‘FORGET ABOUT AGE – STYLE IS FOR EVERYONE’

My 13-year-old daughter was heading out of the door to a friend’s party and I was taken aback by what she was wearing. There was nothing inappropriate – the surprise was that she was wearing some of my clothes. Me – her embarrassing, naff, middle-aged mum. This is the girl who it seems only yesterday was saying things to me like, ‘Oh. If that’s what you’re wearing, can Dad please take me to school?’

Yet there she was, trying to sneak out in a pair of on-point boyfriend jeans with my red slogan Bella Freud knit. I wasn’t annoyed that she’d delved into my wardrobe (and just happened to pull out probably the most expensive jumper I own). Actually, I was… flattered. Thrilled, in fact, that a hip young thing would find something she wanted in there. ‘Mum,’ she said. ‘I’ve realised that you have some nice clothes.’ I decided to gloss over her shocked tone of voice and revel in the compliment from the person who gives me more brutal feedback than anyone I’ve ever known. Apparently my laugh and the way I sleep are both insufferably annoying, but hey, here, finally, was a morsel of approval.

Soon enough I’m sure that I will be infuriated by this new mother-daughter milestone, but the novelty is fresh. And too often I hear that fashion is only for the young. Or that once past a certain age we must not experiment with clothes or, worse, be a woman over 35 with the audacity to take pride and pleasure in what she wears. I’m viewing these new raids on my wardrobe as a badge of honour – that a young person considers the things I wear to be cool.

Our fashion director Shelly Vella certainly approaches our fashion pages with an ageless sensibility. We know that grown-up women have no time for ridiculous trends like midriff-bearing, but I’m adamant that there is very little out there that’s off limits. At 48 years old, I shop enthusiastically from YOU’s fashion pages, and my aim is – whether you’re considerably older or younger than me – that you will, too. Style is for everyone. Just be warned that anyone with access to your wardrobe will probably agree!

Enjoy the issue.