What I’ve learnt about style Fashion tips from an industry expert

Victoria hambledon, 51, the founder of independent department store the hambledon, shares her fashion secrets

1 KEEP YOUR OUTFIT SIMPLE More, for me, is always too much. I prefer a more minimal approach.

2 BE TRUE TO YOURSELF I learnt very early on that although my cool friends could get away with wearing charity shop finds, I ended up looking like my granny. Dress so that you feel completely like yourself.

3 STICK TO CRISP WHITE TRAINERS they’ll go with absolutely everything.

4 i ALWAYS ROLL UP MY SHIRTSLEEVES – showing a bit of flesh is always good, but mainly it’s about not feeling too prissy, and ready for work.

5 I PREFER TO DRESS DOWN as I don’t like to draw attention to myself, I find under-dressing in any situation is best. a boiler suit at a party is perfectly acceptable to me!

6 SKIP THE ACCESSORIES accessorising for me just feels like too much clutter. I work in retail and spend much of my day unpacking boxes or running up and down stairs, so I don’t like too much extraneous stuff clanking about. thehambledon.com w&h

“you can’t go wrong with a pair of simple white trainers”

Victoria wears: Shirt, £189, sizes 8-18, maison labiche. knit, £165, sizes s-l, american Vintage. trousers, £149, sizes 8-18, bellerose. trainers, £109, Spring Court at the hambledon