Contributions from Caryn Franklin, Jane Galpin and Claire Ginzler.

December

Biker Boots

Hi Caryn
I have just discovered your web site and I am absolutely loving all the hints and tips. As a style icon of mine I would be delighted if you could share some tips on what to wear with biker boots. I have a black ankle length pair with a silver buckle on the sides. I'm not sure weather to go the traditional biker look or mix it up with something more feminine? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Kind Regards
Christine x

Hi Christine
Glad you are loving the tips. To answer your question biker boots are very popular this season as you can actually wear them with a lot of looks. Why not try them tucked into a pair of skinny jeans and a pretty top or with a forties inspired dress and thick tights such as the one in our shopping mall by Miss Selfridge called the ditsy shirt dress or you could wear your boots with a folk style dress check out the Red Herring at Debenhams as they have a few great Multi coloured ethnic print dress that could be a great option for you.

What to wear to a Christening

I am going to a Christening and was wondering if my outfit will be appropriate. I'm quite a big girl with little legs and I am planning to wear a longish jumper and tights.

What do you think?
Vicky

The code to a Christening is casual smart and comfort is a must, especially as churches in winter can be cold so a jumper is a good idea. However, as you have short legs the long jumper will swamp you so I would advice you instead go for a tunic length jumper that has detail around the neckline to bring eye up and add height. Wear with a thick elasticated waist belt to give shape and then finish off the outfit with a knee length pencil skirt and high heel boots.

Go to John Lewis in our shopping mall and click into their knitwear section and you will find a good tunic option called the Betty Barclay Cowl Neck Jumper, Black £50.50

petite style on a budget

Hi
I am 5.3 in height between a size 10/12 and 34b bra size not sure of waist or hip measurements. The regular length trouser is nearly always too long - what is the best style to go for?
Fiona

Hi Fiona
Look at Dorothy Perkins first in our shopping mall as they do jeans that fit well in their Petite range and are a reasonably price. Invest in a bootcut style and a skinny jeans as you will get a lot of wear out of both. Skinny jeans are great tucked into a high heeled boot or worn under a dress and a bootcut jean always look great with flats and a feminine blouse.

big shoulders

Hello!
I'm sorry for mistakes in the text! because I dont speak English, but I will try to write correct.

I've got a question! I have very very BIG shoulders!! I don't know how to dress to make my shoulders thinner.
Please, give me an answer.

Thank you,
Tina

Hi Tina
Avoid shoulder pads and shoulder details. Go instead for tops with a low scoop or v shaped neck line and look for details that fall down the front.

These are a good distraction from the width of your shoulders because the eye in drawn up and down the body rather than across it, there is an example of this that you can find in our shopping mall by Next called "Pink Bow Embellished Top".

Cape style jackets which have bell sleeves will also flatter you as the fullness of the cape sleeve hem line will soften your shoulders so again check out Next by typing in the word 'capes' into the search box to look at the designs they have on offer.

What to wear with Gaucho/Culotte pants

Dear Caryn,
Are Gaucho pants worn with boots back in this season? I have several pairs and am unsure to wear them again this year.
Thalia

Dear Thalia
Gaucho style trousers or culottes are neither in or out of fashion. They are a good staple and can be worn with thick tights and high fitted boots and a pretty feminine blouse such as the one I have found at Principles in our shopping mall which is called 'Purple Hammer Silk Blouse'. This blouse has a neck bow and the look together has a pirate feel that is on trend on the moment.

For a more casual look wear with a loose fitting cardigan and belt such as the 'Charcoal Waterfall Cardigan' again by Principles.

Clothes to flatter a fuller figure

Hi
I have in the past 2 months put on an enormus amount of weight due to a medication I've been on.

The doctor is now taking me off of the medication but I would like to know the best way to dress for a plus size person, I am a 1X or a size 16 and a 44DD breast. Can you tell me the best options, I am not real fancy, I like to wear a nice jean and shirt . I am 46 as of this month but still young at heart and this weight has really thrown me for a loop , I am also 5ft 9 and a large frame, broad shoulders, (sound like a line backer don't I) I just don't to look like one.

I have started shopping from a plus size catalog with beautiful clothes. I figure they would be selling good styles but I can't always shop from there.
Please Help
Barbara

Dear Barbara
Invest in a wrap style dress, you can wear it in the day with boots and at night with heels and they are very flattering for curvy figures as well as being comfortable to wear. The v-neckline will also flatter your shoulders. Choose one that has a fun good sized print on it. A good pair of jeans is a must too, choose a bootcut style. Avoid high necklines and instead choose v or low round necklines. Colour and prints will keep you young at heart!

So check out Simply Be in our shopping mall as they have a great selection of fashionable clothes on offer for the fuller figure including a range I have personally designed, check out my Mock Wrap Dress which is the perfect example of the style of dress to look out for.

Skinny Jeans

Hi,
I would really like to wear skinny jeans but my legs are so thin that they look baggy on me!
 
I live in Portsmouth, Hampshire and I would be very grateful if you could let me know of any places that do very tight skinny jeans. I am a size 8 waist.
 
Hi
Claire our stylist advises that you try H&M, she also has slender legs and says these are the tightest she has found on the highstreet!