Ageless Style
This week, Jayne Pickering, fashion director at ‘Marie Claire’, shares her wardrobe secrets
Q Has your style changed over the years?
A In my twenties, when I worked at Vogue, it was very Azzedine Alaïa: always super-tight clothes and very high heels. Now I’m the complete opposite, and comfort and simplicity are my main aim. But throughout, my style has been minimal with carefully selected pieces; less has always been more for me!
Q What’s your personal uniform?
A A blue or white shirt is definitely one of my staples. I always like a coat with a hood, usually wear trousers or jeans, and always wear trainers. I have to travel quite far to my office at
Marie Claire and spend a good amount of my day walking. I’m always in search of “The Perfect Dress” and think I’ve found it in the one I’m wearing here, from Céline.
Q What are your go-to brands?
A I was a huge fan of Phoebe Philo at Céline and have also always been a big Hedi Slimane fan. Their aesthetics are poles apart, but they work for me. I have a 21-year-old daughter, so we do spend time in Topshop, & Other Stories and Cos, but my high street staples are Arket and Uniqlo.
Q Do you experiment with new trends?
A I don’t buy into trends, I prefer to buy something that I love that will last. I like a variation on a theme, which some people would find boring, but it suits me; I’m still wearing coats from Prada and Marni that I bought 20 years ago and people are still asking me where they’re from. I know some say that if you haven’t worn something in your cupboard for a year you should throw it out, but I don’t agree with that. I often come back to jackets or shirts that I haven’t worn for a while: it’s like shopping in your own wardrobe.
Q What’s your beauty routine?
A Getting older, looking after your skin is essential. I have regular facials with Lisa Franklin (lisafranklin. london), who is brilliant with skin, use Alumier skin care products (alumiermd.co.uk), and have always been a fan of
Dr Sebagh (drsebagh.com). I couldn’t live without a really good moisturiser, as I fly a lot for my work and get very dehydrated. I drink plenty of water and try to have four nights a week with no alcohol, as I sleep better, and I regularly do Pilates.
As my hair texture has changed, getting a blow dry makes a huge difference – I see Adam Embleton at Josh Wood ( joshwoodcolour.com). The lovely Joel Goncalves at Nicola Clarke (nicolaclarke atjohnfrieda.com) has been cutting my hair for 30 years and I’ve pretty much stuck to the same style.