Yesterday, on quite possibly the hottest day we’ve had this year I went to collect my long black over-the-knee boots. I know the mags are all going on about them but they were one of my autumn winter preview orders.

Yes that’s how we in the fashion industry shop. Put simply: very early! It’s not because we can’t wait for the cold weather. Lordy I’m only just in shorts (bought months ago and kept in the drawer while the jeans and boots carried me right into mid July).

No it’s more to do with the fact that I ordered these puppies (pictured here looking adorable) way back in January. Of course I’d almost forgotten all about them, ecstatic as I was, to be out without any kind of waterproof layer or fold-up umbrella. That was until yesterday, when I got a call from the lovely Cynthia at Georgina Goodman to say they were in.

So I squeezed in a visit to Old Bond Street as I was already in the ‘hood’ (I had previously bought a Vivienne Westwood Anglomania dress round the corner but more about that another time), to pick them up.

This is actually what fashion ‘eds’ all over the land are doing before they go off on their hols, safe in the knowledge that upon their September return to work, they can hit the ground running in the current season offer.

I on the other hand have a shoot to organise for a well-known magazine, where I need to be wearing autumn winter styles. So that’s my excuse.

Of course I’ll tell you more about that as it nears but I’m feeling a bit cautious, as today I should have been blogging from a Sunday Times shoot in a Gareth Pugh dress.

It would have been a rather marvellous ‘career moment’ for me, since Gareth called me earlier this week from Paris to ask me to appear with him as the person who inspired him to go into fashion in the first place. But the colour sup types were not having happy thoughts at this.

I suspect they would have preferred a 20-something debutante ‘indi’ actress to be in the shoot with him. Make of that what you will. No matter Gareth and I are cool for another feature with a more authentic magazine.

That’s fashion for you! No really THAT’S FASHION.

Shame! I’m thinking my boots would have gone perfectly with this look too.

I don’t normally go to the park in heels but Sunday was different because I had agreed to turn up and judge a local T-shirt competition.

As I knew I was having my photograph taken by the Willesden and Brent local paper I thought I would fly the local flag with my new dress bought from a boutique called Smiths, just up the road from me.

Now I don’t know about you but I’ve been wearing skinnies under my dresses for two summers in a row and I’m feeling the need to leave them off now.

But it was cold inside the house without the blustery, will-rain-in-a-minute goings on outside.

This was a clear case for back up. So I went back to my wardrobe for some extra warmth and was well chuffed to see that the three-quarter length trousers I bought from Oasis many seasons ago and kept because they fitted so nicely were just the ticket.

I don’t know if you can see them as well as I’d like. (I was relying on a third party to capture the look and I don’t think he got where I was coming from really). But they hung below my dress by about 6 inches.

Anyway my point is that this dress with cropped trousers underneath has a retro feel to it that is wholly marvellous. The cute shoes with ankle ties added by me to keep them on (Georgina Goodman’s shoes) are helping the proportions which means I will be trying this solution with other dresses for that added warmth factor. (I’ve read the long term weather reports).

As you know I like to share clothing solutions I have found along the way so I’ll keep you posted (quite literally) with the results.

After pledging to wear only black and white for a week at least, I found myself rooting through the wardrobe for the look to see me through an important event.

And thanks to those of you who wrote words of comfort when I was rather concerned about a ‘print and volume,’ blunder I made recently. Even we fashion types can take a fall!

Since then I’ve been keeping a low profile, determined to blend in to the background. (That was not to be achieved though since twice this week they have played old clips of ‘The Clothes Show,’ on TV). And there have been more school events than I can shake a stick at. I always feel duty bound to make half an effort at those.

Anyway I purposefully edited my rails making my youngest sister (who is a teacher and therefore on a limited budget) very happy. I love seeing my much-loved clothes go to a good home. There were plenty of items that were good for a few more seasons but I was feeling generous. This should have speeded the selection process and made getting ready in the morning easier in theory.

(One of the reasons for my fashion faux pas could well have been too little prep time).

However I had not factored in the changeable weather. Bare legs and heels had seemed like a good idea the night before, but when I woke up it was freezing.

Suddenly I was back in a quandary with minutes to go before the car arrived - black clothes and black opaque tights seemed a touch heavy handed. Careful attention to colour is crucial - especially when you are hosting an event – I didn’t want to look like the headmistress or anything!

So I quickly changed my skirt to give the whole look a lift. Luckily I hadn’t donated this plucky pencil skirt, which has hung around in my wardrobe for ages ready for just this moment.

Actually I’m loving me in this – it’s the perfect solution. Now I’m wondering whether I should recall some of those trusty garments back until my autumn wardrobe is fully functional!

Hi Caryn,

I stumbled across your page as I was looking for information re: clothes to fit my body. I supposedly have what people state is a “perfect female” body in that it is curvy, but I have an impossible time finding clothes that fit me.
At the end of every shopping trip, I end up in tears because I just can’t find things that fit me. My bust size is 34-c/d, my waist is 29″ and my hips are 39″.

I can never find pants that fit the hips and bottom and thighs unless they gap by over 5″ at the waist. I was thinking about buying your e-book, but was confused if I’m a “pear” or “curvy”. AND, it appears that you are based in the UK…does the style advice cross the ocean to the USA?!?

Much thanks in advance, Michelle

Caryn Replies:

Hi Michelle,

I sympathise. Your curvaceous (some call it hour-glass) body shape is wonderful but most women have thicker waists and the clothing industry caters for them.

First of all the curvaceous e-book is written for your shape and provides many styling tools and is just as relevant if you are in the States. All my e-books (and there are 19 of them) give you great tools for working with your particular body shape.

Your issue could be more about fit than shape from what you say. I’ve enclosed below a guide to help you decide whether you are pear or hourglass because it’s about your perceptions, but the immediate problem of fit ratio where your hips and waist is concerned re clothing manufacturers is not addressed.

However I have a great steer. For jeans I heartily suggest AJK jeans. Because she has the same body shape as you, this designer has created a design that you can pull in at the waist with lacing to give you better fit and you will find the website in our jeans shopping mall.

And of course there is the low rise jean that will do a better job for you because you can buy it fit your hips and not your waist. As the fashion industry is now introducing high waists for this season don’t delay in getting in a few low rise pairs before they disappear form the shops.

What you need to do is cut out potential frustrations areas so:

• Do choose separates like skirts and tops rather than dresses because these will be easier to fit separately. You may find you do have to tweak at the waistband of skirts, but you know most stylists sew or pin clothes to get a better fit because we expect more from our clothes
• Garments with some ‘give’ like knitwear will cling round your waist and ease over your bust.
• Jersey is another fabric to prioritise.

As far as styling is concerned, longer length tops can be anchored in with a great belt this means you can wear tunic tops and you are giving your body shape by defining bust and waist this will always be your priority.

You can afford to wear a big wide belt to balance bust and hips most times. In fact start collecting them as they can help with a variety of style dilemmas – a jersey dress for instance if it has enough fabric to skim your hips, can be pulled in with a belt to create fit.

You will start to get better at recognising what will work for you and my e-book will certainly help you to organise your style and play to your strengths.

I do hope that from here on in shopping becomes more enjoyable.

Looking for details of “How to Look Good” ebooks for your body shape?
Check out the ebook home page and see which is the right one for you!

Hi Caryn,

Anastasia

Caryn replies:

Apple shapes are an easy to camoflage body type and I give lots of styling tools in my body shape e-books. These tools will last a lifetime and with all the diagrams, you will be in no doubt what suits you.

But let me outline a few tips here. Dresses with empire lines which raise the waist up under the bustline will help conceal your middle. I’ve written about the marvellous empire line in the first of my blogs under ‘intelligent dressing’. To see an illustration of what I mean why not have a look?

A dress with central detail will also draw the eyes through your middle creating a vertical streamlining effect Coast have a dress called the Janine dress that is well worth investigating and the halter-neck of this style will also soften your upper torso.

Now add a layer that draws attention to you upper body. Invest in a bolero to soften the look. An alternative is also by Coast who have a long maxi dress called the Goddess maxi dress. The deep V- neckline is perfect for you and the colour is outstanding.

Wear with a pair of Spanx (support pants – all the red carpet celebs wear them) to help add curves to your figure, these available from a John Lewis or figleaves in our shopping mall.

Finally a statement necklace will keep the attention up around your face, will ensure – you are the belle of the ball!

Looking for details of “How to Look Good” ebooks for your body shape?
Check out the ebook home page and see which is the right one for you!