I MOVED FROM LONDON TO RURAL WALES. IT’S HAD THE MOST GLORIOUS IMPACT ON MY STYLE
Last summer, after more than 20 years in London, my husband Ned and I moved with our three children, Lyon, eight, Nancy, seven, and Celeste, four, and our two dogs, Margaret and Marigold, to a village in north Wales.
I knew from day one with Ned that we would settle there. He will eventually take over his parents’ house, which is not far from where we’re living now. It made sense for us to build a life in Wales sooner rather than later – as one friend told me, it takes a year to settle somewhere, so you might as well go if you know you’re going to be there forever.
His parents had thought that eventually they would downsize to the house that we’re living in now, and then we would move into their house. I intervened and we moved into the house that we will eventually swap.
The papers are full of stories of people who traded city life for the countryside and regretted it, but for us, the past year has been a dream. I very rarely go back to London for work, and have no desire to.
I can’t believe it because I’ve lived there since I was 18. I do wonder whether that will change in two years. Will I be longing to go back to have cocktails and go out for a lovely dinner?
We’re on the edge of a very sweet village with two pubs, a church, a village shop with glass milk bottles and penny sweets. There’s a river that you can swim in, wild blackberries… It’s all very wholesome.
In London there was always rubbish on our front door. The kids have settled into their schools well, and we’re about the same distance from my mother now as we were in London.
I’m lucky that, as the founder of Kipper, a women’s tailoring brand, I can work anywhere. Ned, who is the founder of Not Another Bill and Bespokely, a corporate gifting company, is in London two nights a week.
From wardrobe to ward-room
Before we moved, lots of people told me, you’re not going to dress up so much. I think that probably is the expectation. And I think because of that, the rebel in me loves doing what I’m told not to do.
If anything, I’m more adventurous now with my clothes, and it’s thanks in part to having more space. We forfeited a spare bedroom and turned half of the attic into my wardrobe. It’s my favourite room. I keep a steamer out. There are pictures and plates on the walls. It’s my sanctuary. My own creative space.
We’re conscious that my parents-in-law will one day live here, so we didn’t want to spend a fortune on fitted cupboards that would one day be redundant. Instead, we have open rails, which gives it a lovely contrasting industrial feel.
Along the walls is storage for shoes, jumpers, trousers and hats. I keep all my shirts together, all my jackets – I organise by style, not colour, so if I’m in the market for an evening top, off to that area I go.
Being able to see all of my clothes and accessories together in one place has been a revelation. Sometimes, if you can’t see something when you open your wardrobe, you don’t wear it. Now, I’m like, why don’t I wear that fabulous vintage Gucci coat on the school run? Or a striped suit to the supermarket?
I hate saving things for best, and dressing up is fun – it makes me smile. And what I really love is when someone looks at me and they smile because of what I’m wearing.
My outfits have been a great conversation starter. It’s an easy way to break the ice and people tend to drop their guards as well. My favourite is when I then inspire others to dress up.
Dressing as a ritual
I hate being rushed in the morning, so I always give myself that extra bit of time to stand in my wardrobe and think, what do I want to feel today? Fun? Powerful? Playful? Eccentric?
Every outfit is like a construction, there are lots of elements to it. I don’t make the effort because I want to be different; I just don’t want to be boring. This is my way of being creative. It’s just like creating a piece of art.
It also sets an example for my children. If I just threw on joggers and a T-shirt, I’d feel like I’m not ready for my day. I think it’s so important for children to see me dressed properly as well, because they’ve had to put their school uniform on and brush their hair.
It’s a small amount of time that can make a big difference. It makes me feel like I can conquer anything, not have to worry about what I’m wearing and focus on my day.
Keeping it practical
I’ll very happily wear the same taffeta skirt I’d wear in London, but with a pair of wellies occasionally. I have a lovely pair of red Hunters, and a pair of Le Chameau wellies in blue with white stripes at the top. I’m still expressing myself, but I’m making it practical. That’s what makes it country.
My dog-walking coat varies. It can be anything from a lovely wool coat with a bit of faux fur, or I quite often like to steal Ned’s camo puffer jacket (I always love a steal from Ned). It’s not the coat you’d expect. It’s practical and warm, but still feels fabulous.
I have this burgundy rain hat, and a very cool, waterproof cape, so I’ll wear that over a wool coat, with a bit of the collar showing, and then a welly, and probably the kind of skirt that everyone will be like, oh, you can’t wear that! And I quite like getting that reaction.
For dinners with friends, I will dress up. I love a Daily Sleeper, pyjama-kind of ensemble with a bit of feather. I love the drama. I have always been very much a flat-shoes girl – I think you can wear pretty much anything if you’ve got flats on. I don’t want to look like Ab Fab in the country, so I think there is an element of keeping it grounded and chic.
The joy factor
One of the biggest changes to the way I dress is that I wear far more colour since living here than in London. I think that’s probably being happier. I wore a pink jumper the other day, which I never would have worn in London. Here, I feel like there’s less judgement. Everyone supports you, and they almost encourage the unexpected.
I wouldn’t say I’m one of those people that care too much about what people think, but it was definitely on my radar. And yet, when we went out for dinner the other night, I was probably far more dressed up than I would be in London.
Maybe it’s because I’m now 40, but I feel more comfortable in my skin. Now, anything goes. I feel like I have more freedom. Everyone here is so different, which is inspiring. I can only be me, and you can only be you.
And I didn’t realise how powerful nature is. Just going for a walk, what goodness that does to you and to your mind and just the way you feel about life. Maybe that’s another reason I feel like dressing more adventurously.
Clothes are so much a part of me. I feel like it’s just a new chapter. And actually, this might be the best version of me ever. I’m excited for what more is to come.
As told to Tamara Abraham
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