Contributions from Caryn Franklin, Jane Galpin and Claire Ginzler.

February

Combination with pink satin trousers

Hi,
I have baby pink trousers and don't know what colours to wear regarding a top for it.
Please suggest.
Thanks,
Garima

Hi Garima
Baby pink is a pastel and works well therefore with other pastels colours such as pale blue, yellow and lilac.  

To obtain a fresh and modern (less cute) look choose a top in the following colours - white, ivory, grey and denim blue and go for fabrics that are cottons or jersey to complement the satin trousers. Check out Marks and Spencer in our shopping mall who have a "sleeveless bow vest"  that is suitable and could work with your trousers, it’s worth a look.

Wedding question

Hello, I am looking for some fashion design help with my bridesmaid dresses, this is my wedding dress - mermaid style, not fancy and my flowergirl's dress is ivory with brown polka dots and brown bow - my colours are turquoise with brown accents.

I need to know what style of bridesmaid dress to go with - one girl is small, one is heavier and one is normal size - just need to know what style and type of material would not take away from my dress - found a chocolate brown jovani dress with turquoise bow but everyone though it would take away from my dress.  Any ideas or samples of ideas - thanks
Chris

Hi Chris,
We love a bride and the team and I are just about to start our round of wedding presentations with the National Wedding Show.

I am guessing that you want to keep all the bridesmaids in the same style dress?

If yes, choose a dress that is a-line as it will flatter all the different body shapes of your bridesmaids. I would go for pink for the bridesmaids as ivory is too similar to a bridesmaid dress and the pink will complement you and your flower girl. Check out Coast in our shopping mall they have a dress called "birdsong" perfect for your bridesmaids.

If the slightly curvier bridesmaid worries about her arms cover with a chocolate or ivory bolero or if you are getting married in a winter faux fur boloro such as the "camilla faux fur shrug" again check out Coast or alternatively in our shopping mall check out Monsoon for options.

Wide hips, small waist

Hi Caryn,
Can you help, I have a small chest (34A) but my bum is rather big in comparison. I have rather wide hips but a small waist (24). I am also only 158cm tall.

What do you suggest I wear to make the most of my figure in any way?

Right now I am wearing skinny jeans with trainers most of the time, accompanied with a simple t-shirt.
Kim

Hi Kim,
Aim to wear darker colours on your bottom half so go for a dark denim jean that has a slight bootcut to balance out your hips and bottom and avoid back pocket details.

A-line skirts are also a good option, a dress that is fitted in the top half and flared in the bottom such as a wrap style or a dress with a draped effect, check out Principles petite range in our shopping mall as they have 2 draped styles currently.

Go for details or colour on the top half to also bring attention up to this area. You have a good waist so show it off by a wearing a contrasting elasticated belt just below your bust area, so that the belt finishes at your waist. Start wearing a shoe or boot with a heel too. Wedges are a good option or a boot with a sturdy heel.

Corset trouble

Hi Caryn,
I'm looking to buy a corset but have no idea where to start and what things I should be looking for.

I'm 5ft 7 and a size 14 and just want something that will flatter my body shape whilst reducing my waist. I have a budget of about 80 pounds and prefer lacing to the ones with hooks and eyes. Is there a difference between the two? Anything you can tell me will be helpful.
Amirah

Hi Amirah
Corsets are a fantastic way to reduce the waist, flatten the tummy and enhance the bust. I think a laced Corset is best as you have more chance to adjust to exactly the shape you want. The correct way to lace a corset is to finish tying the corset at the centre (so when lacing from the top to the bottom leave a bit more free around the middle so you can then tie it there), which if you think about it is where your waist is.

Voller in our shopping mall offer a huge selection of corsets to wear and well worth looking as they offer quality but this may be more than your budget allows. So also, check out also www.burleska.co.uk that do all sorts of corsets, see the "black satin corset" for just £34.99 and it has a lace back.

Belts know how

Dear Caryn,
I just purchased your e-book for standard and curvy and I loved it! Thanks for the great advice. I will go shopping tomorrow right away!

I have a curvy body with slight pear shape at the hips, and because I am a competition dancer I have bigger calves and thighs compared to my petite size.
I would love to wear belts, but I have no idea where to put them. My measurements are bust 93cm, waist 65cm, hip 96cm. I feel that belts make my wide hips look enormous wherever I put them.
Reka

Hi Reka
Go for a thick elasticated belt that sits on your waist and wear with an a-line dress or a skirt. Go for one in the same colour so that it doesn'tstand out too much but will emphasise your small waist.

Alternatively go for a contrasting coloured belt that sits just below your bust and ends on your waist. Wear darker colours on your bottom half always to complement your top half and of course the belt. Check out Accessorise in our shopping mall.

What to wear on top

Dear Caryn
Many thanks for your previous support and help.

I attach some recent photos with a view to clarifying one or two style points. I am a size 16 top, 38C bust and size 12 lower half.  I am still a little unsure of the style of clothing that suits my figure despite acquiring your body shape ebook. I would be most grateful if you could address the following questions so as to guide me on a planned shopping expedition in London very shortly:

Should I tend/favour wearing closely-fitted tops and jackets so as to minimize my full upper body?

I tend to think pencil skirts and 'O' shaped skirts rather than full longer length skirts suit my shape. Do you concur? Would you recommend I try silk chiffon  skirts (more floaty and feminine)  say 58cms to 62cms in length?
 
Any thoughts would be very much appreciated. I’ve enclosed a photo.
T

Hi T
Loving the shiny mustard skirt but the black and navy tops are too harsh (Navy shirt too square and androgynous to go with the skirt). Substitute a soft grey top to go with it. And it doesn’t have to be completely plain in fact it is better if there is some feminine features on it (something you have instinctively done with your jewellery. So look for soft fabric detail that will work to streamline you.

Vertical pin tuck detail or vertical waterfall frills will soften your upper body in fact have a look for vertical frills of any kind.Also if you like colour on your upper body then you can streamline your shoulders by wearing a dark cropped jacket so that we can see a panel of colour through the centre of your body from your tummy to your neckline. That way  you can take the colour to your upper body but the jacket will minimise your broadness.

You have great legs and choosing brights or lights for your hips is great to create volume but you can also choose a wider bigger silhouette. The tulip shape you have is great but you can also look for flared skirts with horizontal frills and tiers there are lots about – these will add more width at the bottom.

Happy shopping.