A good outfit is about balance. A balance of proportions, a balance of ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ and of dressy to casual. Of course, there are exceptions to this for certain occasions and events, but as a rule, a balance works well. We certainly feel like this when it comes to ‘dressing up’ and the outfits that we are wearing here are a perfect example. Both mum and I are wearing very dressy skirts with casual jumpers.

For two reasons, this approach has the added bonus of being practical too.. Firstly, there is longevity in buying a jumper that can be worn all year round rather than a dressy top that might only be worn a few times. Secondly, it’s a physically comfortable way to dress. Especially, when the heels get swapped for flats - that’s when the party can really get started!

This sequin skirt is actually a very dark green. By keeping the outfit tonal with little difference between the various colours, the interest is created through the mixture of textures. The sequins are grounded by the cashmere and in doing so the overall effect is super chic.

Mum and I can actually take no credit for this ensemble. My sister in law went to Lisbon recently and whilst she was there, spent the evening in a jazz club. That evening there was a lady of a similar age to mum wearing what Kate described as the ‘best outfit in the room’. Having explained the outfit to me I thought oooh, I think that our Graham St followers would enjoy that - and here we are! I think mum looks wicked and I would also wear this outfit in a heartbeat. If you are keen to recreate this look but want to have your tummy covered, choose a slightly boxy, or a-line jumper that sits just below the hips. This would also work extremely well.

In my opinion, my outfit wouldn’t work without the white shirt. The colour of the jumper and skirt are too similar for the difference in textures to be enough. The crisp white against the dusky pink is clean, fresh and vibrant. I’ve mentioned this before but a shirt/blouse can be an extremely effective way of breaking up an outfit and in doing so, make the individual items sing.

This jumper is by Arket. Every season they produce it in the same material and a similar shape. I have one in bright blue from a few years ago. I find it extremely useful as the shape lends itself to wearing with a shirt underneath. It’s very easy to throw and go, an asset that ranks highly in my wardrobe criteria these days! If you were thinking of investing, I would recommend choosing a colour that you know suits you well. That way, if you’re tired and not necessarily feeling your best, put the jumper on and pow! The colour will lift your complexion and make you feel ready to hit the day.

I also wanted to include this lovely pair of culottes by Boden. They drape beautifully and swish very elegantly when you walk. For those of you that prefer to wear trousers for an occasion, these might be the ticket - the drama of a skirt with the practicality of culottes! We have dressed down mum’s top half but you could go to town with this look and elevate it into something suitable for a Black Tie event. The white sequinned top in this week’s Style Edit would work well with a pair of dramatic earrings. You could dance the night away in total comfort and glamour - now there’s a winning combination!