QUESTION: On a whim while visiting a friend in Boston recently, I bought a pair of high-priced gaucho pants. But now that I have them home, I'm not sure what to wear them with. Please rescue me from a potentially costly mistake. What goes with gaucho pants?ANSWER: If you don't get the proportions right, gaucho pants can look, well, gauche. The secret is to balance their cropped, wide-bottomed shape with the right top and substantial footwear.Start with boots, which give gauchos a longer, more flattering line. With your gauchos, try dark brown or black leather boots. They should be long enough that the hem of the pants covers the top few inches of the boots. Dark, ribbed tights and heavy shoes such as a platform loafer would achieve a similar effect. (The reason I dislike summer gauchos is they look so dorky with bare ankles and light shoes.)To balance the pyramid shape of gaucho pants, you need an inverted-pyramid shape on top - something that is wider at the shoulders than the waist.A shirt with a collar and either cuffed or three-quarter sleeves is a good choice. Wear it tucked in or out, and add a belt for waist definition. Another option is a cropped jacket worn over a fitted shell or tank top.It also helps to be tall, and to carry yourself with a darn-I-look-good attitude.

QUESTION: I have a new pair of suede boots. I asked the sales assistant for tips on keeping them clean and new looking, but he was clueless. How should I treat them?ANSWER: In a word: carefully.Dirt and moisture are the enemies of suede. Start by spraying them with a waterproof solution. Better yet, avoid sloshing through the rain in your suede boots. That's what galoshes are for.If they get muddy, let the mud dry before brushing it off with a suede brush. These are available at most shoe stores, drug and mass-market stores.Stains are a little trickier. Try gently rubbing the stain with a pencil eraser. If that doesn't work, you can use a commercial suede cleaner or a solution of mild soap and water. But work carefully, applying only a little cleaner and dabbing gently. It's easy to destroy the nap of suede or lighten the dye.Orlando Sentinel fashion writer Jean Patteson welcomes your questions. Mail: Orlando Sentinel, MP-240, P.O. Box 2833, Orlando, FL 32802-2833. E-mail: jpattesonorlandosentinel.com.By KRT News Service