Q: Can you briefly tell us what works and doesn't work for various body types?

A: Well, pear-shaped women don't look great in tailored clothes. They should stick to softer shapes like empire-line dresses or go for waist-emphasizing looks. Also, there are a myriad of bras out there to make a woman look busty. A fuller cleavage is a great way to achieve balance, drawing the eyes away from the problem areas.

Curvy women should stick to clothes that are well fitted. Any excess fabric just doesn't seem to work. Think tight sweaters and jeans. Even if you have a few extra pounds, wear form-fitting clothes.

It's best not to have too much going on if you're petite. Either a mid-calf or longer skirt, or a shorter skirt to the mid-thigh (or shorter!) will give length to the figure. And high heels, of course—the higher, the better.

Busty women also have to stick to clothes that are form-fitting. I always think busts are there to flaunt. I love busty women in décolletage-emphasizing ensembles. The most important thing for busty women is to be confident and see that feature as an asset.

Women with boy-ish figures have an edge because they can get away with wearing anything. I think man-tailored clothes are great for those women. Also, shift dresses without waists or dropped waist dresses look great on them.

Additionally:

• I always think high heels are great; they add so much to a woman's confidence, height and stature.
• I like dark colors on people who are trying to look thinner.
• Stay well groomed at all times: hair done, even if it just means getting it colored regularly; nails considered, if not manicured; and good underwear, even though no one will see you in it (or will they?). It sets the tone for the rest of your ensemble and can go a long way in creating a flattering silhouette. A pampered woman always looks better than a neglected one.

A: I think the one privilege a person, who has lost significant amount of weight, has is to ditch the fat clothes. It's a new you, you've worked hard and you deserve new clothes. So, discard the "before" clothes. (Recycle!) But, don't go too far. One has to have a few good new things to go with one's new body, but think about accessories, which when you were heavier, you couldn't wear. If you get a new pair of shoes and a new bag or two, those things can make the few new purchases go a long way.

Q: Some Weight Watchers members have quite a bit of weight to lose. Any tips for how to stay stylish while dropping a substantial amount of weight?

A: I don't think people should buy clothes while they're losing weight. Only buy things that you know you'll have no problem discarding at the end of the weight-loss process.

I've been on a serious (Weight Watchers) diet for the last several months with the intention of regaining the figure I lost when I gave up smoking four years ago. In January, when I started the process, I was desperately in need of a few things, but I deliberately only bought two pairs of pants—a black and a khaki pair—three white polo shirts and three black ones in the bigger sizes. I've been relying on the few jackets that I already owned that fit me. I never even looked for new ones because when I tried one on, I was such a big size, it was depressing. I'm expecting to be at my goal weight by the middle of September, and then I'm going to RIP THOSE STORES APART!