Ask Caryn – August 2011
What to wear on girls night out
Hi
I’m 37 but feel quite young, am planning night out with some girl friends and don’t know what to wear, my friend is a tiny size 8 and always wears a dress which she also insists I wear but me being a size 14 on top and 16 on bottom with fat legs and ankles I always feel more comfortable in trousers so how can I look dressed up and not like I’m going to work, would like to look trendy and outgoing not boring and mumsy, please help
Maria
Hello Maria
Thanks for getting in touch. The most important thing is for you to feel comfortable and confident to look your stylish best. Don’t worry about what anyone else is wearing but concentrate on what works for you. I don’t know about you but many a time I’ve been at a party where the gorgeous lady in a tuxedo and heels has made me green with envy and also made those puffy dresses look a little dull!
An androgynous suit can very sexy and seductive. Google ‘YSL Le Smoking’ and you’ll see what I mean! Trousers have made a strong comeback over the past couple of seasons and can give the little dress a run for its money in the evening stakes. Opt for good quality and try a pair of wide leg trousers that will deftly cover your hips and legs. Make sure they’re long, hitting the heel of your shoe, to lengthen your legs. Wear them with a blouse (something slightly sheer or in silk will give a seductive edge) tucked in to show off your waist and the flouncy nature of the blouse will balance out your top with a little volume. You could also try teaming your trousers with a fitted waistcoat or bodice. Having your shoulders on show will also balance out your larger bottom half.
One of the most-hankered-after-looks by planet fashion this season is the trouser and tunic look. Keep the tunic unadorned and sleek for a refreshingly grown-up and chic look. Look up the Celine spring summer collection for reference.
I hope this helps.
How to accessorize dress for wedding
Hi
I got this dress from Karen Millen Tribal cutwork, the underlay is of a dark green material and I am finding it hard to match for a wedding. Please what would you recommend and is it ok to wear black to a wedding?
Many thanks
Marguerite
Hello Marguerite
Thanks for getting in touch. Black is fine for a wedding as long as you keep the look slightly more playful (which you have here with the A-line shape and sweetheart neckline of the dress) and if you’re going for black for a wedding then it’s always a good idea to introduce a bit of colour to your look.
Black and green making a striking sartorial combination so I would pick up on that in your accessories. Go for a brighter forest green and you could opt for a statement green necklace and clutch and black shoes. www.prettycool.co.uk that we featured recently in our blog have a whole range of green necklaces and other jewellery pieces. ASOS have a chic portfolio envelope clutch to give you an idea.
I can’t see the dress very clearly but you say it is called tribal cutwork so you could look for shoes that have similar detailing. Karen Millen even has a pair.
Advice on how to style up dress
Hi Caryn,
I have bought this dress for my Brother in-laws wedding in Madrid on 15th. I would like some advice on accessories, I am 30 and would like to keep it looking elegant but its such a classic shape I worry it will look a bit boring. It fits like a dream, as it has been tailored within an inch of its life – waist nipped, hem up (a bit, I’m only 5’2) shoulder straps shortened but I think it needs styling up a bit. I would love to hear your advice.
Many Thanks,
Lucie
Hi Lucie
Thanks for getting in touch. You already have a gorgeous dress that fits you and shows off your shape perfectly so I would let it speak for itself and keep the rest of the look relatively simple. You could opt for a couple of accessories that have interesting details but still retain that elegance. For example you could pick up on the lace or bow detailing in the dress. A little while ago we featured a blush pink lace clutch from Hoss Intropia on our blog or you could try a pair of shoes with bow detailing. Schuh have a pink ‘Thelma’ Court shoe or A/wear have a pink bow sling back shoe to give you an idea. I would opt for a pair of blush pink or nude shoes to optimise height.
If you want to add some colour to your look then blush pink and turquoise make a stunning combination. You could look for a necklace with turquoise jewels/colour and/or a clutch. If you want to keep the look neutral then metallic silver will also work.
I hope this helps.
Enjoy the wedding!
What to wear with sequin top and metallic shoes
Hi,
I have this really nice sequin see through top that ties in the back. I was wondering what kind of bottom do I wear that goes with a dull metallic nude looking shoe. This outfit is for a party that I will be attending
Thanks
Hi there
Thanks for getting in touch. You don’t say what colour your sequin top is but I would keep the bottom half matte in terms of fabric if your shoes are also metallic. In terms of shapes various trouser, skirt, short and jeans shapes will work so experiment in the mirror depending on your sartorial preference and your body shape. Nude metallic shoes will work with plenty of shades depending on, as I said, the colour of your top.
Outfits for 3 weddings
Hi Caryn,
I was wondering if you could help me. This year I have three weddings to attend, one in August, September and October and am having real problems trying to find something to wear (the last wedding I attended was when I was 14!). Ideally, I am hoping not to have to buy three separate outfits, but maybe one or two, with a budget of around £80 an outfit. I am 22 years old, size 8, 5ft 5ins, pale skinned, with blonde hair and a fairly athletic figure (straight up and down). My usual style is quite simple and plain, but I’m hoping for something a bit different. The problem I have is that I have a long torso, so waisted dresses just don’t sit right on me. I also have quite a big bust (32DD) so sometimes I have to buy dresses/tops in a size 10, but then it is too big everywhere else. I’m stuck in a bit of style rutt at the moment, tending to opt for floaty, girlies dresses, but would love something a bit more grown up and glamorous so any help you could give would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Adele
Hello Adele
Thanks for getting in touch. Wedding outfit convention seems to have (somewhere along the line) decreed that you must wear a dress to a wedding. However separates can look just as stylish and gives you the opportunity to mix things up a bit and add more fashion into your look and at least you’ll know no one else will be wearing your look!
Also if you opt for separates then you can buy different sizes to get the perfect fit. How about you invest in a statement skirt and build three separate outfits around it? You can try teaming it with a vest top and jacket, a blouse, a long sleeved top, knitwear etc.
A maxi skirt looks instantly seductive and glamorous and gorgeous in itself without much work needing doing on it. A maxi skirt will also give you a little volume to counteract your top half and will also lengthen your silhouette. We recently featured a gorgeous one from Monsoon on our blog or Topshop and Debenhams have some bright colour options. You could style up a colour block outfit, team with neutrals or white or style a more tailored look.
If you don’t want to go maxi then try a skirt with an interesting print or detailing. Once again go for a slight A-line or looser shape to balance out your top half. We’ve found some great options from Topshop, Whistles and Ted Baker. You could try clashing prints or alternatively keeping things relatively simple with a plain pleated skirt but wearing a statement necklace or cuff for example.
If you search ‘skirt’ on www.shopstyle.co.uk it will give you lots of options to start with. You don’t have to spend lots on the other pieces to go with the skirt.
Also remember to tuck your top/blouse into your skirt to break up your long torso and keep your top half based with darker shades/patterns.
How to Accessorize pink dress
Hi,
I have a mid length cerise pink dress and was wondering what colour heels,bag and fascinator I should buy.
Regards
Emma
Hi Emma
Thanks for getting in touch. I’d go for pink or nude heels to match the colour of your dress and keep a long, lean line. Metallicy/pewter silver accessories work well with pink. Colour-wise turquoise looks really gorgeous teamed with pink or one of this season’s hottest colour combinations is orange and pink for a little touch of fashion flair.
How to style up dress for a wedding
Help!! I’ve just had a baby 5 weeks ago and we’re going to a wedding. I’ve bought this dress and I’m in desperate need of help of how to accesorise it…please can you help a new mum in need?!
Thanks so much,
Emma
Hi Emma
Thanks for getting in touch. This gorgeous jersey dress will seductively show off and flatter your figure so I would add some interesting accessory pieces to give it an individual spin without interfering with the line of the dress too much.
You don’t say how tall you are but the dress on the model falls below her knees just about at her calf so I would go with high heels to counteract that or take up the hem line a little. A purple shoe is a chic option or a nude shoe will look great as will a nude clutch. Dark pewter silver accessories (including shoes) look great teamed with purple. I’d go for a statement necklace and a clutch. If you want to experiment with colour then a coral-orange looks great with purple – a brightly colour clutch would look fashion chic or you could also look out light coral shoes as their tone won’t stand out too much against your skin tone and so will also help to lengthen.
If you need to cover up then a shawl or bolero is chic or you could think about a sheer kimono style jacket/blouse and belt it at the waist so as not to lose the line of the dress too much.
How to inject more fashion into wardrobe
Please help me. I am bored of how I dress and what my look tells people about me. I am 20 years old and have had my first child and will also be returning to university this year. My look is very bleak and unfashionable. My wardobe contains mostly black or purple tops, jeans and hoody tops. Basically I like to shy away. I want my new look to be a bit bolder, brighter and more up to date. I hope that fashion will bring me more confidence. Guideness would be very helpful. Many thanks.
Maxine
Hello Maxine
Thanks for getting in touch. The best way to start is to gradually introduce some ‘on trend’ accessories into your wardrobe such as scarves, belts and shoes. They’ll instantly lift the items you already have in your wardrobe and will give them a fresh look. Plus it’ll ease you more gently into bolder and brighter looks.
For starters you could take your jeans and a black top and team with a leopard print scarf and a big statement ring. Or why not try the jeans and top combo with a big coloured statement necklace or a bright coloured belt and cuff. You could also try jeans, top and a pair of coloured or stand-out shoes.
One you have got more confidence with this then you could start introduce other items into your wardrobe such as a great dress. Find one that suits your shape and fits you perfectly and it will work hard for you. Style it in different ways using your accessories – you really don’t have to buy lots of items.
Take a look on www.style.com for catwalk inspiration and to get ideas of the sorts of shapes, patterns, colours etc you like. Also if you have a look on www.shopstyle.com you can search for scarves, belts and shoes etc.
