Discover how to look good in the current fashion trends for April 2010
Keeping on top of the latest fashion and trends can be very confusing, particularly when you also want to compliment your body shape and budget.
Your letters and emails tell me that you want to try and incorporate the new fashion trends into your wardrobe, but feel they are difficult to wear and don’t always flatter your body type.
You’re not alone. I have helped thousands of women during my 20 years or more in the industry, to understand which of the latest women’s fashion trends to wear and which to avoid.
Now it’s your turn!
If you want to learn more about this season’s best styles for your individual and very special body shape which are now translating onto the high street, then take a look at this month’s fashion and styles that I am recommending will work for your shape, along with my inspirational advice on how to maximise your look and dress for your shape.
Insider fashion tips news and gossip guaranteed to show you How To Look Good and save money too!
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New fashion trends for every body shape this season
To illustrate this season’s spring/summer collections, your favourite high street stores have created some practical and desirable interpretations of the current fashion trends, and that’s why I will choose specific brands and styles to answer your questions each month in Ask Caryn.
Let me show you how you can work with the new fashion trends to get the most flattering effect for your body shape and satisfy your budget – after all that’s what this site is all about!
And if you’re not sure what shape you are find out here…
Remember, these trends can suit all shapes and ages, but if you’re over 40 then see my ageless style advice on how to look and feel fantastic at any age.
Now select any one of my 19 inspiring e-books and you will see how to look great in the current fashion trends. Your e-book will be emailed to you today for just £9.97. You will also receive a special bonus e-book on everything you need to know about Jeans, completely FREE of charge!
Ok, let’s get on with answering your questions this month with the help of Debenhams, Simply Be, Evans and Boden…
Question: “Dear Caryn
I am an artist and love bright colours and prints. I have a wardrobe full of print t-shirts that I wear with jeans and trousers but that is the problem – they are all oversized and shapeless and so not really flattering. I was wondering if you could suggest something that is still edgy and fashionable but more feminine (maybe a dress but it has got to be practical) and flattering without being boring. As it is summer coming up I still want to dress in a relaxed and easy going way. I am a size 14 with an hourglass figure. I have a small waist but my tummy is not flat. I have a 34EE chest and am 5”6 tall and do have a bum!.
Thanks”
Lindsey
Hello Lindsey
Summer is definitely the time to dress with a little abandon, there’s no better way to signify adventure and excitement than with than in a print especially clashing prints. Voluptuous curves with a waist you say? A waisted dress like this below is a great print way to start; will look delicious on you and will curb your desire for a little graphic punch.
The clever folds act as a brilliant disguise for less-than-six-pack stomachs and showing off your shoulders is key to making the most of your glorious bust. The dress is made interesting by the flashes of colour and artistically rendered structure but yet it is pulled together as a romantic dress that is easy to wear and will provide you with stylish confidence. Simply print-tastic
Butterfly by Matthew Williamson
Multi-coloured Starburst Jersey Dress
£60.00
Sizes 8-18
Debenhams
If you want to know exactly what to wear to flatter your body shape, then treat yourself to an e-book specially written for you by me. This is styling advice that will last you a lifetime and save you money (you’ll never impulse buy again) and there are 19 different body shapes to choose from. One of them is just right for you.
Question: “Hi Caryn
A good friend of mine has invited me to attend a posh private reception with him. I want to make a good impression and look feminine without being too girly as that is not me at all. I’d like to look sexy but not too much! I want to be noticed without being noticed if you know what I mean! I don’t have very much money at all to spend but I don’t want my outfit to look cheap. I am not really a dress kind of girl and I do have a nice pair of black trousers that I could wear. I am a size 16 on top and 18 on bottom and am 5”5. I have quite a small chest and obviously bigger hips.
Many thanks”
Holly
Hello Holly
Make a confident and discreetly sexy statement in this berry bright top; allowing you to enhance your femininity without getting all girly-girl saccharine. Texture is key for Spring/Summer 2010 and the surface interest here has a subtlety and richness which gives the top a more expensive feel without the scary price tag. It does, however, have a simplicity that would double up for daytime duty (stretching those pennies a little further!).
The long line of the fringing and the v-neck will elongate; the bare shoulders will balance out your hips and the v-neck will show off your assets in a tantalizing yet coy way. Pile on some metallic necklaces and bangles, slip into some sculptural heels and get ready to make a restrained yet powerful entrance into that reception. Good luck!
Macrame Jersey Top
£35.00
Sizes 14-32
Available in Magenta and Black
Simply Be
If you want to know exactly what to wear to flatter your body shape, then treat yourself to an e-book specially written for you by me. This is styling advice that will last you a lifetime and save you money (you’ll never impulse buy again) and there are 19 different body shapes to choose from. One of them is just right for you.
Question: “Hi Caryn
I am in my early twenties and I am a real girly girl and like cute outfits. I am quite petite at 5”4 and I am pretty straight up and down slim. I normally wear dresses because I don’t really suit trousers or jeans but mainly because I like the easiness of them and just being able to throw it on. I want to try something different for summer. I am looking for something that is trendy and will double up for a birthday party with all my family (great uncles and all) in a month’s time. Please help! “
Sophie
Hi Sophie
What about short, sweet and sassy? The playsuit is the ultimate get-up-and-go garb – chic, summery and relaxed cool. Spring and summer is big on cute so there is not better time to indulge your cutsie whims with this playsuit in the season’s pastel palette, which will make even the most hardened cynic feel fresh and girly.
Pay close attention to the fit – keep it slightly loose and playful with an anchored waist to give the illusion of a fuller bust and hips. The ruffle detail will also add volume to a small bust and the high waist and hemline will elongate.
Accessorize with scrubbed, buffed legs, a certain amount of chutzpah and some vertiginous heels for a stamen and flats for a less fashion forward audience. Wear to the party with a blush blazer or light leather – but only if those great uncles can take it!
H! By Henry Holland Multi-coloured Ditsy Print Playsuit
£28.00
Sizes 6-16
Debenhams
Caryn says. To know more about how to dress for your body type download an e-book specially written by me for your individual body shape. Choosing the best clothes for you will become so much easier.
Question. “Hi Caryn
I really love the nautical look, in particular Breton stripes and the red, white and blue colour combination. However I am a big girl (size 18) so am worried about horizontal stripes and prints. Could you give me some ideas about how I can wear this look? I would really love to wear some high fashion type looks. I am 5”6, I have quite a small chest and am curvy.
Thanks so much “
Nadine
Hello Nadine
Subtle seafaring inflections can pep up many a summer outfit and so how about this nautical-esque dress with a floral twist? A great homage to Chanel’s Spring/Summer cornflower blue and poppy red bloom appliquéd dresses. If it’s good enough for Chanel, then it’s good enough for you, so slink into this number for instant fashion kudos.
Prints can be flattering – I just need to let you in on a little layering trick. Wear a dark, block-coloured waistcoat or jacket over something with a busy pattern. It’ll instantly streamline your silhouette – the busy print will stop eyes resting on any imperfections and the over-layer will shave inches off. Pure fashion camouflage and very on-trend!
Add in some quirky accessories and this dress will be a great foundation for creating some fabulous looks. You could say it is the tip of the style iceberg…
Stripe Floral Dress
£35.00
Sizes 14-32
Evans
Caryn says. To know more about how to dress for your body type download an e-book specially written by me for your individual body shape. Choosing the best clothes for you will become so much easier.
Question: “Hi Caryn
I have been having a lot of ‘fat days’ lately and so seem to be constantly reaching for my sweats and baggy type clothing. I’m thinking about summer coming and I’d like to have more options and a flirt with something new for the warmer weather. Something which is still comfortable and not too revealing but more flattering and fashionable – even trendy if at all possible! I am a size 12 on top and size 14 on bottom. I am 5”7 and I have quite a small chest. I am a bit conscious about my hips as they are bigger than my top half.
Thanks”
Lorraine
Hello Lorraine
You sound like you are being very hard on yourself. But here is a tip to help you relax. Make a tunic with skinny trousers your fat day fall back. The key to streamlining your body is to understand your proportions. Tunics that skim – not swamp – your body (thus camouflaging problem areas around your hips and middle), worn with slim pants or leggings, will deliver every time.
Olive green and khaki hues are a big trend this season but this tunic allows you to tell this Spring/Summer story in your own way. Most of all it is comfortable, fun, swingy, heart (but not purse string) pulling. Your summer fling awaits!
Glam Tunic
£75
Sizes 6-22
Available in Brown Dahlia, Periwinkle Dahlia, Spearmint Dahlia
Boden
If you want to know exactly what to wear to flatter your body shape, then treat yourself to an e-book specially written for you by me. This is styling advice that will last you a lifetime and save you money (you’ll never impulse buy again) and there are 19 different body shapes to choose from. One of them is just right for you.
That’s all for this month’s current fashion trends. Don’t forget to check ‘Ask Caryn’ where there are further questions answered and of course the ‘Ask Caryn archive’ where one of the questions answered might just be the solution you are looking for.
Don’t forget our shopping mall features petite, fuller, standard and tall sections with retailers who will provide the right clothes to fit your body shape.
And if you want to know how to build your wardrobe this season and which key garments I’m recommending, then subscribe to my newsletter so I can talk to you exclusively and tell you about my month in fashion, and you can reply to me!
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