Ask Caryn – October 2010
What to Wear with Blue Shoes
Hi!
I recently bought a pair of blue high heels and I don’t know with what I should wear them. My friend’s mom told me not to use them with anything white. That left me pretty confused and my family does not have a pretty fashion sense. So I really need an advice. I love those shoes and I haven’t wore them yet because I can’t find anything to match them with. With what colours or clothes can I wear them?
Karen
Hello Karen
It sounds to me like you already have your own great sense of style and taste by investing in a great pair of blue heels to begin with. Although friends, family, magazines etc have opinions about how you should look, fashion should be fun and enjoyable and ultimately you should wear what you love and what makes you feel good.
You don’t give any details as to the shade of blue or style of your shoes but blue works with many other colours. Firstly it would actually add a great pop of colour to a white ensemble, looks chic with all the camel and neutral colours that are flooding the stores or can be mixed with another bright colour as a fun accent. Go with what you think (it sounds like you have a great instinct) and have a little fun experimenting. Try with your favourite dress, a great pair of trousers or even with your favourite jeans. Those shoes are too good to be left in their box!
Shoes for Orthotics Wearer
Hi Caryn,
Thank you very much for your help. I have already purchased the e-book petite and pear shape. It is fabulous, very helpful. You explain things in a very clear way, to the point. I’ve liked mostly the step plan and the shopping tips as well. But I still have a problem.
I am a 37 years old petite pear with a size 12-14 that loves wearing skirts and dresses. But I have a big health issue with my feet. I do have to wear orthotics and heels are just not possible, so 1-1,5 inch heel is the highest I can go.
Can you give me advice in the type of footwear to look young and minimise my low half body with a low heel? Is it possible to combine dresses and the new A-line skirts not only with boots but also with, just say, brogues or loafers with a low heel being petite and pear shaped as I am???
Thanks a lot!!!
Maria
Hi Maria
As you said boots look really chic with skirts and dresses – something such as a long flat riding boot or a knee-length with a short block heel to give you a little height. Flat shoes can also work and look effortlessly and timelessly elegant. The loafer is a key shape this season and I would go with that over a brogue simply because it shows more of the top of your foot (rather than cutting you off at the ankle) to give the most illusion of height and length possible.
Good news, the kitten heel has been given a reprieve for this coming Autumn/Winter in line with the return of full skirts and überfeminine silhouettes. There are, however, some great interpretations around that have a little bit of edge so you don’t feel too demure in them or to avoid your look becoming too literal. Kitten heels work particularly well with suits, pencil skirts, a-line skirts, slim trousers.
I have also recently discovered a brand called Dana Davis. She is based in Los Angeles but she does have a website (www.danadavis.com). Her shoe designs are the first to feature built-in orthotics in a high-fashion shoe but are also designed so that you can easily put in your own orthotics if needed. She has flats and heels in some really chic and beautiful designs that any fashion shoe lover would get giddy about.
Hope this helps
Winter Coat
Hi Caryn,
I am a mid-thirties, petite (5ft, size 10-12) professional and am really struggling to find an on-trend flattering winter coat – please help! In the past I have tried all sorts of different styles, the last one being a bit of a swing coat, which was a disaster as everyone thought I was pregnant! I am happy to spend up to £250 for the right piece.
Thank you!
Charlotte
Hi Charlotte
This is a big season for coats and there were some stunning options on the catwalk: the pea coat, the single breasted overcoat (pretty much in camel); the straight trench, the rounded shoulder and sleeve and so on. A navy (or black) pea coat is a really chic option that will work over office garb, over pretty dresses or with your favourite pair of jeans. Just look at the stunning Burberry navy pea coat which had many a fashion editor reaching for the credit card. Go for a cropped version – one that meets at your waist. There are many beautiful streamlined versions on the high street. One of the most stunning I found is the Farhi by Nicole Farhi navy pea coat which is on my-wardrobe.com. French Connection also has a lovely black option.
A trench coat is also an externally chic option – look for one that ends just above your knee. The topshop petite exposed seam trench is elegant with a pretty a-line cut. Similarly House of Fraser have a number of options, in particular, the Michael Michael Kors sateen trench. All Saints is also worth a look as they have a whole range of trenchs – have a look at the Naham trench coat, a black trench with a typical All Saints twist.
Finally have a look at the label Sessun which is carried at Liberty’s in London but they also have a website. They are a French label offering some really lovely options in tres chic French style and are still a little under the radar. This season they have a beautiful pea and trench coat.
Top Heavy Body Shape Advice
Hi
I am a 48 year old woman and am guessing that it is now that time of my life that everything changes. Up to 3 years ago I was 5ft 8ins size 6 with a 32B bust and weighed in at 8st 2lbs and have been around that size and weight for all of my adult life. Since then I have gained a tremendous amount of weight going to 10st 8lbs for no apparent reason other than possibly being on or starting the ‘change’.
Ok, so there’s a bit of history, my problem is that my bust is now a whopping 34DD/34E I am a size 10 (ish) bottom and am buying anything from a size 12 to a size 18 top and I just don’t know where to shop or what kind of clothing to buy. I know I should be a size 12 but with the size of my bust clothing in that size generally look dreadful. I have also gained a considerable amount of weight on my arms and where my waist used to be making things extremely tight in those areas.
Basically I just look dreadful in everything I try and because of my total change in body shape and size and I have no idea what I should even be looking at let alone buying.
Regards
Karen
Hi Karen
Thanks for getting in touch. You are not alone – many woman including myself have experienced changes in their body at some point in their lives. It can be challenging when you feel that you are staring at a wardrobe that no longer works for you. There is light at the end of the tunnel and it takes a little bit of adjustment to understand your shape. Try to remember you body is doing the best it can for you, some weigh gain is natural.
It sounds like you have a good shape. You give your bust size so I am assuming that you have been re-measured. I say this because underwear is the most important place to start. It is important to make sure you are wearing the right bra size and a bra that fits you perfectly as this will give your most flattering shape to work with. This alone can help you feel better about your changed shape.
The key for you is to understand how to balance out your bust by first minimising the top half of your body and adding volume on your bottom half. This can be done with a simply understanding of features of clothing to help you. Your top half can be minimized by choosing tops with dark solid colours and V-neck to elongate your neck etc. Then create volume and focus at the your hips. This can be done with shape (A-line skirts dresses, wide trousers), pattern (attention drawing downwards) and colour. The ‘standard and top heavy,’ e-book I have created for a top heavy shape will however give you all the information you need in detail.
Then you can then start to re-evaluate your own wardrobe. Separates will be the key to your success, so work out the pieces in your wardrobe that work for you and pieces to purchase to fill out the gaps and create a wardrobe of mixable pieces from which you can create great outfits every day and for every occasion.
Sizing varies significantly from brand to brand so many of us find that we are one size in one shop and then a very different size in another. Over time you will discover which stores/brands you like and flatter your shape and then you can focus on those when you shop and it will be easier.
All that is needed here is a slight change of attitude. Take control of your image and start to think like a stylist to give your body and wardrobe the help in now needs…you will be heartened by the results.
Tips to Minimise Your Bust
I need some advice to what shape am I am so confused and I don’t know hat sort of fashion this Autumn/winter I should be dressing in for my shape and age I am 164 cm and are constantly told I am slim I have to wear children’s jeans as my hips are only 32 inches which I think is a size 4 and is hard to find where I live and have skinny legs and are quite long compared to my top half, have no waist and a flat tummy hip bone is visible and ribcage slightly .
I have always been that way but then all a sudden I have quite a big chest considering everything else is so tiny even my shoulders are very slender and so is my face and my cheek bones are visible I see in photos an when applying make up. I swear it looks like I have had boob job and ain’t at all there a 32 C. It does look odd to me as I am so tiny every where else I get really depressed about it and makes me want to go under the knife to get them reduced.
I know a C – cup is probs average and don’t seem that big but my frame is so small it is just wrong and I don’t know how to dress I end up having to keep a scarf on because I’m so aware as I feel some tops end up making me look awful cause all you can see is my chest, or I end up with lot of extra me trail just hanging because its finding stuff to fit my chest and my tummy so it does not make my tummy look bigger or make my chest stand out.
I would really appreciate some advice to what shape I am I thought I was slender but your suppose to have small chest. I am confused and would really like to feel confident in my clothes and look good and not covering up all the time because I don’t know how to dress my small frame but an unusual chest size considering my frame and size really affects my mood and can take me hours in the morning just to find something I feel comfortable in to go out just for college. I am 19 years of age.
Hi Alicia
Thanks for getting in touch.
Don’t lose heart, it can be a little confusing to understand your shape, we are all individual in that sense but there are some rough shape boxes that we fit into. You are slender and top heavy. This means that you need to learn how to minimize your top half and maximize your bottom half with clothes to create a good body symmetry. There are a few tips you can use to help you feel you feel more confident and your bust less noticeable!
First get your bra correctly fitted and choose a minimiser bra where the cup size is wider to flatten the breast rather than push it out.
Now use this basic tool and you will see the difference. Wear solid dark tones on your top half , this will again minimise your bust. Look for tops with no pattern in darker colours and a soft v-neckline for maximum reduction. A round high neckline will make your bust look larger. You can add a scarf for comfort but experiment in the mirror with different styles of wrapping them. Create long vertical lines with a good sized horizontal scarf and you will again see the results.
You don’t mention your style or fashion preferences but you also need to look to add volume to your bottom half. This can be done simply with an a-line skirt or wide-legged trousers both of which are key pieces this season. Make these garments lighter or brighter. Light grey jeans for example create focus and width at the bottom of your body while dark denim doesn’t.
Investing in my slender and top heavy e- book, will give you a full idea of how to dress for and flatter your shape and once you start to understand how to create a style that works for you, you will begin to feel more confident.
You have a great base to work with it just takes a little adjustment to make you look greater still.
Accessories for Leopard Print Maxi Dress
I need to know what type of jewellery to wear with a lovely jersey leopard print maxi dress
I am 5’8″ and love this maxi dress and would like to wear it to a wedding.
Thank you
Monica
Hi Monica
Thanks for getting in touch. Go for either black or gold jewellery and I’d opt for something chunkier as opposed to something on the dainty side to keep your look fresh and modern. Layering up some gold chains, a multi-chain necklace or a black bib style necklace could all work. Have a look at asos.com – they have a whole range of black, gold and black and gold options to give you some ideas.
Enjoy the wedding.
Trousers to a Gala Dinner?
Hi Caryn
I am a 31 year old woman, 1.63m tall, weighing 53kg, and have a pear shaped figure.
I will be attending a grand gala dinner in about 3 weeks’ time and I urgently need advice. I do not like to wear skirts nor dresses, so I will be wearing black trousers to the gala dinner. Is it OK to be wearing trousers to a gala dinner? I’ve never seen any other women wearing trousers to dinners like this.
Anyway, I know I want to wear black trousers. Should it be a wide legged trousers or just a bootleg will do? Could you please give me some advice about what I should wear on top and what accessories should I have?
Thank you so much!
Best regards
Zx
Hi there
Thanks for getting in touch. I was at a party some time ago and amidst the sea of frou frou and pretty party dresses and a woman dressed in a sexy but simple tuxedo really shone in the style stakes. She looked confident, so assured of her style and so in turn looked chic, beautiful and simply stunning. That remains in my mind because she was so striking.
My point is that trousers and trouser suits can be smoking hot so yes you are definitely ok to be wearing trousers! In fact trousers are being touted as the new cocktail dress this season so you had better get in there quick! Go for a pair with a gradual flair that go right down to the ground. Serious heels are a necessity.
Team with a brightly coloured basque and a tailored jacket or you could try a silky, light feminine blouse. It’s all about balancing out the masculine with something feminine. Keep accessories simple with a beautiful pair of earrings or a statement ring.
Have fun!
Outfit for Children’s Christening
Dear Caryn,
I’m looking for some inspiration for an outfit to wear to my children’s Christening (in November). I’m 35, 5’5”, pear shaped (6/8 top and size 10 bottom), with light brown hair and dark blue eyes (and warm-ish colouring). My children are 2 1/2 and 1 so we are having a double-celebration and quite a big lunch party after the church so I’d like to wear something that makes me look un-mumsy, stylish and trendy. However, it is proving rather difficult. (Camel looks dire on me – which is a shame, as it seems to be everywhere.)
I was thinking of maybe a dress or tunic with thick tights/leggings but can’t seem to find anything smart enough that doesn’t look frumpy or more appropriate for clubbing. I definitely don’t want anything suit-ish as I work full time as a solicitor in the city so spend an awful lot of my time in black/grey/navy suits.
If I could wear the outfit for other occasions, my budget would be about £300. However, I don’t want to spend that much on something I only wear once, maybe twice.
Thanks very much!
Matilda
p.s. Can pear-shaped women really not wear skinny cargo pants?? Obviously not for a Christening but I’ve been hankering after some for months…. Thanks!
Hi Matilda
A great dress will never disappoint. For this season consider an architectural a-line dress (Chloe, Calvin Klein), a printed a-line dress (prada), a textured shift (Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana), a coat dress (could be something really different but on-trend) or a sleek maxi dress. Have a look at our catwalk section for further inspiration
To begin your search, have a look at coggles.com. This is a site that carries a few well-know designer brands but mostly ones a little under the radar which means you can find those more unique pieces that guarantee you won’t have to suffer a someone-has-the-same-out-outfit-as-me nightmare. They have plenty of options for your budget. Also take a peek at farfetch.com. They carry lines from over 400 designers and sell items for most of the UK boutique stores such as Matches, Start, Diverse. Of course these boutiques are in London so you can pay them a visit but they also have their own websites. It is always worth having a look at www.net-a-porter.com, www.the-outnet.com, www.my-wardrobe.com, www.theresa.com and www.matches.com too.
If you want to go to a ‘real’ shop rather than a virtual one then I’d take a trip to House of Fraser who stock Biba and Mint Velvet as well as a wide range of other brands. Oh and pass by Cos who have a great tuxedo dress.
Skinny cargo pants are tricky because they tend to be very fitted around the thigh areas and also have pockets which add bulk. Go for slightly looser cargo trouser instead with a similar vibe. Search for the current Elliott captain pant on google and you’ll see that they are slightly looser with a wider leg but still have that cargo pant vibe.
Good luck!
Smock Dress for Grandson’s Christening
Dear Caryn,
I need your help. I am 55 years old, but young at heart woman! I am a 5.ft, hourglass lady. I am looking at buying a Dobby smock dress in Navy blue from Next. My questions are:
1) I’m I too old for this?
2) Is it suitable for my grandson’s christening
3) If you answered no to question 1, and yes for question 2, what colour opague tights, shoes and bag would go with the dress?
4) If the dress is not appropriate for my age or occasion, what would you suggest?
Finally, I will be wearing a camel doubled breasted coat to finish the outfit………..might have a bearing on colour of accessories?
Really hope you can help
Kindest regards
Claire
Hi Claire
No you are certainly not too old for a smock dress. Dressing is really about what makes you feel comfortable and confident, makes you look good and shows your figure off to its best. With the smock dress, experiment how it looks with a skinny belt so that you don’t loose the outline of your lovely hourglass figure.
I’d go with navy tight and shoes to elongate and lengthen. You could always, however try shoes in a brown. The same with accessories really – stick in the blue or brown families – camel, brown or even stretch to a burgundy or a plum.
Enjoy the christening!
Accessories Advice
I’m going to my cousins wedding in three weeks and I just bought this new dress. I’ve never been good at accessorizing. A link to the dress I bought is below. Any recommendations for style and colour of shoes? Also, what other accessories, jewellery, etc. would work with this dress? Can I wear a necklace even though the dress comes up to the neck?
http://www.modcloth.com/store/ModCloth/Womens/Dresses/Party/Windy+City+Dress
Thanks!
Caitlin
Hello Caitlin
Thanks for getting in touch. If you want to wear a necklace with this dress I would go for a bib necklace which will work almost as it is actually a detail on the dress and will give it a unique spin. If you type “bib necklace” into www.shopstyle.com they will give you a whole range of possibilities. Asos have some particularly beautiful options as does Zara, you’ll find both in our Shopping Mall. Depending on which option you go for, use the colours in the necklace as a base for shoe and bag options. Keep the shoe shape relatively simple.
The choice is yours really depending on any favorites you may have. You can also go for a more structured or statement shoe (a more built up show or a court shoe with bow detail etc) and a cuff and chunky ring will set things off nicely.
