Welcome to the conversation!
The Guardian’s fashion stylist Mel Wilkinson is here now answering your questions live.
She has been styling and celebrities and fashion shoots for over 15 years. Here are some of her most recent tips:
Key events
Where can I buy knitwear which doesn’t swamp me?
guineapigs asks: Who does cropped knits? I am 5’4”, size 10 and am totally swamped by most knitwear. My algorithm keeps showing me elastic band styling tips which look great as long as you don’t actually move.
Mel: I’m not a fan of elastic band tricks … they might work for some people, but I don’t enjoy the feeling of a big lump of material under my jacket. H&M often cut their jumpers slightly shorter, like this one. It would sit closer to your waistband. Also check out & Other Stories, this pink style looks good.
I’m in my early 50s. Where do I shop?
wingnut143 asks: As a woman in my early 50s, I feel a bit left out knowing what to wear and where to shop. I have no desire to dress like I did in my 20s, but I am not ready for the fashion scrap heap just yet. Any advice would be greatly received.
Mel: It’s easy to feel excluded from shops when all their fashion imagery features 20 year old models, but don’t give up. My tactic is to ignore this and focus solely on the clothes. We have the benefit at 40+ of knowing what we like, what shapes work for us, what we feel comfortable in- so work with that.
I like brands that are less trend-led, like Cos, Arket and J.Crew and I look for pieces that riff on the classics but have more personality- like a bolder striped shirt, or a jumper with contrasting neckline and cuffs. It’s easier to find these things in real life so I’d say go for a wander down the high street or find a nice independent multi-brand shop rather than going online. Hopefully you will find inspiration again!
Boots that work with a midi skirt?
APSheffield asks: Do you have any suggestions for very low heeled boots that don’t look like wellies or cow’s hooves (by which I mean, overly chunky) but are tall enough to wear with midi skirts? I fancy mid-calf Chelsea boots but can’t find any the right length.
Mel: Oooh I love a question like this. Could a tall, cowboy inspired boot be the answer? They will give you the slimmer silhouette you are after. They are wider at the calf so will be more comfortable than a tall Chelsea boot. These are great, and currently on sale.
Should men over 60 wear jeans?
HemingfieldTwit asks: At what age should I stop wearing jeans (I am a 60+ male) or should I just embrace the Clarkson look?
Mel: You can absolutely still wear jeans if you are 60+! I don’t think there is a cut off age for denim at all. The key is to think about the shape and colour. Pale or stone wash denim, plus anything with rips, needs to go. Stick to dark indigo blue and buy straight leg styles that fit similarly to a pair of chinos – don’t go too wide à la Clarkson. Wear them with casual shirts, or a lightweight jumper over a t-shirt.
What about my Uzbek hat?
bisqof asks: When do you anticipate my Uzbek hat is going to be in?
Mel: As luck would have it, statement hats are a huge trend for the autumn! So it’s the perfect time to dust it off.
Where to find a smart women’s suit?
#muriel46 asks: Where can women buy really smart, formal suits? Some people still need them for work and it’s nearly impossible to find good quality women’s suits that don’t cost a fortune. No such problem for men!
Mel: Boden have a wide range of sizes in tailoring (from UK4 – 22) and the quality is excellent – I like this pinstripe style. It’s not super cheap, but more affordable than other specialist brands and it will last. The Fold is also one of my go-to’s. It’s bit too pricey at full whack, but have a look when they are on sale. I think this jacket with matching trousers is worth it for such a gorgeous colour.
Help! My feet don’t fit most shoes…
1AngryMan asks: Is there anywhere in London that makes bespoke shoes at a remotely affordable price? If not, do you have any suggestions for affordable shoes that might actually fit? My feet are such an odd shape that almost nothing does. They’re fairly wide at the toes but narrow at the heel, and – which is even trickier – unusually deep from the sole to the top of the instep: not a high arch, the whole foot is thick from top to bottom.
Mel: Bespoke shoes are always pretty spenny. Are you familiar with Hotter shoes? Weird name, but bear with me. I think a wider shoe, with depth, that your foot won’t slip out of is what you need, and Hotter shoes have what they call ‘dual fit’ where you can remove one of two insoles included, for a roomier fit. These boots look pretty good, or these walking shoes.
Will carrot legs be as cringe as the ’80s perm?
teaandchocolate asks: Are barrel leg, carrot leg and other trouser leg styles going to be looked back on as the cringe, 1980s curly perm trend of our time, or are they here to stay?
Mel: Ha. There has definitely been an explosion of different trouser shapes in the past few years. At 43, I’m a fan of the classics. Straight leg, wide leg and the odd pair of cropped kick-flare trousers are the only styles I really wear, but I do welcome the range of shapes available. When I was a teenager all you could buy were boot cut trousers and nothing else … whether they suited you or not. The joy I would have felt at so many shapes!
I think there’s something for everyone now and carrot legs are great on a curvier shape (they’re wider on the bum and thighs), whilst barrel legs give slimmer frames some volume. I definitely think they are all here to stay.
Why is men’s high street clothing so dull?
Ducatibiker asks: Why is the offering for men’s clothing on the high street so rubbish? The clothes for women are bright and fun, go to the men’s section and they’re dull, drab and boring.
Mel: I do celebrate the fact that I get so much more clothing choice than my partner, and although there are lots of men’s brands that are fun, you’re right, they’re not as obvious or easy to find. They are usually smaller boutique brands and don’t have massive shops on the high street.
I’m not sure why big retailers think men don’t want to wear colour? YMC is good for knitwear (it’s a little bit pricey, but made to last) and Percival also puts a twist on a lot of classics. I’m a fan of this shirt. I like to check out shops like Goodhood and see what new, fun brands they are stocking and go from there.
Why are petite women an after thought?
Mellona asks: Why do retailers keep treating petite women as an afterthought? I find petite sizes are often sold out, which suggests demand is there. Is there a reason retailers seem to offer such limited ranges?
Mel: Petite ranges do sell out incredibly quickly, and it’s the same with larger sizes and longer leg lengths. It comes down to the cost for retailers of developing anything outside of their ‘general sizing’. Trousers, for instance, can’t just be shortened – the placement of pockets and the crotch has to change as well, so the garment has to be fully re-worked. It’s outdated though and really does need to change, especially in such a competitive market.
An easy dress to pull on after swimming?
hurford asks: I want a nice easy dress to wear to the swimming baths so it’s easy to put on and off in the dreaded communal changing area, but it needs to be autumn/winter friendly.
Mel: You need a short sleeve jersey dress (long sleeves on warm, damp skin won’t work)- try one like this or this.
Short, curvy and can’t afford alterations?
1seasalt1 asks: I’m short, curvy and on a budget. Standard clothes never fit me properly and when I have the money I have my clothes professionally tailored (pants hemmed and taken in at the waist, mostly). I can’t afford to do this at the moment and don’t have a sewing machine. Do you have any advice for doing alterations by hand, or perhaps something like those viral clips that attach to pants to take in the waist?
Mel: I’m awful at alterations and have always been envious of people who can take up/take in their clothes themselves. The best I can do is use wunderweb. I do like the clips you mention though, especially ones like these which make a bit of a feature of your adjustment. I’d also suggest visiting some bigger vintage clothing shops? So many pre-loved clothes have already been altered that you’ll stand a better chance of finding something unique and a better fit for your shape.
Please find me comfortable heels for my 50th …
GreenandAway asks: Heels with very pointed toes seem to be what everyone is wearing, but will I be able to walk and dance in them at my 50th birthday party next weekend? Can you suggest an alternative please?
Mel: Ah, something I can fully relate to! I’ve learnt the hard way over the years that my feet are too wide for pointed heels so, I have a good selection of block heeled mules instead. They show just enough toe and ankle to lengthen your leg and work with a dress, but if you pick a chunky heel they are substantial enough for dancing and being on your feet all evening. I have a fun zebra print pair from John Lewis, but these and these are also very good.
Welcome to the conversation!
The Guardian’s fashion stylist Mel Wilkinson is here now answering your questions live.
She has been styling and celebrities and fashion shoots for over 15 years. Here are some of her most recent tips:
Source: www.theguardian.com
