As lady captain of my golf club, I have the captains’ ball to attend soon. I am a size 18, with a bit of a tum and short blonde hair. I don’t mind short or long (I have good ankles) and I like bright colours.
A long option is a Phase Eight Isobel Illusion red lace dress (1 £140), which has block-coloured side panels to draw the eye in and give the illusion of a slimmer silhouette. Marina Rinaldi also has plenty to fit the bill: sizes start from 16. The Diaspro dress (2 £208), from the Persona collection, is joyful and easy to wear. Or try Chic Chi for a fun rose-print mididress (£60; asos.com).
My son is getting married and I am wearing a red satin, full-skirted dress, but I’m stuck for footwear. I don’t usually wear heels, but I’m only 5ft 2in. Is there anything with a low heel that would work?
Liberate yourself from heels: smart flats are a modern look for a wedding. Russell & Bromley has a pair of Lo-Fi shimmering pointed flats (3 £155). Orla Kiely’s Angelina gold mary-janes (£120), from its collaboration with Clarks, have a 1in heel and a Cushion Plus sole, which promises comfort. I also like LK Bennett’s Holly Glitter silver flats (4 £195), which you can also wear after the event with jeans.
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I have some Topshop pointed shoes in green snakeskin with a tan trim, which I love, but I don’t know what to wear them with. I’m 23, size 12 and my style is versatile.
I have those shoes in blue and can’t stop wearing them. Try with cropped trousers or culottes. Zara has some faux-leather culottes (5 £26), while & Other Stories’ lilac tailored trousers will go with the green (£69). Heritage check is having a renaissance, while Urban Renewal’s plaid trousers (6 £45; urbanoutfitters.com) would also work well.
This week I’m wearing... the leopard-print coat
Apponia leopard-print trench coat, £395, By Malene Birger; veryexclusive.co.uk. Lace shirt, £145, Whistles. Skinny jeans, £23, New Look. Heels, £60, Clarks. Earrings, £10, Zara
Other coats come and go, but the leopard-print is perennially cool. Just look at Kate Moss, who is never not in one come Christmas. That said, you have to tread carefully with them. No teddy-bear faux-fur (looks cheap), nor anything matted, like carpet. By Malene Birger’s jacquard-style coat is slim-fitting, and can be worn for day, over a turtleneck, or for dinner with a black dress. That’s the beauty of the leopard-print coat: it’s universal. Invest now, before the weather drops. After all, you know that it’s never going to go “off”.
Pandora’s box of tricks
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On the subject of all these full-length belted coats around at the moment: swap the belt with a coloured belt from another coat. Jazzes up your outfit instantly.
@TheSTStyle @pandorasykes Pandora Sykes also blogs at pandorasykes.com, some of which is sponsored content
Hair and make-up: Lucy Pearson using L’Oreal Professional, Jurlique and Bobbi Brown