Contributions from Caryn Franklin, Jane Galpin and Claire Ginzler.

November

Hi Caryn

Please can you advise as to where I should go for clothes for people with their waist just underneath their arm pits? I kid you not!

I have never been able to purchase a jacket that I can do up, as even petite ranges are too long in the body. I am 1" shorter neck to waist than petite ranges, which means jackets bulge at the back, looking quite ridiculous. I have been having clothes made, but they are never quite what I want and the finish is not as good as I would like, and also good fabrics are hard to find, not to mention buttons.

I am particularly in need of a classic coat, preferably navy and fitted, but I have simply no idea where to go.

I am 4' 11" tall, about a size 12/14 (and reducing, albeit slowly) and weigh about 9st 5lbs. I do have to stick to a budget, although I am not on the breadline. I find wool difficult to wear if it touches my skin, which makes life a bit difficult. so can you please advise?
Pauline

Hi Pauline,

In my petite e-book series I give lots of tips for creating the illusion of height, but for a quick fix - for your individual body shape now, then - try this.

Avoid tailored jackets and instead focus on soft knitted jackets that mould to your body, dress them up with a belt worn under the bust, to give shape and perceived height.

Also go for empire line dresses, tops and coats, as again this will draw the focus up to the top of your body. Again you could wear with a belt to give shape. Now for your coat dilemma, check out Principles - in our shopping mall, who do an empire line black coat in their petite range. It also has button details just across the bust area. Because this is not fitted to your waist I expect it to be more flattering for your shape.

Help!

I'm getting married soon and have two very differently shaped bridesmaids - one has very slim arms + legs, a bit of a tummy + size G boobs; the other is pear-shaped, slightly heavier all over; they are both 5'9'' - what would you suggest?

Thank you!
Kathryn

Hi Kathryn
I would suggest a dress that is fitted and boned around the bust area, which will flatter and also support your curvy bride, but look just as good on other shapes too. The dress should also be an a-line skirt to flatter the second bridesmaid's pear shaped body.

Monsoon in our shopping mall have a bridesmaid section and have a dress called Bexter that also has a wide waistband attached, which not only looks great but also will help flatter different proportions. Both could also wear a light weight knitted bolero (check out Coast in our shopping mall) which will add volume to the bridesmaid with skinny arms and cover any flappy tops of the arms too.

Hi,
I'm 16 years old and my prom is coming up next summer. I'm already looking around for a prom dress with a wow-factor but really need some help in deciding what style of dress would flatter me best! I'm about 5'7, small-busted and naturally skinny - about a UK size 4 or 6. I really have no idea on what type of dress would suit me, please help!
Many thanks,
Faye

Hi Faye
You are in luck as there are plenty of fabulous prom dresses around in the shops, especially as it's so close to Christmas and the party season.

As you are naturally slender you can dazzle in a 50's style Dress - very fashionable at the moment. These are great for your body shape because the full skirt (just above the knee) will give you shape. The top half of the dress is fitted and if you are conscious of your bust area you can wear with a strapless push up bra (check out la Senza or Marks and Spencer in our shopping mall) which will show off your figure perfectly.

Also check out River Island in our shopping mall as they are selling a jacquard racer back prom dress which is perfect for you. Finish off with a bold necklace, coloured or black opaque tights and some fashionable heels (look at Aldo in our shopping mall).

I have recently bought some thigh high (over the knee) boots. I'm struggling to find clothes to wear these with without looking too tarty. Have you got any advice as to what I can wear with these during the day and also going out at night.
thankyou.
Liam

Hi Liam

Thigh high boots are very much in fashion but we all know what you mean! Tone them down in the day by wearing them tucked into skinny jeans, a shirt and a military style jacket - check out Dorothy Perkins in our shopping mall who have a great 'sergeant velvet' jacket.

At night wear them with either a short skirt and thick opaque tights to stop the look being tarty, or skinny jeans and a more revealing pretty top.

Also check out ASOS in our shopping mall who have a skinny jean and also a selection of mini skirts, in particular a leather mini one.

Hi!
I am only 5"1. I am looking for some boots to go with skirts or dresses... however, all the boots I find make me feel short and stubby! I know that finding higher boots would help, but I've not got the best balance in the world... what boot length do you think would flatter my height a bit more?

Please help!
Abi

Hi Abigail

Thanks for your question. Going for a boot that is the same colour as your trousers or skirt eg tonal, will immediately help with your proportions. Getting the height of the boot right is crucial, too high or over the knee will make your legs look shorter. Instead opt for mid length or just below the knee and get a snug fit otherwise they'll look like Wellingtons. Alternatively you could wear ankle boots under a pair of jeans, to give you height.

Check out Duo in our footwear shopping mall who have a huge range of boots to fit all sizes. There are several mid-calf styles, look for the labels Bern, Penna and Naples and avoid Florence and Toulon as they are particulary long boots. The boots come in a variety of calf width sizes so you can measure your calf and find the perfect boot to fit.

Hi Caryn
I turned 30 this year and I am having a real "where is my life going" few months - this has included reassessing my appearance. I've never been particularly good at keeping up with fashion and have always tended to go for classic items/lines and conservative colours. I have a reasonable idea of what does and doesn't suit me but, having recently moved to London (I've been here for a year now) I am feeling like I am looking rather drab. I never feel polished. People kept saying that being 30 was great as you don't have to worry about things, like how you look, keeping up with trends etc. I am finding the opposite! There is so much stuff around and too many magazines and too much pressure. I work as a PA and so need to be reasonably smart but I've also been trying to get my casual wardrobe more up to speed - possibly in a vain attempt to cling onto my twenties! I feel like I keep missing the mark. What would be the best and least costly way to give my wardrobe a spruce up and make me feel a bit more attractive and confident?
Helen

Hi Helen

Thanks for your message.
Firstly don't panic as many women who turn 30 start to reasses themselves and that includes their appearance. The clothes you wear should give you confidence to fit in with your personality and not the other way around.

There are lots of magazines showing off all the latest trends, which should be looked at only as a guide and not a bible and definitely not to take each look too seriously.

Follow the below tips and you'll be on your way to the perfect wardrobe...

1. Go through your wardrobe out and chuck out the items you suspect are now not age appropriate. And re-cycle them by taking them to your local charity shop.

2. Lay out the basics you already have - which should comprise of : a pair of decent jeans, a pencil skirt, a coat, a jacket, some fitted shirts, cardigans, a pair of long boots, pair of glam heels, good pair of flat sandals, a day dress and an evening dress. If you don't have any of these items, invest in quality ones as these not only last longer but will also ensure you look sophisticated.

3. Next stage is to look at the trends of the season and think about which ones you really love and suit your body shape. Eg the military theme is a great look as you could simply tuck your existing long boots into your jeans and wear with a military jacket and you have the look, or simply buy a cap with your jeans and boots and a shirt.

There is no point buying into trends that don't suit you - for example the colour yellow, not everyone can wear yellow and just to buy yellow for the sake that it's in fashion will not only waste your money but also make you look perhaps like a canary!

4. Book out a Saturday at the beginning of each seasonal change and go shopping with a friend and try on items that you think you can wear with your existing wardrobe, only purchase the ones that work on your body shape.
Remember your existing jeans can be worn with numerous different fashion tops to update your wardrobe for a casual look, pencil skirts too will smarten up your wardrobe and by simply adding a different top or accessory, such as a belt, that's very fashionable - will update it and can be worn in the day to your work and then out in the evening with heels.

Remember now you're 30 the key to success is to be selective and buy only items that will work with your existing wardrobe and also work with you. Its about quality and not quantity.

Final tip is to update your basics such as vest, cardigans, polo necks etc... every so often so that they look fresh and not tired.

One of the many tips I give in my body shape e-books is how to build a wardrobe confidently and cheaply - above is a good start!

Enjoy your new style

Dear Caryn

I watched one of your sessions at the National Wedding Show a few weeks ago as my best friend is getting married and I went to the show with her for inspiration. I thought the tips you and the other professionals gave were very useful, so I'm hoping you can give me some advice.

I have been invited to a winter wedding at 4pm on 8 December this year and have no idea what to wear. The wedding will be in the Tower of London as it's a military wedding (I can't wait!) so will be very smart. In the summer I would have no problems as I have lots of beautiful dresses with accessories and especially hats (I LOVE wearing big hats!). But I have no clue what one should wear to a winter wedding. I am a larger woman (size 20), and I'm stuck for ideas!

Help, please!

Thanks very much!

Regards
Bridget

Hi Bridget

Brilliant that you saw our show and I'm delighted of course that you found our advice useful.

Your best friend's wedding sounds exciting, and at such a fabulous venue. With regards to your outfit you won't need to stress too much as in winter you can still wear one of your dresses, chose a colourful one, and team with thick opaque tights and a bolero. Check out Simply Be in our shopping mall who have a great jacquard bolero that comes in gold or black and will smarten up any outfit. Wear with one of your hats too for added style and invest in a gorgeous matching clutch bag - check out Coast or Debehnams who are also both in our shopping mall

Have a fabulous time.

Hi Caryn,

I recently saw on the fashion channel a runway show of the designer Chloé. In it her models were sporting shorts over skinny trousers, I have to say that I actually liked this look but I don't know how to wear it. I was thinking of trying it with shortish shorts over skinny jeans.
Do you have any tips as how to wear this?

Thank you.
Sarah

Hi Sarah

The designer catwalk shows are showcasing trends, so the looks put together can be extreme and therefore are watered down for the shops and the average woman on the street.

You don't say how old you are but if you really want to go for that look then why not - a pair of skinny jeans and contrasting colour short are all you need. Shorts were very strong for summer just gone and are still around for winter. To wear the the look in a more commercial way, invest in a pair of tailored shorts (check out Warehouse and Oasis in our shopping mall) and wear them over thick opaque tights and long boots, or long leggings and a pair of high heeled shoes.

Dear Caryn:

I just found your website this morning and I have a most important question.

My brother is soon to be inducted into the musicians hall of fame in Nashville, and is also receiving an award and we, his family, are going. I am 5'3" tall, wear size 10 to 12 petite clothes. I am top heavy. His wife has told me to wear bling bling black jeans with a flashy top, but I really had wanted to wear a black pants suit, sequin top and bottom more dressy.

After reading your website, now I am not sure that I should be wearing flashy clothing. I have bird legs, a little pouchy in the stomach, and no butt at all. I could really wear a size 6P pants except for the bust. I have very short short hair, spiked almost. Just changed my hair color from blonde to brown with caramel highlights. I am 64. The blonde, which is natural, made me look too old, and the style I was wearing was old timey teased and yuk yuk, out of style. I need your advice on what I should wear.

My brother says just to wear church clothes, cause the stars do all the dressing up. His wife says "go for it, dress up". I am confused.

Help. What would you do, if it were your brother?
The other family members are saying they don't know which way to go either.
Thanks for your advice. Anxiously awaiting.

Hi,

I would definitely dress up as its a big occassion and it's not often your brother receives awards. The trick is to get the right balance. So I suggest you look for a pair of smart black trousers and a single breasted jacket that you can then wear with a v shaped top to flatter your bust area. Check out marks and spencer in our shopping mall who do a label called per una, they have a fabulous tuxedo style jacket and trouser suit, or alternatively if you find the jacket too heavy looking opt for a cropped light weight jacket/bolero, such as the swirl print jacket by per una, also at marks and spencer.

Accessorize with a gorgeous quality silver belt and dressy earrings and shoes to match.This look will look glam without looking over the top.

Dear Caryn

I have been invited to two weddings, one in Mid November and another one at the start of December. I am on a budget and need a nice outfit to wear for each occasion. The first wedding is a church ceremony, the second is being held at a small hotel.

I am 27 years old, size 10-12 and about 5 ft 6 with mid brown hair. I would like to wear something fashionable and not too frumpy perhaps with a light coat for warmth. I love green so a dress in that colour would be ideal.

I don't particularly like my legs so would prefer to wear tights. Is it acceptable to wear black tights to a wedding?

Many Thanks
Kate

Hi Kate,
This is an excellent time of year to look for dresses and green is in fashion so you are in luck! Check out Next in our shopping mall who have two fabulous green satin dress, one is strapless that you could wear with a black bolero (check out Monsoon and Coast, also in our shopping mall), or there is one with straps and a bow which you could team with a fitted jacket (check out Gap in our shopping mall) and a black pashminia (check out HatsnStuff in our shopping mall). Accessorise with a clutch bag, elegant earrings and pair of black gorgeous heels. Final tip don't forget to wear a fascinator which you could buy from leading department store including John Lewis - pulls the wedding look together.