A Seaside Artist Wardrobe

Visual artists are often expected to have a really quirky, if not outrageous, appearance. While my art is colourful and often challenging, my wardrobe is all about understatement and elegance rather than shock value. Living by the sea has had a big influence on the clothes I choose. I am comfortable and confident wearing a relaxed, bohemian, arty look and I like mixing bright colours and vintage clothes with interesting patterns with classics such as ballet pumps, black blazers, cardigans and chunky knits. In my choices I prioritise lasting style over disposable fashion. Below are my favourite items, a combination of high street and charity shops buys. 

Adding glamour: big sunglasses and big floppy hat

Big sunglasses and a big, floppy straw hat give an instant sprinkle of glamour and a bit of mystery to the simplest of outfits. They are also essentials if you live by the sea and/or do a lot of outdoor activities like I do. 

Audrey Hepburn style ballet pumps and other flat shoes

I never wear heels as they no longer suit my life style (pebble beaches and stilettos do not mix...). My favourite shoes are simple black pumps: they go with any outfit and always give a classy Audrey Hepburn vibe. I also wear trainers in different colours with jeans or dresses. I spend a lot of time in my garden and I love wearing my (supermarket bought) leopard print funky wellies. To nurture the rebel in me, I wear biker boots with jeans or long dresses. 

Hello sailor: the striped top

I collect them as they reflect so well my love of the sea. If they were good enough for people like Coco Chanel, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Pablo Picasso, they are good enough for me. They are timeless and always look elegant and effortless. 

 Life is a circus so I wear clown pants 

I like fabrics and shapes that allow me to move freely and my favourite trouser shapes are wide leg or harem pants . I call them my ‘clown pants’...My lifestyle is very sporty and I have a series of black yoga/pilates type pants that I wear to exercise. Most of them I again bought from charity shops. I prefer these to clingy lycra pants and also wear them when I do my weekly runs. 

Life is a beach: the denim shorts

Loose denim shorts made from an old pair of jeans that I cut above the knee are one of my favourite beachwear.

Back to black: the cardigan and the blazer

A black cardigan is another of  my favourite go to items. My current favourite is a second hand one, originally from M&S. A black blazer looks good worn with a white tee shirt and jeans and bring a touch of class without looking too stuffy and corporate. 

Best dress day 

I love colours and patterns and I have a lot of long and mid-length 'floaty' dresses bought in second hand shops. I also have black, dramatic dresses for a gothic-inspired, more dramatic look. 

Outfits to paint in: the dungarees

This often maligned piece is one of my favourite painting outfit. They are comfortable to move in (painting is surprisingly physical!) and easy to wash. I also like wearing my favourite nile green pair (another charity shop find) to go to the beach. 

5O shades of white: the white tee shirt and the white shirt 

Classic, elegant, fresh and flattering. 

The cosy knits: beanie hats and chunky jumpers 

Finally I would be lost without my colourful woolly hats and jumpers. They keep me warm when walking on the seafront on a windy day!