‘My breasts looked like shrivelled prunes’: Trinny Woodall’s biggest fashion fail
By Georgie Gordon
Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, beauty entrepreneur Trinny Woodall.
You won’t find Trinny Woodall walking around in a pair of kitten heels.
How would you describe your personal style? Ever evolving. Over the years I’ve learnt what suits me, which allows me to break out occasionally and try something that excites me. My comfort zone for work is a deconstructed Dries Van Noten suit or a fitted Bella Freud ’70s-inspired suit, while a dress from the Vampire’s Wife is my go-to when I’m feeling feminine. Navy is my black and I still love a sequin.
What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? I’m a collector; I’ll bring things out I haven’t worn for 25 years. It might be a suede Prada coat I used to wear with skinny jeans and a stiletto but will wear now with Zimmermann wide-leg leopard trousers, an old Prada raffia belt and a bright yellow jumper.
And the most recent addition? A pair of black A.W.A.K.E Mode barrel-leg trousers.
Trinny Woodall wore a silver dress by the Vampire’s Wife to a recent product launch.Credit:
What would you wear … on a first date? I’ll put on my biker boots, a wide-leg trouser and a complicated top because I’m not going to adapt the way I dress for a guy … on a plane? I wear something tailored and change into sweatpants, a cashmere jumper and scarf on board … on the red carpet? For the launch of my Trinny London “Take Back Time” eye cream, I wore a silver dress by the Vampire’s Wife and a Robert Clergerie wedge.
What’s your favourite fashion era? The ’70s for the flares, high-cut jeans, a sexy shirt and a wedge. And the ’90s for the severity of the tailoring – the Cindy Crawford years of androgynous dressing. I find that look incredibly empowering.
Who are your favourite designers? I’ve collected Prada for about 30 years and every year I’ll buy one thing. I had to be careful, though, when Raf Simons started designing for the brand because there were lots of logos, which really put me off. And Dries Van Noten – the mixture of pattern, texture and silhouette is done so incredibly well.
What’s your fragrance of choice? I wear Aesop “Marrakech Intense” and Le Labo “Santal 33″.
What are the three essential items in your wardrobe? A navy Dries Van Noten ankle-length coat – I’m obsessed with coats, an investment that never goes out of style. Also, a silver Cos cross-body bag that elevates any outfit and my white Hogan trainers.
Any go-to jewellery? Two silver Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti “Bone” cuffs I wear every day.
Can you remember a favourite outfit you wore as a child? When I was about 10, I insisted on wearing teal cord trousers with a little paisley top to school, and they got so wrecked with mud stains. I remember it because I was so determined to wear something and then ruined it.
What was your first fashion moment? I’ve always loved fashion but when I was young, my mother thought it was very frivolous to spend money on clothes. So, when I was 16, I got a Saturday job and I’d go to Kensington Market [in west London] to buy clothes from independent designers that were the total opposite of what my mother thought I should wear.
And your worst fashion mistake? Buying a dress that made my breasts look like shrivelled prunes. I am not a cleavage girl.
What’s on your wish list? I buy a new coat every autumn. This year it’s in a brown check from Acne Studios.
Is there something you would never wear? Kitten heels: cankles and kitten heels are frenemies.
Is there a current trend you like? The barrel jean. I just love the frivolity and fun of that exaggerated silhouette.
What do you sleep in? Either my late dad’s Turnbull & Asser nightshirt, Derek Rose pyjamas or nothing.
Who are your favourite fashion icons? Tilda Swinton and Cate Blanchett.
What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look? Wide-leg, high-waisted jeans with a skinny navy Cos merino jumper, a sleeveless cashmere vest and my Hogan sneakers.
Trinny London’s new Just Joyous lip shades are available from trinnylondon.com.
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