Winter Fashion: January 2008

Winter fashion is what you’ve been asking about here…

Some stores may be selling off their warm clothes to make way for the spring designs, but online stores still have plenty to offer so let’s show you a few examples of current winter fashion I’m recommending in my answers to five reader questions below…

There are also more winter fashion tips when you go through to ‘ask Caryn,’ where my trusty team and I offer further solutions to your style dilemmas.

Do also sign up for my newsletter (top left of this page) where I give extra insights into building your capsule wardrobe, along with fashion news along the way that has interested me.

But wait, before you go rushing off to buy your new outfit for January, find out how to dress to suit your body shape so you’ll be ready to take on the New Year with style!

So, here are this month’s questions for you…

Question: “Hi Caryn
I have just got a new job and start shortly, can you recommend something that I can wear to work everyday especially when it rains. It needs to be something I can wear at weekends too. I have no waist and don’t like anything that is too trendy. I also wear too much black"
Katie

Congratulations Katie - New Year and new job!

Macs are a great classic that are smart and elegant without being too extreme and in danger of dating the following season. Go for one that is belted, as this will create the illusion of a waist.

Additions in our shopping mall have a gorgeous gold Mac, which is a great tonal colour that will brighten up your black wardrobe

Additions
Gold satin Mac
Sizes 8-24
£49
Gorgeous looks, irresistible prices - clothing at additions direct  

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: “Dear Caryn
I’m searching for a casual look for the weekends that I can wear that is neither a pair of jeans or black trousers. Ideally I want a dress but not sure what suits me. I am 5ft 11 with broad shoulders. I am finding it hard to shop as a lot of the dresses in the shops at the moment are either strapless or thin strapped, which only bring more attention to my broad shoulders – Help! "
Lisa

Hi Lisa
To help diffuse your broad shoulders why not consider a shirt dress. These are great as the shirt style means that you can unbutton the dress to just above your cleavage, which will take the attention away from your shoulders.

Wear with a colourful hip belt like this one and you’ll help to proportion your height. This dress is by Boden (who cater for regular and longer lengths).

It’s made from denim and cord so is a great casual look; it can be easily worn in winter with opaque tights and boots, or bare legs and sandals in the summer.

Boden
Denim and cord shirt dress
8R-20L
£59
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
My new year’s resolution is to buy more organic products and that includes clothing. Can you recommend some websites that are fashionable rather than just worthy? "
Gemma

Hi Gemma
We have a great list of websites in our shopping mall under our Ethical section. These sell ethical/fair trade clothing including organic.

Adele and People Tree are two names that are fast becoming the most used and respected operators, although there are many others now. I even went to a press day for ethical clothing not so long ago which shows the growth of these companies.

I’ve pulled out a picture to show you this pleat dress, which is great worn over leggings or skinny jeans and a fresh investment for spring, which will soon be with us.

People tree/fair trade
Pleat dress £85 size 6-14
www.peopletree.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 have some Christmas money that I can spend on myself and I want to buy a new jacket, something that can go with my existing wardrobe. I have around £250 so want to buy one that is special but also something I will get a lot of wear out of.  I have a lot of work suits so want a jacket that I can wear in the day but also wear out to bars at night. I also have a large bust; 34E so find it difficult to fit jackets on me without making my boobs stand out"
Julie, aged 29

Hi Julie
Avoid any jackets that are double breasted or high necked and instead go for single breasted jackets preferably with a revere collar which will flatter your bust area.

This season the tuxedo is really back in fashion and is great worn in the day over dresses or jeans or at night with skinny trousers or a pair of tuxedo trousers, if you want to do the full look.

I have a great one from the new Sienna Miller range called Twenty8Twelve, which is sold at ASOS in our shopping mall. It’s currently in the sales from £236 to £295.

ASOS
Black tuxedo jacket
Size 6-14
£236
www.asos.com

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
wear outfits that I can squeeze into my suitcase.  I am a young 40 year old with a typical pear shaped body. I love fashion but don’t have much money to spend on buying lots of clothes, so they need to be practical as well as fashionable. Thanks."
Alice

Hi Alice
What you need is versatile items that can be dressed up or down for either the beach or seeing the sights. Kaftans were last summer’s key item to have; you can throw those over bikinis/swimsuits for lunch on the beach or over a pair of shorts or jeans for day to evening.

They are still great so keep wearing them, but another easy to wear item to invest in, is a printed cotton dress. Next in our shopping mall have one that has a tie so you can make a bow detail that is right on for this summer’s trend. It is also a-line so great for flattering your curves.

Dress down in the day with sandals or flip-flops and then with this summer’s stacked heel for the evening.

Next
Chocolate and gold print dress
6-20
£25
NEXT Directory

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

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