Contributions from Caryn Franklin, Jane Galpin and Claire Ginzler.

February

Dear Caryn
I have received the standard/curvy e-book which is fabulous. It is great to have something which finally gives practical, clear advice - with pictures.
Thank you.

I am 5' 8'', 32DD. Even though I have a narrow ribcage, I have broad, rectangular shoulders. Whilst I carry any extra poundage on my thighs, being tall, I can generally get away with it and look fairly slim, being size 12 top and bottom.

Problem: I am long in the body which makes my legs look short. I have been advised to wear high waisted trousers, but then they make my bottom look HUGE. If I wear low waisted jeans/trousers, they can make my legs look short and then I have trouble finding tops long enough in the body to tuck into the waistband or long enough in the arm.

What can I do to prevent my legs looking like stunted pegs, with my bottom dragging on the ground? I don't always want to wear heels to lengthen my leg; I love wearing my flat boots with jeans.

Problem 2: I have left the corporate world behind me (hurrah!) and started my own business in interior design. I don't want to go into people's homes all 'suited and booted', but still want to retain the look of the expert and sense of authority - particularly on the first meeting. I want to look more relaxed and approachable on subsequent meetings. I've been in business for a few years now, but still feel that I haven't quite got this look right. Any suggestions?

Many thanks for your help and advice.
Melanie

Hi Melanie,
Thanks for your feedback on our e-book.

To help you with your questions. Firstly wear dark jeans and add any type of tunic, short dress or longer length top that covers your bottom and high thigh. Not because this area needs hiding but because that’s how we can tell where your legs start. Once covered (top/dress needs to end at high thigh) we assume you have longer legs. Choose something that flatters your curvy upper body like a v-neckline with fitted area around the bust and suddenly eyes go to that part of you and away from your legs.

Secondly. Your clothes need to show your clients that you can co-ordinate colour and texture on your body because that’s what you will do with their home. Rule out anything too extreme like mad print and brightly colour or anything that is too high fashion and settle for contemporary separates. Perhaps a great skirt with some texture and a piece of knitwear that has a fitted and on trend feel yet a soft touch feely quality. Avoid anything too harsh in design that gives off a strict or austere feeling. Shoes and boots are crucial- they need a heel and must be stylish well maintained and polished – maybe a colour to add a confident touch. Bag and coat must be immaculate too and all co-ordinated, after all you need to show that you are capable of making their home look equally stylish. Think quality. I would even go so far to say that these are in effect your stage clothes. I keep a separate wardrobe of clothes that will give off the right amount of glamour and approachability and I rarely wear them away from the stage. That may not be right for you but you get my drift.

Why not subscribe to my newsletter where each month I discuss which items to buy for your capsule wardrobe?

hi,i am 48 years of age and a size 18 to 20 like whats in fashion, there is only about 3 or 4 shops that u can shop in do they think you stop being trendy over a size 16.
denise

Hi Denise
I totally undertstand your frustration. Retailers have been criticised of not having fashionable garments in size 16 plus, but it's on the way to being addressed.

This is because the catalogue and online market has really taken off. If you look in our shopping mall under your body shape 'Fuller,' you will see a fantastic list of retailers some online, some local high street. My best steers for you are Boden, La Redoute, Marks and Spencers (especially the limited range) and Next, Simply Be, Cheska. Mish Mash and Size up. And since Jane and I have been working with Evans we know that their new designer Nick Georgio has created an excellent range. Let us know how you get on.

After having HRT I found my tops don’t fit me anymore, I have a slim body but my stomach and bust have increased so I find that tops that fit me up top, don’t around my waist. What can I do?

Why not try wrap tops; they are ideal for your new shape as they the tie will fit snugly around your waist and your bust. What you are looking to create now is definition, so that your body still has good shape. Take a look at Marks and Spencer in our shopping mall as they offer a huge selection of wrap shirts and wrap dresses in different prints and colours.

I use to love Sock Shop as it was my one stop for tights and socks, now it is no longer around, is there something similar or somewhere I can go?

Yes check out in our shopping mall www.mytights.com, which offer a huge variety of socks, stockings, tights, bridal hosiery etc by the top brands and at very good prices.

Hi Caryn
I recently had a bra fitting and now I am wearing my correct size. I apparently have gone from a 34B to 34D! Whilst I am loving my new size I still find the bra straps dig into my shoulders. I have tried expensive bras as well as the standard high street ranges, but this always happens so what can I do?
Jill

First check your straps are wide enough as you’re probably used to wearing smaller cupped bras that have thin straps and can cut into your shoulders. So now that you know your correct bra size you should invest in bras that have wider straps. A great website to start would be Figleaves, details in our shopping mall in Underwear, as they offer a huge range of underwear in lots of styles.

Hi Caryn
My flat has high ceilings so the heating take a while to warm it up, I want to invest in a dressing gown that keeps me warm. I know that that there are towelling dressing gowns but are they the best choice?
Sarah

Hi Sarah
Towelling is the traditional type of dressing gown that shops sell, but there are other fabrics you can chose from such as silk, georgette, satin, wool. I think the best option for winter is one that is not only warm but also comfortable. Marks and Spencer (check out their details in our shopping mall) offer a fleece dressing gown that comes in pink and white, and is extremely cosy. I have one myself and find it hard to take off!

Hi Caryn
I am looking for a pair of boots that come in wide fittings, I have tried many shops and when I do find a pair I like they don’t come in my size! Is there anywhere that specialises in wide fittings, so I don’t have to keep trailing the shops? Thanks
Zoe

Hi Zoe
Check out Vivaladiva in our shopping mall, who offer fashionable shoes and boots in wide fittings. They currently have a ruched boot that comes in pewter or gold and is a reasonable £45. Don’t forget Plusinboots, Duo boots and Buckles and bows, also in our shopping mall. And I’m glad to say that Georgina Goodman will be returning to Evans for her second season this spring. Her wider fit boots and shoes were a huge success.

Dear Caryn
Please can you advise on how to chose a pair of Jeans that stay in shape? Obviously all will stretch as you wear them, but I buy several pairs a year and looking for one that stays my shape. Over the past few years every single pair that have fitted me in the changing rooms ends up loose and saggy and unflattering despite my best efforts. I see plenty of other women on the street with well fitting jeans and am at the point of asking them where they get them.

I've bought Levi, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Primark, New Look, Next and more and none of them are flattering. I've bought them the right size AND I've bought them as small as I can get into them. I've tried washing them AND not washing them but still they bag extensively at the knees and even worse under the bum. The worse pairs I've been able to take off without undoing them and taken them back to the shop because they became so large. I don't mind spending a lot of money investing in a reliable pair, but I don't know if they're reliable before actually trying them, and can't afford to spend a fortune in case they do stretch.

I know good fitting jeans exist out there as I've seen them on other people and even have a pair! Topshop jeans I bought about 7 years ago that are very scruffy and faded now but at least they fit! Why can't I find a new smart pair that keep they're shape like these old faithful ones? I even compared the fabric label inside the good pair to a new stretched pair and they were made of exactly the same properties and to the same percentage!

Please, please advise on where I can find the best and what I can do to keep them that way!
Many thanks
Kirsty

Hi Kirsty,
We took this one to Katie who is fashion editor at www.ilovejeans.com and this is what she says. ‘Hmm. In my experience ‘J Brand’ are so tightly woven that I doubt they would ever lose their shape - and they don’t just do drainpipes (although their drainpipes are brilliant), there is a whole range of boot cuts etc too. Their website is jbrandjeans.com, they’re widely available. It is tricky though as denim generally is either pure cotton (which expands over time) or Lycra which tends to lose its elasticity eventually. J Brand has thick, tightly woven fibres, which should keep their shape for a long time.

Cheap brands like New Look and Primark are unlikely to have a premium weave of good denim, they are designed to be throwaway fashion which lasts a season so I definitely wouldn’t go to them for a jean that is specifically required to be durable and retain its shape

Also, wash jeans inside out, at 30 degrees, as little as possible - a lot of people make the mistake of trying to re-shrink saggy jeans at high temperatures, which just warps the denim, which will soon be even saggier.’

Hi,
I have a party to go to - however I have to go in 80's get up! I was only young in the 80's and have no clue what to wear. Can you help?
Many thanks
Sue

Hi Sue,
You are in luck as 80's are very much back in fashion for Spring so you can shop on the high street for the looks.
The 80's had two main looks, for a more grown up look for fitted jackets with big puff sleeves or shoulder pads (think Dallas) and pencil skirts teamed with a patent belt and finish with white stilettos and lots of plastic jewellery, especially big earrings. Alternatively you can go for bright neon colours (plenty around for Spring on the high street) such as yellow, lime, orange. Team with a baggy sweatshirt or loose shirt and a patent thin belt, pair of nylon coated leggings (try New Look and Top Shop in our Shopping Mall and again a pair of stilettos. For your hair add lots of curls and back comb your hair and then add lots of blue eye shadow on the eyes!
Have fun!