Current fashion trends: swimsuits and other styles for your body shape

There is a lot of talk about current fashion trends and their merits simply because they are current! Well here we prioritise your body shape and your questions so that you can choose clothes to suit you.

This month we are working with high street retailer Next, to create the perfect answers to your style solutions and trend needs.

I love their style and size range, UK 6 to 22 with petite, regular and longer length fits.

Below I’m talking about the sexy party dress if you have a flat chest, the trouser suit for a wedding, wearing colour to suit a fuller upper body, dress styles that won’t date and swimsuits.

Next have an excellent range of swimwear and their great size range makes them the perfect style partner for us this month.

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

And of course there’s plenty more current fashion advice in
‘Ask Caryn.’

Do also sign up for my newsletter above where I give extra insights into building your capsule wardrobe each month.

And how about subscribing to my blog where I also include my own personal clothing solutions, along with lots of insight into the fashion industry from someone who knows.

So, here are your questions for this month…

Question: “Hi Caryn
I am a single mum of 2 and have a fancy dress party coming up where the theme is the 70's. I don't have a lot of money and want to wear something that I can wear again. I have also a small bust -32A and don't like showing my knocked knees. As I don't get out much I really want to look my best and want to feel as sexy as possible. Thanks in advance "
Sue

Hi Sue
You can't beat a sexy little black dress, it's extremely wearable and can be used again and again by simply changing the accessories each time you wear it. One shoulder styles are currently in fashion (good for your 70's party) and will flatter your bust area as eyes will be drawn up to your neckline and face. The pleating on the front adds shape and the just below the knee length will cover your knees and balance out your top half, whilst still looking very sexy. Wear with diamante earrings and heels to finish off the look.

Jersey shoulder dress
£35
Sizes 6-22
Colours: black and pink
www.next.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: “Dear Caryn
I have am getting married twice. Once at a registry office in London and then abroad just with my partner. I have my dress for when I get married abroad and so I am looking for a trouser suit for my registry office so I get two completely different looks. Obviously many bridal shops don't cater for this unless you are mother of the bride and I find them to be a bit frumpy for my age. I am 28. I haven't got time to shop much as I am working long hours to pay for my wedding. Have you seen anything that you think would be suitable? I am a size 16 bottom and 12-14 top. "
Mary

Hi Mary
Go for a classic wide leg trouser to flatter your bottom half and wear it with a more fitted jacket such as the below tuxedo style. It's is very flattering as the tailored structure offers shape and style. I think you will agree this suit from Next is a great alternative to a white dress and definitely something that you could wear again.

White linen cropped jacket
£35
Sizes – 6-22 petite and regular
Matching trousers
£25Sizes for petite 6-16
Regular, L, XL from 6R-22RR
www.next.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 want to brighten up my wardrobe for summer and would like to experiment a bit with colour or print. I am 49 years of age and feeling a bit old and depressed with my appearance.  I   don't like showing my armpit / top of my arms area which are a bit chunky. I have fairly broad shoulders and full hips. I am not sure where to start looking and what would suit my age. "
Carol

Hi Carol
Colour alone will help lift your mood and is proven to brighten skin tones, giving a more youthful appearance, so start adding it to your wardrobe now! Broad shoulders can be easily diffused by a softer scoop or v-neckline and the top of your arms can be covered easily by floaty angel sleeves, or a little bolero in the summer months. To help cover your hips go for tops that are longer length or tunic shaped and stick to darker shades on your bottom half. This gorgeous splash print tunic style top I have found at Next is an excellent start, combining print and colour and will hopefully give you the confidence to branch out even more on colour

Slinky jersey printed top
£28
Sizes 6-22
www.next.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 came across your website recently and really hope you can answer my dilemma. I am 5ft 5 and short in the body and find dresses tend to make me look shorter than my height. I have also recently put on a bit of weight around my middle and thigh area. I don't like wearing short dresses as I am in my early 40's. I really want to find a dress that not only flatters me but is also not super trendy and doesn't date. Any suggestions? "
Juliet

Hi Juliet
To elongate your torso and give you perceived height, go for an empire line. So flattering for you, especially one with a deep v-neckline so you can draw attention up to your cleavage. A dress with a slight a-line will flatter your curves. You can't beat a fresh looking white dress in the sunshine and I have found one that is ideal. It has silver/grey top half to help draw eyes up. It's definitely a classic dress but with a twist of contemporary flavouring and can be dressed up or down depending on your mood.

White and grey linen dress
£28
Sizes – 6-22 petite and regular
www.next.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. "Dear Caryn
I am off on my holiday with my husband and want to find a swimsuit that will flatter my figure - I am a size 18 with a 36F bust. I am 55 and want a simple but elegant black style. I find a lot of the swimsuits I have tried on in the past either make my boobs look squashed or I look frumpy."
Lisa

There are a lot of swimsuits now that have built in support and a lot of lycra to help hold and mould you. Black swimsuits nowadays don't have to be the standard racer back or straight up     and down. In fact to flatter your bust area you should go for one that has under wire support or a halter neck as these are extremely flattering, comfortable and will lift your bust area.  Finish off the look by styling it with a colourful sarong or a colourful beach bag.

Shape enhancing swimwear u/w swimsuit
£20-22
Sizes 32DD-38F
www.next.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. Don’t forget to check ‘Ask Caryn’ where there are a further 10 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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