Lifestyles

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh and Wear Pittsburgh teamed to design a series of four St. Patrick's Day shirt designs. A donation to the EDMC Education Foundation to benefit the institute's student scholarships will be made for each shirt sold.

The shirts were designed by graphic design student Lizz Guriel under the creative direction of faculty member Shawn O'Mara. Prices start at $14.99.

Details: www.wearpittsburgh.spreadshirt.com/shop/designs.

Tom Julian, a consumer trend expert, will share his essentials of a well-stocked closet from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Nordstrom, Ross Park Mall. Julian, who will be on the first floor inside the store, also will be on hand to sign copies of his new book, "Nordstrom Guide to Men's Everyday Dressing" ($17.95, Chronicle Books). Cocktails will be served. The event is in conjunction with Hugo Boss. R.S.V.P.

Details: 412-548-4300, ext. 1220 or ext. 1510.

The downtown Larrimor's is having an open house from Wednesday through March 27 at its new location -- One PNC Plaza. Share memories, sign a guestbook, enjoy refreshments and receive a special gift.

Details: 412-471-5727 or www.larrimors.com.

Snuggle Bugs Consignment is having a sale Saturday through March 20 in the former Value City store at 292 Curry Hollow Road in Pittsburgh. With more than 800 consigners and 100,000 items, parents can save money on children's clothing, toys, games, baby equipment and accessories, children's and nursery furniture, sports equipment and new mom essentials and more.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and March 19; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 20.

Details: 412-832-0642 or snugglebugsconsignment.com.

Breton stripe tops and sturdy canvas totes made a splash late last summer, and the sailor-chic trend comes to port again in time for spring. Take a cue from traditional seafaring staples and stick with a palette of crisp navy, black, red and white. But keep a modern silhouette in mind -- these pieces update classic elements such as a bateau neckline or a breezy shift with graphic patterns and feminine flair.

• First worn by sailors in the French province of Brittany, the Breton stripe sweater was adopted by the likes of Brigitte Bardot, Coco Chanel and Audrey Hepburn, elevating it to iconic status. Milly's striped jersey top is an of-the-moment take on the classic, incorporating button detailing, cropped sleeves and a broad neckline. $175 at www.net-a-porter.com.

• Bold and breezy, this Alice + Olivia chevron dress softens a strong geometric pattern with flowing silk and a feminine sash. Nude pumps finish the look for day; after hours, opt for a metallic heeled sandal. $368 at www.shopbop.com.

• For every pair purchased, Toms Shoes donates a pair to a needy child in Argentina or South Africa. The brand's spring collection includes the unisex Newport Cordones lace-ups, which can be worn with or without laces. Pair them with slim jeans or cuffed chinos for a dapper do-gooder ensemble. $69 at www.tomshoes.com.

• Perforated leather, a chunky striped platform and a jaunty rose add a touch of French flavor to Charles Jourdan's Caesar pumps. Try them with wide linen trousers or a figure-flaunting sheath to up the ooh-la-la quotient. $226 at www.endless.com.

In recent decades, feet have gotten longer and wider. According to the National Shoe Retailers Association, 30 years ago the best-selling shoe size for women was 7 1/2. Now it's 8 1/2. For men, it used to be 9 1/2. Now it's 10 1/2. It can be difficult to find larger sizes at stores, but the Internet has it all:

Barefoottess.com: Launched in 2005 by Tess Russell, a fashion freak in her 20s who was always tripped up when it came to her "woefully, inescapably bare feet." She and her mother launched this big-shoe mecca, where sizes 11 through 15 are the norm.

Designershoes.com: Shoe heaven. Not only can you find a "shoe quote of the day," but you can shop by size and width, from 4 narrow to 15 medium, with plenty of extra wides, too; by shoe color, from animal print to siren yellow; by brand; by heel preference; by style, from boot to slingback; or by collection, from prom to vegan.

Shoesofyourdreams.com: That's up to size 16, double wide. Dreamshoes won't carry any line that doesn't offer at least a women's size 13. And the images are shoes in sizes 11 or 12, not a dainty version of said shoe in, say, size 6. So you know what you're getting.

2bigfeet.com: Here's the place for men's shoe sizes 14 to 22.

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