Your style questions answered
Welcome to a regular post I feature here on Styling You.
Whenever I get a fashion or style question that I think others may be interested in, I’ll answer it in a blog post like this.
If you have a question you’d like considered for this, please email me: [email protected] – I can’t answer all personally but if it has a wider appeal, you may get ideas from these posts.
Please don’t message me via the Facebook page – the Styling You Facebook page gets hundreds of messages and it’s almost impossible to manage as I can’t file them away for answering.
You might also find answers to your questions in the search bar to the right of this blog post or ask for advice in the Styling You forum.
Let’s get stuck in and get your style questions answered.
Skinny jeans
I’m a 42-year-old mum of a four-year-old and a 16-month old. I work four days a week and manage to fit in two exercise sessions and I’ve cut down on snacks and eat reasonably well. But… the baby tummy won’t budge. So, I need a pair of cool jeans that are forgiving on a flabby belly. I’m a size 10/12 or M. I have two pairs of Country Road elasticated pants but I’m looking for skinny jeans. I’m happy to wear loose tops but if the jean waistband cuts in too much, it leaves an unsightly bulge under the shirt. Have you any recommendations on a good fit of jeans in the more budget end of the scale? I suppose I’d be prepared to pay up to $150. Sam
Skinny jeans are definitely your most flattering choice Sam – and I should know, I’ve had a baby tummy since before I’d even had my first baby. The key to finding skinny jeans that fit and flatter and not create an unwanted muffin situation is to look for a skinny leg style in a denim that has a good amount of stretch – and a mid-to-high waist. Apart from wanting that stretch for comfort – especially if you spend your days running after small children – that stretch factor will mean you can opt for a firm fit without feeling like the waistband cuts in. The thing to remember is that the higher the stretch content in the denim, the more they will give with wear. You need to buy your stretch skinnies as tight as possible to allow for this. Here are some shopping suggestions. You might also get some tips from this post I wrote last month.
1. Sussan lift and shape jean $129.95 | 2. Target shape your body jeans $35 | 3. Katies relaxed rip and repair jeans $59.95 | 4. Country Road mid-rise torn jegging $99.95 | 5. Jeanswest Ilisa super skinny Prima jeans $120
Black skirts
I am looking for a short black skirt to wear with boots, jumpers and loose shirts. I am a 47 -year-old registered nurse from Hobart who wears scrubs to work so I’m not looking for that “office” look – just practical, comfortable and a skirt that could be taken from day to night. Kirsty
Kirsty, my suggestion to you is to look for a straight skirt style in a leather or faux leather. This is the perfect winter texture to take you from day to night – and there are plenty of options available at the moment for all budgets. For day time, wear with tights, flat ankle boots and knitwear. At night wear with heeled pumps or ankle boots, a silk or soft shirt and a coat. Here are some shopping suggestions.
1. Sussan seamed coated skirt $89.95 | 2. Seed leather skirt $249.95 | 3. Boo Radley faux leather skirt $99 @ Birdsnest | 4. Trenery leather skirt $379 | 5. Country Road leather-look skirt $99.95
Preppy look
I love the preppy look but I’m worried that when I dress like that I look 50 instead of 37! I love shirts and jumpers and wonder how to put them together in a young way. I also have a draw full of scarves. Sarah
Oh, I hear you … I am closer to 50 then 40 but none of us want to dress in a favourite style and have the end result make us look older than we are. The key is to add some edge to that style to reinvent it in its modern form. Yes, you have a wardrobe filled with shirts, jumpers and scarves but how can you wear them so that you look youthful. The key word here is CONTRAST. Yes, take a knit (make it over-sized if possible) and wear it over a tailored shirt (worn out or half-tucked) but team that duo with ripped skinny or boyfriend jeans and shoes with a kind of “toughness” or a non-preppy surprise factor. For daily inspiration, check out (and study) my friend, @redcliffestyle … she nails a preppy/edgy look like nobody’s business. Here’s a styling and shopping suggestion.
1. Seed jeans $89.95 | 2. Sportscraft shirt $99.95 | 3. JAG knit $99.95 @ Birdsnest | 4. Metalicus loop scarf $69.95 | 5. Zensu slip-ons $119.95 @ Styletread
Got a question? Email me: [email protected] Got something to add to my advice above, fire away in the comments below!
This post contains affiliate links (if you purchase via these links I may receive a small sales commission). Full disclosure policy here.
The post Your style questions answered appeared first on Styling You. Click through to continue the conversation. The most fun happens in the comments' section on the blog.
