Contributions from Caryn Franklin, Jane Galpin and Claire Ginzler.

May

Hello Caryn,
My name is Fabiana, I originally am from Italy but at the moment I am living in California.

Next week I am getting married! The wedding is not going to be in a church and it's just going to be 4 people: my fiance and I, and the two witnesses.

I bought a very cute white cotton dress and some blue shoes but I can't find a matching blue purse. Which other colour would be ok?

Please, reply as soon as possible; it's very important!

Thank you in advance,
Fabiana!

Dear Fabiana
How about gold or silver then you can co-ordinate with your jewellery.

Perhaps you can also include some blue in your bouquet if not natural not dyed blue flowers then a blue ribbon round the flowers.

Have a wonderful day!

Dear Caryn
I am 35, 5'8", size 12ish on top, 14/16 below with large thighs, not just hips. I have got a much better idea of what will suit me  after getting the e-book (thank you so much - my wardrobe is nearly empty  now!!) but I have a bit of an odd problem. I was very unwell a couple of years ago and now, although I'm better, I still don't like to get too warm.  This means I've been living in large 'Flax' buttoned linen dresses,  knee-high tights and open sandals for about two years. I was once very gothy and slim but have lost my style mojo, although I suspect I'm still quite  hippy/gothic/romantic.  I hate exposing my flesh, which is pale and  doesn't seem to suit any colours apart from black, dark purple or dark red  (and I'd love to wear green! pink!), and can't find my way back to style.  This is highly ironic since i am a corset maker and historical costume  maker: I am good with other people but not me and think that most modern styling is a) designed for boys or people with large middles (mine is proportionately small but I hate to have it constricted - I start to get  panicky if I wear tight clothes) and b) people who don't mind being too hot  or wearing synthetic fibres.

If i could get a few basics: skirt, trousers, dress, blouse - right, then I can make them in fabric that I like and would suit me. I just can't stand shopping in shops, it is so depressing and boring. I really need to get a basic set of clothes that will enable me to meet clients and attend businessy  things without getting hot and then panicking about that... plus you never  know, it might be warm again this summer and last year I wore an oatmeal linen dress but looked like a curdled bottle of milk!! Oh I hope you can help - I really appreciate this site and your e-book, I just need a wee bit extra help.

Many thanks,
SJ Sanders

Hi SJ,
So glad the e-book has helped.

Without really seeing you it is hard to be prescriptive. But this season shift dresses and smock dresses are a great style to incorporate  into your wardrobe since there is no fit issues around the waist – you will  find plenty of cotton styles in the shops right now. I’m hoping you can manage  the feeling of cotton footless tights round your waist since this will stop  you from revealing too much flesh as the dresses are knee length or  shorter.

Look out also for the maxi dress which is a great cover up and  every high street store has done plenty. Again this will see you through for  this season. I happen to know that there will be many smock and loose styles  for the next two seasons after that but what I feel you really need is to find  a brand that has a more laid back approach with less of a trend bias. That way you are not at the mercy of what stores are offering each season. This does  not mean you will look less interesting on the contrary you can use this chance to look more individual. But the way to build your style can be with  high fashion accessories, exciting jewellery and the way you style things.

Build your wardrobe slowly with quality pieces. Toast in the standard section of our shopping mall will be a fantastic label for you since they specialise in linen and cotton but they  have a wonderful approach to style which is immediately obvious when you look  in their small but discerning catalogue. Tel. 0870 240 5200 In this catalogue there are great basics like cropped trousers. Soft pleated wrapped skirts and swing jackets. The colour palette is neutral but this is where your use of accessories and jewellery comes in to really spice up your look. Use your e-book to help you build your wardrobe back up again and make sure each garment you buy has many uses and applications.

Enjoy re-designing your own style.

I am a size 24 and looking for a new dress to buy for a party. I want something special and my budget is £100. I have tried Evans and other stores but can’t find anything that I like. Help.

A fabulous website called Curvety.com (you can find them in our Fuller shopping mall, have a great selection of dresses, Lana in particular is a beautiful chiffon dress with beading and within your budget at £95.

I want to do my bit for the environment and I have started to buy organic clothes but I am finding shoes a bit harder to find, is there a website that has fashionable shoes?
Rosie

Hi Rosie, yes there is if you check out our shopping mall click onto “beyond skin” in the footwear section. They have a huge selection of shoes and boots that are produced in a manner that is non-exploitative to humans, animals and the environment. Buy a pair now and you’ll get 40% off another pair.

I can’t get into my jeans anymore as I am 3 months pregnant. I have long legs and take 34” length, which is tricky to find. Where can I buy a decent pair of maternity jeans that will fit me? Thanks
Heather

Dear Heather,
Check out “crave maternity” in our maternity shopping mall section. They specialise in maternity wear and have a great pair of jeans that are contemporary and go up to 34” also download our free Maternity e-book for more styling advice!

I am getting married next year and want a dress that is simple and stunning. I don’t like fuss and I am also petite (size 8). I have checked out my local shops bridal departments but haven’t yet found anything I like.

Please help me.
Jan

Dear Jan, Congratulations! You should definitely check out our wedding section in our shopping mall and click onto the designer Chandrika Thomas, she specializes in dresses that are simply beautiful and particularly great for petite body-shapes. She regularly shows at the National Wedding Show www.nationalweddingshow.co.uk

I am off on holiday with my new boyfriend and want a outfit that I can wear to lunch on the beach. I don’t like kaftans and bored of sarongs. Any ideas?

I have found an embroidered skirt that would look great worn with a bikini and you can wear out in the evening too. It’s by Sea Folly and called The Puerto Rico skirt, which can be found on the website simply beach in our swimwear shopping mall.

My boyfriend is sick of me wearing tracksuits bottoms around the house can you recommend something that is not too revealing, comfortable and looks good!
R

Absolutely I can, Beaubra in our underwear section in our shopping mall has fabulous lounge wear in luxurious fabrics, in particular check out the jackets or cropped trousers that are so good you could wear them out too.

I love the new maxi dresses and can’t get enough of them. I now also want to buy one that I can wear in the evening so is a bit more dressey.

Click onto Coast in our shopping mall standard section they are great for party dresses and separates and currently have in stock a long grey maxi dress called Christy which has a waist white bow tie and is perfect for the evening.

I am a 346FF and want to know where I can get decent sexy bras that fit me and look good. I have tried various shops but can never find my size and if I do they don’t look that sexy. Cheers.

Check out Figleaves.com in our lingerie shopping mall, they have a fantastic selection of bras in various styles. Once in particular is the Young Attitude Sabine balconette bra, which looks that good it could be from Agent Provocateur!