…….  or does it? Many of us get so hung up on size labels when, in reality, it’s such a waste of time and effort. Sizing has not been regulated since the 1950′s and our bodies have changed in shape and size dramatically since the days of Doris Day et al so use them as a guide and leave it at that.

A case in point  -  I bought a fantastic trench dress from the new All Saints flagship store on Regent Street a few weeks ago. I had tried it on in a fabulous chocolate brown thick silky material (almost like a raincoat fabric)  in my normal size 8 and had panicked about getting it off again. I seriously thought I might need scissors to cut me out of it as it was so tight round my shoulders and chest. The same thing happened with the size 10. I’m making this sound quite ordinary but it was a scary ( and very sweaty) moment I can tell you. I knew I had expanded around my middle but had I put on that much weight? Despite my confidence issues I still coveted the dress but the 12 was out of stock, so I settled for one in linen instead. For some reason the size 10, in a pale blue fabric, fitted me fine and looked great, albeit in a different way.

Weeks later, I was still thinking about the chocolate brown dress - always a sign that it should be in your wardrobe.  Having already checked it wasn’t available online, I was highly delighted when I saw it at half price in the Leeds branch this weekend. Not surprisingly, the rack was full of 6′s and 8′s (you’d need to be a twiglet to get into them) and one size 14. Yes, you’ve guessed correctly. That was the one I bought.  Bizarre but true. So forget size. It really doesn’t matter. What does make the difference is great fit and your happiness at finding something you love – which also loves you back.

By the way, if you are very small the online shop has reduced the 6′s and 8′s by a further 50% so a real bargain is to be had. www.allsaints.com   £145 dress is now £37.50

I’ve just returned from a long weekend break with Leisure Plan Holidays. I use them frequently, as they are SUCH good value for money and experts in the field of fitness and looking after yourself (but you can still have a drink!!) 

This particular break was at the newly refurbished Met Hotel in Leeds. I was astounded by the fantastic quality of service I was shown by EVERY member of staff. I know I shouldn’t be surprised as this what hotels are supposed to do, but it’s rare to find it these days. So I can heartily staying there. Some of the bedrooms have seen better days but the food in the Tempest restaurant is to die for.

So having been pummelled, oiled, soothed and reflexologied out I am content with the world AND also the great sale at All Saints, just down the road in the Victorian Quarter!!  More on that tomorrow.

http://www.fitnessfiesta.com/bodycare-breaks.php

Thought you might like to be aware of the launch of a lengthWISE campaign to get brands and designers to put more information on labels and especially on websites.  Most of us are fed up with having to return garments because they’re too short – we should have the information available before we buy. If you’re interested in joining go to:

http://www.60andsensational.co.uk/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?keyword=Campaign

This is a campaign for all ages so tell your younger friends too.

As Autumn approaches, most of us will be thinking about what to do with our legs. If you’re a trouser girl then read my blog of 2 days ago, otherwise read on.

The sheer tight is making a big comeback. Yes, snags and all. The opaque will still be around but sheer is here. How do we know? Kate Moss, the instigator of all trend related clothing, has been sporting them even in the sweltering heat. It seems it’s not only my generation that think bare legs may not be our best look.

So 25 denier or less, along with fishnets (also making a comeback), are now deemed edgy. They will probably look great with the new midi skirt, also coming our way for Autumn. Perhaps the designers are thinking about us older women after all.

If you really want to feel special treat yourself to Cashmere and Silk tights for just £108 – hope they don’t ladder!

http://www.wolfordshop.co.uk/Cashmere-Silk-Tights/cp500004959/si500460021/cl2/vt01/

I was ecstatic yesterday. I read that Sarah Vine, The Times’  Beauty Editor,  had called in image professionals (a designer, personal shopping advisor and stylist) to help her choose her clothing. You’d have thought that someone in her position would have had all the help and advice she needed from her co-horts in the Fashion department at The Times But no.  Like many of us, she is not stick thin, under 20 years of age and 6 feet tall and shopping for great clothes is a challenge.

It all fell apart when she was invited to The Opening of Parliament. Disaster struck as she accompanied her daughter to school en route to the big event. A velcro fastening caught against her chiffon trousers and that, basically, was that. If you’ve ever had to dress in something you hadn’t planned on wearing for an occasion it wasn’t meant for then you’ll get the agonising position in which she found herself.  When you know you’re not looking your best, it is SO hard to enjoy the moment. And many times, these really special occasions do not come around again. What a shame. What a pity. So to make sure it never happened again, Sarah called in the professionals.

Many people poo poo what we do, but Sarah was hooked. If you read yesterday’s Times’ Fashion supplement, you’ll see what I mean.

Thank you Sarah for your endorsement and to the professionals that did such a great job.

Trousers can be such a problem. Short legs, long legs, curvacious hips, muscular thighs, saddle bags, skinny legs, small waist, no waist, long body, short body and heel height all to be considered. Get one wrong, and you’re doomed. So it’s with relief I hear that Gap is launching its latest Autum collection on July 27th and dedicating it to the humble trouser. Eight new styles to suit everyone of us, whatever our shape. Choose from Straight, Boot Cut, Kick Flare, Relaxed Crop, Curvy, Slim Cropped, Skinny and Boyfriend.  The quality of design, cut and fabric is far superior to its humble price tag of around a non bank breakable £30-50. Tel: 0800 427 789 for more details.

The great news is that there are so many different styles around, most of us will already have at least one of them lurking in the wardrobe waiting to be re-invented as a style must have!!

Forget the gym, holding your stomach in or taking to your poolside chair never to sit up again!  Mama Mio’s brand new serious tummy toning cream has been a huge hit since it launched in Debenhams. Two pumps rubbed into your stomach once a day can make you loose inches from your waist, or the very least tighten your wobbly bits. Products in this fun new skincare range all have quirky names and Mama Mio has chosen their ‘Get Waisted’ serum to help raise funds for my charity of choice – Look Good Feel Better (aimed at helping cancer patients worldwide to look fabulous). They are hoping to raise £10,ooo by donating £1 for every bottle sold through their own website or in Debenham’s stores throughout the UK. Its even been given the seal of approval from Weight Watchers magazine. What are you waiting for? You get the bikini body and you’re doing your bit for charity too.

 Get Waisted Body Shaper £35

 http://www.mamamio.com/uk/get-waisted-body-shaper.html

September always reminds me of going back to school, a new term, a new
class, new friends perhaps. The anticipation of creating something new at
this time of year has never left me so, with that in mind, I’m offering
a handful of you the chance to work with me in August at a reduced rate. We
will be anticipating together what you require in your wardrobe for the
Autumn/Winter season and clearing out what no longer serves you. Clearing
the clutter is incredibly liberating, not just for the home but for your
state of mind too.

Each individual session will be 2 hours.

The price – an amazing £150. This will include my travel within a
120 mile radius of Peterborough.

I am limiting this offer to only 5 of you. So, if you want me to help you,
you will need to respond ASAP. remember, it’s first come, first served.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sue

Having just run my second The Art of Style programme, I am so aware of the absolute importance of  dressing your values and honouring your needs when choosing what to wear.

I’ve been really fortunate to have Sarah Stuart staying with me. She is a fabulous new and exciting fashion design graduate and image consultant from New Zealand who is going places – believe me. We had to go shopping. It’s a necessary event for someone who has travelled from elsewhere and a fantastic opportunity for both of us to have another professional alongside to critique potential purchases.

We wne to to Stamford, a fabulous olde English town with independent (though less now due to the economic climate) boutiques and very few national chains. We me in mind, we both swooped on a fabulous Alexander McQueen dress. Sarah agreed that it fitted my body perfectly, it flattered my colouring, it was funky, it was quirky, it was fashionable, it was comfortable  and within my budget (well, I would have squared it somehow) but I still didn’t buy it.  Why not? It creased when I sat down. Not a huge problem as the dress would have still looked good, but I didn’t feel good. Looking ‘creased’ makes me feel like I’ve forgotten to iron my clothing, that I’m not professional, that I’m not as good as I could be and that I’m slipshod in my standards of care. Wearing  this dress would have adversely affected my performance when meeting people and that really isn’t good. 

It was sad to walk away but if I had bought it, I know for sure that it would have stayed in the wardrobe with the labels still on because I was not confident in its performance. My clothing needs to honour my values and my principles and this dress could not deliver. What a shame. It was beautifully tailored but without the substance required to be perfect.

but in a really different format. No longer ‘BIG’ on our TV screens, they pondered hard and long about what to do next and hence the title of their latest offering ‘ What Trinny & Susannah Did Next’.  I’ll leave you to make your own mind up! Beware bad language. www.trinnyandsusannahwhattheydidnext.com