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Ask Style Eyes - Fashion and Style Advice
 
If you have a style or fashion question that you would like answered by Style Eyes, please contact us. We can't guarantee to publish every question and answer but we will certainly do our best.
 
New Wardrobe From Online Shops
 
Q: I am 32.. Average size. I hate shopping. I get so ticked off at the stores. I need serious help or fashion ideas. I havent shopped in forever. I sort of want to remake my wardrobe but cant afford to do it all at once. How could your online shopping help?
 
A: The great thing about online shopping is that you can order up a variety of styles and sizes and  then try them on in the comfort of your own home to see which fits and suits you best. You can try them on in different combinations, take your time to consider whether they really fit you properly and suit you. I would suggest making your self a wishlist of some key basic pices that can be topped up with a few pieces from each seasons trends. It really depends on your style and this is something you need to think about. If always dress in casual clothes, get your self an amazing pair of jeans that really make you feel great plus perhaps a denim skirt and some tailored black trousers for more formal occasions. Get yourself a jacket that you love in a neutral colour that will go with almost anything. If you really have no idea what style to go for you could employ the services of a personal shopper who could recommend the best styles, colours and shops to suit your lifestyle taste, shape and colouring. You can find some really great quality basics in BodenMarks and Spencers, La Redoute and the sales at My Wardrobe
 
Jewellery with Beaded Dress
 
Q: What jewellery should I wear with a teal colour floor length beaded dress, sleeveless with 2 tiny straps that form a V at the back? My sandals are pale gold and strappy.
 
A: The dress sounds gorgeous. I think gold jewellry would look great with team and also co ordinate with the sandals. I would suggest a stylish but understated necklace and earrings as you do not want to attract attention away form the dress and you do not want to over so it on the glitz if the dress already has a lot of beads. This Gold Diamond bar pendant would be ideal as it is simple and classic but elegant.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Shoes and Accessories with Pink Cocktail Dress
 
Q: I am 5' 1" tall medium blond,blue eyes with a petite build. I purchased a form fitting hot pink, strapless cocktail dress for a party. The dress has a bit of black trim under the bust. I want to make to glam it up as much as possible. What style of shoes do I wear? Is black the right choice? What about jewellry?
 
A: Black shoes will look great with your dress and it depends on the look you want to go for. Some eyecatching alternatives to black shoes could be black and white, orange, grey, two tone, neutral, animal print or floral. If you go for statement shoes I would suggest keeping jewellery and other accessories very minimal or it will look too busy, perhaps justa  simple pendant necklace. If you opt for a pair of classic black shoes you can go for more eyecatching jewellry.
 

 
 

 

Black and White Shoes

 

 

Peeptoe Town Shoes

 

Colour Block Shoes

 

Shoes for Ball
 
Q: My School Leaver's Ball is this summer and the dress I've seen is a very delicate black chiffon number. I thought nude heels would be good so as not to detract from the dress but also obviously want them to look good and also be very high as I'm not the tallest girl...please help me find something that fits the bill (of a reasonable price)!
 
A: You are in luck with platform soles being in fashion again this season, there are plenty of gorgeous shoes around to give you some extra height. Obviously for a ball, you will want a fairly formal style of shoe. Here are some of my favourites:
 

This classic style court shoe has a platform sole for extra height and is comfy and stylish but will enhance your look without overpowering you dress.

 

This peep toe shoe has a slightly lower heel but is equally as gorgeous with the added advantage of not being to hard to walk in.

 

 

My favourite of all the nude high heel shoes was defintely this Limited Collection Platform Dolly Shoes which will really make you look and feel great and you will be amazed at the price.

 
Shorts for Tall Girls
 
Q: I am 5'9" and in my late teens and even though I am tall and have very decent legs I seem to have trouble finding shorts and t'shirts to fit me. I like to wear relatively short shorts but then i have an issue with finding something that i can wear on top which both covers my whole torso while also balancing my shorts on the bottom. I generally suit blues and whites but white t-shirts always seem exaggerated if they aren't long enough. I am generally a size 6 or 8 but sometimes need to wear bigger sizes for the length. Can you give me any help for the summer?
 
A: High waisted shorts are a key trend for this summer and are ideal for those with long legs and torsos. I love these denim Arrogant Cat crop shorts. Try wearing with a volumous or ruffled top for  a really feminine look or a white T shirt for a more casual look. A T shirt with horizontal stripes is also a great idea and will balance out your proportions - navy and white will look great for this season.
 

 
White Leather Shoes
 
Q: Where can I get white leather shoes this season? 
 
A: There are a vareity of white Designer brands and luxurious shoes from Kurt Geiger.to suit every occasion and budget, I really like HALLE - a leather T bar platform sandal. I have also found some other lovely white shoes from other online retailers.
 

Clarkes Shoes from Littlewoods

 

Miss Sixty Sandals from Freemans

 

Ascari White Loafers from Jones the Bootmakers

 
Full and Flared Skirts
 
Q: I am 5ft11 and have no waist, can I get away with wearing this seasons full and flared skirts?
 
A: Yes definitely, this seasons fifties style, full and flared skirts were made for you. The full skirts will help to give you a defined waist, infact the fuller the skirt, the smaller and more defined your waist will look. As you are quite tall, you can get away with almost any of the styles of full and flared skirt. If you have chunky legs you just need to make sure that the hem of the skirt fall at the point where your calves begin to narrow. Wear your full skirt with a fitted top and jacket and high heels. This monochrome skirt will look absolutely stunning with a fitted black shirt.
 

 
Fashion and Style
 
Q: I feel really frumpy and my clothes are not very fashionable. How can I dress more fashionably?
 
A: I always think that style is much more important than fashion. Everyones style is individual and you can develop your own style based around what really makes you look and feel great. You could try reading What is Style? this may give you some ideas on how to develop your own style. You can then pick and choose items from this seasons trends that really suit you. If all else fails and you still can't seem to find the perfect clothes, you could also try enlisting the services of a personal shopper.
 
Floral Prints for Summer
 
Q: I would love to wear this summers florals prints. I have quite a large boobs, How can I wear them without looking frumpy and old fashioned?
 
A; Try wearing a floral dress  or top with a V neck and a camisole underneath, accessorise with chunky bangles and wedges to give the dress a modern look. Border prints and bold artistic flower prints are also really up to date and don't look at all mumsy. You could also try wearing plain clothes then accessorising with floral accessories such as this D&G poppy scarf.
 

Flattering Party and Prom Dresses
 
Q: I am going to my school prom soon and want to find a dress that is really flattering. Are there any particular styles of prom, party or evening dress that will diguise my big bottom?
 
A: Empire cut dresses are great for disguising a shapely bottom. An A line style that is cut high could also look great. Opt for fabrics that skim and drape well to avoid an angular shape. Make your shoulders appear wider to balance out your lower half by wearing dresses with horizontal lines on the top half. Try looking at The Ultimate Guide to Stylish Party, Prom. Ball and Evening Dresses for some more ideas. This evening dress will look great on you.
 


  
White legs and summer dresses
 
Q: If your legs are not in perfect shape for summer dresses,what are the options?
 
A: White legs are a problem for many of us at the beginning of the summer. In order to make your legs look less white  choose the colour of your dress and shoes carefully. The darker the colour, the whiter your skin will look so avoid black and instead opt for pastel or pale colours. Flesh colour tights are also great for giving your legs a bit of colour opt for a few shades darker than your natural skin tone for a really natural look. Don't go too dark or the tights will look really obvious. If you want to wear open toe  sandals, Falke Shelina 12D Toeless Tights are great, they have lots of shades to suit every skin tone and give the apearance of bare legs.
 
Fake tan is also a great way to give your legs a warm glow. For special occasions I love St Tropez. For everyday use Tan Towel is quick and easy to use.

 

Another great option for disguising white legs is to make the most of this seasons trend for Maxi dresses. There are plenty available to choose from. I really love this gorgeous Floral Maxi Dress.

 


 
Where to buy ethical clothes
 
Q:After all I have read about the social and environmental impact of clothes and textile production, I am starting to get a concious. I would like to buy ethical clothes but still want to be trendy and stylish, how can I do this?
 
A: It is definitely possible to buy ethical clothes and still be on trend, being ethical is really trendy at the moment and the choice of ethical goods is increasing all the time. There is even a section of London fashion week dedicated to ethical clothes. For basics Natural Collection is great for ethical clothes. For really ontrend ethical clothing try Ciel at My Wardrobe and for great organic cotton try Seasalt.
 
Another easy way to make a real impact is to stop using carrier bags. Not only is this a great thing to do for the environment but a great shopper like this one from La Redoute will look much more stylish than a carrier bag. 
 

 

 

How to introduce more colour to your wardrobe
 
Q: I love colourful clothes but always seem to wear black. How can I introduce more colour to my wardrobe?
 
A: The key to wearing colours is to find the colours that really suit you. Once you have worked this out, try introducing a small amount of the colour. Accessories are a great way to start. A scarf, bag or belt will add some interest to your outfits and as you get used to wearing more colour you could graduate to wearing different coloured tops.
 
Where to find discount designer clothes
 
Q: I love designer clothes, but can't afford the price tags. where can I get genuine designer clothes for less?
 
A: There are a number of companies that run designer sales with up to 70% off for members only. You could also try ebay for second hand clothes and end of season sales. By looking carefully at this seasons trends you should be able to get key pieces that will not go out of fashion at a fraction of the price. 
 
 
How to get a streamlined silouette
 
Q: I would like to buy myself a sweater dress but every one I have tried on shows every single bulge and lump. How can I wear a sweater dress and have a smooth silhouette?
 
A: If you have no time for Pilates or body toning classes, there is only one thing for it -support underwear. Spanx Higher Power are the best. You should also wear a co ordinating wide belt, perhaps in the same colour as the dress, this will hide a multitude of sins and obscure the view so tummies, hips etc are not so obvious. My favourite is this gorgeous Topic Belt by Paul and Joe
 

Trends for Petites for Spring / Summer 08

 
Q: I am only 5 ft 2 and struggle to find fahionable clothes that suit me. What sort of clothes would look good for Spring and Summer 2008?
 
A: Well I myself am only 5ft 2 and so completely understand the issues that you face when looking for clothes that look and feel great. My advice to you is to always ensure that your clothes are in proportion to your size. Here is a summary of the Spring and Summer trends for Petites:
 
The full skirt - probably not ideal for petites as the proportions will be wrong and it will make you look shorter. If you really must have one try and get one that is not too full perhaps from a petite range (if you can find one)
Abstract and artistic prints - As with any prints they will look great on petites as long as they are not too big. The ombre effect is great but watch out for horizontal lines in the dye with 2 different colours,this may cut you in half and make you look shorter. Diagonal lines will have a more lengthening effect.
Safari - As a petite you will look great in this trend by wearing a suit all in the same or neutral colour. if wearing a belt try to have the same colour as the rest of the outfit. Steer clear of long baggy shorts these will only make your legs look shorter. Shorter shorts with a high heel is the best option if you have the legs for it.
All in ones - Petites can wear all in ones and look great but choose carefully. Make sure that your all in one is fitted to avoid being swamped. You will also probably look great in the shorter style playsuits. Add some height with chunky heels or wedge sandals.
Floral- Another great look for petites but stick to the smaller floral prints to avoid being over powered. Long /fitted / straight or biased cut will probably look best.
Soft tailoring - this again is a great look for petites. Wear jacket and trousers in the same colour and ensure that the suit fits correctly i.e shoulders not too big and waist falls at the correct height.
Ethnic Prints - As with all prints opt for the smaller designs and patterns that create horizontal lines.
Block colour - An outfit all in one colour usually looks best on petites. Avoid an outfit which is two colours divided horizontally.
Floaty and chiffon fabrics - These will look great in long dresses as they usually are not too full and so will be in proportion. If you want the frilly look stick to small frills.
Japanese style - great for petites as it is usually quite fitted.
Nautical - Navy is a really flattering colour and will look great on petites. If you want to wear nautical stripes opt for narrow vertical or diagonal stripes. Never wear wide or horizontal stripes.

So in summary - if you are petite, avoid big prints, big patterns, big anything and horizontal lines instead opt for small prints, delicate details, diagonal and vertical patterns and fairly fitted styles.