Suffer from an expanding middle in which my waist has all but disappeared. Could you help me create a look that doesn't make me feel so shapeless?
This is a common problem, so you are not alone. There are tonnes of tricks one can employ - let's get into it. Dressing well, in my opinion, is all about balance. The beauty of clothes is that they can give each of us more curve where we might long for it and skim over places we want to minimise, creating the shape we want by clever use of cut, fabric and silhouette. If the impression of a waist is what you're after, choose vertical seams, diagonal cuts, asymmetry and tucking.

How can I dress for a music festival in my forties? (We are going in and out on day tickets, so no camping!) How marvellous. Can I come? It occurs to me that this raises a really important point. I am regularly asked about age-appropriate dressing and I always say the same thing. If something looks good on you, if you like it and feel confident in it then wear it. I feel strongly that any discourse on what you can and can’t wear at certain ages is immaterial.

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Id like some help with how to stay warm and stylish at summer events that are outdoors or in the evenings!
Ah! I had that very problem at a family wedding this month. You'd think in the summer months of June to August we'd be safe from such concerns, but sadly it cannot be guaranteed in the UK. For my cousin's outdoor wedding, which was followed by a reception in a beautiful but open-sided set of tepees, I wore an organza dress from Sir - not dissimilar to a beautiful Staud organza dress that's available to rent from Hurr (sadly, in small sizes only, from £72 for four days, hurrcollective.com). But being diaphanous doesn't exactly add much to keeping one warm...

I loathe my clothes this time of year. My knits are pilled, my coats feel old and shabby, and I’m bored with black and grey. Is there a way to breathe a little excitement into my wardrobe in the depths of winter, ideally without resorting to the post-Christmas clearance sales? I totally understand. January is such a miserable month and grey too, so it’s no wonder you feel like this.

Ah, Valentine's Day. Love it or hate it, there is no getting away from it. If you're heading out to an intimate dinner, just going for a drink or having a "galentines" celebration with your girlfriends, let's look at some outfits that will serve you well, no matter what.
First, can I urge you to check that you haven't forgotten some killer dress, suit, top or pair of shoes that's been languishing in your wardrobe? If you can't see it, you won't wear it, so roll up your sleeves and have a rummage. If you don't unearth anything special, then here are a few suggestions.....

I live in New York, where temperatures are regularly above 29C — and the subway gets much hotter. How can I beat the heat and still look appropriately dressed in the office?

As a new autumn season approaches, what are the clothes worth investing more money in? And where I can save?

I need some new sunglasses and the last few I’ve bought haven’t looked quite right. Can you give me some pointers so I know I’m on the right track?

Can you give me What kind of textures go well together? For example does linen go well with silk, does cotton go well with more canvas textures, etc?

Please can you tell me where to find festive outfits that feel elegant and not like a Christmas decoration? Also, I have an actual office party, so a pointer or two on that would be gratefully received!

Is there a jacket that suits all women? I’m struggling to find one for myself — I have a full bust and a tummy, by the way.

I’ve just come back from my first outdoor summer event of the year, and my mules sunk into the grass. What should I wear instead? Please don’t say espadrilles.

I like to dress in a relatively classic style but am worried I end up looking staid and old fashioned. Have you any tips?

Trousers come in a variety of shapes and lengths these days and the tops I wear with my skinny jeans don’t look as good with wide-leg trousers. Can you advise on the best tops to wear with different shapes of trousers?

I have a portfolio career but my roles require very different things. In one I am working in a corporate environment and in the other I am in the art world working alongside other creatives. How do I look appropriate for both? I am very creative naturally and don’t want to lose my sense of self in the corporate world.

During the pandemic, I have almost entirely rid my wardrobe of heels. This has worked fine except for evening events and weddings: my suits and dresses — especially the midi dresses — look terrible. Do you have any recommendations?