A Model & Content Creator Shares Her Style Secrets
My style is sophisticated, classic and ageless. I draw inspiration for my outfits from my mood and the occasion. I've always felt confident about my taste and my style changes naturally based on my environment.
The one piece of advice I’d give is, if it doesn’t work, fit or is uncomfortable, get it out of the house. Do not put it back in the cupboard. If it doesn’t work today, it is highly unlikely to work tomorrow. Aside from that, I don’t live by any fashion rules. Rules are made to be broken.
I really love Serena Bute. This British brand has been around for around 30 years, its fabrics are outstanding and the designs speak for themselves. I also love Patron Cashmere – the brand goes beyond knitwear and also features beautiful silk sets and unique designs that are worth exploring. Some of my other favourite go-tos include Zimmerman, Nadine Merabi, Max Mara and Jaquette.
When it comes to the high street, Marks & Spencer is always reliable. It’s one of those hero British brands that never fails on knitwear. I also love Limé which is similar to Zara and offers fantastic basics and long-lasting pieces.
I could not live without my white T-shirts. The best ones are from ALO and Limé – they’re the ultimate staples that go with everything. Plus, anything from OYSHO, as their pieces combine comfort and style beautifully. Nor could I live without my Chanel ballet flats and Adidas SL72s.
My go-to outfit formula is a white T-shirt paired with grey wool knee-length shorts. I love this combination because it’s the perfect balance between stylish and polished. When I get dressed in the morning, I start by considering how I feel and the occasion.
I only follow trends that resonate with my personal style. For instance, my daughter prefers not to wear a belt with her trousers, which used to get to me. However, I recently heard from a stylist that skipping a belt with jeans can be chic and, although it felt awkward at first, I can just about do it now. Similarly, the idea of pairing trainers with a smart outfit was initially tough for me, but now I love it.
This season, I can’t get enough suede and leather. A Massimo Dutti suede midi skirt is high on my wishlist and I am also loving pinstripes. Three other pieces on my wishlist are a pair of pyjamas from Sporty & Rich’s collaboration with Le Bristol in Paris, a pair of bronze heels from a lesser-known brand called Emma Hyacinth and some Gazelle trainers – you can’t go wrong with Adidas.
Bags and accessories are always worth investing in. The bag I’m loving at the moment is the Christian Louboutin Loubi 54. It’s an expensive one, but a forever bag. Right now, I’m also obsessed with my Loewe bucket hat – it adds a little bit of fun to a Dubai outfit.
Earrings are essential for elevating an outfit. My current favourites include my @ByCarolineLaBouchereare styles. And I especially love my Begum Khan ear cuff – it adds a slightly cooler edge.
Use Instagram as a source of inspiration. I don’t follow many fashion accounts, but I love following brands and pages that show brand styling – the likes of Susi Rejano, who is the founder of @Brillantbcn and great for classic style, and @LaMercader_BCN for pinning catwalk. I also follow @WhatPeopleAreWearing and Victoria Magrath.
Find what suits you. I don’t usually wear a lot of colour but I’ve recently found myself embracing orange and I’m currently wearing brown too. When my hair turned grey, I used to shy away from warm tones, thinking they wouldn’t suit me anymore. However, I’ve come to feel comfortable with them again, especially now that my hair has a whiter tone.
Buy expensive key pieces that can be worn a plethora of ways and mixed with high street. For example, my latest purchase was a Dior fine cashmere jumper. I bought it for myself for my 60th birthday. I know that I’ll still wear it when I’m 70 and it will still feel fabulous. I also try to buy a lot of pre-loved designer clothing.
Never over-dress. When it comes to dressing for a special occasion, keep things classy and elegant. I recently teamed a crisp poplin white shirt with a long tan A-line skirt – the look was neutral, elegant and pared back and I added a black belt to cinch it in. A bit of sparkle is also great.
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