Tips on how to wear gauchos will prevent fashion faux pas

Versatile gauchos should be paired with complementary garments.
NEW YORK (AP) -- Some garments that look so stylish on the runway are much harder to pull off on the sidewalk, and gauchos are one of those things.
Gauchos -- which fall somewhere between pants and a skirt -- can be the key to a very of-the-moment look or they can be a walking fashion faux pas, depending on exactly how you wear them and what you pair them with.
Laura McDowell, the fashion spokeswoman for T.J. Maxx, offers these tips for an item she calls "versatile":
UGauchos are most flattering when worn with a fitted, narrow top because the gauchos themselves are slim at the waist with wide flare to the knee or ankle.
UTops can be matched in color for a lean line. The palette for this fall includes chocolate brown, olive green, black or deep purple. Alternatively, gauchos can be worn with certain feminine silhouettes, such as small print blouses with cropped sleeves, ruffles and cinched waists. "Remember, the gaucho is a powerful, noticeable fashion statement -- keep tops on the simple side as too much of a good thing can overpower the wearer," McDowell advises.
UWhen choosing footwear, select a boot that goes to the knee so the top is covered by the gaucho. The result will be a more elongated line. If high heels are your preference, pair a pump with a stocking in the same color family. Keep it very sheer to provide coverage with a hint of color. Shoes, boots and stockings should always coordinate with the gauchos. Keeping the bottom of the outfit in one tone puts the emphasis on a narrow waist and more detailed top.