Body shape fashion tips

This month I’m teaming up with M&S to create answers for your fashion dilemmas.

Here at howtolookgood we love clothes that have the features you need to really flatter your shape.

In these credit crunch times making the most of your money by choosing an item you can wear again and again is more important than ever…

So if you need some body shape fashion tips, then why not treat yourself to one of my e-books on how to dress for your shape which will show you what to wear and more importantly, what not to wear - go on give yourself an early Christmas present!

Have a look around the site too. There’s more body shape advice in ‘ask Caryn,’ where I answer the questions you sent me during the course of the month.

Ok it’s December and it’s the party season let’s get started.

Question: “Hi Caryn
I am in my 60's and like to think that I am still sexy and have found a black shift dress that shows off my curves. The thing is, as much as I’d like to wear it on its own, I really need something to cover up my arms. 

Can you help?"
Rose

Hi Rose
Yes I can.

Pashmina’s may be a staple fall back but really you want something in keeping with your chic LBD.

Shift dresses are a great shape. The soft tailoring gives definition to your shape and they do flatter curvy bodies that are all in proportion too.

How about injecting a bit of colour with your jacket and shoes? Here’s a crop style jacket that will cover your arms and not your dress. The simple front fastening also flatters women with a large bust.

You could also wear red satin court shoes too. This softens your whole look, as head to toe black can sometimes be a bit austere.

Autograph Occasions 3/4 Sleeve Bow Detail Jacket£39.50
Sizes 12 and 14
Marks and Spencer

Caryn says. To know more about how to dress for your body shape 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: “Help! I am looking for a Christmas day top that is practical enough to cook in will give me a waist, cover my stomach (I am apple shaped) and looks damn good – if you can't help me I don't know who can! "
Anonymous

Hi A,
Any top with some volume in it around the tummy will help disguise your stomach area. But make sure it has some definition at the bust for a more flattering effect.

Sleeve detail such as angel sleeves will also draw attention away from your middle. And the voluminous shape will balance your body all round.

The top pictured is the perfect solution and the print is a very clever minimising device in this instance. See how the pattern gets larger at the tummy? Well this will create a visual illusion to make your tummy seem even smaller! Using pattern and print for this effect is one of the things I explain more clearly in my e-books.

Enjoy your Christmas in the knowledge that you will look spectacular

Autograph Weekend 3/4 Sleeve Top with Silk
£35.00
Sizes 10-18
Marks and Spencer

Caryn says. To know more about how to dress for your body shape 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: "Dear Caryn
I have in the last year put on quite a bit of weight (although I’m tall and I carry it well) and want to look my best for an up and coming work party. I don't want to wear a dress and have a good fit pencil skirt I would like to update. Plus I just feel better in black.

Can you suggest a top that will work – not too low cut or anything - and add a bit of colour as well as flatter my size 26 figure and double chin!"
Tina

Hi Tina,

Easy! Let’s keep your top mostly black also to create a streamlining effect through your body; this is something I explain in more detail in my body shape e-books. But you can still enjoy colour by choosing something with colourful embellishment like the top I have featured.

V-neck or keyhole style necklines should always be a priority for you since these will elongate your neck and lessen the visibility of your double chin. Plus this style is a sexy yet demure look so perfect for an office setting.

Embroidery is key for this season and this large embroidery motif will work wonderfully with a curvy shape to add balance, (Avoid small motifs, as these will make your bosom look larger by comparison.

This Chinese style top I have suggested is spot on and the tie waist can be even more improved with a thick and wide elasticated belt to help pull you in and create definition at your waist.

Autograph Occasions Chinese Embroidered Top£19.50
Sizes 26 and 28
Marks and Spencer

Caryn says. To know more about how to dress for your body shape 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 standard height and slender but I don’t have a model figure. I have no bust - size 30AA actually. I always look flat-chested and sporty but frills and girly things just aren’t me.

Can you help me to find a dress that is a bit more cookie and I can wear to work."
Diana

Hi Diana,
High necklines will work wonderfully for you in this instance and I’m really pleased to have found this dress that totally fits the bill.

This style of print is dramatic enough to create a real statement. But it also has the right features to flatter your shape.

These come in the form of the horizontal lines across the body, which will create a volumising effect. This is something I explain in more depth in my body shape e-books.

Shift dresses are the perfect style for work as they are effortlessly feminine without being too girly.

Abstract Colour Block Dress
£39.50
Size 8-20
Marks and Spencer

Caryn says. To know more about how to dress for your body shape 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 proud of my 6months bump and off to an Xmas party so want to find a dress or top that flatters my bump without hiding it completely. I don't want too much bling, as that's not for me. I also don't want to spend too much money and so get something I can wear again. "
Maxine

Hi Maxine,
To flatter your fuller bust you need to look for a v-neck line. Empire line will also flatter your bump area.

This pleat detail top that I found below will also flatter the curve of your bump. It has a slight sparkle so that you feel in the party mood but definitely nothing over the top and certainly can be worn again and dressed down with jeans and a cardigan.

Maternity V-Neck Sparkle Top
£25.00
Size 10-20
Marks and Spencer

If you want to know exactly what to wear to flatter your body shape or learn how to work with colour, then treat yourself to an e-book specially written for you by Caryn. This is styling advice that will last you a lifetime and there are 19 different shapes to choose from. One of them is just right for you.

That’s all for this month. Don’t forget to check ‘Ask Caryn’ where there are further questions answered this month 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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