Contributions from Caryn Franklin, Jane Galpin and Claire Ginzler.

September

Dear Caryn,
Having purchased your e-book (petite and pear-shaped), I have realised that 90% of the clothes in my wardrobe neither fit nor flatter my shape, including some expensive suits. As a 5 ft 1" barrister, I need to look smart and tailored for work, but find it impossible to shop even in London for clothes of real quality that really fit. Can you recommend a good London-based tailor with experience of cutting clothes for petite women who would be able to make me a collection of trousers and skirts? I'm looking for really high-quality, well-cut essentials that will last for a few years and, having wasted so much money on ill-fitting clothes, I am happy to pay for the privilege.

Thanks very much,
Aimee

Hi Aimee,
Well I'm sorry to hear that you feel most of your existing clothes don't work for you but I'm excited to think that you are on your way to a new wardrobe. You are right to think that a tailor can give you a good fit, I know that lengths are not always catered for even in the petite ranges. In your business authority and confidence are two key factors and clothes will help present the image you want.

One of the women we work with is Joyce Young. She works in the bespoke bridal market but also creates tailored outfits for all the female guests. She has a shop in London with a workroom underneath and a bespoke service would be yours. She is a lovely person so just tell her Jane and Caryn recommended her.

By Storm
Joyce Young
11 Chiltern Street W1
Tel 0207 224 7888.

Hi Caryn
I recently bought a pair of black shorts but I don't know how to wear them. I don't really want to wear them with bare legs because they are quite short and I don't like revealing my legs. Do shorts go with leggings? I have a pair of white leggings but I'm not sure if they match. Do you have any tips as what colour I should wear?

Secondly what style top should I wear with them? Does any colour top go with black? And should the top colour be the same colour as the leggings.
Thank you.
Heather

Hi Heather
Shorts are still going to be hot for Autumn/Winter so they are a good purchase! Wear them with black or coloured opaque tights (at least 40 Denier)such as plum or burgundy. Don't wear leggings with them unless you are a teenager, and definitely avoid white altogether.

If you are wearing shorts with black opaque tights, then opt for a brighter colour such as red, purple or electric blue, these colours are very much around for Autumn and will carry you through until Winter. As shorts tends to be fitted you can also go for a looser fitting top such as a blouse or loose fitting vest and cardigan.

If you chose purple opaque tights with your black shorts then you should avoid contrasting colours in your top half as this would be too much with the tights, again a purple blouse and then a black waistcoat balances out with the tights and shows off your waist. Or simply wear a black blouse with jewellery to add a splash of colour.

Hi there!
Im looking for a 50's style wedding dress.å Im a size 16 and have big boobs. I'd love one of those dresses that are fitted at the waist but stick out with a net underskirt with the length about knee length. I'd also like a little jacket as i dont like my upper arms.

I've searched and searched but can't find anywhere that stocks such an item.
Please help!!!
Jill

Hi Jill
Check out Candy Anthony who designs dresses in 1950's and 1960's styles. Her 50's style dresses comes in colours such as chocolate, red, plum and pink, as well as prints, and come with the net skirt. She also does matching little bolero style jackets which will definately cover your upper arms. Candy is based in London and her number is (+44) 020 7803 0898

Debenhams (check them out in our shopping mall) in their wedding section they currently have a 50's style dress by the duo designers Pearce Fionda which is strapless with a full skirt, and they have your size in stock. You could also buy a net skirt from Beyond Retro (based in London W1 and just off Brick Lanes in east London) who have a full range of colourful skirts.

If you are stuck for shoes, then take a look at vivaladiva.com (also in our shopping mall) and look at Lulu Guinness Luisa Sandal £143.50.

Have a lovely wedding.

I am 20 years old and am tired of being told that I barely look old enough to drive. I am 5'3" and 108lbs. So in short I have a smaller body structure. I am well proportioned when it comes to my chest and hips (well I think with my body size). I am about to be 21 and am also in college to become a high school teacher. My biggest fear is that my students will not see me as a teacher because of my youthful appearance and will only see me as a peer, which as we all know could turn out to be a very bad thing. I also just recently got married and am sick of people going really? How old are you? Please give me any tips so that I can look my age, but not look like I am trying to look older. Thanks! P.S. If a picture of me would help please email me back.

Thanks
Mrs. D.

Hi D
Tailoring is definitely the way forward for you. It will not only flatter your figure but also help to give you confidence about how you look and therefore how you come across to others.

The good news is that tailoring is very much on trend for Autumn and the right looks will help you to look fashionable modern as well as giving you a sense of authority. Suggestions for your body shape are a pair of high waisted bootcut trousers (great for your height as they will add length) or a high waisted skirt and team this with a fitted shirt and a waistcoat to give you shape around your waist or simply team with a front bow tie or cropped jacket. You could also look out for cropped trousers which you can wear with a pair of high heeled boots.If you have trouble getting the fit you want in boots try www.duoboots.com who cut to petite height and slender leg widths.

Go for rich colours like plums, cobalt blues these have an authority of their own and use texture in the suiting fabric like a tweed or dogtooth to suggest maturity

A good place to start is Oasis who have high waisted skirts and trousers and also worth a look is Freemans (check both out in our shopping mall) as they have a variety of good work wear within their petite section.

Finally use one piece of jewellery to draw the eye to the top of your body and resist the urge to wear anything that looks too fussy. Teenagers will often throw on a lot of layers and you can distinguish yourself by creating a more minimal approach.

I am going to a formal wedding in a couple of months and would love to wear a hat the problem is I have a big head and cannot get one to fit I do not want to wear a facinator as I always wear them at other weddings.
Many Thanks
Sharon

Hi Sharon
Check out Felicity hat hire (www.felicity.co.uk), they offer a huge range of different style of hats from a variety of designers. Their hats are high end and available to hire from £15, they also offer a measuring service to help you find the right hat.

It is also worth taking a visit to the major department stores such as John Lewis and Debenhams and trying on the various brands thay have available. Like clothing ranges, different brands generally work to different specifications so it really is a matter of finding what fits your head.

Hi Caryn
I am in my mid fifties and over 6ft tall, I currently use Long Tall Sally and Dorothy Perkins for trousers. I am a size 18/20 and have real trouble finding any really good quality black mid weight wool/crepe trousers in 36 inside leg length, I love Country Casuals/Per Una/Windsmoor quality but just cant find anything, also same problem for really nice evening wear, can you help please?
Many Thanks
Faye

Hi Faye
Marks and Spencers have two ranges called Limited and Autograph and every season have a great selection of good quality trousers, that can be dressed up or down, they come generally in neutral colours such as navy, black, cream and of course a longer length, check them out in our shopping mall.

You could also check out Boden (again in our shopping mall) who stock trousers such as wool and washed velvet and go up to size 20 and and a longer length.

Max Mara is a more up market company that do longer lengths and they can be found in the selected department stores.

In our shopping mall tall section there are other companies too so give them a try.

Hello
im 4ft 11 and a size 12/14 and would love to find a pair of jeans that suit my shape being short and not a size 8 is very difficult could you advise me on the best style?
Louise

Hi Louise
Go for jeans that are a darker colour or at least one tone as this will give you a longer leaner look. Jeans with front creases built in are also good for this. If you have slender legs go for a skinny jean and if you are curvier go for boot cut style.

The mistake is to go for jeans that sit well with flats but then have no length for when you wear heels, so always ensure you have a little more in length.

You should check out Dorothy Perkins, Gap, Miss Selfridge in our Shopping Mall. Also, Uniqlo do a skinny and bootcut dark jean in shorter length at a very reasonable price of around £35.

For information on what's good for your height you could buy our E-book available at our website which also comes with a free jeans e-book to help find the best jeans labels for you.

Hi
I have just come across your site after hours of searching for a classy elegant black cocktail dress...honestly there is so much rubbish on here!!

I am not looking to spend a fortune, but I can't help thinking that there must be someone out they're selling what I am looking for for around the £100 mark???

I am size 8, 5'3 tall. half decent legs so a nice tailored knee length, Audrey Hepburn style top maybe??

Look forward to your reply
Denise
P.S I am in the North West

Hi Denise
Just back off my hols. I'm presuming you've tried the department stores. I was at the Miss Selfridge press show and the River Island shows where I can preview the forthcoming Autumn collections both had a strong cocktail section. It's worth keeping an eye on their sites for the new season but, have you tried Gorgeous Couture.com? You'll find all of these in our Shopping Mall.

This is a great site because the designer just specialises in evening wear and you can even get a made to measure service. Being in the NW is no problem and your budget will definitely get you something on there. I've used them before for shoots and they are lovely. Do let me know how you get on.

Hi Caryn,
I am getting married next year in Florida with only our parents and sons present in Cypress Grove Park and then a party back home for all our friends. As it is not a traditional wedding I have chosen a long chiffon dress in Aubergine which looks great. I just wanted to ask you what colour sandals would go best with my dress and I thought that my partner could wear a long sleeved white shirt, waistcoat and scrunch tie with long trousers rather than a suit or linen short sleeved shirt etc. But I have no idea what colour waistcoat to get him that would compliment my dress?

Also my two young sons will be our ring bearers so I would like them to look smart but I am not sure if they should match their dad or wear something different, any advice would be very appreciated as I feel like I am going round in circles and cannot ask anyone as the wedding is a secret (even from our parents)!!

Thank you very much for your time.
Nickie

Hi Nickie,
Aubergine sounds lovely and there are many complimentary choices of sandal gold or silver being the obvious also cream. Take the dress if you can when you look for the shoe just to see the colours together you don't have to be wearing it though.

I would suggest your partner matches your dress with his tie, the colour doesn't have to be spot on but a similar shade. I would suggest a cream shirt and a cream waistcoat, white is rather hard on the eye and can be less flattering in pictures.

As for your two boys, perhaps they could have simple aubergine waist coats made so that they are co-ordinated but not the same as their father. This is your wedding and you can pull it together how ever you want so don't get too stressed about the colour co-ordination everything will be fine.

Jane and I are both at the National Wedding Show in Birmingham and London later in the month www.nationalweddingshow.co.uk . There are lots of companies exhibiting that could give you ideas so if you are planning a trip why don't you come and see us. Just knock on the back stage door at the How to Look Good on your Wedding Day stage.