Ask Caryn – June 2010
Petite Clothing
My situation is well nigh impossible. Petite clothing simply does not fit and, at 54, I have no desire to wear children’s clothing or shop in clothes shops with loud popular music and poorly made products.
I am just over 4’9 and a fraction under 6 stone with size 2 feet. I can get tops but even a size 6 in skirts just drops off me. I usually face £13 plus alteration bills with any garment and the waists have to be completely re-made. I live in the North West. Precis petite is enormous on me and anything from Phase 8 in a size 8 just provokes laughter in the stores.
Help!
Rachel
Hi Rachel,
I can understand how frustrated you are. Because there are so few people with your measurements. Retailers don’t feel it is possible to create lines in these sizes. I have some suggestions. Although these stores may not be where you normally shop, Top Shop petite and Ms Selfridge petite both offer UK size 4 which may help in the skirt department. Both are fashion forward retailers, so much of it may not be your style, but they will have plain items in solid colours from time to time, so it is a matter of always checking the rails when you go past the store.
I also suggest finding a dressmaker to work with who, once they have your measurements and can use a favourite dress or skirt as inspiration, can create you a replica. Look for fabric in sales and store it up for when you need to make another garment. This will not be as expensive as you think…a simple shift dress can be made in a matter of hours.
Approach your style with a plan…If you can create yourself a small classic wardrobe of fitted clothes in solid colours – either bought or made then you can add colour and fashion in the form of footwear (out footwear directory offers specialist fit for size 2) bags, scarves and jewellery. These can be the items that change to freshen up your look but the well made basics can last for many years giving your real pence per wear factor.
Let me know how you get on.
Dressing for son’s graduation
I am attending my son’s graduation soon. It will be outside but could be chilly because it is in the mountains. Should I wear slacks, skirt, and can I wear black hose with any of these? I am 54 yrs old and pear shape and 165 lbs. I don’t want to look like the dead of winter but want to be warm, also. Help!!!
Betty
Hello Betty
Thanks for your email. The scorching summer scenery of the Sound of Music is sometimes just an ideal from the silver screen and we have to deal with the reality of something somewhat chillier. However it doesn’t mean we have to button up like Mother superior!
Use a neutral colour for legwear and match with some knee high boots instead for a lighter look that still gives you some coverage. Team with a flared or tulip skirt (best for your shape) and top and add in a jacket and decorative scarf for a chic and elegant look.
Work wear
Hi Caryn
I wonder if you can help as I’m getting a bit desperate! I work as a law clerk and am finding work wear particularly difficult to choose/find. My day’s location can change from being in court to sitting at my desk/researching at the archives/meeting clients/being on a muddy building site or being in a properties garden or field. I also sometimes have to walk to locations. I can do all those different things in one day so clothing has to be smart, comfortable and reasonably practical too (pencil skirts a no no – not a great look with wellies!). I also don’t always have time to change for site visits so I could do with something that is really versitile too. In winter I tend to wear black trousers and a jumber/cardi with some pretty detailing (getting boring now though) and summer (more tricky) is an a-line skirt or looser trousers with a t-shirt top of some sort (less smart and still pretty dull). I would love to look smarter and still keep things pretty practical but am at a loss! I’d also really like to try a dress for work but smart ones tend to be pretty restrictive. I’m a size 14 (shrinking slowly!) and curvy (32G, small high waist, larger hips) and about 5’4”. High heels are also a no no as if I am researching I can be on my feet for 2 – 3 hours at a time. To top it off I live in Guernsey and clothes shops are limited but I’m happy shopping on-line if they deliver over here. A tall order I know but do you have any ideas?
Many thanks in advance!
Faye
Hello Faye
Go for a jersey drape or wrap over dress. The light jersey fabric and cut will gently drape around your body accentuating your curves but hiding any lumps and bumps. This style of dress is comfortable, it looks chic and elegant and it is so versatile.
You can team with flat knee high boots (or a pair with a low heel) for winter and a hero cardigan there are lots of really chunky knits for next season. Then pumps in the summer. And it would look surprisingly good with wellies! This style of dress is so easy – slip it on and you are good to go – of course you can accessorize to your hearts content. It also works effortlessly with jackets when you need a little extra formality.
Have a look in our shopping mall to find options for the style of dress but I’lll give you a heads up to particularly look at Boden, Asos and Fenn Wright Manson to get you started.
Ascot Ladies Day Dress Code
Hi
I could really do with some advice. I am going to Ascot Ladies day in June and can’t decide what to wear. I have tried a knee length dress with heels and felt really uncomfortable as I am 5ft 10 in flat shoes and never wear heels. So I had thought about a maxi dress with flat sandals. Having never been to Ascot is a maxi dress suitable.
I would appreciate your advice
Kind regards
Helen
Hello Helen
Thanks for getting in touch. I have had a quick look at the Royal Ascot website and the dress code is dependent on your admission ticket. If you have a Grandstand Admission ticket the dress code is appropriate to that of a smart occasion and it states that many people wear hats although it is not compulsory. If you have a Silver Ring ticket then there is no formal dress code. A maxi dress would be a chic, elegant look for you and it seems appropriate on both counts. I would certainly “dress it up” with some statement accessories. If you are, however, lucky enough to have a Royal Enclosure ticket then the dress code is much stricter so do check the site for details.
Enjoy your day!
Shoes to go with Wedding Outfit
Hi Caryn.
I am going to two weddings in the summer (i know its some time) and would like to wear a black and greyish long dress with a silver card, but I’m not sure what colour and what type of shoes to wear and also would the dress be suitable . My husband is also an usher at one of the weddings and his outfit is chocolate and champagne colour so would like something to match that.
Many Thanks.
Lisa
Hello Lisa
This is simple…
Look for a shoe in this season’s blush or muted pale flesh tone to inject a little hint of colour and a contemporary edge to your outfit.
Dorothy Perkins has a great pair of blush patent courts and a pair of lace peep toe platforms.
Next also have a pretty pair of blush frill sandals but there are a whole range of options on the high street.
Why not have a look in our footwear directory to research what’s on offer.
Hed Kandi
Hi
I’m struggling to know what to wear to a Hed Kandi dance night at the Ministry of Sound. I hardly ever go out in London and dont know how dressed up I need to be, after all it will be a night of dancing.
Could you please give me a few pointers? If possible pictures of a few outfits.
Small size 14 but nearly a size 12
Thank you in advance
Liz
Hello Liz
Conveniently enough Miss Selfridge has designed a range of dresses specifically for Hed Kandi.
Have a look at their website which you can access through our shopping mall. This will give you an idea of the style of dresses which are hedkandi-esque even if you don’t want to go with one of theirs.
Short, fitted and printed seems to be the name of the game though.
Wedding Guest Dress Options for Pear Shape
I have downloaded your e-book for Standard Pear but I still need a little advice. I am going to a wedding in July (my first). I do not normaly wear dresses but would like to wear one. I require one that comes down to my knees at least and covers the tops of my arms but i can’t find one anywhere. Could you give me some ideas on style etc.
Thanks
Kirsty
Hi Kirsty
I hope the e-book has given you a renewed enjoyment of your style, but to answer your specific question..
Next has come up trumps this season with a series of decidedly stylish party frocks.
Take a peek at their website which you can access through our shopping mall; there are so many options but have a look at the Jacquard bow dress which is a sweet a-line number or the Butterfly print dress, a fitted shift dress with a tulip skirt that perfectly channels this seasons digital print and will guarantee you make a mark at your first wedding!
You go also opt for a maxi dress which would work well on you. Also, take a look at ASOS for a massive range of options and to give you some more ideas you’ll find these sites and others in our shopping mall.
Style Advice
Hello
I have the vest in the picture below and when I wear it you can see a bit of my bra on top because my breasts aren’t big enough I was just wondering how do I make it so you can’t see my bra?
Kind regards
Alice
Hi Alice,
You have two options.
Shorten the straps, by making a new seam at the shoulders and taking about 2.5cms extra fabric. This will solve the problem and raise the neckline up – your bra will no longer be on show.
The other way is to wear a second more fitted vest underneath so that you have a bit of a layering story going on – very current and it means you can vary the tops underneath to get a variety of looks .
Enjoy
Careerwear
Hi Caryn,
Firstly, what is the difference between a standard and a fuller body shape in your books’ terms? I’m a 5’6″, currently size 14-16 woman, who has always been very sporty and so has bigger thighs, biceps and more muscle than the average woman, but I do have a curvaceous hour-glass figure.
Secondly, I’m moving back to London for a new job in a very traditional, male-dominated environment after living abroad for 2 years and I want to get a couple of really nice suits made for me while I’m out here in Cyprus (as it’s much cheaper than back in the UK) but I’m not sure what to get. I want to invest in a couple of well-made suits that will serve me well in my new city job, but I want them to be versatile, yet smart; fashionable yet classic and I’m uncertain whether I should get grey pinstripe or navy-blue chalk-stripe; pencil skirt or on-the-knee; there are too many combinations!!! I was thinking of getting a jacket, trousers and skirt for each suit, but am over-whelmed by the choices I have to make here!!
Can you offer any advice please?
Thank you
Ann
Hi Ann,
To answer your e-book question…I think that as you have a curvaceous, hour glass figure and you are standard height, you will be best served by our standard and curvaceous book.
As far as suits go, I suggest solid colour not pinstripe or chalk strip. How about charcoal grey and or navy blue. Instruct your tailor to create a single breasted jacket single button. So that you can really accentuate your waist, together with a straight skirt or a roomy pencil skirt.
Once you have these classic style in your wardrobe you can add feminine blouses with ruffles, waterfall collars or pussy bows to add softness and court shoes to give it a clean line. In winter you can add knitwear with polo necks, turtle neck sand V –necks and a classic knee high boot to finish.
Changing Shape
I am 47 year old, 1.62 tall and my measures are 92, 67, 87, not quite the 90, 65, 90 of my youth but pretty close. Now in my youth these would have been considered perfect measures but women are no longer supposed to be shaped like that! I have long lost hope of finding a dress that fits and flatters my curves but now I am starting to have problems with jeans and tops as well! On a recent shopping expedition, an XS top from Noa Noa supposedly fitted was about 20cm bigger at the waist and the smaller jeans size at Jigsaw was at least two sizes bigger at my waist. Apart from having all my clothes altered, what do I do?
Gio
Hi Gio,
This must be frustrating for you. Women have changed shape over the years and we tend to have thicker waists now. Clothes reflect that and that is why you now find clothes roomy.
There are no magic solutions unfortunately but clever styling might help.
Why not choose dresses that you can belt at the waist to get the fit you want. Wrap dresses and shirt dresses offer this feature anyway but you could also invest in some of the statement belts that are around at the moment and use then to pull everything in.
Empire line dresses are very popular and don’t have a waist. The fit is all around the bust and then the loose fabric skims the rest of the body to create a very flattering look.
As far as jeans go it may be a case of finding a specialist shape. www.ilovejeans.com is one of my favourite sites and they offer the AJK jean which is specifically designed to pull in at the waist for a better fit.
