Contributions from Caryn Franklin, Jane Galpin and Claire Ginzler.

June

Underwear Solution

Hi Caryn
After seeing the Jenny Packham, Elizabeth dress demo-ed at the wedding show this winter, I have ordered. Still unsure as to the underwear solution as is very low cut. Any suggestions? I don't want the world to see my nipples, but nor do I want to be wearing something functional when my groom tears the dress off!
Vicky

Hi Vicky
These types of dresses typically are not made to wear with a bra. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t need a little stylist’s trick or two! There are some great sites like www.usefulchickstuff.co.uk who will supply you with all the undergarment support you need from stick on cloth bra supports to nipple tape.

Or you check out Selfridges in our shopping mall as they sell stick on bra moulds, these, when correctly applied lift up your bust without the straps marks of a bra. Alternatively buy some nipple covers from Debenhams, again in our shopping mall.

Don't worry you could easily slip to the toilet at the end of the evening to remove before the groom sees them!

Ascot Hat

Hi Caryn
I'm going to Royal Ascot and am planning to wear a 50’s style dress - full skirt, just below knee length - in a dark red and green rose print. I am really unsure as to what shape and style of hat would look best with my  dress. I'm 5'9 size 10/12 and have a biggish head! Would appreciate your advice.
Alex

Hi Alex
As you are wearing a 50's style dress why not consider a feathered fascinator? Much more suitable for your 50's style dress and widely accepted at Ascot.  Also this style of hat will be more flattering for your head shape. Check out Hats n stuff in our shopping mall have a great selection of them or you could check out John Lewis also in our shopping mall.

What to Wear with Runners to a Ball

Hi Caryn,
I’m in year 10 and we are having a dance with a boys school like ballroom dancing but we wear casual clothes and we have to wear runners cause the boys have got a new gym floor. What can I wear with runners?

I’ve also got a good waist and I don't want to be all rugged up but I don’t want to be cold.
Thank you
Chelsea

Hi Chelsea
I would suggest wearing a flared skirt so you can easily dance around the room and team it with a stretch jersey fitted top. Check out Miss Selfridge in our shopping mall who have a 1950's inspired candy stripe circle skirt which is very fashionable at the moment. Complete the look with ankle socks.

Bored with Mumsy Look

Hi Caryn,
I wonder if you can help?  I’m tall/curvaceous (6ft and size 18 all over) and have seriously fallen into the “mumsy” trap of wearing jeans every day with bland black/brown or plain blue tops. I think I have the shape right – v-necks with bootleg jeans, but I’m so bored with it all!  I need some help with choosing possible colours / patterns that would suit me (I’m pale with light brown hair and blue eyes) and also choosing other practical but stylish clothes!  I’m a bit of a wallflower so breaking out of this routine is going to be hard! Can you help?

Thank you!
Sue

Hi Sue
My first tip for you to is to start seeing yourself as sexy, you have gorgeous curves and are tall - a great combination.

Print will be a great boost to your wardrobe this summer so ease yourself into a print top with your jeans. Take it step by step and you won’t feel that you are making a drastic change. Choose something that has a good sized print  - too small and it will make you look larger and be prepared to try on a few different designs to get the right one for you. In my e-book I do talk about choosing colour but there is only room to say that you will begin to see what suits your skin tone the more you practice.

Now investigate bold prints, which really will work best for your curves and there are plenty of options in the shops now, go for a print that incorporates black if you want soften the look. Check out Debenhams in our shopping mall they have a really fun stretch jersey print dress called orange print belt detail dress.

Shape wise this Summer's prom a-line dresses are everywhere and are practical as well as stylish so don't just save them for special occassions. Wear with flat sandals and a bolero. You are right to wear v-necks as these flatter your bust area but also try halter necks.

A lot of women with a big bust tend to hide them away, whilst you don't obviously want them on full display, you can use your bust to define your shape. Wear large jewellery pendants that sit just above your bust rather than on it and If you feel some dresses or tops are cut too low, simply add a vest underneath to hide any unnecessary bra straps or cleavage.

Your height also means that this summer's maxi dress will look fab on you. I have found one from Debenhams that is called the orange sunset print maxi dress. Fun, stylish and worn with flats practical for the day.

A waistcoat or fitted revere collar jacket with a belt is also another great option as it will nip in your waist you can wear with a fitted stretch blouse or shirt and a printed a-line skirt, again team with flat open toe sandals for a fresh summer look.

Avoid bulky or fussy detailed tops as these will only create more volume instead go stretchy fabrics such as cotton with lycra built in. Tunic style tops are great for Summer, check out the lime applique tunic from Principles in our shopping mall  which would be great worn under a straight pair of trousers and flat shoes and accessorise with a fun bag and bangle.

Take a friend for help on your first shopping trip – you will soon find you get the hang of celebrating your body.

Apple Shaped and Bloated

Hi Caryn,
I have two questions. The first is I am not overweight except in my tummy area, I also  suffer from IBS and tend to be bloated a lot. I am tall 1'7" and have very  skinny legs. I wear a 36 cup size bra, please tell me what I can wear to make  me feel slender and sexy and hide my swollen tummy?

Does this mean I am apple shaped? I am not to sure on my body shape, I wear a size 36 pants!
 
The second question is that I would like to purchase one of your books, how do I convert my SA Rands into pounds to buy the book? I am not sure how to send money etc.
Thanks Very much!
Wendy

Hi Wendy
Yes for the purposes of dressing your body we can call you apple  shaped because it is your tummy that you see as being the area you want to minimise.

A quick fix is to start wearing the underwear that has  build in control and support. You could invest in the following styles of underwear and see the immediate difference this can make to your body:

1. A good bra that gives you good lift
2. A pair of support knickers
3. A Spanx slip dress to wear underneath dresses

You’ll find all of these in Figleaves in our shopping mall or look the Magic Underwear range at Marks and Spencer 

The underwear will hold you in and smooth out your stomach area. A great base for any outfit.

Tunics and empire line dresses are perfect for you because they will skim over your tummy area  without defining it. And this is what you are looking for when you shop – garments that do not fit tightly round your tummy and have some volume in them to disguise your shape. This will also be more comfortable too!

Go for tops that have a V neck, or a deep scoop neck; this will lengthen the neckline and draw attention up to your face  whilst also showing off your cleavage.

On the bottom, look for skirts with a little flare such as an A-line that hit just below the knee. Choose  trousers with a mid-rise and a wide or bootleg. This will give you a long, lean line.

Go for darker colours on your bottom half and print or  bright colours on your top half. Look for fabrics that have a built in stretch  will mould over your new underwear. Take a look at the dress called the charcoal satin front bow dress, available at Next in our shopping mall. It has  plenty of stretch and the front bow detail will help to flatter.

There are plenty more tips in our e-book and to order it... As I understand it, You can set up a paypal account in South Africa and use it to send money, but not receive money. This is due to SARS (South African Revenue Service) "The Tax Man" who are not able to track money coming into the country via paypal.

So, you should be able to order an e-book using paypal, who will automatically convert pounds sterling 9.97 into the SA Rand at the current rate of exchange.

Best of Luck.

Coming to London

Hello
I'm traveling to London on the 5th or 6th of June and will be staying there for the weekend with my sister. I was wondering if you could tell me if there are any sales going on that weekend and or about any outlets for the big brands in fashion, we want to buy lots of clothes but reasonably priced but know next to nothing about any finds in London. Plus if you could steer us in the right direction for vintage clothes (again reasonably priced) we would be forever grateful.

We are going to a concert but were also hoping to get a same day ticket to a West End show, how is the dress code for a show there?

Oh and do you know of any happenings (fashion wise) in London that weekend that we could participate in?, or anything special worth seeing

If it helps we are aged between 25-30 and one of us wears size 8-10 and the other 14-16 (UK).

Thank you very much.

Yours Sincerely
Jana
Iceland

Hi Jana
If you are looking for designer warehouse sales they happen either at the end of the month or the week after you arrive - so in case you can change your travel dates, I have included information on a womenswear sale that takes place at 5-6 Islington Studios,  Thane Villas, London, N7 7NU on Friday 13th June (10am to 8pm), Saturday 15th June (10am to 6pm) and Sunday 15th June (11am to 5pm.) £2 entrance fee.

The good news if you can't change your dates that London has many fantastic clothes shops that are perfect for you both, they are reasonably priced and are copies of the catwalk collection. Check out Primark, River Island, Zara, Hennes, Mango, TopShop, Miss Selfridge, American Apparel - all of which you will find easily walking up and down Oxford Street, nearest tube Oxford Circus.

For vintage clothing you should pop down to Spitalfields market on Sunday which is near to Liverpool Street tube station. They have many stalls of alternative and vintage fashions, you can also check out the nearby Brick Lane which have lots of vintage shops too. However, if you are going to Oxford Street before hand do check out Beyond Retro on Marlborough Street, which is nearby.

Anything goes for the theatre nowadays, you can dress up or down. To play it safe and if you are going for a drink afterwards wear jeans with a sexy top, smart jacket and high heels.

With regards to fashion events unfortunately the London festivals havn't quite kicked off by then, however you should head down to Hoxton, nearest tube is Old Street which has lots of hip and happening bars and dance venues for the young, and has replaced Soho for going out.

Also, look out for the latest magazine called Time Out which lists what is going on in art exhibitions etc., and is a great source for entertainment in London.

Enjoy your stay and I hope the weather is good!

Wedding Outfit

Hello,
I wonder if you can help me.

I have purchased a blue monsoon dress for a wedding it is 'V' neck front and back and gathered at the waist and at the chest - it is a sleeveless 'A' - Line. What colour hat/shoes/accessories would you recommend to go with this dress?

Thank you,
Melissa

Hi Melissa
If it similar or is the Catalina dress that is currently on Monsoon's website (from your description it really sounds like it is) as it is a mid tone icey blue then I would suggest you go for silver accessories as it is also an icey colour. If the dress is a darker tone of blue then you could go for black or white.

Check out our shopping mall and you'll find Coast who have a great selection of silver occasion jewellery. Add to your look a clutch bag - this seasons must have and some shoes both of which you will find at Dune in their wedding section, which is in our shopping mall under the footwear section .

Tall and Slender

Hi,
As a TV/crossdresser would you recommend that I download your TALL & SLENDER e-book? I am a size 12 lower half but size 16 top half and consequently wish to have the right balance to my clothing. I do so hope you reply to this enquiry.

Yours,
Trixie

Hi Trixie,
The tall and slender e-book tells thin women how to create the illusion of curves.

It will certainly give you tips on how to create a more feminine look because tall and thin women worry about looking boyish.

I’m confident it will help you think about clothes as tools to enhance your femininity.

Petite

Hi there,

I came upon your website quite by accident but was happy to find it. (I googled "Boden" hoping that they carried petites and your site popped up). I've been trying to figure out how to dress myself for years! I am 35 and 5' 3". I like to experiment with styles but the latest trends make me look ridiculous. I tend to wear a lot of black and am trying to branch out. I liked the fun skirts that Boden carries but I know they will be too long and I will potentially swim in them.

I have a long torso and short legs (inseam 28" or 29" or so:). I never know where to find funky clothes that have petite pants and regular tops that go well together. I have found that wrap dresses are my favorite (and easiest), but I'd like to branch out.

Pants always seem to look awful on me,as I have wide-ish thighs, a butt, and a little belly. I usually wear a size 4 in pants, 2 in skirts, and 2 or 4 in dresses. Any suggestions for what styles of tops and bottoms would be very much appreciated!

Thank you,
Deborah

Hi Deborah

Lets start by taking a look at what shapes will flatter you. As you have a long body and short legs you need to accentuate the top half of your body.

You can do this by choosing an empire line dress (this is where the waistline sits higher than the natural waistline, just under the bust) and wear with a contrasting bow or a colourful thin belt - no wide belts. Avoid wide legged or cropped trousers as these will only make you look shorter. All skirts should be on the knee and no longer. Avoid big and bold prints as they will only make you look shorter, instead go for smaller print options and ideally wear this on the top half.

A good pair of jeans that fit really well is a fashion basic that you can then add print and colourful tops to. Avoid the wide leg style as I suggested earlier and instead go for a bootleg cut to complement your thighs. Check out 'ilovejeans' in our shopping mall who have a new petite range coming out shortly, or alternatively try House of Fraser or Dorothy Perkins who have a good selection of branded jeans that come in 28" leg. Printed tops with either an empire line or a neck detail are good for you. One shoulder tops are also flattering for you and very fashionable at the moment, so check out Dorothy Perkins also in shopping mall who have one called jade corsage one shoulder top.

You say you like wrap dresses but want to experiment, well why not check out Debenhams in our shopping mall who do a petite range. They currently have a red chiffon dress £30 that you could wear with a thin belt. The dress is extremely flattering to your body shape and it has all the right ingredients for you, such as the empire line to give you perceived height and a-line skirt to flatter your bottom half.

Alternatively for the evening you could go for a stretch satin dress, such as the one in Freemans called satin jewelled dress. It will hug you in the right places because of the stretchy fabric and the embellishment around the necklace will flatter your height. I think you will agree it's a really good look!