If you find yourself having to dress up over the coming weeks but the events are not ‘sequins and sparkles’ kind of affairs then a great pair of tailored trousers should have you covered. Excellent fitted trousers become the piece on which to build the rest of your outfit. For a more low-key event, a neat jumper like the one mum is wearing here with a lovely scarf or necklace should be perfect, and for a more raz-ma-taz look, a silk blouse and statement earrings should meet the brief.

This pair by Cefinn are beautiful. They come up small so you might want to size up. If you are thinking about the areas of your wardrobe to invest in, a classic pair of smart trousers is a good place to start. They will stand the test of time and will prove incredibly useful year after year. I believe if the trousers fit well then the top will always look good, regardless of whether it’s high street or high end.

For some less expensive options these (in black) by Sézane are great, as are these by Albaray. I absolutely love this shape too, and perhaps a better fit if you are on the shorter side. On that point, sometimes having things tailored is a good option too. In fact, I was listening to Kristin Scott-Thomas being interviewed on Bella Freud’s ‘Fashion Neurosis’ podcast last week. For those of you that have seen Slow Horses (the TV drama on Apple TV) you will know that her character has a fantastic wardrobe. I had assumed that she was wearing designer pieces but apparently everything was high street but it had been tailored to fit her perfectly. I thought ah hah, very interesting!

Really great belts are surprisingly hard to come by so grab them when you can. Always buy real leather as good leather should get better with age. My favourite belt is about 15 years old. It wasn’t expensive but it is leather.

It’s rare that you’ll see me wear an item of clothing that doesn’t serve a purpose. I have a sort of mantra in my head that says, you’ll always look uncontrived if every piece of clothing on your body has a reason for being there. So if you have a jumper over your shoulders, you should be able to fit it on with what you are wearing - even if you never actually do! Here, I am wearing the blue shirt purely because I like the colour combination of crisp white, pale blue and toffee - I think that it’s yummy. The outfit would most certainly work without the shirt but it is the blue that makes the colour combination sing.

I am also wearing brown jeans. The brown provides a softer contrast to the other colours in my outfit than black but still offers that level of ‘smartness’ that a paler denim might not.

The jumper that I am wearing around my shoulders is the same style as the Quinton & Chadwick one that mum was wearing last week. I particularly like the texture of these jumpers, it adds a point of interest. The jacket is the actual one that mum wore last week and is proving very versatile. You might even see it pop up next week too! The colour is particularly lovely but I also love the shape and weight of it. It’s easy to wear as it’s not too bulky and adds a touch of ‘cool’ to an outfit. It would work in a myriad of colours - navy blue or charcoal grey might be a good place to start…

N.B. I am 5.6” and these jeans are long on me. They work best with a bit of a heel (it also elongates the leg!) and although I can wear them with trainers, they bunch quite a bit at the bottom.

P.S. I was just about to send this post out and suddenly thought that I would like to add one more message. I’m sure that quite a few of you are having to ‘dress up’ over the next few weeks ….. are the words ‘I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR’ ringing in your ears?! Please try not to worry too much. The main thing is to feel comfortable and to feel like yourself. Good style is a purely subjective thing, there is no right or wrong - there is only right and wrong for you. Think about the clothes that make you feel good and the chances are you’ll look good too!

P.P.S. A bright red lip can be a game changer, as can a fabulous pair of earrings or a wonderful pair of shoes (or a coloured, sparkly sock) - it can be the small changes that make the big difference!