On style, she rules

3-MIN READ3-MIN

Published: 12:00am, 1 Mar 2009

I've heard that hour-glass dresses are in for spring but all the dresses I've seen have a low or non-existent waist. What's the deal? Shape Shifter, Stanley

The Dictator rules: Well, I'm not an optometrist and we've never met, so I can't comment on your (poor) eyesight. However, we can guide you to the few noteworthy curve-emphasising dresses. RM by Roland Mouret exemplifies the look with cinch-waisted, exquisitely tailored dresses that are so beautiful, you'll beg, borrow or steal to have one (about HK$15,500 to HK$40,300; Lane Crawford IFC Mall, Central, tel: 2118 7777). This season, Lanvin's collection includes some show-stopping strapless dresses (about HK$25,900; Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2175 3282). Dolce & Gabbana always has a few hour-glass cuts up its sleeves, including a white hot number in the current collection (HK$17,200; Harbour City, tel: 2956 0833). OK, OK, we hear some of you grumbling about prices. Other ready-to-wear brands include: Stella McCartney, Fendi, Antonio Marras, Alexander Wang and Giorgio Armani. You'll also love the prices of Mango's strapless or spaghetti strap dresses (HK$669 to HK$1,145; Harbour City, tel: 2314 3565); and the versatile shifts and cap-sleeved dresses at Club Monaco (about HK$1,550; Harbour City, tel: 2118 5647). But, just because there's a 'ho' in 'hour-glass', you don't have to show it. Avoid the skin-tight mini dress in a sporty stretch fabric. Look for proportion and crisp tailoring and make sure the dress ends in the vicinity of your knees.

I'm really slouching, my back hurts and, saddest of all, my clothes don't look good on me any more. I read there's a brace that can improve your posture. Where are they sold? Have a Hunch, Admiralty

The Dictator: Talk about lazy. Get a contraption to fake it for you? Well, at least you have your priorities straight. The sports sections of department stores stock a number of braces for various injuries and ailments. For example, you'll find the LP elastic posture support brace (HK$380) in a fetching fleshy beige colour, sizes XS to XL, at Wing On (211 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan, tel: 2852 1888). I wouldn't be surprised if that poor posture has also made you, um, less attractive in a swimsuit. Correct? Well, then, why not get to the root of the problem with a bit of core strengthening Pilates? You have many studios to choose from, including IsoFit (8/F, California Tower, 30 D'Aguilar Street, Central, tel: 2869 8630; www.isofit.com.hk), The Studio (1/F, 28 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, tel: 2791 9705; www.thestudiosaikung .com) and Flex (1/F, Woodleigh House, 80 Stanley Village Road, Stanley, tel: 2813 2212; www.flexhk .com). Or you could combine clinical Pilates and physiotherapy at Byrne, Hickman & Partners (for locations, call 2526 7533 or go to www.byrne-hickman.com). Actually, forget it. That would take some effort.

I am looking for hair products that have special treatments for an oily scalp. I have been using JF Lazartigue, but the agent in Hong Kong went bankrupt a few months ago. Olive Oily, Central

The Dictator: Not sure where you get your business information, Ms Oily, but stop greasing the wheels with negativity. A selection of JF Lazartigue products is still available in Hong Kong through Sephora (Hollywood Plaza, 610 Nathan Road, Mong Kok, tel: 2771 8061), including treatments and shampoos for oily hair and scalps (HK$295 to HK$445). There are a few alternatives. Phyto's Phytopolleine Universal Elixir is a scalp stimulant made from essential oils such as rosemary, sage and lemon and is recommended for your condition (HK$270; sold at select Watsons, tel: 2606 8383; and Lane Crawford stores, tel: 2118 7777). London 'hair doctor' Philip Kingsley revitalises and reconditions the scalp with a scalp toning treatment (HK$250) as well as a scalp mask (HK$90; both at Lane Crawford, IFC Mall). Now, it's true that it's hard to find hair-care for greasers (we think the world's gone chemical treatment crazy) but it's not impossible. Origins recommends a weekly wash with No Deposit grapefruit and French peppermint shampoo, or more frequent shampooing with the minty Clear Head (HK$100 each; IFC Mall, tel: 3188 1826). At your local chemist, you'll find more reasonable options such as Sebamed's oily scalp shampoo (HK$76) and even retro, between-washes sprays such as Batiste dry shampoo (HK$68.90).