Why I only wear flats
Just recently, I was at a party when I saw two young girls arrive wearing unbelievably high heels. They looked so uncomfortable and, within half-an-hour, I couldn’t help but notice they’d whipped them off and were carrying them over their shoulder instead.
You certainly won’t find me making the same mistake: I was wearing one of my many pairs of trusty brogues, my go-to party shoes, in which I could happily stand around all night.
But then, at my age [66], I’ve long since learned you don’t have to suffer to look fabulous - while I also believe firmly that age is no barrier to style either.
The notion that you should dress your age is anathema to me - I can’t bear it when people say: ‘Oh she’s 50, she shouldn’t be wearing that.’
In my book, dressing is about attitude, not age. I’ve got items in my wardrobe that my 36-year-old daughter Carly and her friends lust after, and vice versa. I think it’s rather sad that some of our posher shops only go up to a size 14. If you’re comfortable with your size, you should be able to wear what you want.
Which is why you will never find me making the same mistake as those young girls I saw at that party: these days I only wear flats - or very low-heeled ankle boots or court shoes.
I’ve had a weak ankle since I was 12 after badly spraining it jumping on a school trampoline, and while I have worn high heels over the years they’ve never been my favourite footwear. In fact I try to avoid them as much as I can.
If I need to wear stilettos on a modelling shoot, I will get someone to place them on the spot where I’m standing and step into them.
I’ve always been a fan of flats, particularly brogues, which I have a huge collection of.
From the age of 17, I was obsessed with Fred Astaire and, as those with long memories will know, he often wore two-tone brogues.
I liked them so much, I went to a cobbler - shoemaker to the Prince of Wales, no less - and got him to make me a pair. I’ve still got them, and used them as inspiration for my new Marks & Spencer collection (see below).
I’ve also included a very snazzy silver brogue, which I think you can wear with anything from a little black dress to a trouser suit.
I honestly think a good pair of brogues makes an outfit - the other day I saw a girl striding along wearing a geometric black and white tunic dress, black opaque tights and brogues and I thought she looked fabulous.
While I’m all for dressing to suit yourself, you do, of course, need to adapt your style a bit as the years tick by. My mini-skirt days are definitely long gone - instead, I wear a tunic with very thick tights and a pair of over-the-knee boots with a very low heel.
Generally, though, I dress in much the same way I did as a young woman. I’ve always gone for a more boyish look for evenings, and even as a teenager I’d often elect to wear a trouser suit over a dress for a night out, just as I do now - the only difference is back then I had to get them specially made at a gentlemen’s tailors.
The black velvet trouser suit I designed for my collection is inspired by one I had made in red velvet back in 1968, and which I still have in my wardrobe to this day. Sadly, I can’t get into it any more - I was so tiny back then - but my daughter, Carly, wore it when she was a teenager and I hope my new granddaughter, Joni, will do the same one day.
I genuinely think a tuxedo is every bit as sexy as a little black dress, and it’s a great look if you’re not into anything too frilly, although it’s also easy to girlify with a sequined bustier or tunic top.
I call it a bit of sweet and sour, in the same way that teaming a pretty jewelled blouse or floaty dress with a biker jacket and flats gives your look a touch of rock’n’roll. You can’t knock a jumpsuit either - another simple, one-piece party solution which looks as great with flats as it does with heels.
I’ve designed one with beautiful metallic lace panelling at the front which would look fabulous on anyone whether they’re 17 or 70.
I genuinely think a tuxedo is every bit as sexy as a little black dress, and it’s a great look if you’re not into anything too frillyIf you’re wedded to dresses, though, then I’ve found long sleeves and strategically placed ruching can distract from the flabby bits so many women worry about.
I’ve always been a fan of skinny jeans, too - but they have to have a high waist. I cheered the day hipsters went out of fashion as I never thought they did anyone any favours - all those tummies spilling over the top.
Another style that looks great with a low heel are loose-fitting tuxedo pants, and I’ve designed some for my collection complete with tuxedo side panels and an elasticated waistband. So stylish and so comfortable. I recommend finishing off any of these looks with some jewellery.
I’m a huge fan of costume jewellery, and I often mix it with treasured pieces of my own.
Most shops have got amazing collections these days and sometimes all you need to do to transform a simple shift dress or plain knit is put on a decorative collar or a statement necklace. The one I’ve designed for M&S would look good whether at a casual Christmas dinner or a cocktail party.
Ironically, I’m not a massive fan of parties - I never have been.
I think it’s a consequence of becoming famous very young, when being thrust into a situation where people had had a lot to drink generally meant them launching themselves at me to tell me that someone in their family was a huge fan - lovely but a bit overwhelming. Don’t get me wrong, I love socialising, but I much prefer a dinner party or drinks with friends.
I’ve got a lot to celebrate this year though, as this is my first Christmas as a grandmother.
In the summer, my daughter, Carly, had beautiful Joni, and two months earlier my stepson, Jason, became the proud father of Solomon. It’s a lovely feeling - you don’t think you can love anyone more than your own child, then along come these amazing little people.
We’ve got them all coming for Christmas Day, and while the babies won’t have a clue what’s going on, I’m sure they’ll love all the sparkly decorations around my home.
Meanwhile, I will be bringing some sparkle of my own to the festive proceedings with my Christmas Day outfit - a lovely shirt with a jewelled collar worn over skinny jeans, finished off with some beautiful flats - from my new collection for Marks & Spencer, of course.
Appropriate and stylish but comfortable, too - the perfect combination in my book.
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