Contributions from Caryn Franklin, Jane Galpin, Melissa Dick and Kathryn Byrne.

October

Dear Caryn,
I am 5'2"(just) I have a 36G bust (approx 44") 33" waist although this fluctuates between 31-34" and a 40" hip. I take a size 16-18 and have lost a lot of weight in 2002 I weighed 15 stone 10oz and was a size 22, so am pleased that I have lost some weight, at my slimmest I was 11 stone 3oz and a 14-16.

I am top heavy but am also very "egg timer" in my shape I am a large build and have muscular legs and arms although I have a rather protruding tummy (which I hate).

I love fashion but like to keep my own style which is a bit quirky and 50’s in style i.e. pencil skirts and fitted jackets.

Whilst I am not under the illusion that clothes can make me slim, I would like to look my best

What cut of clothes should I be using to make the most of my figure, particularly as I am on a budget?

Attached are a couple of photos which may help.2 of my wedding day 2 years ago and one of me about a month ago in greece

With thanks, anticipating your helpful advice
Rach

Hi Rach,
The best cut of top you can choose will be a stretchy but fitted dark V-neckline. (Wallis have some great three quarter length sleeved black cardigans in at the moment). Now add underneath this a brightly coloured (maybe a little lace trim camisole vest top). This will just poke out of the v-neck. What immediately happens is the darker colour minimises the bust and tummy area while the bright colour at your bust reads as a small and deliciously feminine bustline.

You can apply this tool to what ever top or jacket you choose. Keeping the darker colour over the whole of the upper torso and the bright colour as a small area.

The photo you have shown me shows a hard black horizontal line stretching across your upper body as a petite this will foreshorten you and also add volume to your bust area. You have also cut your body in half with two very contrasting colours and this again will foreshorten you.

Prioritise clothing that makes vertical lines through your body e.g. a long cardigan with a top and skirt of the same colour grouping. Your choice of 50’s style garments is perfect, the crop jackets will be a good style for you. We will put you on our list to receive the updated e-book with many more drawings to help you clarify your style.

Hi
Having recently discovered duo boots, I have at last managed to find a pair of knee length boots with a chunky low heel that I can do up. I have just purchased your fuller figure pear shaped book but am still unsure what I could wear them with. I quite like the idea of cropped trousers to wear with them but am unsure of styles or if they will look silly! Please could you advise?
Many thanks
Sonja

Hi Sonja,
These boots will be very versatile for you. The will go with all cropped trousers and longer length trousers you have as well as skirts. You can style the look in a co-ordinated urban chic kind of way with colourful cropped jackets, tops with colour or pattern and wide belts at the waist (keep the skirt black to match the boots and minimise the bottom half of your body). These boots will also work just as well with jeans – especially dark denim boot leg cut and other casual styles. I would avoid anything too fitted like pencil skirts because the boot will look too clumpy underneath.

Enjoy!

Hi Caryn
I desperately need your help! I have a formal wedding to go to in a couple of weeks and am not happy with the outfit I have bought - it is plain, bland and boring! I am now in a flat panic and would appreciate any suggestions you have on where the best place to shop is. I am 5 ft 2, Size 8 and 34B - I ordered your Petite and Pear Shaped Ebook a couple of days ago to help me with shopping as it is not something I enjoy and usually end up in floods of tears with bags of clothes I don't like only to be returned the next day! Please help. Thanking you kindly,
Tania x

Hi Tania,
I’m so sorry about the delay in replying. I have been filming a new series of the Clothes Show and your letter got overlooked. I do hope I’m not too late to help.

I suggest a quick visit to Principles. They have an excellent petite range one of the best in my opinion they have more and more special occasion-wear too. Take in Topshop while you are in town too. Have you also tried our petite shopping section

There really are some excellent companies one I want to recommend is a small but growing company in there called petite affair. www.petiteaffair.co.uk – if you can’t view the collection just ring the number and ask for Debbie who is the designer and say I sent you, she can talk you through the designs that are suitable for your size.

We are just updating our e-books with many more pictures so e-mail me in a month and we will send the new bigger and better one so you have even more information when shopping.

Hi,
I have been looking for ages for some pointy cowboy boots without a heel and have had no luck - can you recommend me somewhere to buy them please.
Thanks,
Ami

Hi Ami,
There is a well known shop in the Kings Road called ‘R Soles’ who specialise in cowboy boots. I recommend you call them 020 7351 5520 to discuss what you’re looking for as they are experts when it comes to cowboy boots and I am not sure you’ll find cowboy boots easily without a heel. Or check out their website in our shopping mall

Hi
I’m going to a Gala Dinner on New Year’s Eve and would like to wear a long dress but not sure if it’s a bit dated for a woman of my age – early 50s. The evening consists of the dinner followed by a casino, live band and disco and held in the Abode Hotel in Exeter which is an elegant hotel overlooking the Cathedral.

I am quite fashion conscious so any advice would be appreciated.
Regards
Vanessa

Hi Vanessa,
Long dresses are classic so it’s ok but I would recommend structure in the dress such as boning or corsetry but look for ones with a flared skirt avoiding really full circle skirts. Also, it may be a good idea to use figure defining underwear from www.redcarpetundies.com

Enjoy the Gala Diner

Hi Caryn,
I had a baby 3 and a half months ago and cant seem to shift my thigh area. I am an approximate size 12 bottom (depending where i shop) and 5ft 3''.Have you got any advice how to make my legs and thighs look longer and slimmer.
Thanks for your help
Joanne, Merseyside

Hi Joanne,
Empire lines dresses worn with pointy boots are the solution for you.

An empire line is where the waistline appears higher than usual (just under the bust), this gives the illusion of height and no-one will see your legs and tummy. Also, the pointy boots will make your legs look longer. There are plenty of empire lines dresses around on the high-street this season.

Hi Caryn
I am after some ideas on how to wear white jeans in the winter months.When I put them with black or brown they seem to harsh. I am 5' 3,size 10 and a bit pear shaped.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Suzanne

Hi Suzanne,
You need colour balance when you wear black boots, I’d suggest you add a black sweater or you could invest in grey boots (this season’s colour) and a grey piece of knitwear.

Hi, I am 36; 5’8’’ and a size 12/14, with a 34DD bust having lost a stone and a half over the last year. However I am quite badly proportioned with a long body and short legs, and I carry my weight around mainly around by hips and thighs.. I am going to a very posh wedding at the beginning of December and need something knock-out to wear, I am also spending Hogmanay in Glasgow and will probably be doing something trendy (bars / clubs) but still quite upmarket whilst I am there and I would like at least part of my outfit to be suitable for that. I will also need a capsule wardrobe for the rest of my stay in Glasgow (1 week).

Budget is not too much of a problem, I can probably spend £500 or so on the wedding outfit, plus accessories.

Hope you can help!
Sarah

Hi Sarah,
Your proportions would be perfect for an empire line. This is where the cut of the dress is moulded to the bust to create definiton and then flares out over the tummy and thighs. This way no one would see where your waist sits or the curve of your bottom and thighs. Having just seen the House of Fraser look book I can recommend a trip there for this style, there is a wonderful vintage crystal empire line dress by Nocturne for £350 leaving plenty for your peep toe patent shoes.

There are cheaper dresses however labels to look for once you get to HOF are ‘Derhy’ for their velvet devore empire line dresses, plus ‘Naughty’ these come in at £100 to £150.

I’ve also made a shopping list of other items to include in your search fro a capsule wardrobe there.

Wide flare trousers – to flare from hip
V- neck sweater to minimise bust
Oversized long line wrap cardigan to be worn with wide leather belt.
Herringbone or subtle houndstooth coat
Empire line day dresses to be worn with dark tights and knee high boots.

Enjoy your shopping spree.

Dear Caryn,
please can you recommend somewhere i can get a jacket that will fit my long back without it having to be a full length coat or cardigan? Im 21 and like elegant, classic styles with a modern twist to add some detail. What do you suggest? i have a 32B bust, and back is 21.5 inches from nape of the neck to my hips, and shoulders are about 17/18inches broad. Im normally a 10 on top, but coats are often more comfortable in a 12. I'd like to be able to wear it for the autumn winter when im out and about, so a smart/casual feel would be best if possible.

Thank you!
Kim

Hi Kim,
As you have a long back you should look at the ‘Tall’ ranges for jackets & tops available in the stores such as Topshop or Dorothy Perkins. Don’t forget Long Tall Sally who sell online + 34 stores nationwide who have a good selection of jackets that will cater for a longer length torso. You’ll find their websites in our Tall category in our Shopping Mall

It’s a good time to look now as all the best of winter fashions are coming into the shops now.

I just purchased a few pairs of skinny jeans and love the way the look but am not sure what shoes to wear with them. I am 5 foot 6.5 inches and weight about 108 pounds. I have some boots and I know the trend is to tuck them into the boots, but I just am not real sure of that. I have to be careful too not to wear too high of heels, as I have a short husband and if I have on heels, I look taller than him. I was wondering if a pair of dressy flip flops with a very low heel or some of the cork shoes would look okay.
LJ

Dear LJ
The skinny jeans can really only work with boots worn over the top – this has become a classic style and even my hardcore stylist friend says this is a cool look.

The length is up to you, high ankle to knee high length, high heels or flat styles. All of these are perfect for skinnys!