www.curvety.com is one of those great companies that we like to remind you of from time to time. It’s an online shopping emporium of clothing and lingerie with designer chic and a comfortable fit in sizes 16 – 36. If you want clothes that look great on and accentuate your curves then click no further!

www.curvety.com has a whole range of gorgeous dresses such as this boudoir lace dress that seductively shows off your curvaceous silhouette with a darker chocolate base and a v-neck that will flatter your bosom. Keep the look seductive and sleek with minimal styling and just a a slick of red lipstick.

They’ve also got chic skirts, trousers and tops such as this twist front floral top with its v-neck shape to flatter a bigger bust, empire line to cover tummies and an-all-over print to compliment curves. Style with a pair of tailored wide leg trousers or a maxi skirt for maximum impact!
Get celebrating your curves!
Boudoir Lace Dress in Chocolate, £108.00, Sizes 16-32
Abbey Twist Front Floral Top, £52, Sizes 16-32
Report by Sharon Tyler
Categories: Body Shapes
Tags: curvy fashion,Fashion Advice,fashion tips,floral printed top,fuller figure fashion,high street fashion,how to dress,How to Look Good,lace dress,plus size fashion,Styling Advice,Styling Tips,www.curvety.com

Commercial shows like the one I just spent the last 4 days hosting at Pavillions Birmingham can be every bit as uplifting and inspirational as any London Fashion Week Show.
This is Valerie Pain at Close Models who is in big demand…you may have seen her already in my All Walks Campaigns.
The fact is women want to see great fashion to inspire them…this jacket and dress from this season’s looks at HOBBS went down a storm, and many older women commented that seeing Valerie rock the shorter knee length with 70 denier opaque black tights and heeled brogues inspired them to try shorter lengths too! Many younger women just loved seeing her!
The weekend was all about styling advice and fashion tips…you know I have lots to give – so just help yourself to a free body shape workshop!
Now that we have the Ben Barry Phd research showing retailers categorically that older women are responsive to advertising messages containing a more diverse range of models, I expect to see some change for the better…particularly to female self esteem!
Jane and I have been working with Debenhams to create more imagery of gorgeous older women so I’ll give you a heads up when it’s out.
Photography Paul Ward
Categories: Forty plus
Tags: 40 plus women,67 year old model. Mature models,ageless style,All Walks Beyond the Catwalk,Caryn Franklin,Close Models,Diverse Models,Fashion Advice,fashion tips,forty plus models,grey hair,how to dress,older models,older women,Pavilions Birmingham,Style Birmingham Weekend,Styling Tips,Valerie Pain

So there I was…last week happily tweeting about being grey then yesterday the Observer feature hits the stands then blow me down this morning Radio 4 send a mobile recording studio to my house to talk more! So wedged in between their usual political output, I add a style footnote.

As you know I love fashion and I’m not the compromising type.. so it’s good that new research will make retailers sit up and take note.
(I’ve talked about it in depth in my latest Huffington Post blog, promoting what we are up to at the award winning campaign All Walks but here are the highlights!)
It comes from Phd Graduate of the Judge Business School, Cambridge University, Ben Barry who has just finished his study of consumer behavior. He can attest for the fact that women over 40 do not respond to advertising aimed at young women. HOWEVER they do respond in the strongest terms to fashion imagery aimed at them.
Since we are by far the larger demographic with more spending power to leverage…commercial CEO’s will have to listen as commerce will dictate terms if nothing else!
It’s not rocket science is it? But as usual what we know instinctively takes a while to filter down to the money men.
As you can see even the youngsters are coveting a bit of the old ’steely hue.’ And I’m expecting the latest shots I did with Debenhams featuring 55 year old professional model Michele to hit the press soon.
As I think about it, there are lots of women in the fashion industry who all rock a great head of silver locks…. Time for change?
Watch this space!
And thanks to Chris Floyd who not only took this fine photograph above, but also respected my desire for absolutely no post production manipulation on it. Just good lighting!
Categories: Diversity · Forty plus
Tags: Caryn Franklin,Caryn Franklin's hair,Debenhams,fashion for older women,grey hair,grey hair in fashion,looking good after 40,new research on older women,no post production,Observer Piece and grey hair
We’re hearing the call of the wild this season as animal prints take over the fashion kingdom. Leopard spots, which are almost becoming a classic in themselves, are joined by Snakes, Zebras and even Dalmations.
Trust your own animal instincts and inject a little roar (or a hiss, or a bark!) into your wardrobe. There are plenty of wearable options, it’s just about selecting the right pieces for your style and shape…You don’t have to go the whole hog!

Leopard Printed Mac
This leopard printed belted Mac will perfectly show off your curves making your waist the focal point. It will add a seductive edge to any look and the all-over print will act like a camouflage – preventing eyes from focussing on any one point.
Savoir Leopard print Mac, sizes 10-28, £45
Leopard Printed Mac
The maxi trend just flows on and on! It’s a super stylish addition to any wardrobe and it will lengthen and elongate whatever your shape. A muted all-over pattern compliments curves and will also flatter petites as the print won’t overwhelm your frame. The soft, fluid shape will cover hips and thighs if you’re pear shaped.
Mint Velvet Snake print dress, sizes 8-18, £125
Zebra Print Kaftan
This kaftan top will also compliment curves via its belted waist – particularly if you are bigger busted as the v-neck will elongate and flatter and the kimono sleeves will draw focus away from your bust. As well as being a chic detail, the sleeves will cover arms and will also draw attention away from larger tummies.
Savoir Zebra Print Kaftan, sizes 10-28, £35
Leopard print ballet pumps
Printed shoes will instantly draw attention downwards and are a great tool if you’re tall. Team these camel tones pumps with bare legs or nude tights if you need extra height. They’ll add a playful touch to any look.
Leopard print ballet pumps, sizes 3-8, £60
Leopard print Snood
This leopard print snood will transform even the simplest of outfits as well as drawing focus upwards to add height and also to add volume at the chest in you are slender or bottom-heavy.
Leopard print snood, £12
All items are available from www.isme.com
Report by Sharon Tyler
Categories: Body Shapes
Tags: animal print,autumn/winter 2011 trends,Fashion Advice,fashion tips,high street fashion,how to dress,How to Look Good,Isme,leopard print coat,leopard print shoes,leopard print snood,Mint Velvet,Office,Savoir,snakeskin,snakeskin maxi dress,Styling Advice,Styling Tips,zebra print,zebra print kaftan

It’s the last day of our competition in the Birmingham Mail so if you live in or around Birmingham and you want to have a make over on stage during one of the 9 How to Look Good Shows, then all you have to do is enter this competition.
Or you could take your chances and put your hand up for a mini make-over from the audience and we get you up on stage there and then!
It’s all taking place at the Pavillions Shopping Mall as you can see from the poster and during it we will be giving lots of style tips including 3 that will save you lots of time and money. Do you know how to shop? No really do you? Let me tell you the best way to avoid soul destroying trips where you come back empty handed despite visiting shop after shop!
Come and have some fun there will be models of all ages on our catwalk from 20s. 30s 40s 50s. and 60s.
Categories: Events · Forty plus
Tags: Birmingham Pavillions,Caryn Franklin,How to Look Good,How to Look Good stage show,make over with Caryn Franklin,Make-over,models of all ages