Contributions from Caryn Franklin, Jane Galpin and Sharon Tyler.

March

Tall

Hi,
Just wanted to ask how would you go about dressing me from the high street
my particulars are:
6ft 2" Tall
Size 12/14
34 GG chest
36" Inside leg
Size 9 feet
Because I have a problem.... I can't!!
Regards,
M

Hi M
A lot of the high street retailers now offer trousers in longer lengths and or clothes for your height such as Dorothy Perkins and Marks & Spencer. Have you tried these places?

There are loads of tips in my body shape e-books and you will find 5 different tall shapes to choose from in there I give lots of tips, but here are a few now.

To help flatter your bust you should wear garments that have a low scoop or v-neckline. Wrap dresses or tops are good for you. Look at dresses that have volume on the bottom half to balance out your top half, check out in Dorothy Perkins in our shopping mall,  the "silver hitched hem" dress available in their Tall section, it is ideal for you.

A good style jean is a flare or bootcut. Check out ilovejeans.com, again in our Jeans category in shopping mall as they have styles that are 36" leg. Aim to show off your waist area, go for tops with hem detail, wear belts, avoid anything with too much detail or colour up top and this will only make you look taller and draw attention to your chest.

Finally don't avoid wearing heels just because you are are tall. Check out Next in our shopping mall, who do a great selection in your size.

Petite & Standard Shops

Caryn,
I am 5ft 5, although I have a small torso and long legs which means I need petite tops & dresses, and normal  length (or long trousers). I find shopping difficult because of this, especially for suits as I need a petite jacket and normal/long trousers -  any suggestions?

I'm a curvy slim girl (34-27-36) which I find  doesn't help matters as most petite clothing is aimed at the slender boyish figures.

Any advice would be much appreciated!
Thanks
Deena

Hi Deena,
Now that you have let us know where you have tried including many of the high street shops, Principles, Debenhams, M&S, Wallis, Topshop, House of Fraser, Miss Selfridge, Next etc and still no joy!

We are keen to help. Perhaps it is the style of jacket that is causing difficulty and looking for a suit with a crop style tailored jacket may be a more specific solution to your clothing challenge. Or you may just have to prioritise separates.

Principles have a tux style jacket that is cropped and of course they do an excellent petite range. It just may be worth trying this on with a pencil skirt as well as trousers.

Do also check out the specialist petite retailers in our shopping mall.

Good luck.

Skirts for Curves

Hi,
I'm petite (5'4) and pear shaped and not sure what skirt styles are good for my shape at the moment (I'm usually a size 12 but sometimes a 10 in dresses/skirts). Are tulip shapes good for pears or do they just make childbearing hips look even more out of proportion?!
Thanks

Hi,
The ideal shape for you is a high waisted a-line skirt such as the one I have found in our shopping mall at  Marks and Spencer from their Limited Collection, see the Twisted Plait Hem Skirt.

The volume effect of this skirt will flatter your curves without being over powering. Pencil skirts can also work on you, just avoid bright colours and go instead for navy or black, ensure also there is some stretch in the fabric.

Check out again in Marks and Spencers Limited range their frill detail skirt, the frill will ensure your hips are balanced.

Don’t forget to check out our shopping mall for a large range of specialist petite retailers and do consider a petite e-book individually written for you to give you al the styling tools you need.