I have to admit, that I have posted the question of "what do I wear". Looking back it seems so ridiculous, you wear what you feel comfortable in.
BUT....I then became addicted to the fabulous BBC show "What not to wear" by Trinny and Susannah!
It really is fabulous information. What to wear/not wear if you have big/small boobs,
no waist, short legs, flabby tummy...the list goes on.It is all about style, thus if you have short legs, one should not wear pants which are cropped to the ankle!
Armed with this information, I will now be appropriately attired for my trips to anywhere!

kimerley,

I love that show too--although I watch the American version on TLC. What I've learned the most from it is to go outside my comfort zone while clothes shopping and try on some things that I otherwise might pass on. I've been pleasantly surprised a couple of times!

If you're over here, look out for the book. It seems now to be in a lot remainder shops at a couple of quid.

One of the very few TV tie-in books worth anything at all - and when bought as a (much unappreciated) joke present for Mrs F, it was worth every farthing of the full price.

Even Mrs F (who has just about the best sense of clothing anyone around, anyway)has now rescinded the divorce proceedings.

Nowhere does anyone lay out so clearly what works and what doesn't work - AND WHY. It does it for real women, over 25, with bits that can look terrific clad one way and less than stellar clad differently.

And has next to nothing to do with the rules of current fashion.

Granted, the book doesn't give you the full Trinny dominatrix effect. But it should be on the syllabus of every young ladies' academy. And given away with every Royal Ascot Grandstand and Royal Enclosure ticket (at least 80% of the women with hats last week could have used it).

Now if only someone would bring out a boys' version.

kimerley, where are you going on your next trip, and what are you planning to wear?

flanneruk, I've got the books..no disrespect intended to anyone but I call them "my bible".
Budman, I thought I'd never be asked! Leaving Sydney on 3 July...long flight via Hong Kong with packed lunch to Rome!
CT (Manarola) for 5 days, a week in Perugia, fly to London, 1 week in the Cotswolds and then a week in Paris.
Do you really want to know what I've packed???? I'm blonde so I love to answer questions like that!

flanneruk, What is a "remainder shop"?

I believe it's a resale shop or thrift-type store.

It is like a jumble sale, sweetie. Here in the US, it would be equivalent to TJ Maxx.

Books, at some point in their lives, get "remaindered" - the remainder of a print run sold off at exceptionally low prices to the trade. London has loads of remainder book shops.

These are nothing like thrift or junk shops (which typically are in very secondary retail locations). And light years from TJ Maxx (or as we know it, out of deference to the great TJ Hughes, TK Maxx)

They are book, or book+CD+stationery, specialists, only specialising in publishers' remainders. They are all in high-traffic locations, with names like 'Bargain Books'. Practically every shopping street visitors go down has a few. There are a couple a dozen yards from Notting Hill tube, several along Victoria St and Bloomsbury is stuffed with them

Dedicated to the old maxim "put a lot of books where there's a lot of people and you sell a lot of books" .

And doing so in many cases since Sam Walton was knee-high to a costcutter.

Kimerly,
You are going to love Manarola..I spent a week there last June..Nice, small quaint village.

kimerley - got room in your suitcase for me?

What a great trip -- and yes, what are you packing? White sneakers, shorts, and halter top for Paris?

Won't it be cold in Sydney in July -- just the opposite of the States since it is "down under"? Packing for 2 seasons?

Enjoy!!!

Hi Kismet, this will be my second trip to Manarola. Last time we stayed 5 days and dare I say it....did not see all 5 villages! We ate and swam and drank....This time I will see all 5 villages...either by boat or train...I'm not a hiker!
Budman, your a brave man gungadin to ask re clothes! Yes it is winter in Sydney but you wouldn't know it. Currently in drought it has not rained for some months. It was 21c today...I was out in the back garden in my cossie topping up my suntan! Can't be pale for Italy.
I have packed a very small suitcase..with
1 beige chinos pants
1 beige chino skirt
1 pale pink bonds T-shirt
1 white as above
1 black as above
1 pale blue shirt
1 pair of flat strappy brown leather sandals (which match my belt and satchel)
1 cossie plus sarong
and thats all! If I need anything, I'll buy it.
On the plane to and fro, I'm wearing blue jeans, white shirt and R M William boots. Those boots are soooo comfortable to walk in. This will be their 3rd visit to Europe!
Thanks for the suggestion re halter top..but I've been working really hard to not look like Edina (abfab) when I travel....it's been hard but I rather like the "Ralph Lauren look" (LOL)

Go tell the clothing designers to read that book. Better yet, get someone to write a book called "What Not to Design, Manufacture and then Overinventory, thus Leaving Millions of Unsuspecting Women With Few or No Alternatives." (Flanneruk, if I had my way, the 'remainder' tables in many clothing stores would be piled high with crap that suits almost nobody. Among these: wide cut capri pants that come to mid-calf; hiphugger jeans/shorts; and balloon skirts (remember those? Even Princess Di looked awful in them....)

I think opening up a shop with clothes designed for specific shapes would make a mint!
Wonder how I get started?????

"Clothes designed for specific shapes" only work for men's suits. They rarely work in women's clothes. Of course ladies used to go to a couturier such as Norman Hartnell to have clothes made up, however, they were always what would now be referred to as a standard shape/size. Short fat women will always look short and fat regardless of how well made and fitted their clothes are, the only solution is to diet and have some salvation in their slim figure making up for their diminutive stature.

Looks aren't something one can buy, one is born with them.

I'm most curious as to why you don't do a Trinny and Tranny at home, I'm sure Americans woud appreciate seeing you better dressed moreso than their European counterparts.

Always buy flattering cuts and colours, lots of the time it's about deception, but there is only so much you can get away with!

ah...mkingdom, darling I'm Australian...and thus it goes without saying that we are very well known for our fantastic travel style!

Whilst I'm not short or fat, I do have friends that could be physically described as fitting that description. They are always turned out beautifully, because they wear appropriate clothes.Would'nt it be nice if we could all afford bespoke attire......

"I'm Australian...and thus it goes without saying that we are very well known for our fantastic travel style" - the only Australian designer who's quite trendy and produces coherent collections is Deanne Cheuk. Australia is further ahead in the style stakes when compared to New Zealand (what a gormlessly dressed nation).

As for your short and fat friends being "turned out beautifully" - they make the most of their figures, I'd recommend diets for more permanent solutions.

Although I am not a fan of the UK gals Trinny and Susannah I had to laugh when someone (Carole Voderman?) called them Tranny and Fattie...too funny. They are a bit too hands on (Literally) for my taste and if the skinny one mauled my chest as she seems to do to the others I would have to give her a smart whack.