Discover how to look good in the current fashion trends for November 2009

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 a big devotee of your website and always love reading your really helpful tips and advice and so thought you would be the perfect person to help me with my dilemma! I am in my early forties and I used to have a wardrobe full of vibrant colour and like wearing slightly more alternative items, but now when I look in my wardrobe it is basically a sea of black.

I used to be bigger than I am now and so I think I started to hide in black as I thought that it made me look slimmer. Now I am slim (size 10) with a 32D chest and reasonable sized bottom. I do have a small waist but wearing all black just makes me look a bit drab and straight up and down and my husband has made some comments about how morbid I always look! I am also quite tall at 5ft 9 and have quite narrow shoulders. I am looking to buy a new coat and thought this might be a good way to inject some colour and interesting options back into my life although I’m not sure if I should really look for a more basic option. Also because of my age I don’t want to look like I am trying to look younger but I don’t want to be totally untrendy. Please help!
Thanks”
Kara

Hi Kara
Thanks for your message and kind comments. Many women wear black too often (me included!) It’s so chic and can be easily co-ordinated in the mornings without too much thought. However after a while (as your husband might have rightly noted…but I won’t tell him if you don’t) it can look a little predictable and stern. A bit of colour can really inject some life into your wardrobe.

As we get older, we prioritise classic silhouettes but this doesn’t mean that these pieces shouldn’t have some personality. Think interesting embellishment, feminine volume and bursts of rich colour and pattern. So on that note forget the notion that a coat should be basic because you wear it every day. Pick something you love, that has classic appeal and that will lift you each time you put it on.

This beautiful option from Boden will do just the trick. Most people will opt for black coats so you will retain individuality while at the same time rocking the bright colour catwalk trend – what a coup! Contrasting brights with a black background is the way to wear colour this season.

The colour of the coat will help to add volume to your body and give you less of a straight up and down look, the band of colour at the waist will help to emphasize it and the structure will define your shoulders. This coat can easily do weekend and work duty; the matte wool fabric will maximize its versatility and hold up to the elements – this coat will be a workhorse but will always look pristine. Problem solved!

Rainbow Coat
£175.00
Sizes 8-20
Available Dark Grey Charcoal, Navy and Zesty Green
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: “Hi Caryn
It is my 21st birthday in a couple of weeks and I am having a big party to celebrate. I am a curvy size 20 with a 36F cup and really good legs. I am told that I have a big personality and so I am looking for something that is colourful and will get me noticed especially as I am the birthday girl. I do like experimenting with fashion trends.
Thanks so much”
Charmaine

Hello Charmaine
You may not remember the 80s the first time but it’s had something of a re-revival again on the catwalks and is probably the most fun you can have with fashion this season – seems very appropriate for a 21st party – just think bright, cheeky and colourful.

Sounding like some kind of dance move from that era is ‘shape’ n ‘drape’ another big current fashion trend. This is the new super-soft draped jersey which is super-flattering for every figure, a draped silhouette that swings and sways, echoing the sensual lines of the body – doing the ‘shape’ n ‘drape’ is guaranteed to slim and skim.
This dress from Simply Be perfectly encapsulates both of these trends. This dress will make you feel confident and fabulous and gives off an air of elegance with a hint of sexiness. You can vamp it up, play it down, or simply let the dress do its thing with the swish of the fabric and the nipped in waist. Naked shoulders will make the most of your glorious bust and the v-neck will slim and lengthen your torso. And the best bit is that you get to show of your pins for a long, lean leggy look.

Team with some long drop earring and killer heels! Happy Birthday!

Mica Belted Drape Dress
£35.00
Sizes 14-30
Available in Cobalt Blue and Black
www.simplybe.co.uk

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 am a recent new mum so I am not working at the moment and I don’t have loads of money to spend, but I am starting to feel that I am already looking a little boring and out of it and I don’t want to fall into that trap of feeling and looking frumpy. Of course there’s also baby sick etc to consider so I don’t want to go the other way and be too glam – I suppose a smart chic casual look is what I am aiming for. I still have the baby weight to loose but I am a size 12-14 and am 5ft 7. Before being pregnant I’d say I was very slightly pear shaped.
Thanks so much”
Dawn

Hello Dawn
It’s actually a pretty perfect timing for you to be finding your fashion feet again and at the same time enjoying being a new mum – thanks to layered knitwear which is a huge current fashion trend and has edge and ease in equal parts. It’s got flattering volume (so your post-natal figure can recover) and gives you great wardrobe versatility (making that budget stretch far). Woolies can really pull your look together, luxing up any pair of jeans, giving a pair of trousers a softer, more laid back feel or perfect with a pencil skirt.

A chunky cardigan coat (or ‘coatigan’ as we are all saying for ease!) such as this one layered over a pretty dress looks great. Mix prints and you won’t have to worry about baby accidents! Team with a long scarf and chunky boots – perfect for autumn walks in the park!

Knitted Winter Wrap
£99.00
Sizes 8-20
Available in Black, Grey and Purple Melange
Boden

Question. “Hi Caryn
I love jackets but all the ones I own are very similar if not the same – black, single breasted, one button! I would like to buy a new jacket that is a little different but everything fashionable seems to have gone hard-edged and big-shouldered. Is there anything left out there for those of us who like something a little frillier and softer? I’d perhaps like to experiment with colour as most of my wardrobe is dark or neutral. I am not that tall and my legs are shorter in comparison to my torso. I have a small chest and I guess a boyish figure which I hate as I like to feel feminine.
Thank you”
Polly

Hello Polly
While women everywhere work their shoulder-padded power wardrobes, it might just be time for a breakout of frilly individuality.

Why not inject some colour into your wardrobe with this jacket in the colour of the season? It looks great thrown over dresses, skirts and jeans for just the right amount of polish and I think the collar makes it extra special too. The ruffle collar will add volume to your top half in a chic way and also give the illusion of greater breadth at your shoulders. The volume on top will help to create the illusion of a waist. As you are long-waisted wear this shorter jacket with a long line bottom half such as a high-waisted skirt or trouser. Team with dark navy or black separates to add height.

Ravishing Ruffle Jacket
£110.00
Sizes 8-20
Available in Black, Damson and Geranium
Boden

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 am 35 and having a little bit of a style meltdown and could really use your help! I am 5ft 5, size 20, have no bust to speak of but a tummy to make up for it! I am also slightly pear shaped so I am slightly smaller on top (around an 18) and my arms are not exactly perfectly toned! I hate smock tops but would love to know what tops I should be wearing with my jeans? All the tops I have at the moment are just plain coloured t-shirts and they are so boring – I am so desperate to look more fashionable. I don’t have much money so would like some interesting pieces that could work for day and night.
Thanks very much”
Amanda

Hello Amanda
A great look for you is a slim-fitting tunic-style top over straight cut trousers or jeans that skim the body. This line creates an illusion of overall slimness and draws the eye away for your tummy. You can wear short sleeves even if your arms are less than perfectly toned; just make sure the sleeves aren’t tight.

In general terms I would keep it streamlined. Your clothes should be sleek – frill free and not overly adorned. Pick tops that are relatively simple, without layers of ruffles or embellishment. But that doesn’t mean you have to do dull – this trompe l’oeil effect top will put you ahead of the pack as computer-generated prints were all over the catwalks but will also serve as a great body flatterer. The low-contrast design will serve up some streamlining power, the all over-pattern will act as a diversionary tactic, preventing the eye from resting on any one spot and the half vertical direction of the lines will have an elongating effect.

Layer up this top with textures such as lace and wool and for the evening a favourite default nigh-time look is back. Glam top and jeans is back with a bang as the new after-dark formula. Just don’t forget your heels and some bold jewellery!

pencil skirt

Graphic Print Tunic
£45.00
Sizes 14-32
www.evans.co.uk

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.

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!

Sign up for your free newsletter personally written by me.

Each month I’ll give you a behind the scenes peak at my world, from fashion shoots to programme making. You’ll get it straight from me! And I’ll be helping you to update your wardrobe with three new recommendations every month. I’ll explain why I think they are a great addition to your wardrobe and show you how to wear them.

There’s also the opportunity to give me your opinions and feedback, which I will publish (without using your full name) so we can discuss.

Don’t miss out – sign up now!

Please be assured we hate spam as much as you do and will not give out your address to anyone.

Caryn Franklin