Ask Caryn – May 2010
Advice for fuller top heavy going back to Uni
Hi Caryn,
I just want to ask some advice on what to wear really. Probably sounds straight forward, but its something that is starting to worry me. Since 2007 I have lost 6 stone, but this has left me with a peculiar shape.
I am roughly a size 26/28 sometimes up to a 30 on top and a size 22/24 bottom depending on what style and where I shop. Also because of a major op in my early teens on my stomach, I have a bit of a tummy flap which I can’t do anything about. I’m going off to Uni in October (at age 41) to study Law in London. I want to be comfortable, but at the same time have a wardrobe that is going to work and isn’t going to make me look like mutton dressed as lamb.
I love classic clothes, 40′s/50′s style but never had the guts or figure to wear them. My wardrobe is primarily black, but I do like bright colours like Red, Orange, Yellow and Navy too. Can you recommend a few key pieces for me to buy and build on please? I’ve always been big so have never really experimented with clothes because it was a case of if it fits lol. I’d just like to start Uni with a bit of a confidence boost. Oh I have bingo wing arms now that flap in the breeze, so that is something I worry about too lol
Thank you
Hello
Congratulations – Uni will be fantastic – once you have your style sorted you can relax and enjoy the ride!
The basis for any great look and style discovery is properly fitting and supporting underwear. Control underwear is a great secret weapon – designed to hold you in, in all the right places and give you a sleek silhouette. Most importantly it will give you confidence in experimenting with some new looks. Also make sure that you are wearing a well-made, properly fitted bra. This is a must and will minimize and shape in the way nothing else can. Have a look in the underwear section of our shopping mall for an extensive range of retailers.
It would also be worth investing in my fuller and top heavy ebook which will give you an extensive array of knowledge and learning about how to dress for your shape and also how to create a wardrobe of staple pieces that will work for you. The key is to even up your body symmetry, minimizing the top half of your body and maximising the bottom. In general look for clothes that give you subtle definition (fitted shapes) especially around the bust.
For a comfortable, chic, effortless new look I’d give you a little nod to nautical. A timeless wardrobe staple that echoes the 1950s Riviera chic but is kept modern with seasonal twists. There are some unmistakable characteristics of nautical style but you can really experiment with colours, layering as well as a multitude of accessories. Start with some basics such as blue/navy tunic style tops – Evans have some great options and below I have added three links to tunic styles which would look great with – some dark jeans and a bit of layering like long scarves and long cardigans.
You can add accent colours such as red in the form of bangles, a corsage or tote bag to add your own flair of personality to the look.
Jelly Belly
Hi Caryn
I’ve just had my second baby and my belly is quite frankly, a jelly belly! I’m currently a size 16 and all my jeans cut into my belly because it is so ‘squishy’. Therefore, I buy jeans that fit around my waist and are too big around the bum and legs. I’m finding I don’t like to shop as it’s soul destroying. Any advise in this betwixed/between stage for an aspiring Mum who wants to be yummy?
Cristel
Hello Cristel
It’s just a matter of getting a better fit jean.
There are plenty of brands that have figure fixing abilities so you’ll be sorted in a jiffy!
Tummy Tuck is a well know variety and available from www.ilovejeans
I have recently discovered a brand of jeans called the Wizard Jean which has been billed by its makers as the instant nip/tuck jeans and a magic wand for your self-esteem. Take a look at my blog for further information and join my facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Caryn-Franklins-Howtolookgoodcom-Official-website/263962638370?ref=ts
where I will be running a comp for a free pair – you sound like the perfect person to test drive them!
Think about teaming said jeans with tunics and empire line tops and then ad soft layers over the top like the draped jackets that are currently very popular (lipsy have some good ones) for an easy-breezy mummy-peasy look!
And finally why not sign up for my newsletter which I will send to you at the beginning of each month. That way I can help you build up a seasonal wardrobe by recommending and discussing the merits of three items to buy each month.
I’ll keep you effortlessly in the know with my fashion news, and I’ll tell you all about what Jane and I have been up to each month. If you want to get closer to the fashion world and even influence it, then visit the home page for your subscription.
Advice for Interview Outfit
Dear Caryn
After a number of years of being a full time mum living in jeans and jumpers, I am planning to return to work but am really unsure what to wear to an interview. Can you offer any advice? (I am a standard pear shape, unfortunately!)
Hope to hear from you
Many thanks
Catherine
Hello Catherine
Thanks for getting in touch. The most important thing is for you to feel confident and comfortable in your interview ensemble as then you will in turn exude confidence, feel more relaxed and perform better.
This season it’s all about minimal effort and I would channel a little of that into a confident vision of modern city wardrobing.
Rather than looking like you haven’t made an effort, minimalism is about simplicity, perfectly chic and understated looks. Think shift dresses, fluid, wide-legged trousers and equally liquid full, knee-length skirts and bodies in soft shades of nude for a delicate sophistication.
A camel shift dress with a navy open knee length coat or a dark well cut trouser suit (if dresses is not your thing!) with a blush blouse (light colours on top are the best way to balance out a pear-shape) will look polished and chic and will serve you well as staples in your wardrobe.
The dress and coat combo will gently skim your hips and lengthen while nothing flatters better than a perfectly cut jacket and pair of dark trousers. Great tailoring will whittle down your waist, nip in your hips and make you appear generally slimmer and trimmer. Use a light jacket with ruffles to add volume to the top of the body. Have a look at our high street section for some inspiration but Zara does have some great dress and tailoring options. The key to getting the minimal look just right is to focus on a good cut and fabric quality.
What you want to project is order, authority, calmness and clarity choosing clothes with tright clothing features fro you shape will help so do consider downloading a pearshaped e-book from the site.
Styling Course
Hi Caryn,
My name is Inga Latif,i am a make-up artist,i used to work for London College of Fashion.My biggest dream would be to become a stylist .I am looking for styling courses in London,but seems is not that easy to find…Some I found are unrealistically expensive-Nicky Hambleton Jones styling academy 7 day course would cost me a £2,500.
Please help me.
Yours sincerely
Inga
Hi Inga,
The other way of course is to start assisting a stylist and learn on the job that way.
Nicky’s course, is more for image consultants, so if you are looking to learn editorial styling than this won’t be right. The London College of Fashion and Central St Martins both do evening courses and I’m sure you will find a more manageable price at one of these. Good luck
What to Wear for Brother’s Wedding
Dear Caryn,
Please help!
I am going to my brother’s wedding in August of this year and having lost a little weight, I am now a size 16 with no idea of what to wear to suit my shape. I am 35, and have never worn dresses, suits, heels or in fact anything remotely girly. I now fancy wearing a dress!
I am 5’9″ tall and have big boobs (34H), and need to cover my legs as I have dodgy skin. I quite like looking punky/alternative and do not want to blend in or wear “ordinary” beige, bland, boring things …
I will have 3 young children with me on the day, so I need to be comfortable as well as gorgeous!
Again, please help!
Regards,
Sally
Hi Sally
How about a jumpsuit for an effortless and easy sensibility and a little bit of wedding difference?
A jumpsuit is a great piece as it has a relaxed attitude that does “formal” without veering into “Special occasion.” Just remember to cinch at the waist with a showy belt and stick to a bottom with a slightly harem pant proportion and tapered leg. This will just leave ankles and feet on show so do give your toes a bit of attention!
Make sure you have a great bra underneath – if you haven’t been fitted recently now’s the time
Opt for personality in your accessories – statement shoes and chunky jewels will give your look a little edge. Still pretty but not sickly sweet.
Here is a link to some options that I have found for you to have a look at
Playsuits
Hello Caryn,
Your website has been so useful recently, looking through your ebooks for party and wedding clothes I have had this year.
I do have a question however, I am a size 14 in my 20′s and really want to wear a playsuit for a party I have coming up. I know they are on trend at the moment, but just cant find a style or pattern that doesnt make me look ridiculous!! Could you please help!?
Thank you so much in advance
Emily
Hi Emily
With playsuits the secret is to keep the look sophisticated so that it doesn’t look like an oversized romper suit and then add your own little edge so that you are party rather than playground ready.
Look for a playsuit with a tailored bottom half and loose top anchored at the waist so that you have definition at the waist. There are so many from plain colours to print, but you need to make sure you don’t choose something that is too voluminous and end up looking like sausage woman.
I have enclosed a link for a style that it think is very streamlining because there isn’t so much fabric in it, but it is very sexy: http://www.asos.com/Miss-Sixty/Miss-Sixty-Halter-Jumpsuit/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=870496&cid=7618&sh=0&pge=5&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Navy . On this site there are 125 jumpsuits to look at!
Accessorize with big heels and some chunky jewellery and a blazer or leather jacket on top adds another dimension. Topshop, Miss Selfridge and Urban Outfitters have a large range of options currently in store. But you could do some armchair browsing by using our shopping directory on the site.
Have fun.
1940s/50s Pencil Dresses
Hi Caryn
I would like your help on where I can buy 40s/50s dresses or outfits as I have my nephews wedding to go to in May. They have a Rockabilly/50s theme and I love the chic pencil dresses etc but the ones I have found are BLACK and I dont want to wear black for a wedding.
I am 5ft 4″ size 10/12 and have medium length black hair, olive skin and hazel eyes…
Please can you assist me in any way.
Yours sincerely
Dianne
Hello Dianne
I have had a quick peek for you and have found a few options in our shopping mall. Oasis have a number of options in royal blue, kingfisher blue, pink and grey as well as a couple of patterned numbers. French connection also has a couple of options including a pink one. Asos which can be found online has a whole range of dresses in this seasons jelly bean hues as well as red and navy.
It might be worth logging on to www.shopstyle.co.uk where you can type in what garment you are looking for including colour etc and it will show you various garments from both the high street and designer brands.
Finally there is a brand called Diva Corsets – they have a shop in London but are also available online. They really channel the 1950’s glamour look and have a whole range of variants on the pencil dress style in many different colour ways.
I hope this helps.
What to wear to a wedding
Hiya, im really in need of some advice
My friend is getting married in July so summer wedding. I have recently had a baby and am hoping to lose some weight before the wedding and lose a stone and get toned up. However I have no idea what to wear.
I’m 28, and so far my style has always just been jeans and a top. I feel at 28 and a mum I should be wearing something more to fit my age and lifestyle. I seem to pick dresses that are ok to wear to the clubs or for everyday, but a dress for a wedding I really have no idea!
Im 5ft 9″, and would love to have a dress that just makes me look wow. It’s also the first event that myself, my partner and our son will have attended as a family, so I would also like to look extra special for his sake, as he has never seen me dress like this before.
Any help would be great. Im just totally stuck as to what to wear.
Thanks
Steph
Hello Steph
I’d go for a drapey cocktail dress – a dress with drape and folds that will wrap around the body – sexy yet sophisticated, fashiony yet elegant. What is more the clever folds act as a disguise for any baby bulges and for those of us who keep putting those sit ups off. Firstly have a look at our catwalk and high street sections for inspiration and I’d also give the Lanvin, Buberry and Peter Pilotto shows a quick google.
On the high street House of Fraser, Whistles have some chic options and have a look at asos.com and very.co.uk online.
Team your dress with fierce accessories – think metal pieces or big jewelled necklaces– and high heels so your look doesn’t descend into girliness. Then all you need to do is knock his socks off, good luck!
Holiday Wardrobe Advice
Hi,
My name is Angela, and I’m desperately needing some retail advice….I’m kind of useless at the best of times when it comes to dressing fashionably and being able to accesorize…I’m only 26 and I had a baby 9 months ago. Although I’m on a calorie controlled diet and go to the gym 3 times a week…my body is taking soooo long to return to a decent size. I used to be a size 8-10 on top with a bust size of 32C, now I struggle to be any size since my shape is so odd and lumpy and bumpy in all the wrong places! I’m now kind of a size 10-12 on top with a bust size of 32DD, and a size 12 on the bottom with a gaping back. I’m going on holiday in 9 weeks and I just wanted some advice on some things that I could buy on the highstreet for looking good….I’m mostly interested in casual/smart…by that I mean I always want to look “cute” rather than sporty or too dressed down, but I don’t want to wear dresses…I’m not really a dress person and I’m way too uncomfortable about the fact that I still have “kankles” from pregnancy…I ended up with mild lymphedema and it probably won’t go away now…which makes me very sad but what can I do about it.
Anyway, sorry I’ve gone on and on…I would just be really grateful if you could advise me on putting a couple of outfits together for my holiday.
Many thanks
Angela
Hello Angela
Thanks for getting in touch. I’d invest in a few wardrobe staples which you can mix and match to create some different holiday outfits and which will also work way beyond when your tan starts to fade. Channel this season’s minimalist look and look for luxe blazers, silk vests, tailored trousers in a muted colour palette. For example team a vest and trousers with gold jewellery for the evening or slip a vest over your bikini for the day. Invest in a few signature pieces of jewellery and accessories which can work with various outfits. Have a look at our catwalk and high street sections so you can see what I mean and for some inspiration.
You might also want to think about a jumpsuit for an easy, relaxed look and I know you said you don’t do dresses but a maxi dress will cover your ankles, it looks stylish and you simply throw it on and you are good to go.
Type in the various garments you are looking for at www.shopstyle.co.uk which will give you options but it would also be worth having a look at Dorothy Perkins, Topshop, M&S and Warehouse – you can link up to their sites through our shopping mall.
