DRESSED TO KILL
You’re never too old for a bikini as long as you wear big knickers!
LISA SNOWDON, 45, lives in Essex. She began her career as a model and went on to become a well-known radio and TV personality. Earlier this year she got engaged to her boyfriend, George Smart. Here she talks to ROSANNA GREENSTREET. Frocks or trousers?
I ENJOY fashion and like to embrace different vibes to reflect my mood, so I have an eclectic style.
Some days I’ll be bohemian and wear a feminine floaty dress, other days it’s jeans with a simple top. But summer is my favourite time of year. I love dressing for the beach.
You’re never too old to look good in a swimsuit or bikini if you’re canny about it. I’ve just discovered high-waisted, Fifties- style pants, which are super flattering, and you won’t have to worry about eating paella for lunch or having a couple of cocktails.
Be proud of your body. I certainly am. When I go on holiday, I like the feeling of seeing just a few things hanging in the wardrobe. It makes it so much easier to get ready every day.
Body loves — and hates?
WE CAN all be self-critical, but as I’ve got older I’ve tried to focus on the good things: I’m healthy, happy and have lots of people who love me, so I accept myself warts and all.
I am lucky because I’m tall — just a tiny bit short of 5 ft 10 in — and my skin is good.
Fashion faux pas?
You know yourself whether you look good in something.
As I’ve got older, comfort has taken over as the most important consideration. Fashion is no fun if it doesn’t fit.
At my age it’s also about choosing when to wear things. I’d like to get a little playsuit, but I wouldn’t wear it for a night out in London. I might wear dungaree shorts on holiday, though.
High Street or designer?
BOTH — I just love shopping! There are so many great things on the High Street and it’s fun to pick up a bargain.
I shop at Zara and H&M, and Topshop is good for little dresses. I have a beautiful red pleated maxi dress from JD Williams that I style with a cool leather belt.
It’s also great to blitz Selfridges: I will go to all the High Street concessions on the ground floor or, if I need something special for the red carpet, I’ll have a root around in the designer section.
My favourite designer is Isabel Marant because of her understated Parisian chic. She uses great prints, her clothes fit me well and they last for years.
When I was younger, I was afraid to experiment with colour, but now I revel in it.
Wardrobe treasure?
MY DIAMOND engagement ring because it’s so precious and beautiful, but also because of everything it represents.
George chose it and that’s why it’s so special. I had no involvement and neither did friends; he did it all by himself.
We haven’t got a date for the wedding, but we are working towards it. I have no idea about my wedding dress, either. The other day a friend said: ‘We should just book some appointments to try on dresses, make a fun girlie day of it, go for lunch, have a couple of glasses of champagne.’
I have no idea what style will suit me, so I thought that was a great idea.
Heels or flats?
DURING the day I prefer to bomb around in flats. I wear Converse, Stan Smith and Golden Goose trainers, also Birkenstocks and flip-flops.
But I have a soft spot for sexy high heels. The Italian brand Loriblu is a favourite. The ones I’ve got are dark blue velvet — super high, pointy and very sexy. I wore them with cropped jeans to a gallery opening.
Style icon?
I ADMIRE Emmanuelle Alt, who is editor- in- chief of French vogue. Her style is just so effortlessly cool.
Hoarder or minimalist?
HOARDER, with the desire to become more minimalist. I am desperately trying to do the ‘one in, one out’ (or one in, two out) with clothes shopping. I am also being more shrewd and asking: ‘Do I really need it?’
Lazy bones or gym bunny?
I LIKE walking; I check on my Fitbit how many steps I’ve done and try to get to 10,000 a day.
I like going to classes, too: Pilates is good for core stability and lengthening and strengthening muscles.
I tried Bikram yoga the other day and did my first spin class, which was pretty intense because they scream at you. It was like a nightclub — dark with loud music. But you get really into it and sweat so much.
I like throwing myself into a class where there is good energy in the room and you just go for it.
Left to my own devices, I cop out early. Twenty minutes on the treadmill will turn into 12, as I am not very disciplined.
Nip and tuck?
EACH to their own, but the idea of going under the knife terrifies me. There are things you can do to prevent needing to have anything invasive.
As I get older, I am most concerned about my jowls. I’ve tried this treatment called ultraformer at a place called Mode, in Loughton, and it’s brilliant.
It uses ultrasound to shock the collagen, which tightens the muscles. It’s a little uncomfortable, but I’ve been having treatment on the lower half of my face and it has really helped.
Feast or famine?
A LITTLE bit of what you fancy does you good so I will have snacks, white wine and naughty things like that. But we try to have veggie- only times in the week, and stick to lean proteins, such as fish and chicken.
I don’t really do dairy, but I still enjoy potatoes and rice.
We both love cooking, but I’d say I cook more. I don’t have two heavy meals a day, though — it will be one big main meal and something lighter for lunch or the other way round.
If I have a naughty day and eat lots of ice cream, I won’t do it again the next day. It’s just about being mindful of what you eat.
Guilty pleasure?
DARK chocolate and biscuits and I really like baking cakes, which is a disaster because then I just want to eat them. My new favourite is chocolate and beetroot cake.
What’s in your handbag?
I HAVE a little red Gucci Soho cross-body bag, and I like a big shopper to carry shoes and a spare outfit if I have a long day and then an event to go to. I recently bought an Eighties navy Chanel bag from vestiaire Collective. In my bag I have a charger because my iPhone is always dying; Bose headphones because I’m obsessed with podcasts; my purse; almonds to snack on and my make-up.