Contributions from Caryn Franklin, Jane Galpin and Claire Ginzler.

January

Hi Caryn,
Wondering if you could help me. Where I can I find the best fitting black leggings? The leggings I have tried on so far from various shops are too baggy.

Hope you can assist.
Kind regards,
Geraldine
Mum of two (age 20 months and 4 months).

P.S. Should have said that the leggings are for wearing under tunic tops.

Hi Geraldine
Check out Debenhams in our shopping mall or Dune in our footwear section as they sell legging that are like tights but stop at the mid sole of the foot for around £10. This is also the latest style of leggings and look great with your tunic worn with heels or boots.

Wear a fitted jacket to show off the tunic and your slim leg silhouette. Check out Gap who have a single breasted jacket for around £50. Or alternatively try a fitted tuxedo style jacket for the evening, check out Additions (you'll find both in our shopping mall) who have a gorgeous one for £39.

hi im sure you get asked this question all the time by confused women but i was about to buy your e-book but im really not sure which shape i am i am 5ft 4in and my bra size is 32f my chest measures 38in my waist 35in and my hips 39/40 in does that make me pear-shaped or top-heavy?!! look forward to getting your reply, thanks
Jane

Hi Jane,

It's always tricky without actually seeing you. You are cusping standard and petite height so if you've always wanted to look taller you can choose petite for some extra tricks. The main thing is how you see your body and whether you feel one part of it is more dominant. I've enclosed a guide below to help people find the right e-book.

I hope this helps.

Caryn say's...

If you are not sure what 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 smaller 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!

Hi Caryn

I am 38, feeling 58. I find it hard to shop for myself as I don't know what styles suit me. It seems everything I like the look of just looks appalling on me. I have that feeling every day when I open my cupboard and find there is nothing I want to wear. I wear the same clothes to work (I'm a primary school teacher) as I do to go out in! At home I mainly wear jeans or trousers and the colours are all mainly blacks and browns. I love to see others in colour and would love to wear it but every time I try something colourful on (red, pink, green etc..) it's like I've got a colour aversion. I normally come back empty handed when I go shopping for clothes (always looking for budget clothes as I have a growing family to cater for).

I'd love to purchase one of your e-books, but first need some clarity on my shape. From what I can gather I may be a apple shape. I am just 5 ft 3. I usually wear a size 14 - but most of the time it is too big. I feel size 12 is sometimes slightly tight. I don't have a flat tummy so that's another problem. I have attached a picture of myself (I'm in the white top) if this helps in clarifying if I should purchase a standard apple e-book, or if I've got it all wrong I welcome your advise on my correct body shape. Hopefully then I can start doing something about the way I feel and look when it comes to clothes.

Thanking you in anticipation
Jasmin

Hi Jasmin,

Wish we had a wonderful pic like yours every time. It makes things so much easier. And you look gorgeous - wearing light colours at the top of your body is correct for someone of your height so you instinctively know what's right already!

Firstly as you are 5'3" I suggest the petite e-book. The reason being that we give great tips on how to elongate your body and create the illusion of tallness.

I do think apple shape will be the best for you because we also give tips on how to create a waist. There are of course lots of other tips and tools in there to help with other aspects of your image. So I know it will be helpful.

The great thing about the e-book is that it helps you to understand and create a long lasting style for yourself based on what suits your body not what the fashion editors say is 'in fashion' each season - which changes every couple of months.

Have fun.

Hello Caryn,

I stumbled over your site while searching for 'designer clothes size 18' over the internet. Do you have favorite sites in the U.S. for someone over 40 who is pear shaped and approximately size 18? The reason I was searching the internet was that I'm tired of boring choices (4 colors, 2 styles) or mall-blah trendy clothes for younger women. I can spend a bit more when something is truly good looking and won't fall apart after a season. I do have a professional job but, since it's in technology, I am able to dress somewhat casually at work.

Any advice you are able to pass on would be welcome.
Susan

Hi Susan,

I'd love to recommend Jessica Svoboda to you, She is Canadian I believe, but sells right across the US.

The great thing about her is that she is the designer behind the range which is high end and stylish - she too is curvy so she is really designing from the heart. I am assured by one of our best know UK designers for curvy figures Anna Scholz, who also sells overseas from her site that Jessica makes the best premium jeans for curvy figures anywhere. Of course there is much more to see and sample on her site.

Both these designers are listed in our shopping mall directory under the heading 'fuller'

Pear shaped is of course what most of us are whether we are curvy or otherwise and there are plenty of tricks in our individually written e-books for your fuller pearshaped figure.

Please let me know how you get on with the sites it's always great to have feedback.

Hi,

I have some very cute (and so inexpensive, I couldn't resist) navy blue dress pants with very small light and medium pink pinstripes. These were inexpensive because they were without the blazer. So, my question is, what types of tops and shoes can I coordinate with these pants?? Thank you so much!
Cameo

Hi Cameo,

It's always great to get a bargain and these trousers sound like they have classic appeal.

Because there is a light pink pinstripe on navy, I would suggest either navy blue shoes or boots to match for winter with navy knitwear maybe a classic polo neck or a navy blouse with a pussy bow if you want to add some glamour. And pick out the pink stripe with a pink scarf.

And in warmer times you could use cream accessories like strappy cream shoes with cream blouse of your choice.

The look needs to be kept generally classic because the pinstripe trouser dictates here. You are going to look fantastic.