How would you describe your style? I’m drawn to natural materials and I love a neutral palette. I have a very edited collection of clothes;everything goes together,everything gets worn. I’m very intentional about what I have in terms of my clothing. I have four young children,so I want to make life easy for myself.
What is the oldest thing in your wardrobe? A cotton summer dress from the late ’80s that was my mother’s.
And the most recent addition?A long wool and cashmere cardigan from local brand Rowie[Natalie lives in Byron Bay]. It’s a timeless piece I know I’m going to wear often.
What would you wear …
… on a first date? What I usually wear – a dress and slides.
… on a plane? Off-white jeans,a blouse and a light knit. I always take my camel-coloured cashmere scarf.
… on the red carpet? One of my wedding dresses – I had two 1920s-style dresses made by a woman with a little shop in Notting Hill,London. The one I’ve worn a couple of times is a beautiful dusty-rose tunic with sequins,a bit like a flapper dress.
What’s your favourite fashion era? Recently it’s Lauren Hutton’s 1970s look. I love the palette,the high-waisted trousers,the blouses slightly tucked in and the beautiful coats.
Do you have a favourite designer?I love the 1970s aesthetic with a bit of Victoriana that Dôen does. I like One Fable for essentials such as linen shorts,Fallen Broken Street and Will&Bear for hats,and Rafia Chic for shoes.
What’s your fragrance of choice? I’ve worn Aesop “Marrakech Intense” for at least eight years. It’s a warm scent but not overpowering.
What are three essential items in your wardrobe? A flattering dress that has pockets,a beautiful blouse and a cardigan.
Any go-to jewellery? My wedding ring,a custom necklace by Elvis et Moi that has four gold medallions with my children’s initials,and a Cartier watch that was a 40th birthday present from my family.
Can you remember a favourite outfit from when you were a child? My mother dressed me in the clothes of the early ’80s – smocked dresses in heavy velvet with Peter Pan collars.
And your worst fashion mistake?I don’t tend to think of what I wore as mistakes,just an earlier version of my style. Now I would never wear anything red,but there was a pair of red Alannah Hill boots with bows in the early 2000s.
What was your first fashion moment? About seven years ago we were about to embark on a tree change and I went through all the things in my home,everything I’d collected;I only wanted to take what I really loved and had a personal connection with. In my wardrobe I got rid of all the colourful and patterned clothes and anything I didn’t wear over and over. Creating those restraints was really freeing. I like the idea of having a capsule wardrobe.
Is there something you would never wear? Teva sandals.
What’s at the top of your wish list? I’m obsessed with a pair of St Agni woven leather boots which are sold out everywhere. Also,a pair of brown R. M. Williams boots.
What shoes do you wear most often? I rotate between Blundstones – we live on a rural property – St Agni slides and Veja sneakers.
Who’s your favourite fashion icon? The looks I love come from films such asPicnic at Hanging Rock,or Kristin Scott Thomas inThe English Patient and Meryl Streep inOut of Africa. Also the television showThe Durrells,which is a combination of the clothes and the house!
What’s your favourite off-duty,casual Sunday look? We’ll go to the beach,so it’s a dress I can throw over my swimming costume.
(Hardie Grant) by Natalie Walton is out now.
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