Discover how to look good in the current fashion trends for September 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.
Firstly don’t panic; 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 body shape and 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.
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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.
I intend to show you how you can work with the new fashion trends and still flatter your body shape and budget - After all that’s what this site is all about!
Remember, these trends can suit all shapes and ages, so if you’re over 40 then see my ageless style advice on how to look and feel younger.
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 one of my favourite retailers, Boden...
Question: “Dear Caryn
It has come to that time of year again when I am looking to buy a winter coat and I am a bit stuck. I was wondering if you could suggest something? I am 5”5, a size 12-14 depending on the brand. My bottom half is bigger than my top and I have quite a small chest with narrow shoulders. My wardrobe consists of pretty much all dark and neutral colours because I feel that these are more slimming. I would like to try and add some colour to my wardrobe and was thinking of a coloured coat but am worried that it will make me look wider and also I am not sure what will go with what. I would like to buy a coat that will last me a while and I am not sure if a coloured coat would date easily?
Thanks very much"
Caroline
Hi Caroline
There’s no need to be afraid to make a statement with a coat that has a strong colour and whichever shade makes you look amazing, regardless of what’s in vogue this season, is the one for you. It’s all about how you wear it and for your shape you already have the essentials – simply wear your darker or neutral items in a long solid line underneath a loose-cut knee length coat left open to give you that slimming and lengthening effect.
Actually as you wear lots of neutrals, then a coat in a bright colour, simple shape and matte fabric like this one below is a better buy than you think. It will compliment, not clash with your outfits and add a whole new dimension to your look, giving your simple wardrobe a shot of chic. Just adapt it to suit the season and more importantly your mood – this season coats are all about belting up but next season it might be teaming it with that hot printed scarf – you know how fashion keeps changing its mind!
Carnaby Trench
£110.00
Sizes 8-20
Available in Custard, Purple, Mid Brown and Blush
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: “Dear Caryn
I recently purchased your standard and curvy eBook which I love and am finding really helpful. I have carried out a ‘wardrobe edit’ as you suggest and realised that I have quite a few dressy clothes and really casual ones but nothing much in between. I am starting a new job in a few weeks as a university lecturer so need to look pulled together but not too formal. I want to look fashionable but not so I am trying to compete with the younger students! I know it is getting colder but I don’t want to look stuffy or ladylike in more formal suits and jackets. I know you said in your eBook that I can enjoy colour (which I’ve never really done before!) and can play with colour of the same tone and block colour. I really want to give this a go and was just wondering if you have seen anything that you can suggest? I like quite a non-fussy pared down look and I am still getting to grips with styling myself and working with accessories.
Thank you"
Sally
Hello Sally
What about this one-hit wonder of a dress. Really all you need are shoes and you are ready to go. Sure, you can accessorize as much as you like (once you feel more comfortable with it) , but even with the most minimal styling, a great dress like this one can make you look polished and pulled together in an instant.
As you rightly said you certainly should play with colour and the long line of it here will slim and add length. Teaming with a belt in a lighter colour as Boden have done here will define your waist and make it seem fuller to balance out your hips and bust, but it will take away from the effect of adding height. Try a darker belt in a similar tone to make your waist seem smaller and add the effect of height – it all depends on what you are trying to achieve, but don’t leave your waist undefined. When it starts to get chillier, team with a leather jacket or accessories with stud and zip detailing to give your look a different harder edge and leave those students green (or should I say purple) with envy!
Silk Trim Shirt Dress
£79.00
Sizes 8-20
Available in Purple, Baltic and Black
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: "Dear Caryn
I am hoping that you can give me some advice. My boyfriend has invited me to a family party in a couple of weeks and I am bit stressed about what to wear! I have never met my boyfriend’s family and so am a bit nervous and want to make a good impression. I have quite a vibrant personality and wear lots of colour and sometimes what my boyfriend calls ‘wacky’ items. I obviously want to show off my personality but maybe tone it down slightly. I want to look like I am in the know fashion wise! The party is in the afternoon so the dress code is smart casual. I am not really a dress type of girl but want to look feminine and was thinking of a skirt instead of trousers (which I live in)? It would be great to get something that I can wear again. I am a size 14 on top and 12 on bottom; I have a long waist with shorter legs and have quite a big chest. I am 25 and 5”4 tall.
Thanks"
Kelly
Hello Kelly
I think a skirt is a good way to go – how about a pencil skirt but not in the suit sense – a more vibrant, fun option to reflect your personality. The pencil skirt is a key piece of the season and why not team with a little black lace or velvet – it’s feminine and oh so chic. The straight style of this skirt will seem to elongate your legs and add to the effect by tucking your top into the skirt. Keep the top layer streamlined and I say black as not only will this minimize your top half against the bright bottom half but it is also the way to wear bright colour this season. The catwalks revealed an almost unexpected burst of acid brights graphically contrasted by an all black background.
Away from the party this skirt will serve you well for a variety of looks, style should be about who you are and what you are about – I think you already know that, so continue to have fun and maybe this season have a flirt with some patterned tights!
Cord Mini
£45.00
Sizes 8-20
Available in Frog, Geranium, Mid Brown and Black
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. “Dear Caryn
I hope that you can help me. I am going away on a weekend break to the Lake District in a few weeks with some friends and there will be a guy there who I am hoping to impress. Obviously I want to look my best but I don’t want to be panicking about what I am going to wear and just want to be able to slip something on to look effortlessly chic without getting all hot and bothered. I am a curvy girl and normally wear a size 16 and have a 34F chest. I am quite tall at 5”8. As we are going to be in the Lake District I can’t be too dressy but want to look my best. Please help!
Thanks so much "
Stephanie
Hello Stephanie
I would suggest a dress – put it on and you are done – no mucking around with what goes with it. This gorgeous dress nips in at the waist, hugs the hips and falls loosely over your thighs and calves to show off your luscious curves. All you need to do is keep it simple and let the slinky shape make all the impact. Team with long boots for a flirty look and layer up with a long knit for a sensual cosy cocoon when those winter nights set in.
This catwalk favourite edgy bold bloom statement print will make sure that you do not go unnoticed by certain eyes! The all-over pattern will keep the eye from resting on any one spot, a great diversionary tactic for voluptuous bodies and the v-neck with slim and elongate, giving a suggestive hint without revealing too much. Phew! - flower power has never been so striking!
Marvellous Merino Dress
£89.00
Sizes 8-20
Available in Mulberry Abstract, Midnight Abstract, Ocean Melange, Purple Melange and Black
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. "Dear Caryn
Just a quick question, is the androgynous look still fashionable and if so what is the best way to create the androgynous look? I don’t have a large budget so I was wondering if there was one piece you could suggest that could help give me the look? I have a boyish figure with no real curves. I am a size 10 with a 32B chest and I am about 5”7. Oh generally I like a more relaxed style and don’t like to look too formal.
Thanks so much"
Deborah
Hello Deborah
It just so happens that androgyny was a trend on the catwalks this season but don’t worry too much about what’s en vogue and think about what suits you and creating your own style. I would try a jacket – a starting point for so many great looks. Jackets bring everything together. And I’m not talking about a stuffy suit blazer. There are plenty of more casual styles that will add refinement to your dressed down-ensembles. As you have a boyish figure you can really carry off clothes cut in heavier fabrics and ought to experiment with tweeds, corduroys, and heavy twills which were back on the catwalks in new sexy cuts.
This neat-shouldered, single-breasted jacket, which is nipped in at the waist works well for you. Wear this more traditional piece in a non-traditional way. Try teaming it with jeans and autumn’s sexy courts. The key to getting the androgynous look just right is to keep a feminine element to your look. Keep it soft with something lacy, frilly, sparkly or slinky underneath and heels are always key, but you can always add a tough edge with a chic zipped or studded clutch.
Soho Blazer
£110.00
Sizes 8-20
Available in Red Check, Ivy Spot and Rhubarb Stripe
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.
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!
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