CLAIRE'S CLOTHES CLINIC

COOL: Lightweight cashmere by Crumpet

Thursday July 3,2008

DAILY EXPRESS fashion expert CLAIRE BRAYFORD offers smart advice on all your style dilemmas.

I am a bit of a cardigan and jumper addict but they make me so hot in summer. Can you recommend anyone who stocks fine knits?

Pauline, 41, Leeds

Crumpet Cashmere is my favourite for summer-weight knitwear. They have some sexy sheer T-shirt dresses in this season’s must-have dip-dye effect, £238.

If these are too expensive there are also great classic sweaters in the brand’s sale for just £53 (www.crumpetengland.com).

On the high street, Banana Republic’s pre-autumn collection goes into stores this week and has a lovely range of fine-rib cashmere. Look out for the twinsets and shawl cardigans in pretty jewel colours from £69.50 (020 7758 3550).

Gap is another must for featherlight, classic V and round-neck knits (0800 427 789) but you should also take a look at John Smedley’s sale as there is up to 30 per cent off right now. The delicately woven designs in delicious candy shades are just perfect for our tempestuous summer (01629 534 571).

My boyfriend and I are going to my parents’ silver wedding party later this month. He wants to wear a navy suit with brown shoes but I have told him they have to be black. I’m sure I’m right but he doesn’t agree. Please can you settle our disagreement.

Sarah, 28, Birmingham

I am not an expert on menswear so I asked designer Oliver Spencer for his advice. He said: “During the day at work you should wear black shoes with a grey or navy suit.

At the weekend brown is fine and essential if you are wearing a light coloured linen suit where black is a total no-no.

But as brown shoes are generally seen as less formal, on this occasion I don’t think they would be smart enough. They ideally need to be black brogues or lace-ups as a slip-on won’t do either. I hope that helps.

E-mail your fashion dilemma to clothes.clinic@express.co.uk or write to: Claire’s Clothes Clinic, Expressyourself, 10 Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6EN, and include your name, age and phone number. Questions will be answered in this column. Claire cannot enter into personal correspondence.