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!

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