Contributions from Caryn Franklin, Jane Galpin and Claire Ginzler.

August

Hi,
My name is Loraine, I'm 5'1 and 46 years old.
I looking to buy one of the Petite E-Books, but am not sure how to work out what body shape I am. Please can you advise?
Many thanks,
Loraine

Hi Loraine
If you are not sure what e-book shape to buy, let me help you make up your mind now! First of all it isn’t about measurement or size. This book is about how you see yourself let me explain....

Top-Heavy is when your bust measurement is the most dominant part of your body because you have a large and curvaceous bust and small hips and/or bottom by comparison.

Apple-Shaped is when you have no waist, or perhaps you feel your tummy is larger than you would like.

Curvaceous is when you have an hour glass shape with large breasts and and curvy hips and/ or bottom.

And Pear-Shaped is when your hips and/or bottom are the largest part of your body and your breasts are smaller by comparison.

Finally Slender is when your body is slight with small breasts and hips and/or bottom.

If you feel you have a fairly even figure and do not feel curvaceous, but would not describe yourself as slender, still choose this one.

Standard height is between 5’ 3” or 157.5cms and 5’10” or 175cms

Anything under 5’ 3” or 157.5cms is petite.

Anything over 5’ 10” or 175cms is tall.

Hope that helps!

I am 5' 11" and a size 12/14 but I have very small breasts, even a AA cup is too big, I remember seeing a recent Clothes Show TV episode where you dressed a woman in a bra which looked fab.  It seemed to be an uplifter and I think it was gel filled, where can I get this?
Pamela

Hi Pamela,
I’m glad you are enjoying the show. That was M&S but she was a Bcup in the end because she was refitted. But most stores now do a gel filled style.

Before you buy anything though, get a fitting. You may well be wearing the band width too loose and if you come down a band width then you will automatically go up a cup size.
Now try aalingerie they are listed in our shopping directory and cater only for a and AA sizes. They will have the gel filled designs you like.

Hi Caryn
I am getting married in February next year. I am 46, a size 18 pear shape and my arms are definitely not one of my best features. I would like to get married in a long dress but am really worried about looking silly. Do you have any advice on styles and definite things to avoid please.
Many thanks
Regards
Sonja

Hi Sonja
You should definately try on a basque, they are fantastic for pulling in waists and giving shape - great for your photo, wear with a-line skirt to cover your curves.

If you still want a dress, opt for one that has a basque built in so you get that support. Don't go over the top with the design, keep it simple,less is more and definately more chic. I would also avoid traditional white and go for softer tones such as ivory and peach.

To compliment your oufit and help cover your arms wear with either a chiffon jacket or bolero. Check out Hayley J (www.hayleyj.co.uk) or check out Yvonne Gillon who'll you find in our Occasion section of Shopping Mall who does structured longer length jackets that you can wear over the basque and skirt.

Have a wonderful wedding.

Dear Caryn and team
Please can you give me some advice about what I should be buying for my body shape as I buy so many things that are a mistake, here is a list of my particulars. I'm 45 this year which fills me with dread when I think about it.
weight 9st 10lb
height 5'5"

I usually wear size 12 jeans with 33" leg for 2" heels as I have long legs, I am quite short waisted with a generous bust of cup size either 34D or 36C depending on the make. I like to think that I am quite young looking for my age as I have my hair cut and coloured on a regular basis, and I am lucky not to have many wrinkles.

I find that a lot of tops that I buy seem to make me look fat, when I'm really not should I be going for longer length tops to disgiuse where my middle is? If I buy shorter tops I seems to look all legs.

Help
Kind Regards
Julie

Hi Julie
To help compliment your top half you should considering wearing empire line tops - avoid ones that are too a-line as these will hide your waist, and avoid patterned tops and instead go for neutral or dark shades.

Coast in our Shopping Mall have a great selection of empire tops that you can wear with skirts or trousers. Look out also for tailored jackets with struture and wear with your jeans.

For more help check out our e-book which offers more advice for your bodyshape.

Hi,
My name is Chantal and I am 24 and a mother of two. I am a size 18, what sort of clothes can I wear to make me feel good and stylish at the same time, because some days I just feel really off and down.
Thank you.
Chantal

Hi Chantal
Don't worry we all have those days. The key to sucess is to build a wardrobe that has key basics alongside fun and sassy outfits that are versatile. An example of this would be an empire line dress that can be worn on its own or over a pair of straight trousers. Khaftans and kimonos are great too, especially colourful ones, and can be easily worn over straight trousers or jeans to give a stylish look.

Buy key basics that you are happy to put on again and again, you may have to spend time in the fitting room to find the most flattering fits. Such as a good pair of jeans, a good belt, pair of shoes, stylish jacket, a shirt and a sexy pencil skirt (perfect for evenings out). Start by checking out our Fuller section in Shopping Mall which has lots of stylish clothes that you just have to check out, Simply Be are just one company to look for.

Happy shopping.

Hi,
I really need your help. I'm off around the world end of September for 5 weeks, but I'm really having trouble with what to pack, we start off in Singapore staying in a 5 star hotel, so I'm going to need to pack smart things, then off to Australia where will be staying in Melbourne, so again I'm going to need smart clothes, it's the next lap of the journey i'm stuck on because we are traveling aroung Ayres Rock and Alice Springs and although I still want to look "smart" don't want be uncomfortable, the next stop is Palm Cove in Cairns then Sydney, then Las Vegas. So I would really apreciate if you could give me some tips and ideas on a capsule wardrobe and what to pack. Oh I forgot to add all the hotels are 5 star and we will be going out to dinner most evenings.
Many thanks,
Emma.

Hi Emma
Wow lucky you! ok the good news is that as you are staying always in 5 star hotels you dont have to worry too much about ironing or dry cleaning - both should be available. What you will need to think about is clothes that you can dress up with heels for the evening and also wear in the day with flats. So straight away a pair of wedges and a pair of good sandals and pumps are a must.

Longer length shorts for the day worn with a vest and cardigan can then be worn with heels and a sexy top for the evening. A tailored jacket to wear over your shorts or a pretty a-line skirt. A few fitted shirts are also great to wear over skirts in the evening. Invest in a selection of different coloured vests, take a few white ones

Shift or empire line dresses are elegant for the evening - check out Autograph at Marks and Spencer who currently have a good selection. Check out also Next in Shopping Mall who currently have a great paisley printed dress, an optional smart look for the day or evening.

Don't forget the bag, - go for something fun in the day and take a smaller clutch for the evening to smarten up your look. Pop in a few key accessories such as earrings, braclets and necklaces - again to dress up looks, check out Accessorize in our Jewellery Shopping Mall for lots of choice.

Finally don't forget a multi-way bra to reduce your lingerie wardrobe as well as a bikini, sunglasses and sun cream (all available at Debenhams in our Shopping Mall)!
Have a wonderful trip

Dear Caryn,
I'm trying to put together a capsule wardobe whilst I'm dieting as I seem to drop a dress size every 3-4 months but am finding so much conflicting advice. I don't know where to start! I'm 24, size 22/24 (on a diet), and 5'10'' with a 33/34'' leg. Any advice?
Paula

Hi Paula,
Good to hear you are now on a healthy diet.

Summer sadly is coming soon to an end so I would suggest you concentrate and invest in Autumn basics to help see you through to Winter. Check out loose fitting garments with tie belts which can be pulled in to give shape. Longer length garments such as a cardigan (especially ones that have a tie belt) will be great to wear over jeans.

Elasticated skirts are also great for you and you can check out Kaleidoscope on our Shopping Mall who always have a range of them in colourful options.

Check out Debenhams also have a fantastic new range called Gorgeous which goes upto a size 26 in certain styles. They also have alot of jersey a-line tops and wrap dresses that again the tie will pull in and give you shape where necessary.

Final tip is to have regular bra fittings (go to M&S in our Shopping Mall, as your bra shape will change quite dramatically and an ill fitting bra is the cause of a lot of style faux-pas!