Suse - Manque is not very far from me at all - infact, it's at the end of my street! I think that's part of the problem. I really like their clothes and there are lots of other little independent clothes shops in Northcote and I like their stuff too but a lot of it doesn't suit my body type. According to Trinny and Susannah, I'm an hourglass so I should go for stuff like v-neck tops, pencil skirts and jackets that emphasise my waist. When really what I want to do is to channel my inner punk and have a funky little t-shirt, skinny pants and converse sneakers (even though that's a bit last season).

Manque, for instance, does a lot wide leg pants which just don't work on me. I had a look in another shop today as well and there were a couple of things I loved, one which was quite reasonably priced wouldn't have suited me at all. The other which would have, was $310 for a knitted dress and although I kept repeating the mantra "signature piece, Fiona, signature piece," I just couldn't justify spending that much money on one item when I know I can get something that looks quite nice but not as stand-out from Witchery for a third of the price.

So, I guess for me, it's a matter of knowing what works on my body (which I'm getting better at) but also where to look.

I suppose I'm looking to mix my normal Bonds, Witchery and occasional Cue stuff with a few pieces of independent label stuff but so that it all works together without having to buy a whole outfit from an independent and paying a resulting fortune.

But y'know what else I was thinking? I should just ask the assistants in the shop too. I'm often too shy but I've had some really good advice in the past.

But starting this thread has been really good because if I do see a personal stylist at least I've half done a brief for them now!

Lulu mate, I will endeavour to have my eyebrows done very soon and let you know if DP still recognises the vision of youthfulness that greets him!