Q. I'm 5ft 2in and have recently put on lots of weight around my bottom – following the birth of my second child. I tend to stick to skirts to disguise it, but I miss wearing trousers. Are there any shapes you can recommend?
A. Few women could live without their perfect pair of trousers - the ones which make you look like you've magically lost half a stone overnight, cling to the right bits and flatteringly hide the annoying bulges. But finding them can be very time consuming, not to mention frustrating.
You're certainly not the only petite person who has had problems finding well-fitted trousers and, as the inevitable increase in womanly girth takes place, our job is made even harder. But there is more choice out there than you think.
Nowadays, Principles, Wallis, Next, and Country Casuals all stock petite clothing, while other stores, such as River Island and M&S, do ranges of trousers in different lengths. Even teen fashion stores like Miss Selfridge and Topshop are at it - and the great news is that you don’t have to be built like Kylie to fit the clothes. Typically, petite collections come in sizes up to 16, amply able to accommodate the average Irish woman who is between a 14 and a 16.
To disguise your recent weight gain, my advice includes opting for darker shades. You don't always have to wear black, but neutrals are a better bet than garish patterns or white. Next up, choose good-quality materials - the shiny, cheap fabrics that some high-street stores specialise in are deeply unflattering. It's also good if the fabric you decide on has a bit of stretch, to avoid it clinging in the wrong places.
When it comes to the style, I would recommend boot cut trousers, because they add instant shape. While petite women can wear slimmer legged trousers, boot cut will give them a better illusion of height, but petite women should stay away from wide-legged trousers which can swamp them and make them seem even shorter.
Debenhams do great smart trousers with a little kick at the end, rather than a big flare. Principles are also good, and Zara has a wide choice of trousers, though be meticulous about trying them on. For jeans, try Next's petite range - it has a good boot-cut style at the moment. I'm sure I don't need to tell you that skinny-leg, drainpipe cuts would be out-and-out style suicide.
If you can afford to, get a couple of pairs of really great tailored trousers made for you. Ted Baker is a good, fashion-forward label.
Anyway, as it's all about playing with proportions and balancing things out, don't forget that shoes play an essential part. Go for loose-fitting styles that are just a little too long in the legs and wear wedges or high heels. The shoes will be hidden, but the overall effect will make you look taller – and slimmer.
Good luck. As with everything in fashion, it's all about clever dressing, with a good dose of smoke and mirrors, of course.
