To bikini or not to bikini?

Seeing as we’re finally in the throes of a heatwave (late and somewhat soggy but heatwave nonetheless) my thoughts have been turning to swimwear. I would argue that whether we’re talking a spot of balcony sunbathing, a dip in a backyard paddling pool, a visit to your local lido, or for those fortunate enough to be venturing abroad, a good cossie is worth its weight in gold.

I remember a time when bikinis were purchased with abandon. Dirt cheap, and disposable, every summer saw the arrival of a new swimsuit for that summer holiday. Knowing what we do now about plastics (and lycra, nylon and polyester – the main ingredients for most swimwear – are all plastics) and also, my somewhat altered (gravity has been less than kind) body, I’m now fully on board with investing in swimwear. And no, I’m not talking £400 for a piece of dental floss. I will argue, though, that paying more for a piece of engineering that will last beyond this season - and will actually keep you feeling secure when you find yourself running after blown away umbrellas and small humans - is justified.

So, in order to purchase a style that will see you beyond this (very late) summer, you need to know what suits you.  

First up, the big one: to bikini or not to bikini?

Quite frankly, the only person who can answer this for you, is you. If you’re comfortable in a bikini, then go for it. There is no age cut-off, nor size cut-off where bikinis become inappropriate. My only two-pence worth would be that if, like me, you are longer through the body and shorter through the leg, it’s a bikini life all the way. When your legs are on the shorter side, a one-piece will only serve to highlight the length in your torso. (The exception is a style that is cut to the navel as this will break up the torso a little). They’re also desperately uncomfortable for those of us with long bodies as they’re often not made with enough fabric in them.

If you are shorter through the leg, then look for bikini bottoms that are high cut to give the illusion of a longer leg. My preferred style goes right the way to my waist (my narrowest point) but is relatively minimal through the hip area – think 80s aerobics kit rather than a true 50s style. Devotees of Eres swimwear generally swear by it and nothing else and their Conquete Bikini briefs (an eye-watering £155) are my ideal shape.

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Best for the Hourglass

Bikini top, £48, and bottoms, £28, Miss Mandalay, missmandalay.com

If you’re a full hourglass, the first thing you need is good support in your bust so that there is air around your waist. Halter necks are fantastic for a big bust as not only do they provide great support without resembling actual underwear, they also bring the eye up and in to the face, thereby maintaining the balance with a full bottom. Bravissimo are consistently my go-to for bikinis that have great support beyond a D-cup. They’re not always the most stylish and I will always resent having to pay through the nose for something that I don’t truly love, but without fail, they stock the best range of truly supportive swimwear (and sports bras) for my GG bust. This season they’re low on the halter necks, and I’m wary of the styles with super thick straps that can make the bust look even bigger, but I do love the Cadiz style with the high rise briefs (top, £36, bottoms, £26).

Alternatively, I discovered Miss Mandalay via Bravissimo several years ago and they made one of my most favourite bikinis. Lots of support but not a naff print in style. I love the dark green halter style above with the high rise briefs.

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Best for the Triangle

Bikini top, £25, and bottoms, £25, cosstores.com

Elle Macpherson – someone who does not struggle with excess flesh, nor short legs, but who does know a thing or two about lingerie and swimwear – once told me that the bigger the feature of your body, the smaller the coverage should be. i.e. if you’re blessed with a big bottom, opt for small knickers. And of course, she’s right. Whilst it seems counter-intuitive, for classic triangles, I urge you to channel Elle. Wearing a large piece of fabric across a generous derriere and a smaller one across your bust will only exacerbate the difference. Instead, opt for smaller coverage over your bottom, and fuller coverage – such as a bandeau - over your bust. And again, look for styles that cut high on the leg, which then won’t draw a straight line across your widest point – your hips.

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Best for the Inverted Triangle

Bikini top, £40, and bottoms, £40, boden.co.uk

Similar to the triangle, you’re looking for less coverage over the larger part of your anatomy and more over the smaller part. If you’re an inverted triangle – where your shoulders are wider than your hips – try halter neck styles that will narrow your shoulders, and a pair of 50s style bikini bottoms to balance your frame.

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Best for Straight Figures

Bikini, £240, Zimmermann, matchesfashion.com

For athletic and squarer body shapes, think opposites attract (one of the more common sartorial guides). Avoid square necklines and anything too sporty, and opt instead for triangle styles or anything with a ruffle that will soften edges.

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Best for Round bodies

Swimsuit, £56, bravissimo.com

If you’re fuller through the middle, look for 50s style bikini bottoms, one-pieces with pannelling that will stretch you up, or styles in luscious prints that distract the eye. Any detail – contrasting colour, an interesting neckline, or a small frill – around the bust is great for drawing the up and away from the tummy.

And whilst I obviously endorse choice and autonomy and never body-shaming, in almost all cases I would argue against a tankini. I always feel women in tankinis look like they’re apologising for their bodies or are ashamed of their body in some way, and that’s not a good look. Go for a bikini (try high waisted pants, if you want to hold in a soft tummy) or a stylish one-piece. But similarly, if you just like the practicalities of a tankini (they are certainly easier for loo stops than a one piece and require less suncream), then who am I to comment?! Whatever you choose, though, wear it with pride.

Frost Yourself

Don’t judge me, please, but this week I’m taking inspiration from a classic film. In fact, I think it was one of only three DVD’s my sister and I owned when we lived together ten-ish years ago (give or take, who is counting after all?) in London. It kept us company on many a hungover sleepy weekend in our youth. (In a slightly mortifying admission, I feel like I could probably still recite it by heart all these years later). I digress, though, the only line relevant to today, is ‘Frost yourself’, whispered in that raspy voice that’s a Matthew McConaughey trademark. (If you still haven’t worked out the film I’m referring to, it’s How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days).

So many of my clients come to me looking for advice on how to look and feel more polished, more pulled together, more styled. The easiest way to do that – for both my male and female clients – is to concentrate on accessories. Even the simplest outfit of a white shirt and blue jeans, or the most basic black shift dress in your wardrobe can be revolutionised (OK, a mild overstatement, but you get the picture) by the addition of a bit of bling. And no, we’re not talking Titanic-style diamonds. For men, I’m talking a polished belt buckle, or a steel watch bracelet; for women, a cracking necklace, some bold earrings or a pair of statement shoes can lift an outfit from the doldrums to the dancefloor (bring on the 19th July).

Bottega Veneta has been the go-to accessory brand for the last couple of seasons, and this year their accessories are a rainbow of bold bright colours, ideal to compliment a simple outfit. Deep jade green, soft buttery yellow and bold tangerine clutch bags, skinny belts and shoes have been selling like Glastonbury tickets did when festivals were still a thing.

But that doesn’t mean you need to spend anything close to a month’s mortgage payment on accessories. In fact, I’m a huge fan of high street jewellery and accessories. For jewellery, Mango and H&M are my absolute go-to’s, while Uterque, Cos and & Other Stories are fantastic for statement bags and belts.

While we’re talking jewellery though, a knockout pair of earrings or a banging necklace are even more likely to be your friend as you get older. And by older, I mean you hit 30 – sorry to be the bearer of such unfriendly news. Jewellery (and indeed sequins, satin fabrics with a little sheen and make-up formulas that aren’t completely matt) are super flattering around the face. They serve to reflect light and bring life back to the face – which is what we’re all after, especially once the sheen of youth is that little bit less obvious than it once was.

Buyer's Remorse

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Sale shopping has never gotten my juices flowing. I find racks upon racks of clothes – unmerchandised and unorganised – entirely overwhelming. I’ve found myself in Harvey Nichols on the launch of sale day (always coincidentally – never deliberately) facing rails of clothes marked with signs of ‘Up to 75% Off’ with barely another shopper in sight. And yet still, I have turned and walked out. Don’t get me wrong – I like a bargain. But I have neither the patience, nor the wherewithal to suffer sale rails. And don’t get me started on sample sales.

£125 (were £250), Paco Rabanne at matchesfashion.com

£125 (were £250), Paco Rabanne at matchesfashion.com

Many years ago I was invited to the Chanel Sample Sale. For the uninitiated (of whom I was also one at the time), this is the only sale where you will see the editor of Vogue – in fact the entire editorial team of Vogue – queuing for access to the famed sale along with the rest of us. Held in the Ballroom at Claridges – yes, really – it’s the ultimate fashion invitation. But once you’re inside, you could just as easily be at Battersea Car Boot Sale. Quilted, 2.55 bags are piled haphazardly on trestle tables; classic boucle jackets are flung over collapsible clothing rails and shoes and their boxes are lined up on tables and floors (if you can find a matching pair of shoes and their box at all, that is). Dignified, coiffured, impeccably dressed women jog-walk into the ballroom attempting to feign indifference with all the acting abilities of a Hollyoaks actress. Without sharp elbows and a competitive edge, you’ll come away with nothing. I was fortunate enough to have a savvy, experienced sample sale shopper as my colleague, and came away with a classic boucle jacket, a pair of shoes and two blouses. On my assistant’s salary I was entirely broke, but all of them were investment pieces, surely?

Wrong.

£66 (was £110), Andersson Bell at net-a-porter.com

£66 (was £110), Andersson Bell at net-a-porter.com

The boucle jacket was entirely the wrong shape for me. It had massive shoulder pads that shortened my already short neck, and was boxy and shapeless – never good on a curvy, hourglass figure. The shoes were classic Chanel two-tone pumps. Failsafe, right? Wrong. The black style with gold toes chopped my short legs up, making them even shorter. The two blouses, though, which were more of an impulse buy, are the only pieces I still own, over ten years later. Although now, with missing buttons, they haven’t been worn for many years.

Whilst the dopamine hit that comes from scoring a bargain is undeniable, it counts for very little when the pieces hang unworn and unloved in your wardrobe months and years later, as a reminder of an ill-advised, ill-thought-through purchase. So, when it comes to sale shopping – and there are many bargains to be had right now – try to approach it strategically. What does your wardrobe really need? Is it really another summer occasion dress, or a new work blazer? Would you pay full price for it? Does it really suit you? Does it work with your lifestyle? Do you really need it, or do you own something very similar already?

And then, once purchases have been acquired, I often recommend to clients that they should leave any new purchases in the bag or box for two weeks. If then, you still get that thrill when you open it up, and you’ve spent the previous two weeks imagining all the ways you want to wear it, then go for it. If not – send it back. 

£112 (was £160, Reformation at net-a-porter.com

£112 (was £160, Reformation at net-a-porter.com

With that, I’ve done some scouring of the sales for some of the pieces that I’m lusting after right now but am confident I’ll still love come winter, and have put them on my Lust List for you to peruse. Shopping online is a vastly more prescient way of shopping sales: not only do you have the luxury of trying it on with your existing wardrobe, the delay in delivery allows room for the rush to subside and potential doubts to set in. Even then though, give it a couple of weeks before you unpack it in your wardrobe. It can be extraordinarily revelatory. After all, there’s little worse than buyer’s remorse.

If you’re enjoying Notes on a Wardrobe, I’d be so grateful if you could share it with anyone you know who you think might also enjoy it! And if you have any buyer’s remorse of your own, drop me a line in the comments below.

Save the Date

The envelope arrived in December carrying a Save the Date with phrasing that is peculiar to the last 15 months: ‘subject to restrictions’. Surely, these are the words that best sum up the last fifteen months of the pandemic? Where once, they may have filled me with cortisol, they now trigger general eye rolling and an exasperated sigh.

But still, despite today’s front pages, I live in hope. Hope that come June 26th I will be celebrating the love and marriage of one of my best friends to his ideal woman in the company of dozens of other friends.

In this hope, my thoughts are turning to what on earth I am going to wear. Occasion wear, or should I just say occasions full stop, have been in short supply over the last year – indeed, a gathering bigger than just 6 people also in equally short supply. And so, I’ve no idea what to wear. Where once, in the heyday of wedding summers which could mean I was attending a different wedding on a weekly basis, a new invitation often warranted a new dress.

And a special occasion justifies a significant outlay, right? At a time when most of my day-to-day wardrobe consisted of Topshop, ASOS and Gap, my wedding outfits were less high street and more high end (relatively for me at the time, of course). There was a too tight, too low DvF jersey dress worn to be deliberately provocative amongst the promised single friends – rarely, if ever, successful, I might add; two Westwood Anglomania dresses that never managed to get the weather right: one long-sleeved, that when worn guaranteed sunshine, the other hot pink and sleeveless and synonymous with rain; a Saloni printed silk shirt dress that in my head was wafty and decadent, but in reality on my 5’5” frame was just messy. With maturity (yes, yes, age), I’ve of course come to realise that this was hideous logic. The cost-per-wear of those frocks, to this day, remains (comparatively) sky high. And so, this year, I’m determined not to buy a new dress but work instead with what I already have.

For many of us, there are pieces languishing at the back of our wardrobes that we have neither looked at, nor worn in the last year, that may be perfectly beautiful, and we simply need reminding of their existence. This is the first place to start.

Then, it’s time to think outside the box. Accessories are the easiest way to update an old outfit. Adding a gold chain belt, some knockout jewellery, and a pair of strappy mid-heel sandals will instantly shift the summer dress you’ve been wearing with white trainers, from average to outstanding, thereby lowering it’s cost-per-wear. Win-win.

And whilst, yes, dresses often are the easiest go to for occasion wear - like suits for men, they are a one hit wonder - have you considered the rest of your wardrobe? A smart pair of tailored trousers in a summery colour such as lilac or red with a printed blouse, for example, or a flowy silk skirt teamed with a modest camisole can make an ideal wedding outfit. Adding some banging accessories will help take the simplest outfit from everyday to occasion.

So, instead of looking at big outlays and new frocks, I’ve done the hard work for you by scouring the shops for some jolly accessories (that look hideously expensive but actually aren’t). The Lust List this week will give your existing wardrobe a much-needed boost ahead of our Summer of Love.

The Summer Solstice is coming

I am writing this from my balcony on bank holiday Monday with a decaf iced coffee in hand and the SUN IS SHINING. Doesn’t it just make the most enormous difference? My productivity levels have shot up, my happiness levels are vastly improved, and everything and everyone look so much more vibrant in the sunshine. Not to mention it delivers the boost in Vitamin D that we all need. It’s a joyous occasion - I just wish it hadn’t been so long coming. The summer solstice is already less than three weeks away.

For the eagle eyed amongst you, I apologise for my absence in your inboxes last week. I was shooting on location in the north of Scotland for a few days and the time ran away from me. If you ever have the opportunity to visit that neck of the woods (in the time of quarantine and traffic light countries, surely this is the ideal opportunity), I urge you to take it. I was way up north in Moray where the sun barely goes to bed, the river was high and the countryside was a thick luscious green. The landscape is truly breathtaking there and the people are delightfully friendly. I visited the Copper Dog at The Craighellachie Hotel for a delicious supper: Scottish oysters, followed by locally-sourced rib-eye, washed down with a glass or two of some delicious wine, and - most importantly - it was consumed in the most tremendous company. My only advice is, obviously, pack for all the weather: you’ll get blazing sunshine one minute and pouring rain the next.

For me as it has for many of us, May has been a busy month. Increasing freedoms and confidence at a corporate level mean that we are looking forward to the future and a return to a semblance of normality with something a little more concrete than hope. My diary is starting to get messy. Against all the odds, I’m trying to hold onto some of the tranquility (or do I mean boredom and isolation?!) of the last 15 months and not get too overwhelmed. It’s quite a big leap from not leaving the house for anything more exciting than exercise for months on end, to daily lunches, dinners, and even weekends away with friends!

And with this weather and the opportunity to really see people, my thoughts have inevitably turned to my wardrobe. Finally, I’ve been able to put away the padded duvet coats that saw me through the dark winter we’ve just had and consider wearing light summer dresses, and even the coral linen shorts I bought last year but haven’t had the chance to wear. Coming out of lockdown and the longest winter on record (or so it seemed!), can feel a bit discombobulating when it comes to your wardrobe. What does one wear to return to the office, the pub, or in fact to go anywhere that isn’t your local park bench? In an effort to relieve some of this strain I’ve compiled a bit of a bumper Lust List with all the bits in the shops that I’m really craving to boost my Summer-in-the-City wardrobe right now. Check it out, here - I hope you find it helpful. There’s everything from a great pair of leather trousers (on the High Street) to pale blue leather mules and even an orange and pink tie-dyed linen shirt - trust me, it’s more sophisticated than you think.

What I’m Lusting After:

H&M’s latest designer collaboration has dropped this morning and it’s a beauty. Brock Collection are a New York based brand that specialise in ultra-feminine floral frocks (try and say that after three tequilas) and cool bustier tops that look great with worn blue denim - another specialty of theirs. This collection is ideal for those of you with straighter figures - the rectangle body shape - as it’s softness is great for building curves. It’s deliciously pretty and summery and great for a summer wedding or a picnic in the park.

Dress, £34.99, Brock Collection x H&M

Dress, £34.99, Brock Collection x H&M

What I’m Watching:

Kate Winslet in Mare of Easttown

Kate Winslet in Mare of Easttown

OK, the last episode dropped on Sunday night (yes, they released episodes weekly - my patience levels are pretty low so you can imagine how frustrated I was) and you may be all caught up, but if you’re not, check it out: Mare of Easttown (on Sky and Now TV) is epic. The inimitable Kate Winslet is Mare, a slightly down and out detective in a fairly bleak middle-American town on the hunt for the murderer of at least one local girl. Winslet is flawless and the storyline is complex and gripping; with only one episode to go, there were still so many loose ends. I highly recommend it.

What I’m Eating:

I’m finally having a dinner party this week. After being unable to entertain people in my flat for so long (sadly my balcony doesn’t quite accommodate the 2-metre rule), I am pumped with excitement. If you’re on the guest list, you may choose to look away now, but we’ll be having a Mexican feast of pork carnitas (a friend cooked the recipe below for me at New Year, and it’s delicious!), esquitas and a summery slaw (assuming all goes to plan, of course). Is it terrible to admit that I’m just as excited about the table setting as I am about the food, though? I’ll be dressing my table in my Lisa Corti table cloth for it’s inaugural outing and using all the retro coloured glassware I can lay my hands on.

Pork carnitas, Jo Cooks

Pork carnitas, Jo Cooks

Mexican slaw, Feasting at Home

Mexican slaw, Feasting at Home

Happy feasting, everyone - and don’t forget your SPF!

Prue x

The Blazer:

A good blazer has enormous uplift power. It can even take your lockdown outfit from loungeroom to boardroom. Okay, perhaps that’s a slight stretch, but you get the drift. Adding a blazer to a simple outfit of jeans, flat pumps (or even Teva’s) and a t-shirt (or, more likely right now, a jumper), can take you from comfortable to presentable. Quite frankly, isn’t that just what we’re all looking for in our wardrobes right now?

For the last few years the blazer offering - on the High-ish Street anyway - has been limited to oversized or corporate, with nothing in between. For those of us who have a few curves, don’t have legs that rival one of the Hadid’s, and don’t work in an especially formal environment, the options just weren’t there.

Fortunately, that pattern is changing, and it’s about time. So, here are my tips for how to wear the blazer depending on your body shape.

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The Hourglass

£135, & Other Stories, stories.com

As with all styling on an hourglass figure, you’re after styles that skim your curves: when you have a waist, show it off. Choose blazers and jackets with darted bodies that leave negative space between your torso and arm to really maximise your figure. Similarly, look for balanced styles. If you’re an hourglass, you’re already in proportion: a longer blazer that stops at your hips will build the hips out so ensure it has really sharp shoulders to keep your figure balanced. I love this style from & Other Stories - the overlapping buttons really exaggerate the waist, while the sharp shoulders balance the length. Consider going down a size though so as to avoid any flap.

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The Rectangle

£189, Massimo Dutti, massimodutti.com

When you’re a rectangle or have a more athletic figure you’re looking for styles that add softness and fluidity. Avoid stiff, heavy fabrics, and look instead for fabrics such as linen, lyocell or viscose which will mould a little around your body. A good tip is to push your sleeves up to waist height. Not only will your legs look longer, but it breaks up the squareness of the torso. Massimo Dutti are great for longer line blazers in lovely, rich colours.

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The Triangle

£69.99, Mango, mango.com

If your hips are wider than your shoulders blazers and tailored coats are going to be your best friend. They’re the simplest way to build out the shoulders in order to mirror your hips. The key is to go for short (you don’t want to add any width to your hips), and tailored styles - we want that negative space around your torso. If you can, a style that buttons up right to the collarbone (as opposed to forming a V), will further build out your shoulders and add balance.

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The Inverted Triangle

£89, Arket, arket.com

You may be thinking that blazers and tailoring in general aren’t for you if you already have broad shoulders. While it’s certainly true that you need to be careful with tailoring and avoid styles that build out your shoulders further, all hope is not lost. The waistcoat is making a return this season (as is 90s fashion in general) and it’s fantastic if you’re broader through the shoulder as it won’t build them out in the same way a blazer will. This style from Arket is also brilliant as it’s a longer length so will build out your hips to add some balance. You could try adding a narrow belt to it to make the most of your waist too.

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The Round Figure

£49.99, Zara, zara.com

Those of us that are rounder through the middle with no defined waist will really suit a longer line ‘boyfriend’ blazer. Where a shorter style will draw a straight line across your widest point, thereby drawing attention it, a style that finishes around your hips, or even mid-thigh will skim over your tummy. Look for deep V-styles - preferably single breasted so as to not add bulk - that will break up the torso and make the most of your bust and decolletage. And like the rectangle, push up your sleeves to lengthen your legs. Thankfully, there is a plethora of styles like this on the market right now, so take your pick!

As usual, please do leave a comment and let me know if you want any styling tips as we head out of lockdown (hopefully) and regular services resume!

And finally, if you liked this, please do consider sharing it!

Prue x

Guide to Body Shapes: The Rectangle

The second in my body profiles, this week I’m going to tackle the Rectangle body shape.

As usual, I want to caveat this post, by saying that this is not about fighting your body shape, nor aspiring to a body perfect ideal (especially as there isn’t one). It’s about understanding your individual shape and proportions so that you can dress in the most confident way possible. Once you understand your body shape, you know where to add detail and volume, and where to keep details to a minimum, in order to make the most of your body.  

So, let’s turn to definitions. We say you’re a rectangle if your waist is less than 25% smaller than your shoulder and bust, and your shoulder, bust and hip measurements are within 5% of each other. In other words, a Rectangular body is fairly straight up and down, with square shoulders.

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Keep the waist clear

Dress, £33.60, Oasis

When there is no defined waist, there is often a temptation to fake it using belts and paperbag style waistlines, but this can have the opposite effect. Instead, keep the waist clear to elongate the area. Look for empire or princess line dresses that fit below the bust and then flare naturally out into a subtle A-line.

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Fluidity is key

Jeans, £240, Citizens of Humanity, Harvey Nichols

Often in styling, it’s a case of opposites attract. For example, when shopping for glasses, if you have a round face squarer styles will suit you, and vice versa. It’s the same here. Squarer body shapes such as the rectangle (and the column), need more softness and fluidity in clothing. Fabrics that are fluid, such as silk, Tencel, or viscose, or are bias cut, are going to drape softly over square bodies and be more flattering than stiff ones, such as canvas, or thick denim. This doesn’t mean jeans are out; instead, look for boyfriend styles that tend to hang loosely from the hips and will be better than a stiff, straight leg style on your frame.

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Never a square

Skirt, £99, Anine Bing, theoutnet.com

Avoid any square details that will mirror your body shape. For example, big square pockets, and shirts tucked straight into your bottom half will accentuate the squareness of your body. Instead, consider asymmetrical hemlines on tops and skirts that will help break up the squareness, thereby creating a more fluid line. Look also for tailored jackets (ones that nip in at the waist rather than belted styles) ending at the hip or even mid-thigh rather than your waist to create more soft lines.

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Volume

Collared blouser, £49.99, Mango, mango.com

If you’re looking to create more curves, an easy cheat is to add volume or detailing in the areas you want to enhance: in this case your bust, shoulders or hips. A statement collar or puff sleeve will build out the shoulder, while a flared skirt, peplum waist or combat trousers will add volume on your bottom half. The Duchess of Cambridge - a classic rectangle - has (mostly) mastered the peplum, and it’s fair to say that a good peplum doesn’t come cheap. Alexander McQueen has this wonderful peplum cardigan and consistently does the most flattering styles. For my more petite clients, my go-to is Roland Mouret.

I hope this is helpful, but if you have any questions, do drop me a line in the comments below and I’ll do my best to help. Styling is often not intuitive, despite what we’re led to believe!

And if there are any problems you’d like to see me tackle in upcoming posts, do let me know.

Prue x

It's May already: how did that happen?

Lockdown life has felt interminable at times; deprived of social interaction the endless monotony has felt like torture. Which doesn’t even mention the masks. But yet, somehow, we’re 14 months into this fiasco. May is upon us and the famed (phantom?) June 21st is just around the corner. There is much to look forward to, but I’m trying to make the most of right now too. We’ve all spent too long dreaming of a life ‘post-Covid’ (something that has felt at times as elusive as winning the lottery), and it’s important we don’t lose sight of the living now.

One of the things that I’ve been grateful for, especially in these last few months, is the opportunity to curate my own routine. So much of our modern lives are spent rushing hither and thither with little time taken to simply sit still. Indeed, in a twisted take on success, we often celebrate our ‘busy-ness’: if one isn’t on the brink of exhaustion, are they really thriving? Lockdown has given me the opportunity to do those things that I’ve been saying I’ll do for years, including, finally, taking daily supplements.

I will caveat this by saying that I am neither a doctor nor a nutritionist, so speak to an expert if you have specific concerns or issues you want resolved. But, personally, my go-to’s are:

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One for everything

Solgar Vitamins Omega 3-6-9, £21.25, victoriahealth.com

Omega-3s are a multi-purpose supplement that boost skin health (especially good for dry skin), fight anxiety and depression, inflammation and period pain. So, you know, generally excellent. A good quality Omega-3 supplement should list DHA and EPA in it’s ingredients.

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One for the Gut

Optibac Probiotics, £11.29, victoriahealth.com

I love a probiotic for keeping my gut in order. I’ve tried a few over the years (including the rancid tasting liquid ones) but I’m currently loving the Optibac Probiotic with Vitamin C. The capsules are easy to take, while the Vitamin C is good for immunity - quite frankly, not a bad idea right now.

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One for the Skin

Oskia’s MSM Bio-Plus, £64, cultbeauty.co.uk

Oskia’s MSM Bio-Plus focusses on skin health, including reducing inflammation and supporting collagen to delay the onset of wrinkles. Obviously, nothing can really keep age at bay forever, but it’s also been good for my acne and redness.

What I’m doing: Writing thank you notes.

Anyone who knows me knows how completely horrifically awful I am at sending birthday cards. They’re such a joy to receive, but, for some reason I can’t seem to make them happen. I do like to think I’m pretty good at thank you cards though, in part because it indulges my stationery obsession, which started young and continues to this day. I am easily persuaded that a chic notepad and some cheerily coloured felt-tip pens (Muji’s are my favourite) will make me work more efficiently and productively, not to mention more stylishly. So, this week, after a 72 hour fiesta in which I was spoilt rotten I shall be furiously penning love notes to the people who made me feel so special. Here are some of my favourites:

What I’m Cooking: Asparagus

My mother always taught me that the only polite way to eat asparagus was with your fingers. This notion was firmly tested at a very proper black tie event I attended many aeons ago, where good manners were imperative and my asparagus consumption firmly disparaged. My mother is, if Debrett’s is to be believed, correct, but at the time it did me no favours. Nevertheless, it’s still one of my favourite vegetables. Inspired by @feedtheswimmers, I like mine quickly blanched and then covered in flaked almonds that have been cooked in just browned butter. Top it with flaked sea salt, all the herbs you have to hand and a squeeze of lemon juice. Delicious.

@feedtheswimmers

And everything I’m lusting after right now is on my Lust List. If only the sun would come back out to play! Soon soon soon.

Love Prue

Layer up

The last two weeks have been bloody delightful. Reunited with friends over too much wine and delicious food that not only have I not had to cook, but I don’t have to clean up afterwards either. Meatball sandwiches at Larry’s in Peckham; date and pork sausage rolls washed down with organic wine at 40 Maltby Street, and litres of rosé at Aqua Nueva. Clearly, none of it has been good for my waistline – nor my bank balance – but it’s been exceptionally good for my soul.

I am fully in favour of the easing of restrictions and the opportunity to see some of the people I love most in the world in settings like this. Not only that but I’m old (the big birthday is this week), so enforced table service and reservations in a pub setting are my complete dream. The last thing I want is to put a dampener on any such celebration. But, on all occasions, I’ve been absolutely freezing.

Restaurants are still limited to only serving outside, and whilst some have invested in outdoor heaters they’re often not especially effective. So, inevitably, we all arrive resembling Michelin men. Coats, hats, gloves and scarves are indispensable; on one occasion, with excellent foresight, one of my party actually brought blankets for us all. Whilst Spring may have sprung, the sky above me as I type this is wondrously flawless and the shops are full to bursting with pretty dresses, sunhats and sandals, the reality is that we’re still wearing our winter clothes.

So, when everyone is flashing their post-lockdown outfits on Instagram, how does one dress stylishly for this departure from hibernation?

Firstly, layers are essential. Uniqlo’s Heattech Thermals have been ubiquitous at every social occasion since the second lockdown. Slim-fitting, they don’t add bulk when layered under jumpers and coats and, for this transition into Spring, even look chic layered under dresses.

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Thermals. Yes, thermals

£12.90, Uniqlo

Padded gilets: once the preserve of European gentlemen in Gucci loafers with too much product in their hair, the padded gilet is now as essential to an evening out as a functioning OpenTable app. Again, Uniqlo is great for basics, but if you’re after something a little more elevated, Cos’ minimalist design is deliciously chic. Layer it under your coat for extra warmth.

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Padded gilets

£59, Cos

Footwear. Having spent the last year in nothing but trainers, Teva’s or shearling lined Birkenstocks, the prospect of anything more formal (and less comfortable) feels both daunting and confusing. I made the mistake of only wearing Teva’s to dinner last week though and that’s not something I’ll be doing again soon.

Thankfully, socks and sandals are no longer the realm of geography teachers alone, so invest in a wardrobe of socks now. Arket’s range is extensive without nearing novelty status. Their lurex styles add just that bit of jollity without being too grabby.

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Not-so-novelty socks

£5, Arket

And while we’re on footwear, boots are still the go-to for warmth and practicality. A block heel is infinitely more palatable than anything spindly after a year in flats. While boots of the baggy variety are currently ‘en vogue’, they remain distinctly unflattering. You’re after styles that really hug the ankle to show off what is, normally, the slimmest part of the leg. Aeyde’s range is consistently my go-to. I love the ‘Kate’ which is relatively long, meaning the top tucks under the hem of my cropped jeans, rendering them both flattering and warming.

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Still boots

£320, Aeyde

Alas, all this advice remains practical, but lacks joy and flare, which is where your accessories come into it. A knockout pair of earrings remains the single accessible sartorial extravagance, so it’s a good thing we’ve been investing in them for all the Zoom calls we’ve had over the last year. Mango and H&M are my high street heroes when it comes to jewellery, but these colourful sparklers from Uterque are wholly pleasing.

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Jolly sparklers

£50, Uterque

And as always, do check out my Lust List (updated every Sunday AM) with an edit of everything new and jolly on the High-ish Street. It’s got a distinctly Spring-like feel to it right now!


Shopping sustainably.... an oxymoron?

When I launched my personal styling business, I had one clear objective: to educate my clients about their bodies so that they can make better choices when it comes to shopping. I don’t abide ‘trends’, and you will never hear (or read) me giving blanket advice to purchase this season’s ‘must-have’. This isn’t to say that I advocate an austere wardrobe – we all love ‘new’ and the associated endorphin rush that comes with even the smallest purchase – but I do advocate buying pieces that will suit you now and (body changes aside) in the years to come.

The bi-product of making better, more educated choices with what we’re buying is that we are, in turn, shopping sustainably. With Earth Day this coming Thursday, we’re all being called upon to consider our consumption, and the fashion industry – in particular ‘fast fashion’ – is up there with some of the world’s worst polluters. Whilst for most of us it’s too simplistic to simply argue that we should never buy anything again – Greta Thunberg I am not – we can find ways to be more conscious of our consumption.

To that end, the most sustainable thing you can do, is to really get to grips with what shapes and styles work on you. Being swayed by the trend for prairie dresses when you’re a curvy 5’2”or Balenciaga’s razor sharp blazers when you’re already broadest at your shoulders, for example, is a bad investment. Understanding your individual proportions and how they combine with your shape is crucial when it comes to dressing to suit you.

Once you’ve done that, before you buy anything new, ask yourself these three questions:

  • Does this work with my lifestyle?

There’s no point shopping for sheer maxi dresses, or cut-out gowns, when in reality you’re rarely found not sporting your favourite denim. This seems obvious, but find me someone who hasn’t spent too much money on a dress or outfit for a wedding or another special occasion, only to wear it once, maybe twice. Not only is this bad for the planet, it’s bad for your bank balance.

  • Do I have anything like this in my wardrobe already?

So many of us are guilty of buying the same thing over and over again. It usually comes from a place of security, or lack thereof. For me, it’s pencil skirts. I find trousers really tricky to buy online, and tops are a minefield with a bust-to-waist ratio like mine, so skirts are my default position. I know others for whom it’s trainers. None of us need lots and lots of pieces in our wardrobes that all do the same thing. Be honest with yourself – if you’ve already got that niche covered, walk away.

  • Can I dress this up and down?

I don’t believe in saving things for best. Ironically, we tend to do this with the pieces that we’ve spent the most on resulting in a sky-high cost-per-wear. Instead, before taking the tags off something new, look at your wardrobe and consider all the ways that you can wear the piece. Can you team the skirt you’ve just bought with heels and a blouse for a dinner out, as well as bung it on with a pair of trainers and a t-shirt for a picnic in the park? The more ways you can wear something, the better the investment.

And next time you’re having a wardrobe clear out, don’t throw anything in the trash. Instead, use your local charity shop, Thrift + (a fuss-free second hand e-tailer that does all the hard work for you, and then splits your dividends between your favourite charity and John Lewis or FarFetch vouchers for you), eBay or even a fashion rental service like Hurr or ByRotation to get more life out of the pieces you’re finished with.

If you’re really interested in shopping sustainably, check out Lauren Bravo’s How to Break Up With Fast Fashion: a really non-judgy take on consuming fashion consciously. As always, if you’re interested, you can click on the button below for a run down of all my personal styling services and let me guide you on how to shop better.

And if you are on the hunt for some excellent new-ness this Spring, check out my updated Lust List for a rundown of the best out there right now - this week is a bumper special! Just make sure you ask yourself those three questions above before you buy.