THE RIGHT HEEL HEIGHT IS KEY

THE look of an outfit is transformed by heel heights. This is one of the areas of fashion I’m least comfortable playing around with. I can see the way varying heights will make an outfit more contemporary, I find it hard to move away

from my comfort zone of slim 90mm heels. Any higher and I think I look ludicrous: towering platforms on me have the whiff of mutton alert, even if they have fashion kudos.

Ever since, aged 12, when I opened the front door to the shortest girl in the class and realised she was taller than me, I have abandoned flat shoes.

Even so, the success of the simple pairing of a skirt and sweater is often to do with heels.

One of the things fashion does to move on is alter proportions, which means that, for example, the calf-length sunray pleated skirt in every High Street store, worn with a pair of mid-height courts, will now look Princess Di Eighties (and not in an ironic fashion way).

The same skirt with substantial wedges, hefty flatforms or high skinny heels, will be on trend.

It is up to you whether that is your intention or whether you are happy to adopt the style of a female Scout leader at a garden party.

In which case, to perfect the look, add a blazer that covers your bottom.