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Ask Caryn – April 2010

Contributions from Caryn Franklin, Jane Galpin and Sharon Tyler.

What to Wear with Khaki Jacket

Hi Caryn,
I recently bought a khaki jacket but have no idea how to adapt outfits for it. May you please tell me what outfits go with this item??? If you could also supply me with some pictures and website that also help too!!

Thank you,
Fatima



Hello Fatima
For Spring/Summer 2010 the catwalks went khaki crazy and a khaki jacket is a really versatile piece that can be teamed with everything from jeans and a t-shirt, to shorts to a pretty summer dress. Try balancing out that borrowed-from-the-boys insouciance of the jacket with a little femininity and mix with textures like leather, chiffon or even sequins.  Many of the catwalk models were camouflaged head to toe in khaki but teaming it together with beige gives a more balanced and individual look.

Take a look at our catwalk and high street sections for further inspiration.

 

Shape of Dress for Petite Pear

Hi Caryn
Please can you help.
I am going out with a group of friend & haven't been pout for ages. I am 5ft & pear shaped & would really like to wear a dress as I don't get the chance to dress up. Do you have any suggestions as to what type of dress I should go for, I struggle to find suitable outfits as I am really short. I would preferably like to wear black opaque tights & heels.
 
Any advice would be much appreciated
Thanks
Nicola



Hello Nicola

Delighted to answer your question.

You are petite and pear shaped so you need to think about minimising the bottom half of your body and maximising the top. I would go for an empire line dress, one that is fitted over the bust and pulled close to the body just under the bust where it then falls away and deftly covers your tummy and hips. It also helps to give your body a longer line, in turn making you appear taller.

If you wanted to get more advice about which styles suit you and how to dress for your shape then it would be worth investing in one of my bodyshape ebooks.

 

Accessories for Wedding Outfit

Hi
I really hope you can help me.  I have a wedding to attend as a guest in April and one in May.  I have bought this dress from Reiss and these shoes and matching handbag from L K Bennett as a accent colour (colour is berry/purple). I also have a pashmina in the same colour as the shoes/bag.  Is this right - should I have chosen such a colour? Its just that the shoes were so nice.

I have pale skin and long dark brown hair - so I hope I can get away with this colour, but it seems to be the main colour in all the shops.

I need to know what jewellery and fascinator/hat to wear?  I have looked all over the shops and cant find anything in the accent colour so I am wondering if I just get something in the same colour as he dress.  What is best? What make-up do I go with?

Thanks for your help in advance - much appreciated.
Nicki



Hello Nicki
Thanks for your message. I’m afraid the picture of the dress was not attached so I couldn’t see the shape, pattern or colour. Sometimes with colour one or two hot statements is enough so I wouldn’t go too matchy matchy. That way your look retains an effortlessly put together sensibility.  For example why not choose jewellery in gunmetal/silver. As for your hair and make-up, strong colour does need slightly stronger make-up. Purple (!) was also a big colour on the eyes for Spring/Summer and while that would be purple overkill – a soft smoky eye created with a mauve pencil would create a beautiful, sophisticated and yet sexy look.  Keep the rest of your face fresh and hair soft.

 

Shoes to go with Raspberry Suit

Hi
I have just purchased an amazing raspberry textured suit (shift dress and jacket).  They are tailored style with ruffle detail.  

I'm struggling with what colour shoes to wear with it?  Can I go with black? or is that too harsh?

Thanks
Amie



Hi Amie
Thanks for getting in touch. Black can be a little harsh so you’d need to consider the shape and style of the shoe. I’d avoid anything too heavy or bulky.  Navy could be a gentler option. Alternatively you could look at a gold, nude or tan option for a cooler subtlety. Experimentation with unusual colour combinations is big this season and recently Sarah Jessica Parker and Nicole Kidman have teamed their frocks with some surprising shoe colour options on the red carpet. An orange shoe could look fantastic, for example, but of course it depends on your own style and taste.

Have a look in our shopping mall for a directory of shoe retailers to give you more ideas.

 

Jeans for Knocked Knees

hi
I was just wandering what kind of clothes suit someone with knocked knees.. i like casual wear as i work in a care setting and dont really wear dresses or skirts.. i was told to wear bootcut jeans but they dont really hide my knees.. and although ive tried flared jeans, they also seem to be tighter fiiting toward the top of the leg, which also shows my kness going inwards. i have tried so many different jeans, trousers but nothing is helping. is there any type of jeans i should be looking for? my confidence is at an all time low because of my legs, everything i wear, including combat trousers doesnt seem to help, i am a size 8 and i hate my legs, specially when am wearing boots as they are more noticeable..

thank you
lilli



Hello Lilli
Thanks for your message.  I would go for wide leg or boyfriend jeans where the width of the leg is consistent and will not taper in at the knee. Oasis and French connection have some good options as well as House of Fraser which has a good jeans department.

I’d also take a look at ilovejeans.com which is featured in our shopping mall – they offer lots of advice about styles and shape and also carry over 90 brands and many body enhancement features. They also offer a private consultation service where a stylist will go through each specific style of jean to your body shape and if the jeans do not quite fit you right – such as around your knee area – then they will arrange for the jeans to be altered. There is a charge for the alterations but the consultation is free and they really take the time to get it right.
 
I hope this helps.

 

Suggestions for Options to go with Garments



Hello,
I was hoping to get some advice on what I should wear with these pieces. (Photos attached)
Picture examples would be much helpful if possible.

1) Blue Top from Esprit
2) Army Green bubble skirt
3) Black Ruffle Skirt

Thank you very much.



Hi there
Thanks for getting in touch. The best starting point is to create a capsule wardrobe around the pieces that you have. That means creating a foundation of items that you can mix and match to create a range of different looks. I’m talking about pieces such as vest tops, long sleeves tops, jackets, a good pair of jeans, a fine knit or cashmere cardigan.

Then you can start to develop your own individual looks and style – for example tuck a vest into the black skirt and cinch with this season’s belt and throw over a cardigan to ward off the chill, the cardigan could also be worn with the blue top and jeans, the blue top would also work with shorts and a jacket, the same jacket could work with the green skirt and a long sleeved top, the long sleeved top could also work under the blue check top. You get my drift!

You can give these looks your own stamp by adding some twists and touches.  Accessories are a great way to do this so think about scarves, brooches, belts, jewellery etc. You can also buy into some of the trend pieces for this season – think about the ones that will give you some longevity or inexpensive accessory pieces. For example this season to pair with your items you could think about nude shades, mid-blue denim, frill tops, graphic printed tops, khaki military inspired looks and boudoir style tops.  Have a look at the catwalk and high street sections to find out more about this season’s trends and how you can take inspiration for your own look.

I would also think about investing in one of my ebooks specifically tailored to your individual shape which will show you which shapes and pieces to look for.

 

Floral Dress Accessories??

Hello
I need advice, I have a knee length light blue floral dress I have attached a pic of a top in the same colour and pattern i am petite size 6/8

the dress is high on the neck and have very slight frill sleeves I am going to a naming ceremony in may and intend to wear it with black? bag and shoes i wondered what jewellary to wear was just going to go for a black cuff/bangle and drop earrings

if I was to wear a necklace would it work with the style of dress??

Any advice will be much appreciated
thanks
claire



Hi Claire
Thanks for your message.  I can’t see the dress’s neckline but often with high necklines a necklace can be too much. A flat bib or a long necklace could work though so experiment and see what works for you. Just make sure the neckline and necklace aren’t fighting against each other. If not a cuff/bangle and earrings would provide a nice accent.

I think that black might be too harsh looking at the tones of the top. A soft grey or silver could work well or you could pick up the tones in the pattern and go for a blush pink which is really hot right now.

 

Wedding

Hi Caryn.
I am going to my sister in laws wedding in the summer (i know its some time) and would like to wear a black dress thats calf length with a bit of silver under bust, but im not sure what colour cardi and shoes to go with. My husband is also an usher at the wedding and his outfit is chocolate and champagne colour so would like something to match that.
Many thanks
LIsa



Hi Lisa,
I’m thinking silver, grey or champagne. You need to lift the outfit with these lighter colours so that it doesn’t look too dark and sombre. Maybe consider a small fascinator too so that you can bring in a little bit of light colour round your face.

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