Contributions from Caryn Franklin, Jane Galpin and Claire Ginzler.

April

My question is where can I get shoes that fit? I am a 3 and a half. If I buy a size 3 the shoe crushes my foot width ways. If I buy a 4 I have to stuff the toe with cotton wool! I have surfed the web, trawled the shops and am desperate!! I'm sick of wearing trainers! I am also starting a new profession in September and would like to wear some smart heels to work without crying in pain. Please advise. Yours sincerely,
G F

Hi G
You don't say where you are but here goes.

High street stores rarely offer half sizes which is why it is so hard for you. Designers on the other hand do and I have just looked in our footwear directory and come up with Georgina Goodman, she is my favourite shoe designer and offers selected styles in 3 1/2 which are around £200. These will not only be smart heels, they will have other women envying your footwear choice. She has a boutique in London and a website you can order from. Tel 0207 499 8599 or www.georginagoodman.com

Also I spoke to 'The Little Shoe Shop' based in London. He could help too as some of his sample sizes could be a good fit. (He only goes up to a 3 but his samples are slightly larger)

Also 'British Footwear Federation’ will supply a list of retailers all over the country who specialise in small women's shoes.

Both these sites and tel. numbers are also available in our footwear section when you enter the shopping mall on our home page.

It goes without saying that I would love your feedback - it will be of help to others just like you in the future.

Hi
I am 6ft and have a 35" inside leg. Normally I have no problem in buying jeans for 36" from various stores (long tall sally, topshop etc). However, now I am pregnant I am struggling to find maternity jeans for that length. I have found that the 36" inside leg jeans fit me much better and flatter as they give that extra lenth if I want to wear boots with a little heel.

Topshop a few years ago used to produce this length but they dont seem to do it anymore in maternity. I have bought a pair from Next, but I can only wear them with flat shoes as they are a little bit short even in extra long.

Can you please help.
Many thanks
Samantha

Hi Samantha,
I spoke to several companies in our tall directory and was shocked to find that no one does a maternity jean. I’m really sorry we can’t help but suggest our favourite jeans website www.ilovejeans.com who have a dedicated maternity jeans section. We are still looking in to this and will let you know if anything crops up.

Dear Caryn

I'm 5'8", size 14-16 depending on cut, style, garment, shop...
Definitely pear shaped, and with 36DD up top
Long back and not particularly long legs for my height
Broad shoulders and defined waist
Size 8 wide fitting shoes, large head, strong jaw, long thick curly hair
Age 44, but can't believe it

I know all this, but which book is right for me?
Thank you
Pippa

Hi Pippa,
You are standard and pear shaped. This book will help you to discover how to create a focus away from your hips and even up your body symmetry. The book is written for all ages.

Our 40 plus book is written more specifically, so I advise the body shape book first.

Enjoy and do let me have your feedback.

Hi Caryn,

I am about to turn 24 next month, and my friends have arranged for us all to go blackpool for a night of fun and clubbing, I have no idea what to wear and coming from a small town in mid wales there are not alot of places for me to choose from.

I am 5"5 with a standerd/curvy shape and a size 12. I have 2 children so my stomach isn't in the best shape, when I do go out I always seem to wear the same clothes (black trousers/black top) and always seem to feel daggy and fat compared to my friends who all have great figures.

I love all the latest fashion but have never brought myself to buy anything 'trendy' as I always think I'm a mum I'm too old for trendy. Please help me, I finally want to buy something thats not my usual! Hope you can help?? Thank you.
Sian.xx

Hi Sian
Yes help is at hand...one of the hottest fashion trends for this spring summer is volume and for tops this is either on the sleeves or in the shape e.g. a smock top or a-line.

The great thing about this trend is that you can cover up your problem areas, but also show off your curves and this can be achieved by wearing the top skinny trousers and sexy high heels. Avoid the obvious black colour which you have lots of and instead purchase a bold statement in the form of an abstract print, or if you are not into print opt for white or a plain bright colour such as orange or yellow (key colours of spring/summer).

Go to our shopping mall and check out H&M which has is selling a lot of this style in not only tops, but also dresses which you can also wear with a pair of high heels. Finally team this look with a sexy pull in body from Marks and Spencers, which will also give you extra confidence on the dance floor.

Enjoy your night with the new you!

Hi,

I've just discovered the latest tunics in bold prints, that are perfect for covering up my resistant post baby belly! However I'm not sure what to wear them with. I'm pretty sure I can wear them over jeans, but as for leggings/footless tights I'm not sure how to carry it off. My legs from the mid-thigh down are in pretty good shape, but if I can't find the confidence to wear leggings, can I wear opaque tights instead? And whether with leggings or tights what shoes do I wear?? (bearing in mind I can't wear really high heels and have very flat feet...) Many thanks,
Louise

Hi Louise
You are right, tunics are great in covering up unwanted lumps and bumps and currently everywhere in the shops (one of the key fashion trends at the moment). If you are going to wear them with jeans ensure they are straight as this will give you some shape.

Solid dark jeans (blue, black or white) are also better when wearing with bold prints (check out Miss Selfridge in our shopping mall, who have a huge range of jeans in store now).

Alternatively opt for opaque tights that are no less than 60 denier which i would suggest you either wear with flat pumps, or flat ankle or knee high boots.

Dear Caryn

I am going to be a guest at a wedding next month where my husband's new boss and new colleagues will be there, so I want to make the right impression! I am 33 and a size 12, but I suffer from saddlebags. I usually wear trousers to work but wonder if I ought to make the effort to prove I have legs? Can you help please? I just don’t know where to start.

Thank you.
Lucy

Hi Lucy
I think you should wear either a dress or skirt, you could chose wide leg trousers but I think for a wedding - girly is better.

Check out Debenhams in our shopping mall as they have some great a-line dresses that will look fabulous at a wedding, or you could opt for a printed blouse (try Zara) and wear it with a pleated or a-line printed skirt from Wallis.

Hello
Could you please tell me what sort of top and foot wear looks good with high waisted Jeans, please.
Thanx
Nina

Hi Nina
High waisted jeans are not easy to wear so be careful as they shorten the body and can enlarge hips. You ideally need to wear a round neck top so that the body looks as long as possible. If the trousers are straight leg then I would suggest wearing heels as they flatter the figure more, if the trousers are wide leg then you can wear pumps to soften the look.

Hello
I love the maxi dress look that is coming in this spring/summer. I particularly love Tricia Fix dresses that you often see the likes of Paris Hilton and Jessica Simpson wearing and I'm desperate to get my hands on one.

The problem is I'm having problems finding any UK stockists of Tricia Fix. Do you know anyone who stocks Tricia Fix or can you point me in the right direction of where to find dresses that are similar on the high street?
Thanks
Sophie

Hi Sophie
Yes check out in our shopping mall. ASOS.com offer copies of the garments worn by key celebrites. Paris Hilton wore a printed maxi dress recently and they have an exact copy of it. You should also check out in our shopping mall Miss Selfridge, who have a quite a few in stock at present.

Hi,
I'm trying to find LONG skirts, I mean floor length - can you tell me some shops that would stock this at a reasonable price or somewhere I can have them made please?
Yasmin

Hi Yasmin
Check out our shopping mall and click onto Next who have have a chocolate long skirt in store at the moment. Also check out Marks and Spencers who have various plain colours and also a green printed long skirt - perfect when worn with a basic camie and flip flops for Summer.

Dear Caryn,
I am 5'5", very petite, and flat chested. When I go shopping for new outfits, I feel as if nothing looks good on me when I try it on. I was wondering if you could give me an idea of what kind of outfits to wear, what colors, etc.
Brit

Hi Brit
Aim for styles that highlight other key areas of your body, eg. your waist, legs. Or choose tops that show some flesh to take the eyes away from your chest e.g. halter neck, boat necklines, shift dresses and tops are also a good option for you.

You could also invest in a gel push up bra (try Marks and Spencers in our shopping mall, it will give you a lift and the illusion of a larger chest.

When chosing colours opt for darker ones on top and then add colour to your bottom half.

Bold prints are also big this season so look for skirts and dresses that are a-line or have a pleat effect so as to create volume. Oasis in our shopping mall have a 60's inspired print skirt that's purple and pink and very cute.

Try out also other great colours such as electric blue, green and yellow. All are great for Summer.
Goodluck.

Dear Caryn,
I am around 5ft 2.5 tall and between a size 6 and 8 (depending on where I shop as I am increasingly finding it difficult to get clothes to fit) and almost 32 years of age.

I am simply looking for a well fitted short shift dress in black, or a similar dark colour and cannot find one anywhere, any advice would be really helpful!
Thanks
Carolyn

Hi Carolyn
Dont worry help is at hand.

Principles in our shopping mall offer one of the bigger petite departments on the high street and currently have quite a few different shift dresses on offer at the moment. Take a look at the chocolate option (good colour for this season) and the belt is fantastic for pulling in the waist. If the length is still a bit long, take it to you local dry cleaners who should offer an alterations service for next to nothing.

Alternatively you can check out also Next in our shopping mall who have a black shift dress that has an a-line flare.
Happy shopping.