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

January

Hi,
I have a real problem finding knee-high boots that fit me as i have pretty skinny calfs and all the high-street boots end up looking like wellingtons on me! i could fit both calfs in just one boot! and i also get sagging around my ankles

This is really annoying as i love this style of boots and would really love a pair i could wear casually but also dress up. My favourite stlye are the leather lace-up kind and i would've thought that wearing these would be the best thing for me as you can tighten them - unfortunately they still make them too wide on the high street and i can't tighten them nearly enough

Please could you tell me if there's anywhere i can buy boots for ladies in this predicament! or if there's a specialist made to measure boutique i can visit? i live in the Surrey/London region
Thanks
Mel

Dear Mel
A fab mail order company called Duo will be able to help you with this. Specialising in calf fitting boots; they offer over 20 different widths in sizes 2to 10 with loads of great designs to choose from, plus they are the same price as many high street sold boots with prices starting from £90.

Go to the Shopping Mall on my howtolookgood website for a direct link to Duo.

I'm going to a U2 concert with my boyfriend. I'm 45yrs. old, 5ft. 6 in. tall and wear a size 4/6. I have a pair of brown leather or black leather pants I'm thinking of wearing but I'm not sure what top to put with it. I want a sexy/sophisicated look. Any suggestions?
Pat

Dear Pat,
An off the shoulder jersey top would look relaxed and cool and is perfect for dancing the night away! Team with a chunky belt worn on the hips, some great boots (although avoid cowboy style boots with leather trousers) and a bra or vest with funky coloured straps worn underneath to add to the foxy rock chic vibe.Have a fabulous time!

Dear Caryn
Im 16 and 5ft 6-7" and i cant find a single pair of trousers to fit me. My jean size can range from 10 to 12. Unfortunately, to add to the problem is my shape. Im quite wide but very thin, I have wide but thin legs so I feel uncomforatble in skirts above my knee only because I cannot find any that flatter me.I've recently been lookin for clothes to go out at night in and Im having difficulty finding any that are suitable.I like bright, girly and flirty clothes. I'd like something feminine to impress my boyfriend. Could you recommend a few high streetstores that I might be able to find something to fit and flatter my shape and size?
Thanks
Clare

Hi Clare,
If your legs are so much slimmer than the proportional width of your hips, it may be difficult to get that fitted look, aim more for balance in your silhouette. Voluminous skirts that are fitted on the hip and kickout from just below the hip line, A-line shape skirts,empire line dresses that fall from below the bustline, wide leg trousers and floaty fabrics that skim the body are all good tools in balancing yoursilhouette.

Wide leg trousers as opposed to bootleg would give you balance. If you are looking for a jean, make sure you choose one with plenty of stretch as these are often cut slimmer, to allow for stretchability if a bootleg jean is baggy on the thigh avoid this style as it won't look great. Topshop's Moto range would be good for you, they have tons of different cuts and styles so spend some time trying them on, try a hipster style straight leg/drainpipe, or a funky baggy pair for the more casual look, take a friend for an extra opinion.

This seasons must have cropped trouser/shorts would also be good for you. A straight legged pair that finish at the knee would look fab. They are available all over the highstreet. Oasis, Topshop and Miss Selfridge have particularly good ones in at the moment.Another season must have - the Russian skirt - would also look fab on you, the circular hem line will give you balance, gypsy and fifties style skirts also work in the same way and would be a great choice for you,as would the long floaty gypsy dresses that have been huge for the last couple of seasons. Again these are all over the highstreet.

Dear Caryn,
Please can you tell me where to find boot laces! Ihave a pair of fantastic black and brown boots which I bought in New York, but they would be much more versatile if I was able to change the laces from the bright red ones that they have in them at the moment.

I have looked absolutely everywhere I can think of,and scoured the internet with a fine tooth comb. Either the laces aren't long enough or they are not appropriate colours - black or dark brown is easy but would not look great. Ideally I would like a flat beige or ecru pair for everyday use, but if Icould get additional colours to match outfits that would be even better!

My boots have eleven eyeholes if that helps you to determine length, and I have to lace them up quite loose as I have widefeet.
Thanks
Emma, London

Dear Emma,
Unfortunately I haven't seen any beige or ecrucoloured laces around. Can I suggest you try using ribbon. It looks so much prettier than laces, there is so much more choice in terms of colours and shades you can get and you'll be able to the perfect length for your boots.

Pop down to your local Haberdashery or John Lewis whowill all have a great selection of colours and widths.I guarentee your boots will look gorgeous.

Hi, my name is Caroline, 30 year old mother of 2. I don't buy fashion very often anymore as I spend most of my time in the house, so just wear casual clothes. I am looking towards buying some latest fashion for over xmas. I have seen on tv people wearing a short combat dress over a pair of trousers or jeans. Is this actually in fashion at the minute,as I like the look, but don't want to look silly. Please could you give me some advice.
Thank you
Caroline

Dear Caroline,
The combat look has been huge over the last couple of seasons, as have dresses over trousers and jeans. For a fresh update on the look I would invest in a shirt style dress, a button through belted dress that will be huge in the upcoming spring/summer 2006 season. Ihave seen a few creeping onto the high street already,most notably in Zara who have a cord version in various autumnal shades. Keep checking both Miss Selfridge and Topshop's websites as they slowly start to introduce their spring/summer stock in January and February. If you are lucky to get your hands on one now, team it with a polo neck and boots over skinny jeans or tights until the weather starts to warm up a bit.

I come under the tall/slender category and I'm wondering whether to buy a fake fur gilet this winter. My main concerns are is this a one season wonder or are they here to stay and would it be worth investing in a better brand or a high street one?
Thanks
Laura

Dear Laura,
Gilets have been popular for the last couple of years and although I do feel they will continue to be around, they will inevitably be overshadowed by something fresh next winter. That in mind however, Iwould still invest in one as they will remain a good winter warmer but shop for a high street brand, you can get great value for money on the high street these days. Warehouse has a beautiful one in at the moment as do River Island, their's is in a cropped style which being tall and slender would look great on you. Miss Selfridge and Dorothy Perkins also do good staple varieties. Expect to pay about £25 to £50 or even less in the sales!
Go to the Shopping Mall on my howtolookgood site for adirect link to the websites of all the above stores.

I have a party in Austin, Texas this Friday and the dress is Evening Cowboy Chic - Help - What does that mean exactly? Thanks!
KK

Dear KK,
Firstly an essential part of your outfit should be a pair of cowboy boots, they have been huge due to the boho trend over the last few seasons and should be fairly easy to get hold of. Team them with a long pretty prairie skirt, vest, fitted waistcoat and cowboy belt slung low on your hips for a girly evening look. Alternatively if you fancy going all the way, the classic denim mini skirt, fitted cowboy shirt, with a little scarf tied around your neck and a cool cowboy hat will have you looking like you were born to ride the rodeo! Hope this helps KK, have a fab time at the party!

Hi,
Please could you tell me the best place to buy a flattering denim jacket (for a grown up girl)! And flattering stretch scoop neck tops? Many thanks,
Carol

Hi Carol,
The Gap is a great place for All-American fresh fashion for grown up girls like yourself. They do snug fitting denim jackets in various denims and fab jersey scoop neck tops as part of their basic collection each season. Great quality and good value, its perfect for all the everyday wardrobe essentials and are sure to have what you are looking for.

Hi there Caryn
Happy New Year !!I have recently purchased a couple of pair of skinny jeans, which are really nice and also a pair of kneehigh boots from Faith which just finish the outfit off a treat. The only problem is the jeans keep bunching over the top of my jeans. Do you know of anything that i can put on my jeans either around the ankle or at the bottom of the jean leg to avoid this. A few of my other friends are experiencing the same problem so we would really appreciate your help.
Regards,
Carrie

Hi Carrie,
Happy New Year to you too! Skinny jeans tucked into boots is such a great look for this winter, here a couple of stylists tricks you can use to stop them bunching over....

Firstly try to minimise the amount of denim around your ankle and calf by folding the excess fabric tight around your ankle and securing safely with a safety pin, this will also give a neater line under your boots. Secondly a good tip is too sew some thick elastic to the bottom of your jeans to create a styrup like effect which will keep the jeans from riding up. Make sure the elastic is taut when worn and sew it into the inside of each leg at the hem line so you can flip the elastic out of sight when you want to wear your jeans with shoes.

Hi Caryn
I had always set my heart on an outfit by Droopy and Browns - one of their structured and tailored almost Edwardian influenced jacket/dress combinations that seemed to flatter an older person (I'm 43) and don't reveal so much flesh as most wedding outfits. But I obviously delayed marrying for far too long as I hear they stopped trading in December!

I would love something similar but can't seem to find anyone that does anything like it - it was their cut as much as anything I admired and commissioning someone to make something frightens me as I've had clothes made before that never hung properly.

Ideally I'd like a boned corsetty bit to hold me in - but don't want to look like I'm in medieval fancy dress - and full skirt that is cleverly cut not to meringue or make me look like a bus - and a jacket that hides my arms, pulls in at the waist and then tapers out to flatter my less than stick like physique. I'm a size 14-ish, not very tall (5 foot 3) - but I want a long dress as I hate my legs and don't like my feet (thick ankles, wide feet).

Help - I want to feel dignified on my wedding day and not over exposed and displaying my perceived weaknesses for all to see. Any ideas of where to look? It is putting me off the day and I keep delaying on picking a date. I've walked into and directly out of traditional wedding shops and almost felt faint they seem so intimidating. Is there anyone that makes 'normal' people look and feel great?

I've engaged a personal trainer but realistically I'll never have the perfect body that would make those dresses look beautiful so I want help to make the most of what I've got!

I'm a normally confident woman - I run my own business. But I find the wedding dress dilemma reduces me to a gibbering wreck!

Hope you can help
Beverley

Hi Beverly,
Weddings are stressful aren't they!

I'm going to recommend some designers that I know and have talked with personally because the exhibit at the National Wedding Show. I feel sure one of these companies will do you proud! Just say to any of them that I sent you!
Florentyna Dawn does a great look her last collection was slightly Edwardian as you mention. She is made to measure www.florentynadawn.co.uk (look under MOB once on her site)

Yvonne Gillon made to measure - frock coats a speciality, modern and sophisticated and she says she engineers the clothes to flatter the body. You tell her what you want and she will design it
www.yvonnegillon.co.uk

Joyce Young for By Storm both a London and a Scotland shop made to measure www.bystorm.co.uk Lovely colours feature in her work

Navin at itfits specialises in corsetry and is also great with curvy older brides (by the way at 43 you are still marvellously youthful)
www.it-fits.co.uk

As does the lovely Linda Beretun at Beretun Designs.
www.beretundesigns.co.uk

Let me know if you can't reach any of these people who by the way are all lovely and have a great day.