your pants

The Orlando Sentinel (MCT) - Q: I guess you could call me a member of Hillary Clinton's "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pant Suits." I do a lot of business travel, and always wear pantsuits. In airports and airplanes, I choose flat shoes, then switch to heels for meetings and consultations. My problem is with the length of my pants. If I have them tailored for flats, they are too short with heels, and vice versa. Which is better: too-short pants with heels, or too-long pants with flats? Or is there some way to easily adjust the length of pants?

A: Too-long pants are irritating. Too-short pants look dorky. Tough choice! But here are some possible solutions.

A set of gadgets called Zakkerz can provide a temporary fix. The gadgets are flexible strips with strong magnets at each end. You roll your pants hems to the desired length, then use two Zakkerz per pants leg to secure the rolled hems in place.

Can't quite picture it? Visit zakkerz.com to view photos. A set of four, in basic colors such as black, brown and camel, sells for $27-$31 on the Web site.

While not the most polished solution, it would keep you from tripping over your pants hems while dashing through airports.

You also could try hitching up your pants by tightening your belt. It may cause the pants to bunch up a little at the waist, but your jacket should hide the evidence.

Or how about rethinking your shoes? If your flats were not quite so flat, and your heels not quite so high, you might not need to adjust your pants at all. Shoes with thick soles or low heels would be comfortable for travel, and pumps with medium heels would smarten your look without making your pants appear too short.

Another option _ more extravagant, but certainly effective _ would be to buy two pairs of pants for each jacket. Have one pair tailored for flats, the other for heels. A quick change after your flight but before your meeting _ and voila! Problem solved.

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NO HIDE NOR HAIR FOR READER'S FEET

Q: I am a freshly minted vegan. Can you suggest where I can find shoes that use no animal products?

A: So, you want to give leather the boot? Here is a list of sources for vegan shoes from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), a real authority on the subject:

_Zappos.com is the place for sporty sandals and sneakers. Shipping is free, and Zappos even carries Stella McCartney's hot line of vegan shoes for Adidas. (zappos.com)

_Bourgeois Boheme has causal and elegant footwear as well as boots, bags, wallets, belts, cosmetics and more. (bboheme.com)

_Moo Shoes has everything from slip-ons and boots to dressy heels and cute sandals. (mooshoes.com)

_AlternativeOutfitters.com stresses style, comfort and durability in its wide line of pumps, heels, flats, wedges, sandals, boots and more. (al ternativeoutfitters.com)

_Life Stride's nearly 100 percent vegan line of business and casual shoes can be found at Dillard's department stores.

Witness the Words of Jesus Come to Life

_Journeys is worth the journey to the local mall for leather-free platform heels, skateboarding shoes and colorful sneakers.

_Payless Shoe Source is practically stacked to the ceiling with affordable vegan shoes.

_Target's big selection of stylish and inexpensive leather-free styles is, well, right on target.

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OLD CLOTHES, NEW NEEDS

Clothing donations to the Salvation Army's thrift stores have decreased about 20 percent during the past year. If you have clean, gently worn clothing you no longer want, you can donate it during the Give & Receive event at Stein Mart stores Oct. 2-4. In exchange for the first four donated items, receive coupons for 20 percent off four new items at the store.

All proceeds from the thrift stores support the Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Centers. Tax receipts are available for donations.

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LOST & FOUND

Lost: A St. Augustine, Fla., reader is looking for classic mule-style slippers with wedge heels.

Ronnie is trying to track down short-sleeve sweat shirts for men and women.

Found: Good news for Dora, who wants to know where she can find a pearl choker like the one Michelle Obama often wears on the campaign trail. That single-strand, faux-pearl choker, adjustable from 15-18 inches, is by Carolee. It can be purchased at carolee.com for $50.

Chelsi can find Switchflops _ basic flip-flops that come with interchangeable straps _ at Chloe Lane Boutique in Winter Park, Fla.

Simone, who is looking for a ceramic nail file, is also in luck. The Sally Hansen LaCross brand is available at most drug stores.

Allison can find Streekers temporary hair color in eight fashion shades, including purple, at streekers.com.

And Ginger can find Love's Baby Soft cologne at some Walmart stores.

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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.)

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© 2008, The Orlando Sentinel (Fla.).