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

June

I am in the U.S. I always thought I was pear-shaped, with narrow shoulders, small breasts, a small frame, no waist and any extra weight in my hips. I was quite thin until age 39, then gained a little. After 45, with a chronic illness that limits activity and with lots of stress, I gained 45 pounds and am apple-shaped. My breasts are larger but hardly bigger than my middle. I wear a size 14 and have a spare tire and big stomach. I do not fit into plus sizes - they swamp me - but regular sizes don't often fit or flatter. I am 5"4" and weigh 175, 55 years old but don't want to look frumpy, dowdy or old ladyish - or like I'm dressing too young for my age either. Do any of your e-books fit my situation? Any suggestions where to look on your site or other sites for advice for dressing well? I love color and easy style but am very self-conscious about my present figure. I have a hard time compensating for my narrow shoulders. How can I add slight padding at the shoulders without too much? I need it in almost everything. Thank you!

Hi there,
Our e-books do not give the specific advice that you need for for your shape – it seems we have a gap in our library! It’s possible however that petite and apple shape will give you the best steer. It also sounds like you need to find a petite range that will give you the fullness you need around your body. I can recommend Wallis for a standard petite with some fullness, and Evans for a curvy petite both are in our directory. You would need to check whether their service extends to the US. You’ll find Wallis and Evans in our Shopping Mall.

My tips to you now would be

• Use tailored jackets casual and classic to give your shoulders width and definition.

• Use light colour tops like wrap tops with a darker vest underneath this will widen your shoulders.

• Use a block of colour through your middle to elongate your body and create a streamlining effect.

Hope that helps

HI Caryn
I ordered the Standard Curvy e-book and thought it was very good and found some of the tips quite useful.

However, I was wondering if you could help me narrow down the list of shops mentioned on the website as i've tried a few of the main stream ones with not much luck.

I am 5'6'' tall and weigh approx 11 stone. I have a 32g bust and wide hips and thick thighs and calves. I think i fit into the hour glass category but am quite short waisted.

A Lot of things i try on make me look dumpy and i can never find trousers that fit my waist, hips and thighs. 2 out of the 3 are generally a problem. i tend to wear trousers more than skirts.

I am desperate to not spend another summer in my dark winter clothes when the rest of the world looks so cool and bright and happy. I really do try and go shopping often but mostly come back empty handed and depressed. I keep going out to look for a summery jacket, some bright casual and smart tops as well as bottoms. You wouldnt think it would be so difficult but it is for me and I don't know where i am going wrong.

I agree with your book that i should be aiming for the classic look but have no idea how to acheive it. I constantly look through magazines and websites for ideas but feel bombarded by either super skinny models who don't reflect my shape at all, or by plus size models who again don't reflect me.

Sorry if i sound pathetic. Women are meant to love shopping and i do as long as i'm not shopping for me. I always feel overwhelmed.

I hope you can help and that i'm not a complete lost cause. I am not looking for anything for a special occasion but am desparate for help.

Many Thanks and congratulations on such a useful website that focuses on all shapes and sizes of women. What a wonderful breath of fresh air.
Nim

Hi Nim,
You won’t be spending another summer in dark clothes I promise.

Because your measurements are not standard e.g the majority of women your height and weight will have much thicker waists you are finding that manufactures have not got your shape in stock. This can be very annoying but there are ways round it.

Firstly dresses that are soft and draping like wrap dresses will be perfect for you. This is a classic style and needs a classic over layer like a trench coat this season’s key garment to work with it. The wrap was popular a few seasons ago but it is still making an appearance in the shops. Wear a Lycra vest underneath to give you more security if you don’t like too much cleavage.

Empire line dresses with a deep V will also work for you because they are not fitted at the waist there are several in the Next Directory. But ask your local store to order them in for you so that you can try them on in the store.

Buy separates generally then you do not have the problem of the waist looking baggy

First let me tell you about the new AJK jean aimed at women with a curvy bottom. Cleverly designed to get rid of the gape at the back that inevitably happens, these jeans have a lattice tie at the back which can be pulled tight to alleviate any ‘flappy’ waists. You can get these from a great website called www.ilovemyjeans.com however once all the high streets discover this solution you can bet there will be other versions too.

Have you tried Principles? They have a more rounded fit as do Wallis and both specialise in special occasion wear too. I would like to encourage you into skirts as both companies do great feminine (not girly) skirts. If you have always avoided them because you feel your calves are curvier than you’d like it’s time to revisit. Choose a hemline that does not fall level with the widest part of your calf and wear a chunky heel. This season’s wedge shoe is perfect for your shape. These are your two best tricks for minimising your calves.

Bravissimo is a great label that has been making tops and jackets for curvy women. I would expect you to get the fit you need there. There will be less choice, but fit is everything try www.bravissimo.com

Finally if you eve need anything to stun there is a great company that will make made to measure dresses at a starting price of around £80 upwards to £400. They are offering a superb service and when you see the dresses you’ll see what I mean log on to www.gorgeouscouture.com
As you start to gather garments that give you a good fit, you will become more confident about your ability to make good choices for yourself. Let me know how you get on.

Hi I have read with great interest your Petite and Pear Shaped E-book and found so many helpful hints...but what sort of shorts should I be wearing????
Please help!!!
Debbie

Hi Debbie,
Thanks for your question. I’m so glad you found the book helpful – it will apply to your body shape and always be a indispensable resource as each season changes. My answer to you shorts question is this. Dark or neutral (like Khaki) shorts that have a flare at the hips and a flat front will be best for you. If they end just below the knee you can team them with a pair of wedges.

Remember to make sure you add a top that has some of the devises to maximise the top half of your body, rebalancing your body symmetry.

Hi Caryn
I’m going on holiday in 4 weeks and cannot find a bikini that looks right. I have a average bust 34C (but smallish shoulders) but definitely larger on the bottom half, I have wobble thighs and hate the fact when I try on bikini bottoms they tend to dig into my hips leaving a bit of overspill. I had thought about bikini bottoms that tie at the sides but thought that might draw attention to my hips and upper legs!!

Please help, I've tried high street shops and I'm getting desperate now
Liz

Dear Liz,
You need a halter neck in a light or bright colour to maximise your shoulders and bust area and create a balance to your bottom half then you need a darker colour briefs even shorts style to give you more coverage and less overspill.

Bhs has always been very good for mix and match separates. Plus have a look in our Swimwear category in Shopping Mall.

I am 62 years of age and only 4'8" tall which means all the "petite" ranges for women 5'3" and under definitely do not go "under" enough.

I would love to be able to buy a dress (or a number of dresses) - can you please advise me.

I went to New York a few years ago and was actually able to buy dresses off the peg, even a suit!

There also used to be a shop for petite women in Floral Street, Covent Garden but sadly it didn't last long, but again I was able to buy.

I also have to have trousers made for me.
Please can you help.
Anne

Hi Anne,
I’m looking myself! I used to recommend Celia Loe in South Molton Street, London but sadly she is no longer. If I find anything be sure I will be singing loudly about it from my website.

There is a petite website called www.petitepersonalshopper.com which may be better informed than me at this moments so if you find anything on there site please come back and tell me then I can write about it too.

My racial group is of South-East Asian origin, and I have always been very skinny - its genetic - my dad's entire family is the same build, so it seems hopeless for me to do anything about it. I eat like a horse but all the weight just accumulates around my tummy, especially after I had my first child 3 years ago. I guess I'm also cursed with a high metabolic rate since I could never figure out where all the food I ate has gone to.

I am short (160 cm), am realistically an adult size 4 to 6 (although when I do find women's clothing in size 6 that fit me, I will wear them).

My shoulders are very narrow and my arms are long and stick thin - not thin like a model's, but worse! I think they're hideous. And nothing I do like exercise or eating loads make them any larger. Hence I have real problems trying to find anything in the shops that really fit me well. Everything just looks baggy on me around the shoulders and arms. I look crap in most of the pretty, girly clothing that is so nice on well-endowed women. Also, I'm flat-chested (34A) and that means my chest can't help me "fill out" the bagginess of most clothes. Not only that, I have tiny hips that wouldn't fit in most size 6 adult bottoms. My only consolation is that I have a good pair of legs - they're long and thin but not hideously thin - although it seems impossible to find calf-length boots with a calf-area small enough to fit my calf-area, that can be easily rectified by sending the shoes off to a good leather-tailor for alterations. In addition, my hips are so tiny - they are always about 2 or 3 inches smaller than the usual size 6 hip measurement. I've occassionally been extremely lucky to find some Turkish-manufactured jeans from Miss Selfridge's which fit me like a glove, but apart from those, I've always had to settle for jeans which look a bit baggy on my hips - even the so-called "Stretch jeans" which are supposed to be more tight-fitting.

When I go shopping, its really hard. I've had more luck shopping at Jane Norman, Tally Weijl (in London) and Mango, and a tiny bit of luck at Next and Miss Selfridge's, but once again, for me - its not just a matter of finding the right size and cut, but also finding the right style that would suit or flatter my particular body build. To be honest, I even have problems finding children's clothes in which I actually look good in. I don't look good in most T-shirts (long or short sleeved) as they don't look good on my upper body frame - narrow shoulders and long, very skinny arms. I feel like I'm buying clothes just to cover myself up and not to make myself look good, and its sad because I really love fashionable things and dressing up! What's worse, I'm approaching 30 and I don't want to be wearing kiddie clothes anymore!

Any tips on what style of women's clothing could flatter my very unflattering, unwomanly figure?
The

Hi The,
I’m always being told that Topshop have the best jeans for petites with a 25” inside leg and a size 4 in selected styles, But there is a great new site called www.ilovemyjeans.com who might be able to help with specific enquiries.

Duo are a great boot company who make boots in a range of calf width starting at 30cms and charge great prices around £100.00. You’ll find them in our Footwear category on Shopping Mall.

As for your general feeling of feeling too tiny to enjoy fashion use a few stylists tricks start with bold bright colour at the top of your body to create volume. Choose a cowl neck to add volume around the bust. Choose horizontal stripes to widen your body and work with layers to add features like jackets over tops will always give your shoulders extra width.
There is a site which I’m asking for feedback on called www.petitepersonalshopper.com so try them too for more specific finds.

Dear Caryn
I'm getting married soon and am wearing a ivory dress. I'm looking for some shoes that i will be able to use again. Would silver look ok with ivory or would they stick out like a sore thumb
Fi

Hi Fi,
Silver will work wonderfully but to be sure take a fabric swatch if you can to the shoes or try the shoes with the dress before committing. You can always return them if not right.

Now add some silver elsewhere to your look maybe silver beads in the hair or some other feature, this will marry everything together. Scuse the pun.
Have a great day

Please help! My daughter is getting married in September this year and I am having difficulty in finding a special outfit to wear. I'm 5ft 7in and a regular size 10 and although I shall be 50 by the time they get wed I have been told that I look younger than my age.

I have spent ages on the web but have not as yet come across anything that 'sings' to me. I don't want to come across as mutton dressed as lamb but on the other hand I don't want to wear something that makes me look older than I am. Could you point me in the right direction for any great web sites to look at that might give me some ideas but wont break the bank!
Regards
Lynn

Hi Lynn
Coast won’t break the bank have you tried them? You sound very youthful and able to take a few catwalk flourishes. If you go to a good branch of House of Fraser the will be other good brands as well as Coast like Fenwright and Manson and East.

House of Fraser & Debenhams also have personal shoppers to I think for something as important as Mother of the Bride you deserve a bit of papering and help.

We used House of Fraser when we did last years Mum for GMTV interactive wedding. I found the London branch very helpful. Just say I sent you.

Click here to l find these stores in our Shopping Mall

Hi Caryn,
I am looking for something to wear to a wedding next month. The wedding is in a very upmarket hotel and I would love something special. I realise I've left it late to start looking but I have been loosing weight (diet & exercise) and am now approx a size 18/16.

Ideally I would like something fashionable but classic. I had been thinking of a dress and jacket or shrug (to cover the upper arms), but have had no luck finding something suitable. Seperates would be great as my top half is a size 16 and my bottom half at least a size bigger.

I am 5ft7 and have always thought of myself as a pear shape although I do have a tummy too!

Can you help please?????

Many Thanks! I found the website in my search of the perfect outfit, its been a real find full of good advice and ideas. I'm a convert :-)))))
Annie

Hi Annie,
Because I don’t know your age or tastes I can’t be too prescriptive, indeed I don’t know your budget either, but order yourself a next catalogue. The printed silk t-dress is this season’s current shape (which is not fitted to the hips and bottom so would be suitable) and looks fantastic on pp11 right next to it is a wonderful shrug that would compliment it perfectly.

If this is too trend oriented there are several combinations of jacket and dress. You can order the directory from their site and then you can get your local store to get all you chosen items in so you can try them on at the store if that is easier. The printed T-dress that I think would be so suitable for you comes in sizes up to 22.

Visit Next website in our Shopping Mall to order Next Directory or to check out your local store.
Glad you like the site.

Hi Caryn
we recently purchased the 'How to look good on your Wedding Day' DVD for inspiration and useful tips.

My fiance Andrew was struggling to find a suit for our Wedding that we both liked and would compliment my dress.

We both like the Arrandol (not sure how you spell it) however we have been on the Moss Bross website and can't find it. Is this the correct name - is there another name it comes under?

Your help is most appreciated.
Many thanks
Jayne

Hi Jayne,
I’ve just spoken to John at Moss Bros (Groom Hire) in Covent Garden. He says they have three colours in the Arundle suit – blue, grey and black and that if you ring him on the number below and ask for him he will help. Have a lovely day.
Moss Bros 0207 632 9700.
Have a lovely day!