Spring Fashion 2006

This month I’m answering five spring fashion questions from my e-mail bag. You have all asked about spring fashion trends and some even want to ignore spring fashion 2006 completely. But I counsel those of you uninspired by shift dresses and cropped jackets (spring fashion staples for the fashion pack) not to rule out some new key buys to invigorate your wardrobe. As you’ll see from my answers it’s all about the way you spend you money…

Question ‘Dear Caryn, Please tell me how to avoid the trap of feeling like I have to change my wardrobe every season. I resent the pressure to keep buying new clothes when I have perfectly serviceable ones in my wardrobe already. I’m not interested in this season’s spring fashion trends Am I being a fashion dullard?’ Moira.

Hi Moira. The thing is, a ‘deep fashion’ approach adopted by those who are members of the ‘Hopelessly up to date club’ is not good for the self-esteem. Clever women seem to babble on in riddles about what is ‘in’ and ‘out’ and clothes become ‘must have’ items. They can judge other women as harshly as they judge themselves for not having the latest bag and confidence becomes something they can only buy in a lavishly furnished boutique.

This is not you, or any other woman with a life and a modicum of self-awareness. Appreciate your clothes as items of adornment that will enhance your day, know what will suit you and never be dictated to by the fashion world, you after all have confidence in who you are and what you have achieved.

By the way, I’ve found the perfect garment for you – wear it all summer in the knowledge that many other women are with you in being conscious clothing consumers. The Fashion Targets Breast Cancer 10th Anniversary T-shirt has hit the shops and to celebrate, David Bailey has photographed 10 'Supers’ with everyone from Jerry, Erin, Claudia, Eva and of course the lovely Yasmin pictured supporting this award winning campaign and you could too, Not that I’m dictating or anything!

Caryn says. To know more about dressing for your body download an e-book specially written by me for your individual body shape.
Click here

Classic style T-shirt (available in white and aqua) - £13 with £7.50 going direct to Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Sizes 8-18 from River Island, Marks & Spencer, ASOS.com, Evans, House of Fraser, Morgan, Simply Be, USC, Sweaty Betty, Warehouse, Nine West, Kookai and Jigsaw or online at www.fashiontargets.org.uk

Question. ‘I wouldn’t call myself fashionably in the know, but many of my work colleagues are and I will be shortly attending a brainstorming weekend in the country hotel where I would like to make an impression or at least look considered. What do you suggest?’ Alex.

It’s all in the details Alex. Women who love fashion notice shoes. I’m suggesting therefore that you make one purchase, which will send your fashion credibility through the roof.

I’ve chosen a pair of shoes that are noticeable (so your money will be well spent) yet so very versatile for this season and let me count the ways…with jeans, a skirt, classic trousers, and cropped varieties this wedge shoe by Georgina Goodman is conventional enough to work with a laid back slack and a good looking bootleg trouser and perfect for the shortest shorts or a denim pencil.

Of course you will be asked about your shoes that’s part of the deal. Fashion types like to swap contacts and references. Your part of the plan is to practice your delivery of this fashion gem, that way bringing your well-kept secret fashion credentials to the fore. It goes like this. ‘Thanks they’re by Georgina Goodman, yes she was nominated for British Accessory Designer of the year last year, I expect she’ll win it this year. She’s Manolo Blahnic’s hot tip, you haven’t heard of her yet, well she’s been in business for three years but everyone has covered her. These were hand painted in Mayfair.’ Then they dare not ask the price - bound to be v expensive but actually so very reasonable. I mean what price fashion cred?

There are loads of other designs on her website and her celebrity client list is growing by the minute.

Caryn says. To know more about dressing for your body download an e-book specially written by me for your individual body shape.
Click here

The ‘Minty’ shoe sizes 35 – 42 price £215.00 available from www.georginagoodman.com

Question. ‘I am shortly to attend a black tie do and I’m dreading the thought of looking like I’m wearing my mother’s clothes. I’m 27 and up for looking stunning but I can’t find anything in the high street and I have a limited budget of course. Also does it have to be long?’ I bet you don’t pick this one because it’s too hard to answer. Ellie.

Actually Ellie it’s a cinch and I’m answering this question because you and others have written in about this very subject. First take a look at this lovely dress and know that it just won the Little Black Dress awards beating other entries from Vivienne Westwood, Alice Temperly and Paul Smith amongst others. It is one of eighty designs available online from Gorgeous Couture. It does what it say’s on the packet doncha think? You will go to the ball looking very 27.

To answer your second question, no it doesn’t have to be long in fact there are no rules concerning hem length, with many evening wear manufacturers taking their inspiration from the celebrity red carpet. In fact come the Oscars, some companies are standing by to replicate the look.

Not so Manchester based designer Warren Bardsley whose company Gorgeous Couture has gone from strength to strength in the four years since it launched and the best news of all is that you, like those celebrity types, can have a made to measure service from this company at no extra cost to the standard price. Dresses start at around £80.00

Caryn says. To know more about dressing for your body download an e-book specially written by me for your individual body shape.
Click here

The Hollywood Dress on special introductory offer at £350 for the next few months is available in standard sizes 6-14 and made to measure sizes with your personal measurements sizes 4-16. www.gorgeouscouture.com

Question. ‘I’ve seen the Roland Mouret Titanium Dress and I’ve seen all the high street versions in the standard sized stores but what about us curvy girls? Has any retailer thought that we might actually want to sizzle too? I’m tall and between an 18 and a 20 and I know I could do that dress some justice.’ Caroline.

Girlfriend that dress was made for you! And what’s more you are going to be stepping out in it shortly courtesy of Evans who are upping their spring fashion offer to deliver more of what you see on the catwalk. Just take a look at this marvellous item which when worn with fishnets and black court shoes will have your fashion lasers set to stun.

To give your curves extra balance, wear large beads (this season’s thing anyway) and a large clutch bag. Enjoy.

Caryn says. To know more about dressing for your body download an e-book specially written by me for your individual body shape.
Click here

Evans black short sleeved fitted dress. 97% cotton machine washable in sizes 16-32 £50.00 available from www.evans.co.uk.

Question ‘I love your site and I thought I’d give you a challenge. I’m looking for a summer jacket that does not have cropped sleeves or is a ridiculously unflattering shape. It has got to be feminine, versatile and something that will go with jeans as well as a skirt and look good dressed up or down, but not denim or a dark colour. Frankly I don’t have the time to go shopping so anything you suggest especially if it is orderable from the net I will act upon.’ Lynda

Well get your card out Lynda, you are about to make a purchase! You are not alone in wanting something more classic in the jacket department than the high fashion cropped sleeved varieties, and here it is.

It is billed as a jean jacket but as you can see it isn’t. It is so much more in fact it’s cord for starters. And it’s from my favourite company Boden who are a highly credited online company but fans will be pleased to know that they have just acquired two retail outfits.

Best news yet is that this jacket is under £60.00. I think that proves I’m up to it Lynda, I look forward to the pictures you will e-mail me of you and your jacket in a variety of fashionable twosomes.

Caryn says. To know more about dressing for your body download an e-book specially written by me for your individual body shape.
Click here

Boden dark stone 50’s bloom cord jacket sizes 8-20 £59.00

My work is done here readers. Over and out until next month.

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