Indian Bridial Wear

As far as the eye could see it was a makeover spectacular for women our age, with workshops and take home tips galore.

And the catwalks featuring high street clothes were wonderful with women of all shapes and ages looking hot.

I was merely playing ‘Lieutenant’ to Jane’s ‘General,’ and wrote the live shows and rehearsed them for the presenters, but she shaped the event and I’m sure it will be a regular on the calendar from now on.

So for those of you who missed it, we’ll give you a shout in good time next year.

By contrast, I have been completely submerged in another event dedicated to diversity and individuality called All Walks Beyond the Catwalk with one of Britain’s bet know models Erin O’Connor (She of the Marks and Spencer campaigns). There is a press embargo on talking about it at the moment but hey, you are special and I know you will keep it a secret!

It will take place during London Fashion Week and is dedicated to showing cutting edge design from top designers on women of all ages and sizes (so Jane and I are both on it as you can see).

I have a 65 year old model (her name is Valerie and she was in the Saturday Guardian this week) who looks so feisty and a 42 year old former super model in place (amongst others) and I have some gorgeous curvy models...Lucy is a UK size 16 and Lauren a 14.

I can’t wait to see them looking spectacular in their designer threads.

The casting for models was really enjoyable meeting women of all ages and Daphne works out of one of the top agencies, still getting regular work at 80!

I’m still working hard on it and as I have more to report I’ll let you know!

But this month let’s go straight to the figure fixing tips I know you love. A lot of you have been writing and asking about your individual shapes and whether my e-books will work for you.

So I thought I would give you a simple explanation of what these body shape e-books are about…

They will teach you how to choose garments for your body shape based on a brand new understanding of clothes. You can learn how to pick the right features on clothes to minimise your weaknesses and play up your strengths. This means that you don’t have to worry about trends or what the journalists say (who let’s face it change their mind from season to season).

There are over 100 illustrations of clothes with explanations of the features, along with workshops that will ensure you never and I mean never buy an item of clothing that doesn’t suit you again.

In the current recession, understanding how to spend your money wisely on clothes that are right for your body shape can’t be a bad thing now can it.

In ' What’s new for July', I’m working with Marks and Spencer to offer clothing solutions for your body shape issues. You asked:

• How do I pick florals that aren’t frumpy?

• How do I dress for a wedding?

• How do I pick the right special occasion dress for a curvy shape?

• What do I need to buy for summer workwear?

• How do I work a smart dress code and stay cool?

Even if these aren’t your questions, why not have a look at the pictures and recommendations for ideas of what you could buy to suit your shape, with a link through to the item in question.

Of course I have also been answering more queries this month in ‘ Ask Caryn,’ your fashion dilemma may be featured here.

Questions were...

• What to wear under a tunic at 64?
• How to wear heels when tall?
• How to dress a curvy shape?
• How to dress a pear shape?
• What to wear to Buckingham Palace?
• How to wear a gypsy skirt?
• What to use for coverage with a halterneck dress?

All you need to do if you have a question is write to me at info@howtolookgood.com it can’t be simpler than that!

Of course you can get more fashion tips on my blog along with an update of what I have been up to and what I’ve been wearing.

Right its time to add another three recommendations to your shopping list so that you can start to build up your summer look. The items I have discussed in recent months appear below.

First I’m going to add three more garments that I think will be versatile additions to your capsule wardrobe…

July

The ‘All in one,’ or the ‘onesie,’ as the Americans say: The fashion magazines show these as cutie, short, play suits for young women (because with the exception of the Guardian newspaper, they don’t feature older models) but don’t let that put you off. The all in one looks very sophisticated on most shapes. Buy a classic one to wear for a formal day or evening like the one I am wearing in my blog. Or go for a colourful one if you are in holiday mode! Curvy shapes should stick to a solid colour and avoid prints for this garment.

The Practical Jacket: The fashion mags gave the Stella McCartney inspired oversized boyfriend jacket the thumbs up, because it looked so good on models. My steer for you is to bring a more classically cut jacket into your wardrobe that will see you through cooler days and then into autumn. You need fit and colour here to flatter the rest of your purchases, but you could go for white if you are feeling adventurous! There have been a spate of cotton blazer styles that look good over trousers and shift dresses and these could be just the thing for you, but if you are looking for something more feminine to go with a softer summer look, then why not investigate the ruffle blazer which has a peplum style and can be adapted to give jeans and shorts a funky edge, as well as being worn as an extra layer over dresses or skirts and vest tops.

Shorts: If you haven’t looked at any pairs so far, then now is the time. Firstly I’m not talking very short. More knee length for most. If you are slender then keep them streamlined, with delicate flats and if you have curvy legs then try a wider fuller pair, with chunky wedges. Remember to get the Fake Bake leg foundation out so you can enjoy bare legs (I really recommend this or the Sally Hansen leg foundation it covers all.


June

The Harem Pant: Having test driven mine for the last month or so, I can report that they are now an indispensable item in my wardrobe and the only trouser style I want to wear. I wear mine with flats and a soft diaphanous top and if I need to give it some edge a fitted jacket. There are a huge variety of styles around from soft jersey styles to more tailored versions that are more fitted around the calf and ankle. There are plenty of harem looks for the autumn too so investing in a pair will give you plenty of time to enjoy the pence per wear factor. Once you have made the plunge you won’t regret the lovely loose feeling you experience in a cut that doesn’t hug your bottom and thighs.

The Maxi Dress: Time to be thinking about your high- summer wardrobe too. A maxi is still this season’s practical summery buy. So comfy and easy to wear no need to worry about whether bare legs need a fake tan either. If you are curvy make sure you choose one with definition around the bust. There are lots of styles but the easiest to wear are the ones that have elasticised shirring all round the bust.

The Vest Top: Time to invest in some brightly coloured vest tops to wear on their own when it gets hotter (and with your scarf wrapped stylishly around your neck) or under a classic waistcoat style you already have.

May

Dress: Actually I’m not going to be too prescriptive about the style. Let’s say something you can belt at the waist for standard, tall and curvy shapes or an empire line for petite or apples shapes or a tunic shape if you fancy - remember to refer to your e-book to check the features you need. The fact is this will be a great early summer pick you up to add colour to your wardrobe and move away from all those solid neutrals.

Don’t be put off by the hem lengths, which seem high in many shops. Of course you can wear skinnies or leggings underneath and these will still be doing the rounds next season too but there are plenty of longer lengths for those of us that need a bit more coverage. While it’s colder wear yours with opaque black tights and heels and your cardigan and spring coat as discussed earlier and as it gets hotter the flats discussed below will be all you need.

Scarves: The scarf will continue to reign supreme for autumn and winter too so grab yourself a couple and have fun with colour. Tie loosely round your neck to funk up a plain dress or top. If you are petite make sure the scarf is as fine as possible so that it doesn’t over power your upper body and if you are curvy choose a large and voluptuous fabric. You don’t have to wear it 80’s style as all the magazines are showing just find your own way or take some suggestions from our e-books. This will add extra warmth and is an easily acquired bit of fashion currency!

Super flats: I flagged up the hero shoe last month: the gladiator heel to add glamour to dresses and focus for the cropped trousers but this month is a good time to think about the practical flat summer sandal that will see your through all summer and out the other side.

Colourful, tribal, strappy and jewelled or studded, flat sandals embrace all the trends. Pick yours for their ability to work with leggings under a dress, maxi style dresses and rolled up or cropped trousers as well as baggy shorts. Remember some styles of flat shoe will make your foot look larger than it is, so be discerning at the mirror and if this bothers you then work with other styles until you are happy with what you see.

April

The suit: No I’m not talking about the uptight city banker style or anything remotely 80’s power dressing. But the two piece suit jacket and skirt with soft feminine touches like tulip skirt and single button jacket will give you loads of options when you wear them together and split them up to put the skirt with a ruffled shirt for evening and the jacket with jeans or harem pants.

The brightly coloured spring coat: I’m loving the brightly coloured outer layers that give you the chance to dazzle on these grey mornings! M&S have a fuchsia version for just £69. But you can choose whichever price point suits you. A coat like this will look best over neutrals like greys or creams and is the perfect covering for you jeans, your new trouser shapes and knee lengths skirts. Consult your e-book for the best shape for your body.

Gladiator shoe: This is a lovely looking shoe that it strappy, colourful and elegant. There are a good variety of heels too so even though you always see the high versions pictured, hold out for a lower and more practical version. Choose it in neutrals and you will find you can wear it with your 7/8th trousers or under any style of trouser for that matter also with your fitted skirt. It’s a very funky look and will instantly update your wardrobe if you need that edge. River Island is doing the best ones I’ve seen at £85. Incidentally they will still be going strong for the following season too.

March

Jeans: OK let’s just dispense with the jeans hysteria around those celebrity slashed and faded looks. I wrote about them last newsletter in more depth. I’m not going to tell you to avoid the look completely but if you are one of my ageless style converts, you will give them a wider berth. I will say if you are set on this style then buy these distressed versions cheaply – very cheaply, as they are a novelty look. (I wore them when I was in my 20’s and used bleach and a cheese grater to get the effect). Next season they will have disappeared, unlike a classic jean, which always will be a huge advantage in your wardrobe.

But let me point you in the direction of the current shapes: Of course for lots of in-depth info around your individual shapes you could consult your free jeans e-book (when you buy a body shape e-book).

Skinnies are still current, there are lots of new season styles to tuck into your boots or wear with flat pumps.

Boyfriend or straight leg are also just as popular – slightly tapered at the leg and rolled up with heels is the way that style icons are doing it but wear yours with flats or mannish shoes.

The skinny flare or the bootleg (you can choose how fitted around the top of the leg you want) is the most current shape. The higher the waist, the more on trend you are but, it’s all about your hips and thighs if you are pear shaped choose a low rise in a dark colour – (standards, petite and tall) can have a field day as this will minimise. Wear yours with heels and keep the hemline nearly trailing the floor for maximum elongation of your limbs. Resist buying a pair that are too short.

Soft fine-knit cardigan: With coats in the dry cleaner’s and ready for summer storage, it’s time for jackets and trench coats to step in, but you’ll want another layer to wear under a jacket.

The cardigan in a range of colours from neutrals to brights is a practical garment to invest in. A v-neck design is always more flattering to create a longer looking neck and is also perfect to wear over your ruffle blouse with your new 7/8th trouser.

Elasticised belt with large buckle motif: Add a belt to the above combo and you have instant glamour and definition around bust and waist plus it will work to give other garments in your wardrobe a fresh spin. There will be more to say about the belt as we add other garments to this list.

February.

Orange: Set to be the colour of the season make sure anything you choose in orange is also a quality fabric or material as it could look cheap and shabby after a few wears (there’s just something about orange that does that)! From coats to dresses and accessories you can have your pick because all the high street stores picked up on this bright and optimistic colour but the easiest way to work it into your wardrobe at this early stage is with an accessories update. Shoes, bags and belts then become the way you can channel the look without it feeling too bright. Boden has a great patent orange satchel that will work for smart formal wear and dress down jeans.

7/8th Trouser: This is a current shape trouser that is in all your favourite stores. Next have some great shapes and I’ve seen them in action on the catwalk too when Jane and I styled some ordinary members of the audience in them. Wear these trousers as you would longer versions - they go with everything you already have in your wardrobe, but know that the key to pulling this look off is the footwear because the trouser is designed to put emphasis on your feet. A platform heel as a feature shoe is the most flattering look, or while it’s chilly the shoe boot you bought last season will work too.

Ruffle Blouse: Pussy bows are still going so you can wear yours well into this season too but the newest embellishment is the ruffle blouse. Choose one that has versatility for work and play just make sure it has feature of soft ruffles through the front of the body. This will work well with any existing trousers or skirts you have but of course with your new 7/8th strides too.

I like to search my inbox for information that might interest you... here’s the fashion and beauty news that caught my eye this month!

ARMANI AND LADY HELEN END 17-YEAR RELATIONSHIP
Fashion house Armani and Lady Helen Taylor have ended a long-running relationship that saw the Queen's cousin act as fashion ambassador to the brand for 17 years.

The 45-year-old royal has been a muse to Giorgio Armani since he provided an outfit for her 1992 wedding.

"From Armani's perspective, there is a recession and it becomes harder to justify the expense of having fashion ambassadors," an unnamed source told the Mail on Sunday. "The relationship has been there so long there is less impact now for people to see Lady Helen wearing Armani."

Lady Helen, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, is 26th in line to the throne.


TIMBERLAND LAUNCHES RECYCLABLE FOOTWEAR
Timberland has launched its first recyclable footwear, the Earthkeepers 2.0, which is designed to be disassembled and recycled rather than thrown away at the end of its life.

The footwear, designed with eco-conscious features in response to customer demands, just needs to be returned to any Timberland store for it to be recycled, the company said. Timberland will also implement a "second life" programme to pilot reusing components from the returned boot to make a new pair of shoes.

"We can be deliberate about designing the 'greenest' footwear out there - but if at the end of the day those products still end up in a landfill, we haven't really closed the loop on our environmental responsibility," said Brian Moore, VP Men's Product. "With Earthkeepers 2.0, we have an opportunity to influence the environmental impact of our products in a way we haven't before - after the point of purchase."

The Earthkeepers 2.0, 80% of which can be recycled or reused, will be available in the autumn

It’s always great to hear from you; so if you have any feedback, please do feel free to drop me a line at: Caryn@howtolookgood.com

We are as always dedicated to demystifying the wonderful world of fashion.