WHAT TO WEAR THIS WEEKEND

A PLEATED SKIRT

GOT ‘NOTHING TO WEAR’?

We all know that feeling. Staring blankly into a wardrobe overflowing with clothing. Then it hits you. You don’t own a single piece suitable for the occasion you’re about to be late for. It’s for this moment that the pleated skirt was invented. Having one of these hanging in your wardrobe guarantees you will never find yourself in that ‘how do I have so many clothes and still nothing to wear’ crisis again.

A NEW WARDROBE STAPLE

I’m not a big skirt wearer. I own just one. But that skirt is pleated — a lightweight black crepe with an elasticated waist. I picked it up at a Joseph sample sale years ago for a funeral. Since then, it has seen me through much happier occasions. I even wheeled it out for the work Christmas do last month. This versatile design is your sartorial knight in shining armour. It has gone from a major trend of the past 12 months to a staple, something we’ll be wearing for ever.

DRESS IT UP OR DOWN

For work it’s simple. Tuck a shirt in — white or a complementing colour — then pull on a blazer. Dinner? a lightweight knit and courts. Weekend? Trainers and an oversized jumper. Done. and there’s one in every design you could dream of: block colours, prints, even leather and lace, mini, midi and asymmetric hem.

GO BOLD — OR TRY PRINT

THIS season you want to go for a bold colour or a strong print. Gucci’s red and blue geometric check is fab — but it’s £1,250! and as fun as Prada’s banana print crepe de chine design is, I won’t be parting with £1,530 for it. But you don’t have to spend a fortune to get something great. The green metallic design I’m wearing here is only £25.99 from Zara. I love their multicoloured version, £29.99, below.