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

September

Hi Caryn
I wonder if you could help me with information on where to buy elegant, well-made wide fitting shoes. Most of the models I've seen are either based on orthopaedic wear or are very cheap.

Kind regards
Moira

Dear Moira,
I am pleased to be able to recommend a fantastic British website called plusinboots.co.uk who specialise in sourcing gorgeous wide fitting boots and shoes at good prices. They have a really comprehensive sizing chart to ensure you choose the right fitting shoe for you and are fast becoming a god send for wide fitting women across the globe.

Another place to try is a semi bespoke company called Selve. They digitally measure your foot -which would involve an initial trip to their shoe lounge in central London - they then make a shoe to your specifications in style, fabric and colour. They keep your details on their data base so you can make future orders without even leaving the comfort of your own home. Prices start from around £100, the quality is great and you have the freedom to get a personally individualised pair of shoes every time you buy! Have a look at their website at www.selve.co.uk

A world of comfortable stylish shoes awaits, do let us
know how you get on.

Hi
I'm 5ft 2, and 3 months pregnant. Normally I'm petite (but top heavy) and all my clothes tend to emphasize my waist to put a bit of proportion back to my big boobs and short legs. however, since I'm already 'showing', my normal waisted skirts, jeans etc don't fit, while shortish tops are rising up to expose my belly. I've tried a few maternity shops, but have found all the 'bottom halfs' huge - with excess material around the thighs and back of bum in trousers for eg. There also seems to be acres of extra fabric around the waist in some 'fold over' styles, which if there's not much space between your boobs and waist, just looks plain odd.

I have this sort of problem all the time anyway, but the pregnancy seems to be exaggerating it. Are there ANY shops that cater for petite and pregnant ladies (apparently people do fancy us enough to get us up the duff)?!!
Vanessa.

Dear Vanessa,
Congratulations on your impending arrival! A relatively new maternity label called Isabella Oliver will be perfect for you. They have been designing some gorgeous maternity wear for the stylish modern, mum to be for the past few years. Worked around the idea of a capsule wardrobe, their clothes are designed to grow with you and are cut in simple lines and flattering shapes.

The label has recently introduced a line specifically for petite ladies called Neat Petites which should solve your problems. It is however a bit tricky to find on their website, the best thing to do is to click on the 'All About You' section on the sites homepage and this will take you through to Neat Petites link. Their website address is www.isabellaoliver.com

i am looking for a pair of wedding shoes but i only take a size 2.I am only 4ft 10in tall so i do need a high heel.please can you help me i am getting quite desperate now.

Hi,
A fantastic place to start would be a company called Ivory Shoes, they are the experts when it comes to wedding shoes of all kinds. They have all the very best designers and cater for all price ranges in nearly all sizes. They have stores in both London and Birmingham, their website, www.ivoryshoes.com will tell you how to find them or call 0207 495 3484 for further information.

All the best for your special day.

hi,
I am a size 8 shoe with a wide fitting. I am getting married in November and I can't find the shoes that fit and look stunning at the same time. I need help, I won't even go into the fact that being a plus size (24 46E) that underwear for my big day is also causing me distress.
Help me

regards
Alena

Hi Alena,
I would like to recommend a brilliant American site to you, who will obviously ship to the UK. Called Designershoes.com, they specialise in ''women who leave a larger foot print' and have styles in narrow, medium, wide and extra wide widths. They have a beautiful selection of bridal shoes, nearly exclusively all from a company called Special Occasions, which can be found under the 'Brands' list.

Please take time to look at the size and the currency converter charts on the site before you place an order. For you, a British size 8 will translate into an American size 10, you will have to measure the width of your foot to determine which width shoe you need. All directions are on the site.

Designershoes.com recommend that international customers email them at info@designershoes.com for a quote on the shipping cost for your individual order. The right lingerie on your special day is so important, uk based Aphrodisa Lingerie are sure to be able to help you. Their plus size bridal selection is excellent, they have some beautiful peices at great prices. Check out their site at www.aphrodisia.co.uk.

I hope these help towards you having a truly amazing
day Alena.

Hi,
My name is Ariel. And I was wondering what type of shoes I could where with the peasant skirt I got for my freshman year in high school. I want it to be casual yet sophisticate, yet stylish. Please help me! The skirt is black and touches the ground.

Thank you,
Ariel

Hi Ariel,
A peasant skirt is a fab buy, its super stylish and will literally go with anything!

Shoe wise it will depend on the weather. A pair of round toed, flat bally pumps in silver, black or bronze will look chic whatever the weather, but for more seasonal options choose a gorgeous pair of jewelled sandals or flip flops if its hot weather, and, in the winter months, either some cowboy boots or some Frye boots will look stylish and also give you room to wear chunky woolly socks to keep your feet
warm!

Have fun in your Freshman year!

dear Caryn
i prefer my jeans without stretch ( 100% cotton) but find it extremely difficult to find jeans that do not have elastane in them. can you help?

thanks
liz stephen

Dear Liz,
Gap are the place for you. They have 100% cotton jeans in various styles, cuts and washes. Gap works hard to provide excellent customer service, so I'm sure one of their helpful store assistants will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

Call 0800 427789 for your nearest store.

Dear Caryn,
I have been wearing the same boots for three years because I can't find any that fit!I have wide feet anyway,but also have really bad bunions(probably caused by ill fitting shoes).I therefore have the double problem of finding shoes that fit and also hide my unsightly feet.

Please, please help....am I destined to spend my life in trainers??!!I'm a size 5/6
Thanks
Victoria

Dear Victoria,
Don't worry you are certainly not destined to life in trainers, hopefully the next few places will be able to help you.............

The first place I'd like to recommend is a fantastic British website called plusinboots.co.uk who specialise in sourcing gorgeous wide fitting boots and shoes at good prices. They have a really comprehensive sizing chart to ensure you choose the right fitting shoe for you and are fast becoming a god send for wide fitting women across the globe.

For shoes in particular; a great place to try is a semi bespoke company called Selve. They digitally measure your foot -which would involve an initial trip to their shoe lounge in central London, however this will ensure you have a perfect fit - they then make a shoe to your specifications in style, fabric and colour. They keep your details on their data base so you can make future orders without even leaving the comfort of your own home. Prices start from around £100, the quality is great and you have the freedom to get a personally individualised pair of shoes every time you buy! Have a look at their website at www.selve.co.uk

One tip to bear in mind is to either measure or try shoes on last thing in the day, feet swell as the day goes on and are generally at their biggest at the end of the day. There are also a number of bunion conservative products on the market now including bunion shields among others which are designed to help alleviate pain and inflamation. A website called ww.footsmart.com seems to be pretty comprehensive with plenty of tips and advice, plus all products can be bought from here.

I do hope this helps you Victoria.

I need help.

I am a youngish mother, Only 27. I am a typical pear shape (but on the large side) I am 5ft 5" and my size is as follows: -
Top half: size 16-18 dependent on shape or style
Bottom half: 20-22 again dependent on style.

I find the clothes I chose are really mumsy and have a nightmare trying to find anything to fit my bottom without gapping about 3 inches round my waist.

I get really frustrated when I go shopping with all the endless trying things on and never finding anything that really suits.

I so want to be hip and with it but constantly feel let down by what I can find or what actually fits.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please.....
Desperate
Emma

Dear Emma,
Don't worry, help is at hand....

Firstly have a look at my e-book for Fuller and Pear Shaped Figures available from the howtolookgood website (click here), it will give you the all the tools, tips and ideas you will need to help you choose flattering outfits, and get you looking fabulous in your clothes again.

With these tips and ideas in mind you will be able to look at buying clothes in a whole new light, a great place to get your wardrobe back up to scratch is British mail order company Simply Be who specialise in fashionable womens' clothing in sizes 14 to 32. Their fantastic on trend clothes are designed with curves in mind and are updated each season keeping in-line with whats happening on the catwalk. The quality is excellent and the prices are great. They also have a lingerie, little black dress, holiday, sports and footwear sections with boots in wider calf widths and gorgeous shoes in D to EEEE widths.

Go to www.simplybe.co.uk to browse their on line store or call 0870 160 6100 for a catalogue.

I really do hope this helps Emma, dressing for your body shape really just needs to follow a few simple rules, and there are some fab things out there in your size which won't make you look at all mumsy.

Please do let me know how you get on.

Hi,
I have extra large breast (36 II) w/o enhancement and short legs (inseam is 31"). I am a typical hourglass figure. Any suggestions?

thanks
Sylvia B.

Dear Sylvia,
I'm so pleased you have written in, I have just written a brand new Curvaceous E-Book which will be absolutely perfect for you!

Its like a personalised bible packed with invaluable 'do's and don'ts', ideas and loads of styling tips specifically for the hourglass figure. It will provide all the tools you need to go out and choose fabulous clothes that flatter and compliment your individual shape season after season.

All my E-Books are available to order from the www.howtolookgood.com website and are priced at £5.97 each.

Do let me know what you think, its great to get feed back.