Discover how to look good in the current fashion trends for February 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.

New fashion trends for every body shape this season

To illustrate this season’s autumn/winter 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 Boden, Simply Be and Evans…

Question: “Hi Caryn
I am in my early forties and I have spent most of my adult life being wary of dresses, in particular shift dresses. I always felt that they were a bit too ladylike and dressy for me but I have seen lots of women wearing them and they look great and so I was wondering how I can make them work for me. I want to look more sophisticated but not too girly or prissy. I don’t have a huge budget so I was hoping for some options that could work for daytime and in the office as well as in the evening. I am 5”7, a size 8 and have a very boyish figure which is pretty straight up and down and my boobs are pretty non-existent!
Thanks so much “
Marianne

Hi Marianne
As with any garment it’s all about how you wear it and trying to do so in a way that reflects your personality. For example try styling yourself with a little messiness or edge to stop your look being too prim – it could be something as simple as a loosely swept up bun. Dresses can be overly feminine and sometimes seem tricky to wear, but they can also be sophisticated and beyond easy and actually very flexible.

Shift dresses in particular look great in the day with flats and layered with a tee or a jacket and they switch easily from work to the cocktail hour with some heels and some sexy eyeliner. This round neck waisted shift will add some oomph to your boyish figure and the offbeat play on colour and interesting embellishment will trick our eyes into seeing a touch more roundness to your shape. This one below by Boden ticks all the boxes.

Remember that any structured or tailored dress needs a defined foundation. Your bust must fill out the darts, so never go braless, even if you are small-busted.

When it comes to accessorizing a shift dress, channel this season’s minimalist trend with ‘less is more’.

Fun Dress
£89.00
Sizes 6-22
Available in Cream, Petrol and Rhubarb
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.

Question: “Hello Caryn
I read in a magazine that prints are going to be big again this coming season. Is this true and if so how can I make them work for me? I am a big girl (size 22) with a big bust and hips and thighs. I am 5”7 tall and my legs are quite long in comparison to my torso. I have pretty good arms. I’m not really a dress or skirt kind of girl but live in my jeans and trousers.
Thanks”
Sophie

Hi Sophie
Yes the rumours are true – print is back with a bang and graphic and digital prints, in particular, will top the trend list. Your mission is to find a print that is big and bold to balance your body and flatter your proportions. Try fashion’s most flattering offering – a bold, bright print that has a black or dark background, like this one from Simply Be – the print ‘pops’ out and hides any lumps and bumps. The dark background gives a streamlined look and make sure you stick to fabric that has fluidity.

You said you love your jeans and trousers so simply team this top with your favourite pair and let it do all the style work. In terms of jewellery this season it’s not so much about what you wear but how much you wear, so pile on some pieces and really have fun with it!

Graphic Print Tunic
£29.75
Sizes 12-32
Simply Be

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
Can I ask your advice on how to look more high fashion without being a slave to trends? I have always loved bright, colourful, more ‘out there’ kind of clothes but I can’t seem to find the right balance between over the top and conservative. I like experimenting with looks and am not afraid of looking ‘different’ but I would like to look more put together rather than just wearing lots of random bits that I’m not sure really work together. Of course I still want an element of fun. I am going away to visit some friends abroad in a few weeks. The weather is going to be a bit warmer than here so I am looking for a cover up (lighter coat or heavy cardigan) for when it is a bit chillier. I am a size 12 on top and a 14 on my bottom. I am 5”6 and I have a 32D chest. Is there anything you can suggest?
Thanks so much”
Polly

Hi Polly
For sure anything trendy could be considered high fashion, but high fashion needn’t reflect today’s more extreme trends.

You can make any style you want into a high fashion look by simply taking it a bit further than the average person would do. It’s all about self knowledge, creative spirit and a little bit of nerve. It sounds like you have that nailed so I would think about mixing it up a little bit. Take a strong signature piece, such as this coat from Boden, and use it to make a style statement but try teaming with something a little more muted such as well-loved worn-in denim (go for stretch and a figure skimming cut rather than a looser cut) to provide a great foil to the overt stylishness.

Similarly dark separates (tailored dress, boot-leg trousers or a soft A-line skirt) worn under this coat will lengthen and create a sleek, figure-skimming silhouette and retain a little hint of polish. If you really want to go for it then think about accessories with humour – quirky, fun pieces which were all over the catwalks.

Uptown Coat
£89.00
Sizes 6-22
Available in Chalk, Grape, Green and Multi Stripe
Boden

Question. “Hi Caryn
I have recently moved back to the UK after having lived in sunnier climes for a number of years. I need to put together a work wardrobe – it’s not a formal office environment and the dress code is smart casual. I suppose I have quite a bohemian style and have lived in maxi dresses and kaftans for some time now. They’re not quite appropriate for the office but I don’t totally want to loose that essence but of course I would like to look more on-trend and want items that flatter my shape. I prefer dresses and skirts to trousers and I really like colour. Do you have any suggestions? I am a size 18 and I have quite a rounded tummy which I am a little conscious about and I have quite big boobs. I am 5”7 tall and I like my arms and have reasonable legs.
Thanks”
Kate

Hi Kate
Just because we’re not fortunate enough to be able to wear sundresses and kaftans for, say, 11 months of the year, it doesn’t mean that we can’t inject a little laid-back, comfortable bohemian essence into our wardrobes. Just look for things with colour that float and twirl and I think this lovely draped dress hits just the right vibe.

Accessories are also a great way to give a nod to a particular style or trend so think about bohemian-touches like slouchy bags and of course, belts which are absolutely everywhere and definitely this season’s hardest-working accessory. Use one to showcase your slimmest point.

This summer draping stormed the catwalks. You’d think all that fabric would add inches but the opposite is true – the clever folds act as a brilliant disguise for our less-than-washboard stomachs. Try teaming with this Spring/Summer’s wedges and chunky platforms which will slim legs quicker than you can say “running machine.”

Red Rouched Sleeve 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’m hoping you can help me. I’m in a bit of a mid 30’s wardrobe crisis! My wardrobe is full of basics and so I feel that it has got a bit boring and so would like to make it more interesting without being too full on and perhaps smarten up a little without then venturing into looking stuffy! Generally I do like a classic look but I don’t want to be completely dull! I am 5”4 and a size 14.
Thanks so much “
Emily

Hi Emily
Actually basics like jeans, white shirts and knitwear are a great way to line your wardrobe and then you just need to think about cranking up the attitude just a little. Think about topping off your look with something striking. I’d think about a jacket – a trim, well cut jacket can be just as dramatic as one with a bold print.

You don’t give much information about your shape but neat-shouldered, single breasted jackets are kindest to most figures. This jacket from Boden has a cardigan ease (the foundation on which Chanel based a fashion empire) and is perfect if formal tailoring brings you out in allergies! In fact a more casual piece offers greater flexibility. It can be thrown on over a dress, atop jeans or with a skirt in an easy way to get just the right amount of polish.

Speaking of Chanel, Breton stripes have been a wardrobe staple ever since Coco propelled them on to the fashion radar. The jacket as styled below really brightens up the Breton which is actually a great transitional buy – perfect for layering and it goes with everything. Chic, simple and elegant – enough said.

Big Button Jacket
£79.00
Sizes 6-22
Available in Indigo, Red and Silver
Boden

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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