Pharmacist Patricia Pastor (46), who lives in Bristol and is originally from Bilbao, documents her outfits on Instagram. She is a neutrals gal at heart who loves belts, animal prints and layering. Patricia’s style is predominantly polished with a little rock ‘n’ roll. She remixes touches of tomboy with hard edge, British countryside and Western style.

“If I look back, I don’t think my style has changed much over the last few years. I like following the current trends, but adapting them to my style, to which I am always loyal. I would define my style as something between classic and casual. I like wearing versatile and comfortable clothes, mainly in neutral colours, something you can wear on a daily basis and that you can combine to create multiple outfits.”

This is a marvelous example of the browns and black rendition (4) in Angie’s Browns with Punch outfit formula. Patrica has created a column of black by tucking a black top into black skinny trousers with black belt. The trousers are tucked into rugged knee-high boots that fit the cosy casual vibe of the look perfectly. Her mid-thigh jacquard-pattern cardigan in various tones of brown and cream complement the boots, and adds softness to the column of black. The studs on our blogger’s small bag add subtle texture and shine. Finally, gold-toned jewellery and gold-trimmed sunnies bring warm polish to the look.

Patricia is a neutrals gal at heart and happily switches between light and dark neutrals. Here she’s rocking the light tones with a chic polished casual look incorporating a column of cream. Our blogger has paired a cream turtleneck with dressy full-length straight-legged trousers. This elongates the body by emphasizing the vertical and eliminating horizontal lines across the middle of the body. Adding pointy-toe white booties that are low contrast against the pants has the same effect. The camel trench is a Modern Classic that looks beautiful with the creams and with Patricia’s brown hair. Her unique satchel with patterned centre panel and handles adds visual interest and extra polish.

What a delightful nod back to the ‘80s this is! Patricia is wearing baggy light-wash jeans with an on-trend high waist. Tucking the sleeveless high-necked top lengthens the leg line. The brown belt with turquoise detail emphasizes our blogger’s waist and adds visual interest. The fitted top and belt combo also reins in the volume of the jeans. White converse bookend the top and play up the Sporty Spice tomboy vibe of the look. Patricia’s white clutch and watch, and bright red nails add casual polish.

Patricia adores animal patterned items and built this dressy outfit around an elegant snakeskin-print skirt. Tucking a fitted black turtleneck into the skirt and adding a black belt streamlines the look. Our blogger then adds tall black suede boots with a pointy toe and refined heel. The boots are a narrow fit on the calves which works well with the flouncy flare of the midi skirt. Adding a black leather moto jacket is trademark Patricia. It dresses down the look while playing into the hard-edged rock ‘n’ roll that she loves. Her black leather satchel also fits this aesthetic. Large hoop earrings, oversized sunnies, big pendant, bright red lippie and Patricia’s wavy locks juxtapose the hard-edged part of the look.

Occasionally Patricia likes to wear bright colours, and this red trench is just so fun. Pairing the tailored trench with a black turtleneck makes the cheerful red pop even more. Combining the black top with skinny light-wash jeans also lightens up the look. Rolling the jeans shows off her black sneakers that bookend both the top and Patricia’s dark hair. The white soles, together with the subtle white detailing on her structured bag, her silver earrings and the ornate silver detailing on our blogger’s black belt bring more lightness to the outfit. To finish off the look, Patricia wears a silver necklace over her turtleneck top — a combination reminiscent of the ‘60s that feels completely fresh again.

A neutral look in shades of camel and cream with lots of visual and textural interest. Patricia’s camel sweater with avant-garde shoulder detail and eye-catching horizontal cable-knit pattern is the star of the show here. She’s paired it with high-waisted, relaxed fit cream jeans, and faux tucked the sweater which lengthens the leg line. The other eye-catching element in this outfit are her light brown snakeskin booties that add maximal visual interest and a touch of Western style. The studs on Patricia’s suede clutch in a complementary darker brown add texture. Once again, our blogger is wearing a necklace over her sweater (it’s signature Patricia). This time it’s a thick gold-toned chain necklace that works well with the rest of her jewellery and sunnies. Finally, wearing her hair up lets the design of the sweater shine.

I can’t wait to hear what you think of Patricia’s wonderful style. Let us know in the comments, and then hop on over to her Instagram account to browse the rest of her fab outfits.

This post isn’t about wardrobe items that are physically uncomfortable, like an itchy sweater, shoes that rub, a waistband that is too tight, or a jumpsuit that drives you bananas when you’re in the loo. I’m talking about wardrobe items that are physically comfortable, and look great by most people’s standards, yet you don’t feel fab in them. On some level you are emotionally uncomfortable wearing these items despite what others say. This comes up a lot with my clients and friends, and I bet you’ve experienced it too.

As an example, one of my clients looks smashing in pants. Trendy, classic, wide, slim, solid, patterned, cropped — you name it — it’s a flattering silhouette on her. She’s easy to fit into pants, and has the corporate lifestyle to wear them. Yet she wears skirts and dresses exclusively because, emotionally, she doesn’t feel fabulous in pants.

Another client with a narrow waist and streamlined midsection wears tucked tops with the best of them. Yet she feels awfully un-fab in a tucked top because it’s fussy, prim and proper, and feels too dressed up for her very casual lifestyle.

I wear solid black tops, outerwear and dresses well, but I seldom feel fab in them. The solid black seems to drain my energy, and is also a little hard-edged for my sartorial preferences. If the solid black is broken up with a pattern, a pile of white pearls, some skin, or colour block, it’s a whole lot better. Wearing a solid black top as a layering piece under a contrasting neutral or non-neutral also works well. But generally, it’s better and easier if I wear a dark blue solid top instead of black. It’s subtle, but makes all the difference.

Just because you can wear something, doesn’t mean that you should. I’m always on the side of the wearer, and respect when a client tells me they don’t feel great in a look, even when I think they wear it well. You should listen to how you feel in an outfit. As far as possible, you should feel confident, authentic, powerful, attractive and fabulous in what you wear. 

Over to you. Are there items that look fab on you, but don’t make you feel fab?

A pair of robust slip-on rain boots was on my shopping list, so the search started in earnest this year. I wanted a short pair of rubber Wellington boots — or “wellies” — that were fun, lightweight, comfortable, not too wide, and didn’t break the bank. I stumbled across BOBS from Skechers Rain Check Boots, and was instantly drawn in because they’re covered in dogs. Most importantly, they had a Yorkshire Terrier in the pattern. The Yorkie even looks a bit like our precious Sam.

The pair that came were too big and wide for my low-volume feet. I ordered a size down, popped in an extra insole to take up some width, and Bob’s your uncle. The BOBS are brilliant wellies. More brilliantly, when you purchase BOBS, Skechers makes a donation to save the lives of dogs and cats. Hence the reason BOBS rain boots, slippers, sneakers and flats are covered in dog and cat patterns.

The look is an acquired taste. A little juvenile, busy, and quirky for some, and not very sophisticated. That doesn’t bother me one bit. Despite their enormous comfort, the pattern and cause pull at my heart strings, which is ample good reason for me to love them. I wear my BOBS wellies with pride on very wet walks with Sam. Why not!

I love dressy wardrobe items because they’re very versatile if you’re prepared to wear them dressed down and daily too. That way you get the biggest bang for your fashion buck, and can enjoy dressy items despite a smart casual or casual lifestyle. 

There are many ways to dress down a dressy skirt. Adding a denim shirt, denim jacket, moto, sneakers, combat boots, flats, a tee, sweatshirt, slouchy knitwear, or a casual crossbody bag to the outfit are some of them.

Here are four sassy, dressy and classic skirts that are dressed down to create an interesting and more relaxed look.

1. Soft Tough Edge

A tough and hard-edged pleated pleather skirt is combined with a soft, fluid and refined pullover creating a yummy juxtaposition. A crisp white shirt layered under the pullover adds formality, structure and interest. The semi tuck adds waist definition, and the tailored black heeled boots amp back up the dressy. Add hosiery and a coat for warmth and you’re good to go.

2. Cheeky Classic

A classic, prim and proper tweed pencil skirt is untamed by dressing it down with a semi-tucked slogan tee, faded denim jacket, and snakeskin boots. A moto jacket will work as well. The pattern mix of the snakeskin and tweed is interesting. Nude hosiery will keep you warm. You can take this outfit formula and replicate it in any colour palette and with all sorts of patterns. Granted, mild weather is essential.

3. Cosy Polished Prairie

This caught my eye because it’s a very unusual mix. A chunky pullover is tucked into a Western and folkloric tiered skirt and finished off with tailored laced-up heeled boots. Creative! Tall cowboy boots would look good too. Or a fine gauge pullover instead of the bulky cable knit. Pop a long coat or parka over the top and Bob’s your uncle.

4. Stompy Cocktail

I adore this type of dramatic, dressy, and big skirt. It screams cocktail wear, AND urban funk when dressed down so that you can run around and get on with your day. A slouchy pullover with matching flat stompy boots pulls the outfit together and loosens up the formality of the skirt. Add hosiery and a tailored long wool coat for warmth. A casual bag will relax the look further. Add jewellery, watch, and headgear as desired.