Savvy Style ~ 2008 Glamour Gurus

I’ve got really muscular thighs, and I struggle to find trousers that are wide enough. Where can I find affordable caprices that are larger at the thigh? - Thigh mistress

Eve Roth Lindsay says:
I bet you do a lot of sports! Almost all sports produce extra muscles on your thighs, they’re one of the hardest areas to disguise, but don’t worry, there are styles to fit you and minimise your thighs. Usually the biggest problem with wide thighs is that your waist is small. Getting trousers that fit your waist usually means they are too tight in the thigh, it is much better to buy pants that fit your thighs, then get them altered to fit your waist. Choosing darker-coloured bottoms and a lighter top will draw attention away from your thighs. Capri pants are actually not your best choice – they give the illusion your thighs are even bigger than they really are. The best choice this season are the wide-leg, cropped trouser. Giordano concepts (2921 2483) has elongating, slimming pinstriped pants. Wear them with boots and your thighs will magically disappear!

In the shade
I would like to wear fashionable sunglasses on sunny day but I am very short-sighted and can’t see without my glasses. Are contact lenses the only solution?

Eve Roth Lindsay says:
Transition glasses, prescription sunglasses and clip-on shades are just what you need. Oversized frames, aviators and sleek retro styles are the look right now. Of course, prescription glasses mean custom-made lenses – since they will cost a bit more, you want to make sure you get the right frame shape and colour for your face type. If your face is long and thin, go for a deeper colour to make your face look shorter. If your face is rounder and shorter, choose a lighter or softer colour to minimize the width of your face.

The high life
I’ve recently started to wear heels more often when I go out. But I tend to get a lot of blisters and cuts which make my feet ugly. Is there anywhere I can buy hot heels that are comfortable yet not too pricey?

Eve Roth Lindsay says:
There is nothing worse than shoes that hurt. The best way to avoid getting blisters on your feet is to buy shoes that are not too tight or too loose. We all want to look good, but there is no reason to suffer for style. Buy your shoes in the afternoon after you have been on your feet for the day. Your feet will be at their biggest, guaranteeing a better fit. Wearing tights will keep your shoes from rubbing, which is the main cause of blisters. Aerosoles (call 2242 6690 for locations all over Hong Kong or visit their website at www.aerosoles.com) are famous for making shoes that are the perfect blend of fashion and comfort, so you can wear them all day and not get any blisters!

Q. I have rather chubby, short neck and underlined jaw line. From some angles it looks like I have no chin. What should I do to make my jaw and neck more obvious, and dress up my shoulders and collarbone? I want to be able to wear summer tanks and dresses. - Neck less

Eve Roth Lindsay says:

A. With a short or thick neck, it’s more about what not to do! You need to give the illusion of a longer neck so keep away from anything that brings attention to your neck. Tanks and dresses without collars are ideal, as long as they are very simple with V-necks or scoop necks. Wear long necklaces, and avoid cluttering your neck with shorts, busy necklaces and chokers. Long hair also lengthens your neck – avoid bobs or any cut that ends at your chin. Layering your hair will make your lack of neck and chin less noticeable. Earrings, too will take the attention away from your neck as long as you keep them simple. Keep away from button earrings but longer earrings, drops and little studs are all perfect.

Q. Where can I find those earrings studs that look like plastic sticks? I’ve seen a lot of people wearing them in all sorts’ colours and I think they would be great to wear when I’m playing sports.

Eve Roth Lindsay says:

A.One of the coolest earrings around, these plastic sticks look great, but they’re not ideal for sports because they can fall out if you knock them. Sometimes called Ear Needles, the plastic stick is about 1.5 cm long and thick enough to prevent them slipping out. They are so easy to wear and don’t even need a butterfly. Sai Yeung Choi Street and Fa Yuen Street in Mong Kok are packed with shops selling them in every colour under the sun!

Q. I’m going to a wedding soon. As I’m quite petite, what kind of dress and shoes would suit me? I don’t want to look too mature.

Eve Roth Lindsay says:

A. The best clothes for a petite body are petite clothes. Think small and keep your clothes in proportion. Smaller prints, smaller belts and smaller bags. When you are short, your clothes should be streamlined and uncluttered. Simple always looks best. Avoid fullness or excess fabric that makes you look wider and shorter. Wear pointed high heels in black to make your legs look longer. For fun dresses, check out Betsey Johnson, available at Seibu in Pacific Place.

Q. I want to wear tank tops or tube tops but my arms are too big. Are there any kinds of sleeveless tops or colours I could wear to slim my arms down a bit? - Arm in arm

Eve Roth Lindsay says:

A. You can make your arms “disappear” by going for styles that draw attention somewhere else. Wear bright v-necked tops, scoop or sweetheart necks to elongate the body. Avoid high, round necklines as well as cap sleeves, halters and spaghetti straps. Instead choose tank tops that have a slightly wider strap. Add a long necklace, or striking bangle to finish off your look and no one will notice your arms!

Q. I often have trouble matching accessories to my outfit. What’s your rule? - Accessoriser

Eve Roth Lindsay says:

A. Accessories can make or break an outfit, so you need to pick things that work together. First, decide if you want to look trendy, casual, chic or professional. Then select the accessories that send the message you want. Pick one item as the highlight of the outfit, then select others that allow it to shine. Look at fashion magazines and pictures of your favourite celebrities for inspiration on how to wear you accessories. The hottest looks this season are purple accessories, chain handle handbags, long, dangly necklaces and hoop earrings. Nothing updates an outfit faster or more cheaply than a new accessory, so get out there and buy some now!

Read all of the South China Morning Post Glamour Guru tips and answers to keep you looking your best: