I used to live in ballet flats, but I feel like they are really uncool now. I’d love another pair of flat shoes, but not slippers as I don’t suit them. My budget is about £100. Can you find me some?
I have an issue with ballet flats, and it isn’t that they are uncool — it’s that they don’t support the arches of your feet. So, from a podiatric point of view, I’m glad you are looking into other options. Uterqüe has a pair of Céline-inspired silver-heeled ballet shoes (1 £140) that are slightly over your budget, but do offer a bit more support than a pancake-flat pump. As do H&M’s black glittery-heeled ballet pumps (£20), which look very Valentino, but are a bargain. Topshop has the Jive burgundy mock-croc flats with blocky heels (low block heels are a trend for autumn). If you fancy a leopard print, try the Gabriel III pony pointed flats by Senso (2 £139; johnlewis.com).
I have bought a Devra blue and orange patterned dress from LK Bennett for my stepdaughter’s wedding at the end of October, but I am having great difficulty finding something to wear on top. I think I need a jacket or a three-quarter coat, but the colours are tricky. I have some neutral-coloured court shoes, which are advertised with the dress, but I am stumped otherwise. Can you help?
What an excellent choice. I’d recommend the Devra (£250, and in store now) to any other readers who are searching for an autumnal dress for weddings. To go with it, Hobbs has the Lorna cobalt blue jacket (3 £169) — it will match the zingy blue of the dress. It’s slightly cropped, which offers a flattering silhouette with a shift dress. For a much cheaper option in the same colour, try Mango’s Flowy waterfall flap jacket (£40), which is an open shape with lapels.
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I need to buy my friend a 30th birthday present, and she loves cool ear jewellery. Do you have any ideas for pieces at about £100?
I’m so glad you asked this — I keep discovering great solo ear candy and wanting to share it. Theodora Warre sells mini ear cuffs in emerald or ruby (£65; theodorawarre.eu), Missoma has a multicoloured gemstone “ear crawler” (£69; missoma.com), and i+i has a gorgeous 14-carat gold snake earring (4 £108; iandijewellery.com), designed to be worn on the left. A simpler option is Maya Magal London’s chunky little ear cuff, which comes in plain silver or gold-plated (from £50; wolfandbadger.com).
How I tackled...this season’s it skirt
Navy skirt, £149, by Boden Icons; boden.co.uk. Silk blouse, £275, from Alexa Chung for AG; selfridges.com. Collisee ankle-strap heels, £185, from Russell & Bromley
Last season, it was all about M&S’s suede skirt. This season, the buzz is focused on this military piece from Boden’s new Icons range. A stripy split pencil skirt is certainly easy to wear: with blocky heels and a pussy-bow blouse (which are everywhere this autumn), it’s the perfect outfit to take you from August to the season of falling leaves. A frisson of bare leg, seen peeking through the split, may be all there is to remind you of summer — but, unlike you, this skirt will transition quite happily into next season. And once autumn is in full swing, opaque tights and an Aran knit will work perfectly.
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This week I'm into... Aspinal x Etre Cecile
Mini rucksack, £625, and Mayfair bag, £650, by Aspinal x Etre Cécile; selfridges.com
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Aspinal of London, the traditional British leather-goods brand, has teamed up with the quirky young label Etre Cécile (the brainchild of the retail consultant Yasmin Sewell, among others). The result is a five-bag collection that combines classic shapes with funky colour-blocking and 1990s-inspired patterns. Wear with a cheeky grin.
Pandora’s box of tricks
Find airport chic impossible to nail? I wear a chichi and comfortable Madewell crepe jumpsuit with a silk camisole underneath. See you at the boarding gate!
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Main image, hair and make-up: Lucy Pearson using Bumble and Bumble and Nars
Email your questions to wardrobe.mistress@sunday-times.co.uk or tweet @TheSTStyle using the hashtag #wardrobemistress.
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