Contributions from Caryn Franklin, Jane Galpin, Melissa Dick and Kathryn Byrne.

August

Hi could you let me know where I could buy knee length cowboy boots?
Many thanks
Cheryl.

Dear Cheryl,
Try Shoe-Store, they have several styles from £39.99 to £129.99. Also, I highly recommend R Soles who are based in the Kings Road, London, who have a vast selection of cowboy boots and sell online too. You’ll find them both in our online shopping mall.

Hello,
I've seen a picture of Sarah Harding from Girl's Aloud wearing an itsy bitsy Gingham shirt that ties up under the boobies and I really want one for a fancy dress party!!!! Do you know where I can find one?!?!?!?! Please Help!
Nicki xx

Dear Nicki,
Whenever you see a celebrity wearing something you like this go to the Asos website. You’ll find them in our Shopping Mall

When you enter their site, type the celebrity name into the search box and you’ll see they sell virtual copies of clothes that have been worn by celebrities.

Gingham is a popular fashion trend as we move towards autumn, again if you type the word GINGHAM into the Asos search box you’ll find they sell several gingham shirts. To get a really cropped one you could get your local dry cleaners who usually offer an alterations service, to shorten it. Many high street shops are selling gingham, as checks are a big trend this autumn.

Hi Caryn
I'm a size 18 and have a 34G bust. The problem is that when I try to buy tops that flatter a larger bust there is never enough room in the cup. So if there is detailing under the bust line it ends up cutting across my chest rather than sitting underneath.

Although everyone tells us the shapes to buy for a larger bust ... you can't buy them that actually fit a larger bust.
Any ideas?
Alison

Dear Alison
Bravissimo are a specialist lingerie company who cater for fuller cup sizes. They offer a range of lingerie, swimwear and have a limited clothing range. They have various tops that have detail under the bust, such as a white empire line top for example that would work for you. Visit the site and read the ‘How to Measure’ info to ensure you get the right size. They even have a few jackets too. We know the range is limited but better to have a few well-fitted tops than many ill fitting tops! You’ll find their site in our Shopping Mall.

Good luck and let me know how you get on.

Where can I buy wide fitting knee boots for under £50! I am a working mum and there is no way I could spend £120 on boots. I really want a pair with a stiletto heels but for some reason if you’re not stick thin then you have to pay twice the price for your boots!
Jenny

Dear Jenny,
Next Directory has a good selection of wide fit boots in their latest AW06 collection. They have ankle stiletto boots at £29.99 and long knee high stiletto boots at £49.99. Again go to our Footwear shop to view these and many other wide fit styles.

I am very excited that Evans is launching a new and very cool footwear collection designed by top shoe designer Georgina Goodman. The collection will be in the shops from September 2006 and the prices ranges from £40-£90. Look out for the black knee high boots with a high stiletto heel. Keep an eye on their website which you’ll find in our online shopping mall

Hi, I am 16 years old and a size 16, if not more sometimes. I love shopping but unfortunately never find any clothes that fit me or that suit my body type. I have a large bust, at 32F and I keep growing, and I am 5ft7", with quite small legs. My waist is quite small, yet I have large love handles, which I hate to bulge out of tops or trousers. At the moment I am shopping for a bikini that will slim me down, make my legs look longer and well, show off my bust. But what style should I go for?
I am sure I have an hour glass figure as I have a large bottom as well as bust, but wish to hide my lower half.

I am keen on wearing a bikini but would like something very colourful and vibrant instead of the usual black I wear. Please help me; I have no idea what kind of bikini or summer clothes to wear to really show off my figure.
Thanks a lot
Ellie

Dear Ellie,
As you wish to hide your bottom half and show off your bust, look for Empire line dresses, as these are great for making you look tall and the high waistline will emphasise your small waistline. Dresses are everywhere at the moment and you’ll find lots of empire dresses to choose from.

A halter neck style bikini would be suitable as it will draw the eye to the top half of your body and will show off your cleavage. Avoid busy patterns or details on the briefs, as you don’t want to attract attention to your love handles and a high cut of brief can elongate your legs rather than wearing a ‘short’ style of brief.

Vibrant colours to look out for are red and purple as these are going to be all over the shops for the new season.

Hi, I have one big question are skinny jeans going out of fashion? Or will they be in fashion for autumn/winter 06? Anne

Dear Anne,
Skinny jeans are going out of fashion, I was talking to a few of the retail shops the other day and skinny jeans are not selling well as most women find them too tight. They are indeed going out of fashion; however a cool way to wear them for Autumn 07 would be to borrow your man’s jacket or blazer. Wider leg, slouch cut masculine trousers are going to be a huge and the wider the better!

Dear Caryn
I have recently purchased some gorgeous fabrics and would like to have them made into clothes. I have vague ideas of the kinds of designs I would like.
Where do I begin?
(I am in London).
Many thanks
Jacqueline

Dear Jacqueline,
Firstly, I’d sketch a few ideas down on paper or look through magazines to get images of the styles you like. Then you need to find a good dressmaker, they can be hard to find but I’d recommend you ask everyone you know, ask in your local dry cleaners or a wedding dress shop as they often have alteration services and may be able to suggest someone. You’ll find some are even listed or advertise in your local telephone directory.

The other option is to look for dressmaking patterns, there are some really stylish ones around, as you are in London try John Lewis in Oxford Circus or online www.jaycotts.co.uk who sell patterns by Vogue, Butterick, McCalls etc.

Dear Caryn
I am getting married next August and have already got my bridesmaids’ dresses and shoes. The dresses are from Next and are a lovely ankle length. The shoes are also from Next and go really well with the dress. However one of my bridesmaids has size 6 feet but they are wide and she cannot fit into the shoe. I really wanted her to have the same shoe or something really similar but obviously this is proving difficult as Next do not do the shoe in a wide fitting size. I have looked at having them made and it seems they are going to be too expensive for a pair of shoes she will only probably wear once. I have also looked at some of the name brand websites to see if any of their shoes are similar and could be dyed to match. Those that are similar are not wide fitting and those that are wide fitting are clumpy and look awful, especially when I need to bear in mind that the whole shoe is going to be on display!

Please help, as I seem to have run out of ideas!
Thank you
Leah

Dear Leah,
There are a lot of wide fit shoes available in ordinary footwear, but Bridal shoes are very specialist and this can bump up the cost, but I have spoken to Ivory Shoes who have a large bridal range and have shops in both Bond Street, London and Birmingham. They said they have 4 styles (Maldives, Cannes, Kansas & Fresno from £89.95 each) that usually fit a wider foot. They offer a mail order service via telephone Birmingham 0121 643 3035 or London 020 7408 1266. Ivory don’t sell shoes online, however you can view their collection online in our online shopping mall.

It is possible to have bespoke shoes made but this can be costly. Selve who are London based offer appointments where you can have a personal fitting with a 3D foot scanner. Again you’ll find them in our shopping mall.

Hi
My son is getting married in the Ozi bush in the HEAT! I DONT WANT a traditional mother of the bride outfit, but something with a wow factor that will be cool.
I'm 5'1" - size 16
Hope you can help
Angie

Dear Angie,
There are 3 companies I’d like to recommend. Firstly Yvonne Gillon www.yvonnegillon.co.uk who does a made to order service which we think has a more contemporary approach, great tailored pieces from the ready to wear collection at Familytique www.familytique.co.uk and Joyce Young at By Storm www.bystorm.co.uk who offers some modern and unique looks and is an expert at designing occasion wear for hot climates.

If you are worried about being too hot in a jacket, how about an all in one dress such as an empire line style. This will give you height as the emphasis is on the waist, which sits higher on an empire line dress and therefore will make you look taller. For a WOW factor add a vibrant wrap or stole and a finishing touch would be a ‘Fascinator’, this is a head dress worn in a jaunty fashion to one side of the head.

Have a wonderful wedding in Oz.

We are looking for white, wide fitting shoes for the bride, size 5 EEE. Are you able to help?
Mary

Hi Mary,
Try Duo they have limited bridal shoes in ivory offering four width fittings with easy ‘how to measure your width’ instructions to ensure a good fit. The styles they offer are Orient and Libra. Please let me know if successful. To view these online go to Duo in our online shopping mall or visit their shop in Milsom Street, Bath, telephone 01225 723999.