Pippa's shortfalls get local backing

While Pippa Middleton has faced criticism for stepping out in plunging necklines and skimpy skirts, local fashionistas say the 28-year-old pulls it off with style.

Former editor of Simply You magazine Natalie Bridges said Middleton was entitled to celebrate her beauty, youth and stunning figure.

"The red dress was on trend and looked beautiful on Pippa. In this case I think Pippa got away with it, she looked confident and empowered."

Mrs Bridges described a dress Middleton wore to London Fashion Week as a bit on the short side, especially as it appeared to make her feel a little uncomfortable.

"I guess Pippa forgot to do the 'sitting test' before she left the house to see how much it would rise when she sat down. But she's got lovely legs, so we'll surely forgive her," she said.

Royalty or not, Mrs Bridges said women should think about their shape, figure and what suits them best.

"For me, fashion is about empowerment through clothes, having respect for yourself and pride in your appearance, whoever you are. If you feel uncomfortable in an outfit - it can be the most expensive piece on the rack - you won't look good."

While every woman had different boundaries, if a plunging neckline made you feel uncomfortable, you probably had too much on show, she said.

Tauranga fashion stylist Tina Neville said it was important to consider body shape and the event you were attending before making decisions skirt hems and necklines but supported Middleton's fashion choices.

"As long as she's elegant and sophisticated with it, I think it's absolutely fine. It depends on the event that someone's going to. She [Middleton] always seems good at dressing appropriately for the occasion. She knows everybody's watching her and she's probably enjoying it and having fun with it."

Mrs Neville said most women of Middleton's age and education background would know that you don't go to a work in short skirts.

"And at that age it's not really appropriate to wear a mini-skirt to a wedding," she said.

More important, though, was dressing for your body shape and not hiding your figure under ill-fitting clothing.

Head designer for Repertoire Lee Kleiman said a woman with a great pair of legs could get away with a skirt four finger widths above her knee and still be "in very good taste".

"I think that to finish it off with a great pair of sexy pantyhose and great shoes with good heels always adds a lot of finesse."

When women were in their late 20s she said they needed to be more mindful of their skirt length, particularly in the workplace.

Plunging necklines had no place in the work environment, she said.

"It's always better to be a little bit prudent with a little bit left to the imagination."