What's the right length for pants to fall?
- AP, Cottesloe, WA

It depends. What shoes will you be wearing them with? If they're evening pants and you'll be mostly wearing heels, get 'em hemmed a little longer, so when you're standing flat footed they skim the ground. If you're wearing your pants mostly with flats, get them hemmed to sit just a little above the ground so they don't end up all ratty from being dragged around. Remember: if you're taking up new jeans, wash them beforehand, as they always shrink in the first wash.

I have a small waist and large bust and can't find any work shirts that don't pop at the bust button. Is there anyone who specialises in this kind of problem?
-SW, Prahan, Vic

It's never a good feeling when you emerge from that important business meeting to discover your shirt is gaping open, giving everyone a view of your melons. What you need is a shirt that's custom-fit to your shape. Mr Rose (mrrose.com.au) specialises in women's shirts, and offers made-to-measure tailoring over the internet, allowing you to choose the style of shirt you want in a size that fits your shoulders, hips, waist, arm length and bust.

I'm in my 40s and I have no idea how to dress for my age. Can you offer suggestions?
-TJ, Peakhurst, NSW

In your 20s your focus tends to be more on the latest fashion. But once you move into your 30s and 40s, you become more aware of your body and flattering clothing becomes more important. One way to keep up with the latest trends is to experiment with accessories. For example, if you're wearing a pair of tailored jeans and a white shirt, try adding an animal print scarf or a pair of patent heels. This way you'll feel comfortable but still look trendy. If you want to incorporate trends into a classic wardrobe, keep it simple - one trend at a time. But don't ever let your age stop you having fun with fashion!

Do empire lines and baby-doll styles suit everyone?
-JL, Salisbury Heights, SA

These two styles are often thought of as the same, but they're actually not. Baby-doll styles are normally short and reminiscent of Stepford Wives-style lingerie nighties. They often have a lot of fabric that drops from the bust, meaning they tend to emphasise the tummy and shorten the torso. So if you're short or apple-shaped, this probably isn't the style for you. Empire line dresses are much safer for almost all body shapes. They tend to be longer, with the waistline a few centimetres below your boobs, making your lower half look longer. This style skims the whole body, camouflaging wide hips and those thicker around the waist area, so pears and apples both win.

How can I tell if my sneakers are past it?
- CF, Miranda, NSW

If you cover a lot of ground on a regular basis you should replace your runners every six to eight months. Alternatively, look out for creases in the midsole (the foam bit between the shoe's sole and upper), which indicate that the shoe's padding has compressed and is no longer bouncing back to its natural shape, meaning your foot is not getting the right support and stability, which can lead to pain and injury.

If you're talking "past it" in a fashion sense - I'd say any runners with velcro straps are definitely waaay past it. Right now black sneakers are in - which you can get away with wearing day or night.

Are there any fabrics out there that are crease free?
-YB, Toowong, Qld

Generally speaking, polyester is best for those of us who would rather avoid the iron. It's wrinkle-resistant and retains its shape. It's also an easy-care fabric which is often used for outerwear due to its strong and durable quality. So if wrinkled clothes
are your wardrobe dilemma, look for garments which have at least 30 per cent polyester in the mix. Brooks Brothers do the best wrinkle-free work shirts. You can order them online at brooksbrothers.com.

What is the best underwear to wear to the gym?
-DA, Wollongong, NSW

When you're exercising, you want something that breathes and doesn't ride up or dig in. Cotton or bamboo fabrics are perfect. For those who like their undies a bit more hi-tech, Nike has just released a sports performance underwear line which offers supportive briefs in G-string (see p124 for more details) or boyleg styles, and three different sports bra designs - Strength, Determination and Revolutionary Control - that offer maximum support and comfort. They're all made of lightweight microfibre polyester "Dri-FIT" fabric, which wicks away sweat from the body.

I'm a size-J cup. Where can I find nice bras?
-NM, Launceston, Tas

Fayreform and Freya both offer fashion bras up to a J cup, and both are available nationally from Myer. You can also try online - brastogo.com.au, debras.com.au and allaboutevelingerie.com.au all specialise in larger cup needs. For other larger sizes, Triumph (triumph.com/au) go up to a G in basics and fashion and H in maternity, and Freya's sports bras go up to H.

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