The three second rule

Dress: £39.99, Zara. Belt (so old, I don’t even remember where it’s from!). Bag: Anya Hindmarch (old). Sandals: Dune (old)

When trying on clothes, I have a three second rule. If I don’t love it within those seconds and see a multitude of outfits I can incorporate the piece into within the time it takes me to take it off again, I don’t buy it. 

But sometimes, it does take me a little longer…but there is something in me that knows it can work. The exact thing happened with this dress, I bought it in a rush whilst shooting in town and when I tried it on at home in my slippers and wearing no make-up – it just didn’t look chic. It’s a funny length that screams heels and the waist needed some ‘cinching’ to say the least. The super high neck made me feel claustrophic and I looked like a Grandma (and not in a good way).

But yet, I didn’t take it back…

But the reason it looks like nothing in my wardrobe was the selling point for me. I feel grown-up, but in the best possible way – I knew I had some old rhinestone heels tucked away in my wardrobe somewhere to add the right amount of ‘bling’, and with a small bag (that carries nothing) and a splash of a red lip – the dress came into its own.

A ladylike dress is a key style for A/W, as are winter florals, and long sleeves are a bonus for me. Great for after work chicness:

Dress, £55, Topshop

I hate having too much flesh on show in the winter and the sleeves make it feel less ‘dressy’. But how do you wear it if you are a tomboy at heart? Well, I tried that too.

Dress: £39.99, Zara. Denim jacket: J Crew (old but buy similar from Asos here). Trainers: £65, Adidas. Bag: Anya Hindmarch (old)

Despite its midi length, it actually looks good with trainers – and that’s a winning combo for me. The lip is also my new beauty secret – a £5 chubby stick from Accessorize – it’s a much more punchy orangey/red than others and it suits my skintone more than most. It’s really moisturising too – £5 was never better spent!