Contributions from Caryn Franklin, Jane Galpin and Claire Ginzler.

June

Can you tell me if i can buy the Matthew Williamson butterfly range on line. I have just seen an amazing tunic over jeans and would love to get my hand on it.
Thank you
Liz

Hi Liz
Yes you can buy the range on line, check out Debenhams in our Shopping Mall and type in Matthew Williamson Butterfly range in the search bar to get 18 pages of the range! get shopping now.

Dear Caryn,
I have been invited to Buckingham Palace for a Royal Garden Party this July, but I am not sure how formally I have to dress. Must I wear gloves, a hat, no black, etc?

I am a 38 year old 'standard apple', (size 12 top, 10 bottom) with a small budget. Please can you help me avoid a royal faux pas!
Regards,
Karen.

Hi Karen,
It’s very simple these days. But I have just checked with the Palace to confirm, after all I don’t want to steer you wrongly.

There is not colour specifications you can wear black therefore and the specification is just ‘a day dress with hat’ As you are an apple shape I would suggest an empire line which will give you fit around the bust and then gentle flare and coverage over your tummy. I would team that with a lightweight frock coat that matches one of the colours in your dress. Try Wallis or Monsoon you’ll find them in our Shopping Mall.

As far as hats go a fascinator is perfectly acceptable. It is a smaller version of a hat that is pinned to your hair. If you can wear your hair up this will look more sophisticated. You can get these from most department stores.

You don’t need to wear gloves and you can wear your uniform but without your medals! Ring the Palace number if you have any other dress code questions. 0207 930 4832

Have a great time.

P.S. I forgot to say trouser suits may also be worn!

Hi I have brought a pale pink outfit for a wedding but dont know what colour shoes to wear (I dont fancy pink or white). I like high glam shoes.
Natasha

Hi Natasha
Choose from a silver, gold or dimantee shoe. Check out Bertie in our Shopping Mall where there is also a link to Ninewest shoes where you can find a t-bar style shoe called j-padia2, for a gold option check out Aldo again in our shopping mall and look at Corozan in the Bridal.

Hi
I’m going to a wedding and the invitation says black tie. I would like to wear a long dress but I am concerned that I will look overdressed - will people also be wearing knee length cocktail dresses? Thanks for your help
Sue

Hi Sue
Ideally to be 100% sure check with the bride. If she is happy with it I am sure that you will not be the only one wearing a long dress, especially as one of the big trends at the moment is the maxi dress. Which makes it a lot easier to find a long dress to suit you. To give you a helping hand check out Coast in our Shopping Mall who have a good selection of black, chocolate and blue maxi dresses that are perfect for a black tie occassion and reasonable in price too.
Have a good time!

Hi Caryn,
Please help. Having lost 5 stone I should be jumping for joy at the thought of wearing some fab clothes this summer, but unfortunately I feel just the opposite. Although I'm now a size 12/14 I have been left with major bingo wings and don't feel comfortable having my arms on show. As the weather is now getting hotter all the clothes seem to be sleeveless and I just don't know what to wear. I'm 34 and usually dress in the latest trends but now I'm stuck as to what look to go for. Desperate for HELP.
Yours kindly
Tracy

Hi Tracy
You can wear all the trends out there all you need to do is team with a light weight bolero to make you feel more confident and show off your new figure. Look up Monsoon in our Shopping Mall they have a great light weight crochet cardigan available in black that will go with everything. I would suggest buying a size 12 as Monsoon are quite generous with their sizing. As it is a bolero style it literally sits on your shoulders and will cover the tops of your arms without taking away from your main outfit.
Enjoy the new you!

I don't seem to fit into a specific shape category and so am not sure what would flatter my figure. I am 5'7 and around a UK size 8. I wouldn't consider myself petite as I have very broad shoulders and quite a large head in proportion to my body. Due to my large head and small breasts I tend to wear low-cut tops. Is this the right thing to do? I want to draw attention away from my head, broad shoulders and small breast however am very happy and confident with the rest of my body. Many thanks
Helena

Hi Helena
Yes low cut tops are good for drawing the attention away from your broad shoulders, in particular square neck tops and wraps tops will flatter too.

Both can be worn with a uplifting bra to add a little help, check out Figleaves in our Shopping Mall. You could also wear a brightly coloured or bold printed skirt to draw the attention away from your top half, check out Dorothy Perkins in our Shopping Mall who have currently a great selection of skirts.

Caryn
I get married on a cruise ship in three months time. I didn't want a formal bridal gown so have bought a gorgeous dress from Coast. It is long cream with toffee coloured flowers embroidered all over it, a ribbon around the waist and strapless. I am now struggling to find the right accessories to go with it - I didn't want a single string of pearls or a diamond necklace but something bold and modern. Particulary as I'm fair skinned and thought this would stand out more on pics than white pearls and a white dress against white skin! I had thought big brass and wooden bangles but am not sure. Any suggestions?
Cheers
Catherine

Dear Catherine
Your dress sounds gorgeous and already you going to stand out on your big day. Big and bold jewellery is not neccesarily the right statement you want to make with that type of dress and will look heavy in the photograph. Pewter or yellow gold jewellery is a good colour. Check out Next in our Shopping Mall who have a huge range in particular the gold Cubic Zirconia Trilogy Stick Earrings looks fresh and modern and special enough for the big day.

I will be 50 in the summer and would like to have a party, but I want to look great and have no idea how. I am a pear shape size 14 and feel fat, depressed and lethargic. HELP. Are halter neck dresses any good for pear shapes?
Rosie

Hi Rosie
Definately have that party! you are going to be 50 and should celebrate in style, and I am here to help you.

To flatter your figure choose garments that show off your upper body, so yes halter necks are good for you especially if you have a bust to show off too. Warehouse have a fabulous A-line satin black or green halter neck dress that is dressey without being too revealing. The A-line will flatter your hips, whilst the sateen fabric will curve your body - perfect for your party, and a bargain at £120. Or check out Monsoon who have halter necks in a beautiful blue, pink and yellow and made from chiffon so will feel very floaty and feminine. If you are worried about the tops of your arms wear with a little knitted bolero - again check out Monsoon who have a huge range in red, pink, green and black. You'll find all of these shops in our Shopping Mall

I would also highly recommend you invest in underwear that will give your confidence a boost and pull in your figure without dieting! yes a well known stylist secret is that all celebrities are wearing under their red carpet dress a pair of Spanx or something similar. So what is a Spanx? it is a piece of underwear that you literally step into and pull on and they cover from your thighs to just under your bra. They work wonders and will certainly help to define your shape, available at all major departement stores from approx £26 or from Figleaves in our online Shopping Mall.

Final point for you is to book yourself a massage the morning before so you really feel relaxed and pampered - have a fun and flirty birthday party!